Author: Michael Grant
Series: Messenger of Fear #2
Publication: September 22nd 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5
Review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
The games continue in New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant’s sequel to Messenger of Fear: a haunting tale for fans of Stephen King that combines fantasy with real-world horror stories.
Mara has learned to punish the wicked as the Messenger’s apprentice. Those who act out of selfishness and greed, and others who become violent because of prejudice and hate, pay the ultimate price. But Mara is constantly reminded that Messengers are serving their own kind of punishment—for every person who is offered justice, they wear a tattoo that symbolizes the heart of the crime. As Mara delves deeper into her harsh reality, she will discover that in spite of all the terror she and Messenger inflict, caring in this world is the hardest part of all.
Mara is still Messenger's apprentice, learning how to be a Messenger of Fear herself. I felt like there was a huge difference between Mara at the start of this book and Mara at the end of it. She has grown so much even though there were a lot of temptations and horrible things to face along the way for her.
The story mostly revolved about Mara finding the strenght to say no to Oriax and everything she has to offer, like Messenger returning Mara's feelings, and finally becoming who she is meant to be.
Like I said before, this book is a little bittersweet, especially the ending and when it came to Messenger *sniffles*.
But overall, it was a great sequel, to the first book. The writing was excellent, the story and characters were all engaging and I can't wait for book #3!
About the Author:
Michael Grant was born in a manger.
Okay, no he wasn't. And that was a stupid thing to say. There was no manger. It was a log cabin. A log cabin in Los Angeles.
Or possibly a trailer.
And then while defending his country (technically it was his father, he was just an Army brat,) he moved all over the country and to France and became the incredibly well-educated, well-rounded, well-adjusted . . .
Yeah, okay that last part's a lie, too. The moving everywhere thing is true. But the sad reality is that Michael's a rootless, disconnected, indifferently-educated, sullen, obnoxious, disaffected misanthrope. With no hair. I mean seriously: look at the man's head. Do you see hair? No.
Where was I? I mean he.
Michael Grant is married to Katherine (K.A.) Applegate. They've been together for 30 years. Which doesn't say much for Katherine's judgment does it? And they've been writing for 20 years, sometimes as partners -- BOYFRIENDS/GIRLFRIENDS, ANIMORPHS, EVERWORLD -- and sometimes on their own.
Michael and Katherine have two kids, Jake 12 and Julia 9. (Feet tall. Get it? 12 feet tall? Ah hah hah. Yeah, okay: not funny.) Anyway, the point is that Michael Grant is the author or co-author of 150 books. Yeah: 150. Most recently the critically-acclaimed GONE and HUNGER.
No, really: critically-acclaimed by VOYA, Booklist, School Library Journal, KLIATT and Publishers Weekly. And best of all by Stephen Freaking KIng himself! Oh, yeah: THE Stephen King. Of course Kirkus dumped on him, but Michael would like to make it clear that Kirkus is in no way a collection of illiterate halfwits. No! Never would Michael say such a thing.
i read the first book and enjoyed it a lot, i was holding back on the second book, i have read a lot of mix reviews about it and hadn't made my mind up, but i think your review was the one that made it up for me :) I'm placing it on my to-read list for sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope book three is going to be just as wonderful for you! I am glad you could enjoy this sequel all the same and the main character sounds just lovely <3
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