Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Published August 2, 2012 by Simon and Schuster Australia
Source: the publisher
Rating: 1 paw
From the blurb: Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which is somehow tracking their every move. While Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila's only thought is of finding a way back to California so she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they're being held. Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the others she's come to think of as family, Lila plans not only to save her brother and mum, but also to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for. But the plan requires Lila to return to California alone, and to make friends with the enemy - and in doing so, she risks losing everything: Alex, her family… even her life.
Losing Lila is the second book in the Lila series by Sarah Alderson. The story picks up eight days after the events of Hunting Lila. Lila and Alex are on the run after the shootout with The Unit and Lila is struggling with the fact that she left her brother, Jack, when he was severely injured. She and Alex team up with Demos and his band of Psys to take down The Unit and Richard Stirling in the hope of rescuing Jack and their mother.
I only recently read and reviewed Hunting Lila and I didn’t enjoy it, mostly because I found Lila to be one of the most annoying and immature characters I've ever read about, and I have to admit that while I hoped I would enjoy the sequel more, it still wasn’t enough to make me a fan of this series.
I will agree with fellow reviewers that Lila isn’t as focused on Alex this time around, she’s not as obsessed because she has him now but I still felt like she was unable to function without him, apart from one scene where she attempts a mini rescue mission on her own. She’s been using her Psy powers and practising so she has better control which was impressive but the moment she returns to Alex all she cares about is the fact that he’s angry with her because they're having a dramarama moment. Props go to Suki for calling Lila out on how stupid she was being.
The opening of the book was action-packed and I have to agree with Michelle from Novels on the Run in that it felt like I was reading about a scene from an action movie. I appreciated the opening and felt like the plot was going to move along quickly but by halfway through I was bored, there was so much back and forth and lots of conversations but not a lot going on until finally at the end there’s more action and a resolution.
Again I found there were excessive descriptions of every movement and facial expression made by the cast of characters and many of these movements became too repetitive, I’m talking lots of chewing of lips and grinding of teeth.
While there were some improvements, this was a book that I found a chore to read. But don’t let me put you off - if you’re a fan of paranormal YA with a heavy romance element then check it out because it might just be the book for you.
Thank you to the lovely people at Simon & Schuster for my review copy.
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27 comments:
Dang! I was sad to know you didn't like Hunting Lila because I so wanted to read that book. BUT, I wish that maybe this one had redeemed the series for you. I really dislike when books feel like a chore to read and I'm sorry you felt that way about this one. :-/
Too bad, I hate when a book turns into a chore : (
I hope your next read rocks :D
Aww, I'm sorry this one didn't work out for you, Mandee! It's always tough when reading a book turns into a chore, so I can understand why you didn't enjoy this one. I found Lila's drama moments with Alex towards the end to be rather frustrating too, but I was able to enjoy this novel despite that. Perhaps Alderson's writing and characters simply aren't for you and I completely see why that's the case - they barely made me a fan too. Anyhow, this is another wonderful review, dear! I hope your upcoming reads are more fulfilling and fun to read than this one is! :)
I have had a couple of reada like this that have felt like a chore...I am not sure what to think so many good reviews on this series, but I don't like immature obsessive characters either. Thanks for your honesty :)
Oh no, Mandee! Sorry this didn't work out for you. I did like Hunting Lila, I know you didn't, so I think this will still work for me. It's never fun when you feel it's a chore reading it through. Hope you next book is a better experience. Nice honest review. :)
Awwww, I'm really sorry you didn't quite enjoyed Losing Lila, Mandee! I absolutely loved Hunting Lila and I actually thought the sequel was better. I do agree that the opening of the book is like a scene from an action movie!
Thank you for the awesome and honest review, Mandee! ♥
Aw, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this more. If the main character was annoying and immature I think I would be put off the book too. I haven't read the first book and to be honest I don't think I will. Thanks for a great, honest review! :)
I really enjoyed Hunting Lila (I love lots of romance!)but I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet. Thanks for letting us know why it didn't work out for you. :)
Shame it didn't work for you, I've seen this book popping up everywhere and didn't even realise it was a sequel. Well balanced, honest review, thanks for sharing.
It's a shame you didn't like them! I actually loved Hunting Lila, so I still have high hopes.
I'm so sorry this book didn't work out for you Mandee, I remember you having high hopes for the series initially :( But thank you for the honest review! :)
Ya know, I read the book blurb and thought "wow this sounds so good" it's something I'd like to read. After your review though I've definitely changed my opinion. Lila sounds positively horrible. I need strong and independent heroines in my books. She basically represents everything I hate. Thanks for the great review. I might look into book one, sometime down the road, but I'm also going to keep in mind what you said.
uh oh, sounds like i might skip this one. thanks for the great review!
I've not heard of these books before. Sorry you didn't really enjoy it. I hate when I have a book for review and it seems (as you say) more like a chore to read when reading is supposed to be fun. Which is probably why I've lately been extremely picky on review requests to the point of pretty much just reading books that I've had sitting on my shelf that I've been wanting to read.
It's a shame you didn't enjoy this, Mandee, but thanks for your honest thoughts! I guess Alderson just isn't the author for you? I hope you enjoy your next few reads. :)
I guess it's a blessing in disguise that this one isn't published in the US. I feel like I'd have troubles with LOSING LILA, too. At least one of the characters got called out for acting dumb, though! :) Great review.
- Lauren
I've heard so many wonderful things about this series. I have to say, though, that it hasn't appealed to me. I remember your review of HL and was hoping you'd enjoy LL more. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
I know about this series but I haven't started it yet which is why I didn't read your review. Which Im trying really hard not to scroll up and find out why you gave this book 2.5 paws. Must. Not. Read! LOL! I'm definitely coming back to this review once I read the first book to see what made you give the rating it got. Even though I didn't read your review I'm sure its great Mandee! :D
P.S I find it kind of funny your cat is wearing such a serious expression It's like s/he to doesn't care for the book XD
Hmm, most reviewers either seem to have a loving relationship with this book or dislike it(I have a feeling that I'll fall into the latter). Sorry you didn't enjoy this much, even I though I completely understand your gripe with excessive descriptions. That would bother me as well! Stunning review. :)
I have seen a lot of love for this series. Too bad it doesn't work for you. Sometimes a characters just annoys though so it is understandable. I am a huge YA paranormal and romance fan so I'll probably still give it a try sometime. Thanks for the honest review and heads up.
Aww sucks that this didn't improve on Hunting Lila for you. I do love them, but some books just aren't for everyone. I'm not much a fan of the TMI series, but 97% of the entire reading world LOVES them. I hope your next read is more enjoyable! Fab review :)
That's too bad! I realize these books have a lot of flaws, I could see them all quite clearly, but strangely enough, I was able to just let go and enjoy. I'm so sorry you didn't like them! Can we still be friends? :) :P
I haven't heard of this series. I become frustrated when writers use crutch reactions to describe how characters are feeling. The overuse of lip biting, hand twisting, and heart pounding are annoying when used too many times in a book. There are so many other ways to describe nervousness or anger.
s @ Oh! Paper Pages
Hmm, I'm torn about whether or not to read this! We had similar opinions to her other books so I think I would enjoy this about the same then. Sorry you didn't love this one.
Yikes. This definitely sounds like a drag. You didn't like either and that sucks. These did sound interesting, but after this review and your last review, I might avoid these ones for now.
Aw, Mands, boo! I'm sorry you didn't like it. It's VERY interesting hearing thoughts from someone who didn't love it, given the near universal love for it amongst the Aussies (myself included). And I think you make VERY good points about Lila's kind of unhealthy relationship with Alex... it's very easy to overlook it when you get sucked into the story, but it *is* kind of disturbing. Oh well, bigger and better things! ^__^
GREAT review! ♥
OOo I get a mention, lol!! That is ok if you didn't like it. I do have fun with Sarah's writing and her humor. That opening scene was pretty cardio fit wasn't it:D I was puffed reading it:D
Molly looks uber sweet nestled by the book:D
Lovely honest thoughts!
Michelle
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