Rage Within (Dark Inside #2)

Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world’s population, and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now, they’re hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of surviving teens, and trying to figure out their next move.

Aries is trying to lead, but it’s hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers, and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it’s impossible to know where he’d be, even if he is still alive. Michael is still haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends.

As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive. (Goodreads)

Dark inside, the first in the series, is dark, twisted, and undeniably brilliant. Rage within is more of the same stuff. Carrying on from where dark inside left off, there was none of the over common curse of the second book. The plot was gripping, memorable and unpredictable. In every few chapters is the viewpoint of Nothing, this is the evil that resides in all the Baggers. It raises a lot of questions as to what or who it is. The characters know just as little as we do.

I enjoyed the four different viewpoints in this book. Everyone has a story to tell. Each with their own horrors and secrets, and I wish more books did this. Mason's view was so much more interesting this time around. He battles a lot with himself and his hold on his sanity and you feel like you should do something about it to help him. Aries is a leader and being one has its consequences. She has to weigh the options of each of their decisions and make sure they're the right ones. They don't always go as planned that's for sure. Clementine is still as determined as ever to save her brother Heath, and I rather loved that about her. People lose hope in a post-apocalyptic world, but she holds on to the positive and it moves her further ahead. Michael on the other hand, is still the cowardice, but he is beginning to redeem himself for the better.

 

Natural Born Angel (Immortal City #2)

Life turned upside down for Maddy Montgomery when she found out she was half-Angel and was catapulted into the scene of flashbulbs, paparazzi, and the fervent adulation that comes with being in the celebrity Angel world. She's trying to juggle her ordinary life—high school, family, friends—with the intense demands of being in the public eye as heartthrob Angel Jackson Godspeed's girlfriend.

And now Maddy must face the most difficult choice of her life. She's been offered the chance to become a Guardian. This means entering into dangerous and high stakes training, with no guarantee that she can succeed. But more than that, it would mean leaving her mortal life behind—forever—and allying with the Angels at a time when their relationship with humans is heading for war. (Goodreads)

I only plan for this so be a rather sort review, my thoughts:  I really enjoyed the first book, but this one, Wooooo! So much is going on. I was so upset when it ended...not because of what happened, just that there was no more story left to read!

We get to see the angel training process through Maddy's eyes, though hers is an accelerated process. Which was interesting and fun...we also see Jacks kind of forced into the background as Maddy's charisma and special circumstances eclipse even him. Through Maddy's accelerated training she is introduced to Tom Cooper, and yes our love triangle may now be complete. We all know these stories where romance isn't the focal point, have love triangles.

Jacks is forced to go through a lot of changes because of injuries he sustained during the battle at the end of the Immortal City. Everything is compounded by the upcoming Presidential election and a rash of bizarre random catastrophes world-wide, among other things. Everything comes to a head and also a stellar cliffhanger...I hate having to wait for the next one!

This story had a pulse pounding pace with equal parts mystery, romance, adventure, conflict, supernatural beings, and drama. A potent mix and incredibly hard to put down. So much is learned and so much happens. Now for the frustrating wait for the final epic conclusion after an ending like what this one had in store.