Review: Great series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2014
4.5 StarsI was lucky enough to be given book 1 to read and have to say that I loved it. As such, a part of me walked into this one with high expectations, and luckily, I wasn't disappointed. I didn't love it as much as book 1, but give the author props for a great second book.This book picks up where we left off in book 1...the continuing efforts of DEFEND to find the Four talents. Cam and her team have been tasked with finding a potential talent by locating and deciphering clues that begin in Mexico. Cam has a secret. She may not be a first born elemental, but she does have some skills she isn't willing to share with anyone outside of her circle of trust. And Cam has a hard time trusting anyone, and for good reason. Marco is also tasked with his own mission in Mexico - one that also happens to be personal. While he is there, part of his mission is to keep an eye out for Cam and help her as needed. The other is to find the cause of a series of fires that target ex-AMT employees or their families. Marco is a first born water elemental who has luckily never been imprisoned in an AMT facility. Instead, he was raised by his grand-fathered and tutored in the ways of an elemental master....something that is considered to be outlawed and no longer practiced or taught. Not many know the extent of his skills, and he works very hard to keep that secret. Like Cam, trust isn't something Marco does easily. Marco and Cam's paths will cross when he notices a shadow shifter following her. Talk about clashing. She is determined that Marco not be involved in her assignment, and he is determined to back her up as ordered.What I loved about this one is the development between these two characters. Both are stubborn, and both hide behind a facade to keep others from getting too close. She thinks he hits on anything that walks, but soon learns there is more to him than what he shows the world. He knows she's tough, but sees a softer side to her the more time he spends with her. The change in their relationship isn't fast, even if it does occur in a short window. Another thing I loved is that you get both viewpoints. Her thoughts and feelings, and his. Last, I liked that we don't lose sight of the other characters. We don't necessarily go back to Jax and Kiarra, but some of the situations with Gio and Millie, and the links to new characters are also incorporated throughout. What I didn't like...two things...the first is Cam. She was just so, so hard to like at times. As the story unfolded, you learn why she is so mistrustful, but before that, dang, she was a total witch to Marco. The second, although I loved when we segued to Millie or Gios, it was always at a time where I was chomping for more detail on what was going on with Marco and Cam, or vice versa. When it was getting good and we were learning who Millie was helping Petra with, we would segue back to Cam and Marco or over to Gio. I'm impatient that way.At the end, this book was filled with lots of intrigue, excitement, romance, and more mystery. Definitely a keeper of a series and one I would recommend to anyone who likes paranormal, romance, and intrigue. Given the sexual content, I would definitely say not something for anyone under 18.