About the Book
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Author:
- Kimberly Derting
Cover Story: Leafy
BFF Charm: Yay!
Talky Talk: 2 Legit 2 Quit
Bonus Factors: Mystery, Mysterious Loner Dude
Relationship Status: Dangerous Liaison
Cover Story: Leafy
I’m still enjoying the striking color and the way they make a flower look somehow sinister.
The Deal:
Despite her parents misgivings, Violet has started working with Sara Priest, the forensic psychologist who has a team of “gifted” kids who work with her to solve the mysteries behind the most heinous of crimes. With the team, Violet has finally found a place where she feels normal, but unfortunately, solving murders is a dangerous business, and the team can’t always protect Violet, as she’s caught the interest of a violent gang, and a new threat — a serial killer they’ve started calling “The Girlfriend Collector.”
BFF Charm: Yay!
Violet is learning how to limit just how much control the echoes have over her, which is a relief, and as a by-product, her angst was way toned down in this installment. Which means that both Violet and I were able to breath a bit easier. She still puts herself in harm’s way more than I’d like, but thankfully, her sense of self-preservation seems to be developing, so I don’t have to threaten to take my charm back.
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Jay is still Jay, and he’s still pretty much the best boyfriend in the YA world. And for that I love him with Violet. But I also love the chemistry between Violet and Rafe, what with his tortured past and all. And here’s where things get difficult! Because I do not, repeat, DO NOT want Violet and Jay to break up, and I DO NOT want anything bad to happen to him, but I’d also like to see where things might lead with Rafe, because girl, that kind of chemistry doesn’t grow on trees.
Talky Talk: 2 Legit 2 Quit
Derting continues to portray a believable teenager — and one who’s maturing, at that! And her descriptions of the Girlfriend Collector are incredibly creepy, giving this a series an edge that’s pretty rare in YA. I also have her to thank for a lot of serial killer-related dreams.
Bonus Factor: Mystery
Even though you get a bird’s eye view into the killer’s mind, I love reading about how Derting’s characters solve the mystery. And also? WHO is The Company?!!!!
Bonus Factor: Mysterious Loner Dude
Rafe’s got it all: black hair, piercing blue eyes, a tragic past, and a heart of gold. In fact, forget what I said earlier about wanting to see where his and Violet’s relationship could go, I want him for myself.
Relationship Status: Dangerous Liaison
I know that continuing my relationship with these books is going to mean suspenseful/scary dreams — and that’s when I don’t have too much adrenaline running through my system from spending time with them and CAN sleep. I know that it will mean that I have to leave the hall light on so I can see that there’s no one in my room when I wake up in the middle of the night. But I don’t care. Maybe they’re dangerous, but that’s what makes them so thrilling. So next time this book comes through town on its motorcycle, caution be damned. I’m jumping on the back.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my review copy from Harper Collins. I received neither money nor cocktails for this review (damnit!). The Last Echo is available now.
