2 Bloggers 1 Book - The Only Survivors

 

When Stormi said she planned on reading more thrillers this year and asked if I wanted to buddy read some with her, I didn't hesitate.  I usually love thrillers, and this gave me an excuse to read some more.  However, I think before the end of the year is out both Stormi and I might regret this decision.  So read on to see my thoughts on our latest endeavor and then check out Stormi's over at Storm Reads.

TITLE: The Only Survivors

AUTHOR: Megan Miranda

PUBLISHER: Quercus

PUBLISHING DATE: April 11, 2023

PAGES: 339

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: A mystery about a group of former classmates who reunite to mark the tenth anniversary of a tragic accident—only to have one of the survivors disappear, casting fear and suspicion on the original tragedy.

MY THOUGHTS:  So a group of kids in high school experience a traumatic event their senior year and every year, the survivors gather together to get through the anniversary together.  That alone is concerning enough because it's evident that this incident is the only thing they all still have in common so why they force themselves to spend a week together was one of my first questions going in to this. 

But anyway, this year they are missing a person because he couldn't take it anymore and overdosed and his best friend of the whole group doesn't find out until 3 months later so there is a bigger cloud than normal hanging over everyone's heads on this year's anniversary.  Slowly the trip starts to unravel and I won't spoil anything else in case my review makes you want to run out and grab a copy - I'm betting it doesn't.

I have to say this was one of the most unthrilling thrillers I've read in a while.  I think most of the "twists" if you want to even call them than, were predictable and the end was just "meh."  I didn't like any of these people and as I've said, I don't feel like I have to like the characters to like the book but I didn't even hate these ones enough to make reading it fun.  This is my second Miranda book and I'm beginning to think she isn't the author for me.  It will have to be a pretty good premise for me to pick up another one.  

RATING: 2 stars (and that feels generous)

2 Bloggers 1 Series - Hidden Legacy Series

 

So Stormi and I decided to continue on with our series read of Ilona Andrews' Hidden Legacy series this month.  Sometime I really need to take the time and map out what series we are actually reading because sometimes they all slip my mind.  However, I am happy to say only one more to go in this one - unless the series isn't finished.  Does anyone know?

So read on for my thoughts of Emerald Blaze and then hop over to Stormi's at Storm Reads to see her's.

TITLE: Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5)

AUTHOR: Ilona Andrews

PUBLISHER: Avon

PUBLSIHING DATE: August 25, 2020

PAGES: 392

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS:: As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart.

MY THOUGHTS: As this is the 5th book in the series, I feel like I can't discuss a whole lot without giving some things away.  Emerald Blaze may be the 5th book but it's actually the 2nd in the Catalina/Alessandro arc.  I didn't think I liked their story line much going into this one as I am a die-hard Nevada/Rogan fan, but this book cleared that up and I'm now on the Catalina/Alessandro train.

Catalina is now Deputy Warden of Texas which means that beside running the family agency, she also has side jobs of major importance and which she gets to family to assist with on a no-questions asked basis.  Catalina is involved in finding out who killed the son of a famous Prime.  An area of Texas which has basically become a swamp for scary magical things was being developed when the son was murdered.  Everyone else involved in the project is shady as hell and did I mention scary magical things?  Alessandro has been hired by the family to assassinate the culprit once they are discovered which places him and Catalina working side by side once again.

The investigation in this book was very intriguing.  It took lots of twists and turns and several old faces from the past resurfaced.  In addition, we learn A LOT about Alessandro's past in this book and what makes him tick and all I can say is that his actions and attitude finally make sense.  As I mentioned, I don't want to give too much away but I will say this book ended on such a cliffnanger that Stormi and I decided next month we are finishing this series up.  I'm honestly surprised if we can hold out that long.

RATING: 5 PAWS