Part 2: Chapters 8-18

[MaryEllen]

Setting up the Parts so we can talk about them. :D

[Edshara]

I’m ready when you are, for this part.

[MaryEllen]

Happy New Year Edshara!! I can't believe it's already January. Since we've both already read the book, I'm going to just keep this thread open and we can talk about the book here.

First off...I think this was my least favorite out of the 3. It began strong, but I (for me) it was to drawn out. Plus I really missed Nick and liked him a lot more than the chocolate ogre.

Let see - I liked the new character (oh what's the panther boys name...), well, you know who I mean. I liked him but wasn't too crazy about his and Jill's relationship. I also liked the scar wraith idea, although I was sad when Milos gave up his spirit for Mary. That was really sad even though I wasn't the biggest Milos fan.

I liked the ending. It was sad but believable. I'm glad Allie went back to her family.

Okay - those are all the stuff I can remember off the top of my head. (I'm writing this at work so I don't have the book with me.).

What did you think of this one?

[Edshara]

Hello MaryEllen!! Happy New Year, how are you?

I agree this book started out so great and then it fizzled around the middle. I didn’t like how separate all the characters were. Then just when they would get back together, they would split up again.

I liked Jix too and I will say I did like his relationship with Jill, however I feel she got off a little too easy. It was her idea that inspired Mary’s idea.

My only problem with Jix’s story line was his King. We didn’t really learn much about that character and his powers or exactly who he was before his death(unless I missed something) and after all the build up, he was gone just as quickly.

I was glad Allie went back to her family and Mikey went into the light(is that right, lol, my memory is failing me right now) and I’m glad Nick seemed to find his purpose.

I thought the idea that they came up with for Allie to pull the plug an Milos and the football kid was clever, even though their plan was discovered.

The skin wraith was an interesting addition to the story. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Milos extinguishing himself for Mary but I wasn’t mad about it either. I think I was more disappointed when the other friend got accidentally extinguished at the school playground.

My biggest issue was with Mary and how things ended for her. Yeah she chose to lock herself in that fridge and sink, however after all she did, it seemed so simple. I think I would have liked it better had the others chosen that punishment for her and she resisted. It almost seemed like they were ready to let her off the hook. I wish they could’ve jammed her into the pig.

I feel like I’m missing some things, but that’s what I have for now. Overall the series was good, but I think book two was the best.

[MaryEllen]

I think you hit it on the head about the characters being to separate from one another. I think it would have been more interesting if they had more shared storylines.

Yes! I forgot about Mary's demise. I didn't like that either. I wish she would have seen how evil her ways were and then gone into the light. I don't think she could get crammed in a pig because she wasn't a skinjacker like Jill - unless they found another afterlight with the ability to push things back into the living world. I think that would have been fitting for her. And that could make a fun novella for the series - Mary living in our world again.

Overall though, I really enjoyed the series and liked Neal Schusterman's writing style. Right now I'm reading Scythe and I'm liking it as well. Have you read any other books by him?

[Edshara]

At the end of my previous comment, I meant to say Book Two was my favorite of the series. I haven’t read any other books written by Neal Shusterman yet. I almost bought Scythe during one of Book Outlet’s last sales but Didn’t for some reason, that I can’t remember right now. You’ll have to tell me if it’s worth reading or not because it is one that I’m interested in.