momwithareadingproblem's review
5.0
Healed by [a:Becca Vincenza|7278389|Becca Vincenza|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1397601276p2/7278389.jpg] is book two of the Rebirth series and tells Elijah's and Valentine's story. Elijah, a wraith with unwanted feelings, is sent on a mission by York to find Valentine, an undetermined paranormal who is possibly a rebirth, before the Braden clan can find her and destroy her. Elijah finds her and is intrigued. Valentine can heal people with touch, but she is also living with a Djinn. Valentine with her best friend Amani escape Elijah only to find themselves at the hands of another clan. Valentine must rely on Elijah who she doesn't trust to help her save her friend, and Elijah realizes these emotions he's feeling may never go away.
New and Familiar Characters
What I really like about this series so far is that each book is centered around different characters. Whereas Damaged centered around Stone and Audrey, this one focuses on their friend Elijah and the new character Valentine. Elijah is a wraith, basically a soul-sucking demon according to his clan. He has no feelings, kills without remorse, and relishes in the soul's fear. That is he did until he helped save Audrey. Now he is having emotions and feelings that he hasn't experienced since he was human. He blames his host body, but isn't sure if that is really the cause. When he meets Valentine he is drawn to her, and in complete Stone fashion claims her as his (there's that "mine" word again ;) ) I really like Elijah. He's a dark character who struggles with the light that Valentine brings. It makes for an interesting story, and if I'm being honest, I liked him a lot better than I did Stone. He's honest, doesn't hold back, and does what's necessary to protect Valentine at personal cost.
Valentine is an interesting addition to the series. She was an orphan, raised in the foster system and an outsider until she met Amani who seemed to understand her unique ability. Val is a sweet character, a bit naive, but always has your best interests at heart. She puts others before herself. Basically she is the yin to Elijah's yang. She is the complete opposite of the cold Elijah. Where he is dark, she is light. She helps others, even strangers at the cost of her own health. You see, she can heal people (no spoilers I promise, this is all in her first chapter) just by touching them, but it leaves her weak and she has to sleep. In the first chapter she heals a patient close to death, and she is out cold for 72 hours, scaring her friend and herself, but she admits she would do it again. How can you not love her?!
Amani is Val's best friend, her adoptive sister, and a Djinn. That's right she's a genie! Pretty cool huh?! She's spunky, outspoken, and very protective of Val. So when Elijah shows up to take her, Amani runs with Val to protect her. They bring out each other's qualities. Isn't every friend supposed to do that ;)
Love and War
As with book one, this book centers around the relationship that builds between Elijah and Valentine. But unlike book one there is a lot more paranormal and plot besides the romance :D Valentine and Amani land themselves in serious trouble with another clan, and Amani winds up prisoner. It's up to Valentine to save her, but she must turn to the man who showed up to take her away in the first place. The plot lies in can she trust Elijah, and if she can will she be safe to go with him after they save Amani.
In the process Val must also learn all she can about the paranormal world to see if she can learn what kind of paranormal she is. Amani and her parents hid things about their world to protect Val, but in reality they've placed her in more danger. Who can she trust? What is she? Makes for an amazing read :D Though I will admit, I figured out what Val was long before she did.
There is more about the different clans in this book which I felt was lacking in Damaged. The author shares a lot of information about the clans, different paranormals, and the emergence of the rebirths which enhances the series. I can't wait for more!
My Conclusions
I really enjoyed this book! In fact, I read it in one sitting ;) While it isn't your typical sequel in a series, it does follow the main plot and introduces some new characters. While I found it a bit predictive, the author still managed to surprise me in some areas, like the ending and Elijah's character as a whole. FYI there are more sexual situations in this book than in book one, also some profanity, and it has an overall darker theme as Elijah is just a darker character. I highly suggest this book be for mature audiences only!!! Though technically the books could be standalone, they tie together nicely, and if you do decide to read them they should be read in order! If you enjoy new adult fiction, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy, I think you should definitely check out the series.
New and Familiar Characters
What I really like about this series so far is that each book is centered around different characters. Whereas Damaged centered around Stone and Audrey, this one focuses on their friend Elijah and the new character Valentine. Elijah is a wraith, basically a soul-sucking demon according to his clan. He has no feelings, kills without remorse, and relishes in the soul's fear. That is he did until he helped save Audrey. Now he is having emotions and feelings that he hasn't experienced since he was human. He blames his host body, but isn't sure if that is really the cause. When he meets Valentine he is drawn to her, and in complete Stone fashion claims her as his (there's that "mine" word again ;) ) I really like Elijah. He's a dark character who struggles with the light that Valentine brings. It makes for an interesting story, and if I'm being honest, I liked him a lot better than I did Stone. He's honest, doesn't hold back, and does what's necessary to protect Valentine at personal cost.
Valentine is an interesting addition to the series. She was an orphan, raised in the foster system and an outsider until she met Amani who seemed to understand her unique ability. Val is a sweet character, a bit naive, but always has your best interests at heart. She puts others before herself. Basically she is the yin to Elijah's yang. She is the complete opposite of the cold Elijah. Where he is dark, she is light. She helps others, even strangers at the cost of her own health. You see, she can heal people (no spoilers I promise, this is all in her first chapter) just by touching them, but it leaves her weak and she has to sleep. In the first chapter she heals a patient close to death, and she is out cold for 72 hours, scaring her friend and herself, but she admits she would do it again. How can you not love her?!
Amani is Val's best friend, her adoptive sister, and a Djinn. That's right she's a genie! Pretty cool huh?! She's spunky, outspoken, and very protective of Val. So when Elijah shows up to take her, Amani runs with Val to protect her. They bring out each other's qualities. Isn't every friend supposed to do that ;)
Love and War
As with book one, this book centers around the relationship that builds between Elijah and Valentine. But unlike book one there is a lot more paranormal and plot besides the romance :D Valentine and Amani land themselves in serious trouble with another clan, and Amani winds up prisoner. It's up to Valentine to save her, but she must turn to the man who showed up to take her away in the first place. The plot lies in can she trust Elijah, and if she can will she be safe to go with him after they save Amani.
In the process Val must also learn all she can about the paranormal world to see if she can learn what kind of paranormal she is. Amani and her parents hid things about their world to protect Val, but in reality they've placed her in more danger. Who can she trust? What is she? Makes for an amazing read :D Though I will admit, I figured out what Val was long before she did.
There is more about the different clans in this book which I felt was lacking in Damaged. The author shares a lot of information about the clans, different paranormals, and the emergence of the rebirths which enhances the series. I can't wait for more!
My Conclusions
I really enjoyed this book! In fact, I read it in one sitting ;) While it isn't your typical sequel in a series, it does follow the main plot and introduces some new characters. While I found it a bit predictive, the author still managed to surprise me in some areas, like the ending and Elijah's character as a whole. FYI there are more sexual situations in this book than in book one, also some profanity, and it has an overall darker theme as Elijah is just a darker character. I highly suggest this book be for mature audiences only!!! Though technically the books could be standalone, they tie together nicely, and if you do decide to read them they should be read in order! If you enjoy new adult fiction, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy, I think you should definitely check out the series.
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