Stateless (Stateless #1)

Stateless is an absolutely stunning psychologically twisted masterpiece that will leave you dizzy and viewing the world through an off color and stilted mirror. Nothing will be left intact and the new normal is so terrifying that you will never look at another person the same again. If you think your mind can be a cold and horror filled trap at times, that is nothing compared to your new reality. There are no real humans walking around; only mindless drones who aggressively push forward a devastating agenda that will leave you utterly chilled to the bone and petrified by its efficient ruthlessness. When your greatest enemy wears the face of your friend, how can even hope to fight a brutal evil that is ready to eviscerate you and anyone you love? Kani is a peculiarity. She has found a way to survive in an impossible world. She has refined her ability to fly under the radar to a razor sharp edge. In a world where nothing is as it seems, she is something altogether new and completely undiscovered. Callum shares this same world with Kani, but he is even more unique than she. He sees the world in perfect duality. His training gives him purpose and drive, and yet there is something even more askew then his mission. When Callum finds himself inspired to stand up and advocate for a fellow classmate, he must decide where his loyalty lies. In a world where love is replaced with a heartless pursuit of cold precision, and mercy is a word never taught, does survival mean anything when life is orchestrated by the whims of silent over lords? I thought I knew what stateless was all about, but this book proved that I knew absolutely nothing. This story opened my eyes to a world that I can neither comprehend nor have any bit of respect for. This is a world that is a pure concentration of all forms of evil of this world stuffed into one tightly knit and well-oiled stronghold. Pure malevolence exudes from these pages and left my blood cold and my mind in a state of self-preservation. I was truly left in blissful awe as I watched these beautifully broken and wonderfully wounded souls struggle to find some sick semblance of normal. My heart bled for their struggle which is just starting. You can’t uproot well established evil without immense pain, ultimate betrayal, and irrevocable damage. Prepare for the unexpected, but don’t count out love and hope. Meli Raine has exceeded and raised all of my expectations when it comes to a romantic suspense that will jump start your heart and shock your mind into a whole new experience. I thought that all of her previous trilogies were beautifully outstanding, but they have led us to this latest trilogy that has proven without a doubt to be a ruthless masterpiece that truly sets the bar to a whole new dimension. This is the gold standard for all phenomenal romantic suspense. Everyone should read Meli Raine at least once in order to experience her stunning brilliance and captivating creativity!

To see the events of the previous books from the other side of the equation is a bit of a mind bender. It makes for some extremely compelling reading. I can’t comment on how well this book would read as a standalone since I’ve read most of the 15 books that precede it. The trilogies: Breaking Away, Coming Home, Harmless, Shameless, and False each build on the discoveries of the previous and set the stage for what’s to come. I thought I was prepared for what was going to be revealed in this book. I didn’t have the slightest clue. Stateless is a bigger, deeper monster than any previous indications suggested. Callum and Kina’s story is a twisted psychological thriller with terrifying implications about the world at large. There are so many different threads in this book, that I want to pull on each and watch them unravel. Now I’m dying to see what happens next. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

Stateless is the newest spin-off from the Harmless, Shameless and False trilogies. The first few chapters are set prior to the other books, with the events of the later chapters occuring alongside Lindsay, Jane and Lily's stories. This book gives greater detail to the whole concept of the 'Stateless', mentioned throughout the other books. It outlines the bizarre training they are put through to be able to infiltrate certain areas in the outside world. Callum and Kina are the main characters in this book, both Stateless but set on very different paths by the people in charge. Kina is not sure who she can trust, as everyone seems to have their own agenda. All she can see is that she is not safe staying where she is. This book didn't initially draw me in like the other ones did, but I felt it got more intriguing as it went along. I look forward to reading part two and seeing where the characters go from here.