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kinx128's review
5.0
I love this series so much and this third installment does not disappoint in any way. It is full of action and angst. You experience the full range of Matt’s emotions. Kendra Highley has successfully written a character that you can believe in and be proud of. Matt is a hero when the world desperately needs one.
As you can tell, I love Matt. He is such a great character; one where today’s kids can look up to. He has tremendous strength, physically and morally. It’s his high moral standards that make him special. I love that Kendra hasn’t let Matt fall short of our high expectations of him. Even when dealing with girl drama, he is able have a conscience and back off when he needs to.
One of my favorite scenes is between Matt and Ella. I know this had to be difficult to write but Kendra wrote it with such sweetness and honesty. I thought it was just so genuine. I bet you’re wonderful what I’m talking about. Once again, no spoilers; but once you read it, you will know what I’m talking about.
Another great character is Will and he really comes into his own in this book. I’ve had my suspicions about Will and they were true. I won’t give any spoilers but Will finally is feeling comfortable in his own skin. He also meets his match with a new girl at school. Penn is a feisty girl from Oklahoma who gives Will a huge piece of humble pie. She definitely puts him in his place.
Matt’s knife-spirit is really shaping into a very distinct character. Matt has a new name for her…Tink. I love the nickname. It really fits. The relationship between Matt and Tink is getting very intense. Matt doesn’t full trust his knife. He has some serious misgivings of her actions. I think it’s about the ends does not justify the means. Matt is struggling over the sacrifices that are being made in the war.
If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to start NOW. It just keeps getting better and betters.
As you can tell, I love Matt. He is such a great character; one where today’s kids can look up to. He has tremendous strength, physically and morally. It’s his high moral standards that make him special. I love that Kendra hasn’t let Matt fall short of our high expectations of him. Even when dealing with girl drama, he is able have a conscience and back off when he needs to.
One of my favorite scenes is between Matt and Ella. I know this had to be difficult to write but Kendra wrote it with such sweetness and honesty. I thought it was just so genuine. I bet you’re wonderful what I’m talking about. Once again, no spoilers; but once you read it, you will know what I’m talking about.
Another great character is Will and he really comes into his own in this book. I’ve had my suspicions about Will and they were true. I won’t give any spoilers but Will finally is feeling comfortable in his own skin. He also meets his match with a new girl at school. Penn is a feisty girl from Oklahoma who gives Will a huge piece of humble pie. She definitely puts him in his place.
Matt’s knife-spirit is really shaping into a very distinct character. Matt has a new name for her…Tink. I love the nickname. It really fits. The relationship between Matt and Tink is getting very intense. Matt doesn’t full trust his knife. He has some serious misgivings of her actions. I think it’s about the ends does not justify the means. Matt is struggling over the sacrifices that are being made in the war.
If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to start NOW. It just keeps getting better and betters.
vikingwolf's review
5.0
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Matt is dealing with heartbreak, guilt, a knife that tries to take over his mind, and his most dangerous mission yet. Now the threat comes from Africa in the form of mutant cats and he has to deal with news about his family bloodline, explaining why he was chosen for the knife. Getting answers only adds to the responsibility weighing Matt down.
I like the fact that Matt has evolved from the smartass kid to the weary soldier over the course of this series. We see him struggle with his destiny, and having responsibility for the lives of the team is difficult for him to cope with. I enjoy his love/hate relationship with Tink which is becoming a battle of wills as she seeks to fully control his mind in battle, with Matt desperate to hang onto his independence. And now Will is assuming some of that responsibility, Matt has fears for his best friend. He is also worried about baby Kate losing one or both of her parents on his watch, plus he has relationship issues with Ella and his brother Brent. It is a tough time for Matt and it really adds something to the story.
The plot again is all action with some spectacular battle scenes but this time we learn a bit more about Matt's destiny, and a prophecy about the knife wielders. There is still the humour with Matt and Will, tension over who on the team will survive each battle and wondering what can possibly come next in this plot! There are never boring bits, the book flows along nicely and you just keep wanting to read the next chapter.
The characters really do play such an important part in this book. Every time a new battle starts you start to hope that your favourites will make it through ok. New characters are continually coming into the series and they all seem to fit nicely into the story, even if not all of them are there for long. I also continue to enjoy seeing Matt at home with his family, dealing with the normal issues facing a teenage boy, something that the author handles very well.
I don't want to give out too many spoilers but I really do recommend this series for older YA readers and adults who enjoy urban fantasy, monster paranormal or action adventure stories. This series has such a good mix of action, angst and humour that there is something for every reader to enjoy. And I have now ordered books 1-3 in paperback for my own collection!
Matt is dealing with heartbreak, guilt, a knife that tries to take over his mind, and his most dangerous mission yet. Now the threat comes from Africa in the form of mutant cats and he has to deal with news about his family bloodline, explaining why he was chosen for the knife. Getting answers only adds to the responsibility weighing Matt down.
I like the fact that Matt has evolved from the smartass kid to the weary soldier over the course of this series. We see him struggle with his destiny, and having responsibility for the lives of the team is difficult for him to cope with. I enjoy his love/hate relationship with Tink which is becoming a battle of wills as she seeks to fully control his mind in battle, with Matt desperate to hang onto his independence. And now Will is assuming some of that responsibility, Matt has fears for his best friend. He is also worried about baby Kate losing one or both of her parents on his watch, plus he has relationship issues with Ella and his brother Brent. It is a tough time for Matt and it really adds something to the story.
The plot again is all action with some spectacular battle scenes but this time we learn a bit more about Matt's destiny, and a prophecy about the knife wielders. There is still the humour with Matt and Will, tension over who on the team will survive each battle and wondering what can possibly come next in this plot! There are never boring bits, the book flows along nicely and you just keep wanting to read the next chapter.
The characters really do play such an important part in this book. Every time a new battle starts you start to hope that your favourites will make it through ok. New characters are continually coming into the series and they all seem to fit nicely into the story, even if not all of them are there for long. I also continue to enjoy seeing Matt at home with his family, dealing with the normal issues facing a teenage boy, something that the author handles very well.
I don't want to give out too many spoilers but I really do recommend this series for older YA readers and adults who enjoy urban fantasy, monster paranormal or action adventure stories. This series has such a good mix of action, angst and humour that there is something for every reader to enjoy. And I have now ordered books 1-3 in paperback for my own collection!
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved this book so much, and again, ending with his dad asking why Matt's there, when he's only 17, and yeah, so freaking good!
*First read June 18th, 2013*
Man, oh, man, I loved this book! So freaking good, we got a new character who was spectacular, and there was a lot of developments in the whole "original monster places have important people" angle, and then the ending, with the possessed guy (not saying his name so I don't spoil) and the absolute end? Man, is that going to torment me till book #4, I want to know what's going to happen next!!!! Oh, and Mamie became a god to some of the soldiers, which I found hilarious, loved it!!
*First read June 18th, 2013*
Man, oh, man, I loved this book! So freaking good, we got a new character who was spectacular, and there was a lot of developments in the whole "original monster places have important people" angle, and then the ending, with the possessed guy (not saying his name so I don't spoil) and the absolute end? Man, is that going to torment me till book #4, I want to know what's going to happen next!!!! Oh, and Mamie became a god to some of the soldiers, which I found hilarious, loved it!!
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