ajlacassie's review against another edition
4.0
It left me with cliffhanger and i had to read the second one and it also left me with another huge fucking cliffhanger. this is so not fair. The books are not the best ones but i need to satisfy my curiosity or it'll end me.
booksabrewin's review against another edition
2.0
I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The first book in this series, Elite, finished on a moderate cliffhanger. By moderate cliffhanger I mean that I was anxious to see what happened next but I didn't feel I would die if I didn't find out as soon as humanly possible. I wanted to see what happened with Nixon and Tracey after all they had done in hopes of being together. I was worried that there was going to be something else that came along and ruined things for them and after reading the synopsis... my fears were realized. Still, I needed to know why on Earth Nixon would push Trace into his best friend, Chase's, arms. So began my excursion into the Eagle Elite world once more.
Nixon was happy with Trace. He still worried that their relationship would raise questions and peak the interests of the enemies he still had. He was afraid that he was going to lose her all over again but this time more permanently. He felt he had to do what was for the best and that was to pretend that Trace and him were not together. Instead, he wanted the world to think that Trace was actually with his best friend, and right hand, Chase. It was not long before Nixon realized this may be a huge mistake. Chase had feelings for Trace and while Nixon wanted to believe that his best friend would never betray him, he knew of Trace's allure. Despite wanting to rip his best friend's head off for laying hands and lips upon his property, Nixon watched with his heart breaking every moment they were together.
Chase struggled between being Nixon's best friend and wanting to be the man that Trace loved wholeheartedly. He didn't want to betray his childhood friend but Trace seemed to be the air he breathed and he didn't want to let her go. Chase fully embraced the mission to pretend to be Trace's boyfriend and hoped that over the course of time that Trace would choose him over Nixon in the end.
This book read a lot like Twlight by Stephanie Meyer. With the best friend hungry for more drooling over the naive heroine and the hero letting his woman go in hopes of saving her from certain doom. Really, it almost felt EXACTLY like Meyer's book. As a person who is not really a fan of Twilight this book was lackluster for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at the whole "leaving her for her own good" and "choose me even though you kinda only love me as a friend" situations. I was kind of disappointed with this sequel.
Also, I really didn't like the changing narrators. I had to constantly flip back to the beginning of the chapters to see who was talking each time. I liked the first book because it stayed as Trace being the narrator. It didn't change every five seconds. Changing narrators seems to be a lot of work for readers, in my opinion. Instead of getting lost in the world we are having to make sure we focus on who's point of view we are witnessing things through. I am all for getting the male perspective in books, but I would have liked to see what Trace was thinking periodically.
I think that Elect has fallen into the tumultuous group of being a disappointing sequel. It happens a lot in series. If the first book didn't end in a cliffhanger, I would advise skipping this book. However, if you are into the whole love triangle that is really reminiscent of Twilight then have at Elect.
Review Posted on: http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot.com
linda_w's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
doremelodie's review against another edition
4.0
Pick the second guy because you wouldn’t have fallen for him if you really loved the first guy. Well, what if the first guy literally pushed you into the arms of the next guy to protect you? Are you really falling from your own free will?
readingwithemmett's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I wasn't really expecting this. This book was super well written. The POV switched between Chase and Nixon, which was interesting because the entire first book was only Trace's POV. The first chapter...WOW! Like you know that it's going to be interesting how it lead to that and what happens after. I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved this book and I am super excited to finish the series.
karenfausto8's review against another edition
4.0
¡Por fin lo acabé!
Realmente no sé que esperaba de esta segunda parte de Élite pero no fue esto. No puedo decir que me decepciono o lleno mis expectativas porque la mayoría del libro, me la pase en frustración.
Aunque mi personaje favorito fuera Nixon, sus acciones nobles llegaron a desesperarme a un punto de quiebre. Me enoje mucho en la manera que la autora llevó la historia porque me dejo un sabor amargo de este libro, en referencia al primero.
Si creí que me gustaba Chase, hicieron tanto la autora como la historia para que lo odiara al igual que Trace, mientras Chase me torturaba con su egoísmo, Tracey lo hacía por su indecisión. Y odie un poco por eso a Nixon al dejarlo que así fluyera todo.
Estoy indecisa si darle tres o cuatro estrellas, ya que tuvo un gran comienzo con la saga pero me desilusiono con esto.
Secretos, mentiras y más mafia, eso sigue siendo constante de este segundo libro al primero. Desde que se da a conocer los secretos, el lector experimenta un momento de duda y solo se quiere llegar al momento de la verdad.
No vuelvo a leer algo parecido con triángulos amorosos, resulta bastante frustrante cuando solo hay problemas, problemas y más problemas.
Realmente no sé que esperaba de esta segunda parte de Élite pero no fue esto. No puedo decir que me decepciono o lleno mis expectativas porque la mayoría del libro, me la pase en frustración.
"Fui forzado a ser el chico malo así ella podía tener una oportunidad. Pero maldición, cómo quería, solo por una vez en mi miserable vida, ser el héroe, el caballero de brillante armadura, el chico que se merecía tener. El chico quien la rescatara a cualquier costo. Tal vez me estuviera aferrando a una fantasía. Era posible que ella volviera o que se alejara de mí. Y cuando llegara ese momento, si esa era la decisión que ella quería tomar, se lo permitiría. No porque quisiera dejarla ir, sino porque la respetaba demasiado como para obligarla a quedarse cuando lo que quería era irse. Realmente creo que el sacrificio más grande que alguien puede hacer en su vida es poner las necesidades de otra persona antes que las suyas propias y deseos. Amar a alguien con tal pasión que no te importaría sufrir el resto de tu vida solo para poder verles sonreír. Irías al infierno y volverías, aunque aquello solo significara mantenerlos a salvo. Ella era mi Julieta, y maldita sea si no quería que la historia terminara de otra manera. Quería que ella tuviera una vida, incluso si eso significaba que estuviera lejos de mí."
Aunque mi personaje favorito fuera Nixon, sus acciones nobles llegaron a desesperarme a un punto de quiebre. Me enoje mucho en la manera que la autora llevó la historia porque me dejo un sabor amargo de este libro, en referencia al primero.
"Así que en cuanto a mí respecta, siempre ha sido Chase. Nunca he sido yo. Siempre ha sido él y sólo él. De aquí en adelante, yo soy la otra persona, soy el imbécil que te avergonzó delante de tus compañeros, el chico que te amenazo con destruirte. No soy nada, ¿y Chase? Es tu salvador."¿Enserio?
Si creí que me gustaba Chase, hicieron tanto la autora como la historia para que lo odiara al igual que Trace, mientras Chase me torturaba con su egoísmo, Tracey lo hacía por su indecisión. Y odie un poco por eso a Nixon al dejarlo que así fluyera todo.
"Dime que hay un final feliz. Miente. Miente si es necesario. Necesito escucharte decirlo."
"Trace, ¿Para nosotros? Siempre habrá un final feliz. Siempre."
Estoy indecisa si darle tres o cuatro estrellas, ya que tuvo un gran comienzo con la saga pero me desilusiono con esto.
"Cuando me despierto por las mañanas, no pienso, ¿cómo puedo hacer que ella me ame más? ¿Cómo puedo tener mi camino con ella? ¿Yo, yo, yo? No está en mi vocabulario. De hecho, soy un gran fanático de la palabra tú. Yo como, pienso en ti. Bebo, bebo para ti. Lloro, para que tú no lo tengas que hacer. Moriría para que tú vivas. Y sobreviviría con un corazón roto sólo si eso significa enmendar el tuyo. Además, el romance no es algo en lo que trabajas, no cuando encuentras a la chica correcta. Cuando te enamoras, cuando tomas ese salto, es tan natural como respirar, es tan simple como eso. Soy romántico porque mi corazón demanda que no seré menos que cien por ciento, para ti, día y noche."
Secretos, mentiras y más mafia, eso sigue siendo constante de este segundo libro al primero. Desde que se da a conocer los secretos, el lector experimenta un momento de duda y solo se quiere llegar al momento de la verdad.
"No tengo miedo de morir."
"Lo sé. Tu problema radica en el hecho de que por fin has encontrado a alguien por quien vivir. No es nuestro miedo a la muerte, pero si lo es el dejar atrás a los que amamos."
No vuelvo a leer algo parecido con triángulos amorosos, resulta bastante frustrante cuando solo hay problemas, problemas y más problemas.
willowisp79's review against another edition
4.0
Storyline picks up a little altho at times the toing and froing between nixon and chase can be too much..
Having said that I gave a feeling that's going to be rectified in the second book!.
I've got used to the style of writing now. It was a bit of a shock when I read it first but now the mostly clean, tame version of mafia life isn't too bad a read. Having read Ms Van Dykens adult books I know she can write excellent steamy scenes and it would have been nice to see a smidgen more in these books. Theres pretty much nothing over kissing and the boys always want to "slam them against a wall". And the strongest language is "shit". I would think with such a controversial topic such as this the adult content would be more in line or more than it is? If that makes sense!!
It's not too heavy so it's almost like a break from adult books while still reading books with good content!
Interested to see exactly where this goes. I hope it can hold my attention!
Having said that I gave a feeling that's going to be rectified in the second book!.
I've got used to the style of writing now. It was a bit of a shock when I read it first but now the mostly clean, tame version of mafia life isn't too bad a read. Having read Ms Van Dykens adult books I know she can write excellent steamy scenes and it would have been nice to see a smidgen more in these books. Theres pretty much nothing over kissing and the boys always want to "slam them against a wall". And the strongest language is "shit". I would think with such a controversial topic such as this the adult content would be more in line or more than it is? If that makes sense!!
It's not too heavy so it's almost like a break from adult books while still reading books with good content!
Interested to see exactly where this goes. I hope it can hold my attention!
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
5.0
I simply love this series, Rachel Van Dyken gets exactly what I love in a book series. I just can't stop reading them. I want more and more.
chelseammg's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly! I feel like I just drove along the windiest, twistiest, curviest road ever! And I loved every last curve.
Rachal Van Dyken has done it, she has squeezed out 5 stars from me. Every one of those stars is deserved!
All of the characters in this book sucked me in, captivated me and made me want to know more. Even the ones I hated!
What is truly brilliant is that while I want more, more, more I am not feeling like if I was left hanging. I got SO much story here, I am satisfied. (for now ;) )
When you are ready for the roller coaster grab a glass (or bottle) of wine to calm your nerves when you start feeling the anxiety and enjoy! It’s an amazing, amazing ride!
Rachal Van Dyken has done it, she has squeezed out 5 stars from me. Every one of those stars is deserved!
All of the characters in this book sucked me in, captivated me and made me want to know more. Even the ones I hated!
What is truly brilliant is that while I want more, more, more I am not feeling like if I was left hanging. I got SO much story here, I am satisfied. (for now ;) )
When you are ready for the roller coaster grab a glass (or bottle) of wine to calm your nerves when you start feeling the anxiety and enjoy! It’s an amazing, amazing ride!
izzy_happyfornow's review against another edition
4.0
I am in love love love with this series! Elect picks right up from the end of the first book and let me tell you it was a ride the whole time. Just the entire basis of this series has me thrilled to pieces. The mafia with tons of mystery and intrigue. Not too contrived of a plot it's a real beauty.
Normally I find most love triangles obnoxious and fake. Yet I didn't find the love triangle absolutely annoying. It felt right and it made sense instead of being a complete wash of flip flopping between dudes.
Another great thing in this book was the perspective changes between the males. It felt refreshing to read something from a male's view instead of a girl. This also helped to make the love triangle make a lot more sense.
We also meet a new amazing female character who is a massive bad ass and I can't wait to see more from her!
Finally I have to say that damn ending has me sitting on the edge of my seat for the next book! Really can't recommend this book enough if you enjoyed the first one.
Normally I find most love triangles obnoxious and fake. Yet I didn't find the love triangle absolutely annoying. It felt right and it made sense instead of being a complete wash of flip flopping between dudes.
Another great thing in this book was the perspective changes between the males. It felt refreshing to read something from a male's view instead of a girl. This also helped to make the love triangle make a lot more sense.
We also meet a new amazing female character who is a massive bad ass and I can't wait to see more from her!
Finally I have to say that damn ending has me sitting on the edge of my seat for the next book! Really can't recommend this book enough if you enjoyed the first one.