Marcus Battle cannot seem to catch a break. Just when everything settles down and he can enjoy life, Wham! along comes some Murphy’s Law to turn it all upside down. It’s been five years since Battle returned to the homestead with Lola, Sawyer, and Penny. They have managed to survive and come together as a family without much interference until now. Three men changed Battle’s world in a matter of minutes.
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.” And, Marcus aims to serve it all three times.
The Dwellers came into power after the Cartel was defeated. Their reign did not last long and the former state of Texas is once again a lawless territory with competing gangs plaguing the innocent. Battle’s moral compass, or what is left of it, will not let him pass up a chance to set things right for those he stumbles upon.
His search for revenge meets him up with the most unlikely companions. One tries to kill him and then becomes his constant sidekick. Another is on a similar quest as Marcus and joins them to exact his own retribution. The trio, while somewhat comical, are a deadly combination.
This is my favorite quote from the book: “If these people could shoot, I’d be dead three times over,” he muttered. Not sure why, but I found this hilarious. What Battle said is so true in this situation. But, I digress.
Abrahams’ fourth novel in The Traveler series, Rising, is fast-paced and gritty. True to the series’ name, Marcus is always traveling. He cannot stay put no matter much he would like. The story is reminiscent of tales from the Wild West with vigilante justice and guns-a-blazing. There are no more hospitals to patch you up. You are more than likely to die from infection or bleed out from your wounds.
I am enjoying Battle’s struggle to retain his humanity. He often goes into the darkest places of his mind. Then along comes someone he is drawn to because they remind him of happier times in his past, and he starts that long climb back towards his version of normalcy.
His story will continue.
5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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