The Rising (Department Nineteen, #2)

Sep 30, 2012 Crowinator rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, vamps-and-werewolves, horror-and-psychological-thrillers, booklist-review, booklist-series-fiction-in-brief, 2012-reads, arcs, folklore-myths-legends, island-of-misfit-teams

The overlong, occasionally tedious, but overall super fun sequel to Department 19 has Dracula in it, trying to regain his strength after a long time as a dust pile and some bones, but, you know, no such memorable exchanges like this one:

Buffy: Who are you?
Dracula: I apologize. I assumed you knew. I am Dracula.
Buffy: (fangirly glee) Get out!

or this one:

Xander: Nice. Look who's got a bad case of Dark Prince envy.
Dracula: I have no interest in you. Leave us.
Xander: No, we're not going to (imitates...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Ade Couper rated it 3 of 5 stars

Now, some of you may remember (it was only last week...!) that I raved about the first book in Will Hill's "Department 19" series. I've now read the second, & to be honest, I was a little disappointed....

Let's deal with the positives first. The story still engages, moving on from the cliffhanger at the end of the first book. Kate (who was rescued from the attack on Lindisfarne) & Matt (who'd been attacked by Larissa) both survive, & join the department 19 team. The plot coheres well,...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, supernatural, enjoyed, 2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I’m really enjoying the Department 19 series so far. (Once I got over scoffing at it using Dracula and Frankenstein and Van Helsing and all those other good old traditional things that is). Enough that I read the sequel in one day, pretty much, and was a little annoyed to realize I’m going to have to wait nearly a year for the next one. That is FOREVER AWAY, GUYS.

Jamie suffers a little from the angry teenage boy trope, but at least he doesn’t speak all in capslock all the time like a certain oth...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Well where should I start? I can't say much other than I loved it. Will Hill is quite possibly a genius and a master when it comes to teenage horror/adventure novels. I think I can also safely say that it was a second instalment that did not disappoint and maybe even surpassed the first novel.

I was exceptionally impressed by the first instalment and when a limited edition proof (I LOVE my job sometimes!!) of the second novel came my way I guarded it with my life. No one will ever get a chance to...more Well where should I start? I can't say much other than I loved it. Will Hill is quite possibly a genius and a master when it comes to teenage horror/adventure novels. I think I can also safely say that it was a second instalment that did not disappoint and maybe even surpassed the first novel.

I was exceptionally impressed by the first instalment and when a limited edition proof (I LOVE my job sometimes!!) of the second novel came my way I guarded it with my life. No one will ever get a chance to read it I am afraid.

I will start of by saying that this book had me up until 1am desperate to finish, unfortunately my eyes could not stay open. The last 200-300 pages were amazing; fast paced and very explosive. What I love about Will Hill's style is how he breaks up the action packed chapters with memories or slower paced segments. It enables the story to flow better and for nothing to lull. That was one thing I definitely noticed. I was never bored whilst reading this. The chapters were longer than the first novel but the content was very interesting.

The novel was based 3 months after the events that concluded the first novel. Lindisfarne and the death of Alexandru Rusmanov (at the hands of Jamie Carpenter, our main character) and unfortunately Frankenstein has come and gone. Jamie is now a full member, Lieutenant no less, of Department 19. His friends Larissa (also girlfriend) and Kate were also recruited as the battle for survival is ongoing and Department 19 need everyone they can. This novel however follows The Rising of the oldest Vampire in the world. DRACULA. In the first novel we discovered that an objective of the Rusmanov brothers was to retrieve the ashes of Dracula, who was killed by the original members of Department 19, in order to resurrect him. This novel focuses on the aim to bring Dracula back to his former glory. After Alexandru was killed the eldest Rusmanov brother, Valeri, takes up the challenge and cares for Dracula until he is fully recovered. This is estimated to take 91 days and throughout the novel new sections of the novel are introduced with the time until zero hour. Thankfully the novel only gets down to 85 days until zero hour. I would have been distraught if the series did not continue.

The storyline also revolves around the disappearance and apparent death of Frankenstein. This is what was great about the title; it could attach itself to many aspects. The rising of Dracula, Frankenstein (yes it is a spoiler I am afraid but I knew it would happen as would anyone who has read the first book.)and even another character but I will leave you on tenterhooks! The development of Frankenstein was brilliant to. We were able to gain an insight into his life in the first novel, but only when considering Jamie's family's history. In this book, due to his memory loss (and Dept 19 unaware of his survival from Lindisfarne) we were able to see more of his past from the eyes of other people he knew. The sub stories in this book were intriguing and just incredibly enjoyable to read.

I must also add a note about Valentin who was a more involved character than before. Firstly I must say that I love him. Even though he is a vampire, one that has little respect for human life. There was just something about him. He seemed eloquent and gentlemanly. And even before we found out the reason behind his allegiance with Department 19 I knew he was trustworthy. I literally wanted to be his pet or wife...anything. Slight obsession at the moment.

The characters were developed further, yes they had changed, for better and for worse, but their characters and behaviour was believable and easy to relate to. The introduction of new characters was well thought out; new characters were there for a reason rather than just an inane addition. It developed the world of Jamie Carpenter, Vampires and Department 19. The characters were strong and the continuing involvement of Matt Browning was a lovely sub plot that had purpose.

All in all I couldn't really find a fault with this book. I was incredibly impressed and satisfied with this novel and very much look forward to the next instalment. I will be writing to the publishers praising them and the talent of Will Hill because I am in awe!!

I always feel like apologising about my reviews because I never know what to say and then say too much. To review this book is difficult only for the fact that the book itself is so complex and astounding that you have to read it yourself to fully appreciate it!(less)

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May 13, 2013 Gabby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: may-reading-challenge-2013, https-www-goodreads-com-review-li

The transformation of Jamie Carpenter from whiny brat to seasoned soldier is all but apparent in this next installation of Department 19.
Fresh off his success in destroying the vampire Alexandru Rusmanov
Jamie is now leading his own team of Blacklighters hunting down vampires - bringing them in alive for the top secret Lazarus project and has been recruited into the secret zero hour unit, responsible for the elimination of the recently risen count Dracula.

There's a lot of development in this nex...more The transformation of Jamie Carpenter from whiny brat to seasoned soldier is all but apparent in this next installation of Department 19.
Fresh off his success in destroying the vampire Alexandru Rusmanov
Jamie is now leading his own team of Blacklighters hunting down vampires - bringing them in alive for the top secret Lazarus project and has been recruited into the secret zero hour unit, responsible for the elimination of the recently risen count Dracula.

There's a lot of development in this next installment of the series. First, We have Jamie in his new role as team leader, his two teammates in the teenage vampire Larissa and Kate Randall. Jamie's budding secret romance with Larissa and his friendship with Kate who has her own secret she's keeping from her friends. All of which will lead to tensions rising and a lot of exploding emotions in the near future. You also have Jamie's mother who was recently turned into a vampire trying to live a normal life in her cell and repairing her relationship with her son - a constant reminder of how he almost lost his family.

Next we have Frankenstein who we all thought plunged to his death back at the end of the first book whose got his own complications in the form of amnesia, lycantrophe (werewolf Frankenstein - Crazy good idea!) and a savage psychopath of a vampire named Dante - who wants revenge on Frankenstein for nearly killing him almost a century ago in Paris.

We have several new characters in Jack Williams, Angela Darcy, Shaun Turner, and Matt Browning, to name a few. All of whom play a rather huge part in the unfolding drama. Matt as we know was the boy who was almost killed by Larissa when she fell in his garden in the first book. Apparently not fazed by almost dying, he finds his way back to the loop in the hopes they will recruit him. With the help of Jamie, he is recruited into the Lazarus project and they become quick friends. The new characters, some round, some flat, add to the overall dynamic that is department 19. There voices giving us a better understanding of life in the organization.

Of course lets not forget Valentin Rusmanov - the villain turned hero, who surrenders himself to department 19 in order to assist them in stopping his resurrected master and brother from destroying the world he loves. His intentions aren't that noble I grant you. He just wants to continue the leisurely depraved life he's lead the last century and knows that with Dracula rising, that life is all but ended.

Lastly and surely not the least, we have the resurrected Dracula (the greatest supernatural Villain ever) and his past arc where we discover this series version of how he became the first Vampire. Dracula then orders Valeri Rusmanov to attack Department 19, kill everyone except Admiral Seward, including Valentin the traitor.

All these elements gathered together make up a story that has made me a believer in Department 19 and it's operators. There's great action. Lots of gore. A teenage romance - complete with tensions, secrets, and betrayals. Even a redemption story in Jamie and Frankenstein. You can clearly see the improvement in Will Hill's story telling and how he's able to bring all these little plot lines together in a neat and thrilling way. My favorite scene would probably be the fight between Valentin and Valeri. It was shorter than i'd hoped but it did prove to me what i had guessed at in the beginning of the book, That
Valentin would kick his big brother's ass! When it comes to villains however, Valeri's not as interesting as Alexandru who was really psychotic. But then you have Dracula and that sort of diminishes anyone else you throw beside him. Valentin on the other hand could make for an awesome anti-hero and I can't wait for what his role will be in the 3rd book.

I highly recommend this book and this series to anyone who has ever been a fan of the supernatural, Dracula, and
Buffy. 4 stars. (less)

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Aug 09, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A word of caution – Department 19: The Rising is a direct sequel to Department 19. If you haven’t read the first book in this series, and you really should, there is a distinct possibility that this review may contain minor spoilers. You have been warned!

91 DAYS TILL ZERO HOUR.

THAT’S 91 DAYS TO RUN.

91 DAYS TO HIDE.

OR 91 DAYS TO PRAY FOR DEPARTMENT 19 TO SAVE YOU…

After the terrifying attack on Lindisfarne at the end of the first book, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are recovering at Department 19 headqu...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Classic-Vampire fans

Shelves: age-adult, genre-urban-fantasy, language-german, read-2013

Uff so actiongeladen wie beim ersten Band ging es auch bei "Der Wiederkehr" weiter. Ein klasse Buch. So jetzt muss ich erstmal zusehen, zu schreiben ohne zu spoilern, vor allem was den ersten Teil angeht. Also die Aufmachung von dem Buch ist mal wieder top! Gefällt mir richtig gut. Anfangs dachte ich "Über 660 Seiten!?! Das kann doch nicht gut gehen bei dem Thema!" Aber ich mich glücklicherweise geirrt. Der Schreibstil war wieder flott und auf den Punkt. Will Hill ist in dieser Hinsicht wirklich...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

This review is for the second book in the series by Will Hill so will have spoilers for book one Department 19 and therefore THIS IS A SPOILER WARNING. No spoilers for this book though ;)

So Will Hill holds no punches now does he. This book rocked my socks and then knocked them straight off. I'd been hearing lots of super positive reviews and comments about this sequel but if i'm honest when I got it in the post my eye exploded at the size of it. It's a brick of a book and I thought 'oh gosh that...more This review is for the second book in the series by Will Hill so will have spoilers for book one Department 19 and therefore THIS IS A SPOILER WARNING. No spoilers for this book though ;)

So Will Hill holds no punches now does he. This book rocked my socks and then knocked them straight off. I'd been hearing lots of super positive reviews and comments about this sequel but if i'm honest when I got it in the post my eye exploded at the size of it. It's a brick of a book and I thought 'oh gosh that'll take forever!' Want my advice. JUST BUY AND READ IT! IT'S BIG BUT OH SO WORTH IT.

The start of The Rising sets up the impending doom on the way with the rising of the first and original vampire, Dracula. He's been raised from the dead and the horrors that are coming make the last book seem like a picnic in the park. This book is full of action packed gore and fighting that you'd come to expect after the battles faced in Department 19 but so much more too. We get a real insight into the key players on both sides of this war and their past lives. It's like finding the diaries of people and finding out what makes them really tick. Going back and forth between the life at The Loop with Jamie Carpenter trying to cope with his new life as an Operator, the special situation his mum is now in after Lindsefare and his growing relationship with Larissa, a vampire girl who's now on the side of good. Their relationship is as complex as they come but the way they lean on each other and have the uncanny ability to read each other was one of my favourite things to read. They may be one of my favourite couples I've come across in YA so far this year.

Kate had been a girl that was caught up in the nightmare of an ending to Department 19 and now she's like a stealth ninja kick ass girl warrior. She's awesome. She's the sort of girl you can imagine would just deal what was thrown at her and she does but she's not all hardcore warrior gal because she's just broken from what she saw and now is living her life fighting because it's how she can deal with it and fight back. Though my favourite character had to be one of the "bad guys" as such. Valentin, one of the first vampires created by Dracula himself. He's witty, charming and deadly and almost like a Bond villain mixed with a bit of The Joker from The Dark Knight. You know he's done horrifying things and has no issue with them but you can't help but see his appeal.

The book itself is about the Departments race against time to find where Dracula is lurking and hiding until he's at full strength to return because once that happens there's no way he can be defeated. The Department is full of secrets itself which as you'd expect get revealed at just the worst moment, though the secrets you'd never guess. I had more than a few heart stopping moments reading it.

The Rising is the kind of perfection of a sequel I wish some books could capture in their first novels. Action packed and a horror gore fest with a wonderful balance of heart and personal struggles that makes The Rising a book about real things that linger in the dark but not a book just for boys. Everyone should read this.
(less)

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Apr 20, 2012 Big Book Little Book rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Caroline: www.bigbooklittlebook.blogspot.com

While the pink, fragile scar tissue acts as a visible testament to the horrors Jamie and his friends experienced that fateful night on Lindisfarne, the hidden physiological trauma is no less indelible. Having turned their backs on any semblance of normality and accepted a life of danger and responsibility in the pursuit of world safety, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are now feeling the impact of their decisions and experiences.

A slick three person unit withi...more Caroline: www.bigbooklittlebook.blogspot.com

While the pink, fragile scar tissue acts as a visible testament to the horrors Jamie and his friends experienced that fateful night on Lindisfarne, the hidden physiological trauma is no less indelible. Having turned their backs on any semblance of normality and accepted a life of danger and responsibility in the pursuit of world safety, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are now feeling the impact of their decisions and experiences.

A slick three person unit within the super secret department, they work instinctively together, trusting each other with their lives, but not always their secrets and insecurities. The trio cannot help but have matured in the three months following their withdrawal from society and their absorption in to the classified government department; nevertheless they are teens dealing with the huge emotional fallout from book one, coping with anger, grief and the absence of any real parental supervision and support. Jamie particularly is struggling with balancing his recently commissioned leadership while maintaining his friendships with Larissa and Kate.

The only negative thing I can say about this book is its size! You can’t fail to have noticed that with 700+ pages, this is a big book! I have to admit that while a gorgeous signed hardback graces my shelf I found the thought of starting the book a little intimidating not to mention difficult to manage with my preferred reading posture ( lying on my side if you must know). I found a really simple solution, I downloaded the kindle version!

Despite its length, the pacing of the book was spot on and I never felt bored. Will Hill cleverly manipulates multiple story threads, weaving together heart racing action with gut twisting emotional scenes and informative flashbacks to create a compulsive page turner. I particularly love how the author makes references to historical events and figures, grounding the fantasy world building with our own recognisable history.

After 13 years in the health service with up close and personal experience of most body fluids, I consider myself to have a strong constitution, but even I have my limit and Will Hill writes to it. In Department 19 it was the creative use of violin strings, in The Rising, a scene involving Dracula and a library had me swallowing excessive saliva and pushing my lunch to one side. (In retrospect the unpleasant sensation may be due to the first vampire’s maltreatment of books!) However I don’t believe that the bloodletting is gratuitous, this is after all, a war between vicious, carnivorous immortals (old school vamps) and fragile humans. Rather, Hill’s imagery is so unapologetically vivid that it’s Technicolor.

Verdict: This book should come with a health warning; it will cause your stomach to flip and leave you physically and emotionally exhausted, but I promise that you will love every minute of it! Now time to read something light and fluffy, preferably with unicorns, kittens and rainbows!(less)

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Aug 23, 2012 Kim McGee rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in a series that combines vampires, Frankenstein's monster as a James Bond type operative and vampire hunters like Van Helsing to tell the story of what would happen if the alpha dog vampire of all time, Count Dracula, was brought back to life. We are caught in the love triangle between young Jaime and the two female operatives as they combat the vampires and try to minimize collateral damage.
Department 19 is a government agency we will never hear about but it makes me sl...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Darren Hartwell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, horror, vampires

Review originally posted at The Book Zone (For Boys).

If there was one 2012 release that I was looking forward to reading more than any other this year it was Will Hill’s Department 19: The Rising. I do not think I have stopped shouting about how wonderful I thought the first book was – I have bought multiple copies over the past year for various godsons, relatives, etc and I have recommended it to all of my friends and work colleagues who have teenage sons. It goes without saying that it was al...more Review originally posted at The Book Zone (For Boys).

If there was one 2012 release that I was looking forward to reading more than any other this year it was Will Hill’s Department 19: The Rising. I do not think I have stopped shouting about how wonderful I thought the first book was – I have bought multiple copies over the past year for various godsons, relatives, etc and I have recommended it to all of my friends and work colleagues who have teenage sons. It goes without saying that it was also my Book Zone Book of the Year 2011. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that an early proof copy was heading my way just before Christmas – it would make the perfect in-flight reading material for my journey to Canada. Imagine also my utter despair when it had not arrived in time – everyone else seemed to have received theirs, but Bracknell must be in some kind of different time zone as far as post is concerned as this was yet another slow arriving parcel. However, my tweeted despair quickly turned to elation when the wonderful, generous, thoughtful Will Hill emailed me a pdf of The Rising so that I could read it on my Kindle. I joyfully proclaimed that I would read it in a single sitting during my many houred flight, and Will replied that he would be very surprised if I did, as it was 700+ pages long. Was that a gauntlet I heard being thrown down?

Come the following morning the plane took off, and as soon as I was allowed the Kindle was turned on. The next nine hours flew by, the inflight entertainment system (and my long suffering wife) completely ignored/forgotten about, as I was drawn back into the author’s world where nasty, blood gulping vampires exist, as does a government agency, the eponymous Department 19, established decades ago to counter the threat of these unread. And I ‘won’ the challenge – I clicked over onto the final page just five minutes before the light came on to tell us to turn off all electrical gadgets in preparation for the plane’s descent, at the end of what was possibly one of the most enjoyable flights I have ever made. If you thought Department 19 was amazing then fasten your seatbelts tight as the sequel is one truly fantastic ride. Will Hill has taken everything that was so great about the first book, and turned them up to 11!

Now first the bad news – I really cannot tell you very much about the plot except for the very basics. At the end of the first book we were left with a number of questions (and one massively huge jaw-dropping epilogue), and many of these questions are answered in one way or another in The Rising. There are also a number of key developments/revelations that, should I spoil them in any way in this review, HarperCollins and Will Hill might just string me up by my unmentionables and leave me to rot. One or two of these really key developments I had guessed before they were revealed (honest guv!), and one in particular had been niggling away at me ever since I read the first book. This is not to say that they are obvious though, Will Hill keeps his readers guessing all the w ay through this one.

If you haven’t read the first book then you might want to turn away now as I am about to mention THAT epilogue (in fact, if you haven’t read it then leave this review now, and go and buy it or get it from your local library this very minute). As I was saying, THAT epilogue. The Dracula thing that had all those jaws thudding across the land. Yes, in The Rising Dracula has returned, but before you get your hopes up, this story is less about Dracula and more about loads of other things, and it is all the better for this. It is about how Jamie is struggling to cope with the loss of his close friend Frankenstein and his mother being turned into a vampire. It is about Jamie and his growing relationship with fellow Department 19 operative (and vampire) Larissa. It is about Larissa, hating her fangs and vampire abilities and desperate to be seen as a normal person. It is about Kate Randall, the girl they rescued from Lindisfarne. It is about Matt Browning, now recovered physically from the severe injuries he suffered in the first book, but mentally feeling that there is a huge hole in his life. It is about the history behind Dracula becoming a vampire, and the subsequent turning of his faithful followers Valeri, Valentin and the since destroyed Alexandru, and how not even vampire brothers necessarily share the same goals.

Despite it having more action, more gore, and more horror than its predecessor, The Rising is very much about the characters, good and bad, and in my mind this makes it even better than the first book. I became so immersed in their various stories that my emotions during that flight were all over the place. At times my heart was racing, desperate to get to the outcome of an action scene, and then several chapters later I would feel tears almost pricking at my eyes. I went from excited to saddened to fearful to elated and then back again, running the whole gamut over and over again. There was one scene in particular, at the beginning of which I was genuinely afraid for the characters involved, and come the end of that climactic scene I challenge anyone not to be genuinely upset. Will Hill – you are a genius!

This book is a rare thing indeed - a sequel that is better than its brilliant predecessor. It almost wants me to go back to my reviews on Amazon and GoodReads and drop them down to four stars. But Department 19 was my favourite book of 2011 so I can't justify that, so I will just have to imagine there being a sixth star. There is so much more I want to say about it but can’t (I value my unmentionables to much). Yet again I already have a frontrunner for my book of the year – author’s please note, Will Hill has set the bar and in 2012 it may take an effort of Olympian proportions to beat it.(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 Jason Sharp rated it 4 of 5 stars

This isn't much of a review, but I felt it needed to be said. I'm really starting to hate the second books in YA series because they typically offer very little closure. It's not like this book ended on a cliffhanger, but it just kinda dropped off at the end as if there was more story to tell, but the writer ran out of time. I know that is supposed to make we want to read the third book, and I probably will, but it just kills the excitement after reading this book. My advice is wait until the th...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Nina at Death Books and Tea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review: As soon as I finished Department 19, I knew I ahd to read the next one and see how it carried on. So I was really looking forwards to this one. It picks up where book one left off with Jamie, Larissa and Kate recovering at HQ. And soon, they receive news about Dracula’s ashes. Old vampires are preparing , and it’s time that Department 19 do too-Dracula is getting ready to rise.
I essentially fangirled throughout Department 19. It was amazing (see my review) And Department 19-The Rising is...more Review: As soon as I finished Department 19, I knew I ahd to read the next one and see how it carried on. So I was really looking forwards to this one. It picks up where book one left off with Jamie, Larissa and Kate recovering at HQ. And soon, they receive news about Dracula’s ashes. Old vampires are preparing , and it’s time that Department 19 do too-Dracula is getting ready to rise.
I essentially fangirled throughout Department 19. It was amazing (see my review) And Department 19-The Rising is just as worthy of this praise.
It doesn’t just focus on the three young operators. You get a lot of background information on Frankenstein and the Rusmanovs and Dracula himself. So although it wasn’t just the present day, everything moves us closer to the Rising and builds up character depth, making the present day action more relevant and more exciting.
Plot-there’s quite a few plotlines threading their way through this, as well as the obvious. For reasons that I shouldn’t say, Jamie leads a party to France to find him. Along the way, he also meets the “King of Parisian Vampires, and we get a little side story with him. And so on with many others.
My favourite character was Valentin. He does many completely unexpected things, and gives us a very different perspective of him to what we had had before reading this book. And the whole brotherly love thing with Valeri, well, it’s kind of non-existent. It’s really interesting seeing how the two brothers, the second and fourth oldest vampires ever, interact.
There’s a lot of character development from our main characters. Already with huge responsibilities, they have to be even more mature in this book. I liked the return of matt, the boy who was featured in the first novel but not too much, and his integration with the Lazarus plotline was really interesting. I hope we get to see even more of him someday soon.
There’s no waffling, just words to further the plot or our understanding of the characters. The action scenes were frequent and really well written, and all 700 pages were necessary. And the ending...don’t just leave it there! Now we have to wait (most likely) a year for the next one...but that cliffhanger....amazing.
The only reason this is getting 4.5 tea not full 5 is that it just missed a little something compared to book one. That said, it is an amazing book that any vampire addict should read.

Overall Strength 4.5 tea rounded up to a 5 to a really strong vampire novel, with a little something for everyone.: (less)

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Jul 12, 2012 Josh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, horror, read_2012, this_is_young_adult

'The Rising' is an intoxicating blend of horror, treachery, action and suspense fused together by a small group of Department 19 teen Operators whose bond is forged by the blood of their common foe - vampires. While the initial installment took great lengths to set the scene and build author Will Hill's world - 'The Rising' reads true to the genre of splatter punk horror and no holds bared violence. There are more graphic depictions of vampiric mutilation than in the predecessor. The gore isn't...more 'The Rising' is an intoxicating blend of horror, treachery, action and suspense fused together by a small group of Department 19 teen Operators whose bond is forged by the blood of their common foe - vampires. While the initial installment took great lengths to set the scene and build author Will Hill's world - 'The Rising' reads true to the genre of splatter punk horror and no holds bared violence. There are more graphic depictions of vampiric mutilation than in the predecessor. The gore isn't without cause though, with each scene evoking a true sense of dread towards the sharp toothed monsters, adding further insight into some of their utterly inhumane ways and contempt shown to their live-stock (humans).

This series is YA yet there is a distinctly mature feel about 'The Rising'. No only did the story evolve from the first book but Jamie's growth from adolescent to young man provides a nice semblance and balance to the story. Once again, the theme is mission driven, where first it was Jamie's mother lost, this time round, its a very close friend of Jamie's - one which will shock and awe fans with gruesome revelations, and interesting and thought provoking dynamics.

Of all the solid points, probably the most entertaining aspect to 'The Rising' is the ever expanding history of Department 19 and its sister agencies across the world. In addition to that, Will Hill provides further insight into the rise of the vampires by spotlighting two of the eldest and most dangerous vampires in Valeri and Valentin Rusmanov. Their relationship is one to keep an eye on - once brothers on the battlefield, now brothers in blood.

For the main trio of characters in Jamie, Kate and vampire turned Operative Larissa, all teens with raging hormones equal to their rage against evil vampires, the threats alluded to in the epilogue of 'Department 19' become all too real. Even the sanctuary of the Department 19 headquarters, The Loop is questionably secure. Without a doubt, this book had more twists and turns than most I've read in recent times - and more importantly, ones I didn't see coming. This series is really heating up, I cant wait to see what Will Hill does with the third instalment. 4 stars.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 TheBookAddictedGirl rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: All James Bond, Action, Vampire and Spy Lovers: This Will Knock Your Socks Off!

Shelves: arc, for-review, in-my-mailbox, action-adventure, amazing-worlds, british-fiction, fantasy, favourite-series, favourites-shelf, horror, mystery, paranormal, read-2012, science-fiction, thriller-suspense, urban-fantasy, ya

Run, hide, pray, fight. Whatever you do, you must know: Dracula has risen and Department 19 have just nine days to track him down and kill him, before he grows too strong and wreaks his revenge upon the world...
It's been seventeen weeks since Lindisfarne and Jamie, Larissa and Kate are settling into life at Department 19. Jamie's made a name for himself, having killed one of the oldest vampires alive. Not, of course, that has made the other agents any fonder of him.
But something is stirring. Va...more Run, hide, pray, fight. Whatever you do, you must know: Dracula has risen and Department 19 have just nine days to track him down and kill him, before he grows too strong and wreaks his revenge upon the world...
It's been seventeen weeks since Lindisfarne and Jamie, Larissa and Kate are settling into life at Department 19. Jamie's made a name for himself, having killed one of the oldest vampires alive. Not, of course, that has made the other agents any fonder of him.
But something is stirring. Vampires are gathering, preparing.
Dracula is rising.
It's 91 days until Zero Hour.
Who knows what will happen...
I adored Department 19, so much so that once I'd finished if I simply had to read The Rising! And, boy, did it not let me down! Action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled and utterly addictive, I read the 700-something paged book in a blur, hooked to every single word, as the days until Zero Hour counted down. And oh my God, this was so, so much more awesome than the first book! I simply cannot wait until the next one in the series!
I loved all of the characters to pieces: Will Hill remains the master of making in-it-for-one-chapter characters that jump off the page. And his main characters are just so loveable it’s untrue. Jamie is just the perfect hero: sweet, brave, strong, brainy and so, so real. He may have been a kickbutt boy agent, but he was also just that: a boy, only seventeen. While he struggled with his emotions at times and occasionally lost his temper, I adored the sweet, loving boy beneath the tough exterior. The fact he isn’t perfect and makes mistakes just made me love him all the more: in fact, I have a serious book-boy-crush on him. As for Larissa: she is so awesome! Admittedly, super vamp powers and teen hormones weren’t such a great mix, but she was so caring and loving; I just loved the vampire girl to pieces. Kate was brilliant: strong, determined, level-headed and so kind to everyone – especially the new vampires. I loved seeing how she’s grown. And Matt, who you may remember from Book One as the boy who was attacked, woke up in the Loop and faked amnesia, was such an awesome character. He was super clever, like genius clever, as well as sweet, determined, enthusiastic and just darn adorable! Valentine Rusmanov just has to be mentioned, ‘cause his dark sense of humour just killed me. Plus, not an “immortal psychopath” like his brother Alexandru, so huge improvement there! I liked him – I’m not sure if I was meant to, but I did.
Will Hill isn’t just amazing at characters, though. His writing, plot-designing and world-building is just as incredible. His writing is action-packed, addictive and full of flashbacks, letting us see into all the character’s minds, both in the present and the past. When describing science-based scenes, lots of writers talk down to us, treating us like we can’t understand. Will Hill did not: we were told in a simple way, but he didn’t talk down to us, not even once. That particularly struck me about the writing. As for the action: just whoa. From the very first page to the very last, The Rising was action-packed, addictive, a non-stop adrenaline rush that lasted 703 pages. Bloody, violent and amazingly kickbutt, I found the action addictive, which obviously made the twisty, mysterious plot even more stunning and amazing. And this plot, quite literally, left me speechless. Multiple times. I’ve never found a plot as marvellously twisty and unpredictable as this: love it! The mythology is stunning: utterly new but traditional. I love that we now know more about Dracula’s origins, but some parts are still left a total mystery. I wanna join Department 19 so I can know everything. It’s a serious plan. ‘Cause I love this world. As in: "Please, please, PLEASE let me be a Department 19 agent!!" kinda love. I love the science, the department, the people, the weapons. My bags are packed. I’m moving in as soon as possible. Seriously.
With action, romance, suspense and bundles of awesomeness, The Rising just blew me away. I loved every single moment, unable to put the book down. Sure, this is a horror-action book, but it has such strong family and friendship themes, ones that are really sweet and believable and just make me smile. And the way Will Hill links all the different stories together, twisting and twining them is just amazing, beautiful, perfect and just so utterly unique. This is, without a doubt, one of my favourite series ever! Will Hill, I shall be anxiously awaiting your next book - I know it will be amazing!
James Bond with cooler weapons, kickbutt teens and vampires! Forget 007 and give me Department 19 any day!(less)

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Jan 20, 2013 Traxy Thornfield rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first novel in this series, Department 19, was very much enjoyed by both myself and the Squeeze, who found it a welcome break from the sparkly so-called vampires of you-know-what. When we found out the sequel had come out, we both looked forward to reading more about the secret government department that was once founded by Professor Van Helsing and the rest of the cast of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

As you will remember if you read the first book, the events on Lindisfarne saw Alexandru Rusmanov,...more The first novel in this series, Department 19, was very much enjoyed by both myself and the Squeeze, who found it a welcome break from the sparkly so-called vampires of you-know-what. When we found out the sequel had come out, we both looked forward to reading more about the secret government department that was once founded by Professor Van Helsing and the rest of the cast of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

As you will remember if you read the first book, the events on Lindisfarne saw Alexandru Rusmanov, one of the oldest vampires in the world, dead. However, that didn't stop his brother Valeri and his cronies from finding Dracula's remains in Department 19's Russian counterpart, and they're trying to resurrect him. It will take about three months before he's fully restored to his former power (i.e. the Zero Hour), and the operatives of Department 19 have to find him and take him down before then, as otherwise he'll be near invincible.

Everywhere Jamie Carpenter and his fellow operatives Larissa and Kate go, there are writings on the wall: HE RISES. They just have to do the best they can to apprehend vampires. Not necessarily destroy - the new perogative is to catch them alive, so that they can be handed over to the mysterious Lazarus Project and the congenial Dr Talbot.

There are a few niggles to sort along the way, however ... Jamie is still grieving for his friend Frankenstein AND his mother is now a vampire; Jamie and Larissa is a couple, despite this being against Department rules; a werewolf is on the loose in Germany, and somewhere in America, a man is on a vision quest ...

Expectations were high for this book, as the first one was great. Department 19: The Rising does not disappoint. While the title is misleading - The Rising implies that Dracula's Zero Hour happens within this book ... and it doesn't. Sorry if that's a spoiler, but I think it's worthwhile pointing out. It's still over 80 days (84? 86?) to go by the very last page of the book, but I didn't mind. Not at all.

There are just so many things going on that you don't have time to stop and question it. The identity of the man in America was a surprise, I have to admit. The werewolf ... at first, yes, but there were enough clues to make you figure it out soon enough. As for the Lazarus Project ... the Squeeze caught the drift sooner than I did.

Like before, there were flashbacks to the past. 1920s Paris, and way back when in Romania when Dracula was first turned. This was actually really interesting to find out about. I have no idea if it's general Dracula and/or vampire lore, but it's fascinating nonetheless.

The romantic struggles of teenagers get a little space, but not too much. They have enough issues as it is. There are also moral struggles to get through for Jamie, and they're handled really well. It's not always clear-cut what the right thing to do is, and he's still learning, but he's growing up to be a good man. Or so I hope. There's a bit near the end that definitely counts as a crowning moment of awesome. I really didn't expect it, and burst out in a "HAH!" when reading it. When you see it, you'll know the one I mean.

I could probably go on and on and on about how entertaining this series is proving to be, but I need to get going. If you like vampires, REAL vampires, you'll enjoy this. If you liked the first book, you'll definitely enjoy this. I didn't even mind the gore so much this time (there can't have been less of it). The writing style is still cinematic and I would freakin' LOVE to see a big-screen adaptation at some point.

Will Hill, sir, you've done it again. The Rising feels innovative, is full of action and the characters have flaws that make them all the more real. Can't wait for the next book (in a few months), Department 19: Battle Lines. This is great.(less)

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Jan 29, 2013 Big Book Little Book rated it 5 of 5 stars

Caroline for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
Copy provided by publisher

While the pink, fragile scar tissue acts as a visible testament to the horrors Jamie and his friends experienced that fateful night on Lindisfarne, the hidden physiological trauma is no less indelible. Having turned their backs on any semblance of normality and accepted a life of danger and responsibility in the pursuit of world safety, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are now feeling the impact of their decisions and experiences.

A slick thr...more Caroline for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
Copy provided by publisher

While the pink, fragile scar tissue acts as a visible testament to the horrors Jamie and his friends experienced that fateful night on Lindisfarne, the hidden physiological trauma is no less indelible. Having turned their backs on any semblance of normality and accepted a life of danger and responsibility in the pursuit of world safety, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are now feeling the impact of their decisions and experiences.

A slick three person unit within the super secret department, they work instinctively together, trusting each other with their lives, but not always their secrets and insecurities. The trio cannot help but have matured in the three months following their withdrawal from society and their absorption in to the classified government department; nevertheless they are teens dealing with the huge emotional fallout from book one, coping with anger, grief and the absence of any real parental supervision and support. Jamie particularly is struggling with balancing his recently commissioned leadership while maintaining his friendships with Larissa and Kate.

The only negative thing I can say about this book is its size! You can’t fail to have noticed that with 700+ pages, this is a big book! I have to admit that while a gorgeous signed hardback graces my shelf I found the thought of starting the book a little intimidating not to mention difficult to manage with my preferred reading posture ( lying on my side if you must know). I found a really simple solution, I downloaded the kindle version!

Despite its length, the pacing of the book was spot on and I never felt bored. Will Hill cleverly manipulates multiple story threads, weaving together heart racing action with gut twisting emotional scenes and informative flashbacks to create a compulsive page turner. I particularly love how the author makes references to historical events and figures, grounding the fantasy world building with our own recognisable history.

After 13 years in the health service with up close and personal experience of most body fluids, I consider myself to have a strong constitution, but even I have my limit and Will Hill writes to it. In Department 19 it was the creative use of violin strings, in The Rising, a scene involving Dracula and a library had me swallowing excessive saliva and pushing my lunch to one side. (In retrospect the unpleasant sensation may be due to the first vampire’s maltreatment of books!) However I don’t believe that the bloodletting is gratuitous, this is after all, a war between vicious, carnivorous immortals (old school vamps) and fragile humans. Rather, Hill’s imagery is so unapologetically vivid that it’s Technicolor.

Verdict: This book should come with a health warning; it will cause your stomach to flip and leave you physically and emotionally exhausted, but I promise that you will love every minute of it! Now time to read something light and fluffy, preferably with unicorns, kittens and rainbows!
(less)

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Apr 22, 2012 Rhys rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
After the terrible events of Lindisfarne, in which Jamie’s friend and mentor, Frankenstein, topples over a cliff, new, greater, more terrible things are beginning to happen. The remains of the first vampire Dracula have been uncovered by Valeri Rusmanov, and he has been resurrected. It will not take long for him to recover to his full and terrifing strength- when even Department 19, with all their weapons and intelligence, would struggle to destroy...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Bart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at: Bart's Bookshelf.

Following the events on Lindisfarne, Jamie, Larissa & Kate are back at the Department 19 base. While they wait for news about Dracula, they have formed a formidable unit. One of the most successful teams the department has.

Good friends, they are able to anticipate and support each other, and they are becoming more and more respected by the department, particularly Jamie.

But behind the scenes there are secrets in the department and secrets they ha...more Review originally posted at: Bart's Bookshelf.

Following the events on Lindisfarne, Jamie, Larissa & Kate are back at the Department 19 base. While they wait for news about Dracula, they have formed a formidable unit. One of the most successful teams the department has.

Good friends, they are able to anticipate and support each other, and they are becoming more and more respected by the department, particularly Jamie.

But behind the scenes there are secrets in the department and secrets they have about themselves, that will threaten the bonds they are growing.

Then there is the upcoming battle, Dracula is back and his forces are massing. If Jamie was hoping for time to recover, he’s going to be sorely wrong. It’s all action from the start, and as the plot twists and turns, Will Hill just keeps cranking up the action.

Department 19 was one of my favourite books of last year, so when the sequel dropped though my letterbox just before Christmas, I couldn’t have been more excited.

If you thought, the first book was action packed, then you haven’t seen anything yet! There’s so much I’d love to tell you about the various plot lines Will Hill weaves together in The Rising, but I can’t do that without spoiling things for you, it will be much more fun to discover them for yourself. And then there are twists and surprises. My god, are there some twists and surprises! There’s a couple I almost guarantee you won’t see coming!

Thankfully, even though the action doesn’t let up, Will Hill, recognising that coming out of the events of the first book, there’s going to be some angst and ‘issues’ to deal with for them all to deal with, also works on the character building, which provides both a nice balance to the proceedings, and some of the real highlights of the book. Aware that his target audience is teenage boys though, Will Hill makes sure there’s nothing to scare them off Department 19: The Rising by Will Hill [Review] But it’s really nice to see character stuff and growth in amongst all the blood and gore!

As well as cranking up the action by the power of ten, in The Rising, Will Hill also cranks up the enjoyment!

Easily just as good as the first book, and you’ll be begging for book 3 by the end. Well, by the time you’ve recovered anyway…(less)

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Mar 04, 2012 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: uk-author, review-books, signed

As you might well know if you follow my reviews one of the books that most took me by surprise last year was Will Hill's Department 19. Even my wimpy girl self loved it and want to get my very own T-Bone and go out vampire hunting with Jamie (PS Mr Hill making me love teenage boys is bad enough but then teasing me about their future fate on twitter is just mean!)

Department 19 is a secret government organisation which is responsible for hunting down all the vampires and making sure the rest of th...more As you might well know if you follow my reviews one of the books that most took me by surprise last year was Will Hill's Department 19. Even my wimpy girl self loved it and want to get my very own T-Bone and go out vampire hunting with Jamie (PS Mr Hill making me love teenage boys is bad enough but then teasing me about their future fate on twitter is just mean!)

Department 19 is a secret government organisation which is responsible for hunting down all the vampires and making sure the rest of the population can sleep sound and safe in their beds every night without the knowledge such a thing actually exists. The people who work for them are hardcore fight machines trained and equipped using only the best, cutting edge and sometimes groundbreaking technology.

I thing I love most about this series is Jamie. At 17 he is one of the newest Operators in Department 19 following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Last year he took down one of the oldest and most powerful vampire in the world earning himself a stellar reputation for the outset (not that always makes him all that popular). What I love about him is that underneath all that hard man image, and at times arrogance, he is still just a teenage boy who wants hang out with his friends, have a girlfriend and at times he just needs his mum. The boy is also a heart breaker in training which is where I fall down somewhat. This is really evident in the way his relationships develop both with Larissa and with his friend Kate through the book and how he manages to simultaneously upset both of them mainly through being a naive boy.

The story starts off in the same breakneck pace I've come to expect after reading Book 1 and didn't really let up all the way through. This book is a monster at 700 pages long but I found myself zipping through it quickly and never having a moment to get bored with all the action that was going on around the main characters. There were several sections where I didn't quite believe that I had read (just you wait until you get to page 504 and have to peel your jaw up from off the floor). The actions scenes had me torn between needing to know what happened next, not wanting to look at it (yes I know it is a book and I am being silly) as some scenes were all a bit too gory and in stunned disbelief about what had just gone down.

Going back to talking about cute teenage boys (and I will stop in a minute) the addition of Matt to the story, who you might remember from book 1, was most welcome. He is almost the complete opposite of Jamie being super clever rather than super tough but that doesn't mean he isn't brave. I can't wait to see how his character develops in future books.

There is also a brilliant side plot with a character from the first book. I won't let you too much about it as it is rather spoilery but I loved it especially the "JJaaaiiimmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeee" line which made me both want to sob with relief and whoop with joy.

The final major showdown of the book really doesn't hold anything back. The violence in it is brutal with several bits which were just a bit too horrible to comprehend. Had the book been a movie I would have been hiding behind my cushion at that point. Several bits again left me completely stunned and needing a minute to take it all in.

The ending of the book was awesome with so many things set up for the final book in the series and a final showdown with those evil vampires.

Not a book for the faint hearted. A thrilling and fast paced ride which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for boys and girls sick of the cliched paranormal romance.

P.S I still want my own T Bone!!!!!!!!!!!(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. How do you start a review about a book that you have been eagerly awaiting since last year, and have it be so much more than you expected. Receiving Department 19:The Rising was a complete surprise, although I did hope to get it I wasn't expecting it at all and have to admit I did a girly squeal when I opened the parcel to find it there.
I really don't want to spoil anything about this book so my review may be vague or not make sense. It's best just to get a copy and read it yourself to see what...more How do you start a review about a book that you have been eagerly awaiting since last year, and have it be so much more than you expected. Receiving Department 19:The Rising was a complete surprise, although I did hope to get it I wasn't expecting it at all and have to admit I did a girly squeal when I opened the parcel to find it there.
I really don't want to spoil anything about this book so my review may be vague or not make sense. It's best just to get a copy and read it yourself to see what my ramblings all mean.

Department 19:The Rising is so much more amazing than Department 19. It has more action, suspense, vampires and their extermination, more destruction and even more amazing weapons.
We get to see more of our favourite characters, and our not so favourite characters, and they all get to have their say, with one being a surprise with how they acted. We also get to visit a few characters that made an appearance in Department 19, and it was nice to see how they are and what they are doing.
From the moment I started Department 19:The Rising I was HOOKED and only put it down for things I had to do, like work, sleep, although I did perfect the art of eating and reading at the same time ;).
I really enjoyed seeing how the characters have grown and matured in the short space of time, partly due to the things they have been witness to. The relationship between Jamie and Larissa is still present, however due to issues that arise and secret missions, their relationship has a few bumps along the way which eventually get straightend out. These two have got to be my favourite characters out of the book and I really liked getting to read their own point of view and how they react to the same situation.
Department 19 is growing in numbers and strength but will it be enough to stop Dracula. Some parts in this books had me going OMG because I was not expecting it to happen and events that happen near the end have me wanting the next book now. There was one part that had me very excited and happy to happen, and although something happened to change this irrevocably, I am looking forward to seeing how it develops in book 3.
Basically, Deparment 19:The Rising is an amazing book and you should all pick up a copy.(less)

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Mar 28, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own-print, signed, read-in-2012, favorites, for-review-read, british-author

It's no secret that Department 19 was one of my favourite books of 2011 so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the series The Rising. Although this was one of my most anticipated novels of the year I couldn't help feeling a little nervous when I picked it up to start reading - what if it didn't live up to my expectations? I'm glad to be able to say that I wasn't disappointed and if Department 19 was a 5 star read (which it was!) then The Rising is a 10 star one! I'm going to as...more It's no secret that Department 19 was one of my favourite books of 2011 so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the series The Rising. Although this was one of my most anticipated novels of the year I couldn't help feeling a little nervous when I picked it up to start reading - what if it didn't live up to my expectations? I'm glad to be able to say that I wasn't disappointed and if Department 19 was a 5 star read (which it was!) then The Rising is a 10 star one! I'm going to assume that anyone reading this review will have already read the first book so please be aware that this will contain spoilers for Department 19 - I will be careful not to give spoilers for The Rising though! If you haven't read the first book yet stop reading this review now and go out and buy it - I can't recommend this series highly enough!

The attack at Lindisfarne at the end of the first book has had huge ongoing consequences for all of the characters we know and love. Jamie may have built quite a reputation for himself amongst his colleagues by killing one of the oldest and strongest vampires in the world but he is devastated by the loss of his friend Frankenstein. He feels guilty that he wasn't able to save him and is also worried about the changes in his mother. Jamie is lucky to have strong bonds with Larissa and Kate though and they have been helping him cope. I love Jamie for how normal he is, despite the fact that he works for a secret organisation hunting down vampires for a living he is just a 17 year old boy and can be quite a moody one at that. His relationship with Larissa is going well but keeping things a secret is adding extra pressure on both of them and Larissa has her own issues to deal with.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of Kate and Matt too. Since Lindisfarne Kate has signed up to be an Operator and is working in a team alongside Jamie and Larissa. The three of them work really well together and it was good to see a friendship between them all that didn't include some kind of love triangle. Matt returned home after recovering from his attack in the first book but found it impossible to settle back into a normal life. He may be Jamie's opposite in a lot of ways but he is a great addition to their team and I can see him having an important role in the future.

All of the characters have some heart wrenching, emotional decisions to make throughout the story and it was good to see how much they have all grown since we first met them. There has been some serious character development but that doesn't mean there is less action though, in fact the plot progresses at breakneck speed and with more twists and turns than a roller coaster! Be prepared for some absolute shockers - I had to pick myself up off the floor a couple of times. The story takes you around the UK and Europe as well as on a road trip across the US as we follow the Department 19 crew and a few new characters. There will be betrayals from people we trust, surprising new allies and a couple of shock appearances as the Department prepares for the rise of Dracula. The countdown has begun but are you prepared for the consequences?

If you loved Department 19 then I guarantee that you'll love The Rising even more. Will Hill has managed to top the first book in every way and the only disappointment is that I don't have book 3 yet! This series is a must for anyone who wants a gruesome, action packed story full of old style terrifying vampires who in most cases will kill you as soon as look at you.(less)

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May 13, 2012 Jeeho rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have just finished this book after an 8 hour binge read.
My response. Holy Shit Yes!
I love the characters.
Teenagers coping with romance, danger, and confusion not by sulking or whining about it, but by dealing with the problems and becoming stronger as they do so.
It's amazing that he can craft a novel of more than 600 pages and keep it full of tension every single step of the way.
Every chapter was a cliffhanger and the end of the book the greatest cliffhanger of all.
Cannot wait for the sequel.

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Aug 27, 2012 Vicky Hartley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Again I'm going to pre-empt my review by stating that I know the author however that won't influence my review.

I loved Will's debut Department 19 and I was excited to see where he took the story, I did enjoy this follow-up but I found that there were a number of plots that didn't seem to go anywhere and I didn't really understand whether Matt Browning was a good guy or a big bad waiting to happen?

Anyway it is well worth a read.

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Oct 28, 2012 Jenn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Once again, gruesome, teen-angsty, and riddle with tension. These books are so much better than anything vampire (or paranormal or paranormal romance) right now. Even with all the progress Jamie's made since the first book (both in training and in his relationships), it never feels like he's become a Gary Stu (savior of all mankind because of his birthright or some previously unknown magical ability).

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Dec 07, 2012 June Luu rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-vampires-and-other-stuff, adventure, favorites, have-to-have, horror-scary-ya, love-adventure, love-paranormal, zombies-and-other-stuff

I NEED TO HAVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!

Edit:
So I wanted this book so bad that I had to go and get it today and I only just finished the first book yesterday and now I am so excited to start reading this!!!!

EDIT:
Finally finished the book!!! You had no idea how much torture I had to go through because I couldn't find time to read this book...Damn Exams!!! OH MY GOD I NEED THE THIRD BOOK NOW!!!!! I'M DYING!!!! (already)
GIVE ME THE 3RD BOOK!!!!!!

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Jan 24, 2013 Elaine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure

I was disappointed with this book, and after the first one was expecting alot considering that book 2 was about Dracula rising thats if you go by the title. I found it to be more of a flash book about most of the main characters and all the jumping back in time started to make my head spin and I found myself losing interast.
When the read up said it was about Dracula rising and taking revenge more or less I expected action and chaos instead flash back book.

I started to find Jamie annoying in this...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Chantal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror-ya

Book 2 was a definite improvement on the first, even though there was still a considerable amount of violence, torture, murdfer, mayhem etc. The plot is increasingly complex, the characters have developed some depth and I did not find myself "checking out" during endless descriptions of violence.

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May 07, 2013 Tristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thoughts about the book is that this is one of the best books in the history of book. After the battle in Lindisfarne and after Alexandru dies they add a new vampire king that was killed in WW2, the Dracula. Its trilling and awesome and very bloody. Jamie and his teams....

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Nov 18, 2012 Shana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow!! This was even cooler than the first. I am already jonesing for the next one, but the non-stop action of the first and the additional storylines of the second really hooked me. It's a fresh reinvention of dracula and vampire fiction. Great read, will definitely recommend to my patrons!

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The Rising (Department Nineteen #2)

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