Audiobook Review: Erased (Altered #2)
Author: Jennifer Rush
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Young adult
Narrator: Casey Holloway
Synopsis (Goodreads)
They thought they had escaped. They were
wrong.
After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
When memories from Anna's old life begin to resurface--and a figure from
her childhood reappears--Anna's loyalties are tested. Is it a Branch set-up, or
could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Ultimately, the answers hinge on
one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased in the first
place?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep the readers guessing until the last page is turned.
Review: 4 ½ out of 5 stars
** Contains possibly spoilers from the first book **
I loved the first book, Altered so I was excited to read the
sequel which really amped things up and left me on the edge of my seat
anticipating more! I really like the overall concept of this series and the thrilling
world the author has created has left me anxious to read the next book, Reborn.
Anna has fled the Branch and is now on the run with
Sam, Cas and Nick; not trusting anyone and constantly on the move it was a
fast-paced thrill-ride as the group try to piece together their past,
connections and avoid the bad guys who seem to be constantly on their heels.
Everything in Erased was kicked up a
notch, it’s highly addicting with the surprising and sometimes debilitating
flashbacks, kick-butt action sequences and a surprise reappearance of a
relative that I feel kept the pacing fast and the intrigue entertaining, I
could never tell who could be trusted or not and in the end I was right! The
bad guys were a huge shock and the back-story even more of a surprise; Jennifer
Rush gave us twists and turns aplenty which was balanced out nicely with sweet
friendships between the group and a nice romance.
As we learnt in the first book, the group has been
genetically modified to be super humans and are more or less assassins, now on
the run they begin to truly question their capabilities and not knowing if more
modifications were made during their recent visit to the Branch caused much
confusion; a new character also played a huge part in this book, I won’t reveal
who to avoid spoilers but they made a lot of shock revelations. There was a lot
of death and bloodshed which was to be expected and I honestly
feel the series could have ended here as I think there was enough closure and
the ending although abrupt was satisfying so I’m keen to see where Jennifer
will take the next book.
Jennifer Rush has developed each of the characters
beautifully and with their own distinct personality; Sam still comes across as
a broody thinker but I adore his protective side when it comes to the group and
especially Anna, Cas wasn’t as present much to my dismay but I did enjoy the
humour he bought to the story and arrogant Nick with his constant growly
demeanor really surprised me, I loved learning more about him and
Anna has turned into a badass! She is constantly worrying about the boys, more
so than herself which I really admired although there was a point towards the
end where I felt all the training she had received had gone out the door, she
reacted before she thought about the consequences. Trev is still a bit of a
mystery, I want to know what he is up to and why he keeps helping Anna – I
think he has more of a purpose.
Audiobooks tend to be hit or miss for me, I have had
more misses than hits unfortunately but I really enjoy Casey Holloway’s narration and her ability to transition between each of the characters
flawlessly, each had a unique voice that she did well.
Overall, Erased is a thrilling sequel
that left me on the edge of my seat eager to know what would happen next, there
was never a dull moment. The characters are beautifully crafted and Jennifer
Rush’s story-telling is entertaining. I’m definitely looking forward to reading
the next instalment.
About the author: Jennifer Rush lives in a little town on the shoreline of Lake Michigan
with her husband and two children. She grew up wanting to be an Egyptologist,
but realized she hated the desert and declared herself a writer instead. She
won her first writing award in the fourth grade (a Mickey Mouse pencil was the
prize) and has been crafting stories ever since. In her free time, she likes to
read, Photoshop, and consume large amounts of caffeine.Her debut YA, ALTERED, released January 2013 from Little, Brown. The sequel to Altered, ERASED, releases January 7, 2014.
Her debut middle-grade, BOT WARS, released March 2013 from Dial Books for Young Readers. Its sequel, THE META-RISE, releases July 10, 2014. The Bot Wars series is written under the pen name J. V. Kade and can be foundHERE
I skimmed your review since Altered is actual on my wishlist. I am glad this worked as an audio. Sometimes it takes me a chapter to get comfortable with a narrator, and I adjust the speed until I do. I am glad book two was strong.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of Altered Kimba! I am really enjoying this series & the audio worked really well.
DeleteIt's great that this sequel was so intense and enjoyable, and it's awesome that you enjoyed the audio book - they can be such a great way to experience a book!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying audiobooks at the moment, I have listened to a few recently and thankfully they have been 'hits'. The sequel was great! :)
DeleteI've had Altered since it came out, but . . . that's right--haven't read it yet. I'm glad that book two is still awesome though, b/c this is one of the series that I actually do plan to read soon.
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Rabid Reads
My tbr pile is a mile high! ;) I hope you get a chance to read these books & enjoy them as much, I'm a bit of a Bourne Identity fan and they remind me of that series.
DeleteI didn't realize that this series was available in audio, and the fact that you enjoyed the narrator speaks volumes, because you're right audios tend to be hit or miss. Great review!
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
Ooh yes & the narrator is great! Erased was the first audiobook I picked up actually :)
DeleteThx Carmel!
Great review. This sounds like a great addition to the series.
ReplyDeleteIt was kick-butt fabulous Ellen! I'm really enjoying this series.
DeleteI've had the first book since it came out. Is the narrator the same as the first book? I heard she sounded robotic-like. Either way, I still want to get to this series someday...
ReplyDeleteHi Nereyda :) Yes, it is the same narrator - I didn't find her robotic but she does sound quite young and there isn't much of a lilt in her monotone but it didn't bother me at all; in saying this though, my friend couldn't stand the narration in this and ended up reading the book instead; I think I may be easy pleased because I have so many DNF audiobooks because I'm not a fan of the narrator??
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