Review: a testament to Bond’s skill as a writer and her ability to put the reader into the scene
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 21, 2013
The second installment in the Unbreakable Trilogy picks right up where the first left off, although the tension is increasing for all concerned.  New city, new intrigue and Serena’s efforts to build her name in photography, new opportunities and situations.Gustav and Serena have moved to New York City, he Is supporting her efforts to launch her photography career: with his connections the commissions are not all that difficult to come by, yet he wants Serena to succeed, his faith in her talent is obvious.We met Gustav’s brother briefly in the first book, in this he reappears after a long period of silence between the brothers, instigated by lies and intrigues masterminded by Gustav’s ex-wife.  More information and perspective on the estrangement between Gustav and Pierre is provided, with a clever use of point of view and reflection, Primula Bond gives depth and backstory to these two characters: I wasn’t a great fan of Gustav before this, I now feel as if I have a better understanding of his motivations.And that is how this series works, Bond manages to fill in earlier blanks and improve impressions while firming up motivations with each new revelation.  Gustav is far worldlier than Serena, this trip to New York is to serve a dual purpose, to educate and expose her to the options available, while also reinforcing their own bond.  And giving her options to explore he does: from encouraging her voyeuristic side to exploring the limits of her sexual opportunities, the potential is worldly and endless.We can’t forget that the majority of the focus on this book is working the relationship between Pierre and Gustav, and seeing just how that dynamic will affect the relationship between Serena and Gustav, as there is interest between she and Pierre.  A tangled labyrinth of a story, that manages to answer as many questions from book one as it poses for book 3.  Continuing with the jewelry theme, Gustav gifts Serena with another token, a Golden Locket: a token that serves to feed the romantic in them both: a remembrance of him, signifying the bond that is between them.These are not books that stand alone, you must read them in order to be able to understand the bonds between the characters, and have the full impact of the sexual scenes to bring their full impact.  There is sex in this book, but for the most part it is imbued with emotion and wonder in the enjoyment, a testament to Bond’s skill as a writer and her ability to put the reader into the scene with descriptions and prose that present wonderful imagery full of life and light.I enjoyed this book as much as the first: new answers, new questions and Primula Bond’s ability to place a reader into the scene without overt direction or overplaying her hand with too much information or description.  A superb follow-up to the first book, and a great addition to the series, I am certainly looking forward to the conclusion.I received an eArc copy from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.