The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
| The Rising by Kelley Armstrong | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Loralei Haylock
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| Summary: A satisfying end to a good series. Plenty of fast paced action and tense moments, with typical teen romance as the icing on the cake. While in places it lacks punch, overall a very enjoyable read. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 416 | Date: April 2013 |
| Publisher: Atom | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1907410994 | |
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Maya Delaney is on the run. Her idyllic life in Salmon Creek was an elaborate ruse run by the St. Clouds - a Mafia like family of supernaturals who want Maya and her friends because of their emerging powers, powers thought to be extinct before now. Maya is losing friends fast as they are recaptured. She'd do anything to get them back, but when making contact with a scientist who might have some answers doesn't play out how they hoped, Maya realises that she and her friends are on their own, and that confronting their enemies might be their only chance.
While I'm not convinced that Armstrong's YA series have been as strong as some of her adult books, this is an entertaining conclusion to what has been an enjoyable series. Everything that made the previous two instalments such good fun returns - Maya and the other characters are well rounded and believable, and given plenty of opportunity to be brave, cunning and daring.
The pace remains fast and tensions high, with a number of competing groups after Maya and her friends, and the group being picked off one by one as they try to hide out in various places. There are plenty of moments when, along with Maya, you are left convinced they are never going to get out of the situation they are in. There are some emotional moments between all the tension, too, with Maya and her friends attending (from a distance) their own memorial service, and a particularly heart-wrenching moment between Maya and her grandmother.
A few characters from Armstrong's other series make a welcome return for a finale that lacks a little punch, despite some nail biting moments. It was just over a little too soon and too easily.
The storyline does get a little preoccupied with who's with who, and romantic moments sometimes miss the emotional note that would make them truly memorable, but as a fast paced thriller, this works well, with tough, gutsy characters, lots of hide and seek tension and a satisfying, if a bit twee, ending.
My thanks to the publishers for sending a copy.
Fans of fantasy might enjoy Strange Angels by Lili St Crow or Firebrand (Rebel Angels) by Gillian Philip.
Kelley Armstrong's Darkness Rising Series in Chronological Order
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Rising by Kelley Armstrong at Amazon.com.
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