44: Book Two

44 #2

by Jools Sinclair

When she was seventeen, Abby Craig died. But after falling through the ice on a frozen mountain lake and having no vital signs for forty-four minutes, she somehow came back to life. It’s taken two years to recover from her accident. And while most of what she lost at the bottom of that dark lake has returned, some things haven’t. Although she is no longer haunted by visions of a serial killer, Abby still sees what others can’t. But she is blind to the darkness closing in all around her… PRAISE FOR FORTY-FOUR... ***** A FANTASTIC novel! Forty-Four was just about impossible to put down once I started. From the very beginning, there was an air of mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat… I highly recommend this fantastic novel! The Caffeinated Diva ***** Everything from the setting, to the time frame, to the characters, was beautifully developed. This book is truly a gem and I highly recommend it. It literally took my breath away. Avery’s Book Review ***** Sinclair sucked me in like a vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt. She brings mystery, love, and friendship to the book and weaves a lovely tale. Just Another Book Addict ***** IMPRESSIVE! Forty-Four is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and will take readers by storm. With so much information in such a small book it will impress readers to the detail and depth in so few pages. The conclusion will take your breath away. Don’t miss you chance to check out this amazing story. The Book Whisperer ***** Fantastic, edge of your seat thriller. A MUST READ! It twists you about and as soon as you think you have it all figured out, throws you for the final loop with an ending that will break the hardest heart. Wormhole All thirteen books in this "breathtaking and heartbreaking" series are now available. Buy the box sets and save.

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult, Ghosts, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Fiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2011

About the author

Jools Sinclair lives and writes in the in-between world of Bend, Oregon, where sunlight kisses snow, mountains reach for the desert, and long summer days cascade into night. She watches it all, perched atop her butte, with her giant orange cat.

http://www.youcometoo.com

Reviews

[Francine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I understand why this book is so popular. It's written very casually, like you're listening to someone--a close friend, maybe--tell you a story instead of reading it. Sinclair's prose isn't lyrical or even close to literary - instead, it's very mainstream, very much of the now: like her heroine, Abby, she lives in Bend, OR; she drops locale names and places left and right; she name drops and infuses her narrative with pop culture (Adele, Josh Ritter, Florence and the Machine, Kate Spade, iPad, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid...these are all very real props in Abby's world, just like they are for many readers) so that the reader has a point of reference. They are comfortable with Abby because they are comfortable in her world, with the things in her world, in spite of the unnatural things that are occurring within that world. Just as Abby enjoys having coffee at her favorite cafe, casually shooting the breeze with her sister or friends, the reader is drawn into Sinclair's world just as cozily as they "listen" to Abby tell her story, maybe with a cup of coffee or tea, as they sit curled up on the couch with a blanket tucked around their legs.

I understand this is a young adult novel and would likely appeal to many teenagers (and a number of adults, as well). It's popularity and consistent 4-star rating is a testament to that. However, from my point of view, while many bizarre things are happening to our intrepid heroine, there's never quite any real sense of distress, never really any real quickening of the senses, never any immediacy that she is in imminent danger, right now (or even around the corner). Yes, she sees ghosts. Yes, ghosts want something from her. Ooh, she's potentially being threatened by a ghost. And let's not forget that overarching black cloud from the first book. All of that is there, ever present. All of that is always hanging over Abby. But the whole time I read both books, there was never really any sense of "Abby could be in real danger. Abby could die. Abby has to run. Away. Now." Again, it's all very casual, like Abby is sitting right across from me and is sheepishly telling me this weird story of what happened to her last month, all the while tempering everything that's happening to her so that I don't get too needlessly freaked out and worried.

Also (and again, I'm going to fall back on the whole "this is a young adult novel geared towards young women" thing), at some point, I started thinking, "Gosh, Abby is starting to sound very much like Bella!" But instead of "Where's Edward?" from Stephenie Meyers' New Moon, it's now "Where's Jesse?" Granted, Abby did not turn into a danger-seeking lovelorn girl so that her ghost boyfriend Jesse would appear to her and warn her that her actions were going to get her into trouble. Nope. She turned into an adventure-seeking lovelorn girl because at heart, she's a jock through and through, and that's just who she is, but she did run around Bend looking for Jesse, whispering "Come back to me, Jesse...show yourself to me, Jesse...I miss you, Jesse...I love you, Jesse. I'm nothing without you, Jesse," all the while hoping against hope that he'd be by the swings or at the park, feeding the ducks, or playing basketball, maybe hiding behind a bush or under a rock...you get my drift.

There were other things that bothered me, such as how does a teenager support herself with minimum wage jobs? Where's her health insurance coming from? How will she pay for the mortgage and all that other stuff while trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. There's an easy answer for now, of course, in the form of her older sister Kate, but then what? While I'm very glad that Sinclair chose to have two very strong females be at the center of the story, it just worries me when her main heroine sees a bright future as a river-shoe wearing, white-water-rafting-in-the-summer, barista-in-the-winter, night-soccer-player. I'm glad that she's put it out there that women don't have to settle for a corporate life, that they don't need to stay where they are, and that they should do what makes them happy. But I just kept going back to "what message is she sending out to the teens out there?"

Well, at any rate, as with the first book, this was a really quick read. Entertaining enough. I'm probably going to read the third one when it comes out. I'm not expecting an earth-shattering new chapter in Abby's life. I don't really know how Sinclair will end this whole cycle, but for now, I'm hooked enough to continue on. There are worse books out there, that's for sure.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! The way it ended I immediately went on to book 3 and am waiting for book 4. I liked the suspense in it but glad it wasn't too much because I get nightmares! lol

[Mickolus Sundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm. Well, I liked the book, but I could only give it 3 stars because it really let me down at the end. In my opinion, there is a difference between a cliffhanger and feeling like I'm missing a couple chapters. I feel like the book was cut short at the wrong time. I didn't have closure on ANYTHING. I wish the author would have given us closure on at least one thing, but nothing was solved or explained. I feel like book 2 was unfinished. bummer because I enjoyed it.
Also, if I read a book by it's cover, I would NEVER have read this book. The cover on this book (and the 1st for that matter) are really bad.

[Tammy Hamilton Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, sensing a theme here with her writing. Casual conversations and events take you through at a comfortable pace, then last chapter all hell breaks loose. It' nothing like I've seen before. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike it; kind of indifferent to it. The hook at the end makes it impossible NOT to pick up the next book in the series. She gives, "never saw that coming" a whole new meaning.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first. It was an amazing second installment. The growth of the story is amazing. This world is mind blowing. Jools Sinclair is a genius. This is my number one favorite series of all time. I can't wait to continue on with the next book. This is the third time I have read this series and I am enjoying it just as much as the first time. Can't wait to finish it so I can read it again.

[Darkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so the story was interesting enough, the writing style is more casual, laid back kinda thing, Abby was a bit disconnected to me, like a little robotic and her obsession with Jesse was becoming annoying, I was expecting the mystery story to be reconciled, instead it was left unfinished I don't know if the author expects to re-introduce it in a later book, however I liked the book enough to move on to the next one.

[FeedMyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved the first book in ther series it was time to check out the follow up and just hope that this would continue the series on the right footing and I am pleased to say that this book didn't let me down as it continued to deliver a well written and developed story that draws the reader in and makes them root for the characters which is something I look for in a great book.

Check this out and you will fall in love with the series like me.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in this series, simply entitled "44", was one of my most favourite self-published YA books of 2011- I had not a single complaint about it, I thought that it was one of the most unique YA books I had read at the time, that the characters were wonderfully developed, and the pace of the book was impeccable. While I would have been satisfied had it just been a standalone book, as I felt that all of the loose ends were tied and it had one of the best cases of closure I have ever read in a book, I was excited to learn that it was in fact part of a series (and therefore, as you can imagine, when I was offered the chance to read and review this book, the second book in the series, I jumped at the opportunity to do so). However, after having read this book I must admit that I am a tad disappointed with it.

One of my largest complaints about this book is the dialogue, overall I found it to be too formal and as such, at time quite unrealistic (I personally don't know of any teenagers who sound like the ones in this book do) and robotic (I didn't find that there was any emotion behind the dialogue, everything was quite flat).

Another problem I had with the book was the lack of Jesse (he made a very brief appearance twice? in the book), without Jesse I just don't understand the purpose of this book (Okay, I concede, I understand that this book was about how Abby came to terms with the accident, deciphering between reality and fiction, and getting on with her life, but I refuse to accept it as I thought that Jesse was such a loveable, not to mention swoon-worthy, character who brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the novel ;) ). Furthermore, I found that when Abby did make mention of Jesse/ thought about him she was far too whiny/ melodramatic.

That being said, I did enjoy the book overall. I felt that, like the first book, this book had wonderful pacing and I loved the setting of this book. I also enjoyed seeing Abby grow, resuming being the person she had lost along the way. I also didn't mind the cliffhanger ending, it *almost* made up for the lack of emotion in the dialogue as my heart was racing/ had me on the edge of my seat the entire time while reading it.

All in all, despite my criticisms I do highly recommend this series- I think that they will appeal to readers of all ages!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book but something was lacking in this one. First, I'll speak to the positives. I still enjoy the main character a lot. In some ways, she might come across as being dull and void of life, but really, it makes sense that she is how she is given her brush with death and the fact that she's still an awkward teenager. However awkward she may be at times, she still shows signs of maturity as she understands when to speak and when to shut up especially when it comes to her sister. She's definitely a character to root for.

The descriptive narrative of the landscape and Abby's new job was great as it takes a skilled writer to make the odds and ends of river rafting engaging and fun. I also liked the story surrounding the mysterious woman by the river.

Now the negatives - no resolution with the central mystery. Jool, I wanted to know more! Aside from that with the other blast from the past (from the previous book), the ending was a great way to leave the book. Unfortunately, without having resolved the central mystery, I felt that the book was left incomplete. Maybe it has something to do with a later plot but this book felt largely...transitional and almost too descriptive at times with the insignificant details such as Ty's love of beer, the Deschuttes Brewery (granted, they make great beers), Abby's newfound cooking abilities. If this book were a couple of hundred pages longer, then this attention to detail would have made sense. Unfortunately, it's a really really short story that should have moved like its predecessor, which had demonstrated a perfect balance of getting to know the character and also delving into the murder mystery.

To sum up, will I read book 3? Of course I will. I'm looking forward to it. I just hope it's a little longer and ties up more loose ends while still keeping the mystery.

[Joan Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Evil Resurfaces

I read and reviewed Forty-Four (44), Jools Sinclair's first entry in this series, and, when finished, immediately bought Forty-Four Book Two (44). Unfortunately, it took me a while to find time to read it.

Upon nearing the end, even though I could see the cliffhanger looming on the horizon, I was stuck, figuratively hanging by my fingertips. Of course, that forced me to immediately look for Book 3 which is now available. In fact, you can get Forty-Four Box Set, Books 1 - 3 (44).

In the first book, the story ended with Abby forced to accept reality and say farewell to someone dear to her. The villain in the book escaped, leaving Abby and her sister fearful of when he might resurface.

Life doesn't stand still. Now out of high school, Abby is trying to adjust to her new life with her limitations and her unusual "gift." Oddly enough, in view of what happened that changed her, she has become a river rafting guide and even has a boy interested in her. But, she can't forget the boy she loved and lost and looks for him everywhere.

When he reappears to warn her of the danger stalking her, she doesn't heed his advice quickly enough.An old evil resurfaces and likable characters, struggling to get on with their lives, now must struggle for existence. 44 Book Two will appeal to you as much as the first one. I dare you to resist buying the next book!

These books are compelling and create a sense of foreboding that keeps you turning the pages.

[Yumi Learner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of days ago I finished reading my second book for this year in English without using a dictionary.

The book is the sequel to my first book that I read. In the second book many mysterious things stated being solved and I couldn't put the book down. I really think the book series are well written because it's like mixed of love romance between a human and a ghost, creepy, dark, detective and mystery. I'm addicted to the book series now.

The second book is more interesting than the first one, and it's much more thrilling. I prefer reading modern style of books to classical novels because I can learn a lot of idiomatic expressions. And plus most of modern books are not very difficult for English learners to read because they use casual expressions. I've learned a lot of expressions from this book series with my Texan friend's help. I'd love to use the terms to my dairy conversations in English from now on.

[Ann Feutz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay read. It was quick enough to get through and enjoyed getting to see what Abby's life looks like two years after the events of "44 Book One." I like that she's playing soccer again, that she's a whitewater raft guide, that she's making some new friends. What I didn't get though is the suspense. I didn't get the breath-quickening, heart pounding moments I was expecting to see since we're supposed to believe that Abby is in some real danger. I also kinda felt like the mystery introduced in this book was dropped in an effort to push us back to the thread that was left hanging at the end of the first book. I was really hoping for a lot more than what I got. Even so, I plan to give Book 3 a go and we'll have to see how that one stacks up.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

44 book 2

We pick up the story some time after book 1. Abby has come to terms though not fully accept what happened after her accident but she is finally in a good place.
She has a job, friends and no visions. That is until she sees a woman, standing or rather floating in the middle of the river! She is sure she needs to help her move on so gets her sister Kate to help.
The ending I did not see coming let alone expect! It will annoy people the way it just ends without answering any questions, but I have book3 so can dive straight into it.
Jools has a very simplistic writing style that I actually enjoy, I did notice she upped the descriptive game more so compared to the first book.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this three and one half stars.

Abby has a summer job working as a tour guide shooting the rapids on the local river. She is good at it, enjoying the trips every day. When she sees an angry woman above the water pointing to a specific spot she quickly realizes it is another ghost. Abby understands the woman's body must be in the river, she wants Abby to help her. Abby never realized just how complicated it would be - she couldn't tell people she had seen a ghost, no one but her sister would believe her. She only knows she has to help, the ghost seems to be getting angrier.

Another good read and book three here I come.

[Natascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good follow-up book to the 1st one in the 44 series. A lot of suspense and some new characters on top of the old ones are introduced. There is also again a ghost story, but I don't find the conclusion sufficient as we don't know who killed the woman (ghost) at the end of the book.

This is not a stand-alone book. Abby gets abducted at the end of the book and will be brought to Nathaniel. The story ends during the abduction, so in order to know what happens next, you have to read the 3rd book.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good

I will say, for some people this series would not be for them. The abrupt ending of this novel would piss a lot of people off. Not me though. I already knew I'd be getting the third book, so unless this one was absolutely horrible, the ending wouldn't have bothered me at all.

I sort of have some ideas as to where this story is headed, and it's fun to see if I'm right or wrong as I continue to read. Normally, I would stay clear of stories like this one, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I hope I continue to be.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first book of the series, "44, Book Two" promised to follow up with the killer coming back for Abby. Unfortunately, this book let us down in this respect. The alternate story line of Annabeth the ghost was interesting, but not getting closure from the first book really sucked. It was very anticlimatic. After reading anxiously all the way through and waiting for the reunion of the killer and Abby, we were put off until book 3 comes out. Bummer.

[Leann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book but it doesn't have the twist at the end like the first one did that made it stand out. I also did not like the characters as well as the ones in book one. The storyline is still good. I do not like how it has to repeat a lot of the information from book one, but I have gotten used to this as the standard when reading a series. I am still reading (and enjoying these books), so I would recommend them for others to read as well.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. When she was 17, Abby Craig died. But falling through the ice on a frozen mountain lake and having no vital signs for 44 minutes,she somehow came back to life. Its taken two years to recover from her accident. And while most of what she lost at the bottom of that dark lake has returned,some things haven't. Although she is no longer haunted by visions of a serial killer. Abby sees what others can't. But she is blind to the darkness closing in all around her.

[Sharon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people seemed to dislike the ending of this book but I love a book that leaves you hanging. I love the simplicity of the series so far... A paranormal mystery with characters I enjoy. I think just enough mystery is developed when new characters are introduced that everyone is a suspect. This is a quick easy read with good pacing. It doesn't drag, it doesn't overdevelop parts... Just right for a rainy Sunday afternoon. I will be reading book three!

[Tanya Windham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby is moving on with her life but still searching for Jesse. Then the powers that be pull her into another murder. Life is full of change and Abby is learning to accept the changes, of course Nathaniel is still out there. This book was much slower than the first and not quite as many surprises. Still need to read the next though.

[Suzi Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grrrr... While I really love the book, typos and all, it's so infuriating to get to the end and realize that the book isn't a complete story. I was hoping that each book was a different story in Abby's life, but apparently that's not the case, at least not with the story of what happened with Annabelle. That's carried over to Book Three.

[Courtney Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was much better than the first. I knew that if I kept going, the series would become great! Super stoked that I kept up with it. This installment was more exciting & had more "ohmygosh!" moments. I was so sad with how the last book ended, so this installment made up for it. I'm excited to keep reading and see where this series goes!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was really good! :D once again, the author had me really enjoying the pacing of the book, along with all the twists in the book. she has a way of writing that makes me a lil scared of ghosts again. lol

[Eesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but not loved it! I wish this one had more, more, more something. It was just, Eh. One thing this author does well is leaving you wanting to come back and see how everything is going! I'll definitely read #3!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a little slow for me and not much of a story but it was still a nice read and the ending is insane....I was suspicious about a certain team member...looking forward to reading the next book.

[Andrea Dillon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really would have been a three star if is wasn't for the ending...it just stops. Honestly it was like mid thought and stop. I have the next one ready to continue but if I had to wait for it after that stop then I probably would have just been like never mind.

[E.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Cliffhanger. I like the first one better.

[Ashlee Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this as the sequel, crazy cliffhanger though! Can't wait for book two to come out.

[Jen Newby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! Another cliffhanger ending! I'll be reading book 3 when it comes out!