Book Review: Bitter Harvest by Kim Knox

Title: Bitter Harvest
Author: Kim Knox
Genre: Dystopian, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: March 2012 by Carina Press

It's 2050, and humans are an endangered species. Lieutenant Robert Sutton has survived the collapse of civilization by luck, his wits, and a chance mutation that makes him immune to the nano-virus that has wiped out millions. Now, his compound of survivors is surrounded by the infected, who are driven by the need to spread the contagion through sex. It is only a matter of time before they attack. So when Sutton is assigned to interrogate a prisoner who claims to have overcome the infection, he immediately suspects a trap...

Nicholas Rider may have survived the virus, but he's a changed man, ruled by his desires. But his need for Sutton is different. Rider craves an end to his overwhelming needs, and Sutton could be the man to do it.

Secure in his belief that he's invulnerable, Sutton can't understand or resist his intense attraction to his prisoner. Will Rider be his downfall-or his savior?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Loved this dystopian world and sexy romance which takes a decent emotional detour at novella’s end.

The Set Up: A nano-virus has infected most humans and turned them into one hive mind controlled by AI. In one of the sole human enclaves, Sutton is the chief interrogator so he’s called to investigate Rider, a man claiming to have been cured of the nano-virus. Sutton is equally attracted and repulsed by Rider’s uber-sexuality but when their enclave is attacked the men must become allies to survive.

Why I Read this Book: MM dystopian romance? Duh, no brainer.

What I Liked: I adore this world. It’s perfectly creepy as humans turn into drones trying to infect others, primarily through sex. For Star Trek fans it’s impossible not to make the connection to the Borg but this is here on earth so it rings new still. I like the survivalist mentality of Sutton and the other enclave members. They live under constant threat of annihilation so this has them all living on a razor’s edge and they use sex to combat the constant strain.

What I Also Liked: I was surprised by how much I liked Rider and Sutton’s romance. Initially I thought it was only going to be erotic but as the story progressed so does their romance. I don’t want to spoil anything but the two make a unique connection and this causes Sutton to imagine Rider is only staying with him out of duty. The emotional scene where Sutton learns otherwise is delicious. Rider is finally stripped of his flirty, irreverent behavior and I loved that emotional vulnerability. I wish that scene had been a tad longer but it was enough.

What I Didn’t Like: I know some readers will have difficulty with Rider’s extreme sexuality. He’s a sexual magnet because of the nano-virus, so he’s had sexual escapades all over Europe. Then when he’s captured by the enclave he again draws people to him. I think some readers will dislike this about Rider and that he uses it to taunt Sutton. I didn’t mind it as it adds some levity to an otherwise dark story. And this world was so hard scrabble that the remaining humans use sex as a coping mechanism, Sutton included, so it seemed appropriate that Rider’s sexuality would be a huge part of his personality. Plus, Sutton is turned on by Rider’s past so to me it all worked out to erotic hotness.

IMO: I really enjoyed this novella and got caught up in the romance and world so much that I didn’t notice what page I was on until the novella ended.

J9’s Rating: