Review: Shooting Scars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 23, 2013
Shooting Scars was a great sequel to Sins and Needles. There was still the action and adventure that I've come to love about this series. Shooting Scars picks up right where Sins and Needles ends.Poor Ellie, this unfortunate girl never ever catches a break. Ellie had some moments of weakness in this book; but she is such damaged soul that while I don't agree, I can understand. She is always given two bad choices, and she has to choose between the lesser of two evils. I wish she knew how to trust, but I loved that she was willing to own her mistakes. Karina Halle does a fantastic job in creating an imperfect and immoral character, but making her lovable at the same time. I feel for Ellie, I wish that her life was different, because I still think she could've been an amazing person if not for her awful parents.Camden. Oh, what can I say? Camden's loyalty, strength, and stubborness are the best of his qualities. I felt awful when things went south with Sophia, because he was really going to try for his family. Then when he found out what Ellie had done, that was the most awful moment. Camden went through hell to keep his promise to her, and she didn't believe he would come for her. Camden has his own scars, but I love that he can see Ellie's and love her in spite of it. He knows that Ellie wouldn't have hurt him on purpose, but she legitimately thought she was on her own.Stupid Javier. I feel betrayed too; when I read On Every Street it seemed like he loved Ellie. He may have done something stupid that I didn't understand, but I thought there would be a good explanation for it. There was an explanation, but it only served to make me realize that Javier can't love anything. I don't think he even loves his sisters, I think he feels responsible for them and cares in his own way. However, I think he would sacrifice them too if it was called for. I don't think he can care about anyone else, because he cares about himself and his revenge more. Javier has proved that he cares about Ellie, but not enough. Not nearly enough, and not in the ways she deserves.I really enjoyed Shooting Scars as a follow up. I did feel like there some parts that didn't flow as well as On Every Street and Sins and Needles. I think this is partly because it was written from Camden and Ellie's perspective instead of just Ellie's point of view. It just felt like it jumped around too quickly, and that just as I would get into one character it would switch. I understand the need for the opposite perspectives, but I just felt like it could've flowed a little more smoothly.Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but because of the few things I mentioned above I would give it 4 out 5 stars. I think that as the second novel in a trilogy, when I read them back to back this won't stand out so much. If you want a series that sucks you in, and makes you love un-loveable characters. This is the series for you. I can't wait for the third installment Bold Tricks!