Lucky 8 by Rae D Magdon is a cyberpunk/science fiction novel that is high tech, high adrenaline and high on the literary Scoville scale. It also has sizable helpings of disdain for the evils of corporate control, hope and love.
After narrowly defeating Sasha’s ex-lover come arch nemesis Megan, the Lucky 7 crew settled in Barbados with Elena’s family for some desperately needed downtime. Completely relaxing however, is impossible for Sasha. She is torn by the knowledge that her eighth and last remaining clone waits in their hideout, alone and in stasis. She needs to activate her. Not to become the next Sasha, head full of downloaded memories, but to become her own person free from the burdens that have plagued Sasha’s life and hardened her disposition.
The crew awakens Ocho but she has little time to adjust to her new life. Her welcome to the world ceremony is cut short by a strange message from the CEO of Axysgen with an offer Sasha can’t refuse, a corporate espionage gig that is not only dangerous, but verges on impossible. But the reward? Well, it is simply irresistible; information about what actually happened to Sasha’s parents long ago. Is it a trap? Certainly. Can she ignore it? Hell no. And that means neither can the rest of the crew.
The Lucky 8 crew are thrust back into the perilous world of malevolent corporations with large grudges and lots of munitions with a naive new crew member in tow. Their mission is fraught with danger as ghosts from their past collide with dreams of the future. Elena has had enough of danger and the future she wants is one where her family are safe and secure. But is that even possible with the corporations controlling everything? And can she live with herself if she abandons one family for another?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
There are Gigabytes of amazing things to love about this book. Let’s start with the action; it’s exhilarating with the perfect amount of suspense and adrenaline. Then there’s all the tech fun which includes FRAIs, Jackers, and virtual environments with giant people eating plants, volcanos, and yes, dinosaurs! Oh and let’s not forget the continuation of the scorching hot romance between Sasha and Elena that began in the first book of the series.
I have to say my favourite component of this book though, is Magdon’s ability to create amazing characters. Every member of the crew is so dynamic with different strengths, vulnerabilities and quirks that pull you deep into the narrative. Their diversity in identities and personalities, their relationships, and their journey as they explore not only the importance of family but their own definitions of what family actually means is exceptional and will make you wish you could be Nuevo.
Cons And Heads Up
As with the first book in this series, the sex scenes are searing. However as a heads up, they do incorporate power play dynamics, light bondage and one of the mains has a prosthetic dildo that is described in detail in terms of form, application and effect.
The Conclusion
Jack in and prepare yourself for another action packed, smoking hot, and heart warming installment in the Lucky Breaks series. If you are fond of the found family trope, or cyber-fun is your ideal playground, or you like your action served up hot and steamy, then this series is for you.
Excerpt from Lucky 8 by Rae D Magdon
“ETA two minutes,” Rami says. I open my eyes in time to see them activate the Eagle’s cloak and fly straight through an unassuming billboard for NutraBrand flavor paste. Rami and Megan cooked up the camouflage together a few years back.
Megan. My stomach sinks. Memories of my ex crop up far more often than I’d like. She betrayed us to AxysGen and forced us to kill her and Dragon, the new FRAI she created when Val proved too willful. Even three months on, I still haven’t worked through all my feelings of anger, guilt, and loss. In fact, I’ve been avoiding it as much as possible. Megan might have betrayed our crew, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be the one to kill her.
Darkness closes in as we descend into the tunnels. The sounds of traffic fade and the power grid’s hum swells around us. Above, the ceiling rattles and shakes. we’re directly beneath the web, flying along a maintenance shaft. Soon, Rami bings the Eagle to a stop. The floor opens, and we touch down in our SLKC hideout’s garage…
The SLKC garage isn’t as cold as the Hole in Siberia, but it isn’t warm either. A shiver runs down my spine as I hop out the Eagle’s rear doors, the soles of my boots hitting concrete. I’m glad we soundproofed the base. Otherwise, the goddamn hum would drive me crazy.
“What now?” Doc asked, exiting through the passenger’s side door. “You wanna wake her up right away, or…”
I shoot Doc a warning look, and she avers her eyes.
“Shit, just asking.”
It’s a fair question. Part of me wants to get it over with. Needs to, before the anxiety of unfinished business eats me alive. But I’m also terrified. I’ve spent the last seventeen years running major ops from London to Taiwan, outsmarting the most dangerous corps crews and freelance mercy in the world. Died six times doing it. But in no way, shape or form am I prepared for this.
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Series
Lucky 8
Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9781954213098
- Publisher: Desert Palm Press
- Rae D Magdon Online
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