"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!
(reviewed 4 days after purchase)