FRACTURES follows up ECHOES with a similar adventure and eventually leading to the answers we sought in the first book. Miles and Fiona have escaped from the island and although they thought they were being rescued, they have now been transported to Poland, where they are being told none of their past lives happened. They are told that they are named Kellie and Oscar, and Fiona and Miles never existed. They are unsure what to believe, but they do believe in their own memories.

Along the same lines as the first, where they alternate between two seemingly real places (island and Berlin), here they alternate between Poland and an abandoned freighter. The plot moves slowly, as they try to decide what their next steps should be, and Briola seems to be several steps ahead along the way.

Although I really enjoyed the first book, this one seemed to drag a bit. I would have liked more answers and moving along. I felt like this was almost a rehashing of the first book, where reality seems foggy and they are given two alternatives- and we are left with our questions for a long time. This book was told from Miles's point-of-view, but because of all the action, we only get through the surface and don't get a chance to really delve into his mind.

Overall, I was really happy to get some answers about what was going on. The conclusion here was satisfying, especially after the cliffhangers of the first book.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

If you were around my blog in the summer of 2018, then you know I became positively OBSESSED with Alice Reeds’ Echoes! It was a bizarre read with a truly spine-gripping puzzle and mystery to it that I devoured that book and waited endlessly for news of a sequel and finally the day came when Fractures was announced and I pounced on the chance to read it early!

Fiona and Miles thought they escaped the island, thought they escaped a maniacal enemy with plans to control them with chips all for the “greater good.” But they soon learn, as we did at that very last page, that all was not well. The saviors they thought that were on their side, turned out to be something else entirely. Instead of returning home, they are sent to Poland where they are kept in a strange house. Told they were now Kellie and Oliver. Everyone looks at them differently, almost expectantly, but Fiona and Miles are just as clueless as we are.

This time around, Miles is our storyteller, which I found to be very apt since Fiona told the first story. I think I still might have enjoyed it a bit more if the books could’ve alternated with their points of view, but seriously, I’m not complaining over that factoid. Much like the first book, we have what feels like two storylines going on. One in which Fiona and Miles are stuck on a freighter in the middle of nowhere in the ocean with no possible means of escape, and the other is seeing them stuck in the Villa where they are prisoners surrounded by strangers and other teens.

Miles’ mysterious older brother continues to make an appearance in this one and even seems to be a part of the weirdness going on. Fiona and Miles basically only have themselves to trust because it’s clear they won’t find help inside the house.

I love that this book continued to baffle me with all its mysteries and weirdness! There’s something about a book where the storyline is meant to make it hard to discover what is and isn’t real. This book will definitely keep you guessing, just as its predecessor did. It was truly a mind-boggling experience, and yet I loved every minute of it!

The mystery element continued to run very strong throughout this one! It was just impeccable! Even if you read these books back to back, I would wager that you’d still have a difficult time keeping everything together.

The ending was just remarkable as well! I admit, I would’ve liked to known how far and deep things would’ve gone if it ended at a later point, but I was quite happy with how things wound up. I was still a little unclear as to the timeline of the differing chapters we had going, the Villa versus the freighter. But I think the whole not knowing part was its strongest part!

The relationship between Fiona and Miles still ran rather strong too. They aren’t at that happy couple stage, because obviously the crazy is still happening all around them. Though they remain stronger together, they will still hit a few obstacles that could threaten their fragile state.

All in all, Fractures was an amazing conclusion to the duology! It was just as intense and mysterious as its predecessor and had me turning the pages at breakneck speed! It was a read that I never wanted to put down or let it end! It held me riveted from the beginning until it’s heart-stopping ending. Needless to say that this read was just perfect for me! If you’re looking for an intense and thrilling mystery series, I would immediately pick up Alice Reeds’ Echoes duology because it’s not a read you’ll want to miss!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars


Fractures releases June 2, 2020

Not read a book by this author before.Very well written.A most intriguing storyline well worth reading.Kept me guessing right to the end.Would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery novel.Look forward to reading more by the author.

While Echoes is written from Fiona's point of view, Fractures is written from Miles. I didn't know this book was the second in the series when I requested the ARC so I had to read Echoes before delving into this one. The jump in narration was confusing since I kept thinking it was Fiona instead of Miles, but then again that is on me since I jumped from Echoes straight into Fractures.

Fractures takes place where Echoes left off. Fiona and Miles think they are going back to the US where they will live in California with different names while under the protection of an FBI agent. Their joy derails when they end up in Poland and back into the hands of Briola Biotech. Like Fractures, the chapters alternate between the Briola villa in Poland and a stranded freighter in the middle of an ocean.

I didn't like Fiona and Miles as much in Fractures. Fiona especially since her character suddenly developed a different personality. In Fractures, Fiona was angry, cruel, and cold. She resorted to fighting, constant cursing, and being manipulative to Miles. This was a huge 180 from her character in Echoes. Miles wouldn't stand up for himself either when Fiona used him as her punching bag.

Another thing I didn't like was the instant love which falls back to Echoes. After nine days stranded on an island, Miles and Fiona switch from mortal enemies to lovers. It was ridiculous. Their soul mate mindset continued in Fractures of course, except when Fiona was berating Miles.

The pros are this book picking up where the first one ended, the eventual answering of questions, and the Polish setting.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.