So I just finished "Survive" book 2, part of Sally Mason's (Hide & Seek) collection. I have already read her first book to this series "Trapped" and loved it. I can't believe she's working on book 3 already! If you haven't read the first book to this series, I highly recommend you checking that one out first, before reading this one. That way, you will understand who the characters are, what they have been through, and helps you understand the story more. I was thankful to be able to get my hands on part 2, and want to thank the author, Sally for that. She's an amazing author. Ever since I read "Trapped" i was hooked. So, now on to the review.
I think it's unique how all the characters go together, and how some of the characters in book one, carry over to book 2. This book was very interesting. Poor Aeree, the main character, has been through alot. She gets out of prison, and falls in love with the lawyer who helped her with her case. I won't go into details, due to spoilers, but they marry. If you are triggered by rape, sexual assault, cheating, manipulation techniques, bulimia, anorexia, ect. I'm just giving precautions ahead of time for this series. Aeree, has been through rape and sexual assault herself, and that's why she was in prison, due to her dad and her taking revenge on the assailants. Aeree thinks she has it all, a wonderful home, loving husband (Whose gone all the time, because he's a lawyer for big cases) but finds out very soon, that it was all a lie. Her husband Mitch, never loved her, nor was he married to her because he wanted to be. It was all a set up, and she soon finds out that she has been played like a game of chess. She finds out he's been leading a seperate life, is engaged, and the fiance actually has a baby on the way, all while Aeree herself, struggles with bullimia. She struggles with her past, so she throws up her food every time she eats, because her rape destroyed her insides, and made her unable to have children. She feels like all she has left are her looks, so she barely eats, to stay skinny and pretty (which is terrible, and drove me crazy). Throughout the book, Aeree is being followed by a sniper, trying to find some high data stick, that the FBI, and other characters want. Sometimes, I didn't understand what the fuss was all about with the data stick, and wish the entire book wasn't about finding it. This book was different than the first, but still good. I'm willing and ready to read book 3. Aeree has no idea that she is the one actually holding the data stick the whole time, so theirs alot of twists and turns, sudden deaths that make the story suspenseful and interesting. I'm really not crazy about the police and FBI, and honestly wish they wasn't in the entire book. Aeree's story herself would have made it a good book anyways. Theirs alot of characters throughout this book that you think are the culprits, when you find out all along, it had nothing to do with them. Theirs not as much "disturbing" material in this book like their was in the first one "Trapped". Although I liked this book too, I feel like I enjoyed the first book a bit better, just because their wasn't as many characters, and their wasn't a data stick that everyone was after. Some points in the book, I was terrified the sniper might shoot Aeree at any point, but she survives. Everyone else gets sniped around her though. She makes friends with the first books character "Kelsey" and begin a true friendship. They both struggle with past rapes and sexual assaults, so that ultimately brings them together in the end. I think that was really cool. Some parts of this book were confusing, because I feel like alot of the FBI characters kind of intertwined with one another, and I would forget at some points who was who. If a younger person was reading this book (I'm 28) I feel like they might get that impression also. I was glad Mitch was sniped in the beginning, but also wish he would have stayed alive, just so Aeree and Maureen (his double life fiance) could have confronted him. Theirs so many FBI characters, undercover agents, it's ridiculous, and I didn't trust any of them. If you love anything that has to do with classified data, the FBI chasing you, and their real life manipulation tactics, you will probably love this book. As a lover of young adult fiction, I feel like this book is more of an adult book. Maybe that's why I have this book 4 stars instead of 5. I only give 5 stars if the book was perfect, and although I thoroughly appreciated the concept and enjoyed this, the writing is more adult themed than young adult, but that's just my opinion. I have struggled with my weight growing up, but never had the guts to throw my food up, but understood Aeree's pain, and why she did it. Kelsey and her help each other from doing their self destructive behavior (They both have one) and really liked that. Their were times I wanted to scream, because Aeree was manipulated and treated so bad. If I had to choose which book I liked the best, it's the first one, but that's just because it was more easy to understand, and was more young adult themed, and more my type of book. I still love the author, and appreciate and love her writing. I'm glad I've read book two, because now, I can't wait for part 3. Overall, to understand this book better, I highly suggest you read book one first. I give this book 4 stars for being a good read, and entertaining.