Onley James

I have been reading two Onley James' books at once - Endangered Species, part of the Time Served series, and Unhinged, #1 in the Necessary Evil series.

Both novels inhabit not too dissimilar worlds - a dystopian society, not in the future but now. Negative worlds full of injustice. With good people emerging like butterflies from horrendous upbringings and the vicious cruelty of soulless barely human humans.

I am always drawn to a hero, and the two MCs of Endangered Species are Nicholas and Cyrus who would do anything to save the other. Cyrus was framed for killing his stepmother, Nicholas's mother, and sent to jail for 25 years. But 20 years in prison hasn't killed the good man within. Computer whiz Nicholas ends up in the same cell, when he rattles the bad guys in his search for who framed Cy, and is accused of terrorism.

Upon their reunion, the un-related-by-blood stepbrothers fall in love. Only in a romance, you might say! but hey, we can do with all the good news on offer in this ghastly prison world and milieu of corruption and violence. What Nicky and Cy find in each other is like ermine amid barbwire, so is insta-love all that implausible?!

In Unhinged, there's a quasi sci-fi feel to the selecting of psychopath boys and moulding them into vigilante killers who clean up the bad guys to whom the law takes too long or doesn't get around to applying justice.

Noah is the victim of pedophelia and is playing a long game to bring revenge down upon the perpetrators, who include his father. Meanwhile, the search for his father's murderer brings him to Adam, who works for the security firm that applies the vigilante justice. Something strange happens in that Adam is drawn to Noah like a moth to a flame, so rather than ending up dead, Noah finds a protector, an ally and a lover in Adam.

This summary gives you some idea how there is some delicious mischief in these strange juxtapositions and ironies, and while I wouldn't call it a romcom, this book isn't as dark as the prison narrative, Endangered Species.

Onley's writing is good, her characters are dark heroes full of courage and tenderness, and Liam Dicosimo reads superbly in both novels. Overall, quite solid entertainment.… (more)

This audiobook is narrated by Liam Dicosima - such a good choice. He has just the right voice to make Onley's MCs, Noah and Adam, relatable and sympathetic, despite their being unlikely romantic heroes.

Onley sets about creating a fairytale love story in that awful world of murder and pedophilia.

Interesting that the cover has recreated Adam's intriguing tattoos - they are striking, especially that snake that encircles his neck.

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I have been reading two Onley James' books at once - Endangered Species, part of the Time Served series, and Unhinged, #1 in the Necessary Evils series.

Both novels inhabit not too dissimilar worlds - a dystopian society, not in the future but now. Negative worlds full of injustice. With good people emerging like butterflies from horrendous upbringings and the vicious cruelty of soulless, barely human humans.

I am always drawn to a hero, and the two MCs of Endangered Species are Nicholas and Cyrus, who would do anything to save the other. Cyrus was framed for killing his stepmother, Nicholas's mother, and sent to jail for 25 years. But 20 years in prison hasn't killed the good man within. Computer whiz Nicholas ends up in the same cell, when he rattles the bad guys in his search for who framed Cy, and is accused of terrorism.

Upon their reunion, the un-related-by-blood stepbrothers fall in love. Only in a romance, you might say! but hey, we can do with all the good news on offer in this ghastly prison world and milieu of corruption and violence. What Nicky and Cy find in each other is like ermine amid barbwire, so is insta-love all that implausible?!

In Unhinged, there's a quasi sci-fi feel to the selecting of psychopath boys and moulding them into vigilante killers who clean up the bad guys to whom the law takes too long or doesn't get around to applying justice.

Noah is the victim of pedophelia and is playing a long game to bring revenge down upon the perpetrators, who include his father. Meanwhile, the search for his father's murderer brings him to Adam, who works for the security firm that applies the vigilante justice. Something strange happens in that Adam is drawn to Noah like a moth to a flame, so rather than ending up dead when he goes snooping, Noah finds a protector, an ally and a lover in Adam.

This summary gives you some idea how there is some delicious mischief in these strange juxtapositions and ironies, and while I wouldn't call it a romcom, this book isn't as dark as the prison narrative, Endangered Species.

Onley's writing is good, her characters are dark heroes full of courage and tenderness, and Liam Dicosimo reads superbly in both novels. Overall, quite solid entertainment.… (more)

Jericho's Boys is a spinoff of the author's Necessary Evils series and revolves around the "strays" Jericho Navarro (and by marriage, Atticus Mulvaney) has taken under his wing. The second book revolves around Levi Akira and the interest he takes in Shiloh Mizrahi when Shiloh tries to kill him.

This is very similar to the Necessary Evils series but with feelings - from both love interests! So similar that not everyone will be able to overlook it, but generally if you loved that series then you'll love this. For me, it was just enjoyable - an easy way to relax with a story I know is going to deliver with humour, steam, feels and a little bit of murder.

Unlike the first book, I would say that you could get away without reading Necessary Evils. There's a few cameos and a comment about Project Watchtower (the secret government black ops school for psychos - i.e. or The Watch series) but there's not really any references to past history. On the other hand Necessary Evils is freaking amazing and the enjoyment of this one is stronger if you have. So you should. But not necessary.

Also unlike the Necessary Evils series this was fairly tame on the violence. The large majority of the book is hurt comfort romance. Towards the end though the violence starts with an appearance of the Mulvaney's. But even then it wasn't quite as vicious, the large majority happens off page.

I liked the romance between Levi and Shiloh but I loved Shiloh's brother, Mal. I can't wait to read Mal and Nico's story, they're totally awesome. Plus Mal interacting with August was just funny. I really want them to become besties. The plot itself - I enjoyed the backstory with Shiloh and his brothers. I liked seeing it all unfold and reveal what was going on. Even if it was a bit annoying with how slow the reveal was. Still it was a good plot, even if slightly weak. The brother connecting everything to find the Mulvaney's seemed a bit thin. But fiction.

So a slightly dark, but generally pretty tame, morally grey romance with lots of hurt comfort and a bunch of wacky characters. Was it perfect? No. Did I enjoy it? Hell yes. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5.… (more)

Thomas Mulvaney has long theorised that psychopaths are a necessary evil of society - nature's way of providing those strong enough to take out the worst elements of humanity. The Watch is a secret government training facility to continue his research into the ability to refocus psychopathic tendencies into productive government sanctioned work.

The Watch is a spinoff of the Necessary Evils, Elite Protection Services and Jericho's Boys series, but can be read as a standalone. Archer Mulvaney and Mac Shepherd (Necessary Evils #6: Lunatic) both appear, as does Adrian Mulvaney (Necessary Evils #7: Maniac) but although enjoyable reading, none of the other series need to be read to follow the plot.

The Bone Collector follows Park Chen, a black op assassin spy turned Watchtower instructor and his ward, Gift Ayutthaya - his best friend's son who's recently been the _target of an attempt on his life. When Park is invited to the school, Gift tags along and begins the handlers program.

Onley James knows how to write an engaging violent story with lots of romance, humour and spice. This was no exception. I've been eagerly anticipating the release and it didn't disappoint. Gift was adorable and the chemistry between him and Park was burning. The relationship had me invested from the word go.

As for the rest of the characters, they were fantastic. I loved the whole cast of characters and was glad that SPOILERS for Necessary Evils #7: Maniac Adrian gets closure about his biological father (who originally foisted him off on Thomas). Plus the whole thing being the psychopaths final exam was freaking hysterical. I was highly amused by the fact the handlers are being referred to as the feelings faction. I loved that in Necessary Evils so it was nice to see it continue. The banter between the instructors and students was hilarious and had me laughing at the absolute ridiculousness. It was perfect. I can't wait for the next book. 5 stars.… (more)