Review: Another Signal Bend Masterpiece
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 14, 2014
Susan Fanetti gifted us with yet another Signal Bend masterpiece. This author leaves nothing out of her stories. Stealing you from the mundane, thrusting you into Signal Bend she controls your emotions with poignant words, settings, and plot, gives you strength to believe in her charismatic characters, and shocks the ever-loving life out of you (more than once) ultimately to leave us reeling and needing to stay rooted in the throes of the Night Horde MC. These books in no way portray a life of glitz and happily ever after. Signal Bend feels real, as if I can jump in the car, drive to Missouri and I’ll find a once struggling town with people who face these challenges under the rule of an unconventional leader. The fact that it’s so relatable and real provides a true testament to the great talent of this author. The overall tones affects us with a grim, gritty, dreary disposition of this world; even in the happily ever after comes the ultimate of tests. The writing and tone leaves an unforgettable and lasting impression.The main characters in this installment are Havoc, Cory, and Cory’s son – Nolan. The dynamic of this trio provides such an intense and unique contrast to the other stories in this series giving a new appreciation and deeper connection to the series. All of the secondary characters to this story, mainly the Horde but especially Isaac remind us of the sense of leadership and family; the fondness to this place and these people remains true; the fluidity of that aspect never waivers.Cory and Havoc really stand out and shine through Nolan’s influence. There is something inherently beautiful about the relationships between Nolan and each of them. He’s a charismatic, mature, soulful teenager who’s finding his place in the world. Cory, by society’s standards, provides unconventional parenting and Hav way more so than she. But the beauty in that, bucking the system, speaks volumes of the character in all of them. It’s also provides a great metaphor for the entire book since MC’s tend buck the system themselves. Brilliant, right?What I love a lot about Ms. Fanetti’s writing are the choices she makes for heroines. These are not light and fluffy women. They’re hardened, strong, and completely true to themselves even if they’re battling inner demons. This stands true for Cory. She finds something in Havoc, that wasn’t there before; she draws it from him, and then stands by him withstanding the storm. Her implicit trust forms an unbreakable, lasting bond with her son that I found so perfect. In a very different way than how Hav understands families, Cory & Nolan thrive as a family.Thus, Havoc proved to be a very special character to me; his journey unforgettable. He could very well possibly be my favorite of Horde MC thus far. Hav’s a tortured character, a bit broken, and emotionally fragile. A tortured hero makes the best hero. Fundamentally though, he’s very deep and thoughtful. There are tender moments where the juxtapositions he draws between life and death are quite profound. He craves simplicity and emotion at its basest form – thus making it all the rawer when his control starts to slip. He’s at his best when he’s sharing himself with Nolan who provided a catalyst to allow him and Havoc something they both desperately needed: a real connection with someone who understands the person they are. Then Cory catapults into his life, a wrecking ball that destroys everything he’s ever understood about love. Hav’s right in a way when he says “chicks ruin everything” because Cory sure ruined his air tight philosophy.Havoc intrigues me, almost ethereally. I’m slightly obsessed. And, their story became a sort of Beauty and the Beast tale. Strip this feral beast of his control and the most tender vulnerability and love shines. He becomes a protective beast and the intensity of this shift alters lives.This author knows her characters, she knows what and whom they need, and she believes in each and every of them. She’s proves it to us with each book because she makes believers out of her readers too. The descriptive settings provide a daunting visual. The plot, especially with the introduction of the cartel maintains, shocks, and appeases. And these characters, beautifully flawed and engaging, are why I love to read. All The Sky further solidifies my position as a Susan Fanetti fan for life. I cannot wait to get back to Signal Bend for Len’s story. Something wicked this way comes to Signal Bend, can they endure? Since Ms. Fanetti shocks me every time, I haven’t the foggiest idea, but I’m extremely excited to find out.