Ravage (Deviants) by Jeff Sampson

Deviants #3

by Jeff Sampson

The war against BioZenith is on.Since she first came into her mysterious new superpowers, Emily has watched one of her packmates disappear through an interdimensional portal; she’s been hunted by creepy, body-snatching Shadowmen; she’s managed to form an alliance with the same telekinetic cheerleaders who once tried to take her down; and she’s discovered that her believed-to-be-dead mother is one of the BioZenith scientists responsible for her strange abilities.Now it’s up to the Deviants to put together the last pieces of the puzzle, which includes tracking down the final, mystery member of their kind and forcing their parents to reveal why they mutated their own children. Emily fears the answer is far more sinister than anyone ever after all, why would a parent risk a child’s life unless the stakes were high…scary, world-ending high?Tired of being at the mercy of adult conspiracies, Emily forms a plan with the other Destroy BioZenith before anyone can use the knowledge within the facility to aid the Shadowmen. But that’s only if BioZenith—or something worse—doesn’t capture them first.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Werewolves, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 22, 2013

About the author

My writing history: I’ve been involved with children’s publishing for the past 11 years now — I got my start right out of high school, just after turning 18. Since then I’ve published eight books for children and young adults, with six more currently scheduled for release and in various stages of being written and edited. I’ve also contributed material to ten or so other books by other authors and have put out a short story or two.

My most recent release was the debut of my original YA sci-fi series Deviants. The first book, Vesper, was released in stores everywhere in January 2011, with the next two books coming out in Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2013, respectively.

Some brief bio basics: I was born on a US military base in Nuremberg, Germany on July 15, 1982. Currently I live near Seattle, WA, where I am lucky enough to work as a full time writer. Much like the main character of the Deviants series, I’m a pop culture geek who loves to indulge in books, movies, TV, and video games when I’m not working on my own stories.

Agent: I am represented by Michael Stearns of Upstart Crow Literary.

Reviews

[Connie H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is it just me or does a horrible last installment always ruin the memories of the rest of the series? I don't know if I never realized it before or if I just brushed it off in the first 2 books, but I really do not like Jeff Sampson's style of writing. At all. The dialogue and banter between the characters is so cheesy, and I felt like I was rereading chapters because everything was so repetitive. I felt like a lot of things that occurred in the book was very random and didn't really add up. The ending leaves a lot of questions hanging, and it is unclear if the author intended it to be this way or if he simply ran out of ideas and decided to end the book. I feel like he left the ending open to the possibility of a sequel, I sure hope that is not going to happen.. All in all, I regret wasting my time, energy and 60$ that I invested into this series.

[JeanBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Sampson’s fiery trilogy, The Deviants, comes to a powerful conclusion in Ravage. The series started with Vesper which the main protagonist, the very normal Emily, discovered that she is a werewolf. The second book, Havoc, tells how learned that she and other members of her wolfpack became werewolves. Ravage tells a very intriguing story about perhaps the most important question…why?

When Emily started noticing that her former best friend, Megan, began appearing in places she goes, Emily can’t help but feel that she is being haunted by her. And she can’t quite piece it together if she means harm or not. Meanwhile, the Deviants are certain that information collected within the walls of BioZenith laboratories must be destroyed. Joining forces with the telekinetic cheerleaders, Emily strategizes an attack on the lab. What they are about to find completely turns to the unexpected in a way that only author Jeff can bring.

The plot line in each installment has always been a standout each time around. The final book presented so many answers from questions that the first two asked. With the first few words in the first chapter, Jeff grabs the readers and immediately throws them into story where it had left off. Although the Deviants were victorious from their encounters of their enemies, there were still much to learn. The character interactions moved the story quite well and Jeff’s writing style is so hypnotic that stepping away from the story is just simply not an option. The book packs so much action in each page that it feels that it will burst out. The twists and turns that Jeff dazzlingly navigates the reader through is a rush of excitement and intrigue. The Deviants trilogy comes to a close that endorses satisfaction and more fun titles from Mr. Jeff Sampson

[Shugufa · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT**** CONTAINS SOME MAIN PARTS OF THE STORY EVENTS!!!
I really liked this!! It was descriptive and it was so cool that they could control their powers!! However I gave it four stars though cuz it dragged a bit with the whole "we have to destroy biozenith" deal. I also got really upset when Megan got possessed and then was killed by Emily herself.. I mean I understood why she had to do it but it was really sad:( I was about to have a heart attack when I thought that spencer had died!! I actually started crying!! However when I found out that he was still alive I started smiling like crazy:))) Anyways it was really awkward how she hugged Evan while she was still naked from her shower I mean true he was gay but that's still like so wrong on so many levels it's like um... Plz cover up I mean I would be like dude put on some clothes jeez!! It also got annoying how Evan blushed at like every little thing it's like, seriously?! Besides those things, it was a good book and very fast paced for the most part and it really reminded of the Maximum Ride series!! I liked the first book the best of all and the ending of this one was pretty cool... I'll really miss this series!!

[Booknut 101 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final battle has begun. And The Deviants are more than ready to kick some shadowman ass.

Loyalties will be tested.
Friendships forged.
Abilities discovered and wielded.
Allies uncovered.
Hearts broken.
Spirits ignited.

One thing's for certain. The Deviants aren't here to lose. They will do anything to protect those they love. And the bad guys are going down!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

He smiled back. “I do know. That’s why I love yo—um.” He swallowed the last word and his face went red.

And I was like, aww Spencer is so cute!

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts exactly while reading this book:
1: Wait, what?
2: Ugh, Megan.
3: Oh, I love Evan. Nice
4: Wow, Amy and Nikki aren't so bitchy.
5: Wait, Is the reason Megan was so clingy to Emily because...she was inlove?
6: Okay, Megan isn't as annoying....Perhaps because of Rebel?
7: They better make a fourth book.

I loved this book. Not as bad as others make it seem, nor as bad as the second one was...

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun series with a decent ending. Super fast read.

[Lisa Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great series... I’ve never read anything like it.... unexpected and a great page turner

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn’t enjoy this last book. It moved entirely too slow, I felt like the author was grasping for a great finale and just added too much plot for me to enjoy it.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third, and final, book in the Deviants series by Sampson. This was by far the strangest book of the three, it was still very engaging and very readable. I’ve enjoyed the interesting mesh of paranormal, aliens, and genetic engineering that takes place in this series.

Emily is the leader of the pack of Vespers who can now morph into their hybrid state which combines the best of their normal state, nighttime state, and werewolf personalities. In the last book parts of the puzzle as to how Emily and her pack were made like this were solved...this book looks at the why. Emily and crew have to figure out why their parents let BioZenith mutate them. She also needs to find a way to destroy BioZentih before the Shadowmen can start taking over.

This book gets a bit crazy. We find out things about other dimensions, high intelligence alien lifeforms, and there is even a bit of cult worship in here. The story is getting a bit convoluted and out there for me; at times it feels kind of contrived. Still it is a creative story and there are a number of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.

Emily continues to be a character that is easy to engage with and entertaining to read about. The interactions between her and Spencer are sweet and respectful. I love watching them navigate their way through a relationship with all of the crazy complications they face.

In this book Emily and her fellow Deviants team up with the telekinetic cheerleaders to take on the BioZentith corporation. There are a number of unexpected twists and turns throughout the story and many crazy truths are revealed.

As with previous books in this series the book was very engaging and easy to read. I enjoyed the fast pace and the unexpected twists and turns the story took. The story is mostly a mystery that turns into a battle to save humanity from evil aliens.

The series wraps up in a way that isn’t super surprising but does an excellent job of tying up everything. Fans of the series should be pleased.

Overall this was a decent close to this series. I enjoyed the creative and different take on werewolves, but at times all the crazy twists and turns felt a bit contrived. I did really enjoy the fast pace of the book and the easy to engage with characters. This whole series is recommended to those who like action packed paranormal books featuring werewolves.

[Shaye Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and this series really caught me by surprise in a good way. With storylines like these, involving high schoolers, shadowpeople and werewolves, either the endings are disappointing, the writing gets cheesy, and/or the dialogue and events kind of lose my interest.
But this book kept me turning page after page, leaving me entangled and intrigued by Emily's story and how it was going to end. For this I am glad, because I really just enjoyed this series- it was nice to relax with, and easy to lose myself in.
I got to say, I'm a little sorry to see the telekinetic cheerleaders and the rag tag pack of teenage werewolves go.
I love how Emily's character has developed. She is so strong now, I kind of wish there was a new book on taking down the rest of Vesper Company and finding other vespers. She has gone from an introverted little invisible to a BA alpha who has the strength to take out her best friend for the greater good (I kind of felt bad for Megan, but at the same time, I really didn't. She kind of had it coming). There was a lot of plot lines that resolved, such as killing Mr. Handler and Rebel, as well as destroying Handler's main portal, but there is still the Vesper Company filled with crazy worshippers of the Akhakhu. There was a sense that there is more to do, and that more is going to happen. Nikki's dad, Dalton's dad, Amy's parents and sisters are dead, I don't really know what happened to Emily's mom or Tracie's dad stuck in the shadow world, and Emily along with the other Deviants are away from home and on their own now, so who knows about her father, stepsister, or Jared. I liked that the deviants felt like a team and worked well together, and the fact that Spencer was basically brought back from the dead (THANK GOODNESS). I really liked the characters and wish their stories could continue. Another question though, aren't the deviants considered missing from school? Emily might not have been missed, but the head cheerleaders and the star football guy? I don't know, that seems noticeable to me

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing and has been kind of under the radar. Not many people know it’s out there. I was happy when I read Vesper. And now with this third and final book, I am sad to let it go, but happy that it ended well and epically. If you are a fan of series like Maximum Ride by James Patterson or Darkest Power and Darkness Rising series by Kelly Armstrong. This series is sci-fi with a paranormal edge, or vice versa. And it even has a kick-butt girl main character that’s a bit of a pop culture geek
This book had laughs and fun dialogue. It also had some sad and freaky moments. And then some very mind blowing revelations that reminded me of Angel Burn, Fringe, The Host and Ancient Aliens. We already found out about the whole parallel world that the shadowmen come from in the last book, but what are they?
I love the characters of course. They’re funny and interesting. Emily is kind of like me. Spencer seems very lovable and cute, in a techie geek kind of way. Tracie is preppie and a type-A personality. And there’s the cheerleaders, Nikki and Delgado triplets. And a new character named Evan, who’s kind of funny.
The plot was interesting to say the least. It was engaging and exciting, thrilling and so on. It was so good that I don’t even know what I just read. It’s over and a loved it and now I want a spin-off series like Kelly Armstrong did for Darkest Power. A character whose a Deviant with different, psychic, abilities!!! I know, I keep on asking for spin-offs and novellas when reviewing conclusions…..
Cover Art Review: I love the silhouettes on the covers, and the title with the smoke behind it. I just wish it wasn’t just glossy. And this cover is mostly monochromatic. I liked the first book’s cover the best.

~Haley G

My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...

[Jules Goud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guess what? I FINALLY KNOW WHAT A VESPER AND DEVIANT IS!

Everything gets explained, thankfully.

All the stuff that made this series a little bit confusing is now understood. I now think that those pages from reports are nifty ideas.

I did like the ending to this series. Everything gets explained and nothing is rushed. Also, the ending isn't gift wrapped and tied with a bow.

Everyone in this series comes a long way. The deviants that have these alter egos learn how to be both. That by themselves, there is trouble. But, if you put both nighttime and daytime together, you are the best that you can be. They learn that they don't have to be 2 people, they can be one if they learn to control it.

My favourite part? Vesper and Deviants get explained, finally. I didn't know what they meant and now I do. I don't really like the fact that we got it at the end of the series when we were using the terminology at the beginning. Yes, you can guess and infer what they are, but it was explained much better in this one.

Definitely a werewolves series that you should check out. With a little bit of romance and a lot of ass kicking, this book was a different shift then the kind of werewolf books that I normally read.

[star_fire13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! This one was even BETTER! I don't see any other books listed for the series, but I really hope there's more to come! Even though there's already been 3 [and trilogies are the thing right now], there's so much room for more story. I can see this going the route of The Lying Game, where there's just book after book after book. Although, he seems to be writing them all personally, so they'll probably only be one released per year, not a million lol

But yeah. I know this book caught up to the timeline established in the first novel [which was epically cool to read and be like "OMG I KNOW THIS NAME! I KNOW THIS PART!!"], but there's still more room to develop. Like, who are the other Deviant children and what phases of the project were they developed in? What's going to happen to our Deviants? Are Jared and Dawn alright?? lol

Edit: UGH!!! Just went to the author's website and yeah, this is the last novel in the series. FRUSTRATING!

[Brooke Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending seemed rushed and abruptly cut short. I hate how some authors end a book with an ending that feels like another book could be written. If it the last book of the series I want to have finality at the end of that book. Not an open "who knows where life will take me tomorrow" that's the point of an ending, I need to know where life took her tomorrow and where they ended up. They were all homeless and some had no family/parents left. Did they just go home and back to school? What about dawn, did her and the cop live? What happened to Emily's mom, would she ever be able to make it back? Crap ending in my opinion, left me with more questions than answers.

[Laura Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an emotional, action-packed book. I couldn't put it down and was so mad when I had to.

Emily as a normal girl I can so relate to. I was her in high school. I just loved how she was finally able to embrace what she actually is.

The hardest part was reading about her emotions regarding Megan. Those were tough and I was emotional, especially towards the end of the book.

This authors writing style really captures a reader and I really respect that.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a step up from book two, but it still left me wanting more....answers, romance, a true ending. As I understand it, this was the last book for the series, however, I felt like we really are left with no real conclusion. I don't always need my endings tied with a bow per say, but I do like to feel sme sense of completion. Overall, it was still a pretty interesting read, based on a unique concept.

[Guen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Sampson wasn't kidding when he said 'shiz gets crazy.' I loved every second of Ravage, with it's diverse cast of characters, heart wrenching twists and most of all--the amazingly crafted story (and how everything just comes into a full circle, from Vesper to Ravage). Ravage is easily one of my favorite books of 2013.

[Valeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant wait to read this book.So after reading the first two books I was raging with excitement!!!!!!! I couldn't wait to read the next book but then I found out the third book wasn't even on sale. So I am hoping that I win this give away because I am one of this people who never win contest, like at all. Fingers crossed and wish me luck!!!!! Hope I win.

[Thais Pampado · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

The only reason I'm not giving this 5 full stars is because there was something that ended up not being explained at the end, so it seemed like it was used just as a way to direct the plot a certain way and wasn't really useful to the plot as a whole. But other than that this book was just as addictive as the others (and a lot crazier too) and a great ending to the series.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the action in this book the most. I guess it's was a wrap up ending. But there was definitely enough there to keep it going or make a new series with them hunting down the other vespers. Funny the few things that bother me are: where will they go with no money, are they going to steel everything? and why the hell can't they ever go home? Silly I know...

[Jessica Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY WHY WHY
Did so many people have to die?
I liked Megan. I liked Emily's family, why does this book have SUCH a shitty ending?
OH.

AND THANKS FOR THE HEART ATTACK WHEN SPENCER 'DIED'

Other than that it was still a page turner and I loved it.

But all the deaths cost you a whole star mister so sit and think about what you've done!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my favorite out of all 3!! Watching the characters grow and change into someone completely new was amazing! I do wish there was a part that told what dalton went through in the other "world" !!! Left me wanting more and that ending....hopefully there will be more to come!?!? Maybe a spin off series! Something!!

[Sonia Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion to the series. So many feels and love the way that the formatting from the previous books tied into the story of this final book. I usually feel like there should be more to a series like this but this one ended perfectly. Would totally recommend people read this, especially one book after the other.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, and a great ending to the series! Things got explained, and the things between Bio, and the Vesper Company, and yeah, I wish we got a bit on her dad and step mom and sister, and the Cooke parents, but great book, and great ending! Loved it!

[Mimi Zane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! This is the last book to the trilogy of vesper. This book was the longest, filled with plenty of twists and unsuspected turns I did not see coming. I highly recommend this series to fans of Patrick Carman's Dark Eden and Dan Krokos The False Memory.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of this book was good but the ending was a real let down for me. Sure her friend deserved to die(no offense) no one in their right mind should want to be possesed, but why did her best friend have to be the one to kill her. Thats just insane.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of this series - but the twist in this one that turned everything into a weird religious cult thing was just too strange for me to really enjoy. Also, too many people died
Spoiler:
I really hated how the delgado family disintegrated.

[Bookdragon94 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily kicks butt once again! She continues to try to keep her pack one step ahead of BioZenith and stay away from the shadowmen. Jeff Sampson was able to conclude the trilogy beautifully with a hint at more to come, which I love.

[Kelley Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion to a series that threw surprise after surprise. I wish that the ending had a little more detail and left me wanting to know what happened to all the vespers. Maybe this means it's not really the end???