Genmate Forsaken

The second of a trilogy, the author nicely works free of the cliff-hanger at the end of book 1 with Mysk going full-on alpha-hole. Which is shocking, but also makes him more interesting. Lala's a bit too quick to forgive and trust him again even with the 'mating bond' aspect, but otherwise it's a fast, fun read.. <br /><br />Ends on a cliff-hanger, but that was publicized. I'm looking to forward to reading the conclusion.

There was a breath-stealing cliffhanger at the end of the previous book and I was eager to dive right back in to see how that situation resolved in this sci-fi Enemies to Lovers romance set in the Alien Castaways world.<br /><br />Genmate Forsaken brings back Lala a Xeno who was mistreated by her own people though in their culture she deserved it all. She’s been given the chance to earn back some respect for the black mark her brother Chameleon put on the family name when he saved some of the Topians from having their whole race annihilated. All she has to do is lead the Xeno Council to the surviving Topians and Chameleon. Her quest takes her to a remote world and she is isolated there by a solar storm and her only companion thinks she is Topian and his gemmate. Mysk might be wrong about the first part, but he is right on the nose about the latter. He is also on the planet looking for surviving Topians and he has made it clear that he has a livid hatred for all Xenos because of what was done to his people.<br />How can she ever hope to make him understand that she has learned much since her fall from favor and ended up on this mission? Too many discrepancies in the Council’s version of the story and now a survivor’s story on top of it all. She wants to right a wrong, but will Mysk’s need for revenge keep him from seeing the truth before it’s too late and the Council discovers what she has been hiding from them.<br /><br />Genmate Forsaken is loaded with spoilers to the first book, Genmate Mistaken, and even for this book. I will have to leave all the delightful alien exotic surprises and the molten hot enemy lovers plot threads in the shadows. I will say that the world building for the stories is clear and augments a fantastic set of characters and plot. I like the slow unveiling of the intrigue that was set up in the first book and the stumbling one step forward two steps back of a pair who can’t seem to find a way to trust each other. It is a believable enemies to lovers in the way Lala and Mysk interact both warming the heart and wrenching it at times. The story is told in isolation and will likely have a nice contrast to what is to come in the final book. It does end on a cliff hanger, but the next book is out in a couple of weeks. I expected it and it is a short wait so I can deal.<br /><br />In summary, Genmate Forsaken builds fabulously on the groundwork of the first book and paces forward in action and romance and overall series arc so well. Love the build and will call it early to recommend the whole series to sci-fi romance fans.<br /><br />I rec'd an eARC from the author to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, this was a fab installment and I can't wait for the next one ;) There's a lot going on, least of which is fab chemistry and intense interactions. There are also a lot of miscommunications that really had me on the edge of my seat. Expect to be fully engaged in this exciting story and be panting for the next book when you're done ;D

I really can't wait for the next book, I need to know what happens next! This story is entertaining and ends in a cliffhanfer. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is wonderful. I received this book ?, as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

What a wonderful series by Cara Bristol. Genmate Forsaken is Book 2 in the series <br />Edwin Mysk is searching for the Topian's who <br />escaped from his planet before it's annihilation by the Xeno Consortium. He wants revenge when he meets Lala, a disgraced, former Xeno general who is capable of shape-shifting. He realizes he has found his genmate. But she is on her own mission of redemption after she realizes her countrymen have lied to her, exiled her and imprisoned her with a destruction device. Wonderful characters that are so real and engaging with a very action filled fast paced story that leaves wanting more. Each book ends in a cliffhanger, hopefully.the final book in the series "Genmate Imperiled" will be out soon. I cannot wait for the final addition to the series. It's a wonderful story. I just hate cliffhangers I removed one star ? for the cliffhanger.

IF YOU BECOME THE MONSTER YOU CONQUER, THE MONSTER WINS<br /><br />The Genmate series is a spin-off from the Castaway series, and if you haven’t read it, you should. We met Mysk, one of the aliens, to escape when their planet was destroyed. While in the Castaway series, many found their genmate, but so far, Mysk and several others haven’t. The decision to travel the Galaxy was made, searching for other ‘Topian survivors. A word of warning—books one and two in this trilogy do end on a cliffhanger. On the plus side, book three, Genmate Imperiled, releases on February 28th, 2022. It is promised that we will have the coveted ‘happily ever after’ ending with book three. So you won’t have to wait long. <br /><br />The story picks up and begins with a startling revelation, one that could be life and death for one of them. Anger, betrayal, dissolution, shock, and so much angst. Mysk is beyond understanding, Lala is hurt, and nothing is resolved. <br /><br />“I can’t be taken in. I can’t let her beguile me. In hurting her, he’d lost something vital. His self-respect. His moral compass. He’d become what he hunted; a monster.”<br /><br />“We’re genmates!” she said. “We ought to be on the same side!”<br /><br />Mysk is determined to head towards the caves in the mountains and find the ‘Topians. Their journey is full of angst and distrust. Lala keeps telling him that she must check in with her AI by a certain time or else it could bring battleships to their location. He refuses to listen, to trust, and to accept anything she says. He feels her deceit as the ultimate betrayal, another stab in the back by the Xenos, and nothing she says matters. <br /><br />These two must journey, deal with trials, forge a river, deal with volatile wildlife, and just when they seem to be developing a form of trust, betrayal again. Mysk pushes her beyond her capabilities and doesn’t believe she is genuinely ill—could this be another act on her part. Even their conversation proves that his hatred of Xenos is so clouded that she fears his motives aren’t healthy. Is he trying to rescue more ‘Topians, or is his goal to battle with Xenos?<br /><br />“She feared this wasn’t a rescue operation but a suicide mission. Suicide by battle.”<br /><br />“Aren’t we a pair? Two gemmates who hate each other. Perhaps we deserve each other.”<br /><br />I will tell you; I was screaming no at the end. You have been WARNED—major cliffhanger ending!!! As it used to say at the end of the cartoon---That’s all, folks! In three weeks, book #3.

This was a wonderful read filled with great characters and a wonderful plot<br />This was a simply wonderful read that held my attention from start to finish, I loved the characters and also loved the plot and I am sure that you will feel exactly the same about this wonderful book.<br />In a desperate desire for vengeance Topian Edwin Mysk desires to surrender to the pain of the destruction of their home world where they had lost all of their Genmates, including those that were waiting to be matched to their mates as well.<br />When he decides to land on on a planet in increases their immediate bonding and she is shown as his Genmate, the one and only female that was specifically chosen to resume his searching and with LaLa at his side there is nothing that will stand in his way<br />However, LaLa is not a Topian as he in fact believes she is wrongly convicted of stealing and she has shown that those that have been convicted of being Topian are need to save themselves by accepting the need to escape Annialation by his components.<br />This is a wonderful read that is filled with action and adventure and a story that will hold you totally entranced in this wonderful story.<br />I do not want to spoil the plot so will say no more about the three of them, I assure you that you will enjoy every single moment of this book.<br />I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.<br />I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy<br />I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.<br />

“He had the courage to fight — he only needed to find the strength to forgive.”<br /><br />Lala was deemed guilty of a crime her brother committed, simply because they shared the same DNA… genetic guilt taking guilt by association to a whole new level. But the Xeno Council gave her a chance to save her life, and she took it… without thinking too much about the details.<br /><br />Mysk is all too aware of how cruel the Xeno Council can be. Lala’s brother committed the crime of saving a tiny percentage of a planet’s population from death by bombardment, and Mysk is one of those lucky few survivors. But surviving comes with its own form of guilt.<br /><br />These two find themselves thrust together, Lala’s eyes being opened to truths she’d begun to suspect about her leaders, and Mysk suddenly faced with someone who doesn’t want him to blame every Xeno for the actions of their leaders.<br /><br />I was gifted with a copy of this book, which builds on the previous one, moves the overarching arc forward, and offers some wonderful food for thought.<br /><br />It can be hard to see an individual for who they, in and of themselves, are, separating them from their job, their community, and their people. In book three we’ll hopefully find out if Mysk can do that… and where Lala has come out on who to believe— whose truth is real, Mysk, or the Xeno Council?

Genmate Forsaken is the second book in the Genmate Dilemma series, and it does need to be read in order. Mysk and Lala are genmates, but can he ever forgive her for her lies and deceptions? Will they be able to find any ‘Topians or are their competing missions doomed? <br /><br />Oh my gosh, I don’t even know what to say in this review because I don’t want to give anything away! But this book is really intense! The connection between Mysk and Lala is full of hate and love and distrust and so much pain. While Lala is trying to show Mysk her motivations and her side of the story, Mysk is full of so much hate. While they’re supposed to be a perfect genetic match, there’s so much that they need to overcome. There’s danger around every corner, there’s a deep and heavy emotional connection, and wow, all I can say is read the first one first so you get all sucked into their rollercoaster of a romance. Then you can read this one and then you’re left needing to know how everything will end in the third part of their story - this does end in a cliffhanger, but I know it will all be worth it in the end!

Edwyn and Lala are back just where we left them. Lala's secret is out of the bag and Edwyn has gone ballistic. So much for fated genetic mates - the way Edwyn treats Lala made my blood boil at times and I would have gladly slapped him!<br /><br />Was Lala hiding secrets? Yes. Does she deserve the scorn and animosity from him over actions her people carried out? No. She now realises what the Elite Xeno were doing and is justifiably horrified but finds it ironic that Edwyn is essentially genetically blaming her the same way her people punished her for Chameleon's treason!<br /><br />Fast-paced, lots of emotion and a very passionate "clinch". I really wanted to bash Edwyn at times. <br /> Lala isn't perfect but she does her best to help and he just treats her so poorly. <br /><br />Beware the cliffy - you will be shouting "WTF Cara??" LOL Nothing like teetering on the edge of death. Roll on book 3 where hopefully Edwyn redeems himself!