What do you think?
Rate this book
Degrees #1
Degrees of Wrong
This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin.
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
3 people are currently reading
1321 people want to read
About the author
Anna Scarlett
1 book124 followersAnna's first published work was a letter to the editor of her local newspaper complaining about stingy tippers-she was a 17 year old waitress. The letter got her a free dinner at the restaurant where she worked, and dirty looks from all the stingy tippers. Now that her mother has passed away, Anna feels it's safe to reveal that she also wrote other students' term papers for prom money in high school. Her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, drinking wine, and reading and writing while drinking wine. She can shoot a sling shot, speak with a southern accent, and take a nap in the middle of the day, any day of the week-at a moment's notice, no less. She cannot rollerblade, apply liquid eyeliner, or find her keys. Ever.
Anna lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and the fictional characters in her head. Feel free to drop her a line at [email protected], or chat her up on Twitter: @byannascarlett.
You can also get chummy with her on Goodreads. She loves fan mail and gift certificates to Panera Bread.
Anna lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and the fictional characters in her head. Feel free to drop her a line at [email protected], or chat her up on Twitter: @byannascarlett.
You can also get chummy with her on Goodreads. She loves fan mail and gift certificates to Panera Bread.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
April 1, 2015
I decided to go with a five star rating for a few reasons. First, it was the kind of book that kept me up reading past my bedtime. Secondly, I loved the world-building. I liked that while it was set in the future, it felt like it could be happening now. Third, it kept me on my toes! And lastly, the romance was very swoony!
So, I admit I didn't like Elyse at first. Mainly, because I'm married to a military man and have a lot of respect for the military. So her initial behavior towards the military personnel rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't witty, it was bratty. BUT, I pushed my personal views aside and once we got past that part I actually grew to really like Elyse and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying the book.
Elyse is a doctor and working on finding a cure for the new Black Death virus that is sweeping the globe. She is put into protective custody on an underwater military base where she continually butt-heads with the gorgeous captain, Nicoli Marek. The romance between Elyse and Nicoli was a big focus of the book (which, being a romantic, I loved) and I loved their relationship! One thing that made me love Elyse was how strong she was in her morals and unwilling to compromise them, "My morals are not influenced by the people around me." Nicoli is in an arranged engagement, one formed for purely political reasons only, and Elyse refuses to be the other women. Their circumstances throw them together though and the sparks fly.
Going into this I thought it was a standalone, so I wasn't quite prepared when the book ended the way it did. I'm sure there will be another book, there has to be, and I'm hoping it'll be about Nicoli's brother Ryon. He was great!
Overall, this was a very fun read! It was well written, well paced and the setting and characters all brought together to make a unique and memorable story. Definitely one I'd recommend to all my friends!
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: Mild
Violence: Mild
Fun fact: Author writes under another name, Anna Banks!
Source: Thanks Jessie for the loan, loved it!
So, I admit I didn't like Elyse at first. Mainly, because I'm married to a military man and have a lot of respect for the military. So her initial behavior towards the military personnel rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't witty, it was bratty. BUT, I pushed my personal views aside and once we got past that part I actually grew to really like Elyse and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying the book.
Elyse is a doctor and working on finding a cure for the new Black Death virus that is sweeping the globe. She is put into protective custody on an underwater military base where she continually butt-heads with the gorgeous captain, Nicoli Marek. The romance between Elyse and Nicoli was a big focus of the book (which, being a romantic, I loved) and I loved their relationship! One thing that made me love Elyse was how strong she was in her morals and unwilling to compromise them, "My morals are not influenced by the people around me." Nicoli is in an arranged engagement, one formed for purely political reasons only, and Elyse refuses to be the other women. Their circumstances throw them together though and the sparks fly.
Going into this I thought it was a standalone, so I wasn't quite prepared when the book ended the way it did. I'm sure there will be another book, there has to be, and I'm hoping it'll be about Nicoli's brother Ryon. He was great!
Overall, this was a very fun read! It was well written, well paced and the setting and characters all brought together to make a unique and memorable story. Definitely one I'd recommend to all my friends!
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: Mild
Violence: Mild
Fun fact: Author writes under another name, Anna Banks!
Source: Thanks Jessie for the loan, loved it!
September 3, 2012
WARNING: There be spoilers below (minor ones).
OK, where do I even start?
As much as I didn't want to be, I actually was quite entertained by this book. I don't even know how or why. Maybe it has something to with the fact that books that irritate me are also ones that I find to be of high entertainment value.
But, but, but, there were so many things that irritated me. Irritated me to the point that I would stop reading and sit and stare off into space, silently raging at the characters. And not in a good way - the good way being that you rage at the characters because you have grown to care about them and the stupid yet understandable decisions that they make. Now, I could very possibly descend into an entire rant about all the things that made me recoil very fast and very far from this book, but I won't. Because it would be quite a rant and, more importantly, it would give the wrong idea. The idea that I didn't enjoy reading this. Which is wrong, because I did. So, keep this in mind while I try not to rant...
Let's start with Elyse, our main character (Pretty name. I love finding pretty names in books.) I know there are many who rave about her wit, her spunkiness, her smarts etc. etc. but can I just say I saw little of any of these traits in her. Initially, I found Elyse's characterisation to be very inconsistent. Elyse is an orphan, a genius doctor, a kind-of-hostage, a lovelorn 20-something year old, and suffering from some kind of PTSD all in the first couple of chapters. She would literally be having nightmares about watching the destruction of her village mere moments before she starts angsting about the chest of some guy (OK, said guy is pretty important, but still). Also, Elyse doesn't nearly come across as being as smart as she is described to be. Supposedly, she's a doctor so genius that she has the skill and knowledge required to cure a plague that no one else in the entire world has been able to. Say what? Apart from throwing in a couple of sentences with very technical words, Elyse spent the majority of the book developing her relationship with the aforementioned owner of the angst-worthy chest. She pretty much stumbled onto any developments made in her scientific research. If curing nigh-incurable diseases is as easy as Elyse makes it appear to be, then I should get around to getting my PhD sometime soon, and start trying to cure AIDs.
All of this is topped off by the fact that the plot is practically non-existent. The first 75% of the book consists of a series of events and circumstances that serve to do very little but ramp up the sexual tension between Hero and Heroine... and that's it, actually. There is also the fact that the reason Elyse is on a submarine in the first place is because she's being hunted, yet there is no evidence of any such threat to Elyse's safety in the vast majority of this book. It's almost as if the good doctor's on a pleasure cruise. And finally, when there seems to be some sort of build-up to a climax, it all falls flat on its face with the action being held off until the not-yet-existent sequel. Just urrrngghh.
I must give credit where credit is due though, and I have to say Anna Scarlett (a name I feel weird using, it being a pseudonym and all) is very good at humour. There are many lines which made me laugh. Out loud. Elyse is quite the witty one. She is. But this was often undercut by how irritating I found her.
A note on the world-building: I found the world-building to be unique and compelling at first, but eventually, with little explanation provided as to how everything came to be like it is, I grew annoyed. Hopefully, this issue will be taken up in future, if there is ever a sequel.
Another note, this time on the romance: Prepare for a cheese-fest ripe with cliches. Also, to all you haters of sudden and inexplicable romantic feelings between characters a.k.a. insta-love (myself included), you gon be hatin'.
A further note, on the love interest, Captain Nicoli Marek (cool name, not so cool character): He's not that great, ladies. Sorry. So ideally, he's quite the impressive guy. But something that really bothered me about him was how he was with Elyse. Exhibit A: The Captain (because that's what I call him) saves Elyse from almost drowning. He then proceeds to ignore her because he's angry at her for falling off a dock and not being able to swim. THIS MAKES ME MAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT USING CAPS TO STRESS THE EXTENT OF MY MADNESS. Exhibit B: I actually have more, but I think I should stop now as I've officially descended into Rant Mode. Very sorry about that. But I think you get the general gist of what annoyed me about the Captain.
Ultimately, given all this, as well as the fact that I found Scarlett's writing to be just... lukewarm, I doubt I'll be picking up her young adult book, Of Poseidon , something that I had previously considered getting from my library. The reviews for that one are mixed, and reading this book was supposed to help me decide whether or not I wanted to pick up Of Poseidon. But the decision's been made. And I doubt, seeing as my complaints about this book are similar to others' complaints about that one, I will love it as much as I will want to.
OK, where do I even start?
As much as I didn't want to be, I actually was quite entertained by this book. I don't even know how or why. Maybe it has something to with the fact that books that irritate me are also ones that I find to be of high entertainment value.
But, but, but, there were so many things that irritated me. Irritated me to the point that I would stop reading and sit and stare off into space, silently raging at the characters. And not in a good way - the good way being that you rage at the characters because you have grown to care about them and the stupid yet understandable decisions that they make. Now, I could very possibly descend into an entire rant about all the things that made me recoil very fast and very far from this book, but I won't. Because it would be quite a rant and, more importantly, it would give the wrong idea. The idea that I didn't enjoy reading this. Which is wrong, because I did. So, keep this in mind while I try not to rant...
Let's start with Elyse, our main character (Pretty name. I love finding pretty names in books.) I know there are many who rave about her wit, her spunkiness, her smarts etc. etc. but can I just say I saw little of any of these traits in her. Initially, I found Elyse's characterisation to be very inconsistent. Elyse is an orphan, a genius doctor, a kind-of-hostage, a lovelorn 20-something year old, and suffering from some kind of PTSD all in the first couple of chapters. She would literally be having nightmares about watching the destruction of her village mere moments before she starts angsting about the chest of some guy (OK, said guy is pretty important, but still). Also, Elyse doesn't nearly come across as being as smart as she is described to be. Supposedly, she's a doctor so genius that she has the skill and knowledge required to cure a plague that no one else in the entire world has been able to. Say what? Apart from throwing in a couple of sentences with very technical words, Elyse spent the majority of the book developing her relationship with the aforementioned owner of the angst-worthy chest. She pretty much stumbled onto any developments made in her scientific research. If curing nigh-incurable diseases is as easy as Elyse makes it appear to be, then I should get around to getting my PhD sometime soon, and start trying to cure AIDs.
All of this is topped off by the fact that the plot is practically non-existent. The first 75% of the book consists of a series of events and circumstances that serve to do very little but ramp up the sexual tension between Hero and Heroine... and that's it, actually. There is also the fact that the reason Elyse is on a submarine in the first place is because she's being hunted, yet there is no evidence of any such threat to Elyse's safety in the vast majority of this book. It's almost as if the good doctor's on a pleasure cruise. And finally, when there seems to be some sort of build-up to a climax, it all falls flat on its face with the action being held off until the not-yet-existent sequel. Just urrrngghh.
I must give credit where credit is due though, and I have to say Anna Scarlett (a name I feel weird using, it being a pseudonym and all) is very good at humour. There are many lines which made me laugh. Out loud. Elyse is quite the witty one. She is. But this was often undercut by how irritating I found her.
A note on the world-building: I found the world-building to be unique and compelling at first, but eventually, with little explanation provided as to how everything came to be like it is, I grew annoyed. Hopefully, this issue will be taken up in future, if there is ever a sequel.
Another note, this time on the romance: Prepare for a cheese-fest ripe with cliches. Also, to all you haters of sudden and inexplicable romantic feelings between characters a.k.a. insta-love (myself included), you gon be hatin'.
A further note, on the love interest, Captain Nicoli Marek (cool name, not so cool character): He's not that great, ladies. Sorry. So ideally, he's quite the impressive guy. But something that really bothered me about him was how he was with Elyse. Exhibit A: The Captain (because that's what I call him) saves Elyse from almost drowning. He then proceeds to ignore her because he's angry at her for falling off a dock and not being able to swim. THIS MAKES ME MAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT USING CAPS TO STRESS THE EXTENT OF MY MADNESS. Exhibit B: I actually have more, but I think I should stop now as I've officially descended into Rant Mode. Very sorry about that. But I think you get the general gist of what annoyed me about the Captain.
Ultimately, given all this, as well as the fact that I found Scarlett's writing to be just... lukewarm, I doubt I'll be picking up her young adult book, Of Poseidon , something that I had previously considered getting from my library. The reviews for that one are mixed, and reading this book was supposed to help me decide whether or not I wanted to pick up Of Poseidon. But the decision's been made. And I doubt, seeing as my complaints about this book are similar to others' complaints about that one, I will love it as much as I will want to.
September 1, 2012
While working on one of the wounded soldiers Dr. Elyse Morgan finds amidst a battle on her island she is knocked out, kidnapped and sent to an underwater war ship. And she’s so not happy about it. But there might be a few perks to the job. Like a swoon worthy captain. Nicoli. It’s a shame that he is engaged and off limits. Fortunately for Elyse she has a lot to keep her mind occupied, or so she tries. She’s responsible for finding the cure to the HTN4 virus and the UN will deny her nothing to make it happen. She’s not only finding the cure to the HTN4 virus, she also finding the cure for the disease that took her parents life.
Anna Scarlett is also the awesome Anna Banks author of Poseidon, which I LOVED! So, when I heard she had a “romance” coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. And it’s fabulous people! You might notice the quotations around romance and I did do that for a reason. I would describe Degrees of Wrong as a romance book for non-romance readers. It’s definitely something that an older YA audience would enjoy. There are just a few kisses in this novel, I’d say PG-13. There is some tension, but you could easily find that in any YA novel! But it’s not the normal sexy times romance that I usually read, and I still loved it!
I loved the story. Elyse losing her parents, her personal mission to find the cure for this disease, the interference of the UN and Nicoli. Did I mention NICOLI! Elyse is one of those characters that you can’t help but laugh and smirk at. This girl has a temper, she had a brain and she has snark and she’s not afraid to use them! It can get her in trouble sometimes and it does!
This was just a fun and entertaining book, I can’t wait for more!
Anna Scarlett is also the awesome Anna Banks author of Poseidon, which I LOVED! So, when I heard she had a “romance” coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. And it’s fabulous people! You might notice the quotations around romance and I did do that for a reason. I would describe Degrees of Wrong as a romance book for non-romance readers. It’s definitely something that an older YA audience would enjoy. There are just a few kisses in this novel, I’d say PG-13. There is some tension, but you could easily find that in any YA novel! But it’s not the normal sexy times romance that I usually read, and I still loved it!
I loved the story. Elyse losing her parents, her personal mission to find the cure for this disease, the interference of the UN and Nicoli. Did I mention NICOLI! Elyse is one of those characters that you can’t help but laugh and smirk at. This girl has a temper, she had a brain and she has snark and she’s not afraid to use them! It can get her in trouble sometimes and it does!
This was just a fun and entertaining book, I can’t wait for more!
July 28, 2012
Read Review at Bewitched Bookworms
Set into a future world where mankind is going to explore the Ocean instead of the space. Interesting to say at least – it’s always something fascinating about the depth of the ocean, something calm yet frightening. But, the story does not focus on the world and for once I was grateful because this was not the main focus of this story!
Elyse - super smart and ... snarky!
Meet Elyse young prodigy, super smart with a PhD already at a very young age. Apparently it seem like she’s the only one who has a clue about how to find a cure for this deadly virus. In order to protect her and let her focus on her work, she’s send to an undersea ship where she can focus fully on her work.Little did she know that this ship didn’t come completely without distraction. The Captain of this ship is as charismatic as he is annoying…
Elyse was a great heroine and I loved her! I loved her snarky and her willpower not to bow for men who think are above her. She never lost her spirit even though circumstances weren’t as peachy as she wished! Elyse is a fighter! Not just in the lab in her war against the virus but especially with words and this is something I absolutely adore in a heroine! When dialogues bring a smile on my face I know I’m reading the right book for me!
Nicoli - *swoon* Strong, Sexy and annoyingly smart *winks*
Perfect counterpart for Elyse is found in Nicoli! And.. Hold your breath ladies because he’s the perfect swoon worthy man we so often adore in stories like this! Sexy and … annoyingly smart and determined and just perfect to counter Elyse snark! Add a protective nature and we have a man of our ..uhm Elyse dreams!
Carefully and slowly crafted Romance
Degrees hold so many elements I love and adore. A beautifully crafted evolving romance, no instant-love but a growing understanding and falling for each other from two people who didn’t think they would be a good fit! But Love and romance never comes without complications and we find lots of them – and we wonder if those two truly can find a way towards each other!
Bottom Line
Degrees of Wrong comes with a high level of snark and sarcasm and lovers of a beautiful romance including a hot male lead will truly enjoy this book! It’s ther perfect escape on a rainy Sunday or a sunny day on the beach. Actually , the proximity of water is highly encouraged :-) The Romance is light and therefore this book can also be read by younger adults! Everyone who loved Of Poseidon will very likely like this one too and people who didn't like it as much, might give this one a try too - it's maturer but still holds the characteristic snark and sexyness!
Set into a future world where mankind is going to explore the Ocean instead of the space. Interesting to say at least – it’s always something fascinating about the depth of the ocean, something calm yet frightening. But, the story does not focus on the world and for once I was grateful because this was not the main focus of this story!
Elyse - super smart and ... snarky!
Meet Elyse young prodigy, super smart with a PhD already at a very young age. Apparently it seem like she’s the only one who has a clue about how to find a cure for this deadly virus. In order to protect her and let her focus on her work, she’s send to an undersea ship where she can focus fully on her work.Little did she know that this ship didn’t come completely without distraction. The Captain of this ship is as charismatic as he is annoying…
Elyse was a great heroine and I loved her! I loved her snarky and her willpower not to bow for men who think are above her. She never lost her spirit even though circumstances weren’t as peachy as she wished! Elyse is a fighter! Not just in the lab in her war against the virus but especially with words and this is something I absolutely adore in a heroine! When dialogues bring a smile on my face I know I’m reading the right book for me!
Nicoli - *swoon* Strong, Sexy and annoyingly smart *winks*
Perfect counterpart for Elyse is found in Nicoli! And.. Hold your breath ladies because he’s the perfect swoon worthy man we so often adore in stories like this! Sexy and … annoyingly smart and determined and just perfect to counter Elyse snark! Add a protective nature and we have a man of our ..uhm Elyse dreams!
Carefully and slowly crafted Romance
Degrees hold so many elements I love and adore. A beautifully crafted evolving romance, no instant-love but a growing understanding and falling for each other from two people who didn’t think they would be a good fit! But Love and romance never comes without complications and we find lots of them – and we wonder if those two truly can find a way towards each other!
Bottom Line
Degrees of Wrong comes with a high level of snark and sarcasm and lovers of a beautiful romance including a hot male lead will truly enjoy this book! It’s ther perfect escape on a rainy Sunday or a sunny day on the beach. Actually , the proximity of water is highly encouraged :-) The Romance is light and therefore this book can also be read by younger adults! Everyone who loved Of Poseidon will very likely like this one too and people who didn't like it as much, might give this one a try too - it's maturer but still holds the characteristic snark and sexyness!
July 23, 2014
So. This is the book that I'll be reading forever when I'm in a slump.
The snark, the UST, the banter, the swoon, the unbelievably awesome characters... There just aren't enough words to describe how phenomenal this book is.
Also? I call dibs on Nicoli. He is the swooniest of swoony boys.
The snark, the UST, the banter, the swoon, the unbelievably awesome characters... There just aren't enough words to describe how phenomenal this book is.
Also? I call dibs on Nicoli. He is the swooniest of swoony boys.
January 22, 2014
"How could you not know that?" Liz asked, petulant. In that moment, I decided I’d grown sick of her company and would treat her presence like an allergy [...]. I shrugged. "I guess I need to brush up on my skills at minding other people’s business. Listen, are you busy later? Maybe you could show me the ropes."
It does not particularly surprise that after writing this chicklitty sci-fi-thriller "Degrees of Wrong" the author decided to try her hand at publishing Young Adult fiction ("Of Poseidon” etc.), since heroine Dr. Elyse Morgan, a 24-year-old medicine prodigy, turned out to be so childish and silly it was not even funny. That someone in her mid-twenties suffers her first boy-crush ever seems to be far-fetched to me anyhow, but - everybody-drools-differently aside - being a late bloomer in the romantic department does - in my opinion - not have to include that the person in question is socially disabled.
Soon after having calmly stitched up a bleeding soldier in the opening scene Elyse discards the brilliant medical scientist persona she is supposed to broadcast anyhow: She assists Dr. Folsom, the on-board physician of the Bellator, in checking up the submarine's military crew because she has been told to hide the top secret research purpose she had been kidnapped to pursue, but does not notice that most of the healthy soldiers faked their symptoms to get a close-up glimpse of the new, hot, female doctor who had dared to stand up against their superior during boarding and orientation. Dr. Folsom, who coincidentally is Elyse's deceased mother's best friend, astonishes the gaping young colleague with the obvious state of things, which quickly scratched a deep dent in my opinion of Elyse's supposedly outstanding expertise.
Additionally, Elyse keeps all her unique and precious research results about the big, bad pestilence virus responsible for mankind's misery on her father's old and outdated laptop for sentimental reasons, although her parents left her a small fortune and her kidnappers offered her limitless resources for her little laboratory. She even has to borrow Dr. Folsom's computer to look up shopping destinations (yes, for clothes, who would have guessed) at the next port the submarine will bob up. I suppose, Elyse Morgan's mind is meant to be so genial that she can find fantastic solutions to problems of apocalyptic proportions without all the usual mumbo-jumbo like specialized software installed on high-tech computers to process and compare her data with. She just needs a fresh batch of lab rats, some chemicals and her own critical eyes to evaluate her own progress - or the lack of it.
Speaking of lab rats: They were the only items in Elyse new playground worth bursting the novel's bubble of foggy, scientific vagueness. Elyse and her animal-friendly contemporaries only experiment on a special breed of non-suffering rats. Rats that are not able to feel pain or emotion, rats that actually lack a brain! For a moment I wondered whether those brainless rodents lack their heads altogether, but then maybe even uncanny Dr. E. would have difficulties to decipher their dull and fevered (yet painless!) expressions.
Apart from the annoying existence of the new virus, an international university of medicine situated in Italy, and the fact that doctors are automatically registered as world citizens who do not require visa on any spot of the planet, nothing else is mentionably different in the author's take on our world in the year 2056.
The story begins with a one-day-lasting, bloody war between black-clad hunks who turn out to represent the United Nations, and khaki-uniformed killers, who represent some other organisation, which is equally keen on finding a cure for the virus, and who are equally inclined to kill off an island's entire population in order to get a straight shot at kidnapping a young lady doctor rumored to be capable to find the unfindable. Mind, that said doctor has not even produced remotely remarkable results yet. Authorities have simply professed her to be the one most likely to succeed as soon as she started dabbling with the subject in her remote home laboratory. That strange assessment of her abilities felt to me like one of those famous American yearbook entries: Elyse Morgan, voted to be the one most likely to save the world before turning 30.
Anyway, being nice and accommodating to her kidnappers, who drugged and unclothed her, and letting the sadistic lieutenant bully, slap and dirtmouth her on a daily basis because outing herself to be more than a lowest-rank cadet on board would endanger the cover her new keepers have selected for her, is a matter of course for our brilliant girl, since it is plainly evident - to her - that the alternative - aka khaki - kidnapping party would have certainly treated her much, much worse - whoever they are. Being held captive on a submarine with some brainless rats, a torture-loving superior and a smoldering, youngish captain, who personally replaces her toothbrush and has a chest that causes bruises if you bump into it, has to be mainly for her own good and probably the reason for her survival so far. So, if even socially inept but mentally gifted Elyse can see that logic, how can I not, huh? Am I so wrong?
Well, I guess there are many "Degrees of Wrong". Some originate in me, like my strange expectations, my unnatural fixation on believable settings, realistic characters and human interaction that feels familiar. Others are born out of the mental images a too beautiful cover evoke, or appear when a lack of structure and logical constructs forces a reader to call it quits after reading 25% of the whole mess and noticing that another 2.89 EUR have been horribly misspent.
It does not particularly surprise that after writing this chicklitty sci-fi-thriller "Degrees of Wrong" the author decided to try her hand at publishing Young Adult fiction ("Of Poseidon” etc.), since heroine Dr. Elyse Morgan, a 24-year-old medicine prodigy, turned out to be so childish and silly it was not even funny. That someone in her mid-twenties suffers her first boy-crush ever seems to be far-fetched to me anyhow, but - everybody-drools-differently aside - being a late bloomer in the romantic department does - in my opinion - not have to include that the person in question is socially disabled.
Soon after having calmly stitched up a bleeding soldier in the opening scene Elyse discards the brilliant medical scientist persona she is supposed to broadcast anyhow: She assists Dr. Folsom, the on-board physician of the Bellator, in checking up the submarine's military crew because she has been told to hide the top secret research purpose she had been kidnapped to pursue, but does not notice that most of the healthy soldiers faked their symptoms to get a close-up glimpse of the new, hot, female doctor who had dared to stand up against their superior during boarding and orientation. Dr. Folsom, who coincidentally is Elyse's deceased mother's best friend, astonishes the gaping young colleague with the obvious state of things, which quickly scratched a deep dent in my opinion of Elyse's supposedly outstanding expertise.
Additionally, Elyse keeps all her unique and precious research results about the big, bad pestilence virus responsible for mankind's misery on her father's old and outdated laptop for sentimental reasons, although her parents left her a small fortune and her kidnappers offered her limitless resources for her little laboratory. She even has to borrow Dr. Folsom's computer to look up shopping destinations (yes, for clothes, who would have guessed) at the next port the submarine will bob up. I suppose, Elyse Morgan's mind is meant to be so genial that she can find fantastic solutions to problems of apocalyptic proportions without all the usual mumbo-jumbo like specialized software installed on high-tech computers to process and compare her data with. She just needs a fresh batch of lab rats, some chemicals and her own critical eyes to evaluate her own progress - or the lack of it.
Speaking of lab rats: They were the only items in Elyse new playground worth bursting the novel's bubble of foggy, scientific vagueness. Elyse and her animal-friendly contemporaries only experiment on a special breed of non-suffering rats. Rats that are not able to feel pain or emotion, rats that actually lack a brain! For a moment I wondered whether those brainless rodents lack their heads altogether, but then maybe even uncanny Dr. E. would have difficulties to decipher their dull and fevered (yet painless!) expressions.
Apart from the annoying existence of the new virus, an international university of medicine situated in Italy, and the fact that doctors are automatically registered as world citizens who do not require visa on any spot of the planet, nothing else is mentionably different in the author's take on our world in the year 2056.
The story begins with a one-day-lasting, bloody war between black-clad hunks who turn out to represent the United Nations, and khaki-uniformed killers, who represent some other organisation, which is equally keen on finding a cure for the virus, and who are equally inclined to kill off an island's entire population in order to get a straight shot at kidnapping a young lady doctor rumored to be capable to find the unfindable. Mind, that said doctor has not even produced remotely remarkable results yet. Authorities have simply professed her to be the one most likely to succeed as soon as she started dabbling with the subject in her remote home laboratory. That strange assessment of her abilities felt to me like one of those famous American yearbook entries: Elyse Morgan, voted to be the one most likely to save the world before turning 30.
Anyway, being nice and accommodating to her kidnappers, who drugged and unclothed her, and letting the sadistic lieutenant bully, slap and dirtmouth her on a daily basis because outing herself to be more than a lowest-rank cadet on board would endanger the cover her new keepers have selected for her, is a matter of course for our brilliant girl, since it is plainly evident - to her - that the alternative - aka khaki - kidnapping party would have certainly treated her much, much worse - whoever they are. Being held captive on a submarine with some brainless rats, a torture-loving superior and a smoldering, youngish captain, who personally replaces her toothbrush and has a chest that causes bruises if you bump into it, has to be mainly for her own good and probably the reason for her survival so far. So, if even socially inept but mentally gifted Elyse can see that logic, how can I not, huh? Am I so wrong?
Well, I guess there are many "Degrees of Wrong". Some originate in me, like my strange expectations, my unnatural fixation on believable settings, realistic characters and human interaction that feels familiar. Others are born out of the mental images a too beautiful cover evoke, or appear when a lack of structure and logical constructs forces a reader to call it quits after reading 25% of the whole mess and noticing that another 2.89 EUR have been horribly misspent.
December 23, 2015
If I didn’t already love Anna Scarlett aka Anna Banks after reading Of Poseidon, I would definitely love her after reading Degrees of Wrong. Oh, where do I begin?! Elyse is as snarky as they come, my favorite kind of female lead, Nicoli is seriously swoon-worthy, I can’t get him out of my head, and this is basically a medical drama. All the makings of an epic book, I’d say. Anna throws you right into the heat of things and wastes no time grabbing your attention with a dashing young man who would definitely make me weak at the knees. Not to mention all the surprises along the way, although I could easily figure some out as they came, there were a few at really shocked me, and I loved it!
Elyse is so awesome. She definitely doesn’t let anyone push her around and is quick with the comebacks, asserting her strength and stubbornness from the get-go, even among powerful people. You don’t mess with this girl! She’s also incredibly smart and resourceful, and the leading expert in finding the cure for this deadly virus that has plagued mankind. I love that Anna gave her such an adorable quirk as the addiction to chocolate, I swear, the girl literally inhales the stuff throughout the book.
Most of the story happens in the “submarine” where’s Elyse is basically stuck with the soldiers and Captain Nicoli, which isn’t a bad way to be, mind you. Man, the way Anna describes him, it’s like he’s the godly version of Joe Manganiello’s body with Ryan Reynold’s face (at least in my head). Oh, I get all tingly just thinking about him! Anyways, he’s this very smart, brave, and fiercely strong captain who has to watch over Elyse while she’s looking for the cure because there are some pretty shady people out there looking to capture her for their own nefarious purposes. I love how there’s an instant attraction, not love, but then it grows into something more as they get to know each other and the ways that they do are so hilarious and sweet, I can’t help but smile when I think about it.
As Elyse slowly uncovers the answers to her research and comes closer and closer to finding the cure, a lot of things unravel about her past including things about her parents, Nicoli’s true identity, and about those who are out to get her. Not to mention a certain someone from her recent past comes back in a very (un)expected way that had me doubling over with laughter and excitement. Oh, I loved every minute of it.
And! I have to warn you, this one has got a killer ending! I mean that to say she stopped at the EXACT moment where you DID NOT want her to! That is so like her to, in that devilish way that she does so well. Honestly, when I was done I went, “Dammit, Anna! Why?! Why did you stop there?! Nooooo! I want more!!!!!” Damn these cliffhanger-type books!
Everything came together very nicely and the pace was great, I never felt bored. The action was subtle, but enjoyable. The romance, well that was simply amazing! I couldn’t get enough. Truly a well-rounded book and I’m dying to read more. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Elyse is so awesome. She definitely doesn’t let anyone push her around and is quick with the comebacks, asserting her strength and stubbornness from the get-go, even among powerful people. You don’t mess with this girl! She’s also incredibly smart and resourceful, and the leading expert in finding the cure for this deadly virus that has plagued mankind. I love that Anna gave her such an adorable quirk as the addiction to chocolate, I swear, the girl literally inhales the stuff throughout the book.
Most of the story happens in the “submarine” where’s Elyse is basically stuck with the soldiers and Captain Nicoli, which isn’t a bad way to be, mind you. Man, the way Anna describes him, it’s like he’s the godly version of Joe Manganiello’s body with Ryan Reynold’s face (at least in my head). Oh, I get all tingly just thinking about him! Anyways, he’s this very smart, brave, and fiercely strong captain who has to watch over Elyse while she’s looking for the cure because there are some pretty shady people out there looking to capture her for their own nefarious purposes. I love how there’s an instant attraction, not love, but then it grows into something more as they get to know each other and the ways that they do are so hilarious and sweet, I can’t help but smile when I think about it.
As Elyse slowly uncovers the answers to her research and comes closer and closer to finding the cure, a lot of things unravel about her past including things about her parents, Nicoli’s true identity, and about those who are out to get her. Not to mention a certain someone from her recent past comes back in a very (un)expected way that had me doubling over with laughter and excitement. Oh, I loved every minute of it.
And! I have to warn you, this one has got a killer ending! I mean that to say she stopped at the EXACT moment where you DID NOT want her to! That is so like her to, in that devilish way that she does so well. Honestly, when I was done I went, “Dammit, Anna! Why?! Why did you stop there?! Nooooo! I want more!!!!!” Damn these cliffhanger-type books!
Everything came together very nicely and the pace was great, I never felt bored. The action was subtle, but enjoyable. The romance, well that was simply amazing! I couldn’t get enough. Truly a well-rounded book and I’m dying to read more. I can’t wait for the sequel!
August 22, 2012
Since I first heard that Anna Scarlett was a pen name for Anna Banks, I was one excited girl. I loved Anna Banks's debut, Of Poseidon, some fierce amount so I was excited to see what she could do when she meandered into the realm of sci-fi/futuristic romance. All I can say is damn Anna Scarlett, can you write!
I just fell in love with Elyse Morgan's story. Degrees of Wrong was exactly the find of book I was looking for. I've been really stressed out and life has been nuts, but Degrees of Wrong was a book I could put aside everything and just focus on reading a great book, which was just what I needed. It was funny, charming, and all around just a really great story.
The plot was epic. There was a perfect balance between the high stakes associated with Elyse's work and also with the politics of the world and the slow building romance between Elyse and Nicoli. There are so many absolutely adorable scenes between the two of them. There was so much tension at times you could probably cut it with a knife. It's a really cool set up Anna Scarlett has going - in this futuristic world, it takes place under the sea. Instead of exploring space, the world has turned to exploring the ocean and all the mysteries that are down there. I loved how well integrated the world was.
The characters in Degrees of Wrong were all so endearing. I seriously just loved them all. Elyse, Nicoli, Lt. Horon, and Ryon were my favorites of the book. They all brought something different to the book and were just a hoot.
Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett is one of those books that is perfectly acceptable to stay up all night reading or to read in one sitting. I cannot wait to see what Anna Scarlett comes up with next, but whatever it is, I can guarantee I'll be reading it.
ALSO. The cover. It is SO GORGEOUS.
I just fell in love with Elyse Morgan's story. Degrees of Wrong was exactly the find of book I was looking for. I've been really stressed out and life has been nuts, but Degrees of Wrong was a book I could put aside everything and just focus on reading a great book, which was just what I needed. It was funny, charming, and all around just a really great story.
The plot was epic. There was a perfect balance between the high stakes associated with Elyse's work and also with the politics of the world and the slow building romance between Elyse and Nicoli. There are so many absolutely adorable scenes between the two of them. There was so much tension at times you could probably cut it with a knife. It's a really cool set up Anna Scarlett has going - in this futuristic world, it takes place under the sea. Instead of exploring space, the world has turned to exploring the ocean and all the mysteries that are down there. I loved how well integrated the world was.
The characters in Degrees of Wrong were all so endearing. I seriously just loved them all. Elyse, Nicoli, Lt. Horon, and Ryon were my favorites of the book. They all brought something different to the book and were just a hoot.
Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett is one of those books that is perfectly acceptable to stay up all night reading or to read in one sitting. I cannot wait to see what Anna Scarlett comes up with next, but whatever it is, I can guarantee I'll be reading it.
ALSO. The cover. It is SO GORGEOUS.
October 10, 2012
Excellent storytelling. I very much enjoy smexy reads, and rarely read G books. However, this book was smart, funny, and engaging. Elyse was a hoot. Her thought processes, her temper, and her uncompromising standards were fun to read. Nicoli was dreamy; the futuristic setting was not hard to envision; and the bad guy was a shock! The ending was not a cliffhanger, but did leave room for followup. I don't read a lot of books with _just_ romantic tension, but I'll be on the lookout for a sequel. :)
October 16, 2012
Feisty, snarky and full of attitude, I immediately fell in love with Degrees of Wrong's heroine, Dr. Elyse Morgan! I loved getting glimpses of a future Earth where the UN has become the leading government organization of the world, and I loved the fiery chemistry between Elyse and the forbidden Captain Marek!
Plot-wise, Degrees of Wrong doesn't really have a whole lot going on. Tasked with finding a cure to the HTN4 virus, a cousin to Europe's Black Plague, Elyse spends a good portion of her time in her lab, pouring over research and failed experiments. We'd been told that there are others out there looking for her, to use her genius for their own personal gains, but we only get a quick glimpse of their power before Elyse is shuttled back to safety. We also get glimpses of how losing her parents (and her village) have affected her emotionally, but they are fleeting and brief. And we're exposed to technological advances of this future Earth, including neat little pods that shuttle people underwater to various islands, but a lot is left to the imagination.
But for once, I didn't mind that the plot was mostly non-existent. Elyse's personality made up for any of the plot's shortcomings by leaps and bounds! Her witty comebacks and snarky humour had me constantly giggling out loud.
Her temper tantrums and penchant of stomping her foot had me grinning like a fool at her sudden outbursts and self-acknowledged childishness.
Her complete lack of respect for authority - when it clashed with her personal beliefs and morals - was admirable, and her methods of seeking approval or permission were always outlandishly creative and over-the-top. And she's a sucker for chocolate. I think I have just found my kindred spirit!
The strength it took - both physically and emotionally - for her to resist the charms of Captain Nicoli Marek was phenomenal. Halfway through one of their first encounters I was already begging for them to just kiss already! Her adamant refusal to share any kind of intimate relationship with him, for a myriad of reasons, made for some of my favourite moments in Degrees of Wrong as one (or both of them!) was left literally growling in anger or frustration. Their casual banter and eventual familiarity with each other created such tangible chemistry that I was on the edge of my seat for most of Degrees of Wrong just waiting for one of them to make the first move!
The ending was definitely a bit chaotic, as much of the absent plot was thrown together in a rushed climax and finale. Past events catch up to Elyse with significant repercussions - I just knew the blue-eyed soldier would make a re-appearance! - betrayals run deep and life-changing secrets are brought to light. Unfortunately this all happens within the last few chapters, leaving little room for anyone's reactions to be well fleshed-out. There's also a lot of threads left untied, leaving a lot of room for Degrees of Wrong's sequel, Degrees of Vengeance.
Usually that kind of rushed approach to tying loose ends would really bother me, but again, because of how much I loved Elyse (and the constant sexual tension between her and Nicoli), I didn't really notice it! I was too entertained to get caught up in picking apart Degrees of Wrong and sometimes, that's worth more than amazing world-building or a solid plot.
Plot-wise, Degrees of Wrong doesn't really have a whole lot going on. Tasked with finding a cure to the HTN4 virus, a cousin to Europe's Black Plague, Elyse spends a good portion of her time in her lab, pouring over research and failed experiments. We'd been told that there are others out there looking for her, to use her genius for their own personal gains, but we only get a quick glimpse of their power before Elyse is shuttled back to safety. We also get glimpses of how losing her parents (and her village) have affected her emotionally, but they are fleeting and brief. And we're exposed to technological advances of this future Earth, including neat little pods that shuttle people underwater to various islands, but a lot is left to the imagination.
But for once, I didn't mind that the plot was mostly non-existent. Elyse's personality made up for any of the plot's shortcomings by leaps and bounds! Her witty comebacks and snarky humour had me constantly giggling out loud.
The thought of him carrying me anywhere set something to flight in my stomach, but butterflies were too delicate a culprit to describe it.
Her temper tantrums and penchant of stomping her foot had me grinning like a fool at her sudden outbursts and self-acknowledged childishness.
I took another look in the mirror, threatening the woman in it with no chocolate for the rest of the day if she let that happen again. She frowned back but didn't argue.
Her complete lack of respect for authority - when it clashed with her personal beliefs and morals - was admirable, and her methods of seeking approval or permission were always outlandishly creative and over-the-top. And she's a sucker for chocolate. I think I have just found my kindred spirit!
The strength it took - both physically and emotionally - for her to resist the charms of Captain Nicoli Marek was phenomenal. Halfway through one of their first encounters I was already begging for them to just kiss already! Her adamant refusal to share any kind of intimate relationship with him, for a myriad of reasons, made for some of my favourite moments in Degrees of Wrong as one (or both of them!) was left literally growling in anger or frustration. Their casual banter and eventual familiarity with each other created such tangible chemistry that I was on the edge of my seat for most of Degrees of Wrong just waiting for one of them to make the first move!
The ending was definitely a bit chaotic, as much of the absent plot was thrown together in a rushed climax and finale. Past events catch up to Elyse with significant repercussions - I just knew the blue-eyed soldier would make a re-appearance! - betrayals run deep and life-changing secrets are brought to light. Unfortunately this all happens within the last few chapters, leaving little room for anyone's reactions to be well fleshed-out. There's also a lot of threads left untied, leaving a lot of room for Degrees of Wrong's sequel, Degrees of Vengeance.
Usually that kind of rushed approach to tying loose ends would really bother me, but again, because of how much I loved Elyse (and the constant sexual tension between her and Nicoli), I didn't really notice it! I was too entertained to get caught up in picking apart Degrees of Wrong and sometimes, that's worth more than amazing world-building or a solid plot.
March 28, 2016
Full review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: I really, really loved this book! I was pretty confident before I even picked it up since I enjoyed OF POSEIDON so much and I just knew we'd see more of Anna's sarcasm and wit woven into every page of DEGREES OF WRONG. Right off the bat, I loved Elyse. She's a strong personality and doesn't take crap from anyone, even when she's faced with a sour drill sergeant and stumbles upon (or literally into) gorgeous ship captain Nicoli Marek.
Unlike my usual reads as of lately, DEGREES OF WRONG takes us out of the realm of YA and into more of adult lit. Personally, seeing as Elyse Morgan is 24, I can almost categorize it as New Adult. As a 25-year-old, I tend not to relate to books where the main character is quite established in career, relationship (engaged/married), and home at 23/24/25. Although Elyse is quite the genius for her age and a well-established and decorated doctor, we see a lot of... what's the best way to put this...? Immature tendencies in her that show us that Elyse is still growing up a bit -- Or that we girls learn how to pinch, stick out our tongues, and give the silent treatment at a young age and hold onto those talents well!
Oh what fun it was to get to know our love interest of the story, Nicoli Marek! Somewhat of a genius himself and the captain of the Bellator submarine at only 29, Nicoli has no problem handling Elyse's temper (which only infuriates her more), but has the exact smoldering demeanor and sexy grin that captures Elyse's heart (okay, and mine too)! The descriptions of Nicoli Marek do not let us down in the book and make for a great, great romance. What I really loved is that it's a slow burner. Yep, it's got us dying for these two to get together all the way through the book, and I have to say, I think these are my favorite kinds of romances! Anna Scarlett's elaboration on this relationship was just perfect for me!
Also, what a great plot! I admit, I was a little bit wary about how much the naval and military aspects were involved in the book at first, but it quickly became a non-issue as the plot unraveled and I got to know the personalities of the characters. There were a few plot twists that I never saw coming and I'm always baffled at how authors come up with these twists, so bravo, Anna! You really got me there!!
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It's straight romance with a lot of sarcasm and banter, so I think almost anyone can enjoy it! If you liked OF POSEIDON, I dare say you might like DEGREES OF WRONG even more!
Unlike my usual reads as of lately, DEGREES OF WRONG takes us out of the realm of YA and into more of adult lit. Personally, seeing as Elyse Morgan is 24, I can almost categorize it as New Adult. As a 25-year-old, I tend not to relate to books where the main character is quite established in career, relationship (engaged/married), and home at 23/24/25. Although Elyse is quite the genius for her age and a well-established and decorated doctor, we see a lot of... what's the best way to put this...? Immature tendencies in her that show us that Elyse is still growing up a bit -- Or that we girls learn how to pinch, stick out our tongues, and give the silent treatment at a young age and hold onto those talents well!
Oh what fun it was to get to know our love interest of the story, Nicoli Marek! Somewhat of a genius himself and the captain of the Bellator submarine at only 29, Nicoli has no problem handling Elyse's temper (which only infuriates her more), but has the exact smoldering demeanor and sexy grin that captures Elyse's heart (okay, and mine too)! The descriptions of Nicoli Marek do not let us down in the book and make for a great, great romance. What I really loved is that it's a slow burner. Yep, it's got us dying for these two to get together all the way through the book, and I have to say, I think these are my favorite kinds of romances! Anna Scarlett's elaboration on this relationship was just perfect for me!
Also, what a great plot! I admit, I was a little bit wary about how much the naval and military aspects were involved in the book at first, but it quickly became a non-issue as the plot unraveled and I got to know the personalities of the characters. There were a few plot twists that I never saw coming and I'm always baffled at how authors come up with these twists, so bravo, Anna! You really got me there!!
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It's straight romance with a lot of sarcasm and banter, so I think almost anyone can enjoy it! If you liked OF POSEIDON, I dare say you might like DEGREES OF WRONG even more!
February 10, 2013
Degrees of Wrong disappointed me in so many ways. I was hoping for a thrilling sci-fi with some interspersed romance that was challenged by a crumbling world. At least, that was what I was under the impression I was getting. Instead, I had a faux-military full-blown romance novel that made the fatal terrorist virus seem like a small inconvenient backstory.
The two main characters are thrown together, not because of mutual respect for one another, or because of similar interests, or anything substantial at all, but because they are attracted to each other. That is it. We are never given anything other than that for the two characters to be together. But perhaps they'll have some sort of great adventure where they can grow together? No. The couple's only hurdle in being together is a politically arranged engagement which is presented throughout the whole book as a huge barrier that cannot be penetrated, but is then easily dispensed of without any political ramifications. The character's are not presented with any real flaws - except that Dr Elyse has an unhealthy dependence on chocolate - and so cannot develop throughout the story. While it is briefly explained that both Elyse and Nicoli are prodigies in some way, they do not come across as incredibly intelligent. Elyse's everyday train of thought and actions compares to that of a pubescent teenager in high school, with her constant "giggling" when with Nicoli only emphasising her juvenile character. The fact that she is a distinguished doctor should reflect more readily on her day-to-day lifestyle and impressions. Nicoli's only claim to intellectual fame is that he can understand what Elyse is saying - which is never really that clever to begin with.
After months of research to no avail, Elyse has a revelation after someone else makes a passing comment. And then she is able to find and make the cure in a week. The process in which Elyse came about finding a cure and the gross misunderstanding of medical research just fueled my dislike for everything that was happening.
And then suddenly, Nicoli and Elyse were engaged, and within minutes they were married. After knowing each other for a few months without actually having been in a relationship together. And then there was something about a missing daughter that was briefly mentioned as things were winding down, and then the book ended. Well thank goodness that finished so abruptly, if only to have it end.
At best, I could not wait to finish this book. The only reason I stuck it out was because I made the bad decision of buying it.
The two main characters are thrown together, not because of mutual respect for one another, or because of similar interests, or anything substantial at all, but because they are attracted to each other. That is it. We are never given anything other than that for the two characters to be together. But perhaps they'll have some sort of great adventure where they can grow together? No. The couple's only hurdle in being together is a politically arranged engagement which is presented throughout the whole book as a huge barrier that cannot be penetrated, but is then easily dispensed of without any political ramifications. The character's are not presented with any real flaws - except that Dr Elyse has an unhealthy dependence on chocolate - and so cannot develop throughout the story. While it is briefly explained that both Elyse and Nicoli are prodigies in some way, they do not come across as incredibly intelligent. Elyse's everyday train of thought and actions compares to that of a pubescent teenager in high school, with her constant "giggling" when with Nicoli only emphasising her juvenile character. The fact that she is a distinguished doctor should reflect more readily on her day-to-day lifestyle and impressions. Nicoli's only claim to intellectual fame is that he can understand what Elyse is saying - which is never really that clever to begin with.
After months of research to no avail, Elyse has a revelation after someone else makes a passing comment. And then she is able to find and make the cure in a week. The process in which Elyse came about finding a cure and the gross misunderstanding of medical research just fueled my dislike for everything that was happening.
And then suddenly, Nicoli and Elyse were engaged, and within minutes they were married. After knowing each other for a few months without actually having been in a relationship together. And then there was something about a missing daughter that was briefly mentioned as things were winding down, and then the book ended. Well thank goodness that finished so abruptly, if only to have it end.
At best, I could not wait to finish this book. The only reason I stuck it out was because I made the bad decision of buying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2014
I'm a huge fan of the Syrena Legacy series, so when I found out Anna Banks wrote an adult book, I knew I had to read it. Degrees of Wrong turned out to be an amazing read that I'd highly recommend!
The dilemma in this world was the spread of the HTN4 virus, a disease similar to the Black Death. It kills thousands of people and Elyse was undercover to try and find a cure for it. Her reason for being undercover is due to the fact that this virus was spread by terrorists, making the cure invaluable.
Elyse was one of the best main characters I’ve read about in a while. Her snark was amazing, along with how she said exactly what she thought. There are definitely some hilarious moments, considering she’s undercover on a military ship, yet she still refuses to respond to authority that much. I especially admired her dedication to finding a cure to the HTN4, largely because her parents had died from it.
Oh my gosh, Nicoli Marek was one of the most amazing guys I’ve read about in a while. It was so sweet how he tried to win over Elyse the entire book. Their banter was hilarious and I was rooting for them to get together the entire time. As the summary says, Nicoli does have a fiancé, whose pretty much a complete stranger to him that he just plans to marry for a political alliance. Despite the reasons behind his engagement, I really admired the fact that Elyse resisted his advances and wouldn’t do anything with him, due to him being engaged. I thought that showed just how great her character was, especially with how often Nicoli tried to change her mind.
I feel like I say this a lot, but the twists towards the end of the book completely took me by surprise. The last 50 pages or so I couldn’t stop reading. The ending was great, but there were so many things I was left wondering about. Degrees of Wrong kind of left off in the middle of some drama. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a series, but I’d read any other books set in this same world.
With Anna Bank’s signature snark, Degrees of Wrong is a new favorite. I loved it and I’ll definitely be rereading it sometime in the future! I’d give it 4 out of 5 flowers.
*This review was also posted at The Book Belles
The dilemma in this world was the spread of the HTN4 virus, a disease similar to the Black Death. It kills thousands of people and Elyse was undercover to try and find a cure for it. Her reason for being undercover is due to the fact that this virus was spread by terrorists, making the cure invaluable.
Elyse was one of the best main characters I’ve read about in a while. Her snark was amazing, along with how she said exactly what she thought. There are definitely some hilarious moments, considering she’s undercover on a military ship, yet she still refuses to respond to authority that much. I especially admired her dedication to finding a cure to the HTN4, largely because her parents had died from it.
Oh my gosh, Nicoli Marek was one of the most amazing guys I’ve read about in a while. It was so sweet how he tried to win over Elyse the entire book. Their banter was hilarious and I was rooting for them to get together the entire time. As the summary says, Nicoli does have a fiancé, whose pretty much a complete stranger to him that he just plans to marry for a political alliance. Despite the reasons behind his engagement, I really admired the fact that Elyse resisted his advances and wouldn’t do anything with him, due to him being engaged. I thought that showed just how great her character was, especially with how often Nicoli tried to change her mind.
I feel like I say this a lot, but the twists towards the end of the book completely took me by surprise. The last 50 pages or so I couldn’t stop reading. The ending was great, but there were so many things I was left wondering about. Degrees of Wrong kind of left off in the middle of some drama. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a series, but I’d read any other books set in this same world.
With Anna Bank’s signature snark, Degrees of Wrong is a new favorite. I loved it and I’ll definitely be rereading it sometime in the future! I’d give it 4 out of 5 flowers.
*This review was also posted at The Book Belles
September 3, 2012
Originally posted at:http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
It's a race to save the world, keep your life, and...fall in love? Okay, so that's an unexpected bonus. But the road to get there is a bumpy ride, so fasten your seat belts and hang on tight...Oh, and keep all hands and feet inside the contraption at all times!
If it seems the weight of the world falls on Elyse Morgan's shoulders, you're probably right. A woman on a mission can only mean one thing- trouble! Does she find it? I'd have to say yes. Elyse is one tough cookie--as long as that cookie is chocolate, that is. That's her weakness. If someone told her to come to the dark side because they have chocolate, well the fate of humanity may be lost forever. Okay, seriously, Elyse's character is definitely tough. She's got so much to live and fight for, and it's not easy to take her down. The story is written in first person, which is Elyse's, so we definitely get a lot of insight about her character.
Co starring with Elyse in this story (and not too happy about sharing the spotlight, perhaps?) is the ship's captain, Nicoli Marek. He's a character to get used to. I did not like him for most of the story. He's a bit stuffy, and to be honest, full of himself. His attitude is not one to root for, and there were times I wanted to jump into the pages and give him a nice smack. He doesn't treat Elyse very kindly, and he has a tendancy to be a jerk. Need I say more? I think that's where my problem lies within this book. Yes, he does have a few redeeming qualities, but you have to look very hard to find them.
As for the premise of this story- I loved it! It's unique and fun, and very fast paced. The world created by the author is a job well done. Readers can tell that it wasn't just thrown together. The sci fi aspect grabbed hold of me and took me along for a great adventure. I could look past my hero issues because of how well written the rest of the story is.
Overall, this is a great book! Very well played out and the plot stands out and brings plenty of tension. If you like a bit of science fiction blended in with a romance, and want an adventure to keep you on your toes. Degrees of Wrong is a good place to start.
It's a race to save the world, keep your life, and...fall in love? Okay, so that's an unexpected bonus. But the road to get there is a bumpy ride, so fasten your seat belts and hang on tight...Oh, and keep all hands and feet inside the contraption at all times!
If it seems the weight of the world falls on Elyse Morgan's shoulders, you're probably right. A woman on a mission can only mean one thing- trouble! Does she find it? I'd have to say yes. Elyse is one tough cookie--as long as that cookie is chocolate, that is. That's her weakness. If someone told her to come to the dark side because they have chocolate, well the fate of humanity may be lost forever. Okay, seriously, Elyse's character is definitely tough. She's got so much to live and fight for, and it's not easy to take her down. The story is written in first person, which is Elyse's, so we definitely get a lot of insight about her character.
Co starring with Elyse in this story (and not too happy about sharing the spotlight, perhaps?) is the ship's captain, Nicoli Marek. He's a character to get used to. I did not like him for most of the story. He's a bit stuffy, and to be honest, full of himself. His attitude is not one to root for, and there were times I wanted to jump into the pages and give him a nice smack. He doesn't treat Elyse very kindly, and he has a tendancy to be a jerk. Need I say more? I think that's where my problem lies within this book. Yes, he does have a few redeeming qualities, but you have to look very hard to find them.
As for the premise of this story- I loved it! It's unique and fun, and very fast paced. The world created by the author is a job well done. Readers can tell that it wasn't just thrown together. The sci fi aspect grabbed hold of me and took me along for a great adventure. I could look past my hero issues because of how well written the rest of the story is.
Overall, this is a great book! Very well played out and the plot stands out and brings plenty of tension. If you like a bit of science fiction blended in with a romance, and want an adventure to keep you on your toes. Degrees of Wrong is a good place to start.
May 23, 2016
The only reason this isn't five stars is because I found the ending lack-luster.
Find more review, book looks, and giveaways on my blog No Bent Spines
What do you get when you put together a chocolate-addicted doctor who can maybe save the world and an undercover (sort of, not really) submarine captain who is way too freaking hot to handle?
You get this book. You get swoons out the wazoo and so many laugh-out-loud moments that your facial muscles will ache by the end of this book. I mean, mine did. (Quick note, maybe don’t read this in a public venue. You’ll get more than a few questioning stares.)
I’ll be super honest and say I’m a character person. I don’t like the character; I won’t like the book. Well, at least not as much as I may have. I loved the characters in DEGREES OF WRONG. I mean like really love. I love them in a please-let’s-all-be-friends kind of way. Elyse is a doctor, the one who is closest to finding the cure to the HTN4 virus, or at least the UN seems to believe so. After having been drawn out from her ‘hiding’ spot and placed on Nicoli’s submarine to find the cure for the virus under the supervision of the government.
With Nicoli curious and super attracted to Elyse, and Elyse trying her hardest to stay away from him and all his complications (hello, sexual tension) along with people trying to murder people, this book was action packed. However, even though it was action packed, it was still an incredibly easy read. That’s one of the main things that I love about it. The plot wasn’t complicated, but there were twists and turns and just as many unlikely friends as unlikely enemies.
It was AWESOME.
That’s all the things I love about this book. Those are all the reasons I wish I could read it for the first time a hundred times. All that being said, I was left a bit unsatisfied. There were loose ends that needed tying up, and this book is a stand along. I’m sort of half scratching my head- half debating begging for a sequel.
In the end, I can’t recommend this book enough. Even though the ending was lack-luster, the beginning and the middle SOOOO did not disappoint. I need to find me one of those.
Later gators,
Jackie
Find more review, book looks, and giveaways on my blog No Bent Spines
What do you get when you put together a chocolate-addicted doctor who can maybe save the world and an undercover (sort of, not really) submarine captain who is way too freaking hot to handle?
You get this book. You get swoons out the wazoo and so many laugh-out-loud moments that your facial muscles will ache by the end of this book. I mean, mine did. (Quick note, maybe don’t read this in a public venue. You’ll get more than a few questioning stares.)
I’ll be super honest and say I’m a character person. I don’t like the character; I won’t like the book. Well, at least not as much as I may have. I loved the characters in DEGREES OF WRONG. I mean like really love. I love them in a please-let’s-all-be-friends kind of way. Elyse is a doctor, the one who is closest to finding the cure to the HTN4 virus, or at least the UN seems to believe so. After having been drawn out from her ‘hiding’ spot and placed on Nicoli’s submarine to find the cure for the virus under the supervision of the government.
With Nicoli curious and super attracted to Elyse, and Elyse trying her hardest to stay away from him and all his complications (hello, sexual tension) along with people trying to murder people, this book was action packed. However, even though it was action packed, it was still an incredibly easy read. That’s one of the main things that I love about it. The plot wasn’t complicated, but there were twists and turns and just as many unlikely friends as unlikely enemies.
It was AWESOME.
That’s all the things I love about this book. Those are all the reasons I wish I could read it for the first time a hundred times. All that being said, I was left a bit unsatisfied. There were loose ends that needed tying up, and this book is a stand along. I’m sort of half scratching my head- half debating begging for a sequel.
In the end, I can’t recommend this book enough. Even though the ending was lack-luster, the beginning and the middle SOOOO did not disappoint. I need to find me one of those.
Later gators,
Jackie
January 6, 2014
This book came as a huge surprise to me as I totally chose it for a challenge. I needed a book with "wrong" in the title. I don't even remember how this book got on my TBR but I'm glad it did as I thoroughly enjoyed it and anxiously await the sequel...and Ryon!
Dr. Elyse Morgan is kidnapped by the supposed good guys (the all powerful United Nations). This is 2053 and the United Nations basically runs the world and has their own military force. In an effort to protect her life (which neither she nor the reader is even aware is in danger), the UN forces hide her on a military submersible that travels around the world. The world is in danger of imploding from a nasty man-made virus that kills every person it touches within 48 hours. Dr. Elyse Morgan is a genius who has secretly been searching for a cure since the virus killed both her parents which explains why she was taken. The details of her life and that of hero, Nicoli Marek are released slowly providing room for misunderstandings on both sides.
Nicoli's life is a secret and since Elyse has basically been living in a cave (well really a deserted island), she's never heard of him or his family. He is engaged but that doesn't slow him down when he decides he wants Elyse. However, Elyse has high moral standards and refuses to get involved with a "taken" man.
I loved the dynamic between Elyse and Nicoli. The sparks were flying and yet Elyse was able to resist his many charms though in all honestly, she did feel faint an awful lot but who could blame her as Nicoli is amazingly attractive. I totally loved these two together and was glad for the outcome. Even knowing it was heading towards a HEA, it was fun to see how they actually got there. The surprise ending was unreal and ballsy. I really liked Nicoli's brother Ryon and can't wait to read his story.
Dr. Elyse Morgan is kidnapped by the supposed good guys (the all powerful United Nations). This is 2053 and the United Nations basically runs the world and has their own military force. In an effort to protect her life (which neither she nor the reader is even aware is in danger), the UN forces hide her on a military submersible that travels around the world. The world is in danger of imploding from a nasty man-made virus that kills every person it touches within 48 hours. Dr. Elyse Morgan is a genius who has secretly been searching for a cure since the virus killed both her parents which explains why she was taken. The details of her life and that of hero, Nicoli Marek are released slowly providing room for misunderstandings on both sides.
Nicoli's life is a secret and since Elyse has basically been living in a cave (well really a deserted island), she's never heard of him or his family. He is engaged but that doesn't slow him down when he decides he wants Elyse. However, Elyse has high moral standards and refuses to get involved with a "taken" man.
I loved the dynamic between Elyse and Nicoli. The sparks were flying and yet Elyse was able to resist his many charms though in all honestly, she did feel faint an awful lot but who could blame her as Nicoli is amazingly attractive. I totally loved these two together and was glad for the outcome. Even knowing it was heading towards a HEA, it was fun to see how they actually got there. The surprise ending was unreal and ballsy. I really liked Nicoli's brother Ryon and can't wait to read his story.
August 29, 2012
Between fantasy and reality
"Degrees of wrong" is a book by the author of "Of Poseidon" Anna Banks under the name Anna Scarlett. Since I still havent read Of Poseidon, this was my first encounter with her writing and I was very pleasantly surprised. I really liked the storyline, the virus contagion and kidnapping of our main heroine Elyse to try finding the cure. We see how Anna imagined our world in 2053. A.D. and it is very unique and realistic. Elyse, who is the main character and the doctor tryng to find thecure for the virus that took out her parents, is an amazing woman. I love the funny side of her and her temper and I was crying from laughing so hard at her interactions with the Lt. Horan. The love interest, captain Nicoli Marek, is a good man, sexy and sometimes frustrating but very much in love.
All in all, "Degrees of wrong" is an interesting novel, funny and charming and I recommend it to everyone who likes a good romance book.
"Degrees of wrong" is a book by the author of "Of Poseidon" Anna Banks under the name Anna Scarlett. Since I still havent read Of Poseidon, this was my first encounter with her writing and I was very pleasantly surprised. I really liked the storyline, the virus contagion and kidnapping of our main heroine Elyse to try finding the cure. We see how Anna imagined our world in 2053. A.D. and it is very unique and realistic. Elyse, who is the main character and the doctor tryng to find thecure for the virus that took out her parents, is an amazing woman. I love the funny side of her and her temper and I was crying from laughing so hard at her interactions with the Lt. Horan. The love interest, captain Nicoli Marek, is a good man, sexy and sometimes frustrating but very much in love.
All in all, "Degrees of wrong" is an interesting novel, funny and charming and I recommend it to everyone who likes a good romance book.
November 4, 2012
Sad to say this one reminds me of what many think young adult fiction is - books that aren't good enough to be for adults. I found the scientific story over-simplified (forgivable as generally stories about research are) and the characters barely engaging at all with a love story featuring a flimsy contrivance as the only obstacle for the couple. That said, the thing that really ruined this for me was repeated use of the term "on accident". Call me a grammar nazi but the correct wording is "by accident" and it took the credibility of an educated doctor way down for me.
On the plus side - the story was in some ways interesting, the disease-ridden world with a submarine as a safe haven is an interesting one that I wish felt more fleshed out and relatable.
On the plus side - the story was in some ways interesting, the disease-ridden world with a submarine as a safe haven is an interesting one that I wish felt more fleshed out and relatable.
December 9, 2014
Snarky main character. Plus 1 point.
Engaging writing style. Plus 1 point.
Sexy love interest by the name of Nicoli Marek. Plus 1 point.
No love triangle, but maybe a small side of insa-love (it's comical though). Plus 1 point.
A story that is, for the most part, without plot and action. Minus 1 point.
An unbelievable resolution to the main problem. Minus 1 point.
A satisfying ending. Plus 1 point.
I think that adds to 3. Yeah. Liked, didn't love this. There's not much depth and not enough sexy times to make up for it, but I enjoyed both characters immensely.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
Engaging writing style. Plus 1 point.
Sexy love interest by the name of Nicoli Marek. Plus 1 point.
No love triangle, but maybe a small side of insa-love (it's comical though). Plus 1 point.
A story that is, for the most part, without plot and action. Minus 1 point.
An unbelievable resolution to the main problem. Minus 1 point.
A satisfying ending. Plus 1 point.
I think that adds to 3. Yeah. Liked, didn't love this. There's not much depth and not enough sexy times to make up for it, but I enjoyed both characters immensely.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
December 26, 2014
I can't say a bad thing about this book. I loved it, and I think you should read it. It's got a little bit of everything (romance, sci-fi, action, amazing storytelling, perfect characters, etc.) and I think it would appeal to pretty much anyone. I hope Anna writes more adult fiction in the future! And actually, I'd love to read more about some of the characters in this book. Do you hear me, Anna? You've got a request!
(Read my full review on the blog.)
(Read my full review on the blog.)
September 10, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. School night and I was up till 2am finish this one up. It was fast, fun-paced ride, filled with romance, a smidgen of suspense and an awesome heroine. I think my favorite parts in this book, were the interactions between the brothers and the mom. Loved the mom she was awesome! xD And Elyse was kick ass, she didn't take crap from anyone and dished out just as much, and can you say 20lbs of chocolate? My new best friend! xD
Recommend it to anyone!
Recommend it to anyone!
Want to read
June 22, 2012Anything by Anna, I shall read! <3
September 14, 2012
4.5 Stars :0)
Want to read
May 27, 2012Good gosh, can I have this book now?! Sounds awesome!
December 26, 2013
Dr. Elyse Morgan wakes up to the world around her in war. Her entire village is under attack and blood covers the streets. Despite her fear, Elyse steps in to help any she can find and comes across a soldier who is badly injured. In the process of stitching him up and thwarting his flirtatious advances, a group of soldiers descend upon her makeshift tent. Friends of the soldier she helped save, whisk the soldier to safety and against Elyse’s wishes, take her as well. You see Elyse is a wanted woman. The world has been struck down by a biochemical plague that has rapidly left the human race as an endangered species and Elyse may be the only one who can find an answer to a possible cure. Her father had been working on potentially discovering one when he was killed and Elyse took up the mantel. Now she’s stuck hiding out on a ship filled with newly recruited soldiers, desperately working toward finding a cure. Throw in a lieutenant who has more fun insulting her and bossing her around than one should, a gorgeous captain who Elyse crashed face-to-chest on their first meeting and can’t stop gawking at every chance she gets, and a criminal mastermind intent on taking over the world by wiping out most of the human race, and you’ve got a book filled with enough entertainment to keep you feverishly turning the pages (or well, scrolling through them on an ereader-like device)!
There are some really fabulous aspects to Degrees of Wrong that will hook the reader in from the get go and keep the reader wanting to read more.
Elyse’s quick and sarcastic banter is one of the best aspects to the book. She gives the readers so many laugh out loud moments and keeps you wanting to turn the page to see what other outrageous or hilarious thing she'll say next. She’s quick with a response and doesn’t hold her tongue in place no matter how many times she gets into hot water. She makes the read easy and light because of her wholly entertaining personality.
Captain Nicoli takes the role as the hunky, successful young captain of an entire ship who Elyse literally crashes into. He’s a prodigy, being the youngest captain ever to be appointed and despite his sense of responsibility and air of authority, he can’t get Elyse to listen to a dang thing he says which drives him nuts! Nicoli is charming and caring and full of himself which only somehow managed to add to his appeal throughout many scenes in the book.
The romance between Nicoli and Elyse begins with an intense attraction and builds into a reluctant friendship (on Elyse side) to a romance Elyse desperately tries to stay away from considering the good captain is engaged to another woman. But the engagement is more to do with politics than actual love seeing as how Captain Nicoli has yet to even meet his future bride. It was hilarious the way Nicoli would purposely goad Elyse and push her buttons to get a reaction. The banter between the two was equally entertaining.
The plot to the book was pretty scarce and is where the book ran into a few pitfalls I hope the sequel will not repeat. Most of the plot consists of a) Elyse working through failed experiments to find a cure to HTN4 virus and b) building a relationship with Nicoli. Although the world building was pretty substantial and the backstory as well, the second half was extremely rushed. Everything happened in very abrupt and sudden moments.
The plot will give you some whiplash and when you’re done your brain is still left trying to connect all the dots in attempt to make sure you really didn’t miss anything. The second half NEEDED to be slowed down or trimmed down and extended into a second book. It was WAY too much to stuff in the last half to actually be believable or real which made the ending VERY abrupt.
As much as reading Nicoli and Elyse banter was so much fun, there were things Nicoli did and how he behaved that were not okay with me. One of the big red flag scenes was when Elyse was thrown off the dock when they first arrived at the beach house. She was literally thrown off the dock via getting hit by a suitcase and once Nicoli rescues her—the doctor has no idea how to swim—he rushes her into the house and is angry with her. That scene made no sense! Why would Nicoli treat Elyse like she was the one who did something wrong and reprimand her like a child for it?? Or the scene where Nicoli is supposed to teach Elyse how to swim and gets vividly angry with her, downright states he won’t be able to practice any level of self-control and nearly implies he may have to strip her of her virtue because of it, all because she’s wearing a bikini?? What did he expect her to wear, a wetsuit? Nicoli has his moments of charm and chivalry, but he also comes off controlling and possessive. He behaved at times like he hadn’t laid eyes on a woman in years and therefore once he claimed Elyse no one could go anywhere near her. It made his characterization choppy and painted Elyse as a weaker character for not standing up to him the way she should. She had moments were she would start then be swept away by Nicoli’s big strong arms and sexy grin and she’d forget all about what she was talking about.
BUT despite some of the downfalls with the plot and characters at times, the book is still wholly and ridiculously entertaining! You’ll still find yourself swept into Nicoli and Elyse’s romance. You’ll still laugh out loud throughout so many moments. You’ll still want to be friends with Elyse. The world building will make you want to live on a ship for an in determent amount of time and you’ll still want to read the sequel.
If you’re looking for a book filled with sass, sarcasm, romance and sci-fi that isn’t too hard to understand, I’d recommend Degrees of Wrong. I’ve been a fan of Anna Banks/Scarlett since Of Poseidon and am definitely looking forward to what else she comes up with!
http://teamnerdreviews.blogspot.com/2...
There are some really fabulous aspects to Degrees of Wrong that will hook the reader in from the get go and keep the reader wanting to read more.
Elyse’s quick and sarcastic banter is one of the best aspects to the book. She gives the readers so many laugh out loud moments and keeps you wanting to turn the page to see what other outrageous or hilarious thing she'll say next. She’s quick with a response and doesn’t hold her tongue in place no matter how many times she gets into hot water. She makes the read easy and light because of her wholly entertaining personality.
Captain Nicoli takes the role as the hunky, successful young captain of an entire ship who Elyse literally crashes into. He’s a prodigy, being the youngest captain ever to be appointed and despite his sense of responsibility and air of authority, he can’t get Elyse to listen to a dang thing he says which drives him nuts! Nicoli is charming and caring and full of himself which only somehow managed to add to his appeal throughout many scenes in the book.
The romance between Nicoli and Elyse begins with an intense attraction and builds into a reluctant friendship (on Elyse side) to a romance Elyse desperately tries to stay away from considering the good captain is engaged to another woman. But the engagement is more to do with politics than actual love seeing as how Captain Nicoli has yet to even meet his future bride. It was hilarious the way Nicoli would purposely goad Elyse and push her buttons to get a reaction. The banter between the two was equally entertaining.
The plot to the book was pretty scarce and is where the book ran into a few pitfalls I hope the sequel will not repeat. Most of the plot consists of a) Elyse working through failed experiments to find a cure to HTN4 virus and b) building a relationship with Nicoli. Although the world building was pretty substantial and the backstory as well, the second half was extremely rushed. Everything happened in very abrupt and sudden moments.
The plot will give you some whiplash and when you’re done your brain is still left trying to connect all the dots in attempt to make sure you really didn’t miss anything. The second half NEEDED to be slowed down or trimmed down and extended into a second book. It was WAY too much to stuff in the last half to actually be believable or real which made the ending VERY abrupt.
As much as reading Nicoli and Elyse banter was so much fun, there were things Nicoli did and how he behaved that were not okay with me. One of the big red flag scenes was when Elyse was thrown off the dock when they first arrived at the beach house. She was literally thrown off the dock via getting hit by a suitcase and once Nicoli rescues her—the doctor has no idea how to swim—he rushes her into the house and is angry with her. That scene made no sense! Why would Nicoli treat Elyse like she was the one who did something wrong and reprimand her like a child for it?? Or the scene where Nicoli is supposed to teach Elyse how to swim and gets vividly angry with her, downright states he won’t be able to practice any level of self-control and nearly implies he may have to strip her of her virtue because of it, all because she’s wearing a bikini?? What did he expect her to wear, a wetsuit? Nicoli has his moments of charm and chivalry, but he also comes off controlling and possessive. He behaved at times like he hadn’t laid eyes on a woman in years and therefore once he claimed Elyse no one could go anywhere near her. It made his characterization choppy and painted Elyse as a weaker character for not standing up to him the way she should. She had moments were she would start then be swept away by Nicoli’s big strong arms and sexy grin and she’d forget all about what she was talking about.
BUT despite some of the downfalls with the plot and characters at times, the book is still wholly and ridiculously entertaining! You’ll still find yourself swept into Nicoli and Elyse’s romance. You’ll still laugh out loud throughout so many moments. You’ll still want to be friends with Elyse. The world building will make you want to live on a ship for an in determent amount of time and you’ll still want to read the sequel.
If you’re looking for a book filled with sass, sarcasm, romance and sci-fi that isn’t too hard to understand, I’d recommend Degrees of Wrong. I’ve been a fan of Anna Banks/Scarlett since Of Poseidon and am definitely looking forward to what else she comes up with!
http://teamnerdreviews.blogspot.com/2...
January 15, 2024
Edit: I found this while weeding out my library, so I decided to read it again. I was a very different person 12 years ago when I first read it. I’m not a fan of the alpha male anymore and found him distasteful this time. 🤷🏻♀️ This one is going in the donation box.
I love this book SO hard. So much that I will be buying a finished copy when it comes out, even though I have the .pdf file forever and ever. this one NEEDS to be on my shelf. Also, it NEEDS to have a picture of Nicoli on the cover. Just sayin.
Full review to come.
ETA:
*Many thanks to Anna Scarlett & Epic Lynn Marie for allowing me to be part of the blog tour for Degrees of Wrong and for providing me with a review copy!*
Book Synopsis:
"This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin.
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart." (Source: GOODREADS)
You should know right off the bat that I LOVED this book. It's easily one of my favorite reads of the entire year and I absolutely will be buying my own copy. I will read it again and again for sure!
It had all the elements that I love in a book: romance (though not insta-love), intrigue (plenty of it), a saucy heroine (I want to be BFFs!), and a super-hot hero (I just want him, period). I might end up gushing a little bit, so bear with me. I just loved the book that much. Besides, blog tours are SUPPOSED to be gushy. Right? RIGHT?!
Let's start off by talking about the story. It was completely full of action and kept me riveted from the very beginning. In a word, it was awesome. I love a lot of action in a book. Mortal peril? Bring it on (as long as it's not REAL mortal peril, of course). I loved that things kept moving and didn't stall. I was never bored for a second. When I finished, I wanted to start over again.
Anna's writing is incredible. You may or may not know this, but she's also the force behind Of Poseidon under the name Anna Banks. If you've read that, you've had a taste of how awesome she is and how her writing flows. Degrees of Wrong is EVEN BETTER, if that's possible.
Let's move on to the characters, because you all know that I'm almost completely character driven.
Elyse:
The story starts off in the middle of an attack, so we get to see Elyse the doctor in action. Her first interaction with absolute Super Hottie is hilarious. I think she'd much rather stick him full of needles than go anywhere with him. I loved her reaction. Sure, she notes that he's hot, but she gets on with her life and doesn't bother with the swoonage. I'm not sure I'd keep my head, so props to her.
Then we move on to the ship and she's taken out of her element. It shows too, because she's totally Miss Awkward of America. Because that's TOTALLY how I respond to new situations, I was like, 'Hey, BFFs now!'
She's a very strong heroine and someone that is easy to understand and relate to. I feel like I know exactly what motivates her. Not because she's transparent and fluffy, but because she's so real.
Nicoli:
And then we move on to Nicoli. Holy. HOTNESS. Batman. Seriously, you think the guys in YA are hot these days? Read Degrees of Wrong and then you'll know just how hot things can get. And I don't mean that in a sexytimes kind of hot either. (Actually, and to be completely honest, I found myself wishing that there were MORE sexytimes) He was the kind of guy you can count on to watch your back and then be all saucy about it. He'd do anything for you and do it with a completely maddening smirk on his face that you'd totally want to smack off and then kiss afterwards. Yes, dear readers, I am officially and madly in love with Nicoli Marek. Alas that he is not a living man! Ah well, fictional characters don't disappoint...
Actually, I'm going to leave it there. There's not a whole lot more that I can say, because clearly, this is a favorite book. I leave it to you to choose to get a copy (which you totally should because it's awesome!) and enjoy it for yourself. Actually, the more demand we have for titles like this, the more likely it is that the publisher will release it in paper form. Right now, it's e-book only (sob!), but I'd love to have it out in hardback. Or paperback. Or a ream of paper. I just want it on my shelves! The links under the picture will take you to places for purchase.
This is absolutely a 5 Eiffel Tower book!
I love this book SO hard. So much that I will be buying a finished copy when it comes out, even though I have the .pdf file forever and ever. this one NEEDS to be on my shelf. Also, it NEEDS to have a picture of Nicoli on the cover. Just sayin.
Full review to come.
ETA:
*Many thanks to Anna Scarlett & Epic Lynn Marie for allowing me to be part of the blog tour for Degrees of Wrong and for providing me with a review copy!*
Book Synopsis:
"This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin.
Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live.
Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek.
Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game.
As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave.
Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart." (Source: GOODREADS)
You should know right off the bat that I LOVED this book. It's easily one of my favorite reads of the entire year and I absolutely will be buying my own copy. I will read it again and again for sure!
It had all the elements that I love in a book: romance (though not insta-love), intrigue (plenty of it), a saucy heroine (I want to be BFFs!), and a super-hot hero (I just want him, period). I might end up gushing a little bit, so bear with me. I just loved the book that much. Besides, blog tours are SUPPOSED to be gushy. Right? RIGHT?!
Let's start off by talking about the story. It was completely full of action and kept me riveted from the very beginning. In a word, it was awesome. I love a lot of action in a book. Mortal peril? Bring it on (as long as it's not REAL mortal peril, of course). I loved that things kept moving and didn't stall. I was never bored for a second. When I finished, I wanted to start over again.
Anna's writing is incredible. You may or may not know this, but she's also the force behind Of Poseidon under the name Anna Banks. If you've read that, you've had a taste of how awesome she is and how her writing flows. Degrees of Wrong is EVEN BETTER, if that's possible.
Let's move on to the characters, because you all know that I'm almost completely character driven.
Elyse:
The story starts off in the middle of an attack, so we get to see Elyse the doctor in action. Her first interaction with absolute Super Hottie is hilarious. I think she'd much rather stick him full of needles than go anywhere with him. I loved her reaction. Sure, she notes that he's hot, but she gets on with her life and doesn't bother with the swoonage. I'm not sure I'd keep my head, so props to her.
Then we move on to the ship and she's taken out of her element. It shows too, because she's totally Miss Awkward of America. Because that's TOTALLY how I respond to new situations, I was like, 'Hey, BFFs now!'
She's a very strong heroine and someone that is easy to understand and relate to. I feel like I know exactly what motivates her. Not because she's transparent and fluffy, but because she's so real.
Nicoli:
And then we move on to Nicoli. Holy. HOTNESS. Batman. Seriously, you think the guys in YA are hot these days? Read Degrees of Wrong and then you'll know just how hot things can get. And I don't mean that in a sexytimes kind of hot either. (Actually, and to be completely honest, I found myself wishing that there were MORE sexytimes) He was the kind of guy you can count on to watch your back and then be all saucy about it. He'd do anything for you and do it with a completely maddening smirk on his face that you'd totally want to smack off and then kiss afterwards. Yes, dear readers, I am officially and madly in love with Nicoli Marek. Alas that he is not a living man! Ah well, fictional characters don't disappoint...
Actually, I'm going to leave it there. There's not a whole lot more that I can say, because clearly, this is a favorite book. I leave it to you to choose to get a copy (which you totally should because it's awesome!) and enjoy it for yourself. Actually, the more demand we have for titles like this, the more likely it is that the publisher will release it in paper form. Right now, it's e-book only (sob!), but I'd love to have it out in hardback. Or paperback. Or a ream of paper. I just want it on my shelves! The links under the picture will take you to places for purchase.
This is absolutely a 5 Eiffel Tower book!
April 19, 2019
I don’t remember the first time I read this book. But it’s one I keep coming back to. It’s enjoyable. It’s familiar. It’s well-written. It’s everything I want when I just want to escape this world a little bit.
August 2, 2020
Funny, witty and entertaining. I very much liked Elyse, both her genius and her “stupid”. And her no-taking-sh*t (and explosive) attitude. She is my favorite character types (exactly the perfect stupid, :D)
August 27, 2018
Easily my favorite read in a very ling time.
October 16, 2012
After meeting Anna Banks at a book signing a few months back and hearing her talk about her latest book, Degrees of Wrong, I knew that I had to preorder it since she was so snarky and just plain fun to listen to. And I’m so glad that I preordered it for my Kindle Fire.
Elyse is an early twenty-something doctor/researcher who’s forced by the United Nations to find a cure to a plague that has swept the Earth. She’s taken to an underwater training facility for soldiers, where she must masquerade as a new recruit and serve as a ship doctor while she develops a vaccine. She’s snarky, smart, headstrong, and unwilling to follow any orders. Combine all of these qualities and she constantly makes trouble and draws attention to herself, which is something that she definitely doesn’t need, especially since no one is supposed to know exactly who she is or why she’s on board that ship.
Nicoli is the good looking, successful young captain of the ship–full of himself and unattainable but that doesn’t stop every woman aboard from dreaming that they have a chance. But Elyse and Nicoli butt heads from their first meeting, and as he’s tasked with keeping her out of trouble, he decides that it’s more fun to goad her on. While there’s attraction from the start, Elyse knows that he’s engaged, and she refuses to entertain any ideas of the possibility of more from Nicoli other than a begrudging friendship. Over the course of the book, the romance between Elyse and Nicoli develops slowly. There’s no insta-love here folks, and that’s quite refreshing. They bicker, they battle, they try to outwit each other–and they’re quite evenly matched.
The world building in Degrees of Wrong isn’t too heavy or light, and the science behind the plague and the cures is obviously well researched and thought out. The futuristic details weren’t too far out there that you couldn’t envision using them in the near future when this book is set.
Degrees of Wrong gets a 4.5 out of 5. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable mix of sci fi meets romance with a heavy dose of a snarky kick ass heroine who can take on the world with nothing more than her wits and razor sharp tongue. This book was well paced, and there was never a dull moment inside of Elyse’s head. The only thing that disappointed me, however, was the lack of more in the romantic scene department. This is a romance book for adults, and while Anna Banks can write UST (unfulfilled sexual tension) like nobody’s business, the book came up short in the end when the time came.
Also on Bewitched Bookworms
Elyse is an early twenty-something doctor/researcher who’s forced by the United Nations to find a cure to a plague that has swept the Earth. She’s taken to an underwater training facility for soldiers, where she must masquerade as a new recruit and serve as a ship doctor while she develops a vaccine. She’s snarky, smart, headstrong, and unwilling to follow any orders. Combine all of these qualities and she constantly makes trouble and draws attention to herself, which is something that she definitely doesn’t need, especially since no one is supposed to know exactly who she is or why she’s on board that ship.
Nicoli is the good looking, successful young captain of the ship–full of himself and unattainable but that doesn’t stop every woman aboard from dreaming that they have a chance. But Elyse and Nicoli butt heads from their first meeting, and as he’s tasked with keeping her out of trouble, he decides that it’s more fun to goad her on. While there’s attraction from the start, Elyse knows that he’s engaged, and she refuses to entertain any ideas of the possibility of more from Nicoli other than a begrudging friendship. Over the course of the book, the romance between Elyse and Nicoli develops slowly. There’s no insta-love here folks, and that’s quite refreshing. They bicker, they battle, they try to outwit each other–and they’re quite evenly matched.
The world building in Degrees of Wrong isn’t too heavy or light, and the science behind the plague and the cures is obviously well researched and thought out. The futuristic details weren’t too far out there that you couldn’t envision using them in the near future when this book is set.
Degrees of Wrong gets a 4.5 out of 5. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable mix of sci fi meets romance with a heavy dose of a snarky kick ass heroine who can take on the world with nothing more than her wits and razor sharp tongue. This book was well paced, and there was never a dull moment inside of Elyse’s head. The only thing that disappointed me, however, was the lack of more in the romantic scene department. This is a romance book for adults, and while Anna Banks can write UST (unfulfilled sexual tension) like nobody’s business, the book came up short in the end when the time came.
Also on Bewitched Bookworms
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews