BROKEN (#2 in The Crystor Series)

(no rating)
This book series is pretty much the most amazing thing I've ever read.

Book 2 is awesome. If you liked Twilight, you'll love this. If you didn't like Twilight, I think you'll still like this. Though Kira is a human in love with a man who craves her blood *spoiler alert if you haven't read book 1 yet*(he's part wild cat from a different planet). Kira is a much stronger character and has lots of spunk. You see how she won't let Octavian control her. I still think he gets too angry, but I guess that happens when you are in his position. The only thing I found annoying about their relationship is that she kept doubting herself too much and doubting his feelings for her. The characters were totally in love, but the romantic scenes never went above a PG rating in my mind. They maintained decent interactions with each other, but I still felt the heat and steam. You don't need to have sex in a book to make it romantic and Mrs. Bryant knew how to make it romance without the smut.
I loved how Mrs. Bryant told the story from his and her viewpoints.
The characters were well developed. The trials and conflict of a new world were there and I loved being able to see this new world through Kira's eyes. The story kept me very engaged, but I almost felt like the main threat never materialized. I know it will come up in book 3 but it was sure forefront in my mind, and when it didn't deliver at the end I was only okay with it because of the way it did end. I seriously can't wait to get my hands on book 3.

Oh. My. Word. I don't even know how to begin this review because I have SOOOO many words of praise filling my mind right now. Alright, let me attempt to process this book and put together a review that won't be comparable to a teenage fan-girl's "O-M-G, I lurve you, Ms. Bryant" fanmail.

Alright, so if you haven't started this series, you have NO EXCUSE! Why?! Because Bound, book one, is free right now on Amazon for your Kindle or Kindle reading app. Just go to Bound on Amazon. Alright, now go, purchase this book, read it (it'll take you a day, because you won't be able to put it down), come back here and read this review. After you're done reading Bound and then this review, you'll, of course want to go purchase Broken. If you don't...Well, then, I guess you must not enjoy master storytelling, complicated-but-beautiful romance, otherworldly princes and princesses, strong heroines...Do I need to go on?

Broken took up right where Bound left off. And from the start this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. It starts with the desperation of both Kira and Lydia gravely wounded. And while knowing that these two front-burner characters are most-likely going to pull through, there is still an amazing strength behind Octavion's hopelessness that pulled me in. I felt his desperation.

Then, there's some happiness. Again, I was pulled in and drowned in the greatness of Octavion and Kira's complicated relationship.

About midway through the book, there was a scene. I won't even begin to tell you what it was about because it's not something that I can or should give away. It's a pivotal part of the story that deals with some fall-out. It's a scene that plays between Kira and Octavion. I'm going to be honest and say that RARELY does a book move me to tears. Rarely. But this scene was HEARTBREAKING. And I am so beyond impressed with Ms. Bryant's ability to take this story to the depths that she did. Simply amazing.

The book ends after a few more up and downs. The ending is most-assuredly a cliff-hanger. And it's one that will leave you anticipating Ms. Bryant's next installment in this series.

This series is on my list of MUST-READS. If you've been wanting to read this for awhile and haven't gotten to it, I implore you to wait no longer.

(no rating)
I really loved this beautiful new series; well written and exciting (heart still racing) from beginning of book one to very end of book two. I have hardly seen any author evolve their characters as does Ms Bryant. Can't wait for final book to be released to learn if the curse will be resolved, what all happens/who will live & where, what gifts will be lost and gained in the end. Oh, book two does have a huge cliff-hanger so you might want to wait to read the 3 books together.