James C.
Adrienne Wilder takes us on a vivid and often times creepy journey in NoX, with a fresh sci-fi twist on shifters. Its supernatural flare and vivid imagery grabs hold and drags you from cover to cover. All sense of time is lost as the narration of Kirt Graves engulfs you as a welcome companion on this spine-chilling and intense ride.
An extensive cast of characters combine to create an adventure of a lifetime. Luca, Nox, and Reese’s points of view seamlessly interweave to tell their story. There is so much occurring within an abundance of detail, that paying close attention to Kirt Graves’ suave delivery is completely necessary.
Life has not been kind to Luca Suarez. At nineteen he has lost his mother, father and older brother, Koda, to tragic accidents while he himself battles cancer. Nox is a man of mystery. This hulking nude man enters Luca’s life in the nick of time to save Luca from death, not at the hands of leukemia, but from other worldly creatures. Where did he come from? Why does he just know that he must “Protect Luca”? Why can’t he remember anything? Over time the answers to these questions reveal themselves as we slowly learn details: his real name, his past, and the atrocities he has been subjected to.
Dr. Reese Dante is one of the last remaining pioneer scientists on the super-secret New World Genetics Anubis project (hint… hint…). When his conscience can no longer endure the project’s disregard for its subjects, Reese severs his ties with New World Genetics. Riddled with guilt and remorse, he struggles to get his life back in order. As one of the few remaining scientists, he truly understands the gravity of what is happening. Even as my emotions ran amuck for Luca and Nox, my heart absolutely bled for this man.
Two plots unfold simultaneously in NoX. Luca and Nox are on the run with one goal in mind, “Protect Luca”. While in parallel the military, which includes Reese, is following the trail of bodies left behind by the Anubis, the wolf-like creatures chasing Luca. As Nox’s memory begins to return, bringing with it the events leading up to this point, so does the realization of what his former colleagues have done dawns on Reese.
The pull between Luca and Nox grows slowly as each day passes. Luca has never really had a life; it has always been about the leukemia. Nox’s need to protect Luca makes him hesitate. As his resolve slowly disintegrates and combines with Luka’s desire, it is replaced with a strong emotional bond. Here is where I chuckle slightly to myself: First I was ‘come on guys do the deed, the connection is there, you both feel it’. Then, it morphed into ‘OMG get off him’. Seriously though, Luca and Nox are a perfect match and I adore their relationship and there hawt interludes.
NoX is definitely not for the squeamish, often times brutal and intense, it delivers a powerful impact. There are times when the science “stuff” might seem too be mind boggling, but it never is. Kirt Graves’ alluring delivery of even scientific gobbledygook only serves to enhance the depth and power NoX incites. It’s important to understand that the brutality is not only focused on murder, dismemberment and gore. The Anubis thrive on physical contact. More specifically, rough and often brutal sex with multiple partners. Holy crap is there an abundance of the getting down and dirty variety.
Mystery and memory loss, death and destruction, science and greed place the fate of humanity in peril. The initial scientific intentions are altruistic, however, as time passes egos and personal gain seize control. The resulting impact leaves the protagonists in limbo with a longing for a peaceful future that may not be attainable. NoX ends at a decent break point, so not a cliffhanger but a new beginning.