Into a Million Pieces

Into a Million pieces was a decent read. I was extremely excited for it being about succubi's in teen novels you don't really come by them that often since their known for their sexapades. So I was thrilled to see how this one would turn out. It had a bit of mystery thrown in, drama, intriguing storyline but some of the dialogue to me was a bit to naive for them being 17 broaching on 18. I found the scenes with the life force being drained were done well forthe age group the author had intended it for but I think the story needed a bit more of something for me to have completely fallen in love with it. I can't quite say what it was missing but I didn't feel very fulfilled after reading. Also the ending was totally random and cliffhangered... Not a fan. But there was more good then bad with this story, so I'd defiantly recommend if your looking for a newish paranormal read.

I will continue to follow this author and this series

I liked the different premise of the book. This is the first novel I've read where the main characters are twin succubi. The two sisters are very different, and live with their religious aunt after their mother's death.

Allison and Jade couldn't be more different. Allison is the bookish type who hides by dressing and acting goth, while Jade is the outgoing reckless one. I was expecting to like Allison the most, but surprisingly, Jade was a little more likable. It is weird because Allison is the narrator, so the whole book is from her POV. Allison befriends Ren, who is a good guy, but they can't move on with their relationship because of Allison's nature. Being a succubi, she could kill him.

There were two pretty unexpected twists, kudos to the author for shocking me!

Some issues were not resolved, like Jade's situation with Chris, and the whole bullying thing. Also, there were plenty of side characters who appeared and either didn't add much to the plot, or just didn't progress into anything.

With that being said, I feel that the story has potential, and hope that there will be more development in the next book.

I have to say that when I read the summary and reading that this book was about a girl that was a succubus I was just curious to see where this story would go. I haven’t read a mystical creature story for quite a while and I never heard or read anything about this book. And I was just overall curious. And the cover is very intriguing because it really gave nothing away about the story and still drew me in. And I had a few thoughts and expectations about this story before I started reading it. Would it be dark and twisty? Would it be mystical or did the author take it in the opposite direction and make it a romantic, sweet story full of misunderstood romanticized mystical creatures that only need to be loved to be nice?

I was wrong in all of those thoughts.

It started out very normal and in a way slow –at least looking back and knowing where the story goes and how it picks up-, introducing the characters and their storylines, starting to evolve and going into more then just the rather normal life of two twin girls who live with their aunt after their other committed suicide.

And until about 60 or so percent into the book it is a rather normal teenage fantasy book, where we as the reader that something has to happen, because we know that the main character is not normal in the typical sense and that something will happen because of that but until that point nothing really happens in that aspect. Sure that are little hints and situations that showcase how difficult it is to have powers of some kind as a teenage girl and how life sometimes surprises you and all that. But the actual story and the parts that really suck you in –please excuse the pun I couldn’t resist- starts after two thirds of the book are already over.

And hello mister, the story picks up fast and furious! There are turns and twists and unexpected situations and events happening on about every second page. And all of a sudden it is not just a normal YA fantasy book with the typical romantic difficulty aspects, but rather a mystery with intrigue and deaths and murder –or is it?- and people that are not what they seem to be.

It completely crashed into me unexpectedly, how involved and deeply the different aspects of the story gone. I did not see the turn coming until I read it. Which honestly I kind of pride myself on figuring those kinds of mysteries like those in this book out before the author directly points you too it. Not with this book. Did not see that twist coming until about a page and half an explanation into it.

And at the end of the story I kind of just started at my kindle and had no idea what the heck just happened and what I was supposed to do with what I just read. And that wasn’t because the ending was bad it was just rather open and I would have preferred if it was not as open was it was, especially since I am not sure if it is a book in a series but I don’t think so and in many ways that would be better (if it is not a series I mean).

What I can say with certainty about this book is that no matter what you think you expect from this book, you can’t be sure you are right until the last sentence has been read.

If you are looking for something different, something surprising and still fast and easy to read –since the writing is really nicely done that you can read it fast and still get every detail and get to the deeps of the story fast and without getting board or having to put the book down- then this book should be on your list and you should try it. Read it over the halfway point –its not that hard! Its only about 120 pages!- and let yourself be taken away into the twists and turns of a very surprising story that you do not see coming when you expect a rather simple paranormal YA book. This is a short book but a fantastic one that packs a punch and a storyline that you will think about for longer then it took you to read this book.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimers: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: The synopsis didn't really sell me on reading this one, but after reading an excerpt of this book, I was convinced I had to read it.

I haven't read many books about succubi, so I didn't really feel all that drawn to it. But the plotline was actually super intriguing.

I really liked Allison as a character. She was one of the elements that helped make the book for me. She was spunky, comfortable in her own skin, and a great narrator of the story.

This is Cook's debut novel; I was super impressed. I can't wait to see what happens next for Allision and Ren.

On the flip side, I thought the story dragged a little at times. It might have been nice to have a slightly faster pace, but I did enjoy the story.

Certain aspects were overtly predictable, but a lot wasn't. An interesting story and author that I'll be keeping tabs on.

The Characters: I've already stated that I loved Allison. She was spunky, fun, and super great to read about. I thought the author did a great job in that regard.

Some of the other characters seemed less developed, but on the whole, the characterization was great.

I would have liked to learn more about Ren as well.

Major Strengths: Intriguing premise, great writing, and an excellent main character.

Major Weaknesses: Dragged at times.

So why 3.5 stars? It didn't quite stand out enough to warrant a 4, but I did enjoy it.

Warnings/Side-notes: Several instances of strong language. Heavy making out and vague illusions to sex; however, on the whole, this was very clean for young adult. 15+.

The Wrap-up: An intriguing, enjoyable novel. I can't wait to see what's next.

Love,

Danica Page

Allison is a great lead character - I love authors who make it seem cooler to be the outcast than one of the "cool kids". Angela Cook is now on my favorite author list!

It completely sucks being a succubus. Yes, you’re hot, but that’s about the only positive thing about it. Kissing literally means sucking the life out of somebody, and sex means death for the other person and a high for you. Seems pretty obvious why Allison tries to hide behind her dark clothes and goth make up.

Meanwhile her sister is the total opposite. Jade thrives with the attention of everyone around, though when she makes a mistake, things turn bad very quickly. Though Allison doesn’t like what her sister is doing, she also doesn’t want to end up like her aunt. She sees being a succubus as a curse, and found her salvation in religion, even trying to force it upon the two girls.

When Allison meets Ren at the library, it’s the first time she’s tempted. I have to admire the teenager for her self-control. Her fear of hurting him is bigger than the feelings she has for him. Still slowly Ren manages to get closer each day.

The succubus part is definitely original, and what caught my interest. Allison and Jade are quite opposite, and their aunt is almost not part of this planet. It was easy to relate to both girls, one fearing her abilities, and one not wanting to be held back by them. There are some unexpected twists, and in the end darker than I expected.

I do feel that the romance part between Allison and Ren could have been more deep. The connection between these two was there, just not quite tangible enough for me to be fully believable. Still all in all a decent debut novel that teenagers who’re into the supernatural will certainly enjoy.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I cannot reiterate how much I fangirled over this book. This was amazing and worth every five stars that it gets.

Awesome story from start to finish! So fresh and unique!!

Allison and Jade are twin girls who are the daughters of a sucubus. Their mother died when she gave in to her cursed nature and overdosed on her need to drain men of their life energy. Their father died before they were born, on their parents wedding night when they were conceived. Unfortunately even though their mother loved their father, it wasn't enough to stop her from draining him completely. After their mothers death, their crazy bible bashing aunt comes to care for them. The complete opposite of their mother the twins learn to adjust to her crazy ways and they learn to tolerate each other as best they can. Alison is quite and reserved, dressing as a goth to hide her beauty and to keep others at an arms length. Jade is the opposite and uses her stunning beauty to charm to influenceher her friends and admirers to gain the attention she craves. The main Character Allison was very likeable. I enjoyed the way her personality was revealed over the course of the book as her relationship with Ren developed. The plot was really interesting and moved along at a good pace. The story had some good twists and turns and kept me interested all the way through. I really liked this book and I'm looking forwards to read the next in the series.

Allison and her sister Jade are beautiful and young, and can also kill by draining the life force of men. They are succubi. And while Jade loves her powers, Allison does not and tries to fight them by dusguising her looks in goth make-up and wearing drab and over sized clothing. Then Allison meets Ren and her feelings for him begin to tug at everything she has built around herself.

I didn't really like this book at all. I really like the TV show Lost Girl which is about succubus and I feel like this book could have had the opportunity to really play around with female sexuality like the show did and also introduce other magical creatures. But it ended up being a lot of slut-shaming and bad writing. There was also the whole 'not a big deal' made about Jade getting beaten up by a guy called Chris and I really felt let down by how that whole thing was handled. Allison also got stupidly distracted by Ren a lot of the time and it just didn't make sense to me. She was a bit contradiction with her feelings and actions and I just couldn't take the story seriously.