Review: The best anti-hero EVER!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2013
As impossible as it seems A&D; (the second installment in the IMA series) is actually BETTER than the first book. The reason for this seeming impossible being that the first installment Cloak & Dagger was wondrously close to sheer perfection.A&D; picks up about a year after the end of C&D; Christina is off to college and Michael is back working for the IMA with the threat of Christina's safety being used as collateral to ensure his cooperation. That is until he is drugged up with PCP, knocked unconscious and dropped off on Christina's door step - and then the fun begins all over again!A&D; is as much about character and relationship development as it is about espionage and action. Through the course of both books it is possible to watch both Christina and Michael grow and change from their experiences. Their relationship is very slow to develop and is very realistically portrayed. Ms. Campbell takes a character that is initially portrayed as a cold blooded killer/for hire contract criminal who kidnapped and brutalized Christina when they first met and slowly turns him into a character that not only engenders sympathy; but has the reader rooting for him and hoping he gets the girl.She takes the character of Christina who starts out as a fairly naive, sheltered Christian girl and shows the twists and turns that shape her into an independent worldly young woman; someone who has not given up her foundation and ideals but who through wisdom and maturity is now able to see life in all it's complexities and shades of gray. When Christina slowly comes to develop real feelings for Michael it is a very realistic and completely believable progression of their relationship.The dialogue, especially between the 2 main characters is very authentic and their characterization feels spot on. Ms. Campbell has a way with words and there are many memorable quotes throughout the story. In short, the best I have read in a long, long time.