Author: Christopher Pike
Series: Book Two in the Witch World Series
Published By: Simon Pulse (December 2, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
Book Description:
The thrilling Witch World saga continues in this suspenseful paranormal sequel to Red Queen, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Pike.Jessica Ralle thought the worst was over. The mindblowing revelations. The terrifying danger.
The heartbreaking loss.
Turns out, discovering Witch World was just the beginning.
The riveting Witch World saga continues in a sequel packed with even more shocking twists and sexy suspense than Book One…
My teen years, like many, were filled with Pike's crazy and highly entertaining stories. How could I refuse a new release? Well it turns out I can't but maybe I should have.
Let me explain, I struggled with the first book, a lot. It was too detail oriented and felt very juvenile, yes I know these are for a younger audience than I happen to belong to but still, even for the characters being 18 and older it felt young, it read young.
Once again while this has classic Pike greatness, like the first book, it seemed to lack substance. Often falling into familiar overly used tropes such as insta-love, a love triangle and of course, lots of angst and drama.
While the whole concept of the book was fascinating with the parallel dimensions and the Witch World, this still lacked important details to the story and descriptions and details that didn't need to be there, making this almost 500 page story was too long.
The story lulled in spots and then in others went by so quickly you were left scratching your head wondering what in the heck just happened.
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't all bad, there were some great moments in the story, the arena especially but it just wasn't enough to truly wow me like I wanted to be wowed.
Sadly I think this is one series that just wasn't for me.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
I love the idea of parallel worlds, but honestly whenever that concept is introduced it just never seems to work well for me! It's hard to get right and a lot of books seem to fail at it :(
ReplyDeleteIt does have to be done right.
DeleteOh noes! How disappointing, I was one of those kids who devoured his books.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we've gotten older and our tastes have changed? Stein's last book was a disappointment too.
It is sad to see it happen for sure. :(
DeleteI used to devour Christopher Pike books when I was younger. I reckon I probably won't enjoy them now since I have different tastes. It seems like the world building left much to be desired. Sorry this was a disappointment for you, Ali! :(
ReplyDeleteI think it might come down to different tastes as well.
Delete"Often falling into familiar overly used tropes such as insta-love, a love triangle and of course, lots of angst and drama. "
ReplyDeleteJust because a book might be targeted to younger readers than we are doesn't mean it has to feature every over-used YA trope out there! That's really disappointing. Sorry this wasn't the book for you Ali!
I completely agree. It so didn't need to be as bad as it was.
DeleteOh, darn - this sounds like it just wasn't enough to capture your imagination, and despite being YA, it should be able to and not just rely on overly familiar tropes to get by. Sorry this series ended up being a disappointment for you, Ali.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday and have a GREAT weekend! :)
Thanks so much Kim and you too!!
DeleteKindlemom, great review, not many are capable of giving a positive, negative review and yours Rocked!
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks so much Debbie!
DeleteOh yeah. I definitely remember the struggles I had with Witch World, but I stuck through it. I ended up enjoying that book, but it looks like I will have to struggle through the same issues you had. :/
ReplyDeleteIt was a little better but not by much. :(
DeleteIt is so hard when it reads too young, almost middle grade. I love the idea of the parallel worlds. I hope your next read is amazing
ReplyDeleteIt really is, especially as an adult. ;)
DeleteIt did have a neat concept it just wasn't executed right.
This is funny, because I remember reading his books when I was in elementary school. Going to the bookstore in the mall and picking out the 'scariest' looking ones. But I didn't remember WHO the books were by until now. Too bad this didn't work for you. I'm kind of tempted to read those books I enjoyed as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was the same way. I think that is why I was so disappointed with this. Oh well, just shows how our tastes grow and change over time.
DeleteI dare you to read one now. ;)
Yeah, sometimes YA is great, but sometimes is can feel a little juvenile. Sucks.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
DeleteI'm sorry that this series wasn't for you. I haven't tried any books of the author but I heard a lot about them. Maybe one day... not this one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, not this one. ;)
DeleteSorry this wasn't better, but I appreciate the honest review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen!
DeleteI always give a series a 2nd chance as well even if I didn't particularly care for the first book. It's too bad that things didn't work out in your favour this time around, but at least now you know, and can move on without worrying that you might be missing out.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true and I always try to do the same thing because you just never know!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear this was disappointing, I hope your next read is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Sharon – Obsession with Books
to me the book sound great but i'm sorry you didn't enjoy it much, hope your next read is awesome :D
ReplyDeleteIt's okay, it happens!
DeleteI used to be really into Christopher Pike too! The story line looks interesting, but it sounds like he was trying to hard. I think I'd probably agree with you, so thanks for saving me from this book. :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI read Christopher Pike when I was young but even then I remember thinking they were pretty cheesy. I'm not sure I would consider reading him today, probably not. Though I've been curious. It sounds like things haven't really changed much and it wouldn't be for me.
ReplyDeleteThis probably wouldn't be for you then. ;)
DeleteWow! I had no idea Christopher Pike was still writing. I think I remember reading his books back in the 90s?
ReplyDeleteYep, he was pretty big in the 90's.
Deleteack sorry you did not like this one, the premise looked promising, but yeah I am with you on that boat if I am reading about 18 year old characters and they are acting 13, then maybe that should have been their age to begin with.
ReplyDeleteSad but true. I think maybe my tastes have just grown since then, which isn't a bad thing, just made this so not for me.
DeleteI don't think I've read anything by Pike before. Sorry this one didn't work for you. If the characters are 18, it should at least read a bit older.
ReplyDeleteI think it could have been so much better if there would have been more maturity for sure.
DeleteBrilliant review. I've actually never read any Pike books before, although I see him get mentioned a lot online. This just doesn't sound like a series I'd enjoy, I'm not a fan of books that read too young and this is definitely one of those. Thanks for the great review, I'll definitely be skipping this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charnell!
DeleteOh, sorry this didn't live up to your experience with the author's earlier work. I don't think I would enjoy this either!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorna! :)
DeleteBummer it wasn't more fun, the concept of it sounds interesting though. Some series just aren't for us, sigh.
ReplyDeleteIt really did have a great premises.
DeleteInsta-love and love triangles? Sigh..... I think I'll skip this even though I was a huge Christopher Pike fan when I was younger. I think my reading tastes have changed too much.
ReplyDeleteI think that is what happened to me with this as well Lauren.
Delete