Review: Deliciously gritty, dark, and dangerously seductive.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 21, 2013
In book 2, Shooting Scars, more pieces of the puzzle come together while more are tangled in front of us. The story develops in a way that you are jonesing and chasing it more with each page. The events are fast paced and thrilling.  There is an undercurrent of disaster - you don't know when it will happen but feel it will be seismic.Ellie and Camden’s alternating POV is like watching two separate but powerful and destructive storms gaining momentum and strength. Watching them collide is  something explosive and life altering. The characters embrace their demons all the while feeling conflicted about accepting the darkness they try to keep at bay.  You see the inner workings of how they can succumb to the dark side. I love how I was made to root for ALL of them, even the villains. Which brings to question- who are the villains? They are all villains, (OK, some more bad and demented and delusional than others) but I loved every one of them. How is that possible? Can I just digress about Javier? I love this demented, delusional, sexy beast. I love how he’s alluring and disgusting. You know he'll leave you shredded, burned and twisted  but there’s just something about him you can’t resist.  He’s so beautiful yet horrifying  and I loved how I was pulled to him . I wanted so much for him to not be the evil he has become  but you already know he’s doomed himself to that life. Holy cow, I think I will need therapy for thinking this way. Same thing with Camden- you see the underlying anger festering, the blackness waiting to overtake him and you watch it happen.  Unlike Javier who is past the point of redemption, Camden is the good you root for.  You watch how the light that is Camden grows dimmer but it’s still there. He is good, but still tainted.  And Ellie- my heart broke for her so much here. She was torn and tricked in so many different directions. What’s a girl to do? It seems like she can’t catch a break- being a pawn to everyone else, not feeling like she has any control of her life. I hope she gets her redemption and justification in the next book. She’s a survivor and a fighter, and at the same time completely vulnerable and broken.I love the writing- it transports you vividly through the different landscapes of the Gulf, through the harshness and beauty of Mexico. There is no clear cut good/bad and that’s what’s makes this story so substantial and meaty. It’s twisted and utterly dark.To be honest, I was weary of starting Shooting Scars only because Bold Tricks is not due out until October. Could I handle the end without having the third ready in my hands? I’ll just say that Shooting Scars took a surprising, twisted and pleasing turn. What a predicament these three are in now. Where will this story go? I can’t wait until October!!!!!Well done, Karina Halle. You’ve given me a mind bender with how you make me love the villains. My brain has been through multiple spin cycles. You have won my heart with these characters. If you could tattoo it, it would have this story wrapped all around it.