Call the Bluff

The Aces High, Jokers Wild Series, Book 2

By: O. E. Tearmann

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

It costs a lot to win. And even more to lose.

Seven Corporations rule the former United States with seven codes of conduct based on their ideas of morality. Comply with the code of the Corporation that holds your Citizen Contract, or suffer the economic consequences. Or fight back. For 60 years the Democratic State Force has been fighting to return representative democracy to the country. Living in the no man’s lands between cities and hanging on by their fingernails, the thinly spread guerrilla force hasn’t gotten far. But they have a secret weapon: their finest unit, Base 1407. Handle: The Wildcards.

Pulled together after disaster by Commander Aidan Headly, the Wildcards are on top of their game again. They’d better be. They’ve just been called to act as backup in a mission bigger than anything the Force has attempted before. The team that went in first is probably dead. If they pull their mission off, everything will change. If they don’t, they’ll be lucky to survive the year.

Life’s a bitch. She’s got the game rigged. Keep the cards close to your chest.

©2020 O. E. Tearmann (P)2020 O. E. Tearmann

Even better than the first book!

Wow - this book was even better than the first one. Now that the team are all on the same page (mostly, anyway; there are still a few dust-ups), they are handed a new, vital mission: Spread the news of what the Companies have been doing to the population. And - oh - the previous bases and individual agents who tried have all been destroyed, captured or killed. This is another nitro-packed rollercoaster ride of action, tension, danger, and suspense. There is still time for sweet moments and romance, too, and plenty of hijincks and gallows humor. When one member goes off-mission, will it enhance or destroy the mission, and will they even survive. Heartbreaking and heart-stopping moments, but also some victories. (That's not a spoiler, there are two more books. LOL) I love the heart of these characters and how they band together and protect each other through it all. I am diving into Book 3 now. I can't wait to see what the Wild Cards do next.

Just a note, there are elements that could be triggering for some, including anxiety, depressive moments, and cutting. That said, these moments contribute to sharing, connection, and hopefully, healing. Everyone is a misfit in some way.

Kirt Graves narration is spot on. He really knows how to bring these characters to life, and expresses their moods, thoughts, and emotions beautifully.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Wonderful read

I love the Wildcards cast and Kirt Graves does a wonderful job bringing the gang to life. The world as it exists in this series is a well thought out plausible future that I'd hate to see become a reality, but makes for a fantastic story. And despite the odds, there is always a thread of hope that good will triumph. A great listen.

Loved it

This is better than the first. There's action and stressful scenes, there's romance, it has everything you could want in a book. These authors take the world-building to new levels and then tear some of it down. It's what you expect from a dystopian type novel with a dictatorial government and a fighting resistance.
Adian and Kevin's relationship is going strong, their base is kicking butt and taking names, and the writing is flawless. The characters are so real, they have real problems, real relationships, and real insecurities. I loved how everything was handled and how, even though they struggle and fall, they learn how to get back up together. It's a brilliant read for anyone who likes the genre and even for those who don't.