Review: Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson

Losing Lila (Lila #2) by Sarah Alderson
Published by Simon Pulse 2012

Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which is somehow tracking their every move. While Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila's only thought is of finding a way back to California so she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they're being held. Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the others she's come to think of as family, Lila plans not only to save her brother and mum, but also to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for. But the plan requires Lila to return to California alone, and to make friends with the enemy - and in doing so, she risks losing everything: Alex, her family… even her life. (From Goodreads)

*****

Having absolutely loved Hunting Lila and giving it the full five stars last year, this was one of my anticipated sequels. Losing Lila did certainly not disappoint, and this has been a fantastic series.

We are reunited with Lila and Alex right away, now on the run from the Unit. Alderson wastes absolutely no time delving straight into the action, and that's something I've always liked when it comes to this series. There's no time to beat around the bush, and it's clear that this is going to be one bumpy ride; even more so than the first book!

There are plenty of plot twists and turns, which had me turning frantically turning the pages at times; none of which, as usual, I expected. Alderson somehow always managed to keep me on the edge of my seat. The romance was also even more of a pleasure to read about this time around, with some cheeky gallivanting mixed in with the action, as well as hints of humour. I particularly enjoyed Suki and Nate: what a charming and hilarious pair.

Now, on to the characters. I felt as if everyone had a significant character development as opposed to how things went in the last book. With Lila's strong resolve to get her mother and brother back from the Unit's clutches, she grows increasingly confident in herself and her power. Demos and the others had a much stronger role to play, what with joining Alex and Lila to bring down the Unit and getting their own revenge. They were their own unit of sorts, and it was interesting to see how the game plan went.

Overall this was fantastic and I feel completely satisfied with how this story went. It didn't seem possible but Sarah Alderson has delivered a more-than-worthy sequel to one of my favourite books of 2011, packed with action and romance. There was never a dull moment!

4.5 stars

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we show the books we have received this week through buying them, borrowing them, etc.

I bought myself a few books this week and after purchasing two more books, I'll be setup for the entire month! Here's what I got:

Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff & Fated by Sarah Alderson

Cinder by Marissa Meyer & The Book of Blood & Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Torn by Cat Clarke & A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Be sure to post the links to your IMMs in the comments!

Review: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
Published by Simon & Schuster 2011

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts. After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

♥♥♥♥♥

I'm not sure if my review can do this book justice. I don't even know where to begin. All I know is, this book was a tidal wave of different emotions. Sarah Alderson's writing is utterly fantastic; it all felt so real. The main character, Lila, was instantly relatable and I found myself experiencing every emotion that she felt throughout the book. I was angry, sad, desperate, anxious and happy with her. My heart ached with her at times (I know, cliche). Jack and Alex were also wonderful characters. Alex is lovely and I did have a bit of a swoon going on. I loved the relationship between Lila and Alex. Jack was faithful and overprotective, as brothers are, and I thought Lila's relationships with both of them was very strong and sweet. The supporting characters were amazing and I loved them as well. The pace and twists and turns in this book are unbelievable. I didn't know what to expect and what was going to happen throughout the book and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I was really shocked in some places at what Alderson had dished out. The beginning also doesn't waver and loiter; it dived right in and I was instantly hooked. I couldn't put this down. Last night I stayed up until 10 past 1 in the morning reading this and I had to force myself to stop. The ending of this book has left me with a huge grin on my face but also concerned about the turn of events, and I absolutely cannot wait until the sequel. I will be raving about this in my mind for months!

5 stars

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at the www.thestorysiren.com

Got my regular two books this week but I have to say that I'm really pleased! Sorry but I took this picture in my room which has the worst lighting ever...

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

This one sounds really interesting and I can't wait to read this :D

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
I loved Clockwork Angel - it was one of the best books I've read this year. My heart did a little leap when I saw that they had Collector's Editions of Clockwork Prince in stock in Waterstone's :D I am dying to read this so I'll definitely be reading it after Warm Bodies!

Two really good books this week!