cover image The Legend of Michael

The Legend of Michael

Lisa Renee Jones. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $6.99 mass market (416p) ISBN 978-1-4022-5156-6

In the initial volume of Jones' (Knights of White) new Zodius series, the U.S. government loses control of its clandestine army of wind-walking, self-healing alien DNA-injected super-soldiers when its aggressive leader launches a GTECH takeover of the human world. Cassandra, daughter of GTECH project's overseer, General Powell, becomes involved with the powerful, volatile, and terrifying soldier Michael, the most advanced of the GTECHs. She is irrevocably connected to Michael after they sleep together due to their Lifebond, a DNA connection created after sex to mark her as Michael's mate, which throws their love into a technological spiral. The novel's pseudoscientific depictions of cellular changes, endless blood testing sessions, and ludicrous alien technology are so central to the plot that their ludicrousness is impossible to ignore. The simplicity and overtness of how good and evil are depicted gives a novel the depth of a superhero story pretending to be a military thriller. However, the novel's strengths lay in scenes of Michael's bad-boy rawness and fierce possessiveness, which are at odds with Cassandra's headstrong determination as they passionately fight over strategy%E2%80%94both on the battlefield and between the sheets. The couple's high-intensity relations will thrill readers who like their heroes dangerous and their heroines fearless. (May)