The mutants, or “mutes”, call Dr. Gladys Loder the Angel of C-Block because they can go to her for help and she won’t betray them to the government, although she is a “norm” inside and out.  She’s living lonesome in B-Block until Jasper “Jaz” Savage comes crashing into her apartment, asking her to come with him.  The attraction to the mutant is instant, and when she finds out his game, Gladys decides that she has the perfect solution to make him pay.  Why not kill two birds with one stone?  Jaz is furious when it’s his turn to be duped, but there’s no escaping the way he responds to her, even if she is a norm.

I had visions of comic panels featuring Gladys and Jaz while reading this story.    The dialogue is witty, funny and downright snarky at times.   You get to know and like Gladys and Jaz mostly through their cutting verbal exchanges.  There is also an important premise, a social commentary about bigotry without being preachy or self-righteous.  Despite the warning, the sex was not what I’d term “explicit” but more PG-13 flavored.   I do like the occasional sideline from blatant eroticism so that I won’t burn out on it.   I had no complaints except it would be nice to see what else unfolds behind the scenes between this odd pair.

Basically, Savage Scavenge has components of X-Men and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, which is not a bad thing at all - provided you liked either of these films.  It was a pleasant way to while away a rather long trip home from a busy day. Oftentimes, laughter is the best medicine, and sometimes all it takes is a fun, easy read like Savage Scavenge to make the day seem a little bit lighter.

Savage Scavenge was previously published in the anthology Charming the Snake.