Johnathan’s monthly transformation and daily personality roller coaster isn’t the only problem they have to deal with. The Five are also gearing up to face their toughest and most dangerous enemy yet—a powerful and ruthless Warlock who will go to any means, including high school, to build his Dark Army.
This book starts out by introducing Paige she accidentally discovers her magic when she happens upon some bullies abusing her dog. Her father (a Pastor) discovers her practising her magic and freaks out and tries to send her away to an institution; Paige escapes and runs away where she meets Johnathan, with whom she feels an instant connection to. Johnathan eventually one by one brings in the other three, Alec, Seth and Halli.
This book started out with a ton of information being presented very early in the book, the five come together fairly quickly without much mention of anyone's back story, and they set to work immediately to practise their craft and hone their skills. They immediately set out to fight the evil that plagues the human world unseen and send them back to the Netherworld. They find themselves fighting a variety of evil and vile creatures; its while rescuing a human child from being kidnaped by a Faery that Johnathan is bitten by a changeling. Now the group must protect Johnathan and the unsuspecting humans from the change that now plagues him on the full moon each month. Paige vows to find a cure for his curse.
From there the book takes on a more comfortable pace as it slows down and focuses on the main part of the story. Upon learning of a high school plagued by an abnormally high suicide rate the five begin to investigate the school. After their initial investigation it is decided that four of the five will enroll in the high school and find out what is going on. What they find at the school is a student body mostly comprised of students in a catatonic or zombie like state. Students are hallucinating and freaking out and nobody seems to know what to do or can be bothered to do anything.
It is later that the five discover that the principal is behind the whole thing and that he is really a very powerful warlock by the name of Brone who has been using a potion to turn the students into members of his dark army.
I felt bad for Halli being left out of going to school with the others, and really kind of annoyed that Joe left it so long to tell them who they really were "Quinaie Praesidia.” and why they were so connected together. He could have been training them all along and they would have been better prepared for what they were up against.
At the back story of all this is the budding romance of Johnathan and Paige who are clearly attracted to one another but circumstances and unlucky events keep pulling them apart. Insert Angst here.
Over all I have to say I really enjoyed the story, I felt the story was a little rushed in the beginning trying to get all the characters introduced and acquainted with one another, but soon leveled out and began to flow quite nicely. They are not perfect heroes, they have flaws and at the heart of it the are really just normal teenagers trying to cope with the life they have been dealt, and doing the best they can for five kids that are virtually homeless living in Seatle's underground.
The interaction between the five is familiar they treat each other like family, they tease, taunt, love and protect one another. I think those who love YA/ Urban Fantasy/Paranormal will really enjoy this book.
I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating
I was gifted a reviewers copy of this book by Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for an unbiased review
As Paige fights to keep from succumbing to the pull of an Incubus that has her marked as his next conquest, Johnathan seeks to find a way to rid her of a curse she willingly accepted in order to save him.
A surprising revelation initiates a long-awaited, yet unexpected, reunion for Alec who discovers a new magical talent he possesses.
The FIVE, along with their mentor, Joe, must figure out what was meant by the last words of a Demon as it was sent back to the Netherworld—a promise of Gathering darkness—and stop the evil before it’s unleashed on the small town of Moab. And, the world.
At the end of the last book Paige makes a deal with a daemon in exchange for information to rid Johnathon of his curse. Immediately after as per the agreement Paige is blind. Paige must now learn to deal with eternal night, as well as trust her other senses to fight against the evil and dangers that present itself.
The five along with Joe travel hundreds of miles on foot as Joe teaches them and mentors them with their magical training as the five become stronger he becomes weaker his magic slowly leaving him. Once in Utah Paige finds herself the target of an Incubus and must find a way to keep herself from caving into his charms. In the exchange with the Incubus Paige regains her sight and Alex discovers his parentage and is able to meet his mother who is locked up in an insane asylum.
The darkness is coming and the gates of hell literally are about to be throne open unleashing evil on the earth like its never seen before. The five must train and prepare to fight for their lives and the fate of the world.
I liked the pace of this second book a lot more its was quick with a ton of action. I enjoyed the way the author worked with Paige's blindness but at the same time I felt that she regained her sight much too easily. I stated above I enjoy how flawed these characters are, they are typical teenagers that just happen to have gifts. Alex is truly surprised when it is brought to his attention that he is using his powers to persuade people especially woman to get what he wants, and while he doesn't necessarily stop he does impose restrictions on himself to prevent himself from becoming like his father. In between fighting bad guys Paige and Johnathan are still struggling to get their crap together. They have to battle jealousy from both sides, and much of the book is spent with one or the other brooding or angry with the other, because of circumstances in and out of their control. I kind of wanted a little more of Seth and Halli and I am hoping that they are a little more present in the next book.
Nothing can prepare them for the battle they are about to fight and the five are going to need every once of magical knowledge and training to come out of it alive together intact.
I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating
I was gifted a reviewers copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review by Curiosity Quills Press.