Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The Beautiful and The Damned by Jessica Verday ( Dual Review )

Source: Edelwiess and Netgalley
* We were given a copy of this book in exchange for an Honest review, all thoughts and opinions are our own.*
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release date: October 1st, 2013
Series: Companian to the Hollow Trilogy
* You do NOT need to read The Hollow Trilogy before reading this one, but there is a small spoiler if you haven't*
Edition: Ebook, 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult/ Paranormal/ Fantasy
Rating: Brittany: 5/5
             Michelle: 4.5/5

Cyn’s blackouts have deadly consequences in this sexy, suspenseful spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Hollow series.Cyn and Avian are far from a perfect match. She’s a witch who casts spells on men so she can steal their cars. He spends his time being judge, jury, and executioner to the truly evil in the supernatural realm.

When the blackouts Cyn’s been having ever since her time in Sleepy Hollow start escalating, she finds herself unable to remember where she’s been or what she’s been doing. Frightened, she seeks guidance at a local church, and it’s there she meets Avian.

The unlikely pair soon discovers that her blackouts are a side effect of what she truly is—an Echo—a conduit for souls of the dead. The only way to prevent Cyn from losing complete control is to return to Sleepy Hollow and vanquish the source of her power—but she may not survive the process. And if she does? She won’t ever be the same...




Brittany's Thoughts:

I read the first book in the Hollow Series so long ago that I have forgotten all about it. Apparently there are some spoilers in this book if you haven't read the whole Hollow Series but I didn't notice them. I loved Beautiful and the Damned. It's a dark and very entertaining read. I am not sure where it fits in with the Hollow Series but its a great stand alone story. I think it is meant to be a companion novel. It is scary, twisted and just plain good and I read it in about one sitting.

The story follows Cyn and the predicaments she finds herself in due to her "nature." I was very curious about Cyn's blackouts and how everything would pan out. I was also very scared for her safety throughout the book because some scary stuff goes down while she is blacked out. I, of course, was just hoping that Avian would come to her rescue. Their relationship isn't a quick and easy relationship, as they spend most of their time trying to avoid the other. I like that sort of push and pull relationship as opposed to the fall in love over night one.

Overall, I would recommend this book to paranormal lovers and for anyone that has read the Hollow Series. It was a fast read with lots of bumps and twists that will keep you reading.

Michelle's Thoughts:

I LOVED the first two books in The Hollow Trilogy ( yes, I fell behind and haven't gotten to #3 yet >.< ) Jessica Verday's writing is just so rich, I still remember reading about the homemade perfumes in The Hollow Trilogy and immediately being able to actually imagine the smell. I will admit I tried making my own after that.. I failed. 

Anyway. The Beautiful and The Damned is a Companion novel to the Hollow Trilogy, But it's quite different. It's Darker.. at least in my opinion. Cyn is in a intense situation by no fault of her own, and some of the things that happen to her and almost happen to her are truly scary. The group of Characters is small, but it just allows you to get to know Cyn and Avian better. I agree with Brittany in that I really enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship rather than them having it easy. They are both characters that have had to deal with alot and it just makes them stronger. 

I'm excited to read more about these characters and their lives in future stories. I want to know more about Avians Demon background, how he becomes so close to a man of the church, and how Cyn is going to change him. I'm also curious how Cyn is going to change and grow now... The Beautiful and the Damned had a small spoiler for book #3 in the Hollow Trilogy. But It wasn't so bad that I got upset about finding out, but I will be going and reading #3 ASAP. 

Highly recommend this story for fans of YA Dark Paranormals ! Also, if you Haven't read the Hollow Trilogy? Go read that now as well! :D

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