Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Last Echo

Series: The Body Finder #3

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Headline

Publication Date: 29 March 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

REVIEW

Please bear in mind that this is the third book in the series and may therefore contain spoilers to the previous two books. The Body Finder (review HERE) and Desires of the Dead (review HERE)

I seriously thought that this series couldn't get any better, this book proved me wrong in spades, character development, serious tension, sizzling chemistry then throw in conspiracy theory and I am totally in love.

The story continues with Violet settling into her new 'job' within the secret division of the FBI run by Sarah Priest. Violet questions here ability to actually help people as her 'gift' is only helpful in locating dead bodies rather than preventing the actual murders. however, Violet soon comes to realize that she is helping others by identify the imprints left behind on the person responsible for the death. Her 'gift' often leads her into danger as it is a compulsion to Violet to follow these impulses, something that she has to learn to control.

Insight into the other members of the team is provided by inserts told from their own point of view. Bringing insight and understanding to their actions and relationships. The connections were fascinating as they unfolded within the plot.The dynamics of the group as a whole was easier to picture with this added insight.

Although Jay doesn't feature as much as I would have liked his presence can be felt in the background. As a general rule I don't like love triangles however I have to say that this one works. (Please don't hate me). The way the story progressed made me question who would be the best person for Violet to be with. Don't get me wrong I adore Jay but he can be overprotective of Violet. Making Violet feel that she cant share all of the details of her 'abilities' or the work she does with the team with him. Violet thinks she is interfering with his life, things are not 'normal' and all she wants is his happiness. Rafe, on the other hand, understands Violet in a way that Jay never will, to a degree he understands her better than she understands herself. There is a tangible connection between them. I can literally picture her with Rafe (sorry).

The way in which Kimberly Derting gets into the mind of a serial killer is quite unnerving. the insight it provides to the plot is quite literally chilling.

Without revealing anything I will tell you that at there is a jaw-dropping twist that has left me quite desperate to know what happens next. I don't think I can wait an entire year *begs, pleads for quicker release*

Serial killers, romance, paranormal abilities, secret government departments and conspiracy theories. OH MY!!!!!!

Mini-Review: Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

Title: Fallen in Love

Series: Fallen #3.5

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Source; Review Copy

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

What makes your heart race a little faster? Just in time for Valentine's Day, it's FALLEN IN LOVE, four wholly original new stories collected in a new novel set in the Middle Ages by Lauren Kate. FALLEN IN LOVE gives fans the much-talked about but never-revealed stories of FALLEN characters as they intertwine with the epic love story of Luce and Daniel. The stories include: Love Where You Least Expect It: The Valentine of Shelby and Miles , Love Lessons: The Valentine of Roland; Burning Love: The Valentine of Arriane; and Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda.

REVIEW

I am a huge fan of the Fallen series as you may already know. I jumped about with sheer delight when I received this book. It is beautiful feeding my cover love. Plus the cover comes to life (more details of that later) but what an awesome idea.

Fallen in Love is a collection of short stories featuring the peripheral characters from the main books. Providing valuable insight into the characters themselves as well as how their relationships have shaped their decisions, actions  and personalities in the other time periods already portrayed in the main plot. Although these are individual character stories they still revolve around the main story-line featuring Daniel and Luce.

Nice recaps within the narrative keep the story fresh in the imagination while simultaneously progressing each individual story. Providing a clever way in which to relate aspects back to the central story-line within the series. The way in which all the characters converged at the same time and place enriched the story-line as a whole.

In reality not all relationships have a 'happily ever after', the inclusion of heartbreak along with the 'true love' ideal provides a nice balance. Although the notion of 'true love' together with soul-mates is the basis of the story  and therefore is the plot equivalent of 'a moth to a flame' for the characters. Providing a source of hope to all of them (and me).

The way in which Valentine's Day celebrations were depicted in Medieval times gave them far more credence than the commercially exploited day we celebrate now. A day of feasting, dancing and festivities sounds so much better than one filled with overpriced cards and flowers. The glorious descriptive writing brings the Medieval World to life within the imagination.

Hints are subtlety placed within the narrative to gear the main plot towards its conclusion in Rapture. Fallen in Love provides a great addition to the Fallen series and is a MUST for all Fallen fans.

Review: Stealing Pheonix by Joss Stirling

Title: Stealing Phoenix
Series: Benedict #2
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: OUP
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Yves' story.This is about getting you out...I'm stealing you.Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soul-mate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too.

REVIEW

Please bear in mind this is book 2 of the series and may therefore contain spoilers for the first book.

I can't say that this is a direct sequel to Finding Sky because it isn't more like a companion novel with the focus on a different brother. I know that this has probably been said and I just hate to compare books but it really is along the lines of The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey in respect that it follows the different stories of 7 brothers but this time they aren't vampires, lol. If you know me you know how much I love love love The Drakes. The soul-mate theme is a winner for me, serious swoon time.

Told in first person narrative but this time with alternating perspectives of Phoenix and Yves, the next brother down from Zed features in Finding Sky. Yves is nothing like Zed, he has his geek on and is totally happy with it, a tech whizz he really is quite an astounding character. So smart, clever and nice. I heart him. 

I really liked Phoenix as a character, she accepted who she was and got on with things when they needed to be done. Not knowing any other kind of life and 'cult brain washed' to a degree I felt protective of her and was rooting for her from the outset. Although she is very self-aware she realises her abilities and limitations. I don't know many people my age who are that self aware let alone a teen. The way in which she used libraries as a haven immediately endeared her to me. 

Images of Oliver Twist  abound at the the start, re-enforced later in the narrative with references to Fagin and the band of pick-pockets he commands. 

I could have totally slapped Phoenix for resisting her destiny. Seriously I would completely love a soul-mate, and with such a hot guy I don't think I would be running away. 

I am not going to go into details of the plot as I will be forcing this into the hands of passing strangers to read and want them to have the full experience of just how clever the way in which the plot unravels really is. Topical references within the narrative aid the realism of the story. Again the way in which the title is involved within the plot itself is just genius. 

I loved the way in which Sky and Zed's relationship was developed alongside this companion novel, a brilliant piece of plot/character control on behalf of Joss  Stirling. The way in which Sky as depicted as a role model for Phoenix even though she is younger was inspirational. Sky has a wonderful maturity about her that really shines through the storyline, probably due to her experiences in Finding Sky. 

The way in which 'family' is depicted within this series pulls at my heart strings and emphasises that we can make our own families and they should be cherished. 

Finding Sky was a really hard act to follow because it was just so amazing. Stealing Phoenix lives up to it yet provides a fresh new take on the characters, setting and addition to the plot. I am seriously hooked on this series and I wish I could get my next fix as soon as possible. 

Seriously go read it you won't regret it. 

Review: Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

Title: Finding Sky
Series: Benedict #1
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: OUP
Publication Date: 7 Oct 2010

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Sky catches a glimpse of Zed for the first time, lounging against his motorbike at school, she is drawn to him just like every other girl in Wickenridge. But Zed sees something special in her that the other girls don't have. Zed tells her they are both Savants - people with special powers like telepathy and the ability to see into the future. Not only that, she is a Savant too, and his soulfinder - meant to be together.

When a soulfinder speaks telepathically to her partner, it's like all the lights coming on in a building. You lit me up like Vegas. But for Sky it's just not that easy - she's a mystery to herself, haunted by nightmares from her past before she was adopted, and riddled with doubt and insecurity. Just when Sky is slowly coming round to the idea of being with Zed she is kidnapped by a family of criminal Savants. In a chilling twist, Sky and Zed's relationship is put to the ultimate test and the fate of those she loves lie in Sky's hands. Will Sky have the strength to embrace her power and be brave enough to control her own destiny, or will the dark demons of her past prevent her from realising her true potential?

REVIEW

I cannot believe it took me so long to read this book, I am seriously kicking myself because OMG this book is so so so me. What can I tell you, kick ass female central character, to die for bad boy, soul-mates, serious swoonage to be had. I should have been sold at soul-mates but who knew. I make no apologies for shouting how FREAKIN AWESOME this book is.

The beginning of the book is told in third person narrative, giving insight into the origins of Sky, the start is quite startling and my sympathy's were immediately draw to Sky. Being able to see auras - how amazing - yet she is afraid of her abilities, something that has been drilled into her that they are not normal.  

I have to mention that the chapter heading are just beautiful.

The main story is told in first person narrative from Sky's perspective. Honest and independent, adopted from the age of 10 her childhood is surrounded in mystery.  I tried to understand Sky by imaging what it would be like to not know who you are/where you came from/what happened to you or even the reason you can't remember any of these things. I really felt for her, it must be like having a constant presence in the back of your mind pressing to push through but just slightly too weak to break down the barriers.

The writing style is gorgeously tactile, sensory encompassing. Fabulous use of simile within the descriptions aid the imagination.Of course I have to mention the utterly beautiful description of music used within the narrative - as if it were alive, it makes us feel alive or soothes us depending on the situation. To quote 'music soothes the savage beast/breast' so true in my case [ : D ] 

It was easy to relate to Sky and seeing the world through her eyes it was easy to understand that while I think it would be nice to have these extra abilities they come at a cost and there is also a burden to having them. Clearly depicted within the storyline. The portrayal of the psychic powers was exceptional; both sides of possessing such power clearly shown, how it can be used for either good or evil, how having such gifts can corrupt in the quest for power. 

I did have a little trouble in reconciling the image I had of Sky in my head with her ability to make herself blend into the background due to her terrible shyness and lack of confidence. Her character development throughout the book was astounding.

Sky's development as a character is aided greatly by her relationship with Zed. I am just going to keel over and swoon for ages at the thought of Zed. Sky and Zed are each others balance, they bring out the best in each other and the chemistry between them sizzles off the pages. Zed comes across as a total bad boy *swoon* as the story develops you can understand why he needs an outlet. The idea of soul-mates warms my heart, this is one of the things that I find romantic (I don't find much romantic as I am too much of a cynic at my age lol).

I completely adore how the title works with the story as it unfolds - so so so clever. I am not going to go into detail about the plot even though I have made little notes regarding it as I don't want to spoil it. This is one of those books that you have to put the pieces together for yourself in order to fully appreciate just how brilliant it is.

An utterly compulsive read, I actually stayed up all night to read it as I just could not bear to put it down. Fabulous characters, brilliant interactions, just an all round AMAZING book. I am unbelievably happy that there are going to be more in the series.