Title: Nuclear Harlot
Author: Ayura Ayira
Publisher: BroadwayDernPublishing
ASIN: B0CTDM56L3
Genre: Psychological thriller
Pages: 248
Reviewer: Arthur Thares

Read Book Review

Ayura Ayira has a unique voice which may not be for everyone, but there is definitely a large crowd that she resonates with. This story is full of action, adventure, thrills, and a wide range of emotions that readers will probably not expect. There is a lot to unpack between Ayira’s unique writing style, the ride you take from poor farm girl to rich heroine, and all the terrifying experiences in between. If you’re not sold yet, here are more details about this fascinating story.

The story begins when an unassuming young Gisella is married off to a stranger. While the arrangement isn’t optimal, the two quickly fall in love before a series of events requires Gisella to begin a life on her own. She quickly falls into the world’s oldest profession, but that is not where her story ends. A combination of her own desires and the desires of the people using her lead Gisella into a harrowing life where death is around every corner, and all she wants to do is protect the people she loves. Readers will love imagining this naive young woman grow into a fierce warrior who gets what she wants while sympathizing with her softer side. The action never truly subsides in this story, whether in the sheets or the streets.

There are many unique aspects of Mrs. Ayira’s writing style that may or may not resonate with many readers. The first, which is no secret, is that there are times when this book gets graphic both sexually and violently. There are plenty of warnings going into the story, and in all fairness, while there are graphic depictions in the book, it is not anything more over-the-top than any other romance novel. The one thing that sticks out the most is the lack of transitions in the story. It feels like large portions of the story were cut without explaining how we get from scene to scene, which may leave some readers a bit confused or wanting more context. However, the story is not difficult to follow, and given the fast-paced action of the book, this may be an intentional tool to keep the story moving even if it sometimes feels like the story is bouncing down a gravel road. One more way that Ayura Ayira is absolutely artful is by mixing in a little socio-political commentary without bludgeoning the reader over the head with it.

Nuclear Harlot is a niche story that surely has a dedicated audience. For those looking for more than just another run-of-the-mill romance, this is precisely what you want. It has a strong – maybe the strongest – female protagonist who knows what she wants even when she knows that she’ll have to compromise herself to get it. There is never a dull moment; through all of the ups and downs, all you want is for Gisella to finally get everything she wants. Despite an incredibly harrowing third act, readers will love how this story finally culminates.