Torn and Turned by Julie Kenner

Torn: Blood Lily Chronicles Book 2 by Julie Kenner

Amazon Product Description:

Lily is in trouble of the deepest kind. Having been tricked by the forces of evil, she killed what she thought were "demons" at will. Now, she knows better, and with a little help from half-angel, half-demon Deacon Camphire, she must try to take down the bad guys from within as a double agent.

 

My thoughts:  (WWW: Why did I choose it, What did I like about it, What I didn't like about it)

I chose Torn because I had just finished Tainted which ends as a cliffhanger and absolutely demands that you keep reading.

What I liked about it: I fell in love with the characters, despite their flaws.  By this book I was fully invested in them and couldn't wait to find out more.  Julie Kenner builds great characters who each battle demons from within and without during the story.  Each of the main players in the story have strong convictions, and they all appear to be fighting for the same conclusion, just not all for the same reasons. 

My favorite character: Deacon

I also love the plot.  It twists and turns, keeping you on your toes as to who is fighting for and who is fighting against the Light (one of my favorite things about the book is that so many times it seems that the characters are changing sides - or at least thinking about it). 
I like how each of the books is connected together.  The storyline is woven throughout the books and revisited when needed.  The intro to each book is great.

What I didn't like about it:  The ending!  Okay, it's not that the ending was bad, just a cliffhanger!!!  Every now and again I got tired of the "Everything for Rose" aspect of Lily, but I have sisters so I can understand.  There were times when a little more clarity would have been nice, but not necessary to the story.

It is an all-around good read.

I would readily recommend it to either gender - - grade 9 and up.

 

Turned: Blood Lily Chronicles Book 3 by Julie Kenner

Amazon Product Description:

When Lily Carlyle died in an act of vengeance, she came back as an assassin for the light. But when she discovered her masters' true darkness, she decided to choose the right side for once... Her own.

With her cover as a double agent inside the forces of evil blown, Lily has no choice but to go underground. She takes along a cadre of warriors: humans, angels, demons, and other trusted creatures. Their only hope is to stop the forces who are attempting to use the Ninth gate as a wedge that will unleash the fury of Hell.

My Thoughts:

Once again, I chose this book simply because I couldn't stand for the story to be over (and now I am sad to say as yet there is no book 4). 

What I liked about it:  My favorite thing about this book is that I get the answers to all the questions I have been sitting on for the last two books.  In this book Lily is forced to look inside herself and search for the kind of person she wants to be.  The stakes are huge - the world/armageddon - sacrifice herself, rule the demon hoards, or find the key and use it.  Each of the characters faces their own soul search and we the readers are brought along on their journey as the story continues.  My favorite character is still Deacon, has been since book one.  His connection with Lily, their struggle to believe in themselves and each other, and the paths they take make for an interesting twist in the story.  Without this piece I think the story would feel incomplete.  The connections between the characters and the ways that they grow and change are the keys to the storyline and the plot. 

I like that the storyline is kept intact in this book as well, the intro makes sure you know what's been going on and you are reminded throughout the story about how things are connected, and then they are wrapped up in this book.

My other favorite things: I cannot share without having this be a spoiler - so you'll have to read them for yourself!  I suggest you do. 

What I didn't like:  Once again - the only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending.  This one doesn't end on cliffhanger - demanding the next piece of the story, but it ends in such a way that there is room for more later.  I don't think there will be a book four - hopefully I am wrong.

An all-around good read.  I read this in one day, so it is a fast read. 

This book, like the two before it, is a  grab you,

keep you read that you just don't want to put down. 

I readily recommend all three of Julie Kenner's Blood Lily Chronicles!