Review: Carmen
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2013
I love how all-encompassing these novels are, without becoming simply vulgar or crass.  The author goes to great trouble to create a vividly real arena for her audience to live with these characters.  As a reader you cannot help but become immersed in this extremely captivating world.  While doing so she also opens a dialogue on a variety of different difficult or possibly disturbing topics.  She does so with tact and flare, keeping her audience captivated while making them feel safe and comfortable (even if the characters aren't always in the same boat).  The suspense and danger that weave their way through this novel make it extra intriguing.  I've also got to praise anyone who can work a Harry Potter reference into their work so seamlessly and naturally.I appreciate the progressive character development throughout these novels.  The author doesn't rely simply on previous development, but builds on it.  You get to know little quirks about the main characters; you get to know what makes them tick.  The characters also remain consistent throughout this.  No one undergoes a miraculous personality change or physical change.  I also appreciate how she develops her supporting characters.  No one is simply a name on a piece of paper.  They are all real people.  Above all, I appreciate how we get to know a bunch more about Andre, our knight in shining armour, here.  It fills in some gaps not online in this series, but also in Bound and Freed.Overall this was a brilliant end to Carmen's time in New York.  The author kept me captivated from the beginning to the very end, tying up any loose ends and giving everything a sense of completion.  Though I'd love to continue the journey with these very amazing and creative individuals, I don't feel like I'm missing anything by walking away from them now.Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.