Review: ADDITIVE SERIES!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 26, 2014
Third book in The Alchemy Series is as intriguing and fun to read as the previous two. I always try to start one of Ms. Augustine book when I know there is plenty of time to devote to it, because sure as heck, once started, that book is not going to leave my hands until I’m absolutely forced into putting it down. Fortunately this series is a very fast read. If you are a fan of urban fantasy with a host of supernatural creatures scattered throughout the books this series is a must read! If you are captivated by books with astonishing twist and a different take on the paranormal, The Alchemy Series is going to become a favorite.Recommend you start with book one, THE KEEPERS, so you have a complete understanding of the characters and the dramatic events that unfold in each new book released. As a matter of a fact this review is going to confuse you if you've not read any of the previous books. There will be a few spoilers if you’re starting with this book. You've been warned. SHATTERED begins one week after the last tear in the universe, located exactly where New York used to be, is repaired by Jo, with the help of close to seventy Keepers. Earth is saved but at what cost? Jo is having a hard time reconciling what the world became when the universe was stretched to repair all three tears in the Earth. It’s been estimated that ninety percent of the world’s population is gone. What’s left is an earth whose existence has been merged with the plane of magic, rife with strange creatures and wild storms. Jo bemoans that it’s all gone but Cormac reassures her with, “Different, not gone.” It’s easy to understand Jo’s despair though with Rippers killing and eating anyone foolish enough to leave the safety of The Lacard Casino.  As if it’s not bad enough trying to feed and control what remains of the residents of Vegas, both human and supernatural, there is a change linked to the ruling magic that is starting to make its effects known in bizarre circumstances. The bizarre and unknown are becoming the operating standard for the world.I love a book where the heroine is fearless (sometimes to the point of being foolhardy), has a bit of a sarcastic mouth on her (I’m like Jo and consider it being funny), but still has all the female insecurities we women like to carry around like it’s a badge of honor. Jo is all of these but she is hitting a really rough patch with guilt coloring every thought and action. She’s angry at so many things. Cormac is taking the brunt of her anger though. At this point in the story I was getting pretty mad myself, but it was directed at Jo. As much as I love her character I was becoming frustrated with her attitude towards Cormac. Of Course Cormac wasn't helping matters keeping secrets from Jo. Wanted to scream at them to, JUST COMMUNICATE PEOPLE! The best books suck you into the action to the point it’s now REAL, not just a story! SHATTERED is one of those books. With the cliffhanger at the end of the book it’s going to be another long wait for book four. But I will be waiting and I will be first in line to read it.Highly RECOMMEND to anyone 18 and older.