Witchmag's Boekenplank

Originally reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank

It was a greet feeling to be, once again, in the world that Brigid Kemmerer created. Although I was only slightly disappointed that the focus this time was on a different couple ( I grew a bit attached to Becca), it’s still fantastic to read this book. Especially after I bonded with Gabriel. A real bad guy, a guy with obvious problems. A guy who’s being tormented, who’s afraid of everyone who’d be able to breach his shields. Everyone misinterprets him, until…. Oh this is my kind of story ^^ I loved seeing him grow, slowly lowering those shields of his and getting to know people. Such a shame I couldn’t be the one to give him a hug though

Layne, too, didn’t have it easy growing up. Although there is less emphasis on her story. I got the feeling that Gabriel was the focus, instead of Layne. Not that I hated getting to know Gabriel, on the contrary! It’s just that I’d love to have known Layne a bit better. At the moment her character felt a bit “flat”, a bit dull. Just like how I felt about Chris in book one. There the focus was more on Becca instead of Chris, so I got to know her better instead of him. While both Becca and Gabriel where great to read about, I still wish I could have learn more about their counterparts.

I also got the feeling that this book was more a psychological journey than an action packed book. It’s an expedition to come to terms with the past. It still has its more “active moments,” but this story is mainly about the developments, the growth that both Gabriel and Layne go through. All in all quite interesting to read about, but I kinda missed my breathless reactions at times. Or my breath that got caught in my throat. I kinda wished I felt those a bit more. And a bit more use of elemental powers. You’ve got them, so why don’t you use them?

Conclusion

4 HEARTS. A great book to read about, including a tormented protagonist. Who has a way to worm himself inside your heart in a matter of seconds. Because of his mayor issues, the problems of the other protagonist felt less important to me and she stayed a bit on the dull side. This was more of a psychological story, with lots of character growth than an action packed one. I also missed the use of elemental powers. At times it was as if I was reading a contemporary story? What happened to the paranormal part? All in all it was an amazing book to read and I’m only nitpicking on the little things I didn’t like. I can genuinely recommend this book to everyone who likes paranormal!