Virtually Yours

Various US agencies have each had their top candidate competing for a unique training/experiment to create a supersoldier-spy. The successful contender chosen for the rigors of this special cross training of different military and intelligence branches will be put through a program that will blend remote viewing through virtual reality and an experimental serum to enhance physical performance. This is also a mind altering serum expected to curb emotions, and increase clarity and willpower.

Helen/Elena Roston, nicknamed Hell, and once Ekatarina Rostova a Russian orphan, surpassed all of the others. Her anonymous trainer, also known as a monitor, will manipulate the virtual reality sessions and direct her in risky situations. It is imperative that she trust him and it is equally necessary that their brain waves be synched during sleep and in tests. She will have to be able to bring her awareness of him with her through the virtual reality experience so that he will see what she sees through their mental link.

The man who will put her through her paces and push every boundary has given his name as Hades to her Hell. He is ruthless, diabolical, and very very good at what he does. His tool of choice to enforce their bond is exquisitely physical and he has the controls for now.

Fans of Ms Low’s work will be familiar with the covert subversive agency COS Command as well as the organization of independent GEM operatives. For the rest of us we get up to speed a bit as we read.

This is an ambitious, complex book that introduces much information for the reader to absorb and many acronyms to learn about. Explanations of remote viewing, virtual reality and the agencies involved with the program could sometimes bog a reader down or confuse if one were not paying full attention.

Possible side effects of the serum are shown in various ways and provide emphasis of the reality of risk in use. The suspense and action come in the latter half of the book with the culmination of the test operation they have been working towards. It is riveting reading and is sure to make those new to the author consider searching out her other stories in this genre.

VIRTUALLY HIS is clearly the set up of the relationship between Hell and Hades. And what a heated set up it is. Our hero observes the woman he trains catching her unawares although she knows there is precious little privacy in the facility. The heightened awareness and the ways in which Hades imprints himself upon her are as stirring as it is frustrating upon the heroine’s behalf.

For a woman to have competed against the cream of the crop to come out on top and become the ultimate warrior spy was exciting. Unfortunately, that her monitor out maneuvers and out thinks her in all of their encounters is disappointing. He may have more experience in the field but surely we should expect her to somewhat hold her own against him.

The forced seduction is bound to cause controversy amongst readers. It is in keeping with the hero’s extreme alpha male character. Some readers will view it to be something of an erotic fantasy, and others will consider it to be ultimately a betrayal, if not the ultimate betrayal of trust.

Strong secretive Hades and our wisecracking beautiful Hell will keep readers turning the pages in order to watch the sparks between them and the fireworks of their coming together. The curiosity and mystery of Hades identity simply adds spice.

Seduction and trust…is that romance? Well, perhaps virtually. You will have to read the book to make the decision yourself. One will say that if this is the opening act to the play, plan to sit through the entirety of the work

August 2007