Fearless

The entire series was very good. It had an original plot but kind of reminded me of x-men.

Disasters, one after the other, rake the globe. As events spiral out of control, the citizens in LA begin to turn on each other. Fed by fear of the unknown, the people turn on each other and their city. Grant Borrows and the rest of the Loci-former normal people who have shifted into new identities complete with superpowers-have their hands full trying to save LA from self destructing. Everyone from the mayor on down hails Grant as a hero. But not everyone is pleased with his actions. In Washington, D.C. the powers that be are determined to capture Grant. Unsure of Grant's motives and leery of his power, he's determined to be a threat to national security and one of the FBI's best is assigned to bring him in. But as Special Agent Ethan Cooke gets to know his prey, he's sees Grant in a new light. Governments aren't the only powerful organizations interested in Grant. The Secretum of Six, the ones responsible for the Shifts, are sure Grant is the Bringer, spoken of in ancient prophecy. But Grant has determined he alone is in control of his destiny. But is he? Or, in his determination to set is own path, has he really played into the Secretum's hands, setting off the catastrophes that plague the world? Robin Parrish, IMHO, is a unique storyteller. When I read one of his novels, I feel like I'm reading a comic instead. Interesting, since I'm not a comics reader. As in Relentless, Robin leaves the reader with more questions than answers, a great reason to pick up the next book in the series, Merciless.

The world teeters on the brink of extinction under the RELENTLESS surge of natural disasters; obviously people are terrified as no respite happens between tragedies. The only hope is Grant "Guardian" Burrows who leads a group of Loci Ringwearers trying to save humanity. These Shifted Loci were once people for instance Grant was Collin Boyd, but now has a new body with extraordinary mental prowess. The Secretum of Six believes he is The Bringer who ancient prophecy claims will bring in a new age to the world. Grant and his Loci pack do not hesitate to use their powers for the better good of humanity. However, as the Secretum of Six continue to watch the events unfold towards the coming of The Bringer bringing the new age with him, Grant realizes he and his team are not achieving much though the populace cherishes them as superheroes. He starts an odyssey to learn the truth whether he is the Bringer, but that means seeking his past as Collin and who knows what else he will find even before that persona. Thus he is pulled in two directions: saving what he can of the world now vs. saving what is left of the world assuming he understands and can make the Bringer prophecy happen. Either way people will die in biblical numbers Whereas RELENTLESS set the stage with the series of disasters and the initial introduction to the Collin/Grant tyro superhero, FEARLESS goes deeper into his essence and his predicament as he gains superhero experience and begins to understand his limitations. Thus the audience sees Grant and his colleagues struggle with the demands and their limited ability to supply solutions. This action-packed suspense fantasy also goes deeper inside the mysterious Secretrium and provides more information re the Bringer Prophesy. Readers will enjoy the middle book while waiting the conclusion to learn whether it is end of the world, beginning of a new age, or status quo of pandemic disasters. Harriet Klausner

There are some books that are a nice, gentle read. They quietly beckon from your bookshelf to spend some quality time with them. Fearless is not that book. It is the book that grabs you by your collar, sits you in the chair forcefully, and takes you on a white-knuckled ride from one close call to another. Suspense builds up, loops around, and delivers you to a breathless ending that leaves you wanting...nay-begging for more. Or something like that. Robin Parrish, master of Infuze Magazine, returns to his Dominion Trilogy with the sequel to Relentless. In the first book we meet the Loci, a group of Ringwearers who are Shifted into new bodies with amazing mental powers. They are supposedly the subjects of a prophecy guarded by the Secretum until the proper time, when The Bringer would come and usher in a new age. Fearless continues this tale with the world in chaos. Strange natural disasters are occurring around the world, and fear grips the populace. In Los Angeles, the public has a mysterious benefactor with phenomenal powers they dub the Guardian. It is Grant Burrows, who leads a group of Loci to use their powers for good. When an unusual event leads Grant and his friends to London, he is confronted with his destiny. Will he bring about what was spoken of long ago, or would he find the power within to be Fearless? I read the first book in the trilogy last fall. I enjoyed it a lot, finding it to be an engaging read with a lot of excitement. Fearless increases this exponentially. Robin has really found a unique voice that keeps you glued to the page and your mind engaged. He has a habit of taking you to the edge of the precipice, only to move to another chapter (and often a different character and setting, keeping you hanging). If you like suspense, then this book will provide enough to satisfy for quite a while. The characters are varied and have unique personalities that draw you in. A plot-driven book can take you along without letting you invest in the people of the story. The author keeps the action cooking all along while bringing us into their lives, fears, and dreams. Just don't get too attached, as he pulls no punches as the book hurtles toward the ending. The book has many strong points, but no work is perfect. Some of the description comes across slightly awkward, but this may well be a matter of taste. Very minor complaint, as it is first and foremost a bold, thrilling story. This is a sweeping tale of the end of the world (perhaps?), and thus has some significant action. At times it gets a little bloody, so the squeamish may get a little uncomfortable. He has set in motion an elaborate mythology. One more item - Fearless should be pretty easily understood by someone who hasn't read Relentless. Still, the whole story and mythology is lacking a little if you haven't read the first book, so just be sure to buy them both and enjoy the ride. I highly enjoyed this book. My only complaint is that I have to wait until next summer f

Grant Borrows and his friends are back in Robin Parrish's superb sequel. As the next chapter of this saga unfolds, we find Grant and the Loci using their abilities to bring order and justice back to Los Angeles. All over the world strange events and natural disasters are wreaking havoc, and Grant takes it upon himself to protect the citizens of L.A. The world has noticed and his dubbed Grant "Guardian", quickly elevating him to superhero status. While Grant and company are reluctant to take on the roles of superheroes, they have joined together to use their powers for the greater good. Meanwhile, the Secretum of Six is continuing its mysterious actions as they await the culmination of an ancient prophecy concerning The Bringer. Grant soon realizes he must face the secrets and mysteries of his past, and his quest leads him and the Loci on a global trek for truth. As they search for answers about The Bringer and the prophecy that surrounds him, they must also continue to use their gifts to save a world that is suddenly seeped in chaos and despair. As much as I loved Relentless, I found Fearless to be far superior. Robin Parrish has created a classic saga full of heroes, villains, action, and intrigue that gets better with each installment. As the novel opens we see Grant Borrows fully embracing his power and it is nothing short of thrilling to witness Grant in action. Parrish plays on the nostalgia we have for our favorite superheroes, and allows those feelings of awe and inspiration to surface again as we see Grant and his team work together to fight evil. The beauty of this story is its depth. This is not just a superhero tale; rather Parrish effectively includes elements of suspense, mystery, global conspiracy, prophecy, and destiny that make for a fast-paced and riveting read. Parrish takes us deeper into the mysteries surrounding Grant, and the answers are shocking and fascinating. As the plot twists and turns we are led to a dramatic, gut wrenching conclusion that leaves us desperate for more. Parrish knows how to satisfy just enough to guarantee we will be back. Merciless hits shelves next summer and I for one am hungry for more.