jennifervu's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5 stars)
I thought this book would be better than its prequel. I was wrong.
For half the book, Rafe was gone and it seemed pointless. 3/4 of the story was basically them trying to survive the forest. It was so boring! And in the end, I felt we were back to square one. Nothing new was learned (not really) and they were in trouble. Again.
The only character I liked was Corey. He was just comic relief though.
I thought this book would be better than its prequel. I was wrong.
For half the book, Rafe was gone and it seemed pointless. 3/4 of the story was basically them trying to survive the forest. It was so boring! And in the end, I felt we were back to square one. Nothing new was learned (not really) and they were in trouble. Again.
The only character I liked was Corey. He was just comic relief though.
jenner33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cancourtneyread's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first but I enjoyed it. I hope she ends up with Daniel<3
fan_dork3's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sweetdreams_sunshine's review against another edition
5.0
I was up until 2/2:30 last night finishing this. Whoops? To say I'm obsessed with this series right now is probably an understatement.
One thing I really love about Armstrong is the development of her characters. She is very good at writing both "good" and "bad" characters. You are able to identify with the characters who are not necessarily good people to a point and as well, you can get irritated with the main characters when they make mistakes. I also really enjoy how diverse her characters are. They really are all their own individual identity.
On to gush about this book:
Like the fact that Nicole was the one who likely killed Serena? And attempted to kill Maya twice. I would have never guessed that. Plus the whole Rafe situation where the St. Clouds were using him as bait. I knew he wasn't dead, because there was no way Armstrong was going to kill Maya's love interest off in the second book. BUT I did not expect that twist. I did not expect Maya's biological father to be working for the Nasts either.
I really loved all the character development we got in this book. From the more minor characters like Hayley up to Maya. I also enjoyed learning more about Sam (and her past) and Corey as I feel like they were the two characters I was neutral about by the end of The Gathering.
My favorite two parts of this book, and this series really are Maya's relationships with both Rafe and Daniel, both individually and how they interconnect. I absolutely love the fact that Armstrong chose to not do the typical love triangle with this book, for one. The other thing I love love how complex Maya & Rafe's relationship is. I really enjoy the fact that while they want to be together and enjoy spending time together, it is not the most important priority for them right now. Rafe has Annie to protect and think about while Maya has her friends & their safety (and her own) and her mission to find her parents as her top priorities. As for her relationship with Daniel, again I love how Armstrong managed to have a strong platonic friendship between a straight male and straight female, something you so rarely see in novels in general. I love how for each other, they really are number one. And yet, they have/had secrets from each other, yet when those secrets are revealed they are as supportive and understanding as possible.
I am really interested to see how Maya, Daniel & Corey's journey goes and what happens and when they meet Chloe & co. Overall I'm just anxious to get my hands on The Rising to continue the journey in this trilogy.
One thing I really love about Armstrong is the development of her characters. She is very good at writing both "good" and "bad" characters. You are able to identify with the characters who are not necessarily good people to a point and as well, you can get irritated with the main characters when they make mistakes. I also really enjoy how diverse her characters are. They really are all their own individual identity.
On to gush about this book:
Spoiler
I am really glad that Armstrong chose to start the book right after where The Gathering left off. I was a bit fearful that she would not. I think it was interesting how she handled a lot of developments that happened in this book. I honestly did not suspect any of the twists that came about to happen.Like the fact that Nicole was the one who likely killed Serena? And attempted to kill Maya twice. I would have never guessed that. Plus the whole Rafe situation where the St. Clouds were using him as bait. I knew he wasn't dead, because there was no way Armstrong was going to kill Maya's love interest off in the second book. BUT I did not expect that twist. I did not expect Maya's biological father to be working for the Nasts either.
I really loved all the character development we got in this book. From the more minor characters like Hayley up to Maya. I also enjoyed learning more about Sam (and her past) and Corey as I feel like they were the two characters I was neutral about by the end of The Gathering.
My favorite two parts of this book, and this series really are Maya's relationships with both Rafe and Daniel, both individually and how they interconnect. I absolutely love the fact that Armstrong chose to not do the typical love triangle with this book, for one. The other thing I love love how complex Maya & Rafe's relationship is. I really enjoy the fact that while they want to be together and enjoy spending time together, it is not the most important priority for them right now. Rafe has Annie to protect and think about while Maya has her friends & their safety (and her own) and her mission to find her parents as her top priorities. As for her relationship with Daniel, again I love how Armstrong managed to have a strong platonic friendship between a straight male and straight female, something you so rarely see in novels in general. I love how for each other, they really are number one. And yet, they have/had secrets from each other, yet when those secrets are revealed they are as supportive and understanding as possible.
I am really interested to see how Maya, Daniel & Corey's journey goes and what happens and when they meet Chloe & co. Overall I'm just anxious to get my hands on The Rising to continue the journey in this trilogy.
weaverl13's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - as I actually know what happened!
!!!Spoilers for The Gathering!!!
So book 1 left me confused although I enjoyed it. And early on in book 2 there was a one paragraph summary of book 1 that made sense. They had been experimented on and taken from parents. Fire was set to try to catch the kids. Or something like that.
Anyway this book is mostly the group trying to survive in the forest and trying to avoid capture. I love the kids turned survivalist trope. To be honest that's basically all the plot is with a few more bits of important info discovered. But it was enjoyable enough.
The characters are cool. I like Maya, Rafe and Daniel. Corey is good too. Nicole and Sam are kind of annoying as they keep having hissy fits. I can relate to Maya with the love of the outdoors. They aren't deeply developed characters but for the most part are likeable.
Yeah, nice easy (understandable!) read. I'll pick up book 3 soon...
!!!Spoilers for The Gathering!!!
So book 1 left me confused although I enjoyed it. And early on in book 2 there was a one paragraph summary of book 1 that made sense. They had been experimented on and taken from parents. Fire was set to try to catch the kids. Or something like that.
Anyway this book is mostly the group trying to survive in the forest and trying to avoid capture. I love the kids turned survivalist trope. To be honest that's basically all the plot is with a few more bits of important info discovered. But it was enjoyable enough.
The characters are cool. I like Maya, Rafe and Daniel. Corey is good too. Nicole and Sam are kind of annoying as they keep having hissy fits. I can relate to Maya with the love of the outdoors. They aren't deeply developed characters but for the most part are likeable.
Yeah, nice easy (understandable!) read. I'll pick up book 3 soon...
vikcs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
lolasreviews's review against another edition
5.0
First finished this book 22 April 2012. Re-read in April 2013.
Book 2 in the Darkness Rising triligy is almost as good as book 1. It's a great book and I loved every second of it. In this book we get to know the characters better, learn more about their supernatural heritage and we get even more questions. The book just made me want to keep reading, because I had to know what was going to happen.
This book contains more action than book 1 and where book 1 was still a bit of an introdcution the story really picks up in this book. We do get some of the questions from book 1 answered, but even more questions arise.
I also think this book had more of the same feel as the Darkest powers trilogy. There was more running around and wondering about the experiment, while they gradually find out more. I do think there was a bit too much running around. But I loved learning more about the experiment.
The character where great and I always love seeing character development and this book had a lot of that. I still think Maya is a great lead character and in this book she shows even more of her strenght. We also get to know the other characters so much better, I was really surprised by some information we got about the other characters. I really liked getting to know more about the other characters. And I can't wait to see what happens to them next. I really felt for all the characters, all of them are great.
To conclude: A great book, I really loved it. I loved where the story goes and seeing the characters develop. I am really looking forward to book 3 and how the author is going to wrap this series up.
Book 2 in the Darkness Rising triligy is almost as good as book 1. It's a great book and I loved every second of it. In this book we get to know the characters better, learn more about their supernatural heritage and we get even more questions. The book just made me want to keep reading, because I had to know what was going to happen.
This book contains more action than book 1 and where book 1 was still a bit of an introdcution the story really picks up in this book. We do get some of the questions from book 1 answered, but even more questions arise.
I also think this book had more of the same feel as the Darkest powers trilogy. There was more running around and wondering about the experiment, while they gradually find out more. I do think there was a bit too much running around. But I loved learning more about the experiment.
The character where great and I always love seeing character development and this book had a lot of that. I still think Maya is a great lead character and in this book she shows even more of her strenght. We also get to know the other characters so much better, I was really surprised by some information we got about the other characters. I really liked getting to know more about the other characters. And I can't wait to see what happens to them next. I really felt for all the characters, all of them are great.
To conclude: A great book, I really loved it. I loved where the story goes and seeing the characters develop. I am really looking forward to book 3 and how the author is going to wrap this series up.