Reborn by Jennifer Rush

August 12, 2015     booklovi     Book review

 

Reborn by Jennifer Rush

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
January 6th, 2015
323 pages

Source: Library

Rating:

 

Description:

An action-packed, romantic, and suspenseful third book in the Altered series.

The Branch is in shambles, but Anna, Sam, Cas, and Nick can’t rest easy. Remnants of the organization lurk unseen and the flashbacks to their old lives are only getting stronger–especially Nick’s.

Following scattered memories and clues from his Branch file, Nick sets off alone in search of answers and in search of the girl who haunts his dreams. But the sleepy town where she lives in full of secrets and Nick soon learns that uncovering their shared past may have deadly consequences.

My Review – Warning some spoilers ahead!!

I really wanted to love this one. I absolutely adore the first two books in the series and I really try to recommend them to as many people as I can. When I reviewed them over at Reading on the Farm, I described them as being similar to The Bourne Identity. There were a ton of twists and turns and I was totally wrapped up in Sam and Anna’s story. I was hoping to be drawn into Reborn and Nick’s story the same way but I just. . .wasn’t.

Nick is somewhat of an enigma in the first books. He’s angry and resentful, and to a certain extent all of the ‘brothers’ are, for a good reason! But it was always implied and hinted that there was more to him than the angry, brooding exterior that everyone saw. I went into Reborn with the expectation that we would see more of what motivated him.

Unfortunately, all I saw was a bitter guy who drank his problems away. We see that his dad was an alcoholic, and he ends up following right in his footsteps, putting his life and others in danger because he can’t stop drinking. This would have been an ok storyline to follow, even if it was super depressing, if there had been redemption. But there wasn’t any! Even at the end of the book, when things were getting all wrapped up, it wasn’t addressed at all. I couldn’t even tell you if he quit drinking or not, it gets left very open ended.

Both Nick and Elizabeth were very flat, two dimensional characters to me. There wasn’t much time spent developing either of their personalities, goals or wants separately and there definitely wasn’t much of a build up to their relationship. In fact, there’s a whole bunch of them kissing other people for a good chunk of the book and then, due to a traumatic event shared between the two of them, we’re supposed to believe that they are interested in each other in a romantic or even a friendly way. And I just didn’t buy it. I would have loved to see their relationship develop more.

On the pro’s side though, this book is a quick read. It’s pretty fast paced like the previous two installments and there are a couple twists that I didn’t anticipate. Also, I loved that Trev is back with the group. I wish we would have seen more of the whole group together, having Nick off by himself for the majority of the book was a disappointment since I really enjoy the dynamic between them all.

Overall though, this one was disappointing for me. My hopes were really high since I loved the first books and Sam and Anna’s story so much. This one almost didn’t even feel connected to the rest of the series. Having said that though, I will definitely pick up the next one in the hopes that Jennifer Rush can tap back into that successful blend of awesome characters and fast paced plot that I loved so much in the first two books.

 

4 responses to “Reborn by Jennifer Rush

  1. Tilli

    I think this is completely wrong. If you read the first two books then the characters would make more scene. “Both Nick and Elizabeth were very flat, two dimensional characters to me. There wasn’t much time spent developing either of their personalities, goals or wants separately and there definitely wasn’t much of a build up to their relationship.” this comment made me extremely mad and I hope you do not say that about other books because that is completely wrong. Overall I hate this website because it is completely wrong.

    • jennzahbooknut

      Well, Tilli,

      in the great immortal words of Dirty Harry :

      “Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.”

      also, work on your grammar and spelling, mmkay? have a lovely day.

      • Tilli

        Excuse me? You might have the balls to talk to me like that through your computer, but you definitely would not say that to me to my face. “If I really was a bitch, I would make your life a living hell. But instead, I will just sit here and watch you do if yourself.” by Your Tango. If I have offended you by simply stating the truth then email me. But as far as I am concerned, I have done nothing wrong

        • jennzahbooknut

          Actually, i would one hundred percent have the balls to say it to your face.

          saying you hate our website because you don’t agree with ONE review is ignorant, and frankly, disgusting. i was simply stating that you had a right to your opinion and i didn’t agree with it.

          i’m not going to bother to email you because honey, you’re not worth my time. But let me give you a piece of advice — leaving hateful comments on someone else’s website that aren’t CONSTRUCTIVE isn’t a good use of your time.

          have a lovely day.

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