Review: The sequel just about killed me, in a good way.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 22, 2013
It's been at least a year or more since I first heard of Karina Halle. I was encouraged to read her Experiment in Terror series. So I did, and I was surprised by how much I liked it. Halle's writing has a bit of an edge to it. It's darker than the stuff I usually gravitate to, but there is something about the way she pulls you in.When I saw Sins and Needles come out, I read the description and pretty much wrote it off as something I wouldn't like. Because even though I liked the EIT series, these books seemed a bit grittier.My friend Jess insisted that I try it. She kindle lent it to me, and before my two weeks were up I had already finished and purchased it for my collection. The Artist Trilogy goes against all the things I normally like in a book. The drugs, the violence, the graphic sex, these are all things that turn me off.Nope. Not this time. I freaking loved it. Would I like it in other books written by different authors, I'm not sure. (I do plan on trying some others in the future)What I love most about Karina Halle's stories is I never know what's going to happen. She throws me for a loop every time. It's not always a good loop either. I'll be honest; Shooting Scars gave me heart palpitations. It's a fast scary ride and my head is still swimming.Shooting Scars picks up pretty much right where Sins & Needles leaves off, at that doozy of a cliff hanger. The twist and turns you take following that will blow your mind. I want to state that I am neither Team Camden nor Team Javier. I'm team Ellie. My heart bleeds for this woman. She's a hot mess, but I love her.Camden, He really comes into his own in this book. You see a much darker side of him. He surprised me a few times with the violence he harbors. He damn right scared the living crap out of me in one scene. Also though, you see the vulnerable side of him.Javier. Oh my god. When I read On Every Street, a little piece of me fell in love with him. I thought I had it bad for him then, boy was I wrong. He's an a hole! I know... he's the most vile creature you can imagine, but he's powerful and sexy and I just feel like deep down there has to be something good in him. I'm probably just imagining it because I feel guilty loving him so much. Do I think he's good for Ellie? No, he's not good for anyone in the long run, but in the sack... he more than compensates.So much happens in Shooting Scars guys! The POV is alternated between Camden and Ellie which works well with all that's going on. I was not expecting it to take us where it did. The elements thrown at you... Whoa. Ellie is in a world of s### when this story starts out, but you just have no idea.. I can't spoil, and just about everything I say could be potentially a spoil. All I can say is this sequel was awesome.I tell so many people about this trilogy. They are probably getting sick of me talking about it. lol . I have a friend whose daughter is in cheerleading with mine; she came up to me two weeks ago at practice and said, "Hey, you know those Sins and Needle books you always talk about on Facebook? Well I bought them and they were so good. Can't wait till Shooting Scars comes out" -That makes me so happy. I will see her tonight at practice and I'm curious to see if she bought and read it yet. (update... she started it.. and so far loves it. :o)I highly recommend these books. Oh and I was hoping to get a sims trailer finished to post with my review. Alas, with all the before school flurry of activities, it didn't get done. But keep an eye out, in the next week or two I'll have it done!