There are some books that just feel cinematic. When you’re reading them, you see it all playing out in front of you at a theater. The characters on-page delivering snappy dialogue, pulse-pounding stunts, an effortless feeling of sitting back and watching it all unfold. Killing November, and its sequel, Hunting November are two of those cinematic books.

My favorite Young Adult books increasingly have this cinematic quality to them. There’s an ease in how they glide along, lending themselves to clear mental pictures. Hunting November reminds me a lot of two of my other favorite, cinematic YA series: the Embassy Row books by Ally Carter, and The Fixer and Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Each series depicts this secret world that coexists with ours, where political intrigue reigns and influential families have been pulling the strings to cause, or avert, major historical events. Each focuses on extraordinary teens, with hyper-developed skills, functioning as investigators and crime-fighters. Each series is magnificently plotted, paced, and executed.

Killing November followed the main character, November, as she started classes in a mysterious boarding school for elite, mafia-type families (each family is named after an animal and is known for particular characteristics, think Harry Potter with knives.) While she learns deception, poisons, and knife-fighting skills, she also tries to solve the murder of a fellow student, learn about her family’s past, and keep herself alive in a school full of assassins.

Hunting November picks up right where Killing November left off – November and her friend/love-interest Ash have just survived an attack at their school for children of elite families. November has discovered a dangerous plot involving her father’s disappearance and leaves school with Ash to track him down. The rest of the novel follows November from scavenger-hunt type clue to clue across the globe tracking down her missing father.

I loved being back in this unique, immersive world that Adriana Mather created. There’s a combination of mystery and old family lore gradually revealed throughout the books that makes the atmosphere intriguing without it ever feeling frustrating. I enjoyed every page of the first book. Unfortunately, the sequel felt a little rushed in comparison.

It still had the same gritty, snappy, hilarious dialogue, and the wonderfully-sharp antagonists-turned-allies from the original, but the storyline and character choices felt a little erratic. In particular, November’s relationship with Ash could have been fleshed out more, and I found November’s naïveté to be a little unrealistic after the events of the first book. The behavior of her enemies-turned-allies, and November’s trust of those allies, seemed too convenient.

Also, the ending felt haphazard. It packed together a whole bunch of new details and rationale behind the family intrigue and fell victim to a kind of monologue explanation of ‘here’s how it all happened.’ The end of Hunting November fell victim to ‘telling’ and not ‘showing.’ It didn’t give the reader the information they needed to connect the dots, and it revealed a whole host of information that was new to both the reader and characters. Overall, it just didn’t fit with the tone of the rest of the novels. It was one of the only false notes in an otherwise symphonic series.

Those issues aside, go pick up this series! It’s one of my most-anticipated releases of the year and favorite series – it’s so beautifully unique, wonderfully mysterious, action-packed, fun to read, and I have no doubt that someone will pick it up for a silver-screen adaptation.

**Review copied from Goodreads**
What a great duo to Killing November! I have been anticipating this book all year, and it did not disappoint. We start where we left off. November and Ash finalizing their plan to leave the academy and find November's dad before he is killed. The real world of skilled and deadly strategia is not like the academy. You never know who may be lurking in the shadows and what danger is around the next corner.

I love the characters of this book so much! Even though November is a complete badass and had her own sense of training growing up, she is so naive to this new reality she was dropped in to and she knows it. Sometimes her less than normal upbringing comes in handy, but is also puts her in real danger. I love that the author doesn't make her out to be this all knowing hero of the story and ultimately her upbringing was superior and the ultimate weapon. No. November faces real challenges on throughout the book. She and Ash are equals in a lot of ways, both saving each other and having each others backs. No one is the "damsel" here.

I also love the surprise of unlikely allies and join the team as we head to London and closer to finding Novembers dad and hopefully stopping Jag and the corrupt Lions for good.

When I say I cried in chapter Twenty Seven, I mean there were tears streaming down my face before I realized it. If you know, you know, but if you don't... I talking about Ines <spoiler>taking the blade for Arya and ultimately dying for her</spoiler>.

If you loved Killing November, don't hesitate to pick up this book. It is an excellent addition and well worth the read!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series Killing November. (Review <a href="http://thewindypages.com/review-killing-november-by-adriana-mather/">here</a>.) So I was overjoyed that I was approved for the sequel and it did not disappoint!

The sequel picks up right where the first one left off. November is still at her private assassin in training school as she navigates family politics and tries to figure out how she is going to find her father who is not only on the run but also the Lion family heir.

>There is so much to love about this book. November is smart as ever and not afraid to show it. She is logical and steps up to the challenge being gutsy and brave even in the face of real danger. I loved how her friendship circle really grew in this book, giving way to lottos fun banter and dynamics including some frenemies that I was happy to see again.

>I also really enjoyed the new locales. I liked going away from the school as she searched for her father, bringing in new and unreliable characters that upped the anti and the danger.

Listen, I loved this book so much I finally broke down and bought the first and second books in hardcover. I can't wait to re-read them. They are full of lots of fun twists and turns, I wasn't sure where we were going or who was after us but I was fully 100% along for the ride.

Hunting November does what every good sequel is supposed to do. It heightened the characters and danger while drawing the reader in to a deepening level of their world and relationships.

I hope there are more! There's a lot more to discuss after that ending!!</p>
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I read the first book in the series, 'Killing November' last year and enjoyed it. It was a fun, enjoyable and a quick read.
So when I found out the next book in the series was due to be out I wanted to read it ASAP. I was thrilled that Netgalley seemed to hear my wish and send a digital ARC.

And I wasn't disappointed. At least not completely. This one is an action-packed thrilling ride!

I enjoyed the thrills, the action! I wasn't a fan of the romance between November and Ash. It was great in the first book but not so much in this one. And after a point, the plot wasn't as gripping as I hoped it would be. Maybe I had higher hopes.

It's a solid 3 rating from me because it did entertain me despite me not being as involved as I hoped i would be.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had the opportunity to read the ARC of this and I can say this was amazing! Ive been bawling for like 30 minutes now. This book had my emotions going on a roller-coaster! I loved every minute of it! Nova and "the gang" are some of the best characters I have ever read! I def hope we get more in the future. This was the easiest 5 star i have ever given!

**For more reviews visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ **

I liked how in the first book, Killing November, November is learning about the world of assassins, secrets, and the skills she needs to survive while dodging the attacks of her classmates. In the second book, Hunting November, she is out in said scary world using those learned skills to hopefully survive the real world of assassins and plots. I don't remember if this happened in the first book as much, but in almost every situation, November has a flashback of one of her parents teaching her a deadly life skill but making is seem it was a game or fun task instead of the important lesson it really was, showing she was not so out of touch with this dangerous world as she first thought she was. I love the concept that she spent her whole life training for this secret world without even knowing it- she was way more prepared for the Strategia than she knew!

Honestly, this book was like the coolest, most dangerous scavenger hunt ever, where one clue might lead to a dead end, one to the real treasure (a missing father), with enemies all over and tons of hidden agendas. The pacing was fast and the danger was high, keeping me engaged and invested right up to the end. I loved Ash and his Strategia common sense, the perfect balance to keep November and her high emotions in line when she wanted to rush into almost all situations. One thing missing from her upbringing was the ability to disconnect from her emotions that all the other Strategia seem to have. I will say that there was one very hysterical scene having to do with flippers, whiskey and romance that made the book for me regardless of all the other great factors.

The ending felt very much like everything wrapped up and I am very satisfied with it, but if there ever happened to be a third book I would so be there for it. This series is the perfect read for people who like high intensity danger situations with high stress levels, world traveling, dark academies to train teens to be the ultimate spies, and an unexpected romance that included all the feels. Hunting November was just as good as it's first book, I would not change a single thing about this series.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.




Book: Hunting November




Author: Adriana Mather




Book Series: Killing November Book 2




Rating: 3.5/5




Publication Date: May 5, 2020




Genre: YA Thriller




Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, secret societies, spy stuff, murder)




Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers




Pages: 368




Amazon Link




Synopsis: Surviving a few weeks at the world's most lethal boarding school was one thing. But now comes the real test: Can November Adley find her missing father before her enemies find her? Subterfuge is the name of the game in this thrilling sequel to Killing November, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch.




After surviving a crash course in espionage at the mysterious Academy Absconditi, November has only one purpose: finding her missing father. Along with fellow student (and heartthrob) Ash, November follows the clues that her father left, embarking on the deadliest treasure hunt of her life. The first clue is in her hometown, where old friends beckon and unexpected enemies lurk around every corner. The second clue is in Europe, where revelations about her family's history will plunge her into an international web of deception, lies, and intrigue. The third clue is deep in enemy territory, surrounded by the most skilled assassins and master strategists, and where everyone wants her and her father dead. Can one girl with limited training infiltrate a centuries-old organization that is powerful enough to topple empires? November only knows that she'll do whatever it takes to save her father . . . or die trying.




Review: Overall, this was a good book. It had a lot of action in it and the writing was really well done. The world building was also great and the pacing matched the tone of the book.




However, I feel like the book was a bit too tropey for me. It was a bit like Bourne Identity and it had the feel of it, but I just felt like it followed the tropes that a lot of action/thriller/spy books do. The romance also felt force and the characters didn’t feel that developed to me.




Verdict: It was good, but not my style.

Just a quick review since I'm so bad with reviewing sequels.  Hunting November was just as much fun to read as Killing November.  The book picks up after the end of book one.  November and Ash are planning to leave the academy and find her father.  They go back to her home to search for clues.  November's heart gets in the way and she messes up.  They're found and have to find a way to escape.




After that, they fly to Europe and follow clues to different places and to people.  They find out that there is a man, Jag, that must be stopped.  He doesn't run things the same as others.  He's more of a dictator that people fear.  He uses their fear and tries to disguise things as justice.  November knows her dad is running out of time and she's still learning about how Strategia work.  Things come out from her past that shock her, but she has Ash by her side the whole way through. 




I was a bit worried about the book not being at the academy, but there are definitely appearances from other students that made it work for me.  I loved the academy setting more, but I really did enjoy the trip through different parts of Europe.




I gave this book 4 stars.  Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy. 




Warnings for the same type of things that book one had.  There's a lot of fighting, blood, and death.

Wow! This sequel was an exciting next step in the November story! I loved this story took us all over the place! I liked the scavenger hunt mixed with Mission Impossible feel that this plot gave the reader!

Hunting November picks right up where Killing November stops. All November wants now is to find her father. She sets off with her friends on a scavenger hunt, going from clue to clue. The hunt takes the group from November’s home town to Europe where they bounce around the country in search of their next answer. The final clue lands them in enemy territory and is filled with betrayal, secrets, and deceit.

The action throughout Hunting November was quite intense, and I LOVED it, but I did miss the overall excitement that came from the first book. I really enjoyed November’s introduction and understanding of her new world in Killing November, and I missed that in book 2. Outside of that, I have no complaints about this addition to the November series.

The characters were very likable, but the side characters were so wonderful. Some are funny, some are witty, but overall, they just become these friends that you want to have in real life. I wasn’t super connected in the story’s romance, but I felt like there was so much other stuff going on, I was okay with not being 100% invested in that relationship.

To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Hunting November for readers that like a dark young adult story with a mystery to solve. I would recommend that readers read book 1 in this series, Killing November, before jumping into this book. I think you would find the book much more enjoyable if you read the first book before starting this one.

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Solid follow-up to 'Killing November.' Readers follow November as she takes what she learned from her time at the Academy; both in class and about her Family's community and politics, and follows clues to find her father with the help of the loyal and handsome Ash. Though the setting has shifted away from boarding school, the plot, the secrets, and character development continue smoothly.

November and Ash are up against new challenges, face off with new enemies, and occasionally reunite with some familiar faces in this action-packed sequel. Highly recommended!

Such an intense read! November’s crazy adventure continues. I enjoyed this second installment just as much if not more than the first. November is being hunted all while on the hunt to track down her dad and learning more about her family’s truth and history. It was so interesting to read and learn more about some of her families shocking past and a major shock of who a major player in the strategia actually is. I tried to take my time reading knowing I’d be sad if I finished it too quickly but nope couldn’t do it lol! Each chapter just kept throwing more action and curve balls at me and I found myself speed reading to see what was going to happen next! Major book hangover 💖

Well... that was surprising. And not in a good way.

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After giving four stars to the first book, I expected to love this one but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Almost immediately into the book, I wasn't enjoying it. I've been wondering why it was so different in terms of enjoyment and my only theory is that the first book was set in a boarding school. In the first book, we didn't know about the Strategia families and now that I thought about it, I didn't find it all very convincing or believable.

I'm sad to have to write this especially since I was lucky enough to get an ARC. But I'm not going to lie. I didn't enjoy myself and for 80% of the book, I just wanted to get to the end and be done with it. I didn't care about the possible romance between Ash and November and the whole plot didn't intrigue me all that much. Finding the clues were fun at first but it wasn't enough to keep me interested.

Sorry.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly feel like I don't know what day, month, or year it is right now. Hunting November was so hard for me to get through. Everything felt like it was dragging and when something exciting did happen - I just didn't care. I'm honestly really disappointed in this one and I feel like it got hit repeatedly by the second book syndrome stick. Ugh, I was so excited for this book because I fell in love with the first one.. but I should've known better.

The adventure, action, and everything else that happened throughout this book was interesting enough to keep me chugging along through the chapters. Yet, I just wasn't that invested into anything that was actually happening anymore. I really just wanted to skim through the entire book and call it a day - but I didn't. Still wanted to though.

In the end, it was an okay book that I wish didn't bore me the way that it did.

Honestly, I didn't realize this was a sequel. I appreciate Random House Children's for all the books that they have provided me with, but I won't be able to read this book because I did not read the first book in the series and am lost trying to read this one.

I really enjoyed this book, I would say it's a definite 3.75 stars.

We pick right up from the action at the end of Killing November, which was a little disorienting since I haven't read the book in a year. We immediately jump into action as the characters race off into action, getting the party started.

I thought it was a great end to Killing November. There was action (duh, they're like spies), drama, and good endearing moments. The biggest reasons why I didn't give this a higher rating though is 1) I was immediately thrown into action with no recap, or explanation, just action. I'm not a big fan of that personally. 2) There were some moments where certain characters experienced a total personality switch from book 1 to 2. And it remains unexplained. 3) I thought the ending was sweet, but it was predictable and felt a little lack luster to me.

Besides those issues I thought this was an awesome sequel! We get a nice, even end to November's story and I'm fairly satisfied.

Short and Sweet
After enduring what the Academy had to offer November is ready to leave and look for her dad. November leaves with Ash to follow the clues her father left for her and now she just needs to find him before her enemies find her.
Characters
November: I liked November she still doesn’t know everything about Strategia, but she views things differently than the other kids at the academy and its interesting to see how she would solve things. I was proud of November she was determined to find her dad and I liked seeing how she deciphered his clues. November still made mistakes but she owned up to them.
Ash: Ash was great I liked that he knew more about Strategia and the family politics so he was a lot of help when it came to that. He had a lot of insight to offer and I thought it was great that he always thought things through more than once and tried to find the best way to approach a situation.
Romance
November and Ash: I liked November and Ash together they brought out the best in each other. I also liked reading about how different their upbringings were. They both had different ways of viewing the situations they were in. They were cute and they looked out for each other and I’m glad that he decided to leave the academy with her.
My Thoughts
~ We’re not in the academy any more and that was probably my favorite thing about this book seeing November venture out and taking what she learned from the academy and applying it to the outside world.
~ November and Ash follow the clues her dad left her and it takes them from the States to Europe and I liked the following the clues aspect and seeing where they would lead.
~ I was always worried for November and Ash it felt like their enemies were one step behind them all the time and they had to look over their shoulders at all times.
~ We see more of the other families in this book and I liked seeing the interactions its very interesting how strategia works.
~ For me the first half of the book was kind of slow but it picked up during the second half and I think that’s because we have more characters and leads to follow so it becomes more risky.
~ My other favorite thing was seeing the other students from the academy join in and help November and Ash during their adventure, it just made it feel like they were all a team and more people to have each others backs.
~ There were some bombshells that I was not ready for and they were so good and I wasn’t expecting them, my mind was blown. They were honestly so satisfying it was perfect.
~ The ending was great and I was captivated I did not want to put my kindle down!
Overall
This was a great sequel, I loved how everything came full circle and everything was answered. It was nice to see how everyone came together to accomplish a common goal. The plot twists and secrets that were uncovered left me on the edge of my seat. I think that this book was amazing, it was a great sequel and I would recommend the Killing November series!

If Hunting November was a dangerous introduction to an assassin academy then Killing November is the application of all that was learned there. I was hoping for another year within the academy to learn and grow more right beside November but in this story we (the readers) get taken on an action packed thrill ride right into the real world and all the enemies that entails. I enjoyed this story as much as book one.

November needs to find her father. After the ending of book one there were so many questions that needed answered not just for me but for her as well and this story supplies them! It was like a new story, fresh and bold but with the same familiar and handsome (I’m looking at you Ash) characters. I was surprised as how well this worked and how much interest I had in each decision that was made. There were times I was holding my breath, other times yelling at the bad guys, and still other times slightly swooning. There is fighting, assassins, mental games, powerful enemies and a hint of romance. All bound together to make this a must read sequel! I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving my honest review.

I’ve been patiently awaiting Adriana Mather’s follow up book to Killing November and was excited that @netgalley and @Randomhousechildrens allowed me to read an early readers’ copy in exchange for an honest review. If your a fan of magical realms books then I highly recommend this book series and How to Hang a Witch series also by her that debuted in 2016. I loved seeing November take on a new adventure of leaving the Absconditi Academy and going to find her father who might be in danger with the Lions/Bears Strategia families. The relationship between November and Ash was cute and I was rooting for them the whole time.

Killing November was one of my best reads last year - high stakes, untrustworthy characters, a school for assassins.  The year waiting for this sequel was a long one.

This book picks up right where the other left off.  November and Ash leave the school in search of her father, who's left complex clues for her in different locations across the country.  Talk about tense situations - death could literally be waiting for them around every corner, and some of the people they come across would just as soon slit their throats rather than speak to them.  

Pacing may leave you breathless, and the action is almost nonstop.  But not everything is serious - some lighter, humorous moments are sprinkled throughout the story along with romantic elements.  Twists and surprises abound, and the big reveal near the end left me gaping.  I absolutely didn't see it coming.  

This series is incredibly addictive, with ultra-high stakes, a complex plot, and untrustworthy characters that worm their way into your heart.  I get the feeling this is a duology, but I'd sure love another book.  Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely loved it! There is nothing better than a thriller, especially a boarding school thriller. The story was INTENSE. It was solid and progressed smoothly. Ash is adorable.