Author: Jocelynn Drake
Series: Book Two in the Asylum Tales Series
Published By: Harper Voyager (May 7, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
The dark and dangerous follow-up that continues the adventures of a magical tattoo artist begun in Angel's Ink
In a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires swim free in a sea of humanity, sometimes you need an edge. Looking for a little love? Need some luck? Desperate for revenge? Gage can give you what you need. The most talented tattoo artist in town, he knows the right symbol and the right mix of ingredients and ink to achieve your heart's desire. One tattoo is all it takes. But remember, everything has its price. . . .
Gage learned that lesson long ago, in ways he'd rather not remember. But the cruel and powerful wizards in the dreaded Ivory Towers he escaped aren't about to let him forget. Though Gage has managed to stay out of sight, he can't outrun the past forever.
The wizards know Gage is using forbidden magic, and they intend to punish him for his transgressions. Too bad if innocent humans and monsters-entire cities-get in the way. They will quell a nascent magical uprising and Gage will be the sacrifice they need. First, though, they have to find him . . .
My Thoughts and Review:
I liked the first book in this series
but I didn't love it. For some reason I never connected with Gage and
that made it a little hard to really fall in love with it. But, I did
like the plot and the writing and the fact that it was in Gage's POV.
Especially since that is pretty rare in the Urban Fantasy genre right
now.
So I was a little hesitant going into
this one because I really did want to fall in love with it. I really
did want to like Gage more.
Thankfully, this second installment
blew me away. I loved everything about it. I connected with Gage
better, I fell more in love with Trixie and Bronx, heck I even liked
Gideon and Chang more.
I loved the way this flowed. We learn
so much more about not only Gage's past but about the world he lives
in (something I thought was slightly lacking in the first book), we
get more info on the elusive Towers, the fey, elves, more about
Sofie's past and even some new people and creatures I wasn't
expecting. I have to say, I loved Gaia and the spin the story took
with her appearance. The scene Gage had with her, or rather Squall,
was super sweet and showed a side of Gage I fell in love with. His
character and personality come out so much more in this one. His
loving and protective side, two sides we didn't get as much of in the
first book, was a huge improvement on how I viewed Gage and therefore
I found myself connecting with him more.
There is a lot going on in this, really
a war is starting to brew once again between the Towers and the rest
of the world and once again Gage and his loved ones are caught right
in the middle of it. The sacrifices Gage was willing to make to
protect those he loved and the ones he did have to make, added so
much depth to his character and the story as well. Gage was a strong
character, he didn't always have the knowledge or the answers but he
did what needed to be done without blinking twice about the
consequences of those actions on him. Only one thing mattered to him
throughout this book, to keep others safe and correct past wrongs.
There was a lot more action in this one
and because of it a few bloody scenes that had me cringing a little
at times but nothing overly dramatic or done up. All appropriate to
the way the witches and warlocks are perceived in Gage's world.
Really this was a fabulous second book
in the series and I am so glad I took a chance on it and read it,
especially considering I was so up in the air about the first book
and almost didn't want to bother with this one. I can definitely see
myself continuing with this series now and really falling in love
with it.
YAY! I love when a second book tops the first one, especially when it's a case where I'm giving the series a second shot because the first book didn't necessarily wow me. I just got book one free on the Kindle, so I'm really excited to dive in this world and I'm even more excited that book two was so impressive!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like book one Jenny but if not, just know that it does get better and it worth giving this one a try too but I have a felling you will already see the potential in the series after the first book. ;)
ReplyDeleteAlmost always the second book in adult UF series' is much better than the first. I'm glad that was the case here! This sounds like a series that I think I would really like!
ReplyDeleteNow that I think about it, you are right Candace. With YA it is always hit or miss but adult UF, it is almost always better.
ReplyDeleteI know how much you love the Druid series Heidi, I bet you would really like this one as well. I think there are a few similarities between the two.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I liked the first book, but didn't really adore it, but knowing that this second one worked so much better for you makes me feel hopeful. I want to spend some time with Gage. :)
ReplyDeleteMaaan, wish I could fit this series in soon. Glad you stuck with it and read the 2nd book. There are a few series where that's happened to me. Hopefully I can get to this sometime.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good paranormal series, and I am glad you liked the second book better. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to add it to my long list of books I want to read.
ReplyDeleteI love when a series gets better and better as it goes on. I'll have to give this series a try. I'll push through book one even if I'm not enjoying it, since book two will make it worthwhile. Amazing review!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!!
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