Double Eclipse

Summer on East End #2

by Melissa de la Cruz

Twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are back for another summer in North Hampton, and this year they’re serious about two things: avoiding trouble and dedicating themselves to rest and relaxation. Molly’s headed to Aunt Ingrid’s, while Mardi has convinced their father, Troy—a.k.a. Thor, the god of thunder—to let her crash with her boyfriend, Trent, who also happens to be Tyr, the god of war. It’s a tangled web they weave, but that’s to be expected where gods and goddesses are concerned.

Their vacation’s just begun when an old secret is revealed, leaving Molly and Mardi to question everything they’ve ever known about their family. Then a hot new guy comes to town and starts brewing even more trouble…and soon enough, the twins are back to their old tricks.

After an ancient prophecy comes to light, Molly and Mardi notice some mysterious changes, changes that will put their sisterhood to the ultimate test. East End’s shaping up to be much more exciting than the girls were bargaining for, but what’s a summer in the Hamptons without a little magic and mischief?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Mythology, Magic, Supernatural

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2016

About the author

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Nancy The book junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75/5

Review coming soon!

[Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before we get started with reviewing Double Eclipse, I want to take a moment to remind you that it is the second book in the series. The first book, Triple Moon, is a great read if you haven't read it yet. This all being said, if this review may contain spoilers for the first book, but I will try to keep them to a minimum (really there probably aren't any at all). Continue at your own risk.

Now to get this party started!

I really love this world that Melissa de la Cruz has created! Double Eclipse is the 5th book written for this particular world and the 2nd with the teenage twins as the focus characters. I have read all of them but the third book in the Witches of East End series (the adult series) and that is mostly just because I am usually absolutely horrible with finishing series up. I don't like the stories to end, so they can't if I never finish!

So in Double Eclipse we have our twins Molly and Mardi, the twin Norse goddesses of Strength and Rage and daughters of the beloved and play boy Thor (or Troy if you want to go by his "mortal" name). And while they learned their lesson in the first book and haven't gotten into much trouble in the past year, they are again spending their summer in East End with the cast of characters that we came to love in the Witches of East End series. Yes, that is right, once again we get to see Freya and Ingrid and a few other familiar faces. Sadly though, they are very much just back ground characters, but we still get to see them again and that is always nice.

In this book the girls discover who their mother is and from there things get all topsy turvy. Molly keeps having a strange dream. There are boys. There are prophecies. There are strange things happening.

Pretty much it is exactly what we have come to expect from Melissa de la Cruz when it comes to this world and all the crazy goings on that happen in East End. And the twins have to figure out how to navigate it all.

So before I get into what I really liked about this book, I really need to get into the one thing that really really bothered me when reading this. And I have no idea how it didn't bother me so much in the first one, as I know it was in that book as well....but there is just so much name dropping of rich super pricey items in this book. It really started to get annoying. I mean great...pricey cars, super expensive clothes, crazy expensive alcohol for underage teens (I know they are goddesses, but this is only their first incarnation! Can we get a responsible parent please?)...it was just sooooo much. And it was all over the place. I really could have done with a lot less of it. I understand that they are rich girls and that they come from A LOT of money, but it doesn't need to be pointed out in such a way and over and over again.

Other than that though, I liked it. As I said earlier I really like this world. So much goes on in East End and the cast of characters is just awesome. I love the whole concept behind East End and the Norse mythology that is built into the story - even if sometimes I find the mythology and stuff a bit hard to follow with how it is written. There is just SO much!

And the characters. While I like both Molly and Mardi, I definitely have a favorite twin. I think it is probably hard not to. While they are similar, they are still very different. And this allows us, the readers, to be able to identify more with one or the other of them. If you are curious, my favorite twin happens to be Mardi (my favorite sister from the Witches of East End was Ingrid if you are curious).

And the story was very interesting. It kept me wondering. I couldn't quite figure it out even though I thought I should be able to. It was like it was right there in my face the whole time. Of course I had some suspicions, but nothing I really wanted to call out. I just couldn't be sure.

A great addition to this world, I cannot wait for the next!

This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/

[Jenn N · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book presented many questions that were never resolved by the end of the book . I enjoyed the previous installments as well as the other Beauchamp novels but this one has a weak plot full of holes.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took a turn from what the first book was about. I still really enjoyed it, but I guess I was expecting something a little different? I dunno.

[Penny Laine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read not so good ending, lots of unanswered questions.

I enjoyed the East End trilogy and was couldn't wait to begin Summer on East End books. Why I gave it only 3 stars is because the ending was so badly written. Not giving a full conclusive ending but leaving a lot of unanswered questions and literally stopping it seems in mid thought.
The story starts at the end of the last book. It introduces new characters mainly the twins mother and new love interest for Molly. It seems their father Troy /Thor will be more than just a background character but he's wasted. He shows at the beginning, a little in the middle, and about two sentences at the end. The twins mother just appears out of nowhere with a very secretive background story thats never truly explained along with why does she have a dark elf or is later to be prince and his reason for trying to kill the twins. Its also never explained what happened to Trent/Tyr. He breaks up with Mardi and is never heard from again. The last chapters of the book make it clear their "mum" is definitely more then human but who is she, why when first meeting the girls does she tell them they'll have to kill their father along with all of the other old gods?
We never find out if she truly loves the twins or using them.
The last paragraph is the girls asking their father if mum is truly dead to which he replies she has a way of turning up when least expected, the end.
Its like the author ran into writer's block or ideas and just stopped.
I've noticed with the other East End books, there's a lot left unanswered. Such as where did Baldor and Lori go and is Freya sleeping with both? Why wasn't Tyr mentioned in the other books and whos the mentioned but never seen Gardner stepmother and when she and Trent were kicked out of Fair Haven, where did she go? Not to Ingrid's. Maybe a nursing home?
Very poorly written.

[Danya Pilat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book until the end. I am not sitting here thinking that the book was about nothing. Then again I am overly picky when it comes to book endings. I don't mind some questions that are not answered but my preference by far would be to have it all wrapped up like a neat little gift with pretty wrapping paper and some bows.
After finishing the end of the book (which included yelling at my husband to get my Mom to bed and yelling at my husband to put our daughter to bed so I could finish it), I immediately jumped on the internet to try and find out if there was ever supposed to be a third book. I am still wondering if there was ever the intention to have a third book. I want to know more about the twin's Mum. That being said I really didn't enjoy Janet at first. Like a parent should though she came through big for her girls at the end of the book.
Okay my rant aside about the ending, the book was good. I flew through this one and it kept me engaged. I enjoyed the diary type design of the book, and the going back and forth between Molly and Mardi. It flowed seamlessly between the two characters.
At first I didn't like that Tristen broke up with Mardi - it just seemed to come completely out of left field. I enjoyed them too. He was good for her, made her softer, made her let loose and feel. Upon further reflection though it makes sense. Mardi is a teenager, he however is not, despite the hot teenage body he is currently in. I never would have questioned the relationship if it were not for de la Cruz bringing up the whole morality of the situation. So while I would have liked a happy ending for that teenage romance, kudos to de la cruz for how she handed it.
So like the great author de la cruz (in my eyes she has become) she left wondering what comes next?

[DiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good sequel to Triple Moon. Introduces some new characters that I enjoyed. I really think I enjoyed this book better than the first one in the series, Summer On East End. The past always has a tendency to resurface adding spice and more questions and insecurity about things they thought they already knew. The twins are back to their shenanigans which make this an enjoyable read.

The sultry sequel to Triple Moon from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz

Twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are back for another summer in North Hampton, and this year they’re serious about two things: avoiding trouble and dedicating themselves to rest and relaxation. Molly’s headed to Aunt Ingrid’s, while Mardi has convinced their father, Troy—a.k.a. Thor, the god of thunder—to let her crash with her boyfriend, Trent, who also happens to be Tyr, the god of war. It’s a tangled web they weave, but that’s to be expected where gods and goddesses are concerned.
Their vacation’s just begun when an old secret is revealed, leaving Molly and Mardi to question everything they’ve ever known about their family. Then a hot new guy comes to town and starts brewing even more trouble . . . and soon enough, the twins are back to their old tricks.
After an ancient prophecy comes to light, Molly and Mardi notice some mysterious changes, changes that will put their sisterhood to the ultimate test. East End’s shaping up to be much more exciting than the girls were bargaining for, but what’s a summer in the Hamptons without a little magic and mischief?

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to get to this sequel. It was just as filled with magic and drama as before. Picking up the summer after Triple Moon. Mardi and Molly hope to relax and enjoy their summer with their aunts in East End. Of course that didn't happen. Family and boy drama has the twins losing control and that could mean trouble.
This was such a fun read. I loved the way that Melissa interweaved norse mythology with witchcraft. It's incredibly unique! The twins were as sassy as ever and just as unapologetic with expensive tastes. Their heartaches didn't end last summer though, sadly. If anything, it was like that was only just the start. A prophecy shakes them up and creates a dangerous rift. I couldn't put this book down.
The sad thing about this book is that it left a lot of open ended questions at the end and left me feeling a little unsatisfied. I do wish there was a final book to try and wrap up everything.

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[Kamarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the first. The girls were brattier than usual, especially towards each other. It was like a repeat of their behaviour in the last half off Triple Moon, only amplified by 10, which made it irritating. There were too many unanswered questions and plot points left up in the air for my tastes, and some storylines lacked build up. The book's synopsis mentioned that a series of troubling events occuring in the wake of a mystery boy coming to town, which was misleading since I believe this was the result of a totally different character who was introduced. There was also new information in regards to Ingrid and the twins father Troy, which was not mentioned in the first book, yet it was stated by the twins as if they (and we the readers) always knew this to be fact. While I like parts of the book, these issues made it hard for me to enjoy it like I do most of Melissa's novels. I am a fan if Melissa de la Cruz, but this book was major let down for me.

[meghann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is more of 3.5 stars for me. I love the Witches of East End world and was enjoying seeing some of my favorite characters return to this spin-off series. I still really don't like Molly. So having half the book in her point of view was not as enjoyable. I really don't understand how quick she was to embrace their mom after a 17 year absence. Especially after she revealed her eagerness for Molly and Mardi to kill off the gods aka their father, aunts, cousins, etc.. Mardi was my girl in the first book, but she got petty in this one. I'm just as pissed at Tyr for what happened, but what Mardi chose to do next was a dick move.

I had thought this was only a two book series, but so much was left unresolved. And that ending got so batshit crazy, I don't even know what to think. If a third book does happen, I will probably read it and hope the series gets back on track. If not, oh well.

[Stephanie Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complete hot mess!! This is a perfect example of why secrets among family are an absolute horrible idea!! And that this entire family needs therapy and communication skills. But it is a good idea if you need a story cleanse and just want to read some trash

Molly was so desperate to have someone for herself that was her person that she just latches onto Janet despite everything out of her mouth being absolutely shifty. What kind of person announces to the world that she has kids and even gives them their names before even meeting their kids!!!! Also, Ingrid and Freya should have helped make the girls see reason but "oh no. They need figure it out themselves". The girls are teenagers, they shouldn't have to handle adult situations on themselves or at least on their own

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished another book from Melissa 'Somewhere In Between which is a longer and way more involved book, this one is pure fantasy in comparison. This is a continuation of Triple Moon and we see Mardi and Molly Overbrook recount things that happened over their summer in the Hamptons in excerpts from their diaries. I'm not as much of a fan of this book, the first was way better in my opinion.
A lot of underage drinking but being witches they can blink an eye and be sober, a huge don't try this at home should be on parts of the book.
Still it's a fun and fast read if you like a lot of fantasy and some Norse gods thrown in for measure.

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book 4 stars but i is more like 3.5 on average.

Mardi and Molly had so much fun last year visiting their aunts that they decided to come back and visit them again this summer. Over the summer they meet their mother for the first time, find love and heartbreak while also fighting for their lives.

I really liked the beginning of the book and how Mardi and Molly find out about their mother and that storyline but others parts of the story fell flat and I hated the ending. I love this world and these characters but I found the last couple of chapters disappointing. There was a lot of build up in the beginning but no follow through in the end.

[Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norse gods stranded in Midgard AKA Earth. Mardi and Molly are the prophesied goddess that will bring down the fall of the Norse Gods
unfortunately that would
include their father who happens to be Thor. There is no God downfall in this book but a nice story of live your life now and don’t waste your time on thoughts of what will come. This is the second book in a series, I had no clue but it read just fine as a stand alone. This is also the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed her writing style and I enjoyed the characters in this book.

[Taylor Schwieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that keeps you following the story and invested in the characters until it drops you off a cliff at the end. Being the second book of The Summer on East End series, Mardi and Molly have life pretty easy since big events don't happen till the end of summer and then are solved with little to no effort. I again felt a bit jipped of the story in the end as it was rushed but excited to see how De La Cruz continues their story and explains the end of the this book.

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Again just disappointed for this series coming to an end like this. With two powerful sister witches fighting against one another again in this book, just felt like a repeat of the previous one and the best that comes out of it is that they are stronger when they work together. I just kept hoping for more and was let down at every turn. Lot more plot points that don’t really get wrapped up or addressed, left me feeling disappointed.

[Gabriella Bassi-Belanger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love this series but this book was slightly disappointing. It felt like for 300 pages nothing actually happened but then the last 20 pages were so intense and confusing. I’ll always love the Witches of East End universe, and overall the book was fun and easy to read, but I wish it had more to it :(

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a utterly superficial and fluffy read. This book gave this to me although it started becoming wearying halfway through. But those who love books like there maybe more receptive to the charms of this, as for me, I skimmed the final chapters like a stone skipping water.

[Lady Winchester · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many unanswered questions at the end. This was definitely supposed to be at least a trilogy. At times these books annoyed me but all in all they're entertaining. I liked Molly more in this one than the first but Mardi is still my favorite. I need that third book! I have questions!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was good to see Mardi and Molly again, along with Ingrid, Freya, and some new characters as well. I got a feeling that the ending was leaving things open for another book, but don't think there is one.

[travis williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casting a spell

Love this book not much I dislike yes I'd recommend to everyone that loves the series of the books with witches

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sad have finished this book but hopefully there will b another one.
I am so invested in this series n if yall r Witches of Eastend fans then yall will enjoy this series.

[Tammy ~Witching Hour Reads~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad that this spin off is finished.

[Abz Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fab book when is book 3 coming out?

[Nicole Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Witches Of Eastwick. You'll like this book!!

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

That ended suddenly and strangely.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it to be a good follow-up to the first book of the series. However, the ending was very choppy and cut-off, not necessarily the best end going into the next installment or the series.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it up till the end. But I guess it's a series.

[Charlotte Hodrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just so bad. I forced my way through it because it was the last Witches of East End book, but honestly I could have lived without it. The story was crazier than the last with even more brand name dropping and a plot that was all over the place. Every time I say I’m done with this author I read one more book and am reminded of why I was done with her in the first place. Now I’m officially done.