DEFECTOR
Variants Series #2
by Susanne Winnacker
Publisher: Razorbill (June 26th, 2014)
Genre: Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: ARC (288 pages)
Source: Free book from blog tour for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon (Affiliate Link) | Barnes & Nobles
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Summary
Tessa has finally made peace with her life as a Variant. She and long-time love Alec are officially a couple, and for the first time, she has everything she wants.
But the air is tense at FEA headquarters. An agent has disappeared, and rogue variant organization Abel’s Army is likely the culprit.
When Tessa is summoned for her second mission, she is unexpectedly launched into a massive conspiracy. Her best friend Holly is kidnapped and Tessa knows it was meant to be her. But who is after her? And more importantly, why?
When the FEA’s efforts to rescue Holly don’t yield any results, Tessa takes matters into her own hands. Desperate to save her friend and uncover the mystery behind Abel’s Army, Tessa launches her own investigation—but nothing could prepare her for what she finds. Everyone in her life is harboring secrets: Alec, her estranged mother, even the father she never knew.
The truth will take her out on the road and out of her comfort zone, with danger lurking everywhere. Summoning all of her courage and strength, Tessa must decide who can be trusted and what is worth fighting for—even if it means going against the life she thought she wanted. Her final decision will leave readers breathless.
At A GlanceTessa has finally made peace with her life as a Variant. She and long-time love Alec are officially a couple, and for the first time, she has everything she wants.
But the air is tense at FEA headquarters. An agent has disappeared, and rogue variant organization Abel’s Army is likely the culprit.
When Tessa is summoned for her second mission, she is unexpectedly launched into a massive conspiracy. Her best friend Holly is kidnapped and Tessa knows it was meant to be her. But who is after her? And more importantly, why?
When the FEA’s efforts to rescue Holly don’t yield any results, Tessa takes matters into her own hands. Desperate to save her friend and uncover the mystery behind Abel’s Army, Tessa launches her own investigation—but nothing could prepare her for what she finds. Everyone in her life is harboring secrets: Alec, her estranged mother, even the father she never knew.
The truth will take her out on the road and out of her comfort zone, with danger lurking everywhere. Summoning all of her courage and strength, Tessa must decide who can be trusted and what is worth fighting for—even if it means going against the life she thought she wanted. Her final decision will leave readers breathless.
I was surprised by how obsessed I got with each flip of the page.
The Good
So much. SO MUCH! So much happens in Defector, my head is still spinning. I liked the first book, but I loved this one. It had everything: action, mystery, secrets, romance, betrayal, and an amazing storyline. I kind of want to read it again already.
It seems like Tessa's life is finally going right, and then the world falls apart. The people she cares about are not who they seem to be. Her best friend is in danger because of her, and her family is coming back into the picture, in a big way. I don't know how Tess did it. Taking in all that new information and reveals without breaking down. Just amazing. I loved meeting Tessa's family. Obviously, their is some dysfunction there, but we only skimmed the surface with them. I also loved how Tessa took control of her life, even when everything seemed so uncertain. At one point you have to say enough is enough, and Tessa did, despite the consequences.
Expect a lot of thrilling action and mystery. The writing is well done and the story just blew me away. But that ending. One of the best cliffhangers I have ever read. It's not a huge cliffhanger, but it will leave you speechless. The worst/best part was that Winnacker gets our hopes up so much, we are so relieved with the direction of the story, and then bam! Ah, ah, ah, you didn't say the magic word, ah ah ah. Tessa is screwed! Yay!!!!!
The Bad
I found myself bored right away. I think that was all me though. I felt like I needed action right away because of the few bad or mediocre books I had read in a row. Nevertheless, it took me about a quarter of the book to finally not put it down every 10 minutes.
The Snuggly
Wow, the romance was...different. We start with Tessa and Alec finally together and being cutesy. But by the end, everything has changed, dramatically. I was not expecting all these secrets, all these betrayals to come to light. And I was effing ecstatic that all this sh*t hit the fan.
Final Thoughts
If you haven't yet, read this series. The second book is better than the first, which to me is rare. I have a good feeling about the direction of the series too. So fun! Highly recommended.
Quotes
No quoting from this ARC, sorry.
No quoting from this ARC, sorry.
Author BioSusanne Winnacker studied law before she became a full-time writer. She lives with her husband, a dog that looks like a sheep and three bunnies that have destroyed every piece of furniture she's ever owned in Germany. She loves coffee (in every shape and form), traveling and animals. When she isn't writing, you can usually find her in the kitchen, experimenting with new vegan dishes.
She blogs for The League of Extraordinary Writers. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
This is a Tour Wide Giveaway.
Week Two of Tour Schedule:
I am currently reading Impostor and loving the story. Can't wait to get my hands on this beuty :)
ReplyDeleteOh, if you love Imposter, you are going to DIE with Defector.
DeleteWell, this sounds like it has eeeervything I could possibly want in a read :D
ReplyDeleteIt really does.
DeleteI loved the first book and I can't wait to read this one! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Happy you are continuing the series.
DeleteThat's the thing about fiction...couples can't be happy long before something gets between them!
ReplyDeleteI know. And it worked do well for this book.
DeleteFinally a book that you loved! I feel like it's been forever since you read a really good one. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI know, I have had stream of bad books recently.
DeleteI love it when the second book is even better than the first. Sometimes it does pay to push on and keep reading!
ReplyDeleteYup, I try to give a book some leeway in the beginning but some books make huge turnarounds.
DeleteYou know me I'll dive right in when the series is complete. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
hehe, you will love it to.
DeleteI haven't tried the series yet and Iheard about it not a long ago because book 1 had been released in France but I confess I'm curious the reviews are great and it's nice to know book 2 is the same!
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it out. I think you would like it.
DeleteThis is another series that I need to start. I have the first book, and it sounds awesome, and clearly book 2 doesn't fall into the friggin'-lame-second-installment trap, so yeah, need to get started. Glad you loved it ;)
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Rabid Reads
I love when second books are better, shows creative progress, which every writer should strive for.
DeleteI love the cover. Defector sound good. I just love finding new to me authors.
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it out.
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