Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Genre:Romance

Paperback: 426 Pages

Published: November 15, 2012

Series: The Edge of Never

            1. The Edge of Never

            2. The Edge of Always

            3. TBA

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Due to sexual content and language, this book is recommended for 17+ – Adult Contemporary Women’s – New Adult Fiction

My Review:

  

This book is a beautiful story about love, friendship, living in the moment, being honest, true, living life to the fullest, not being afraid to follow your dreams and never losing hope even if the world is conspiring against you. I CANNOT STRESS HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK! I absolutely adored it. I loved the concept, the characters and the story it self. It's not often that I can read a book and want to read it all over again. I am definitely not the kind of person to re-read books, but this one not only captured my attention, but it captured my heart.

Before I start with the review here are a few of my favorite quotes from this book:

“What compels any of us to do the things we do when deep down a part of us just wants to break free from it all?” 

“I think when you fall in love, like true love, its love for life. All the rest is just experiences and delusions.”

“…dwelling and planning is bullshit,” he says. “You dwell on the past, you can’t move forward. Spend too much time planning for the future and you just push yourself backwards, or you say stagnant in the same place all your life.” His eyes lock on mine. “Live in the moment.” 

"Depression is pain in its purest form and I would do anything to be able to feel an emotion again. Any emotion at all. Pain hurts ,but pain that's so powerful that you can't feel anything anymore, that's when you start to feel like you're going crazy." 

"THE HEART ALWAYS WINS out over the mind. The heart, although reckless and suicidal and a masochist all on its own, always gets its way." 

Camryn is a 20 year old girl living in North Carolina. Her life was full of joy, happiness, fun, and going out all the time. She used to run naked into the freezing lake every winter, but soon she started to lose everything. She lost her boyfriend, Ian to a car accident, her brother got arrested for killing a man during a drunk driving accident, and her parents divorced because her father was cheating on her mother. All these things caused her pain and sadness. One day she decided to get on a bus and just leave everything behind. That's when she meets Andrew and her life changes in the most beautiful way possible. But you will have to read to find out what happens! 

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Genre: Sci- Fi

Hardcover: 407 Pages

Published: June 12, 2012

Series: For Darkness Shows the Stars

        1. For Darkness Shows the Stars

        2. Across a Star-Swept Sea

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

My Review:

Elliot North knows how to get things done. As a member of the elite Luddite nobility, she knows what is expected of her and what is not. It is this sense of duty and loyalty to her family and name that kept her from running away with the love of her life Kia, four years ago. Their friendship was forbidden from the beginning since they were of two different elite groups.

Now, four long years later, at age eighteen, Elliot is the only thing keeping her family and land afloat. As her father and sister grow away from reality, the world as they know it is changing. Elliot convinces her family to leave the land to a suspicious new group of shipwrights known as Cloud Fleet. This will hopefully give her family more income and a new life far from her land.

However, as she gets to meet the captain of this Cloud Fleet she discovers he is none other than her childhood friend and lover Kia---no longer the playful, funny, kind Kia, but smart, distant Captain Malakai Wentforth. Elliot knows how to be a hard worker, but she may not be up to the task of containing her guilt and longing that overtakes her with his unexpected return.

Overall, I really liked this book. It was a quick and easy read. I loved the characters and how they were portrayed as realistic. Malakai and Elliot were hilarious and their love was sweet and innocent laced with fire and passion.

Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Slack

Genre: Ghosts

Paperback: 208 Pages

Published: February 12, 2013

Series: None

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns. When she and her sister, Maysha stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the keeper of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

My Review:

When I started reading this book I wasn't really sure if it was for me. At the first page I was mildly bored and uninterested. By the second and third page I found myself leaning closer to the pages. Then by the first chapter I KNEW I wasn't putting this book down until I finished it. And that is exactly what happened.

Mandi's characters are so believable and alive that I was wishing I was their accompanying them on their adventures. The characters are thrust into constant danger and suspense as they figure out the mystery behind an old journal. Kadie has a knack for adventure and after finding an old journal along with a antique necklace her curiosity gets the best of her. She takes off to find the owner of the journal and hopes to get some answers about the story that she discovered.

Through out the book I was on my toes trying to figure out the mystery along side Kadie and her sister. I loved Maysha's character. She is super hilarious and ready to put her sister in her place. I also really liked their relationship and how much they loved each other. Mandi's creation of the characters was very likable and the mystery kept me interested till the end.

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Genre: Romance

Hardcover: 342 Pages

Published: October 1, 2013

Series: Wild Cards

            1. Wild Cards

            2. TBA

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else's family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

My Review:

            Derek Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Parker are two very different people. Like oil and water they just don't mix. Derek went to private school until he got expelled for pulling one too many pranks. His father is in the military and his mother is too young to give a shit. Derek does what he wants, when he wants and where he wants. Ashtyn is one of the only female football players out there. She lives with her father and is dating the current quarterback. Now that she has become the captain of the football team, her life is changing drastically.  

            Surprisingly, when Derek and Ashtyn meet there is noticiable chemistry, but Derek happens to be Ashtyn's older sisters (Brandi) step son. WHATTTT!!!! I found it so hilarious how these two pestered, annoyed, and irritated each other and were living under the same roof. They both have feelings towards each other, but have their reasons for keeping them hidden. However, as things start to heat up at school and Derek starts to take an interest in Ashtyn things start to get interesting.

            Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I like how Ashtyn was the only female football player on the team and that she had enough guts to be one of the guys. She took their shit and fought right back. That is why she is the captain of the football team and has earned respect from her teammates. The overall romance between Derek and Ashtyn was slow and cute. I liked how they got to know each other and then fell for each others personalities. So a definite thumbs up to this book!!

Dare You Too #2 by Katie McGarry

Genre: Romance

Series: Pushing The limits

            1. Pushing the Limits

            2. Dare You Too

            3. Crash into You

            4. Take Me On

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

My Review:

            To be honest, I read Dare You Too before I read the first book in this series. I picked this book randomly at the library and hadn't realized it was part of a series. Albeit, the stories are about different characters who happen to know each other so that's why I didn't feel odd that I read this series out of order. After reading this emotional well constructed book I was extremely satisfied when it came to its end. Because I realized there are two more books after this one! Yay!

            Anyways, plot wise the book was well planned out, the writing style was simple yet intriguing and the characters were well written. I could feel the chemistry, romance, and intensity of the characters as I was flipping pages trying to finish this book as fast as I could. I came to love the characters because each had a different personality that intrigued me. The main character was smart, cunning and beautifully written. Her character didn't make me yell or scream at the book which is a definite plus. And Ryan's character was sweet which made me love him even more when the book finally ended. Overall, an awesome book and the next book in this series is just as awesome! I'm pleased to say I enjoyed reading this series so far and can't wait to finish it.

Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Genre: Dystopian

Hardcover: 323 Pages

Published: November 15, 2011

Series: The Pledge

            1. The Pledge

            2. The Essence

            3. The Offering

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

My Review:

            This was a great beginning to a promising series. I truly enjoyed this interesting dystopian novel which revolves around a 17 year old Charlaina or Charlie. She lives in a kingdom of Ludania ruled by cruel and ancient Queen Sabara. This queens subjects are divided by class, language and strict rules that are to be followed at any cost. Any disobedience is followed by death and punishment. Ludania is currently in turmoil because of a war that has been going on for years to change the oppressive conditions.      Charlie is among the commoners who is trying to get through her life without getting caught in the war. Unfortunately, Charlie is a big pawn in this war. She can speak and understand all the languages spoken in Ludania and that makes her a threat. However, no one knows yet, and Charlie plans to keep it that way. If the queen or her loyal subjects find out then it's the end for Charlie.  

          

        However, when Charlie starts to attract the attention of a young man named Max, things start to get interesting. As Charlie and Max get to know each other, Charlie is closer to revealing her secrets to Max who happens to have dangerous secrets of his own. But can Charlie trust Max or will he betray her and serve her to the queen. As the tension rises and the war threatens Charlie's life, Charlie must decided who she can trust and what necessary steps she should take in order to stay alive.

            This was definitely a great start to this series. There was lots of tension and trying to figure out who to trust was very frustrating. The author wrote a unique piece of story that captures the readers attention and gets them hooked. However, this book was pretty detailed and long. I think the author could have taken some things out because certain chapters got pretty boring to read. 

Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston

Genre: Romance

Paperback: 278 Pages

Published: April 23, 2011

Series: None

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A very bumpy ride.

Emily Curtis is used to dealing with her problems while under the hood of an old Chevy, but when her mom dies, Emily's world seems shaken beyond repair. Driven from home by hospital bills they can't pay, Emily and her dad move in with his wealthy sister, who intends to make her niece more feminine---in other words, just like Whitney, Emily's perfect cousin. But when Emily hears the engine of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, and sees the cute gearhead, Zander, next door, things seem to be looking up.

But even working alongside Zander can't completely fix the hole in Emily's life. Ever since her mom died, Emily hasn't been able to pray, and no one---not even Zander---seems to understand. But sometimes the help you need can come from the person you least expect.

My Review:

WARNING!! THIS BOOK CONSISTS OF RELIGIOUS ASPECTS! So if that's not  you thaaang... then keep moving forward! lol :)

This book leads the reader on a very spiritual, emotional and meaningful journey through a girl who has lost everything. It's about this girl finding her way back to God, through situations that make her question her faith. When I picked this book up I wasn't expecting to relate to the main character as much as I did. I am too very religious in the aspect that god has planned everything for you, you just have to be patient and let it happen. This book illustrates the story of a high school girl who is coping with the loss of her mother and the idea of finding her way back to God is difficult.

After losing everything, Emily and her father have to move in with her aunt. Trying to get along with her perfect Christian cousin, Whitney is a challenge that Emily doesn't want to deal with. All she wants is to keep to her self, work on her car, and pray that her situation changes. All while everyone is trying to mold her into her perfect cousin, pestering her to go shopping and hanging out with Whitney's friends. Besides all this craziness, Emily's neighbor, Zandor seems to have caught her eye. They have had few encounters, but all of them have been interesting and you can tell there is something romantic brewing between them. 

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Genre: Romance

Hardcover: 383 Pages

Published: June 16, 2009

Series: None

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

My Review:

            Auden has just finished her senior year and is looking forward to spending her summer like she always does: staying home, studying, and occasionally attending parties hosted by her mother for her grad students. Instead of spending her summer like she always does, Auden decides to spend time with her father and his new family near an attractive beach. Auden's summer starts off with her meeting her new half sister, Thisbe, as well as her group of friends. But the most fascinating thing about the town is the mysterious guy Eli: a secretive young man who is an insomniac like Auden. As they get to know each other they spend their nights exploring the childhood Auden was never able to have. They open up to each other and discover they both have secrets that they don't want anyone to know.

            Dessen has a unique style of writing. I have read many books by Dessen and I have to say each time I read her books I fall in love with them. My favorite one was The Truth About Forever, and now this book is in my top favorites by Dessen. Her writing captivates  the reader and hooks you until the end of the book. One thing I really like about Dessen's writing is that it revolves around family, friends, and life choices. I love books that show reality and get the reader to connect with the characters. Overall, an awesome book and I truly enjoyed reading.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Paranormal Mix

Hardcover: 485 Pages

Published: March 27, 2007

Series: The Mortal Instruments

            1. City of Bones

            2. City of Ashes

            3. City of Glass

            4. City of Fallen angels

            5. City of Lost Souls

            6. City of Heavenly Fire

Rating:★★★★

 Goodreads Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My Review:

            I have heard many good and bad things about this book/series. Either you liked it or you didn't. After reading this book I have to say I was definitely interested in this story. This idea of Nephilim, Shadow-hunters and demons was exciting and new. Plus the addition of werewolves, vampires, and warlocks made this an even more fascinating book to read.

            Clare is a 15 year old girl who is out at a club with her best friend, Simon. They are having a good time until Clare witnesses three scary looking teens murder someone. She screams at the top of her lungs and finds out she's the only one who can see them. Hysterical, she follows the teens out the club only to see the empty street.

            A few days later when her mother disappears and Clare is attacked by demons, she finally comes face to face with the three teens from the club. Jace is a Shadowhunter who saves Clare and brings her back to their headquarters. But what do the demons want from Clare? She is only a mundane who suddenly has the Sight and is on the most wanted list for the demons. Can Jace and the rest of the Shadow-hunters figure out what's going on before Clare is attacked again or will they fail and let Clare get captured?

            There were many twists and turns in this book that I didn't expect at all. I was surprised to see some of the events unfold in a different way than I originally thought. I liked the idea of Nephilim who were demon hunters and my favorite part was the ruins they drew on their arms. The concept of the ruins was very fascinating and I wish the author had elaborated more on that. Hopefully, the second book will have more explanations and I can't wait to continue their story. 

Movie Review:

Honestly, the movie kind of sucked. I was super excited when I found out that there was going to be a movie about this book! I couldn't wait to see who they picked for the cast and I was hoping the characters would match the descriptions.

Jace:

No. Just no. In the book Jace is supposed to be a drop dead gorgeous hunk of meat who could make ANY girl fall for him. This ^ is not a drop dead gorgeous hunk of meat. This ^ is okay. I was so disappointed when I saw James Bower playing the role of Jace because I wanted it to be Alex Pettyfer. 

(Ohhh! You gorgeous man! *fans herself*)

And isn't Isabelle supposed to be more prettier than Clare???? Clearly, not in the movie!

                                           

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Genre: Revenants

Hardcover: 341 Pages

Published: May 10, 2011

Series: Revenants

            1. Die for Me

            2. Until I die

            3. If I Should Die

Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

My Review:

Kate and Georgia move to Paris to live with their grandparents after the death of their parents. Life has been really hard on Kate and she can't seem to move past her parents death. As she's sitting in a Cafe she happens to look up and sees a gorgeous guy looking at her. She recognizes him, but can't seem to figure out from where. Vincent Delacroix is mysteries, intriguing and extremely dangerous. And Kate can't help but open her heart to him even though he might be keeping secrets.  

The setting for this book is something I found very refreshing and interesting. Reading a paranormal novel that is not set in the United States or the UK is something new. Although Paris is a very popular city, I liked how the author used this city to create her background. It was something different which is why I liked this book so much.

The plot itself was fascinating. I haven't read a book about Revenants, so when I read this book I was very intrigued. Revenants are like immortals who come back from the dead. Revenants have a purpose, a destiny. They can either choose to ignore it or embrace it. Either way, it takes a lot of self control and energy to do what a Revenant does. So when Kate finds out secrets about Vincent and how he is connected to the Revenants, she will have to decide whether to keep seeing Vincent or choose another path. 

Dark Passage #2 by M. J. Putney

Genre: Magic

Paperback: 320 Pages

Published: September 13, 2011

Series: Dark Mirror

            1. Dark Mirror

            2. Dark Passage

            3. Dark Destiny

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Safely back in 1803 England, Merlin's Irregulars are more confident, proud, and powerful, but class distinctions complicate their relationships until the mages are called upon to rescue a vitally important French scientist and his family from Nazi-occupier.

My Review:

The gang is back home to 1803 England safe and sound. They have been through a rough patch, but have come back with their entire worldview changed. Not only are they heroic after the events at Dunkirk which has given them confidence and pride, but this dangerous mission has also increased their powers.

Tory:

Her powers and her relationship with Allarde has grown since the last book. They now have a deeper connection after finding out Allarde's deepest darkest secret. Tory must decide what the best decision for her future is. Can she be with Allarde without experiencing guilt in the future about her decision? Or will she risk it all to be with Allarde? If Tory really loves him she will have to walk away from him, but how can she do that when he has become more of a family to her than her real family?  

Allarde:

He is in a tough situation. He has to either give up his magic and marry a non-magical human or forfeit all of his inheritance. Will Allarde be able to give up his love for Tory and leave his inheritance? Or will he forget about Tory and respect his parents decision? Honestly, Allarde is in a very tough situation and I feel for the guy, but at some point he has to make a decision. He is keeping his parents and Tory in limbo by not making a decision. This is bound to cause problems in both relationships.  

Cynthia:

I really didn't like her in the beginning, but I'm starting to like her spunk. After being a hero at Dunkirk she has earned much respect from the other Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. She is isolated at the Abbey over Christmas break and reluctantly agrees to join Jack and his family for their celebration. There is definitely something brewing between Jack and Cynthia. It is very unexpected and intriguing!

Overall:
Everything seems to be going well until the gang is pulled back into the mirror to save some French scientists from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together in order to save the scientists or many lives will be at risk. Overall, a good second book. Sure there were some issues with the characters. I was very annoyed with Allarde and his taking a long time to decide, but other than that I say this was a good second book.