Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm Speechless. When I finished reading Our Dark Duet, the sequel of Monsters of Verity, I needed a couple of tissues. Yes, I'll admit I shed a few tears. The author, Ms. Schwab noted that the book took a lot out of her. It took a lot out of me too. The book ends with the beginnings of hope, but as Kate Harker would say, everything has a cost.

The atmosphere of the first book, This Savage Song, was very dark and is carried through into the second installment. The characters August and Kate are reunited under the worst of circumstances and things quickly spiral from bad to worse. This book will drag you in and wring you out. Both books, are well plotted. The characters are so vivid it is not difficult to imagine them. The advisories are intelligent and menacing to a point where you hate them but can't wait to see what they are up to next.

Would I read these books again? Yes. After I've recovered from the first time around. Well done Ms. Schwab.

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Now I Rise by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me a while to finish this book because I was so busy. I'd sneak and read a few pages here and there. I'm glad I did. This is one of the best books I have read this year.

I was blown away with And I Darken, the first book in The Conqueror's Saga. I have to say, book two, Now I Rise, literally knocked me over. I am quickly learning that Ms. White is an author that uses words stringently. Whatever is written on the page, take notice. No matter how innocuous a word may seem, it will be dragged out in glaring light to haunt you, tease you, and shock you, later.

The Characters are so robust, this book almost reads like an engrossing history book. The emotions and scenes are vivid to the point of being painful at times. I can usually guess the direction of the plot of a book. I'll by honest, I have no clue where this saga is going, and I can't wait to be yanked into book three. Love, hate, confusion, betrayal, brutality, family...The Conqueror's Saga has it all.

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