Ashwin (Gideon's Riders, Book #1)

A soldier who shouldn't feel anything and a healer who feels too much, tangled in web of secrets and lies.Ashwin is the first book of a new series by the formidable writing duo that is Kit Rocha. It is set in a dystopian future, after the destruction of most technology by solar flares and post revolution by the sectors. Gideon's Riders is the follow up to Beyond and is based in Sector One, rather than Sector Six.I stumbled across the 'Beyond' series purely by chance whilst trawling free books on Amazon. A few pages into the book and I was completely hooked on the series. Kora and Ashwin both appear in several of those books and I just knew theirs was a story I needed to read. There was an indescribable magic that wove a spell around my heart whenever I encountered these characters. As I started the book I felt a mixture of excitement, at finally reading their story, and trepidation at whether it could ever live up to my expectations. Oh my word it was everything I ever hoped for AND more. I can't believe I've had this gem sat on my kindle for so long and haven't read it before now.The story is told in the third person, mainly from Kora or Ashwin's perspective, though there are a few chapters from the view point of other characters. Before the revolution, Kora was the doctor who would physically repair the Makhai soldiers, men who were genetically engineered and indoctrinated to be cold and ruthless. Ashwin was the soldier who stirred her emotions and convinced her that the Makhai were very much capable of feelings. Post revolution Kora has found sanctuary in Sector One, and is still mourning the presumed death of her favourite soldier. When Ashwin turns up in Sector One offering to solve a problem with bandits their attraction to one another can not be denied. However between them and a HEA together there are lies, secrets and the machinations of The Base.If you've ever read any Kit Rocha books you will know how amazing their world building is, how their characters have so much depth you fall in love with them and never want to let them go. Whilst Ashwin wasn't as erotic as the Beyond books, lets face it no-one does debauchery and excess quite like the O'Kanes, it still contains a captivating, heart wrenching love story that will lift you to the highest heights and plunge you to the deepest depths. Once you have entered the world of the Sectors, and have met its people, they will never let you go. They will stay in your heart, occupy your mind and steal a little piece of your soul and none more so than Ashwin and Kora.I can't say much about the plot without spoiling it, so instead I hope to convey just how good a read this book is. You will care about the characters, and not just the main characters but ALL of them, even ones you only read about and don't meet. I devoured every word of this book, I loved with the characters, laughed with them, mourned with them, hoped with them, despaired with them and plotted with them. Whilst this book was open nothing else existed, I breathed the air and felt the dust of Sector One.The book has been written so that it can be read as a stand alone, though having read the Beyond series first would enhance the experience. There are characters and back stories that will no doubt feature in future books, though the main story of Kora and Ashwin is completed within this book.

I'm not sure where to start with this review, first and foremost I absolutely adored the story. I always find it a bit scary starting a spin off series, especially when I so loved the original series. I loved every single book in the Beyond Series and I had this fear that I just wasn't going to have the same feeling with this book. I was so wrong, I just loved it!It's so hard to write a spoiler free review when all I want to do is gush about everything that happened! I already felt that I knew who Kora was and what she was about and the book didn't disappoint. It's very hard to find a pure character in a series like this, Kora is exactly that, pure spirited, kind and selfless. She's seen such terrible things in her past and yet it doesn't effect who she is. She's adored by those around her and it's very much deserved.Ashwin was a character I was never very sure of, I didn't know if I wanted his story quite yet or not. I thought I really wouldn't like him, how wrong was I! He's at the very top of the predator chain, feared by all those that know of him. This book really showed that actually we knew very little of who the real man was. His entire focus has been on keeping Kora safe regardless of who he had to step through or over to achieve it and I think the most interesting part of this book was to see how his mindset changed through the influence of those around him.The love and devotion shared between these two was really magical to experience.I loved the little flash we got of Sector Four, I desperately wanted that scene to be so much longer!The Riders are going to be fantastic characters to read, all so different and I'm really looking forward to the future books. I think if I had to pick a favourite so far to want to read next I'd be hard pushed to make a decision.The writing is superb as we would expect from these two, considering how much we already know about this world this story was so fresh and new.I think it was the perfect introduction to Gideon's Riders.

The dynamic duo has done it again!!Steamy scenes? ✔Blood pumping adventure? ✔Mystery? ✔Super hot Malhotra?? Double check ✔✔Visits from old favs? Check ✔Peak into what will be be the highlight of months to come ✔✔✔andGive me more! No I will not tell anything about the story..go and read it!Trust me! You need this!!

There is sonething about ashwin that just gives me the good kinda chills!Great writing as expected from Kit Rocha and an amazing love story. Can wait for this series to be complete as the hints to whats to come is really exciting

Have been waiting ages for these two to get their story, and I wasn't disappointed. Sector One is certainly very different from Four, but the same sense of family is there.

Looks like this is gonna be another great series. Love the whole world that these characters live in. Perfect blend of action and passion. Looking forward to more.

Kit Rocha books are fantastic from start to finish and I'm always disappointed to find I have come to the end of them - cant wait for the next one!

Another well deserved five stars for Kit Rocha . Would definitely recommend again .... need book 2 please asap .. xx