I absolutely loved Grasping At Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper (click here for the review) so I definitely couldn't wait for Taking Back Forever. The review isn't actually part of the book blitz, but since I received it through NetGalley and already finished, I decided to include it. Taking Back Forever came out last week and as part of this book blitz I can share an excerpt and you can participate in 2 giveaways (one is open US/CAN, other INTL).
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Forever is worth the fight.
Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.
Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.
Taking Back Forever starts of right where Grasping At Eternity ended, so no quick overview of what happened previously, you just get thrown right in. If it has been a while since you've read the first book, you might want to read the last couple of chapters again before starting book two.
The story this time is mostly told from Maryah and Harmony's point of view. It certainly was very interesting to get inside the head of Harmony as she is so different to Maryah. Harmony is still on a mission to find and save her soulmate Gregory. Now that Maryah is in the know how, Harmony is hoping Maryah powers will return soon, but it seems it's taking longer than expected. Since Harmony has been without Gregory for almost twenty years, she's kind of running out of patience and tries to take things into her own hand.
Meanwhile Maryah really does want to help Harmony, but it's discouraging the little progress she is making, which is practically none. Not even Carson's new invention is helping her all that much. That's not the only thing Maryah is frustrated about. Things between her and Nathaniel are great, but still she's pretty much constantly reminded of reasons why she shouldn't have erased. So Maryah's feelings throughout the story are all about frustration and disappointment in herself.
Honestly Taking Back Forever feels like an in-between story to me, a transition between the first and the third (which I haven't yet read). There are a lot of things happening, but more on a personal growth level than with heavy action. You get to know all the members and the structure of the kindrily better, there is of course romance and even tragedy... Still you keep having the feeling there is so much more. The world of kindrily is endless and the way the book ends it could go all ways. The book doesn't end with a cliffhanger, but there is a sneak peek at the third book and that will definitely make you wish you could start reading the rest at that moment.
Excerpt:
“Shiloh, you know he has the ability to see clearly in the dark, and that he sees light and color differently than the rest of us.”
I nodded.
“Well, he swears he can still see your star in the sky.”
“You said my star fell. That it was gone.”
“I know. And I can’t see it. As much as I’ve tried and hoped to see a flicker of light where your star used to shine, I still see nothing. But Shiloh doesn’t lie. And he swears he can see something.”
I lifted my face and scanned the cloudless sky above us. “What does that mean?”
“It means you erased, but you aren’t gone. We know that’s true because you have remembered glimpses of our past. It gives me hope that you’ll remember more. I wanted to tell you what Shiloh sees so you could share that hope. Your star didn’t fall from the sky like I originally believed. Erasing caused it to burn out, but I believe you can reignite it.”
I looked at the sky again. I wanted to see the stars. I wanted to see my star. I wanted to burn so brightly that other galaxies could see me. But wanting and doing were very different things. Doing, I thought. It was up to me to do something. No one could make my star shine except me. Nathan did give me hope. According to Shiloh, I still had a place in the heavens. I was determined to turn on the light so that everyone could see I was home again.
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Thanks so much for posting a review and participating in the blitz, Athena! I appreciate it. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review and giveaway! I haven't read a YA/fantasy book in a long time...maybe 3 years? It will be interesting to read it again.
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