I was excited when Rhiannon released this short story in the Pretty When She... universe. Aimee and Cass are introduced near the end of the second boo...moreI was excited when Rhiannon released this short story in the Pretty When She... universe. Aimee and Cass are introduced near the end of the second book, but they made a serious impact. I immediately felt their connection and dedication to one another. I'm so happy that Rhiannon decided to write the story of how these two characters met. It was action-packed, heart-warming and cray-zay! We meet some serious villainous bastards, as is always the case in Rhiannon's books. I was sickened by these horrible creatures and their warped ideas of fun and pleasure. We get glimpses of the unique aspects of Aimee and Cass, the things they are capable of, the hardships they have endured, and their fragile yet strong personas. Their hearts collide and while they don't understand the connection, at first, they use that bond to save each other, in very different yet similar ways. They are a duo that packs a supernatural punch! And I adore the love and passion for their mate that seeps from their pores!
Favorite Quote
"Be careful, Cassandra. Be very, very careful. Sometimes, the knight in shinning armor gets eaten by the dragon."
"Oh, I'm not a knight in shinning armor," Cassandra corrected him. "I'm the ninja sneaking up the back stairs."(less)
I am happy that David James decided to write Magda’s story. She is a very interesting character in Light of the Moon, an...moreCourtesy of Smash Attack Reads
I am happy that David James decided to write Magda’s story. She is a very interesting character in Light of the Moon, and I was not expecting to get any background on her. I’m glad that I did, and it really added to the richness of her character. She is definitely a character that you won’t soon forget, and her personal story is one that will stay with you. This was a tough story. It was emotional and very personal and reminded me of the tough choices many people have to make on a daily basis. Choosing between love and destiny is one topic that really stands out in books, for me. How much will people fight for who they love? How far will they take it? Who will give in to fate and who will walk through fire and hell for love? Of course, this topic ties in heavily to the series, as a whole.
I read this short very quickly while on a cardio machine. It affected me at some parts, and was a bit difficult to get through while breathing heavily. I couldn’t stop, however, and let the emotion take me away. Hey, it helped me forget about the HELL that is cardio, so YAY for that. David James is a fabulous writer. I truly enjoy his prose and descriptive ways of weaving a story together. I think he has this beautiful, rich quality to his writing and I love his lyrical style.(less)
I picked this book up at a book warehouse sale. That cover rocks my face off. I think the book had a lot of potential. It was interesting and creepy a...moreI picked this book up at a book warehouse sale. That cover rocks my face off. I think the book had a lot of potential. It was interesting and creepy and I was definitely surprised by some turn of events, but it wasn't enough for me. For middle schoolers, it might be perfect, however. I loved the characters and really read the story for them.(less)
“Let me tell you something 'bout these rich Uptown folk," said Cokie. "They got everything that money can buy, their bank accounts are fat, but they ain't happy. They ain't ever gone be happy. You know why? They soul broke. And money can't fix that, no sir."
It's not every day you come across a story about a young lady whose mother works in a brothel. And certainly not a brothel set in 1950's New Orleans. Though I have to say, 1950's in the French Quarter is very enticing. The setting was a highlight going in, but it fell on the back burner to the characters, who were larger than life and so very easy to like, or loathe, in some cases. I think something that stuck out for me about this book, was how attached and involved I became with these characters. I wasn't fully aware of how much I cared until certain events take place. I was shocked at the emotion I felt, and it really elevated the story for me.
The main character, Josie, is a clever, determined, gutsy yet cautious young lady with a heart of gold and an intelligent, curious nature. It was easy to like her and feel hope towards her future. Her character development over the course of the novel is very noticeable and well-written. She does her best to not follow the footsteps of her gold-digging, conniving, whore of a mother, even though she is so closely wrapped up in her world.
“What do you do with all this bank, Josie? Be a lot easier if you just lifted your skirt.”
“The only reason I’d lift my skirt is to pull out my pistol and plug you in the head.”
I loved the two guys in this story so very much. Patrick owns the bookstore that Jo works in. It was his father Charlie's originally, but Charlie is unable to run the store at this point in his life. You learn a lot about Patrick's father, and get some face time with him. His story line is very emotional, and while you don't really know Charlie through his own eyes, you learn to love him through the eyes of Patrick and Jo. Patrick and Jo are like brother and sister, but there are some confusing moments that come between them, and it felt awkward and confusing, as it was meant to be. And then there was Jesse. Oh my. I was so enamored with this sweet, positive, dependable, hard-working young man. He called Jo "Motor City" because she was from Detroit, and it is one of the cutest nicknames I've ever come across. The moments spent between Jo and Jesse were so natural, believable, touching. Plus, he was so bluntly charming. :)
“You like me, Josie Moraine. You just don't know it yet.”
The madame, Willy, and the cast of prostitutes were all so very colorful. I enjoyed their page time greatly. Willy was a very interesting person. It appears she stepped into the mother role for Jo, though I would call Willy anything but a mother. But in my eyes, she was looking out for Jo on the sly, making sure she had a job to support herself, and rescued her from trouble when it came lookin'. At the end of the story, I liked Willy a lot. She was one of those characters that surprises you. And then there was Jo's biological mother and the creep she was infatuated with. Both shady ass bitches, if you ask me. I loathe them both, as they cause uber amounts of trouble and heartache for Jo.
This book was more than I expected. There is a lot of heartache and turmoil in this book, coupled with violence and scandal. But as you turn the last page, you smile wide because of a very simple yet powerful emotion, one that overcomes fear and leaves you with a sense of peace: hope.
It's a story about finding yourself, believing in yourself, and fighting for yourself.
I went into this book thinking it was the final book, but that was obviously not the case. We get one more! Of course, this me...moreSMASHTASTIC IMPRESSIONS:
I went into this book thinking it was the final book, but that was obviously not the case. We get one more! Of course, this means I now must wait to KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Ugh. THE ENDING! Oh, the ending will leave you so verrah sad. I was anticipating the event and was extremely touched. I was at lunch in a restaurant, and started getting sobby at the table. Alone. Reading a book. Creepy cat lady? NOT ME! I’m creepy book lady! Oh wait. I’m creepy cat lady too. Boo. Anywho, the ending is a tear-jerker and the events leave you wanting sheer revenge, just like Chase!
WORLD-BUILDING: Holy. Frakin. Hell. Blown away, truly. I think I was most impressed with the settings of the different dimensions that are visited in this installment. The settings defied all logic yet Matt somehow made it all make sense. It was sometimes difficult to follow but I think my mouth was open most of the time by the sheer imagination that went into their creation. AND the action that took place while in these dangerous dimensions was just sheer awesome! Talk about a page-flipper! The creatures were also extremely imaginative and so vivid that I had no issues visualizing them.
CHARACTERS: Oh man, how I love these characters! Grams was a hoot in this installment. That old bat is spicy and doesn’t let the young folk walk all over her. Her banter with the group was so amusing. And we get more Rai time, which is just fine with me. I love this creature! One of my favorite creature sidekicks in a series. She reminds me of some sort of Pokemon with how she morphs into a fiercer form of her self. She is very protective of Chase and saves his ass a few times. Just adore her! ♥ Tiki remains wise and compassionate about the plight of others, even if they are less than savory. I love how fair he is, even though I felt like bitch slapping a few people. Or maybe trout slapping is more appropriate? We get to see Tiki’s demon come out, which was o.O-inducing!
Willy and Chase have some heart-warming talks about their friendship and how they are prepared to fight until the end. Their bond is so beautiful! I loved Willy’s positive traits being pointed out in this book. He’s such a great guy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, we have Vincent. I have never been a fan of Vincent and while he shows some sort of humanity and compassion in this installment, his former actions towards some characters left me really angry and disgusted. Shady bastard is the term that comes to mind. Chase and Vincent are at odds throughout the entire book, but damn if Chase doesn’t man up and help out where he is needed.
Of course, Chase is a standout, as he should be. This guy has changed drastically since Exiled, but he still holds on to some self-doubt and continues to feel guilt over all the events that have and will occur. He has surely matured, however, and uses his new-found confidence to stand up to some serious threats. He is the Protector, after all, and would definitely die saving the innocent. I hope it doesn’t come to that, or Matty boy will have some serious hate mail. And maybe a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep…I kid, of course. *shifty eyes*
Rayna and Chase have come a long way in their relationship. There are constant obstacles in the way of their happiness, but damn if they don’t fight for their right to experience love. They make me feel mushy and I so badly want this to work out for them!
FAVORITE QUOTES
”Wonderful,” I said. “We have Vincent, the day-walking vampire. Blade would be so proud. Can we go now?”
I met David James on Twitter and #RumIsland was soon born. It was right before the release of Light of the Moon, and e...moreCourtesy of Smash Attack Reads
I met David James on Twitter and #RumIsland was soon born. It was right before the release of Light of the Moon, and even though I knew nothing about David or his book, I was excited for him. After seeing the cover and reading the synopsis, I decided to read his debut. I'm glad that I did because he has a beautiful, lyrical quality to his writing. It is vivid and intoxicating, and I sometimes felt like I was being rocked to sleep by the pretty words.
Here are some examples:
Night demised in ice. Morning was born in inferno. Sun beat through my window, waking me in an ocean of warm sweat. At once I smelled hints of burnt air, the fragrance raw, influencing my headache like gasoline on fire.
and
Tiny flecks of what looked like mirrored snowflakes floated through the air like fragmented thoughts from a thousand angels. Each fleck shone a rainbow of whites, not colors, reflecting everything and nothing at all; it was as if they were made of pure light, white as the center of the sun.
Our introduction to Calum, a troubled teen whose father left and never looked back, is somber and morose. Dad left his mother feeling dead inside, and Calum is pretty much parent-less at this point.
The day Dad left was the day mom stopped loving me. I remember the door slamming, screams breaking glass. I remember looking out my window to see him driving away. Mom broken and bleeding on the floor, all tears and pain. I remember reaching down to brush glass from her face, and the look in her eyes said that she would never love me, never see me, again.
Calum is pretty much on autopilot, never feeling like hit fits in but trying hard to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. Kate comes into Calum's life like a hurricane threatening serious destruction. Kate is the opposite of Calum, his antithesis. She's brash and rude and pretty much tells Calum his time is limited. Say what? Who you talkin too, Willis? However, Calum is drawn to Kate, like some lush, evil magnetism that he cannot neutralize.
Both characters were so mysterious and hard to connect with up front. It was easy to feel for Calum's personal struggles, but because he was so closed off to life, it was hard to connect with him. Kate was just a tornado in the beginning, and I was left wondering who the hell she thought she was! Halfway through the story, however, we get more insight and I started to feel more of a connection to them as they struggled with difficult choices. It was when we finally see Kate's personal side that I finally calmed and became invested in her character. I also had a hard time believing their love for one another. I think it happened too fast. Not that this isn't typical of teenagers, but I needed more of a foundation. However, by the end of the story, I was definitely rooting for the two of them as a team. Not only does the lore and history make their seemingly superficial connection make sense, I just plain like them together and I want them to succeed in their hellish mission. I love that there a Love Vs. Destiny theme. It's one of my favorite bookish plot lines.
Other memorable characters: Tyler, Calum's best friend, was truly a good guy, though some of his behavior didn't always fit the typical popular jock. Also, the author wrote some seriously creeptastic characters! The Bloodletter made my skin crawl and his scenes were super sinister. And this particular scene with a certain witch was so vivid and eerie. Did I mention creepy scenes with creepy characters? Good stuff.
We slowly and painfully learn the lore of the Dreamer and Destroyer.
"You see, child, this is the story of an angel who fell in love with the Devil, and the forbidden love that destroyed them both; their child of shadow and light."
I loved the twists with the lore and found it very creative. We get demons, witches and other equally sinister characters. Plus, lots of astrological references and some key players in the constellations are actually characters. WIN!
There was one scene with "The Doors of Judgement" that totally reminded me of the gate scenes in The Neverending Story! You know that scene, right? The scene where the statues shoot lasers out of their eyes? Making me think of that movie in any way wins big points!
There was a crazy scene near the end that made me type WOAH in my Kindle and I still remember how I felt when that piece was revealed. It might not come as a surprise to some, but I loved that it smacked me across the face.
Oh my. I cannot state the love I feel for Roar in words. It just ain't possible, peeps. I loved him something fierce inUnder the Never Sky,but he beca...moreOh my. I cannot state the love I feel for Roar in words. It just ain't possible, peeps. I loved him something fierce in Under the Never Sky, but he became something so much more in this novella. Larger than life, he leaped into my sappy heart and nestled in for the long haul. He is full of life and love and vulnerable at all the right times. He's a great friend, a dedicated partner and an incredible man. I honestly don't think I've swooned so hard over a secondary character in well, ever. I pretty much want an entire series from Roar's POV. Make it happen, Rossi! :Þ
I was so very interested in his personal story with Liv. This snippet into their relationship MOVED me. It was thoughtful and emotional and made me FEEL lots of emotions. Seeing life through Roar's eyes was like being home. It felt right, it felt warm and safe, and most of all, it felt full of love. That Liv, she's a lucky soul and I pray that they have a happy ending!
Ok, so I'll get to Roar in a moment, but just know he was the highlight of this book. Hell, of this series! Now, on to the meat and potatoes of the p...more
Ok, so I'll get to Roar in a moment, but just know he was the highlight of this book. Hell, of this series! Now, on to the meat and potatoes of the plot. This installment was a serious emotional ride, on all levels, with all characters. Aria and Perry are reunited after months apart. She is anything but welcome into the Tides, and it proves difficult for her and Perry's relationship. Perry does his best to see she is treated fairly, but only he can do so much, and he is not in all places at all times. An ugly event occurs that sends Aria and Roar off into the wilderness. Of course, their journey is not aimless. They are headed toward the Rim to seek out the Blood Lord, Sable, and find Liv! If you haven't been paying attention, Liv is Roar's past and he wants her to be his future, too. Unlucky for him, Liv was promised to Sable by her older brother, Vale, in exchange for food and supplies for the Tides, who struggle to survive through the seasons. Quite the predicament, you see? Also, Aria is on a mission to find the location of the Still Blue, the mysterious promised land, free of Aether storms and full of life and prosperity. Ahhh...one can dream....
PERRY! I cannot express the emotions I felt when he was struggling with his new-found responsibilities. He is confident one minute, and then his confidence is torn to shreds the next. He constantly struggles with being the leader his people expect and protecting them at all costs. He makes quick decisions based on emotion, throwing rationality out the window. But...that's Perry! It's ingrained in his nature to protect first and deal with the consequences later. His people want him to be rational and realize he is more important alive, but Perry is all about jumping in head first without thinking the risks through. There is a scene in the book where Perry is brought to his knees by overwhelming emotion, and I was brought to mine, too. Well, I was laying in my bed, but I was on my knees in spirit. (Get your minds out of the gutter!)
Moving on. ARIA! And PERRY! Squee! Sob! Smile! Cry! And many more !!! These two are so off-the-charts special. Fate brought them together, they struggled to understand and even like the other, and their destinies are enmeshed to hell. Throughout their struggles, an intense romance has bloomed and they are now fighting to save the lives of their people and each other. I mean, they have not had a chance to breath since their first meeting, let alone find the time to fall in love. Yet they still manage to FEEL and SHOW their love and affection, even in the smallest of ways. It's like... all beautiful and shit.
“Do you ever miss anything?'
Perry smiled. 'You, all the time.”
Now, collectively..."awwwwwwwwwww!" You know you said it, or thought it. Don't try to lie about it. You feel the same sappy, cheesy feels I do. ;) Now I get to talk about THE MAN OF THE HOUR. Or Book. Or Series, really. Roar, aka Made of Awesome. Aka, My Favorite Secondary Character in YA. As swoon-worthy as this guy is, I don't even have romantic feelings towards him. Yes, we readers have romantic feelings towards our swoony characters. Don't judge. Or else.
Back to THE MAN. Roar. Dear Heavens, this poor guy was put through the ringer in this book, and thus, so was I! Lots of SADS. Lots of cries and whimpers and HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO US, ROSSI! *first of dooms* Roar...it's hard to put into words my thoughts about this character. The ease at which Aria connected with him in book one because of his simple, carefree, love life attitude, the passion and compassion that he possesses that allows him to throw himself into situations, safe or otherwise, with such abandon...the overwhelming feelings I FEEL when I think about what he experienced in this book, and how I would MOVE MOUNTAINS to see this guy happy. He is just one of those people, those rare, rare people, that are almost perfect. Yet, he isn't, and his vulnerability and blind passion are what make him worth loving and fighting for. SO MUCH LOVE.
The world-building expanded, especially near the end, when Cinder become a serious piece of the story! Holy firecracker, Batman! This kid surprised me, not only with his actions, but with his purpose in the overall plot. Into the Still Blue is bound to be a traumatic and treacherous journey for the Tides, and this kid is at the center of it all. Freaking out! Favorite Quote
Love was like the waves in the sea, gentle and good sometimes, rough and terrible at others, but that it was endless and stronger than the sky and earth and everything in between.
I've been wanting to read this series since I met Veronica Rossi last year in Miami. Seeing her again just recently, I...moreCourtesy of Smash Attack Reads
I've been wanting to read this series since I met Veronica Rossi last year in Miami. Seeing her again just recently, I was reminded that this book is soooo up my alley, in terms of genre and world- building. And then Amanda and Cassie decided to do a read-along, and well, it was destiny. I went into it expecting fantastic characters, intense world-building and a simmering, intense romance. I got that and so much more!
The world-building in this book was so great! The world has been burned and mutilated by Aether storms. Aether is some sort of fire/lightning combo that is wild in the sky, uncontrollable and lethal. Humanity built pods to house the populations in, and with that came some interesting and creative uses of technology to keep humans from going stir crazy. SmartEyes whisk people away to virtual reality Realms, and since they are connected to your brain via your...wait for it....eye, they are able to take over your senses and trick your mind into believing that you are truly experiencing whatever you are currently doing. Everything, apparently...
Roar leaned across the table and smiled at her seductively, his dark hair falling into his eyes. "When you say everything happens in the Realms, do you mean everything?'
Aria laughed nervously."Yes. Especially that.There are no risks in the Realms."
Roar's smile widened. "You simply think it and it happens? And it actually feels real?"
"Why are we talking about this?"
"I need a Smarteye," he said.
I think the SmartEyes are hella cool, but as with any crazy futuristic setting where technology is overused, I strongly feel like we can easily lose ourselves to it and eventually, lose our personal connections. Nobody really knows anyone, nobody touches or feels or smells anything real because it does not exist in the pods. So, when Aria finds herself on the outside for the first time ever, her senses are overwhelmed. It makes for an intense and horrifying experience as she struggles to survive in harsh terrain. As with many heroines in these stories, however, Aria gets her shit together eventually and surprises the characters and reader alike. I ended up loving the hell out of this girl by the end of the book.
Peregrine (because I do not like the name Perry) is a beautiful specimen, both inside and out. He encompasses many of the qualities that I look for in a male lead. He has to overcome great odds, he loves with all of his heart and he is a fierce opponent. Growing up on the outside in harsh conditions, Peregrine's life has been anything but easy. He has constantly struggled to feed himself, has an intense connection to his nephew and challenge's his brother's authority at every turn. His honest, protective, vulnerable soul set my heart ablaze. I love this guy! I also absolutely adored his friend, Roar. There I go loving the secondary characters to pieces again! He brightened the pages with his presence. ♥
I loved the world-building, but I think the best part about this book is the connection between Aria and Peregrine. They are enemies, at first, hostile, prejudiced and unwelcoming towards one another. I think most of it stemmed from fear of the unknown, and plain ole ignorance. Aria has been in the dark about reality her entire life, and Peregrine has intense feelings about Dwellers and how they view and treat Outsiders. As with any biases and stereotypes, they can be broken down if the people are open to the idea. I don't think either character was consciously open to it, but curiosity got the best of them, not to mention all the incredible things they learned from one another. The attraction, respect and dignity that grew out of their time together was a beautiful thing to watch unfold, and I am rooting for these two 110%.
Favorite Quote
"Perry. I want to see your back."
Another surprise, but he nodded and turned away. Dropped his head forward and took the moment to try and calm his breath. He jerked when she traced the shape of the wings on his skin, a groan sliding out of him. Perry silently cursed himself. He couldn't have sounded more savage if he'd tried.
"Sorry," she whispered... "He's magnificent. Like you," she added softly.
Interest in Book: It's Rusty Fischer writing zombies! That's always an entertaining combination. I will admit that this...moreCourtesy of Smash Attack Reads
Interest in Book: It's Rusty Fischer writing zombies! That's always an entertaining combination. I will admit that this was not my favorite Rusty book, mainly due to lack of character connections on my part, but it was entertaining and full of his fun phrasing. His books always make me smile! Emotion = Win.
My Thoughts: The world-building was simple yet fun. A strange bunch of kids in detention get turned into zombies. Some can think, others...not so much. They retain their personalities but are entertainingly different. Their entire school is wiped out, when a SWAT-like team shows up on the scene. Next thing you know, this group of misfit brain connoisseurs has a new teacher. Who asks them to read. Yea...what? Things just get more zany from there on out!
Rusty handed out the gore in this book, but it was gore in a fun way. Yes, there is such a thing. Why? Because I said so.
And then suddenly it's bedlam: blood is spurting out of jugular veins left and right and splattering the walls like in one of those forensic mysteries shows Dad watches late at night on Gavel TV and suddenly everybody is biting everybody else. It's kind of like a big pillow fight - with teeth.
See? Fun gore. Win.
The characters are where I had issues with the book. I could not connect to them and was not really invested in their outcome. They did have some redeemable qualities, however, and I enjoyed their banter back and forth with one another, too. There's always drama when teenage zombies congregate. The Teenage Zombie Drama Queen crown goes to...
I highlighted half the book. Seriously. You should see my Kindle. There are endless amounts of quotes that I highlighted because the Rusty's phrasing is just so fun and entertaining. THAT is why I love his stories. He is witty and funny and full of one-liners. I've yet to be disappointed with his creativity and zany imagination.
Favorite Quotes:
In a voice as detached as his purposeful footsteps, Proctor says, "Zombies don't cry," simply, with no further explanation.
I loved this plug at his book, Zombies Don't Cry, which you should definitely read!
The the one who's been chuckling looks at me and says, "It's a shame, this one. She doesn't seem angry like the rest we bring in here." And oh, do I want to correct him and say, like the rest we brought in here, moron, brought in here...
I totally thought of Amanda and Isa, who I hope never become zombies, but if they do, I know they will be slinging grammar tips like the pros they are!
(Okay, okay, so maybe it's four-hundred-percent wishful thinking, but, hey, a girl can dream, can't she? Even if she's waterlogged and underwater and sitting on a slimy rock that's putting barnacle-shaped dimples in her rump?)
Shoot, she could definitely do worse. The movies I watched growing up, every zombie I ever saw looked like utter crap. But these two, they could definitely pose for the Aber-zoombie and Fitch catalog, if you know what I'm saying.
My Thoughts: King of Marbury takes places in between The Marbury Lens and Passenger. It is told from the perspective of...moreCourtesy of Smash Attack Reads
My Thoughts: King of Marbury takes places in between The Marbury Lens and Passenger. It is told from the perspective of Conner, Jack’s best friend. It was interesting to be in Conner’s head, though he did not remind me of the Conner in The Marbury Lens. Of course, we saw Conner through Jack’s eyes. I think Conner is more subdued than we originally thought and probably showing off most of the time, as guys often do. In this novella, Conner is seeking out answers to that damn lens that transported them to Marbury, and doing it behind Jack’s back. I think Conner’s intent is to save Jack from more mayhem, but he may have brought on more torturous knowledge for himself.
This story was…interesting. I wanted more, which shows that it definitely entertained me. As with the end of The Marbury Lens, I’m still left wondering if this is all a big, fat, insane ride on the Cuckoo Express or if there is some reality to their experiences. It appears to be leaning one way, but I’m hoping Passenger clears some things up. Or maybe I’m not. I think I love this series so much because it is psychologically off-the-rocker crazy awesome, and maybe I want to be left to figure things out for myself. It’s book like these that I think about for years.
For those interested in read King of Marbury, you can read it for free on Tor.com or buy it for $.99 on ebook.
QUOTES
"I turned my eyes down and stared at my feet. It felt like I was balancing on a surfboard."
I have just loved the hell out of this series. I honestly thought it was over with Alexander Death, but then Jeff surprised us with a fourth book that really impressed me! It was great to be back in the presence of these incredible characters, and to see them all in a very new light.
WORLD-BUILDING
Holy awesome to the sauce and back in the pot to swim around in the awesome, Batman! It’s no secret that J.L. Bryan has really blown me away with his world-building skills. Mad skillz, yo. He takes the ending of The Paranormal’s journey to an entirely new level in Jenny Plague-Bringer. The remaining paranormals have disseminated across the world after the chaos in the last book. Two new paranormals are introduced, and with their presence, we are transported back to World War 2 Germany, and granted front row seats to the previous lives of the group. I cannot express the utter awesomeness of these flashbacks! Not only was the time period and setting beautifuly written, but the eerie similarity to present day activities was thrilling and interesting. I was completely enthralled.
CHARACTERS
The gang is back, in some time period or another. I don’t have much to add to characterization from previous books, other than it was incredible to be back in their lives. Some make extreme sacrifices, others surprised me with their actions. Still others are back to their douchebaggery ways. All the characters are, as always, larger than life. The good guys struggled intensely as their free will was ripped from their grasp. The bad guys were forced to face scenarios from which they assumed they were safe. It was a great to see such a great mixture of crazy happening to everyone! I think the character who was most different to me was Jenny. She is far from that timid, nervous little girl we met in Jenny Pox. She has morphed into this strong, self-sacrificing young woman who is fiercely protective of innocent people and those she loves.
LASTING IMPRESSIONS
This is definitely, without a doubt, my favorite installment in The Paranormals series. I loved the flashbacks and felt the world was expanded as we witnessed a different time period and new (old?) obstacles for the gang to hurdle. It was chaotic and fantastic. The bad guys were AWESOME, as always. I truly love Jeff’s villains. I also love his good guys, too. And his world-building. And…all of it. A favorite series all the way through!
FAVORITE QUOTE
”Do we need anything else?”
“Wine. You keep forgetting to buy it. And bourbon for the eggnog, if you want to get lucky tonight.” He winked at her. “It could lower my inhibitions.”
Another book club choice. At first, I wasn't completed interested in the plot. The 2nd half of the book was much more interesting and the last 150 pag...moreAnother book club choice. At first, I wasn't completed interested in the plot. The 2nd half of the book was much more interesting and the last 150 pages were the best part. The raven boys were an interesting bunch. The social worker in me wanted to swoop into the pages and save the raven boys for various reasons. And I loved Blue and her quirky family. The ending of the book left me perplexed, however.
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