Reviews: Reckoning and Relentless (Dark Prophecy #1 and #2) by Molly M. Hall

REVIEW:

RECKONING

From so many Young Adult Fantasy / Paranormal books it becomes to be pretty hard to find something good and original. I do not refer just to the story itself, to the events that occur, but also to the feelings and reactions that the author induces. Well, I liked very much both Reckoning and Relentless. The proof is that despite shortages of time, I not resisted not to read the second volume. It was enough for the tour to read only one book, but at the end of the first volume I was restless to see what happens next. But first things first.

You will find in the Reckoning the school and its problems, and parental relationships and self discovery. But what do you want and how could they miss? It’s YA! and you assumed their presence from the moment you decided to read the book. What is important is that the author manages to convey the heroine’s feelings. I felt and understood them, and my curiosity was well stirred. Each element that appears, every detail that was introduced can change everything, nothing seems randomly. There are enough of these little details not yet used that can reverse the situation entirely and I am convinced that the author will use them in one way or another.

Since the volumes are connected (and this is obviously early enough from the first volume) the action does not seem train, boring, on the contrary. The author sets the stage for supernatural and she does it very well. The mundane problems blend wonderfully with the fantastic ones, they complement and motivate each other. There are plenty of interesting and enjoyable scenes.

Characters: you'll love them whatever role they will play and whatever changes may still occur. And once again the author will play with you and will leave sufficient open ways so that even a betrayal can come from where you least expect.

There is a love triangle! No matter what you think in general about this kind of dilemma I think you'll like this one. Why? Because so far you cannot not like both guys involved and Kat's motivations are understandable. I chose my favorite, but for the first time I have some emotions that he will not be “chosen one”. Again, details are very important and well used. New attractions and old love will face the picture (blurred yet) of "destiny VS free will." The author drew me into the game, I made plans and I was bothered when a certain relationship was going too well.

RELENTLESS

Volume two picks up the baton and continues the race successfully. If in the first volume we deal with the discovery of the “secret” and accepting fate, now the Kat's training for the supernatural, and the fights begin. Challenges, testing, rescues and travel through space and time will be take place in a sustained pace. The moments of rest are animated by visions and love triangle story which is now secondary. However, it is present and offers pleasant and exciting moments to the reader: dialogues and confrontations between rivals, and special interludes between lovers (the term use maybe improperly).

The villain character is more present and you start to ask yourself some questions about him. It is a cat-and-mouse game in which that poor little mouse can cause surprises. New details are brought in addition to those of the previous volume, and again, anything can happen. Betrayal, ways to survive, sacrifices, manipulation, assumed risks from love or devotion, you’ll find everything you would like and it is important that all these elements are properly used and at the right moment.

The ending takes you somehow by surprise, it leaves you on the edge and eager for the next volume.

I warmly recommended to you.

“He wishes he could forget about her. Ignore her existence. But he can’t. Because his future is irrevocably tied to hers.
Maybe he should just kill her now.”

“The photograph is obviously old, the edges cracked and torn. […] I look closer. Even though the photo is faded, the eyes still hold that intense, penetrating gaze. The gaze I’d seen in real life, just moments ago. My hand shakes and I feel slightly sick.”

“He smiled, remembering the look on Katriona’s face. Anger. Grief. Shock, mixed with horror and disbelief. Perfect.”

“There is one who will be with you, and one who will go. Do not lose faith.”

I received the books for review as part of Book Tour - Thank you

Romanian:
RECKONING

În mulțimea de cărți Young Adult Fantasy/Paranormal a ajuns să fie destul de greu să găseşti ceva bun, original. Nu mă refer doar la povestea în sine, la evenimentele care au loc, ci şi la sentimentele şi reacțiile pe care autorul le crează cititorului. Ei bine, Reckoning şi de altfel Relentless mi-au plăcut foarte mult. Dovadă că în ciuda unei lipse acute de timp, nu am rezistat să nu citesc şi volumul doi. Era suficient pentru acest tur să parcurg doar una dintre cărți, dar la sfârşitul primului volum nu am avut linişte până nu am văzut ce se întâmplă în următorul. Dar să o luăm cu începutul.

Vei găsi în Reckoning şi şcoala şi problemele ei, şi relațiile parentale şi descoperirea de sine. Dar ce ați vrea şi cum ar putea ele lipsi? Este YA! şi îți asumi prezența lor din momentul în care te-ai decis să citeşti cartea. Ce este important este faptul că autoarea reuşeşte să redea trăirile eroinei. Le-am simțit şi înțeles, iar curiozitatea mea a fost bine zgândărită. Fiecare element care apare, fiecare amănunt introdus poate schimba totul, nimic nu pare lăsat la întâmplare. Au rămas destule astfel de mici detalii care pot răsturna situația pe de-a-ntregul şi am convingerea că autoarea le va folosi într-un fel sau altul.

Având în vedere că volumele nu sunt de sine stătătoare (şi asta este evident destul de devreme încă din primul volum) acțiunea nu mi se pare trenantă, plictisitoare, dimpotrivă. Autoarea pregăteşte terenul pentru supranatural şi o face foarte bine. Problemele mundane se îmbină excelent cu cele fantastice, se completează şi motivează reciproc. Sunt destule aspecte interesante şi plăcute.

Personajele: le vei îndrăgi indiferent de rolul pe care îl vor juca şi indiferent de schimbările care încă pot avea loc. Şi în privința lor autoarea te va juca pe degete şi îşi va lăsa suficiente căi deschise astfel încât chiar şi o trădare poate veni de unde nu te aştepți.

Există un triunghi amoros! Indiferent ce părere aveți în general despre această dilemă cred că o să vă placă. De ce? Pentru că până în prezent nu poți să nu îi placi pe amândoi băieții implicați, iar motivațiile lui Kat sunt de înțeles. Eu mi-am ales preferatul, dar este prima dată când am unele emoții că nu va fi el alesul. Din nou amănuntele sunt foarte importante şi bine folosite. Atracții noi şi vechi iubiri se vor confrunta fiind imaginea (blurată încă) a „destin VS liber arbitru”. Autoarea m-a atras în joc, mi-am făcut planuri şi m-a deranjat când o anumită relație mergea prea bine.

RELENTLESS
Volumul doi preia ştafeta şi continuă cursa cu succes. Dacă în primul volum avem de a face cu descoperirea „secretului” şi acceptarea soartei, acum pregătirea în cele supranaturale ale lui Kat, dar şi luptele încep. Provocări, încercări, scăpări şi deplasări prin spațiu şi timp se vor regăsi într-un ritm susținut. Momentele de pauză sunt însuflețite de viziuni şi de povestea triunghiului amoros care este acum pe plan secundar. Totuşi este prezent şi oferă momente plăcute şi incitante cititorului: dialoguri şi confruntări între rivali, şi clipe speciale între perechi (impropriu poate folosit termenul).

Personajul negativ îşi face mai mult prezența şi începi să-ți pui unele întrebări în ceea ce îl priveşte. O joacă de-a şoarecele şi pisica în care bietul şoricel poate provoca surprize. Noi detalii se adaugă celor din volumul anterior şi, din nou, orice se poate întâmpla. Trădare, alegeri pentru a supraviețui, sacrificii, manipulări, riscuri asumate din dragoste sau devotament, găseşti tot ceea ce ți-ai dori şi important este că toate aceste elemente sunt folosite când şi cum trebuie.

Finalul te ia oarecum prin surprindere, te lasă pe muchie de cuțit şi bătând din picior în nerăbdarea pentru volumul următor.

Vi le recomand cu plăcere!

Cothiemuir Wood                      

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About the author:

I’ve spent most of my life in Colorado and currently live just outside of Denver. I write my books on a laptop perched atop a rather creaky desk, surrounded by two crazy and loving cats. I love to travel and have visited 27 of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Ireland and England. And there are still a lot of places I want to go.

I spent entirely too many years in the gray dullness of the corporate world, imagining something more exciting as I punched numbers on a keyboard. During that time, I worked on a degree in English Literature, but never quite managed to complete it. Mostly because I was too busy reading and creating fantasy worlds in my head. It’s actually my love of reading and imagining that led me to take up writing full time. I thought I should finally give all the characters in my head a voice.

Music is a huge part of my life and plays a big role in the creation of my books. Although I listen to everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Dvorak, to Glen Miller and Bobby Darin, to Rihanna and Nox Arcana, as well as movie and video game soundtracks, there are two bands whose music is practically my lifeblood: Daughtry and Linkin Park. I will listen to or see them live anytime, anywhere.

I’m a fan of British television, Doctor Who (favorite doctor? David Tennant. Let the debate begin!), The Vampire Diaries, Japanese animé, Ghost Hunters, MI-5 and Eureka. And anything featuring James McAvoy. And I probably would never be able to unwind without That 70′s Show.

When I’m not reading and writing, you'll probably find me listening to music, practicing yoga, working on my very inadequate French, playing piano, enjoying a lovely glass of red wine or champagne, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

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