Review: Beware! You will start stalking the author for a sequel if you read this series!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 17, 2011
Well, first of all let me just say that after reading LID, I was extremely anxious for the sequel!! I mean we were left with a pretty epic cliffhanger afterall! Love is Fear is a worthy sequel that stands up to the first book. I read it in pretty much one sitting minus picking children up from school and feeding them. I guess they do need fed don't they? It seems series that are much loved end up in an injustice by the author with the subsequent books in the series, but Caroline Hanson has done her story proud. Most would however say that an injustice has been done to the characters. Well, not really but it's not all unicorns and cupcakes that's for sure. Val has some tough choices to make, and even more tough choices to make. She forces herself into some decisions that she thinks is best for her..ahem Jack. Well, let me just say that I really liked him in the first book but that was because there was quite a bit of unknown still about him. Yeah, well he pretty much ruined me from ever being team Jack. I won't say why, except that it truly has nothing to do with his choice at the end. My mind was made up way before that and I can understand his draw to the choices that he makes. That is something though that Val is definetely not going to be ok with though, it contradicts everything she's ever believed..ahem..wanted to believe about him.That brings us to....LUCAS. Oh.my. I was team Lucas from book one! I still am, even though by the ending of LIF you are left with a lot of questions about his true character. Val's having a tough time giving up the dream of a normal life, so much so that she has a hard time truly facing her feelings for him, and even more so believing what feelings he may really have, or not have for her. I being uncharacteristically optimistic want to believe that depsite all popular beliefs otherwise he is capable of actual emotions, specifically love. He says he can't, Val has to try to convince herself that she can love him and live with him even if he cannot. She decides to see if she can take what he can offer her and live with it, while constantly questioning whether she is making a huge mistake. At one point she talks about people's actions meaning more then their words...I wish she would open her eyes/mind a little more when a certain character begins to wreak havoc on all their lives..Which brings us to Cerdwellyn..the Fey King. I prefer to think of him as a Trickster, because that's pretty much what he is. You never have the indication of whether he is good or evil. His actions are motivated for sure, but one thing is certain he and Lucas are mortal enemies. We learn more about their histories but how much of it is true, and which side was wronged more? Considering Cerdwellyn has been betrayed and forced to flee underground to the Fey kingdom with no way out, he pretty much has it out for Lucas's blood and would do anything to make him suffer and what a better way then Val. It will be interesting in the sequel to see what his true intentions for Val will be...since we are yet again left with a monster cliffhanger..hehehe..literally pretty much. Well the cliff part that is...I enjoyed the character growth in this book, we learn a lot more about who they are and are left with just as many questions I hope we get more answers to in the next installment...I am going officially on record in stating that I am STILL team LUCAS!