27 Jan 2012 2 Comments

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Paperback: 321 pages
Publisher: Graphia (June 1, 2008)
The Last Survivors Series #2

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event–an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex’s parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities

Once again, I am completely blown away by Pfeffer’s captivating continuation of The Last Survivors series. This installment introduces the Morales family of New York City, giving the apocalyptic tale a new angle. We go through the initial onset of the disaster for a second time, but Pfeffer keeps it new and exciting. Even though we know exactly what will happen, we are still shocked by the dramatic emotional content.

Alex is suddenly thrust into the adult role of the household with younger siblings under his care. Emotions run high as Alex struggles to care for his sisters. Lack of food, heat, and not knowing if their parents are alive or dead weighs heavy on his mind.

The level of realism in this series is heartbreaking and emotional, no matter how you look at it. The differences between Life As We Know It and The Dead and the Gone are unbelievable. I was concerned at first that the stories might be too similar but other than the disaster itself, the situations are more different than I thought possible. The religious aspect is much higher in this installment and fits nicely with the characters’ family background.

I highly recommend this series to readers of all ages as it puts life, death, responsibilities, and family into perspective. A must-read

by Jennifer in Reviews, Young Adult Tags: , , ,

27 Jan 2012 1 Comment

Taken by the Others by Jess Haines

Taken by the Others by Jess HainesTaken by the Others by Jess Haines
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (January 1, 2011)

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest’s most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she’s dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia – for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce’s interest is a lot more personal. That’s not sitting well with Shia’s werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side.

Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she’s discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties – and even her desires.

Fan of Jess Haines’ Hunted by the Others will really enjoy this adventure in the H & W Investigations series. How long does it take for the action to start? Well, Shiarra has someone pointing a gun at her on the first page… and the action doesn’t let up from there.

While the first book brought a few supporting characters into the spotlight (Chaz, Sara, Arnold), this one provides a little more insight into another group that plays a big role in the storyline — the vampire-hunters known as the White Hats. Yes, the hunters are still a group of gun-toting extremists who are a little too dedicated to hunting down Others, but we get to see a couple of them for what they really are — normal people whose lives were turned upside down when they learned that vampires, werewolves, and mages weren’t just characters in books and movies. While I saw the White Hats as little more than thugs before, I became a little more sympathetic to their cause as I got to know some of them a little better.

Of course, Shiarra is still the main character and what happens to her will have you on the edge of your seat. I like the fact that she has never been depicted as a ‘kick butt and take names’ type of heroine, always exhibiting normal characteristics that add a sense of realism to her, but the depths of vulnerability that she reaches in this book will really establish her as someone you care about.

Royce becomes an even more intriguing character, exhibiting a deadly charm that repels and attracts at the same time. With motives that are always unclear and actions that range from caring to manipulative, one can never be sure if he’s a good guy or bad guy. True to his vampire nature, the only thing Royce can be counted on for is that each move he makes is calculated to benefit him, but even what he considers beneficial is a mystery. Does he view Shiarra as a pawn? a slave? a lover? Nobody can really know for sure, and that’s what makes him such great fun.

Royce isn’t the only powerful vamp in town this time around; Max Carlyle, an old friend/rival, has stopped by… and he has an old score to settle. Through Max, we learn a little more about Royce, and we learn how bad a vamp can really be when he doesn’t play by the rules. Max may possess the vampire power of seduction, but there’s nothing charming about him.

Fast-paced and action-packed, with characters both old and new, Taken by the Others will thrill you from the first page to the last, while providing more than one or two chills along the way.

Other books in the series include:

Hunted by the Others (May 4, 2010) (review)
Deceived by the Others (July 1, 2011)
Stalking the Others (July 3, 2012)

by Marty in Adult, Reviews Tags: , ,