Review - The Taking (The Taking #1) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Taking

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 1st

Pages: 357

Published: April 29th 2014 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780062293602

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.  When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day. Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men. Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own? 

I Give This ...

  I'm not super found of alien books.  They usually just aren't my thing.  But, I wanted to give this a shot because I love Kimberly Derting.  Plus, one never knows...I might have loved it.

I really loved the premise of this story.  Kyra disappears in a flash of light and turns up 5 years later.  Her whole life is different, except in the case of her physical self.  This was a part of the story I found greatly intriguing.  She hasn't aged a day in those 5 years.  So, she stuck in a life were her family and friends have gone without her.  Nothing feels the same and she must learn to deal with it.

I was intrigued by Kyra's interactions with everyone.  She must learn to deal with the fact that her parents are divorced, her mother is remarried, she has a half brother, and her father might be considered a little crazy.  The hardest thing of all is realizing that the boy she made so plans with, had to make them without her.  I understood her anger at Austin, but I'm glad she got over it.  It was really his fault.  I absolutely adored her interactions with Tyler.  It was a little strange at first, but I just had to take in the account that Kyra was 16 despite the tie that had passed.  

What got me in the end was really the alien aspect.  Turns out Krya's dad might be entirely crazy.  Kyra did go "somewhere" for those 5 years.  There are those in secret branch of the government that are trying to contain all those who have disappeared only to return "different."   But, there are those who have experienced exactly what Krya has the are willing to help her.  It might be at Tyler's expense though, and this is were the story lost me.  

I'm not entirely positive I will read the next one.  I would like to see what happens to Tyler and I'm interested in what actually happens to those who have disappeared.  But, I'm still not sold on the alien aspect.

 

Review - The Offering (The Pledge #3) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Offering

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 3rd (The Pledge, The Essence)

Pages: 336

Published: December 31st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books 

ISBN: 9781442445628 

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.  Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks. When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom. But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

First Line: Unflinching, the executioner stood on the bloodstained floor facing the prison cells as he wielded an axe with a razor-sharp blade.

I Give This ...
 

 

I realized part way through this book that my issue with the second book (and part of this one) was the story ended up being about something different than I had hoped.  The aspects of the story that I really enjoyed in the first book are not longer important.  Once I tabled that, I was able to enjoy this book a whole lot more.

Charlie makes an interesting Queen.  She tends to think with her heart more than with her head.  Not entirely a bad characteristic, but it makes her make decisions in the heat of the moment.  I'm not sure what she hoped to accomplish by sneaking off in the middle of the night and walking into enemy territory.  She should know that enemies rarely hold up their end of the bargain.  But, I admired her for trying.  She never gives up.

I liked that she's turned into more the Queen I had hoped she would be.  She has more training under her belt and can old her own in situations that test her limits.  But, she's also recognizing who she is and what she needs to do. Even in the end, when she thought Sabara was going to win, she was willing to give up herself if it might change the tides.

I liked how the cast of characters rounded this book out.  All of them were willing to go the distance for Queen Charlie.  I know it's their duty, but there were a number of times that it was evident that they believed in what she was trying to do.  They would all die in attempt to save their kingdom.

It was a satisfying ending to a trilogy that ended up being about something entirely different that I expected.  But, that was ok.  I'm looking forward to Kimberly Derting's next work!  And I still need to read the last book in her previous series!

Review - The Essence (The Pledge #2) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Essence

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 2nd (The Pledge)

Pages: 352

Published: January 1st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry 

ISBN: 9781442445598

Source: Personal Copy

Description: At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness. Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two. As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

I Give This ...

 

This is one of those time that maybe it was too long since I read the last book in the series.  It's not the the events were unfamiliar.  It's more than the story seems different that how I remember the first book being.  

 I was indifferent to Charlie and her struggles as a new queen.  It seems the book glossed over some of the parts that might have made us better understand her.  She's put all these new policies into place, but I was surprised to read how much some of her people are unhappy with her changes.  I wasn't really expecting her to all of a sudden be the most popular Queen.  But, she doesn't seem to have a very strong hold of her kingdom.  I didn't ever even really get a feel that she was ruling in her right.  

The book picked up the pace a little when Charlie makes it to the summit.  But, this seems to be a party not a place for alliances to be made and broken.  There's a lot of talk on the proper way to greet each Queen and what everyone is wearing.  I found it kind of exhausting.

But, there's always something that sets you up to read the next book.  First, Sabara is still hanging on to Charlie.  And interestingly enough, she's not happy with a backseat role.  There's a couple instances were Charlie loses control and its Sabara pulling the strings.  Plus, there's a traitor in their mists, and that person may or may not be working for someone Charlie considers a friend.

Sadly, this book has that dreaded second book problem.  It's necessary to the storyline or you won't understand what happens next.  But, in the end it's likely to be my least favorite book in the series.   

 

Review - The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Last Echo

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 3rd (The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead)

Pages: 358

Published: April 17th 2012 by HarperCollins 

ISBN: 9780062082190

Source: Around The World Tours

 

Description:  Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye....

I Give This ...

 

I was really looking forward to this latest installment in this series.  It's filled a little void I've had since I've basically stopped reading adult mysteries/thrillers.  And while this book was a great read overall, there were some elements to the story that bothered me a little bit.

I enjoyed this new group that Violet is working with.  I think she needs to be around people that are like her.  It might help her to better accept her abilities and know how to use them to help those around her.  I was intrigued that we know as little about this group as Violet does.  Everyone of there abilities is different, and some are better at hiding their true capabilities.  I also thought the dynamics of the group was interesting.  Turns out there's some connections there that I did not see coming.

I didn't really enjoy how this new group gets in the way of Violet's relationships.  Her friends know nothing about her ability, so she's constantly lying to her friends.  Jay may know about her abilities, but she can't tell that about what the group does.  I didn't get enough of Jay in this book.  First, because Violet is off working all the time.  The story focuses on that and what it is doing for Violet.  Second, I was really disappointed that the dreaded love triangle was introduced.  Don't get me wrong, I like Rafe.  But, I like Jay and Violet MORE.   Thankfully, I think it was over before it could ever really get started.  It just was a blow to the story.   

While, I found the book was the most predictable of the three, there were enough surprises to keep me on my toes.  I enjoyed the storyline with gang leader (I found him creepier than the serial killer).  Plus, there are some twists at the end that I totally love.  I'm completely looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

Review - The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 1st

Pages: 323

Published: November 15, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry 

ISBN: 9781442422018 

Source: Galley Grab

 

Description: In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. 

I Give This ...

 

I've really enjoyed Derting's other series.  And while this one sounded like a drastic difference from her other work, I was looking forward to what it might offer.  I was impressed.

The story actually dragged a bit at the beginning.  While I got the impression that this is more of a dystopian novel, it read more like it was set in the past.  But, as the story picked up the pace, I feel in love with the storyline and even the characters.  I also decided that it had a fairy tale sort of feel to it, which made it that much more interesting.

I found Charlie to be a very interesting character.  She's born in the middle class, so she has more privilege that most, but not as much as the high class (and of course the royalty).  The fact that she can understand any language spoken constantly puts her in danger since no one is suppose to understand a language above their station.  I liked how protective she is of her family and her friends.  And while we see very little of it until late in the book, I got the impression that she would do anything to protect those she cares about when forced too.  But, she's seems mostly cautious about it all.  

I liked the rest of the cast of characters.  I especially liked Max, even though I knew who he really was way before Charlie did.  There was something about him that just really worked for me.  It was interesting that most of them seemed to be from the middle class, but I enjoyed the inclusion of the girl for the high class.   I would be curious to see if more of the low class make it into the series.  

I thought the setting was interesting.  The queen's life is different that the normal story and her policies are extreme.  It's all done to keep this country cut off from anybody else, because the people might see that there might be something better out there.  While, I dislikes how the classes were separated and how those who acted out of their station were treated, I understood how it fit into the story.

Overall, I just really enjoyed this story.  It was fun and had many of the elements that I enjoy.  I'm looking forward to more of it!

Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting

Title: Desires of the Dead

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 2nd in series

Pages: 368
Published: February 15, 2011 by HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780061779848

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found. When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well. 

I Give This ...

I had high hopes for this one.  It's hard not to when the first in a series comes out with a bang.  With the paranormal element and a cast of characters you can't help but love, I think think series will go far.

I really love Violet's ability.  The author has definitely put some thought into it.  Each death has a distinctive call for Violet and I think that is truly a unique aspect to this story.  I think she's really coming to terms with what she can do.  Before it was just a matter of animals and proper burial.  I think she's realizing she can use it for the greater good.  I like the character growth involved in this.  Although there was awhile there she was your typical teenage girl.  It had nothing to do with her ability and everything to do with Jay.  I wanted to smack her and tell her to stop being so foolish.

I hope Jay is always there to be her knight in shinning armor.  It's not that she needs saving, but the dead call to her so strongly that sometimes she doesn't realize the danger she puts herself in.  He's known her for so long and cares for her so much that it's hard not to find him so endearing.  I also liked the addition of Rafe.  I hope the author doesn't make it a love triangle in the future.  But Rafe would make a great shoulder for Violet to lean on.

I pegged the mystery pretty easily this time.  But, I don't think it was about the mystery in this installment.  It was about Violet accepting that she can use her ability to help others.  Which brings us to the FBI involvement.  I wasn't sure about Sara at first.  I couldn't figure out what she was after.  But, I was glad she was so interested in Violet and I think she (and her crew) can really help Violet.

I highly recommend this series to anyone that likes a touch of mystery mixed in with their paranormal.  It's perfect for teens and adults!

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder

Author: Kimberly Derting 

Series: 1st

Published: March 2010 by Harper Teen

Pages: 327

ISBN: 9780061779817

Source: traded copy (signed ARC)

Description: Violet Ambrose can find the dead. Or at least, those who have been murdered. She can sense the echoes they leave behind... and the imprints they leave on their killers. As if that weren't enough to deal with during junior year, she also has a sudden, inexplicable, and consuming crush on her best friend since childhood, Jay Heaton.  Now a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town... and she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

I Give This ...

 

I really enjoyed this story.  I've always been a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, and I think this falls into that category rather nicely.  Since it's geared towards teens, a lot of the gruesome things that come with that genre in the adult books is way toned down.  My mom would have given this two thumbs up when I was way beyond child books, but she was hesitate for me to read the likes of Stephen King, etc.  And I would have devoured it then, just as I did now.  There were even times this book sent tingles down my spine and I'm hard to scare.  The romance element just makes the book feel extremely believable.  It's just the right blend with the mystery.  And, at no time does it feel over done.  There's no love triangle, which is refreshing.  It's the simpleness of a girl starting to like her best friend, which I'm sure many teens can identify with.   

Overall just a wonderful book.  It was great chance of pace when you enjoy young adult, but occasionally get tired of the paranormal aspect or the never ending "can't live without you" love (lust) stories.  I will be reading the next in this series!