Review: I need the next book in this series!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 12, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.The thing I like most about this series is the way the author manages to mix romance, action, and a message into such an entertaining package.Although I enjoyed the first in the series, I feel like the story really gained some momentum in this book. Some secondary characters were brought to the forefront of the story, and I got to know them much better than I did the first time around. The best example of this would be Ryker's best friend Max. In the first book, Max was--well there's no other way to put it, Max annoyed me! Apparently he did a lot of growing while fighting alongside his friends because now I can say that Max rivals Ryker as my favorite man in this series. At some point he developes some pretty strong feelings for Kiah, but he knows that Kiah's heart belongs to Ryker so he is content to be a great friend and support system for both of them. Kiah actually feels more comfortable confiding in him at times than Ryker sometime. I thought we were headed toward love triangle territory for a while, but just when I thought Kiah was going to cross that line she made it clear who she loved so don't worry. Max's feelings for her were strong and true, but he loves Ryker like a brother. I never doubted that the way he felt about Kiah was just something that he had no control over. He would have wanted to take her from his friend; he just cared deeply for her.Ryker was amazing as usual! He is a fantastic support system for Kiah, but he doesn't just gush over her all of the time. He has her back and looks out for her best interest. His sweetness really comes across when he treats her like the capable leader that she is, and then allows her to fall apart and tell him about all of her insecurities and pain later. Kiah is in real danger, and he's the one who has to hold her lifeless body and watch over it for day's while she soul shift. Not to mention the fact that she's the leader of a rebellion and constantly in dangerous situations. This is why he feels the need to constantly protect her.Kiah is a very self-aware heroine. She has no problem admitting when she's wrong or has no idea what to do next. When she makes a mistake, she does what it takes to make things right. She's in a very difficult situation and has a responsibility that she never asked for thrust upon her. She takes that responsibility seriously, and that drives her to push herself to hard at times. When those closest to her tell her that she's doing a great job, she listens, but she also refuses to be satisfied. She will be a better leader because there is no other option for her. There are lives depending on her, and she knows it.She is forced to deal with quite a bit this time around. While her relationship with Ryker isn't strained, it is put through some test, her father is still missing, and she is trying to figure out how to lead and still have a life of her own at the same time. She also has to deal with Marcus, the son of the villain from the first book, who is terrorizing her in a very creepy way throughout the entire book. She puts herself in some very dangerous situations, and feel like she has to keep certain things from everyone because she doesn't want them to talk her out of doing what she feels is the only thing that she can.  She still has a great relationship with almost everyone, and they all want to help, love, and support her, but the secrets that she keeps do isolate her from others. She is forced to deal with quite a bit this time around.  While her relationship with Ryker isn't strained, it is put through some test, her father is still missing, and she is trying to figure out how to lead and still have a life of her own at the same time.  As if all of that wasn't enough, she also has to deal with Marcus, the son of the villain from the first book, who is terrorizing her in a very creepy way throughout the entire book. She puts herself in some very dangerous situations, and feels like she has to keep certain things from everyone because she doesn't want them to talk her out of doing what she feels is the only thing that she can.  She still has a great relationship with almost everyone, and they all want to help, love, and support her, but the secrets that she keeps do isolate her from others.Ryker worries constantly about her, and Kiah can be too reckless sometimes, but rather than argue and try to change one another they accept each other for who they are and talk through things. Their relationship is strong, and can survive whatever is thrown at it. I think that the fact that they were such good friends before they got together is the reason why they can disagree with each other and not let it ruin their relationship. When I thought that they were headed towards a breakup, I was not a happy camper, but I'm very happy that I was wrong. Ryker and Kiah are stronger and cuter than ever!Every conflict that I mentioned is resolved in a timely manner so don't let them scare you. This book continues to deal with the serious events of the first one , but it also has a very light tone that keeps it from becoming depressing. If you're a fan of the first in the series then you won't be disappointed. Whenever I thought that I was going to dislike a direction that the story was taking, it would end up in the right place. I had moments of frustration, but they didn't last long. I should have just trusted the author not to let me down because she didn't! :)I try to focus my reviews on what stands out to me the most in a story. In this series that is the relationships. Although the Quadrant War is very interesting, It's the relationship that make the story for me. Whether it's Kiah's relationship with Ryker, Max, Molly, her mom, or even Marcus, the relationships are very well-developed.I was surprised how many shockers there were, and the ending is great! It put a huge smile on my face! If you hated how the first book ended and are afraid that you will have to deal with the same type of ending this time, I can set your mind at ease! The story is far from over, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, but this time I got more of a sense of closure. It has one of the happiest cliffhangers that I've read in recent years, and that makes me want to read the next book even more!I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up because of violence.