Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly… and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he’s lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there’s no turning back for either of them.

Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she’s one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she’s not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she’ll face even that hell again to save him.

Titles in the Scorpius Syndrome series include:  Scorpius Rising – Mercury Striking – Shadow Falling – Justice Ascending

Title:  Justice Ascending
Series:  Scorpius Syndrome #3
Author:  Rebecca Zanetti
Genre:  Post Apocalyptic
Published:  January 31, 2017
Publisher:  Kensington Books
My Rating:  5 stars

Justice Ascending continues to take us deeper into a destroyed world in the after effects of the release of the Scorpius virus.  The Vanguard group is surviving barely, and possible allies have been discovered – although in this world, who knows, it’s really everyone for themselves and their own group’s survival most of the time.  The crazed President and his elite group are still a threat, and life moves on even if it is a vastly different life than any of these survivors ever dreamed of for themselves.

Tace has survived the Scorpius bacterium, yet he certainly is not the man he once was before.  The charming, easy going Tace is long gone, replaced by a man fighting demons, changing yet fighting the darker side of himself that is emerging.  It would be safe to say that he is now a combination of the light and the dark, and it’s up for grabs just which side will ultimately win.

Sami has been lying, keeping secrets from the Vanguard group from the very beginning.  That for her own survival she felt it necessary is obvious, but when faced with the ultimate choice, will she continue the lie or reveal her own truths.

While on a mission away from the Vanguard’s territory, Tace and Sami will have to depend on each other while finally giving into the attraction that has always been there between them beneath the surface. Sami now has more to fight for than ever, but will she hold on to truth when truth can save the man she’s come to love and trust.

I was easily caught up and taken back to the ruined world that the Vanguard group now must face.  Justice Ascending is gripping and intriguing as we learn more, revisit established couples and face new challenges in this new world.  This is not a series that I believe you can read as stand alone titles, from the prequel onward the world builds, relationships both emotional and necessary to survival develop – you won’t necessarily be lost, but you will miss important nuances to the story and the characters as events build and develop… in my opinion at least.

I enjoyed Tace and Sami’s relationship-romance.  At times they fight like cats and dogs, then they will have each other’s back.  And when they finally accept what they mean to each other, well flames erupt that’s for certain.  One lie could change everything, and waiting to see how that plays out is intense.

I would not hesitate to recommend this story or this series.  Action packed, deep bonds between survivors, an almost alien world gone mad and getting more so each day.  This one will capture your attention and have you waiting for the next story in the series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in paperback and for the Kindle