Review: Vengeance - Megan Miranda

Vengeance by Megan Miranda, published by Bloomsbury on 13th February 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
When Decker drags his best friend Delaney’s lifeless body out of the frozen lake, he makes a deal: Anyone but her. Everyone but her. The lake releases her. It takes another...

All their friends blame Delaney for Carson’s death. But Decker knows the truth: Delaney is drawn to those who are dying, and she would have tried to help Carson.

Or so Decker believes until a body lies in front of him in a pool of water on his kitchen floor. Until he sees in Delaney’s eyes that she knew this would happen too – and she said nothing. Until he realises it isn’t the lake that is looking for revenge – Delaney is part of someone else’s plan.

Review:
This is the sequel to 'Fracture' which is one of my favourite books.  I thought it was amazing the first, second and third time I read it!  'Vengeance' was therefore one of my most anticipated books of the year and hit the top of my TBR pile immediately.  I love the new look covers for the series which look so pretty on my shelves.

The story is told from Decker's point of view.  A part of me missed seeing events unfold from Delaney's perspective as I love her character but it didn't take me long to adjust to the change of narrative.  It was interesting to hear first-hand how Decker was dealing with everything that had happened between the two of them in the previous story. 

Decker, Delaney and their circle of friends believe that they've been cursed by Falcon Lake after Delaney was pulled from the water.  Does the lake have the power to destroy them or are they looking in the wrong place for answers?

A really shocking and unexpected event occurs at the start of the book which I thought was a bold and brave choice by Megan Miranda.  It sets in motion a chain of events which unfold between Decker and Delaney and threatens their future together.  The ramifications of this are felt throughout the whole story as we see Decker struggling with feelings of grief, anger and sadness.  He's emotionally traumatised and pushes away those closest to him.  I missed the closeness between him and Delaney and spent much of the time wishing that he would just forgive her. 

I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere which hangs over all the characters and leaves the reader in the dark and frantically guessing about what is truly going on.  Megan Miranda teases things out and lets the tension build wonderfully. 

'Vengeance' is the perfect winter read and cements Miranda's place as one of my favourite authors.  She can do no wrong! 

Hotly Anticipated Reads 2013: Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury are one of my favourite publishers because of the fantastic range of books that they offer to readers.  There's everything from historical fiction to the paranormal.  I'm always excited to see what new authors they sign and what titles they are set to publish.

Here are a selection of some of the amazing titles they have lined up for 2013 (January-June).

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist!

Hysteria by Megan Miranda, published 14 February

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear ...When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black, published 14th February

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you’re close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner’s heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly - and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school - the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister’s shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances - she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead - and the burning forces about to be unleashed .

Blood Prophecy by Alyxandra Harvey, published 14th February

In the thrilling conclusion of the Drake Chronicles, love and loyalties will be tested … and proven once and for all.

Can Solange find her way back home again? And can she do it in time to save everyone she loves from the vampire civil war, hunter attack, and each other?

Because not everyone can survive the prophecy… maybe not even her.

Hidden by Marianne Curley, published 14th March

Ebony has always known that she is different. Her violet eyes mark her out, and her protective parents have kept her in a gorgeous valley, home-schooled, safe from everything - almost as if she's being hidden. But she's changing: glowing, getting more and more beautiful, and stronger than anyone knows. Ebony can't stay hidden for ever, and when she meets complicated, intense Jordan, something explodes inside her - something that can be seen from the heavens; something that changes everything. Ebony is a stolen angel, concealed on Earth. Now the heavens have found her, they want her back.

Witch Fire by Laura Powell, published 11th April

Lucas and Glory are hard at work in WICA (Witchkind Intelligence and Covert Affairs). As part of their training, they learn more about the witch-terrorist organization Endor. It is believed that Endor has infiltrated a boarding school for young witches in Switzerland, so WICA sends their two youngest agents--Lucas and Glory--to the school undercover. There, they learn more about an experimental brain implant that blocks the power of the fae. It's a dangerous procedure...more so than they could ever have imagined.

The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper, published 9th May

Kitty is living a happy, carefree life as a dairymaid in the countryside. The grand family she is employed by looks after her well, and she loves her trade, caring for the gentle cows and working in the cool, calm dairy. And then, of course, there is Will, the river man who she thinks is very fond of her, and indeed she is of him. Surely he will ask her to marry him soon?



Regency Witches by Alyxandra Harvey, published 6th June

In 1804, three cousins with an unknown family lineage of witchcraft awake to their magical powers; beyond the manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, they must navigate the new underworld now open to them, learn to control their new talents, and unravel the secret of one cousin’s mother’s illness, all the while evading fortune seekers, marriage proposals, and a dangerous killer murdering young debutantes.

Transcendence by CJ Omololu, published 6th June

When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider.

As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both.

Comment and let me know which books you're most looking forward to in 2013!

Blog tour: Fracture - Q&A with Megan Miranda

I adored ' Fracture' which I couldn’t put down when I was reading it and couldn’t stop thinking about it when I’d finished. It was an emotional page turner and although we’re only in January it will definitely make my top ten book list for 2012.  I'd like to welcome Megan Miranda to the blog today for a Q&A about her debut novel.

What initially attracted you to the young adult genre?

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed Fracture. I love YA. I love reading YA, and I love writing YA. I think I’m drawn to writing characters that age because I think there’s something really universal about the experiences at that time—maybe not externally, but the underlying emotions of it. There’s something so pivotal about that time. I find that reading YA really resonates with me, and I enjoy writing it for the same reasons.

You were a scientist and teacher before writing Fracture. How do these careers compare with being a published author?

They’re each so different! I really did enjoy each for different reasons, but nothing beats working from home! Writing is by far the most “fun” profession – I love creating something from scratch. But all were very rewarding careers and required a lot of work. I’d say the biggest difference is the schedule—with writing, there are times when things are incredibly busy (like now), and times when you’re between deadlines and can relax for a bit.

What was the inspiration behind Fracture?

I have a background in science—I’ve always loved facts and concrete answers—but I’ve also found myself really drawn to the things science can’t quite explain yet. I came at the idea from a science angle, but at some point it started to walk the line between science and paranormal. I also wondered what it must be like for that person who is the miracle. How does it affect his or her life?

I fell in love with the character of Decker. Are there any male book characters that you have a crush on?

I  love the character of Ranger in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. There’s something about the elusive guys…

Are the characters of Delaney and Decker based on anyone?

They’re not. Developing characters and relationships is my favorite part of the writing process, and they always seem to have a mind of their own…

What other 2012 debut novels are you personally excited about?

I’ve already read (and loved) SLIDE, by Jill Hathaway, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, by Veronica Rossi, and DITCHED, by Robin Mellom. I’m really excited to read CINDER, by Marissa Meyer next!

I’m incredibly eager to read more from you and hope we won’t have too long to wait. What are you working on next?

Thank you! I have another book scheduled to come out in early 2013. It’s similar to Fracture in that it walks the line between science and paranormal again. It’s a standalone psychological thriller about the thin line between the real and the imagined. Hope you like it!

Review: Fracture - Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda, published by Bloomsbury on 5th January 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
By the time Delaney Maxwell was pulled from a Maine lake’s icy waters by her best friend, Decker Phillips, her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead.

But somehow Delaney survived—despite the brain scans that show irreparable damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be fine, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney now finds herself drawn to the dying, and when she meets Troy Varga, a boy who recently emerged from a coma with the same abilities, she is relieved to share this strange new existence. Unsure if her altered brain is predicting death or causing it, Delaney must figure out if their gift is a miracle, a freak of nature—or something else much more frightening….

Review:
I have so much love for this incredible debut novel!  This was an outstanding read from an exciting new author who is definitely one to watch.  She literally blew me away with this captivating title which I adored from start to finish.  As soon as I'd finished then I wanted to start reading it all over again.  It's difficult to really put into words how much I enjoyed this book and how immersed I became in the story but suffice it to say, 'Fracture' already has a permanent place in my list of favourite reads for 2012.      

Delaney's life changes after she falls into a frozen lake.  Trapped underwater for eleven endless minutes her heart stops and she's declared dead but then miraculously starts breathing again after being pulled from the ice.  But Delaney has changed and she isn't the same person she used to be.  She can't make sense of what she's feeling but she finds herself mysteriously drawn to the dead and dying. 

Central to the book is the bond between Delaney and her childhood friend and neighbour Decker.  I loved their friendship and although they both won't admit to their real feelings for each other, you can tell that these are two people who are destined to be together.  They complete each other perfectly.  I adored Decker who is the gorgeous boy next door type and who is sensitive and caring inside.  I wish I could just pluck him out of the pages of the book and conjure him up right in front of me!  As much as I fell in love with Decker, I seriously disliked Troy who Delaney meets after her accident.  He's an ominous presence in the book and actually pretty creepy and sinister.  He's the complete opposite of Decker and seems to be the bad to Decker's good. 

I loved Delaney who narrates the story from a first person perspective.  She is strong and stubborn and brave and became a character who I could really relate to.  Her relationship with her mother becomes strained after the accident and I thought the exploration of this was extremely interesting.  Her mother wants to keep her safe but can't come to terms with the person that Delaney's become.  She wants the old Delaney back but she's been changed forever after her near death experience.  Delaney in turn has to try to understand her mother's motivations which have been shaped by her own family history. 

'Fracture' is a novel about life and death, love and friendship and the meaning of family.  I felt quite emotional during and after reading it because I really became connected to all the characters and their lives.  Brilliantly written, I was gripped and absorbed by every single second of the story.  It's quite literally one of the best debuts I have ever read.