Draw Dead

Aces High, Jokers Wild, Book 5

By: O. E. Tearmann

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

There's a calm before the storm….

In 2159, the Democratic State Force gains ground every day. As they fight to bring representative democracy back, they become heroes to the citizens indentured to the United Corporations of America. Widely spread guerilla units support the first civilian protests the country has seen in decades. Now it’s the Corporations on the defensive. And they are getting desperate.

On Base 1407, the Wildcards start to think they just might help the former United States wake up from its nightmare after all. In spite of the hints of internationally banned weapons the Corporations may have up their sleeves, there’s hope. People whisper that maybe, someday, they might just win. But you should never say something like that too loud.

Fate’s a bitch. You don’t want to tempt her.

©2022 O.E. Tearmann (P)2022 O.E. Tearmann

Brilliant

This book takes place four years after the start of the series. In those four years, the Wild Cards have lived together, loved together, experienced loss together, and fought together.
Now they're back and they're gaining ground with the rest of the Democratic State Force in the war against the corps, but there are new rumors, new weapons, new dangers around every corner.
The writing in this book is solid. You can see where the authors have improved since the beginning of the series. Their plots are tighter, their character development more subtle and impactful. Everything in the series is heating up and this book brings out the best in everyone on the Wild Cards as they face the newest threat to them and the rest of the Force.
The narration brings this series to life. Kirt Graves nails every single character and gets their unique personalities to come through beautifully. And with a cast this big that's saying something because it could get confusing, but it doesn't here. Not only that, but he brings the emotions out wonderfully. Some parts of this book hurts, a lot, and you can feel the pain these characters go through because of the narration.
This book has everything I've loved from the first four books and then some. It's brilliantly done and I didn't want to end. Now I must wait (Im)patiently for more.