Publisher : Bad Apple Books (December 17, 2020)
Language: : English
Paperback : 351 pages
ISBN-10 : 1733514015
ISBN-13 : 978-1733514019
“A powerful book which both stands nicely alone and compliments Between Wild and Ruin . . . absolutely enthralling reading.” —Midwest Book Review
“What could be a corny premise turns into an exhilarating, fun ride in Edelson’s adept hands. Her characters are smartly drawn, and readers will easily identify with Ruby, a strong yet insecure young artist on the verge of adulthood, who is still recovering from her tragic past . . . Fans of Twilight and modern fairy tales will fall in love with Ruby and root for her eventual romance.” —Blue Ink Review (Starred Review)
“Between Wild and Ruin is a stunning story of legends, romance, and destiny with themes of starting over, small towns, beauty, and community . . . Edelson perfectly breathes new life in mythology by honoring the oral tradition of a small community and the ruins that bring to life Ruby’s destiny.” —Manhattan Book Review
“Highly recommended to mature teens through new adult and adult audiences, this is a story that lingers in the mind long after its final revelation.” —Midwest Book Review
“A great addition to young adult urban fantasy.” —Seattle Book Review
“Descriptions of the New Mexico landscape are rich and atmospheric, arousing the senses with references to the scent of smoke and juniper, the predatory roar of mountain lions, and the brilliant dazzle of stars in the desert sky . . . The writing conveys a sense of timelessness, making it easy to believe Ruby’s sense that the land is spirit-haunted and that Leo, the handsome young man she encounters near the ruins, is somehow connected to it all.” —Clarion Forward
“An intriguing historical tale and an over-the-top love-quadrangle romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The paranormal aspects of the tale are credible and richly steeped in traditional lore, and the plot is finely crafted . . . Between Wild and Ruin is most highly recommended.” —Reader’s Favorite (5-Star Review)
Surfaces are deceiving . . .
After falling for Ezra and discovering a gateway to the Otherworld, it’s a truism Ruby knows to take to heart. But La Luna finally feels like home, and with graduation just weeks away and a cushy internship on a nearby archeological dig in her pocket, it’s easy to downplay the strange new events taking place in the Glorieta Pass. Even when Angel’s deadbeat father reappears after twenty years, stirring up questions about Angel, the ruin, and Ruby’s mother.
Uncertainty is bad enough, but when Ruby starts having inexplicable visions, and the archeological dig unearths mysterious artifacts connected to both a fabled Aztec city and the Pecos Pueblo, Ruby faces more than an uncertain future — she’s forced to accept the role of True of Heart. Will Ezra and her friends stand by her as she confronts the Otherworld? Love is enigmatic, especially in the heart of New Mexico, but the Otherworld may be the biggest mystery of them all.
MY REVIEW
I received a copy of Wild Open Faces for an honest review. What follows is my opinion and mine alone. There was no compensation for this review.
The sequel to Between Wild & Ruin, Wild Open Faces continues the story of Ruby and Ezra. In my opinion, Between Wild & Ruin changed the YA Paranormal Romance genre. No more are we seeing werewolves or vampires, we get Native American folklore and creatures. The first book set the tone for the world and made the romance real. Wild Open Faces expands on that.
Written in the same style, the reader won’t be disappointed with the beauty of the world Edelson crafted. That said, the speed of the narrative has changed. It is a bit quicker of a read. Not that the first book was slow, just that be ready to be sucked into the prose.
Right off the bat, we are introduced to a new character, one I was instantly suspicious of. It might be his flirty personality or it could be that he is an archeologist working at a dig that could possibly be Ezra’s ancestor homeland. Lee’s introduction into the story was unexpected, but it laid out the groundwork for the main conflict. It pulled me in and kept me reading.
This book is easily a single sitting read. It grabs you and keeps you going. You learn more about Ruby’s new position in the universal life and the mystery of the dig keeps you wanting more. Edelson’s writing is still beautiful and I felt I was there without being pulled away from the world.
This is a great continuation to a trilogy worthy of a YA PNR lover. Definitely get it if you are tired of the vampires and werewolves of yesterday. Ezra is my new book boyfriend. Well, if I can get Ruby out of the way. Something tells me neither of them would like that though.
Jennifer G. Edelson is a writer, artist, former attorney, pizza lover, and hard-core Bollywood fan. She has a BFA in Sculpture and a J.D. in law and has taught both creative writing and legal research and writing at several fine institutions, including the University of Minnesota. Originally a California native, she currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, kids, and dog, Hubble after surviving twenty-plus years in the Minnesota tundra (but still considers Los Angeles, the Twin Cities, and Santa Fe all home).
Casia's Corner 