Review: Expectations are high in the second installment of the Empath Trilogy and HK Savage delivered.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2013
Expectations are high in the second installment of the Empath Trilogy and HK Savage delivered.  The roller coaster starts out slow but quickly escalates with action full of twists and turns.  James and Claire's adventures range from kidnapping to torture, murder, rape, and in true paranormal fashion, "turning".  Who "turned"? I won't tell.  All the while, characters are falling in love, giving up on love, and being betrayed by love.  Throughout it all we are introduced to new powers, new characters, and new beings in this mythology.  It's difficult to keep it all straight. So much has happened!This book is violent enough that I would not recommend it for younger audiences.  Yet, it is not violent enough to be written off by those with weaker stomachs or those adverse to gory scenes.  It's a good balance to have these events in written form without it being over-the-top.  Romance and action is always a great combination.  Throw in some mysterious supernatural elements and it's gold.I loved watching Claire become powerful in her own right.  She's a grown up with abilities and she's using them.  No helpless little girl here.  There are some high strung emotions, yet the characters are not rash or dippy.  Instead, the emotions felt dead on, given the circumstances.  This is difficult to write.There was a point when I groaned, thinking I am going to see grown adults act silly.  However, I am happy to report this is Vampire Diaries-like but it's not high school.  No, no.  I was delighted to see this is still Twilight all grown up.  Instead, we just have characters with overactive imaginations and idiotic insecurities.  Just like everyone else in the world.  Yes, I said that. Move along now.  Keep reading.Some storylines, on the other hand, did not feel quite natural, I will admit.  For example, if Lucas really was interested in Claire (not in that way, ladies) and she had already been kidnapped with unspeakable things done to her, then why would she be left alone again? Like ever?  Would I care so much about my freedom from my boyfriend and/or friends with Lucas...out there?  James left her for a minute, just once, and she's kidnapped.  So, how come she's left to fend for herself time and again?  It just did not seem right.  And we all know when a kidnapper says to come alone, that's not a good idea.  Yet, really, how can I complain? It made for such an interesting story!  How boring would it have been to read 400 pages about James and Claire sitting in his family room, which is described to look like mine.  I could sit here and stare at my own walls, thank you.The concept of Glamouring was borrowed from other mythologies.  However, psychic powers definitely have a unique feel here.  Usually, psychic powers refer vaguely to controlling someone else through "mind control" or pain is inflicted with the mind.  Here, we see that psychic powers as a concept is explored and displayed at length.  I still don't understand all of it and what it all means for our dear Claire, much to my disappointment.  We were given a peek into what's to come and it looks pretty grim.  It seems I will have to wait until the last book. What a tease! Sigh.And just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was thrown for a loop.  This new part was intriguing, mysterious, and oddly protective.  I won't ruin it.  Well, I can't.  Not really.  I get the feeling that storyline has just begun and more will be explained in Secrets.We shall see.Disclaimer: All books reviewed by me have been received via purchase, lending, or given to me by an author or publisher for the purposes of an honest review. No reviews are purchased. They are my own opinion.