kblincoln's review
5.0
I was so excited by the release of the third book in this series I forgot I hadn't read the second one yet! So I plowed through "Beyond Your Touch" in record time.
It wasn't that hard to do, actually. This sequel is better than the first book. I feel like not only our heroine, Annie, but also the plot grew more mature in terms of being more active, full of layers, and dense with action.
Annie is still at Moonhill with cousins, aunt, and half-ifrit hottie, Chase. Her father is better, but her mother is still imprisoned in the realm of the djinn.
Her newfound family is on the hunt for flutes-- ancient flutes made of bone that can pierce the veil between our world and the djinn realm. While the men of the family are away in Europe, Annie and her cousin discover a girl with her own bone flute, and set things into motion that will leave us at the end of this second book eager for the third one (yes, there's a cliffhanger.)
Meanwhile, Annie and Chase's relationship has grown...er...quite mature. There's donut olympics and kissing, and stroking of pectorals, and....yeah. I'll leave that up to your imagination, but those scenes quite squarely put this book in the New Adult/Adult category despite the youngish status of the main group of characters.
What I love about this series is the layered details. Annie's the daughter of an antique dealer and that important part of her character is not forgotten in this installment, as well as cool info-bytes about ancient flutes, myths, etc.
But Esden has gotten sneaky on us, as well, creating an intriguing tapestry of quotes from various characters that heads each chapter-- a series of clues that bring a further layer of characterization to light as you read along.
Now on to the third one!
It wasn't that hard to do, actually. This sequel is better than the first book. I feel like not only our heroine, Annie, but also the plot grew more mature in terms of being more active, full of layers, and dense with action.
Annie is still at Moonhill with cousins, aunt, and half-ifrit hottie, Chase. Her father is better, but her mother is still imprisoned in the realm of the djinn.
Her newfound family is on the hunt for flutes-- ancient flutes made of bone that can pierce the veil between our world and the djinn realm. While the men of the family are away in Europe, Annie and her cousin discover a girl with her own bone flute, and set things into motion that will leave us at the end of this second book eager for the third one (yes, there's a cliffhanger.)
Meanwhile, Annie and Chase's relationship has grown...er...quite mature. There's donut olympics and kissing, and stroking of pectorals, and....yeah. I'll leave that up to your imagination, but those scenes quite squarely put this book in the New Adult/Adult category despite the youngish status of the main group of characters.
What I love about this series is the layered details. Annie's the daughter of an antique dealer and that important part of her character is not forgotten in this installment, as well as cool info-bytes about ancient flutes, myths, etc.
But Esden has gotten sneaky on us, as well, creating an intriguing tapestry of quotes from various characters that heads each chapter-- a series of clues that bring a further layer of characterization to light as you read along.
Now on to the third one!
dani_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
First off, if you haven't read the first book yet, check out my review of A Hold on Me to see why you should definitely read it!
I stand by what I said about the first book: this is a great New Adult paranormal series, one that I recommend to anyone who likes paranormal and a wants to try NA, or vice versa.
Again, Annie was flawed and made plenty of mistakes. Plenty. She was jealous and paranoid and let it get the best of her, but I could understand why. The one relationship she'd had before had resulted in the guy ditching her for someone else as soon as she'd slept with him. I still feel like, realistically, I would have probably done similar things to her. I know my own flaws!
I still love Chase and Selena (as much as she can annoy me). I liked how the younger generation banded together in this one, ready to work as a team. Also, I am quietly shipping Selena and Tibbs and hope she'll open her eyes to him soon...
The setting for most of the book was the same: creepy big house that's become less creepy and more like a museum/spy headquarters. However, a team does go into the djinn realm, which was really cool and equally disturbing. I liked how Esden took certain well-known "facts" about genies and twisted them, like how magic carpets don't actually fly.
The ending of this one killed me. How could you leave it like that, Esden?! Now I have to wait until July for the complete mess to hopefully be cleaned up. Actually, multiple messes, as a tiny side story has turned into something a lot bigger... AHHHH give me book 3 soon!!!
First off, if you haven't read the first book yet, check out my review of A Hold on Me to see why you should definitely read it!
I stand by what I said about the first book: this is a great New Adult paranormal series, one that I recommend to anyone who likes paranormal and a wants to try NA, or vice versa.
Again, Annie was flawed and made plenty of mistakes. Plenty. She was jealous and paranoid and let it get the best of her, but I could understand why. The one relationship she'd had before had resulted in the guy ditching her for someone else as soon as she'd slept with him. I still feel like, realistically, I would have probably done similar things to her. I know my own flaws!
I still love Chase and Selena (as much as she can annoy me). I liked how the younger generation banded together in this one, ready to work as a team. Also, I am quietly shipping Selena and Tibbs and hope she'll open her eyes to him soon...
The setting for most of the book was the same: creepy big house that's become less creepy and more like a museum/spy headquarters. However, a team does go into the djinn realm, which was really cool and equally disturbing. I liked how Esden took certain well-known "facts" about genies and twisted them, like how magic carpets don't actually fly.
The ending of this one killed me. How could you leave it like that, Esden?! Now I have to wait until July for the complete mess to hopefully be cleaned up. Actually, multiple messes, as a tiny side story has turned into something a lot bigger... AHHHH give me book 3 soon!!!
See this review in its natural environment, Dani Reviews Things.
shaegeeksout's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this sequel very much! A great follow up to the first novel! I can't wait for the final installment!
jamiebooksandladders's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 3.5*
Full review to come tomorrow on Books and Ladders!
Actual Rating: 3.5*
Full review to come tomorrow on Books and Ladders!
More...