Tuesday 24 April 2012

Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe **Review**

Review of Book one: Dark Heart Forever
Review of Book three: Dark Heart Surrender

Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe
Series: Dark Heart #2
Pages: 400
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release date: 2nd June 2011
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
Thanks to Hachette UK for my review copy

Goodreads synopsis:
Jane and Luca's story continues ...but not quite as they had planned. When challenges and threats from the immortal world of Nissilum rip the young lovers apart, Jane is bereft. Without Luca's dancing green eyes, and gentle smile, Jane feels lost, sad and alone. But then a trip to Paris with her grandmother thrusts her in the path of the amiable Soren - a kindred spirit who may be just the distraction she needs ...Meanwhile in Nissilum, Luca struggles with the loyalties and expectations that come with being a part of the immortal world. A world that is about to be shaken at its very core: rumblings of mounting unrest are spreading, and with rumours of an angel rebellion growing no creature is safe -- especially not a mortal girl who has fallen in love with a wolf boy...


I love how this series is progressing!
I mentioned in my review for book one, Dark Heart Forever, that the plot was quite predictable, and I had pretty much everything figured out, quite early on. The plot to this instalment in the series is much less predictable, you'll be glad to hear (although, I'll reiterate that the predictability of book one didn't really damage my enjoyment of the book).
I did work out basically what was going to happen in the end, but there were details that I hadn't guessed, and did come as a little surprise to me (although, I'll admit, not a huge surprise), and it took me a little longer to work out than the previous book. Again though, this did not really remove any enjoyment - in fact, I think I enjoyed this book more than book one!

Jane's character grew so much during this novel - she is certainly no plain Jane! She was still recognisably the same character as before, but she'd grown a giant backbone - and good for her! Despite everything that was happening, she tried not to let it get her down, and she tried to be happy for Luca, if he had truly decided to follow his family's wishes - but she also stood up for herself, when the occasions to do so arose. She stood by her own beliefs, and what she considered to be the right thing, and I really respected her character for that - I'm not sure I'd have been able to do the same, in her position!
I have to say though, I did have a chuckle to myself, at the image of Vanya dressing her up as a vampire - very daring!
Oh, and how glad I was to see more of Vanya. Her character is intoxicating - I LOVE her. She's almost certainly my favourite character in the series so far.
As for Luca, his loyalty to his family throughout this novel is both admirable and incredibly annoying, all at once. Yes, he's selfless, we get it - but he's supposed to be with Jane, damn it! I loved his character's turn around though, when he finally stands up for himself, and chooses his own happiness over the control and selfishness of certain members of his family. I'll be really intrigued to see what happens next!

I really enjoyed the narrative switches in this novel. I don't recall the narrative having switched at all during the first book, but in this one, we get to see, not just inside Jane's head, but inside Luca's and Raphael's too, which is really interesting and, especially with Raphael, gives us a much deeper understanding of his character - which is another of my favourites, by the way. Although, he doesn't beat Vanya - she's just way too cool.

I mentioned at some point in my review of book one, that I would love to learn more about Nissilum, and see more of that world - and this book definitely delivers! I'm thrilled that the majority of the book took place in Nissilum, and that the story dives deeper into the secrets kept by each of the families and species, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this will develop further - especially with Raphael and his new personal mission.
In fact, I'm just looking forward to seeing how everything will develop more!

Better than book one, and recommended for fans of general/urban fantasy & YA fiction.


45 comments:

Kali Skittles said...

I'm glad this book was less predictable!

Now I'm a bit hesitant though, because I don't really care for POV shifts if the series did not start out that way. It's very hard for me to get into it because I always prefer just the main person. There aren't very many books I like that do that! :/

It's nice that the book shows us more of the world though, I've noticed in some of the YA series I've been reading, what I hope to happen (learning more about the world/chars) sometimes never happens and it bothers me, so it's nice to know if I want to know more after book 1 I'll be getting it in book 2!

Suz said...

Great review! Glad to read that the 2nd in the series is better than the 1st one! I too like books that change narrators so we get the story from all angles. I would love to win this series!

Bridget Howard said...

I love when you get hear from more than one person in a book I think that it always makes the book better. I love being able to see from the boys point of view how he feels it helps to make a better connection with them!!! I'm glad that the second book is better then the first book I have been reading a lot of series lately and I love the first book, but am really disappointed by the second book!!!

Read Write Reviews said...

Great review!

Unknown said...

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!! Thanks for the great review!

Anubha said...

Great review... I am glad that the leading lady stands for herself unlike some of the other books... :)

Christina Fiorelli said...

It's great when there are twists that leave you impressed with the author, and character development is so important!

I can see why you love this series:)

Doodle said...

Great review! It's good to know the second book is just as gripping as the first.

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

i am excited to hear that there is character development and that the story line continues to draw you in..wonderful review. I love the cover!

Kelly said...

I am glad you seem to enjoy this book more and see her grow and learn and see more of the other planet. I look forward to reading the book

TayteH said...

YES! A backbone character! :D But one thing is, why put in another love/distraction interest? Why? Anyway, awesome review.

passant said...

i just have to say the book covers have broken my heart!! they are amazing!! i guess i m glad that books that are predictable are no problem for me since i have a very curious personality i usually make different endings for a book out of curiosity of what happens, which makes most endings end up to one of my suggestions!! so i dont really mind :D
i love werewolf stories and how each author portrays them and creates the worlds most suitable and creative. since i love escaping reality with a good creative different dimension, i m looking forward for reading this series!!
thanks for the opportunity to read it :D

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love when the second book in a series is even better than the first,

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Really looking forward to this series! The more reviews I read the more I want to read it!

Wenny Widy said...

I really can't find this book in my country yet and I really want this :)

Szappanbubi said...

So now THAT'S a SURPRISE that the second part of a series could give us more!

I'm so excited about the relationship between Jane and Luca!

And not sure what's the role for Vanya..is she a 'bad' character , separating the good ones? or charming the main character?

I NEED to find out! so let me win,pls :)

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

yay for a heroine with backbone!

Filia Oktarina said...

Great review!! Glad hear the 2nd in the series is better than the first! I look forward to reading the book.

Mary Preston said...

Less predictable is always appreciated. I love how the characters continue to grow.

Zemira said...

I love a book with multiple POVs.

Unknown said...

And the cover is getting more awesome than before. Loved it. I'm a cover lover and this is totally amazing.
I'm very interested how Jane and Luca's story continues. I read the review and the story getting more and more interesting.

Great review. Thank u :)

Sharmaine C said...

Switching narratives! I love that kind of writing! It tells so much about the characters! I think this series is going to be a good read, amazing even!

Anonymous said...

It's good to see that the characters all develop positively. I'm glad to hear there's multiple perspective, because I love to see stories from different characters POV!

Veronica W. said...

I'm glad it delivers more info on the other world! I hate when authors don't explain.

Unknown said...

I thinks things got quite complicated... A game played with another game... Stranded within a family's expectation and what you want... It got better compared to it's first book... Thanks for the review... Can't believe there's a third book...

Kate said...

IT's great to see that you like it better than the first. OFten when series have a great first book, they suffer from SuckySecond syndrome. Where the second one is just making some groundwork for the third book. Glad to see this isn't the case here!

Jaime Lester said...

My favorite characters are ones that don't take crap and stand up for what they believe. I think I just admire it so much because in real life it isn't always a clear choice to make. Anyway, it seems to me, according to your review, that Dark Heart Rising didn't suffer from the Sophomore slump and that in itself is a feat and a half!

These covers are absolutely awesome, are they not? I love the mystery and intrigue that they invoke!

Chelsea said...

Sounds really interesting!

Unknown said...

cant wait to read this book! :D

Anonymous said...

I think I love this cover even more maybe. And it's good that you find this book less predictable. Don't care for predictable books...
Great review!

Siff said...

The cover is amazing and I'm glad this book is better than the first; i find that the second book in a series often lacks something

Lexie said...

I'm a sucker for a good book cover. and the more I read the reviews, the more I want to read the book. Can't wait about it! :)

Dovile said...

I absolutely love the cover! I really must read this!

Jolene and Family said...

I think I love this cover a little more than the first, that pink dress really pops. Great review and I love when the narritive switches. Can't wait to start this series

aliaa said...

Good review, I hope to get to read the book myself

Andrea said...

Now that makes me curious, usually people like the first book better that the sequels. Anyway I'm really hoping to read it

roro said...

Good review, I hope to get to read thise books

Michelle Chew said...

Glad to hear that there's vast improvement in book 2 and that you have enjoyed it. I really look forward to reading this series. :) Thanks for sharing!

Debdatta Dasgupta said...

I am yet to get this one. Better than book 1 you say? Looking forward to reading it

Anonymous said...

I'm really excited to read this book. Sounds like it's better than the first book! Especially with the developments you mentioned in Jane's character.

The Avid Reader said...

Vanya sounds like an interesting character. Dressing up like a vampire. I would love to read Dark Heart Rising just to know the reaction of all the vampires. Thanks for the review. Loved it.

Anonymous said...

Once again, this review is making me want to read the series even more.

Kimberleigh said...

I might read this book just because of the cover alone :D Thank you for the lovely review!

Glass said...

I dont't know way, but all the time I've been reading your review, I thought about Fallen series by Lauren Kate. It seems to me that these two books are similar.

Debora B said...

It's really good to know that the plot and the characters evolve in book 2, because when we're dealing with a series is very easy for the characters and the story just freeze and that is such a turn off for me. The fun of reading a saga is to see the relationships growing and the personalities getting stronger and the story moving forward and the twists and turns. And it really is a relief to hear that the plot is less predictable! Great review =)

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