I keep trying to like this series, after reading the first few and LOVING it but I feel it has spiraled into banality, with characters that are too tragically perfect. It is impossible to relate to the characters and their over emphasis on sex. In the words of the great Taylor Swift, "you need to calm down."

These were some really fantastic reads! I was a little bit worried, given how I didn't really like Desolation Road, that Savage, given that he and Seychelle needed 2 books to tell their story, would evoke the same reactions from me, but he didn't, and I was really glad!

I've since read that Annihilation Road was written to be a stand alone story for this couple where they're falling in love, and that Savage Road is the one that really delved into the issues that Savage has, and how they work as a couple as he's dealing with that. And that makes total sense, and I'm really glad that their story wasn't condensed into one book, they really needed that breathing space!

Savage is almost certainly the darkest of the Torpedo Ink crew. The way he might have been if they'd had a normal childhood, on top of their childhood, well, he's earned his nickname. And then there's Seychelle, which her healing ability.

These are dark reads, and reading them around the holidays was pretty not the best choice. But I love her writing, and I enjoy this series, and I had a great time with these two, and everything that went on in these stories besides the romance!

These were really fantastic reads, and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here!

I have fallen in love with this series and these characters. Christine Feehan has done a great job giving these characters depth and creating a world worthy of there pasts. With each book the characters grow. It's been great to see how they have changed from book to book, even when they are not the central characters for that particular book.

I liked this one a lot. I truly like Sechelle and Savage. I think they are such a great balance for one another. All the people of Torpedo Ink are so intriguing and work so well together with all their 'gifts'.

As much as I love this series there is A LOT of details in all the elements of the story and it is very hard to keep it all together at times and some members of similar names which throws me off at times as well. Due to this, at times it can make me lost but thankfully the main couple is such a great mix that it keeps me going.

The long awaited story for Savage! Christine Feehan packs her stories with action, mystery, romance and depending on the series edgy sex. The Torpedo Ink series is not for the timid, hard erotic fetishes due to the past of abuse each biker experienced in childhood and beyond. I find myself on an emotional roller coaster during each story, I find myself invested in their HEA

This is the 6th Book in the Torpedo Ink series. Let me preface this review by saying that I have loved all of the previous installments of this series and many other series by Christine Feehan, but for me, this was the hardest book for me to read. I had been anxiously awaiting Savage's book. He was a peripheral character in the previous book that I wanted to delve more deeply into, but for some reason I never had that connection with Savage and Seychelle's story. Everything that I had loved in the previous books was there...the steamy chemistry, the suspense and amazing supporting characters. But, for some reason a book I was hoping would be "great" was only "good."

I think for me, this is a case of the book not living up to my expectations. As I previously state, everything that she normally has was there, but I personally could not connect with the book. I do feel that people who have enjoyed her other books should read this book. I hope that they are able to make the connection with Savage and Seychelle.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro

Back to back stories! Wow, this was a lot to take in.

In Annihilation Road, Seychelle Dubois meets Savage Pajari when she pushes him and a child out of harm’s way from an oncoming truck. Savage immediately notices that Seychelle is special, making sure she is taken care of before she is taken to the hospital, but not before being questioned by deputy sheriff Jackson Deveau. At the hospital, Savage gets access to Seychelle’s room by telling the nurses that he is her fiance.

Once in there, Savage sees Seychelle’s broken and bruised body due to saving him. He can’t understand why she risked her life for him, but Seychelle lets him know it was worth it. Savage is hypnotized by Seychelle’s voice and the way his name has a melody to it when she says it. Savage’s body reacts to Seychelle in a way he never thought it possible and the only thing he can think of doing is leaving her to heal while he looks for release elsewhere. Something Savage notices from their hospital encounter is how Seychelle seems to have a healing feeling in her presence.

Savage doesn’t stay away for too long and soon after finds Seychelle working as a singer in one of the local bars, but he isn’t the only one who noticed her beautiful voice. Among her fans there are two who harbor more than fandom for Seychelle: Brandon Campbell, who is very persuasive, and Joseph Arnold, her resident stalker who is posing as a talent scout. Joseph is very persistent and doesn’t like Savage introducing himself as Seychelle’s fiance.

Torpedo Ink’s resident musicians invite Seychelle to sing with them, in hopes of a possible permanent position in their band. As Savage and Seychelle get to know each other more, Savage struggles with his past and it interferes in their relationship. After being together for a while, their differences lead them to break up. Seychelle yearns for a family of her own, someone she can trust and be with just like her parents. She is ready to settle down, but Savage can’t give her what she wants, he can’t be fully honest with her yet. Interestingly enough, this may be the first book where a couple struggle being together and trusting each other due to the MC. Seychelle has never been in a relationship and wants to experience it with Savage, but his rank in the club makes it difficult for her to understand why he can’t give her his full attention.

During this book, we mainly get to know Seychelle and Savage. We’ve heard briefly about Savage in previous books here and there, but we don’t get to really know his story until now. We learn how much Seychelle likes helping the community, especially the seniors that remind her of her deceased parents. Throughout the story we get bits of information on Seychelle’s psychic healing gift, which worries Savage when he learns how hurtful it can be to her. Something else that worries him is introducing Seychelle to his BDSM world.

This was a very intense book, and it’s only part one! There’s tension between Savage and Seychelle trying to figure out their relationship, her gift, and BDSM. And then there’s tension between Seychelle and Torpedo Ink due to Seychelle feeling left out. Not to mention the handful of enemies Seychelle acquired all of a sudden. Oof, we’re still not done yet, and although a couple of things are resolved in this book, Savage and Seychelle’s story continues in Savage Road!

3.5 Stars

I want to preface this review by stressing the need to check the trigger warnings before you start the book. If you’ve been keeping up with the series and the members of Torpedo Ink, you know that Torpedo Ink did not have happy childhoods and Savage is one of the most damaged. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should at least give you an idea of what you might be exposed to should you read the book. I also want to emphasize that all of the sex between the main characters is completely consensual – the majority of the horror and the torment that prompted the trigger warnings happened in their childhoods when the members of Torpedo Ink were stuck in the ‘school’ in Russia.

Savage is a tormented soul, resigned to a life of loneliness and protecting his Torpedo Ink brothers and sisters. He’s also one of the most violent members, but there is a reason for that that Ms. Feehan reveals during the book (this particular reveal was an ‘oh my god why didn’t I realize that sooner’ moment for me). Seychelle stumbles into Savage’s life unexpectedly and he’s shocked to realize that she helps quiet the darker thoughts in his head. They both do their best to stay away from each other, but they inevitably end up drawn together and have to work out how they fit in each other’s lives.

While reading, I was reminded of the saying “One day, someone is going to hug you so tight that all of your broken pieces will stick back together again.” This is certainly true for Savage and Seychelle’s relationship. Savage always knew it would take a special woman to love him and deal with his more taboo urges in the bedroom – his woman ends up being so much more than he ever expected or dreamed of. Don’t think this is a one-sided relationship though. Seychelle, with her psychic gifts and sheltered upbringing, can’t stop herself from trying to help others. Savage vows to be one to protect her and make sure she doesn’t go too far. I loved seeing how they each brought out different sides to each other. For example, Seychelle brought out a softer side of Savage that few had been treated to before. Savage brought out Seychelle’s confidence, allowing her to follow her calling and defend those she cares about. I can’t wait to see how much more their relationship develops in the second part of their story.

One of my favorite parts of the Torpedo Ink series is the paranormal aspect. The stories are grounded in a contemporary setting, but each club member has some type of gift or ability that is crucial to the club’s success. I also found it intriguing how each pairing tends to have very complementary abilities. I can’t really say much about Savage’s gift without spoiling a big part of the book, but I was shocked (in a good way) once it was revealed. I went back through some of the other books and it seems like Ms. Feehan has been dropping little hints and easter eggs about it for a while (so bravo to her for pulling off such an unexpected twist).

I would recommend this book to paranormal romance fans who love motorcycle club stories and won’t be put off by some darker or taboo themes and elements. The ending does leave a bit to be desired, but I think Ms. Feehan purposefully left some open threads to explore in the second part of Savage’s story, Savage Road (out in 2022). Overall, Christine Feehan remains one of my favorite paranormal romance authors and I’m excited to see which club member will find their person next (I’m betting on Preacher – fingers crossed).

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Human trafficking (victims, discussed), Rape (Victims, discussed), BDSM, Spanking, Pedophilia (Victims, Discussed), Torture (Flashbacks and Discussion), Child Abuse (Victims, Discussed)

Ms. Feehan’s Torpedo Ink series has always been a difficult read due to the horrors the members of the club have endured. I knew Savages book would be one of the most difficult. However the readers have been given clues in previous stories that despite his intense and often brutal front underneath is the man that will and does protect his brothers and sisters lives with his own.

The code he lives by puts him square in front of an oncoming truck in order to save a young boys life. A relief to his mind, going out with honor. As he pushes to take that last step to safety knowing he won’t make it, he is hit by a body sending him out of danger and taking the hit.

A dramatic start to head into a complex story line. So many have focused on the lifestyle that Savage was brutally brought up with, a way of life that he survived but cannot now live without no matter how he tries to control the needs he has. That is the point that I continued to keep in mind as he makes mistake after mistake in this story.

Seychelle, an orphan, with a healing gift that she can neither ignore or control. A woman who gives all without concern for herself. A woman with fantasies that she’s isnt sure she should have. A woman who has to process each new idea, willing to put her love up front once she comes to a decision, a woman who thinks too much…haha

Again I say this is a very complex story line that will have you aggravated with almost every character at one point or another and then if you are truly a fan of the series you’ll remember that this story is their reality not ours and cheer for Seychelle and Savage to work through their challenges and get their HEA.

This book was intense. Definitely not insta-love but a deep story that brings these two characters together. I love that Feehan decided their story was not done, because they have such a deep story. This is only the beginning of them developing a beautiful love story.

Savin “Savage” Pajari is along with his brother Sargent at Arms for Torpedo Ink. His job is interrogator and assassin. Savage will protect his family any way he can even if it’s taking away their strong emotions. Seychelle Dubois is a singer who can’t seem to control her special abilities. When she sees the sexiest man. she’s ever seen trying to save a small child from being hit by an oncoming truck, she’ll step in to help. Seychelle saves Savage’s life which no one has done for him ever. When he first sees her it’s instant attraction. That attraction just may lead them down a path they might not be able to come back from and just may lead them down Annihilation Road.

Annihilation Road is the sixth book in Christine Feehan’s Torpedo Ink series. It’s the story of the worst of the abused children who became Torpedo Ink. His special power helps his fellow members to deal with their strong emotions. A sadist in the bedroom bringing pain to his partner because of his childhood in an abusive situation along with the rest of his family. Loyalty, and doing anything for his family. The taking of his family’s emotions has him needing a release that has him thinking he’ll never have what some of his fellow members have found and isn’t expecting to find. Annihilation Road takas him on a journey of finding emotions he never thought to have when a woman does something that no one else has done by literally saving his life. These two will deal with their feelings for each other and their own emotions as they face their new lives. Danger adds some tense moments as they face enemies from both sides. Obsessions, attraction take them through finding their way to a new version of their lives, but will they be able to come together. Trust in their selves and each other play a pivotal role in either coming together or breaking apart. Christine Feehan’s Annihilation Road sixth book in the Torpedo Ink series keeps the reader wondering what enemies are going to be at the front of the story and which enemy will come out on top. Can these two people come together through the danger coming from his enemies and the obsession around her. Can they overcome their individual hang ups and emotions to find happiness with each other or will all the secrets pull them apart? Christine brings the reader along for the ride through all the trial and tribulations of a unique couple trying to find their way to each other to find a happily ever after. Ms. Feehan also continues the story of Savage and Seychelle in another book after Annihilation Road called Savage Road. This reader recommends reading both even though each can be read alone.

As I read this series, I constantly question myself why I do? The stories are very dark and very explicit not just on the erotic edge but also the torturous growing years of the members of Torpedo Ink. Yet I can't seem to step away from the series, looking for that redeeming factor, the light at the end of a very dark tunnel and looking for each member to leave their past behind and find a happier future.
Savage Pajari is the master of arms for the Torpedo Ink. He is the whip master who can deliver pain with a flick of his whip. He also has the ability to absorb the pain and angst of his brothers and sisters giving them relief. Of course, the impact of using his talent is that when he fills up with everyone's pain, he has to find a safe outlet to release it all. This outlet takes the form of sexual release through delivering pain.
Seychelle in her own way has a talent for healing by taking on other people's illness. Savage and Seychelle clearly are the Ying to the other's yang. As their romance fleshes out and they find a way to each other is a dark story and takes paths that are painful and may be objectionable to some.
I've personally had a hard time writing this review because I feel that this book has taken what I've read about consensual BDSM and turned it into something dark and almost nonconsensual. Though from the author's point of view I suppose the fact that Seychelle stays with Savage despite her misgivings is a form of consent?
Definitely not a story for the faint of heart.

Christine Feehan continues working her magic in Annihalation Road. It is the sixth book in her fantastic Torpedo Ink series. As usual, the author wove an outstanding story that will keep the readers captivated right up until the end.

I would just like to say that all of Christine Feehans characters are absolutely amazing ! Although I do believe that Savage and Sechelle are two of my very favorites. It goes without saying that Savage was a very broken man. He had a dark history that was pretty hard for him to overcome. He recognized those flaws and did everything possible to shield Sechelle from the worst of them. Sechelle had a lot more spunkiness than anyone could have imagined. She was extremely selfless with her own gifts, yet stronger than it seemed at first. I thought these two were the perfect balance for each other. Of course there were ups and downs in their dark journey, okay it seemed like there was some sort of cheating that was later explained .... sort of. There was the usual suspense going on, as well. Sechelle had a very dangerous manipulative stalker that was revealed early on and of course Savage wanted to be her protector. Sechelle was very stubborn about not wanting to endanger Savage or anyone else so they spent a lot of time butting heads.

This book was classic Christine Feehan. It had a good deal of well written suspense, a little bit of darkness, and a whole lot of sexy chemistry going on for the entire story. I loved it ! I can't wait for the next part of Savage and Sechelle's journey.

Just wow. For anyone who has followed the Torpedo Ink series fully, we knew it would be a dark ride for Savage, so much so that Feehan prepared readers to expect his story to be spread across 2 books released in quick succession ('Annihilation Road' & 'Savage Road') - and in my opinion, this book is delivering! Savage is a sexual sadist, and while that's not my personal kink, I thought the subject matter was handled well for both Savage and Seychelle. I think Savage's journey is pretty realistic, given the background that has been painted for him from the onset of the series. This book does have an ending of its own, but also one that you can tell isn't fully written - enter the next addition, 'Savage Road'. Definitely will be one that can't be missed.

Savage is the most, well, savage of the Torpedo Ink members. His brothers and sisters believe that he is a time bomb, ready to go off over the smallest infraction. What his family doesn’t know is that he has a special gift. He can take pain (mental) from people, but then he takes it on himself. He knows he can’t live like this any longer. Then he meets Seychelle. Savage wonders is she’s been sent from heaven by a God that he doesn’t believe in.

I thought Seychelle was perfect for Savage. Seychelle was a true healer, just like Savage. Also just like Savage, she can take away pain & sickness, but then it transfers to her. She knows she doesn’t have long to live. Then she meets Savage.

I’m not a prude by any means, but this book was a little much for me. I understood the reasons that Savage had his particular sexual needs, but it was like a cloud that just hung over the entire book. It was this thing that you couldn’t put at the back of your mind. The book was mostly about Savage’s needs and the why of those needs. I was about halfway through the book & thought it should have ended then and there. It was just too much. I actually thought DNFing it, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s the diehard Christine Feehan fan in me that couldn’t DNF it.

This book is the first of a duet within the Torpedo Ink series. I haven’t read Savage Road because I’m just not interested. It was a sad day when I realized that.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Another amazing love story from Christine Feehan. A dark edgy and raw hero and sweet giving strong heroine brings us a contemporary beauty and the beast…a spell that can’t be broken but a beast who deserves love and a woman who understands him…can love all of him and accept his love.
.
Savage, a man broken as a child by pedophiles training him to associate pain with pleasure…made his satisfaction based on the need to inflict pain and make it pleasure. As we learn more about him, his gifts and why his emotional rage and pain grows and needs to be released, we grow to ache for him and love the man…hope Seychelle will choose to be all he needs.
.
As their relationship grows Seychelle could accept and understand Savage and the man he's become, the light and dark sides. She is drawn to helping others, her need to heal and ease others pain. Willing to accept the emotional pain and rage filling the well in Savage in physical form. What she has difficulty with is although it’s terrifying, why she is so drawn to the pain she knows will become pleasure. She frightens herself more than he does.
.
I love how this couple navigates the journey of their relationship, the ups, downs, how communication and honesty build the trust between them and make them determined to make it, to be all they need to be for each other.
It’s all woven beautifully through a plotline that advances the series, grows the Torpedo Ink’s standing in their chosen home, highlights the couple’s psychic gifts as blessings and curses, and deals with antagonists who allow us to compare and contrast who the real monsters are. Show how Savage differs.
.
It ends with them willing to move forward and I have the feeling Seychelle will grow to accept her darker longings as the balance to the light she needs to give others. Help her find control. As she moves frther into his world she'll make it her own. The hardest part will be the club business that she’s drawn into…being kept out of, and how to understand that part and all Savage is asked to do for them, all he does without them knowing and how she’ll willingly help him continue …excited to read Savage Road, next and see how these two continue to navigate their internal and external conflicts and keep this love story growing and going!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆

This book is the next story in the Torpedo Ink series. It is a standalone, however the reader will have a greater insight to the men and women of Torpedo Ink if they have read the entire series.

This series is a departure from Feehan's other works in that it explores what happened to the members of Torpedo Ink when they were sent to a school in Russia that was supposed to train them how to use their psychic abilities. In reality, the school was for the children of known or suspected dissidents whom the "teachers" would perform heinous experiments on in the name of science.

Torpedo Ink, formed by the survivors of the school, is a motorcycle club and its main mission is to rescue children that have been taken, stand up for those who can't, and to protect their community.

Each member of Torpedo Ink has one special psychic ability that is different from the others. Savage's ability is to pull the anger and rage from his brothers and sisters, which allows that person to think without the cloud of that rage coloring any decisions they need to make. However, Savage does not have an easy way to release all of the pent-up anger inside of him other than to inflict pain on others or himself.

When he hears Seychelle sing, a feeling of peace comes over him. Seychelle is a healer, and her ability to take others’ pain and suffering (including the illness) is slowly killing her. She has never been taught how to control her psychic abilities and her nature is to help even when it's hurting her.

Savage and Seychelle lead very different lives, and while Savage tries to stay away from, and then remain only friends with Seychelle, he realizes that she is the only one who may be able to calm his soul. And he may be the only person who can help Seychelle control her abilities so that she can live a long, fruitful life.

Feehan's writing brings the reader in slowly and lets you get to know the characters and how they feel about events as they are happening. With this book, you can see how Savage tries really hard not to fall for Seychelle as he does not want to ease his pain by marking her body.

There is a second part to this book – Savage Road – that has not been released yet.

Triggers: Extreme physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series – and I would definitely say that you should read them in order, as our understanding of Torpedo Ink and what the men and women have lived through to get here. It is pretty harrowing, amazing, and somehow life affirming.

Finally, the man who believes himself to be an absolute monster and the one who takes on all the pain and rage from his friends and doles out the punishments to others. Somehow his backstory is even more harrowing than that of the others, so be prepared to be shocked and understanding... and then furious with him for his behaviour too. He is flawed, but far more human than he gives himself credit for... and it is a pleasure when Seychelle gets under his skin and makes him feel. But the road is not easy to believing he has value, so the ride is not an easy one.

Seychelle is a really interesting and engaging character, with a gift that one might think of as a curse, but with Savage's help, there is hope for her, as well as intense chemistry and definite signs of love.

Great to catch up with the gang, their new loves, children, and reformed attitude to life. Enjoy!

All the guys of Torpedo Ink have something special they do. I don't know if Savage's was mentioned before, but we find out in <a href="https://amzn.to/3Gb9RMv" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Annihilation Road</a> and his fierceness is completely understandable. All the members issues are understandable, but with Savage his special gift also enhances his anger. He is a powder keg and his brothers and sisters have been getting increasingly worried about him.

Then Seychelle risks her life to save his. The minute he opens his eyes and sees Seychelle is the minute he falls down a road untraveled and steep. It was so much fun to watch the things Savage would do for Seychelle and her friends that were so awkward for him! His bad ass rep just might be on the line!

Seychelle seems to be a quiet, reserved person. But deep down there is a part of her that has been yearning for what Savage has to offer. Even if he thinks there is no way she will ever love that side of him. They are both surprised, and Seychelle is still even uncomfortable with what she is finding out about herself.

Seychelle possesses a certain gift that puts her in danger both from crazy stalkers as well as health-wise. She knows what happens, but she tries to control things herself. This is not good enough for Savage, especially with the stalker problems. Thankfully, Savage and Torpedo Ink are there to help her. She's very unsure about the club and doesn't really want to be involved, but at the same time they are incredibly helpful to her.

I absolutely loved the different sides of Savage we see in <a href="https://amzn.to/3Gb9RMv" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Annihilation Road</a>. I went into this book not really looking much stuff up about it on social media, etc., so when I hit the ending I was left with a "what the hell" kind of moment. I could see it being an ending, but really it wasn't. I thought I was going to burst with frustration until I got online and found out <a href="https://amzn.to/3HPTGEw" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Savage Road</a> was a book two of Savage and Seychelle's story. Well, that was a big relief. Their story is emotionally rough, but that is to be expected creating a relationship for someone like Savage. I loved every minute of it and you can bet <a href="https://amzn.to/3HPTGEw" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Savage Road</a> will be read as soon as available which is coming up, January 25th, 2022.

Annihilation Road is the 6th book in the Torpedo Ink series and it’s the first in a duet about Savage Pajari, the sergeant-at-arms for the MC and his love interest. Seychelle Dubois saves Savage from being hit by a vehicle and it intrigues him to meet the woman who would risk her life in order to save his. One touch, one kiss later and he knew that this was the woman for him. Save is a sadist and he never thought he would find a woman to ease his pain and be able to handle the man he was trained to become.

There was a slow and calculated build to this story because it takes time to build trust in a relationship. Seychelle is a healer and she is alone in the world. There isn’t anyone to protect herself from her own powers. Savage makes it his business to know what it would take to have Seychelle as his woman. I like the path that this story is taking because she is a woman who won’t easily submit to Savage, yet she craves the pain and pleasure aspect of what Savage offers. She isn’t sure she can give Savage all he needs and so they put the brakes on things. There is a lot of soul searching in this story along with a ton of drama from 2 individuals who won’t leave Seychelle alone.

With any Torpedo Ink story there is plenty of interaction from the other bikers and their women from previous stories and Torpedo Ink business. The author has created a diverse and interesting blend of individuals and together they are a band of brothers that make a close-knit family of misfits. There is a touch of humor but what draws me into this story is that these men and women find themselves finding a person that gets them. They find someone to love them warts and all. Annihilation Road is rough and gritty, but it is first and foremost a love story for Savage and Seychelle, and that is worth the read. The next installment arrives in January and I can’t wait to see how this story concludes.

ANNIHILATION ROAD is the long-awaited Savage's story, and it is one of the darkest of all the Torpedo Ink books. After all, Savage is known as the "Whip Master." He is a sexual sadist, though author Christine Feehan gives him a heart and conscience.

Reviewed for Fresh Fiction by Annetta Sweetko

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=76245