Stray (Spark, #2) in The Spark Army

Aug 27, 2015 Elly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction, kick-arse-women, psychokinetica

A little disappointed in myself for not giving Spark four stars so that I could top that with five for Stray because let me tell you; Stray tops that. Review below also appears at http://elspethlamorte.wordpress.com.

---

Sequels are tricky. They are tricky because you're not just trying to impress a new audience, you're trying to keep the one you already have. Intentions have changed because the reader knows the characters, they know the setting, and consequently there is more room for plot.

Person A little disappointed in myself for not giving Spark four stars so that I could top that with five for Stray because let me tell you; Stray tops that. Review below also appears at http://elspethlamorte.wordpress.com.

---

Sequels are tricky. They are tricky because you're not just trying to impress a new audience, you're trying to keep the one you already have. Intentions have changed because the reader knows the characters, they know the setting, and consequently there is more room for plot.

Personally, I love sequels, or at the very least I love the idea of them. There are a lot of series where the second book just didn't grab me in any way (for example the Scorch Trials caused me to lose interest in the entire series and the Chamber of Secrets is still by far my least favourite Harry Potter book) but then you look at series that just get better and better with each book (Throne of Glass series anyone?)...

This is one of those series. My immediate thought upon finishing Stray was actually to wonder if it would be terrible to go back and change my review of Spark to four stars just so that I could highlight how much better Stray is (Rachael has forbidden me to do this and we all know authors are delicate and prone to hysterics* so I'd better not distress her). My follow up thoughts were all on the theme of emotional devastation because RACHAEL CRAW IS A SADIST.

Spark introduced us to the newly superpowered Evie who just wants to behave like a teenager and not be responsible for things all the time, it introduced us to Kitty aka the cutest person on the planet and it introduced us to Jamie 'Hot Stuff' Gallagher who is nice to look at but occasionally says or does stupid things because he is A Boy™. In Stray we get to know them all so much better and I was particularly thrilled by the amount of time spent with Kitty! Besties are important you guys, and as previously mentioned... Kitty is the cutest.

This is an intense book, and I mean that in the sense that the action just keeps coming. Emotionally devastating action at that and honestly if you escape this book without even being just a little bit devastated emotionally I don't think we can be friends. (It's probable that a friend of mine has asked if it's possible to sue an author for such emotional devastation.)

Unfortunately... because this is a sequel and I really don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read Spark or hasn't made it to Stray yet I can't get too much into detail without my sentences looking like mail from 1941 as I agonise over the part where [redacted] was in the room with [redacted] and as a consequence [redacted] [redacted] and I wanted to scream. So I will say this; Stray might just be a perfect sequel. It finds new ways for us to love the series and the characters and as a story it's just so much stronger than its predecessor.

If you're new to the series now is the perfect time to pick it up, you can yell at me later.

*What do you mean that's just me? ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2015 Samantha rated it it was amazing

So apparently I forgot how this book ended because this is my second read and I'm a mess? Like, the tears everywhere, sore eyes kind of mess. Uh Rachael, how dare you? Also, I'm hopelessly attached to this series. I am so scared and excited to read Shield!! I love Stray, mostly for its complex relationships...you learn so much about every character. Oh man. The book hangover right now is in full swing! ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 11, 2015 Veronica rated it it was amazing

I can't even!
I absolutely love this series. Rachael Craw is a fantastic, original and creative writer; and it shows in her writing. In both Stray and Spark, I've felt a real connection to the characters -not the genetically modified parts of course!
You get such a vivid image of the characters' personalities and inner thoughts, you feel like you really know them because there is so much character and relationship development. It's subtle but you can see the changes in the characters over time. Ev I can't even!
I absolutely love this series. Rachael Craw is a fantastic, original and creative writer; and it shows in her writing. In both Stray and Spark, I've felt a real connection to the characters -not the genetically modified parts of course!
You get such a vivid image of the characters' personalities and inner thoughts, you feel like you really know them because there is so much character and relationship development. It's subtle but you can see the changes in the characters over time. Evie started as a girl in Spark who felt like a freak. She has grown into herself much more, and her strength and determination really shines through in Stray.
Apart from being in love with the characters, I love the whole idea of the Affinity Project. Reading about the organisation and all the terms and rules that we have to learn along with Evie, its a mystery how all of it was created. The whole project is so detailed and explained well in the books, I can only wonder how long it took to think it all up, and the immense amount of talent it takes to create a whole world never seen before, and prevent plot holes.

(view spoiler)

I find it so amazing how the words written by an author can provoke such strong emotions in a reader. I feel such a hatred towards the Executives of Affinity, and a great sense of injustice about the treatment of the 'Assets'.
I really disliked Davis, but with one paragraph Rachael had me loving him and wishing for more of his story.
When it comes to Spark and Stray, in the space of an hour I can feel awed, happy, overloaded with the cuteness of Jamie and Evie, defensive, angry, hateful,vengeful and destroyed.
Like I said, it takes great talent for an author to create characters that make an impact on your life. And the talent shows in the original world of the series, the amazing characters who somehow manage to be relatable but at the same time seem completely superhuman; and in the intense emotions in readers.
The writing is so believable and you get so caught up in the story that without realising it you're laughing out loud or smiling like a weirdo, or sobbing your eyes out in need of a tissue!

I would seriously recommend this book to any teen who loves well written books and something a little out of the ordinary. But I would also caution at some of the dark themes and scenes in the book; if you can't handle that or intense sadness, then make sure you have some tissues in hand and some sunshine BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO READ IT ANYWAY!! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 18, 2016 Jananee (headinherbooks) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-reads

For more reviews, check out my blog --> www.headinherbooks.wordpress.com

The Rating: 5/5 Stars

This book was PHENOMENAL, FANTASTIC, SUPERB and every other synonym you can think of. I am not even exaggerating - I mourned every time (damn you, real life) I had to put this book down because I just wanted to be back right there with the characters and in the world that Rachael Craw so wonderfully crafted.

This book continues on from where Spark ended, showing how Evie deals with some of the huge rev For more reviews, check out my blog --> www.headinherbooks.wordpress.com

The Rating: 5/5 Stars

This book was PHENOMENAL, FANTASTIC, SUPERB and every other synonym you can think of. I am not even exaggerating - I mourned every time (damn you, real life) I had to put this book down because I just wanted to be back right there with the characters and in the world that Rachael Craw so wonderfully crafted.

This book continues on from where Spark ended, showing how Evie deals with some of the huge revelations that were made at the end of the first book. I know the term 'strong female character' is thrown around left, right and centre to describe YA protagonists but it describes Evie really well - she has had so many obstacles thrown at her in such a small space of time and still manages to stay sane throughout it all whilst also maintaining her tenacity of character. Aidan was also a character that I absolutely adored and we get to know a lot more about his character in this book, especially as he struggles with the guilt of his actions in the first book. The dynamic between Evie, Miriam and Aiden was also fascinating and refreshing in a YA world prone to disregarding familial relationships.

Where the first book had problems with info dumping, Stray jumps straight into the narrative, with a fast-paced plot that makes the book difficult to put down. We are also properly introduced to Affinty in this book which adds extra layers to the plot. It was super interesting to see how Shields, Sparks and Strays are actually treated by the institution and the nefarious (totally evil word for a totally evil organisation) people who control it.

Heightening the plot was the relationship between Evie and Jaime which was nothing short of sizzling. All it takes is a dash of forbidden romance and certain chance of death to elevate a relationship to totally angst-filled levels and it was EVERYTHING.

All in all, this was a fantastic addition to the trilogy and my favourite of the lot. The fast-paced plot, dimensional characters and fascinating world of Affinity all combine to create a truly unforgettable book. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2015 Audrey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: finished

It's so amazing and it's perfection!!! It made me so speechless, the sweetness the bitterness the suspense and oh my god! Hands down the best book I've read so far this year (and most likely my book of the year) absolutely worth saying up for!! My love for this series just grew <3 <3 ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2015 Sass rated it it was amazing

So I loved Spark. Stray is so much better than Spark. And worse, in a distinctly "is it possible to sue authors for emotional distress at the hands of a paperback?" kind of way. I need Shield NOW, the wait is going to kill me. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 04, 2015 Guy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Reread in preparation for Shield!

---

One word: Amazing.

So, I'm just being all content over here feeling like the book was gonna have a happy ending despite me knowing better, but then Rachael's over here like:

description

And then I'm sitting over here like:

description

How to tear someones heart out with Rachael Craw people.

Knox:

description

Rereading this series was like reading it the first time. If this isn't saying how amazing Rachael Craw's writing and story telling skills are then I have no idea what is. TIME TO DO AN ALL NIGH ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 22, 2016 Anika rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2015 Kristy (Book Nerd Reviews) rated it really liked it

Intense, desperate, exhilarating, intriguing, dark, action-packed and complex, Stray will rattle your nerves and will certainly cause sparks!

After the events of Spark, Evie’s life has been turned upside down. She found out she was a Shield, genetically modified to be the ultimate protector of Sparks – the innocent people who have a murderous Stray after them. But as well as this life-changing discovery, she found out that the mother she loved and lost was hiding a very big secret, and her truste Intense, desperate, exhilarating, intriguing, dark, action-packed and complex, Stray will rattle your nerves and will certainly cause sparks!

After the events of Spark, Evie’s life has been turned upside down. She found out she was a Shield, genetically modified to be the ultimate protector of Sparks – the innocent people who have a murderous Stray after them. But as well as this life-changing discovery, she found out that the mother she loved and lost was hiding a very big secret, and her trusted Aunty is more than she ever imagined, and that she has a twin brother, a Stray – the same boy who tried to kill her best friend.

But she saved both her friend and brother, and she is with the boy she loves, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, the Affinity Project. The people who once find out about her will try to control her, kill her recently-found and newly-cured brother, and of course, tear her away from her true love Jamie. The Affinity Project is exactly what could go wrong.

Stray takes us on a journey of desperation. As much as Evie fears that the Affinity Project will take control of her life, she is more fearful they will find out about her twin-brother Aidan. Although Evie truly believes that Aidan has been deactivated and no longer a threat, she has to prove it before the Affinity Project discover his existence and kill him for being something he never asked to be. But also at risk is Evie’s relationship with Jamie. Not only is this relationship forbidden by the Affinity Project, but there is the added stress of her wanting to save the one person who Jamie is not only trained to want to see dead, but also the one who committed an unforgiveable act against him. Will Jamie be able to come to terms with the fact that Evie wants to save the very person who tried to kill his sister?

Evie is determined to protect her brother from the Affinity Project and to prove that he has been deactivated. But to save her brother she must make some very hard decisions; she must betray those she loves the most, she must endanger those she cherishes and she must risk more than her own life. I truly admire Evie’s drive and determination. Sure, there were moments when I thought “really????” about some silly decision that she made on the spur of the moment, or secrets she withheld, but all of those can certainly be overlooked. Evie is still a character I love, she is loyal, sassy and kick ass. She is a great super-hero. She is strong, loyal and willing to risk everything to do what she believes is right.

Stray is the ultimate sequel to Spark. We get so much more about this world. Firstly, we get to learn a lot more about the Affinity Project, and some of the amazingly disturbing things they do to not only protect themselves but to control their subjects. And WOW! Some things we learn about this organisation, and the people within it, are mind-blowing! Scary, wonderful, deceitful, hopeful and disturbing.

When it comes to the characters, Stray jumps from strength to strength. I love all the secondary characters within this story, and every character has a purpose and their own complexities. We get to meet some wonderful (and disturbing) new characters, as well as expanding on some of our favourites from Spark. There are three things I will say about certain characters: Jamie is so distractingly divine that even some things he says can be forgiven. The Proxy – OMG! (I can’t say much more due to spoilers). And Ethan. Ethan is the one that makes me realise that I am way too old to swoon over Jamie – so I am now on a mission to get an Ethan shirtless scene so I can book-perv in an age-appropriate way.

I am ridiculously impressed with this sequel. I loved the complexities within this story: the DNA, the Affinity Project, the relationships… It just keeps getting better and better. The story is fast-paced with loads of action, snarky banter in all the right places, and just the right amount of swoon. The desperation is palpable, emotions are running strong and your heart may just be broken a little – all this and more in this roller-coaster of a story! There are twists and turns that you won’t see coming, some will make you want to laugh, others will make you cry, maybe even both.

Now the ending. Well, I am not going to say too much about it (*eyes Rachael Craw sideways*) but there is certainly enough to keep you itching for Shield! There are just enough unanswered questions to keep you captivated without totally frustrating you :). You will however want the next book now!

This is a must read series!!! Run. Get it. Devour it. Then come join the #SPARKARMY!

...more

1 like · Like · see review