Strong Blood (Last Moon Rising #2)

"Strong Blood," book two in the Last Moon Rising Series, is as action-packed and intense as book one, "Fire in the Blood." Haley is still learning her way around in her new world, Eyidora. The veil of mystery that shrouds so many characters makes it hard for her to know who she can trust, she hears things, watches people, but its as clear as mud to her if there is anyone she can truly trust. The dreamstates she is experiencing are frightening, and she can't get enough control to stop them, the gods of nature seem to be free to come and go inside her head, draining her energy in the process. Ian wants her help, but for his own selfish and twisted reasons, and Tuggin, hired to protect her, well, is he really trustworthy? What's up with him? One minute he seems to care about Haley, the next, he is cold as ice, and it doesn't help that Haley is attracted to him! He DOES keep saving her life, although it seems to pain him to do so. It's no wonder Haley feels so inadequate, Tuggin has taught her that her emotions are a weakness. Everyone has a hidden agenda, it seems, no one can be trusted. If not for the mysterious Soon, would Haley truly have anyone in her corner? Can she succeed in her quest to save her worlds?

I love Haley's, um, charm??? Seriously, Haley has personality, she's a character, she gets a little snippy, she's scared, she's still out of her element, she still makes some bad choices in trusting people, she's still headstrong...she's still Haley! For a girl thrown headfirst into another world, with the fates of several worlds on her young shoulders, her feeling of insecurity is totally understandable and, feeling like I was there with her, not only was it painful to watch, but I wanted to send some characters into a time out! Dale Ibitz has created a wonderfully flawed and realistic character in a world that feels alive. I'm looking forward to watching Haley grow!

Haley is still learning who she can trust and still doesn't have any answers either. She keeps finding herself in dreamstate battling Ian. She also meets Mystery Boy in dreamstate. In dreamstate Haley learns about another Eyid Stone in the Tamoor region. Haley tries to shield herself from others and dreamstate but isn't having any luck. Tuggin and Elana are hiding something from Haley. Tuggin tells Haley not to trust anyone including him. Yet Haley can't help how she feels about Tuggin and wonders if he feels the same way. Haley makes new acquaintances with Luke and Telsa. Luke appears to understand that Haley is lonely for some companionship. Haley also searches for her brother Axel. Who is Mystery Boy? Where is Axel? Will Ian leave Haley alone? Can Haley control her dreamstate? Who can Haley really trust? Will Eyid Stone be found? Your answers await you in Strong Blood.

In this second installment, we learn more about Eyid Stones, Eyid~emos, and Eyid's themselves. Haley is still a very enjoyable character that continues to grow and change even if other's like Tuggin think she's a child. I find that Tuggin intrigues me in several ways:first in his manner; second in his voice like it's the voice of reason; and lastly in how he relates to others. I'm hoping we get to learn more about Tuggin as person and Menta. I look forward to the next installment in this series.

Haley and Ian continue their battle for the Eyid stones in the second installment of Last Moon Rising Series. On Haley's search for the stones she meets new people and discoveries the reality of the different clans/groups on the Eyidora.

Haley is your typical teen. She has all the trust issues of any teenager, and is constantly questioning her friends motives - if you can even call them friends. Are they? I don't know but I desperately want to know what is going on with her and Tuggin. As a hottie Hall God there seems to be enough clues in the book that he likes her, she is having a hard time resisting him.

Enough already! I can't take it anymore, I need the next book to find out what happens between Haley and Tuggin. Does Ian get what he has coming to him? And who are the friends she can trust?

In her brilliant follow up to Fire in the Blood, Ibitz continues with his mastery of the English language and with her well developed mythology to create a work that is difficult to beat. Her descriptions make this world vividly real.

The mythology that we learn about in the first novel of the series is further developed here. We find out a great deal more about the lands and their relationship with the gods. We also find out about the connections between the demi-gods and their place in the hierarchy of the world. As with many other mythologies, the goal is to reach a balance.

The characters continue on their quest to save not only their world, but the universe while battling with issues that are all too commonly faced in our teenage years. The reality of these situations brings to light the similarity of all peoples. This is made abundantly clear through the main character. She is such a realistic teenager, right down to the way that she talks and thinks. She battles through feelings of inadequacy and through trust issues on a daily basis. Even during the times that you feel she is being difficult or somewhat naive you cannot help but feel for her and see where she is coming from.

Throughout this installment I did find myself right alongside the main character, questioning the intentions of the characters. I began to wonder who was really on which side of the battle. There is a veil of mystery throughout this novel that pulls you further and further into the action and deception. I found myself rooting for certain characters and wondering what on Eyidora others were up to.

This novel leaves you perfectly situated to dive into the next installment in the series. Ibitz manages to finish the novel in such a way that you cannot help but need to read the next installment, but giving this one a conclusion of sorts. She does not leave us mid action sequence, nor do the characters reach the end of their quest. By the end of the novel, all I was left muttering 2 things to my dogs: (1) wow; and (2) where’s the next installment?