Destiny and Deception (13 to Life, #4)

Dec 05, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

O.M.G ! Shannon writes another amazing book with a HUGE twist actually a few twists and I could not wrap my head around it! I felt like I was dying throughout this whole book because i LOVE Jessie and Pietr. Normal is not right for Pietr and I died a little inside in what happens and it kills me now even thinking about it.

Jessie stays strong through the whole change and almost everything she has been through. But I think it is too much to take in and she finally breaks, at least that is how I fe...more O.M.G ! Shannon writes another amazing book with a HUGE twist actually a few twists and I could not wrap my head around it! I felt like I was dying throughout this whole book because i LOVE Jessie and Pietr. Normal is not right for Pietr and I died a little inside in what happens and it kills me now even thinking about it.

Jessie stays strong through the whole change and almost everything she has been through. But I think it is too much to take in and she finally breaks, at least that is how I feel. She breaks and I was crying right along with her. She is such a strong character who has lost alot and did not want to lose more and here she is losing something, everything to her because of herself. Throughout this book someone new comes to town and they aren't alone and they have their sights set on someone, and again throughtout this book it is switching between 3 people. I like 2 of them but want to KILL the 3rd person more than anything in the world! Again another book that pulls you in and makes you feel so much is something worth reading, brings you back to why you like to read!!

Jessie knows something is off with these new comers, the schools food, some students, herself and most of all Pietr the change he went through. He is now no longer interested in her per say, he lost his fire, andf passion and it kills her. Through this journey she feels like she cannot do anything to help anyone it is HER fault they are like this and its eating her away and she finally breaks and then of course there is a ton of other things going on and in the end you are left hanging and this cliff hanger I almost died and I am dreading what is in the next and final book but in a good kind of dreadful way :p!

Then there is Alexi, strong and silent type who is watching this all through pained eyes. He knows how bad Jessie is hurting and he feels like there is nothing he can do, but there is he confront his birth mother and he goes through so much for this family and Jessie! He is something of a mystery to me too, he feels so much for his family, but you never know what is going on in his personal life, who is the woman he calls to listen to her voice?! He is a truly amazing character, to see all these things through his eyes is awesome and i loooove it :)

Shannon hats off to you for another amazing book and they keep getting better than the one before!!!(less)

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Jan 24, 2013 Jennavier marked it as didn-t-finish

Edit: I removed the star rating after I realized I didn't read the third book in the series. I think that might have had a lot to do with why I was confused by the plot:) However, that doesn't change the alienation I felt from the POV shift or how little the direction appeals to me.
This was a terrible thing to do to a great series. I got three quarters of the way through the book and realized that I really didn't care how it ended. Delany threw in everything but the kitchen sink to keep her seri...more

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Sep 07, 2012 VaultOfBooks rated it 1 of 5 stars

By Shannon Delany. #4 in the 13 to Life Series. Grade: C
Destiny and Deception is the fourth book in the 13 to Life series. It took me ages to read this book and I mostly skimmed through it. The reason I picked this book was to know if the story was going anywhere but I should have known better.
With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company’s headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wante...more By Shannon Delany. #4 in the 13 to Life Series. Grade: C
Destiny and Deception is the fourth book in the 13 to Life series. It took me ages to read this book and I mostly skimmed through it. The reason I picked this book was to know if the story was going anywhere but I should have known better.
With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company’s headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wanted after all. But both Jess and Cat know the truth–that normal can’t be taken for granted. Their precious cure isn’t permanent–and when a new danger stalks into their small town, Alexi decides he must overcome his issues with the mother who abandoned him to be raised by wolves and make a brand new deal to save his adopted family.

Destiny and Deception quickly follows the events of Bargains and Betrayals. Jessie and the Rusakovas are continuing to fight for the cure, and they believe they’ve found it. With the threat of the mafia gone and their disappearance from Junction confirmed, Pietr, Jessie, and the Ruskovas finally begin to feel like they can achieve a life of normalcy. However, Jessie begins to discover that maybe a normal life wasn’t what she was seeking after all.
I should have remembered that I loathed the first three books. Seriously. Should. Have.
This is how it went:
#Book 1 – Awful Romance
#Book 2 – Horrible Story line
#Book 3 – Hmm, maybe not so bad – no you were right. Just kill me first.
The characters were maddening. Jessie is a whiny guilt-ridden girl who was really frustrating. In the beginning of the story when Peitr is transforming, she is so delighted that she is finally going to get her happily ever after although she knows that Peitr is not going to stay human for long. But oh no! She still loves him and has just realized that a part of that love for him was because he was a werewolf. In short, earlier when he was a werewolf, she wanted normal but no! not anymore. Now this Pietr is not the Pietr she fell in love with. Drat. Isn’t life horrible?
The only acceptable thing about this series was the character of Peitr, and Ms. Delany changed his character completely. Turned him into a nerd? Seriously? Peitr had no personality in this book. Paper cut out. Worse than that: a faded drawing on a wet sketch pad.
Then the author goes ahead and introduces some new wolf pack and their own love triangle is going on because that is what the book needs. More unnecessary action and drama. Not. You know what the cherry on top is? She narrated the novel from Marlena’s POV. It could have been better if it was from Cat’s.
I felt that the author din’t know what to do with the story line so at the last page she leaves a cliff-hanger and I am not really bothered about the next book. Only die-hard fans of the Twilight genre will like it. Which unfortunately, still leaves a large percentage of the population.

Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com (less)

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May 10, 2012 The-vault rated it 1 of 5 stars

By Shannon Delany. #4 in the 13 to Life Series. Grade: C
Destiny and Deception is the fourth book in the 13 to Life series. It took me ages to read this book and I mostly skimmed through it. The reason I picked this book was to know if the story was going anywhere but I should have known better.
With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company’s headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wante...more By Shannon Delany. #4 in the 13 to Life Series. Grade: C
Destiny and Deception is the fourth book in the 13 to Life series. It took me ages to read this book and I mostly skimmed through it. The reason I picked this book was to know if the story was going anywhere but I should have known better.
With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company’s headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wanted after all. But both Jess and Cat know the truth–that normal can’t be taken for granted. Their precious cure isn’t permanent–and when a new danger stalks into their small town, Alexi decides he must overcome his issues with the mother who abandoned him to be raised by wolves and make a brand new deal to save his adopted family.

Destiny and Deception quickly follows the events of Bargains and Betrayals. Jessie and the Rusakovas are continuing to fight for the cure, and they believe they’ve found it. With the threat of the mafia gone and their disappearance from Junction confirmed, Pietr, Jessie, and the Ruskovas finally begin to feel like they can achieve a life of normalcy. However, Jessie begins to discover that maybe a normal life wasn’t what she was seeking after all.
I should have remembered that I loathed the first three books. Seriously. Should. Have.
This is how it went:
#Book 1 – Awful Romance
#Book 2 – Horrible Story line
#Book 3 – Hmm, maybe not so bad – no you were right. Just kill me first.
The characters were maddening. Jessie is a whiny guilt-ridden girl who was really frustrating. In the beginning of the story when Peitr is transforming, she is so delighted that she is finally going to get her happily ever after although she knows that Peitr is not going to stay human for long. But oh no! She still loves him and has just realized that a part of that love for him was because he was a werewolf. In short, earlier when he was a werewolf, she wanted normal but no! not anymore. Now this Pietr is not the Pietr she fell in love with. Drat. Isn’t life horrible?
The only acceptable thing about this series was the character of Peitr, and Ms. Delany changed his character completely. Turned him into a nerd? Seriously? Peitr had no personality in this book. Paper cut out. Worse than that: a faded drawing on a wet sketch pad.
Then the author goes ahead and introduces some new wolf pack and their own love triangle is going on because that is what the book needs. More unnecessary action and drama. Not. You know what the cherry on top is? She narrated the novel from Marlena’s POV. It could have been better if it was from Cat’s.
I felt that the author din’t know what to do with the story line so at the last page she leaves a cliff-hanger and I am not really bothered about the next book. Only die-hard fans of the Twilight genre will like it. Which unfortunately, still leaves a large percentage of the population.

Posted by: http://the-vault.co.cc (less)

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Feb 07, 2012 Christi Alley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Destiny and Deception
by Shannon Delany

Others In Series:
13 to Life
... Secrets and Shadows
Bargains and Betrayals

In the fourth installment of Delany's werewolf series we are back with the Rusakova family and their human friends. But not everything is easy, not to mention, what happens when the cure may not be everything they had hoped it would be. Then, there is the fact of personality changes. What happens when you take the alpha out of a person.

Jessie and the crew are once again in danger, bu...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Kelly Hager rated it 4 of 5 stars

When this book opens, all seems perfect for Jess and Pietr. The Russian mob isn't after them anymore, and they've found a cure for the whole "Pietr and his family are werewolves" problem (even though it may only be temporary, still better than nothing). Awesome, right? Except that (a) the cure has made Pietr kind of boring and (b) a new and different pack of werewolves has moved into the town.

The introduction of Marlaena and her pack was fantastic. Even though she's definitely more villain than...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Jazzabella ~*~ Catherine~*~ rated it 3 of 5 stars

I do really like this series though I didn't like this book nearly as much as the 1st 3. It got better as it went along but I found it pretty hard to keep motivated in the beginning. It was really good to hear more from Alexi's POV. He has quite an interesting role so far in the series and it will be interesting to see how his choices affect the rest of the family.

It took me awhile to warm up to Marlaena's wolf pack but i think there are some strong characters there and it will be interesting t...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Tasha rated it 4 of 5 stars

I admit, with the new ....addition... to the storyline of the fourth book, it took me awhile to warm up to it. I questioned if we needed the perspective to understand that side of the storyline, which is the only reason I didn't give this a five star. But , the new perspective definitely brought a whole new dynamic to the story and it was flawlessly written to give us a better view of Junction and all it's happenings.

I'm more fond over the last half of the book. I couldn't put it down. By time...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin, for review.

OMG! OMFG! So I finished Shannon Delany's Destiny and Deception, which I totally loved! As you knew I would! It was freaking epic! So my review is going to be a little weird--since I have yet to really fall into a habit, I'm going to touch on some of the strong features of the book that had me oozing with emotions!

Picking up where we left off, Pietr and his brother and sister have been cured of their lycanthropy. But for h...more I received this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin, for review.

OMG! OMFG! So I finished Shannon Delany's Destiny and Deception, which I totally loved! As you knew I would! It was freaking epic! So my review is going to be a little weird--since I have yet to really fall into a habit, I'm going to touch on some of the strong features of the book that had me oozing with emotions!

Picking up where we left off, Pietr and his brother and sister have been cured of their lycanthropy. But for how long? As we know from Cat, the cure isn't permanent. But it takes and things seem to be going smoothly. Yet, it is making Jessie's life miserable. She and Pietr no longer have the same spark in their relationship. Pietr has turned into a totally different boy from what he once was. Was Jessie ever in love with Pietr? Was it just the wolf? She has some serious questions going through her head over the course of the book and it was practically tear jerking for me!

There are some really interesting developments in the book, a new pack of wolves has moved into Junction. Marlaena, we learn a lot about her as the book is told through her p.o.v. as well as Jessie and Alexi. And let me tell you, I do not like Marlaena! Sure, she started as an interest character with a troubling past that she has overcome. But once she saw Pietr...oh man...I do not like her! She is the alpha female in her pack, even with two other wolfs vying for her affections--one openly, the other not so--and having some feelings (a variety of them) towards both, she still looks to Pietr! Even though he is cured.

Another part of the novel that was truly moving for me was Max and Amy. We all know now that poor Amy had a creep of a boyfriend--whose now gone--and Max has suddenly turned a new leaf. He isn't the playboy we all knew and loved. Now he's sweet, caring, considerate. Never fear, for he does still maintain his snarky attitude...anything to get a smile out of Amy. The way he cares for her and treats her as she heals from her ordeal is just so moving! Max is definitely my fave secondary character!

There were definitely some laughs for me throughout the book! As my teasers showed, there were little remarks that kinda of joked at the book itself. Making fun of Twilight and there was also a Scooby-Doo reference! Do I need more reason to totally LOVE this series!! It has everything I could ever hope for all wrapped into a neat little book--soon to be 5!

The pacing was good, I'll admit things were kinda sedate for awhile, the Rusakovas are no longer werewolves, so there's no present danger. Yet it is definitely brewing. The mafia is still there and there's still the threat happening at school with the cafeteria food--so glad I brought my lunch nearly everyday at high school! And Wanda, oh yeah, she's there too still and there are still some startling revelations to be had about that woman!

The mysteries and secrets are still there. Being touched, yet not solved. Like the whole thing with Derek and what may have happened to Jessie and the girls before he died. It wasn't fully explored but touched about 3 times or so. Expecting that to come into play again next time!

And the ending! Oh the ending! FREAKING-KILLED-ME!! Wanted to scream bloody murder! Yes, there is another dreadful cliffhanger! Shannon really knows how to keep her readers hooked! So there's going to be a disastrously looooooooooooooong wait til August when Rivals and Retribution releases, concluding the series. My heart breaks, yet at the same time I do hope for happy endings all around!

Overall rating...seriously? You need to check? ;) 5/5 stars!(less)

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Feb 21, 2012 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: wolves-shifter, ya, read-2012

I want to preface my review by saying I really love Shannon Delany and her 13 to Life series. I even drove two hours to see her at a book signing once. But there is nothing 'sensational' about Destiny and Deception, in fact it marks a definite lull in the saga.

It was a combination of things, that contributed to my disenchantment. Things were fairly well resolved at the end of Bargains and Betrayals. So where do we go from here? We adjust to life without werewolves... or do we? Into Junction rov...more I want to preface my review by saying I really love Shannon Delany and her 13 to Life series. I even drove two hours to see her at a book signing once. But there is nothing 'sensational' about Destiny and Deception, in fact it marks a definite lull in the saga.

It was a combination of things, that contributed to my disenchantment. Things were fairly well resolved at the end of Bargains and Betrayals. So where do we go from here? We adjust to life without werewolves... or do we? Into Junction roves a new pack of wolves that are all about being wolves, "The Wolf is the Way". Honestly, I had a hard time becoming interested in them, perhaps because it took a while for them to become relevant to the plot. I actually had trouble keeping the males of the pack straight due to similar names and lack of interest. By the time they became relevant I was already felt rather apathetic towards them and resentful of them.

The Ruskova's adjustment to normalcy is a little dull. Pietr's fire has all but disappeared and so has his personality. No one besides Jessie seems at all concerned about this. No one seems concerned about the new pack in town or what that means for the Ruskova's. No one seems concerned about retribution from The Company. No one seems to be aware that you just don't walk away from the Russian mob. Instead everyone is consumed by the former side-story of strange additives in the school lunches that seem to be enhancing and jump starting extra sensory abilities in the students of Junction High. I wasn't all that interested in that part of the series when it was a sub-plot, and am still not sold on it now that it has moved into the forefront.

Also, Ms. Delaney switches points of view between Jessie, Alexi, and Marlena (the new pack's Alpha). This is not a new style for her, she's done it before, and done it well, but with there being so little action, and so little going on, it seemed less effective. Often times the switch of voices wasn't noticeable until I was a few paragraphs in... even though each change of view point is clearly character labeled. For the most part this felt like an entire book full of plot exposition that could have been condensed into a prologue. By the time things started to pick up, it was at the end. In fact, book five looks very exciting. However had this not been part of a beloved series, I honestly don't know if I would have finished it.

I look forward to a return to action and excitement with Rivals and Retributions, the final novel in the 13 to Life series, which is set to come out in August. Shannon Delany promises that "this series is going to end with a bang (not a whimper)" and I'm holding her to it.

http://www.girlsjustreading.blogspot....
(less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Like the other books in this series, Destiny and Deception is full of drama, emotion, danger, and supernatural mystery. It’s a great read that had me eager to turn the page. Told from three differing viewpoints, Destiny and Deception shows readers that, though life has changed drastically for the Rusakova clan and their friends, things are far–very far–from normal…

After the tragic series of events that took their mother and forced them into an alliance with the Russian Mafia, the Rusakova’s, par...more Like the other books in this series, Destiny and Deception is full of drama, emotion, danger, and supernatural mystery. It’s a great read that had me eager to turn the page. Told from three differing viewpoints, Destiny and Deception shows readers that, though life has changed drastically for the Rusakova clan and their friends, things are far–very far–from normal…

After the tragic series of events that took their mother and forced them into an alliance with the Russian Mafia, the Rusakova’s, particularly Pietr, fought back in the only way possible…they took the “cure” and stripped the wolves from their bodies. Or did they? Only Jessie and Cat really know that the cure isn’t exactly permanent, but they soon realize it is strong enough to change things completely.

Almost immediately, Jessie notices changes in her beloved Pietr. He’s somehow less than he was before. He’s lost his spark, his fire, and, seemingly, his interest in her. Jessie is trying to get used to the “normal” Pietr, but what if the Pietr she loved with all her heart was stripped away along with his inner animal? Can she learn to love the boy he’s becoming? Does he even care?

Alexi Rusakova, adopted brother and guardian to his siblings, is dealing with his own turmoil. Now that his family is no longer under the protection of whatever agency wanted them, they must find a way to support themselves. Yes, his younger siblings can get jobs, but will that be enough? Alexi will have to sacrifice even more–including his own happiness and pride–to ensure that his family stays strong and together. But when a new threat arrives on the scene, even Alexi’s sacrifices may not be enough to save everyone…

Marlaena is an alpha female who embraces the wolf within her. “The Wolf is the Way,” and anyone who disagrees is, quite frankly, wrong. She and her pack have settled in the town of Junction, and Marlaena is looking for a way to unite with the Rusakovas. She knows their inner wolves are lurking just under the skin. They may just need a little “help” to get out. What is she willing to do to provide that assistance? Well, there’s not much Marlaena won’t do to remain top dog…

As Jessie tries to hold on to the Pietr she once knew, Alexi struggles to provide for his family, and Marlaena fights for dominance, there is even more going on in the small town of Junction that anyone truly realizes. Can anyone put together the puzzle pieces before something bad happens? Or is it already too late? Find out when you read Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany!

Just when I think that things might be looking up for some of my favorite characters, I’m thrown a curve ball. Jessie and the Rusakovas just can’t catch a break! I knew that the “cure” wasn’t the solution everyone thought it would be, but I was not prepared for how it effected Pietr. Neither was Jessie. I’m hoping he regains his spark in the next book because, to be honest, I found him kind of boring in this book. (So did Jessie.)

The introduction of Marlaena and her pack definitely throws a wrench into the works for Jessie and the Rusakovas. I can say with all honesty that I do not like Marlaena, and the last few pages of this book only cemented that opinion. I’m definitely anxious to see how things play out in the next book. Maybe Jessie and company can finally have things go right for once. Or maybe that’s wishful thinking.

Speaking of the next book…Rivals and Retributions is set to be released on August 7th of this year, so the wait isn’t too terribly long. I just read the synopsis on Goodreads, and book five looks like it’s going to take us on yet another roller coaster ride. So much for good things happening to these characters…(less)

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Feb 07, 2012 shanti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, favourite-series

come on janurary!!!!!!!!!!!
HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!! LIKE WTF????????? AM I MISSING A FEW PAGES IN MY BOOK OR SOMETHING?
JUST AS IT WAS GETTING REALLY REALLY GOOD;THE END?!!!!!!

TRY GOING TO SLEEP AFTER AN ENDING LIKE THAT!!!!!
DON'T GET ME WRONG I STILL LOVED THE BOOK BUT COME ON!!!!!!

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Oct 14, 2012 Nancy Sandoval rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, I thought why is Pietr the only one with the cure and not the others werewolf and why is Pietr different from everyone else. I didn't like the author had each character have there own story apart because it kinda confused me what was going on. My least favorite character is Marlaena because she trying to brake apart Jess and Pietr just to have him in her pack. My favorite character is Jessica Because how strong she is going though so much with the changes of Pi...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Kimberly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-paranormal

I had mixed feelings on this book- the first 1/2 felt much slower and wasn't as entertaining as the previous books had been. I like the introduction of the new pack and the chaos that they add to the story line. And while Amy goes through a major traumatizing event it was interesting to see how Max developed and matured to stand by her, how Jessie was steadfast by her friend and how Amy comes out of the shell the event left her in. Add in the chaos of having werewolves being cured, the changes t...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Mikaela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Finally finished after 14 days, which is very long for me as it only normally takes me 2-4 days.

God am i glad thats over with!!
Really didnt see that point in this installment at all. it took me forever to get into it.
And Jessie dont get me started on her she just turned into an idiot!
'ohhh pietr's changed'
'i dont know if i like this new pietr'
'he dosent look at me the same'
'he dosent kiss me anymore'
' blah blah blah'.
If it was possible i would of really liked to strangle the silly girl.
An...more

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Feb 02, 2012 LeNore rated it 3 of 5 stars

Delany is gifted at metaphors and figurative language. There were times reading I paused and thought “WOW,” to be able to make those connections! Snow swirled in eddies. Impressive. For me the pacing was slow. There were numerous times I put the book down and went and found something else to do hoping when I returned I would find it more interesting. For me it never picked up. It was the tension between Jessie and Pietr that kept me reading at all, and even that was eventually squashed. I believ...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Claire rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-paranormal

This book was a filler, nothing really happened and I MISSED PIETR!

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May 22, 2012 Jace Dawne rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was good, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I did the rest of the series... The cliffhanger at the end was just enough so that I will read the next one. I liked the new characters introduced, but I would like to see less of them and more of the central characters like Jessica, Cat (does anyone else think her name is ironic?), Max, Pietre and Alexi.
I would also like to see more of Amy--I hope that in future books, she has chapters with her POV--and *SPOILER ALERT!* I didn't like that Jes...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Hikari rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ok To be very honest for a long time now I have been in love with this series mostly because I love the male characters, and everything Im not saying this book sucks but what I cant get is how I cant even keep reading it? Seriously theres seems to be nothing that has me wanting to keep reading page after page and resently I have been noticing this series doesnt have much to it *sulk* I have been to blind...yes I still like it, I think Shannon had potential in this series but sort of ruined it wi...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 4 of 5 stars

Since the Russakuva's have taken the cure for their lycanthropy, things begin to settle down into normal. They return to school and find jobs to pay the bills. But the cure isn't permanent, so in the back of their minds is the question, 'how long?'. It's a big change from werewolf to human for Pietr and it's changed him inside, but he's trying.

However, the romance between Pietr and Jessie is strained. She begins to realize that the boy she fell in love with has changed and there is no going back...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Kathryn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, pnr, ya

Well, first let me say that I have been dying to read this book b/c I won a signed copy in January. Of course, life gets in the way and obligations that require you to do something else...But, my wait is now over and I have dived in to Destiny and Deception and LOVED it!! Shannon Delany does not disappoint as usual...
I have been following the 13 to Life series for a while now and with each book you fall more in to the world she has created with Jessie and Pietr, Max, Amy, Cat, and Alexi...and no...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just when you thought the story couldn't get any better...it did. The explosive ending of Bargains and Betrayals set the stage for Destiny and Deception. The wolves have been "cured" and things are back to "normal". At least that is how it appears. All of our characters that we love are back, with some new ones that you will love or love to hate. If Jessie and the Rusakovas thought lycanthropy was bad, it seems like nothing compared to the challenges related to their “normal” existence. I would...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Marshanah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't like this fourth book in the 13 to Life series as much as I did the other three books. It was still good, anything by Shannon Delany is good to me, but it's just that some of the character's relationships were falling apart, specifically Piotr and Jessie's. After taking the cure, Piotr becomes more aloof towards Jessie. He changes in his charms and seems to have lost his personality, the mojo he'd had that'd made him HIM. He also becomes extra nerdy. There's nothing wrong with that, but...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-12

Jessie and the Rusakuvas have seemingly survived the worst of it. They've had some losses along the way but they survived. Survived the mafia, the big company that wanted to study them and have even found a cure for their condition. Jessie finally has the nice normal, human boyfriend she always wanted. Or thought she wanted...

As a new threat has come to shake up their lives will the Rusakuvas escape relatively unscathed or will they have to survive more losses? Will Pietr's change ruin Jessie's...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Liz rated it 1 of 5 stars

Wow. I was really disappointed by this book! The author had built up a fast-paced storyline that follows a family of russian-american werewolves. I devoured the first 3 books, which I thought were relatively well-written and gave a refreshing scientific view on the existence of werewolves. I was impressed. The fourth installment totally fell off in my opinion. It was slow and disjointed and I got the sense that the author didn't know what to do with the story line. She brought in a 2nd pack of w...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Stephanie Cowart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Things are really different now for Jessie and Pietr. Now that he and his siblings have taken the cure, he is different - more subdued and seemingly less interested in Jess. They're all still devastated by their mother's death but at least Dmitri is out of the picture. They try to return to a normal life - go to school, get jobs to pay the bills - but normal is not in the cards for them.

There are still strange things going on a Junction High and Jessie is determined to get to the bottom of it. H...more Things are really different now for Jessie and Pietr. Now that he and his siblings have taken the cure, he is different - more subdued and seemingly less interested in Jess. They're all still devastated by their mother's death but at least Dmitri is out of the picture. They try to return to a normal life - go to school, get jobs to pay the bills - but normal is not in the cards for them.

There are still strange things going on a Junction High and Jessie is determined to get to the bottom of it. Her friends Sophie and Amy and even Sarah are helping too.

A new wolf pack comes to town led by the rebellious Marlaena. They sniff out the Russakuvas pretty quickly but how can that be if they're all cured? There's plenty of mystery and what's worse is that Marlaena is showing a pretty heavy interest in Pietr.

Alexi is realizing the new danger that his adopted family is in and is making plans to save them.

The best part of this book is the introduction of new characters. Marlaena, the alpha of her pack, Gabriel, who's vying for alpha male, and Gareth who seems to be interested in being more than just a friend to Marlaena, are some of the new werewolves introduced. The book has several parts from Marlaena's point of view and the insight into her attitude about being a wolf is fascinating. She was probably my favorite part of the book!

I also loved all the details about Alexi and hearing more from his point of view. We get insight into his relationship with Nadezdha, his past romance in Russia. Also he finally meets his real mother whom we were introduced to in book 3.

Jessie is struggling in her relationship with Pietr because of how drastically being just human has changed him. I thought that her struggle was really superbly written. Of course she still loves him but she is realizing now more than ever that part of that love was based in him being a werewolf. That was part of him and even though she always wished he could be normal and have more time (werewolves are only given around 13 years to live after the first change) she discovers that Pietr is a very different person now than from when she first fell in love with him.

This one ends on a cliffhanger but don't be too upset! Book 5 comes out in August 2012!
If you haven't started the series, now is the perfect time. You've got plenty of time to read all four books and be ready for book 5 in August.
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May 21, 2012 Ems (Ems Reviews Books) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, young-adult, shifters-vamps-werewolves-zombies

The first two books of this series were highly enjoyable. They represented a new look at werewolves for me, and I rather liked the Russian element. I thought the characters were mostly cool, although I've thought from the beginning that Jessie was kind of weak. But I was getting used to that, and she was getting better. I could see her getting stronger by the book, up through the third book.

Sadly, I won't be sticking around for any more character growth on Jessie's part or anyone else's. I feel...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Evelyn rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-and-urban-fantasy, books-i-have-reviewed, 2012-reads

Took me about a month to pick this up but only one day to read it because I mostly skimmed it. I really just wanted to get it over with...I invested in the other three books of this series (I gave the first book 4/5 stars!) so I couldn't just stop, even though I thought Bargains and Betrayals was pretty bad. Weeeell this was even worse so there is no way I am going to read the final book. I am FINISHED I TELL YOU!

Where it lost me:
1. NOTHING happened. Seriously. What was this book even about? Exc...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Carie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I’d probably go with 1.5 for this one. It was excruciating to get through for me!! I started reading it 6 months ago and ended up putting it down because I thought I would pull my hair out. The addition of the other werewolf pack drove me nuts and seemed completely unnecessary, since there were already too many chaotic plot threads and characters in this series anyway. Also, MOST importantly, I could see where the romance was going and it INFURIATED me!! The romance was the very reason I’ve cont...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Pam Green rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, young-adult, read-in-2012

Originally posted on At Home Between the Pages

I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I thought: How can you have a werewolf story without any werewolves? I found out soon enough when I was a few chapters in and saw: Marlaena. A new narrator? A new werewolf narrator?? It was so interesting! I didn’t know anything about Marlaena or her pack, and for the first while, her story wasn’t even connected to that of Jessie and the Rusakovas. It was like reading a completely different story within th...more Originally posted on At Home Between the Pages

I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I thought: How can you have a werewolf story without any werewolves? I found out soon enough when I was a few chapters in and saw: Marlaena. A new narrator? A new werewolf narrator?? It was so interesting! I didn’t know anything about Marlaena or her pack, and for the first while, her story wasn’t even connected to that of Jessie and the Rusakovas. It was like reading a completely different story within the one I picked up to read. And when they did connect, old problems came rushing back for the Rusakovas.

Life for Jessie is tough now. I know, it was tough before, but this is a different type of tough now. Pietr has become this entirely different person and Jessie’s realizing that the wolf was such a big part of Pietr and she’s lost some of the things she loved most about him when he took the cure. She’s learning one of those life lessons: don’t try to change anyone, especially if you love them. And she’s learning it the hard way.

Although it didn’t seem like there was anything big happening in this book, especially compared to the last one, it still kept me really interested and wanting to read more. Part of that was because of the addition of Marlaena. Part of it was because I knew what Jessie and Cat knew, and I was basically waiting for the s--- to hit the fan; for something to happen to force the change in Pietr and Max, for danger. Danger came, s--- hit the fan, but not the way I was expecting it to.

I think the best part of this book was the page between the last page and the acknowledgements. I became quite familiar with this page. I stared at this page for a good long time because I couldn’t actually believe there was no writing on it. That the way things were written on the previous page was actually the way it was going to end. It was hard accepting that.

This fourth book is great. It’s not my favourite, but I definitely enjoyed it as much as the others. It sets things up well for a grand finale. And, oh goodness, I can’t wait for that finale! This is one of the best werewolf stories I’ve ever read and I think everyone should read these books!(less)

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Destiny and Deception (13 to Life #4)

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