This is still very interesting to me. I can see why I wanted to read it back in the day. I think I will read it at some point and review it when I do.

Unfortunately I didn't realize that this was the second in a series when I requested this, so my reading of it probably isn't super helpful to most. THAT SAID. The descriptions in this novel are incredibly tactile. Even without any table-setting that the first book would have provided, I had a clear vision of everything happening.

Will no longer be reading or reviewing this book due to lack of interest in the title, and the fact that the title has been archived.

Fast paced and pretty okay plotting. Nothing truly outstanding and a little lower level than what I usually am into. But it's going on my class shelf as an option for students who are in this zone.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Nadette Lawson knows when you're lying. Every night for the past two years, the Balasura have visited her dreams, enticing her to enter their world. And every night she's seen through their lies. Now, they're tired of playing in the shadows and they begin to stalk her in the waking world. It's no longer just an invitation; if Nadette doesn't join them, they'll take her family. Forever. She needs help, and the haven she's seeking may be just out of reach. Julian Teagan is a master of deception. To survive, he has to convince the world his mother isn't useless, that everything's fine, otherwise he'll lose what little he has left in this life. He knows the lying won't be enough to keep him and his mother in the shadows, but it's all he knows. The only light of truth is Orane, a Balasura who sees past Julian's facade and challenges him to face the darkness. Then Orane is killed, and Julian learns his mentor was far from innocent. The Balasura have hunted children like him for centuries, and their next target, Nadette is his one chance at finally being a part of something real. If Julian can just convince her to trust him.

Sadly, I can't give this book a true and accurate review as I didn't realise it was book 2 in the series before I started reading. It wasn't until I was well into it that it dawned on me that the reason nothing seemed to be making a lot of sense was because it was part of a series...

That said, the story was okay. A bit slow in places and certainly could have used a better ending (although I gather there was going to be a Book 3) but it was alright.

The characters of Nadette and Julian were the highlight for me - well written and interesting, always finding out something new about them as they developed as characters. I do enjoy character development!

Would I go back and read the first one? Probably not, as there wouldn't be any tension as I now know who did what and why. Will I look for more of this author? Probably, as I think this story has a good finish in it...


Paul
ARH

Eh... not really sure how I feel about this one. One the one hand, it was exciting, on the other, the writing irked me.