Genre: Horror, Romance
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Zero never had a real name. And he’s never questioned the nature of his reality before now. But when the narrow life he’s always known is hurled into chaos he’s left with no choice. Once, he’d busied himself assembling various widgets and chotskies. Now, he is being redirected to construct something far more harrowing: his replacement…
Dash hasn’t seen another person in years. And he knows the rules–there are only three: submit, produce, obey. Breaking any of these rules is guaranteed to result in immediate termination. Dash lives a bleak life where his only task is constructing the automata. Day after day, year after year, he toiled away building the clockwork machines–until one day, another just like him joined him in his purgatory. Only then did Dash realize there might be more than this on the other side of his cell door…oh, and he realized another thing, too: he was *ucking angry…
This year, Christmas is going to be *ucked.
A thrilling holiday M/M romance that will have you thinking twice about leaving milk out for a certain someone…
The Review
Zero works the labyrinthian machine twelve hours a day. Even though the fabricator is very old, it is well maintained. It took him ten years to learn how to operate it, and the next fifteen to perfect how to use it. He made tablet-like devices with it – over ten thousand in recent years.
There were other facilities within The Workshop. Zero stayed to himself as best he could, and didn’t get involved with the other clones he worked with. After all, there were rules – no touching, no time for friendships – just work. They all were identified with a unique number cauterized on their left arms, and physically they all had slight differences. They never went outside the facility, and their only source of sustenance was milk. They slept in a bunk room and did everything under the control of The Overseer.
The Overseer brought doom with the jingling bells of the avatars. The avatars were brutal, humanoids, soulless with a vice-like metal claw. At any time, the avatars/clock workers would come, jingling their bells, and place the claw around a clone’s neck – one who apparently didn’t follow the rules.
Whenever the avatars came, Zero and the other clones were in fear – they never knew who would face immediate death. He was approached by Forty after they witnessed one such death. Forty wanted to take action against the avatars, but it was impossible. What could Zero do? What could any of them do?
Dash had always existed in total solitude. He was never allowed out of his cell. He had only the minimum necessary to survive, and his milk was sent to him every day. He hated the milk, but it was the only way to survive. It had been so long since he had seen another person that he believed others were just a dream. Every day, eighteen hours a day, he welded and fabbed as instructed. But he wasn’t making trinkets or toys. His task was to manufacture the automata which took months to assemble. When one was complete, he would insert the demonic red censor into the head plate, and the tinkling of bells would sound. Once the automata was finished, it would leave his cell, and the door would close immediately.
Then he began to feel an unfamiliar emotion. He was angry. Being angry terrified him, but he decided that he was going to do something about it. The only thing keeping him from freedom was The Overseer. Dash had a plan.
As Zero was sleeping one night, he was frighteningly awakened by a metal claw around his throat. He was dragged into unknown parts of The Warehouse, and taken to a cell. But the cell was not empty – Dash was waiting for him. Zero and Dash made a connection that was against the rules, and found something special together. Even though Zero was afraid, he joined Dash in his plans for freedom.
Gray is amazingly creative in Adventus, with incredible world building and fantastic descriptions of the world in The Warehouse. There’s also the clever mystery of The Overseer and the strange avatars. This dark twisted holiday romance is filled with suspense, danger, excitement, and a little romance and erotica.
I highly recommend this strange tale. Not only is Gray a magnificent writer, but he knows how to spin a tale that holds your interest and opens your mind to the world of imagination. And the artwork at the beginning of every chapter is an extra treat.
Another outstanding story from Nando Gray – he never disappoints.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
