MY OVERVIEW: Better than the first in the series, but still not as great as the next series. Now that a lot of the “background” is done, it was easier to get into this book. I just wish there was more description on the doctors and nurses. None of them are really described.
PROS: Chloe’s character was much better in this book. I still love the inner monologue the author gave her and it really works with her character. We learn about Tori’s power (which is pretty cool) and a lot more about what the Edison Group (group that ran the Lyle House) really does. We didn’t really read too much about Simon, but I did like his character in this book. I just can’t tell who Chloe really likes; Derek or Simon.
CONS: Ok, so I did a flip flop with the characters. Rae completely changed in this book (won’t go into detail as it will spoil it) and Derek was so annoying. He did get better at the end, but was constantly yelling at everyone, especially Chloe. I think he was the biggest downfall of this book (even more-so than Tori). Once he finally realized his problem was with himself and he was just taking it out on everyone else, he did lighten up; but until then it was very frustrating and annoying.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Good middle book. Answered a lot of questions from the first one, and left more open for the last (which I will be reading next). Oh yeah… and I like that we saw Tori’s mom too, even if she is a major witch. ☺
**3.5 Stars**
MY OVERVIEW: I decided to read this series because I really enjoyed the Darkness Rising series. The writing is a little different in this book, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. I think it is just really funny that my sisters’ and my names appear as characters in the book (Kari, Victoria/Tori, Amanda). PROS: I really enjoy the kids with supernatural powers plot. I know, I know… can you say “X-Men”… but really… I do enjoy it. Just like the other books I have read by this author – these books have been quick reads, but not too quick where you are left wondering what happened. I know this is weird, but my 2 favorite characters are not the main ones. I really liked Derek and Rae. Derek just had this other side to the rough/tough/rude guy you are introduced too; and Rae – well, Rae is just fun. She is the part of your brain that makes you question if you are sane or not. ☺CONS: I probably should have read this series before reading the Darkness Rising series. The writing style is a little different and didn’t grab my attention right away like The Gathering did. The two main characters weren’t as well written as they could have been. One minute I liked Chloe and the next I didn’t. It was the same with Simon. MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Decent book. I will continue reading the rest of the series. I just hope it does get a little better.
My Review
3.5 StarsI was torn as to the number of stars I was going to rate this book. It was going to be 3.5 or 4, but I ended up settling on 3.5 stars, and here is why...The book on a whole was really good. I enjoyed the main story line a lot, and that is saying something as I am always hesitant with werewolf and vampire books (big Buffy fan - can't stand Twilight). However, I did keep putting it down through the first half just to get a little break. There was a lot of background in the first half and it was Jason heavy. I found Jason really really annoying. Stupid rich kid who has more money than brains and can do anything he wants cause the police are in his parents' pockets. I really couldn't stand him. I did like the main character Mac, even though she was annoying at points. She had a great background and really cared a lot for her friends (including Jason). Which was the one annoying point... you just wanted her to shut up and leave him to his destruction. Loved Kyle! He was such a great character. I really hope we see more of him in the next book, as I think there should have been a little more of him in this one. I can't wait for the next one to come out. This is one of those series where I wish I had waited to read it until all the books were out.
My Review
4 StarsI am not a steampunk fan, but I really enjoyed this book. It brought in a little steampunk, a little dystopian, and of course... Zombies!I really enjoyed how the author created two kinds of zombies. The Greys who are mindless and just want to eat flesh (not brains) and Z Company who keep their minds and live (almost) like regular humans. Nora was great. She had the right amount of tough girl vs innocent girl. She wasn't the typical "rich girl" (even though she was rich) because her family had only come into money in recent years. Nora's best friend, Pam was such a great character! I loved her. She was so funny in parts. The Zombies - I think my favorite out of all the zombies was Chas. I know it is supposed to be Bram as he is the main zombie and Nora's love interest - but I found all that a little weird. It mentions how Bram looks - and he obviously looks dead with his eyes, skin, etc. But it seems like the author forgets about how bad he looks and tries to pass him off as just another good looking teenager, but he isn't. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
