Sequel Mini Reviews: Everbound and Burn Bright

Review: Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette
Goodreads 
Release date: February 25th, 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Series: #2 in the  Dark Star series
Source: ARC borrowed from Lili
Rating: A solid sequel in a series more people should be reading.



Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.

Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon—Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous... and frustrating—maybe helped, too.

But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey—the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?

Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of "dating" Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.

As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face. But knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

My review of Dark Star, book one

More people should be reading this delightful superhero/urban fantasy series. It's funny, charming and full of twists and turns. The relationships are strong, and the heroine is wonderful. Like the first, this book got off to a bit of a slow start, but once it hits its stride, I couldn't put it down. We get more worldbuilding, more info, a super creepy bad girl demon who honestly will haunt your nightmares. We get more Leon and Audrey (SWOON. Those kiss scenes? ALL THE SWOON).

I also love the secondary relationships in this book, namely the ones between Audrey and her mother, the superhero Morning Star, and Audrey and her best friend, Gideon (I still would like a bit more resolution in her friendship with Tink, though at least they're not a girl-hate friendship thing). Oh, and Audrey's dad, too! That was so heartbreaking. This book made me feel.

There were two big twists in this book, one I completely saw coming, the other which KNOCKED MY LEGS OUT FROM UNDER ME. Bravo, Ms. Frenette. The Gideon reveal was CARAAAZY.

Seriously, this series is pretty great. There are demons, people with superpowers, a psychic heroine, and an adorable love interest who BAKES. What more do you need in life, right?


Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton
Goodreads 
Release date: January 22nd, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)
Series: #2 in the Everneath series
Source: Purchased
Rating: The best in the series.



Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

My review of Everneath, book one

EVERBOUND. HOLY CRAP. I sincerely enjoyed Everneath, but Everbound took me to realms of LOVE. We get to see so much of the Everneath itself, and there's some truly excellent worldbuilding. The pace is quick, the stakes are high, and there's so much of Cole, aka the most interesting characters of the bunch. I LOVE Cole. The Jack-Nikki flashbacks are sweet and heartbreaking as ever, and I continue to consider them a lovely, healthy couple who truly ought to be together.

And then the end. THAT ENDING. AHHHHHH. MY EMOTIONS MY FEELINGS MY SOUL MY HEART. I said on Goodreads that I felt like a wrung-out towel after this book, and I DID.

Seriously, I love endings that leave your jaw gaping, that make you howl, "NOOOOOO!" and slam the book down. And this did. Everbound, you are the complete opposite of Second Book Syndrome to me, in that you're the best of your series by far.