Rarely Pure and Never Simple (Variant Configurations #1) by Angel Martinez

In a futuristic world, Damien has the rare ability to locate people, and Blaze is a tracker tasked with keeping Damien safe, either with his guns or his fire talent. On a mission to find a group of missing children, two very special men find they can work together and maybe gain something more than friendship. Adventure, conspiracy and the possibility of love occur in Rarely Pure and Never Simple, the first book of the Variant Configurations series by Angel Martinez.

From the blurb:

Variant children are vanishing at an alarming rate. It will take a uniquely mismatched pair of trackers to untangle a web of conspiracy and misdirection to find them.

In his isolated cabin, variant Damien Hazelwood avoids human contact as much as possible to prevent attacks of blind berserker panic. But his rare talent as a locator makes him the go-to contractor for tricky missing person's cases and when agents bring him a troubling contract involving missing variant children, he finds it impossible to refuse.

Licensed tracker Blaze Emerson can't help being irritated when he's expected to follow the strange, twitchy locator's lead on his latest case. He works alone, he's damn good, and as a variant sparker, he has both the fire and the firepower to take on anything out there. Though he has to admit there's something intriguing about a man who can find people with his brain.

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With vastly different temperaments and backgrounds, Damien and Blaze need to negotiate quickly how to work together if they're going to crack this case. Add in the sudden appearance of Blaze's outlaw ex, the perils of tracking in the wilds, and a maddening lack of discernible motive or method, and they soon find themselves in as much danger as the kids they're trying to rescue.

Variant Configurations takes place in a future Earth where humanity is reclaiming its spot in a gradually healing world. This book contains mentions of past abuse, action-adventure style mayhem, and the beginning sparks of a slow burn, series-spanning relationship.

SNik's Review:

First in series (Variant Configurations). Futuristic dystopian paranormal. Hurt/comfort. Slow burn.

Damien has a rare talent even for a variant, he is a locator that can find people. However, he has had a traumatic past and struggles functioning outside his ordered life, but whenever he is needed he forces himself to work, usually alone. When Damien is paired with fire elemental Blaze in order to find a group of missing variant children he is surprised at the ease in which they are able to work together. 

As Damien and Blaze investigate and progress through their journey, their mutual attraction and unusual way of communicating honestly builds a friendship and eventually more. 

Damien is gruff but surprisingly patient with Damien, and both characters were likable and have a deep backstory and are caring and protective towards each other very quickly. 

Rarely Pure and Never Simple is a very entertaining read that was well paced with plenty of action and adventure, the story does end on a soft cliffhanger as the series continues. Really looking forward to the continuation of the series, with possibly more conspiracies and a deepening of Damien and Blazes relationship.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Rarely Pure and Never Simple is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.