This is a fitting end to my reviewing activities for 2014. The first book of this series, Relentless, was what I consider my best find so far in my trawling activities, and I devoured this second instalment of the Relentless Trilogy most greedily on its arrival on my Kindle.
The author has done a great job following up on the world building, the character development, the expanding relationship webs and the plot depth. I particularly enjoyed the burgeoning powers that heroine Sara Grey discovers and develops in herself (with some help) – she is one heck of a girl, whilst avoiding the all-too-common pitfall for this type of heroine of being incredibly annoying. Her new female friend brings opportunities for sassy and amusing sidekick banter that is very skilfully used for exposition.
The wry humour and the dialogue consistently snaps, crackles and occasionally pops. It certainly never flags or falters in its tone. The general tone and pacing is pretty much ideal again, as in the first book.
The deepening relationship between hero Nikolas and Sara is very convincingly handled; the author manages to avoid falling into cliché with it mainly due to the mori element, an inspired addition to the romance. The romance is just breathtaking, and makes you tingle right to your toes without going beyond a couple of kisses; absolutely pitch perfectly done. Nikolas? Three words and a hyphen. Totally swoon-inducing. One of the most appealing heroes in YA paranormal in my opinion. Just wow.
Her characters, major and minor, are all well drawn, believable and entertaining, even the unlikeable ones.
A couple of warnings for the faint-hearted. Some bad language but not a lot, not intrusive and works fine in the context. A pretty violent and somewhat protracted battle with an army of evildoers, but good wins the day. Neither is a deal breaker for me in this compelling story.
Not so enamoured of all the mythical creatures, but hey, that’s just me – I don’t like real pets either. In the end it all adds very effectively to the effect of the parallel world existing alongside ours. And gives Sara the chance to increase her totally bad-ass status and her general mastery of like, the whole parallel universe. Is there any creature she can’t subdue? Maybe book 3 will tell us.
I’m tending towards thinking this is perhaps not quite as good as the first book, but that can possibly be ascribed to the new menagerie that doesn’t overly interest me. And maybe the unrepeatable elation of discovering through sheer chance a totally new and thoroughly engaging book that is first of a series. Relentless will be one of my YA paranormal faves forever for that reason. But Refuge stacks up very well indeed beside it. Both will be reread before the third book comes out. I have to admit I will be awaiting the appearance of third instalment Rogue with great anticipation.
‘Fessing up now that I will be pre-ordering it. It’s got me, hook, line and sinker.
Trawling the Amazon 