Resistance

Saga of the Setti #2

by Stephanie Judice

The world is covered in darkness. A constant gray pall reminds the Setti that reapers are still here—watching, waiting, hunting. Gabe, Clara, and their clan must leave the relative safety of Beau Chêne, Louisiana, in order to train with others gathering in the north. No one knows what lurks when night falls.

While Gabe grows in confidence, Clara begins to doubt everything, including her feelings for Gabe. Looming between them is a growing chasm. When a new clansmen Michael arrives, he's all too willing to take Gabe’s place as her confidant and more. Clara finds his charms difficult to resist. She wonders why she should resist at all.

Beyond Clara’s battle to save a lost loved one seeking her help from the shadows and to keep Gabe close to her heart, another threat stirs, whispering to Clara in the dark. Something evil hunts her. Will she listen to the one who calls to her in nightmares and eventually finds her in the flesh? Will she succumb to his will or will she cling to her human soul and her human heart?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Stephanie Judice calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana, home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She shares her small town, southern lifestyle with her husband and four children. Some of her favorite things are autumn leaves, Gothic architecture, art museums, stormy nights, and Harry Potter marathons.

In addition to her paranormal, teen series SAGA OF THE SETTI, she also writes NA/adult urban fantasy romance under the name Juliette Cross.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resistance is book two in the Saga of the Setti series by Stephanie Judice. While book one of this series was really good, book two blew me away. I couldn’t put it down, the pages flew by. In one word, this book is ‘amazing!’

“Our power is greater as one!”



Things have quieted in Louisiana. Our Setti clan, their families, and a few other stragglers are settling on Canebrake Island. Two months have passed. Homer has been in contact with other Setti and they are congregating near New York to train together and protect the residents of New York from the ultimate attack. Most of the group is excited to connect with other Setti. But not Clara. She is still mourning for her mother and for Jessie. She feels safe here on the island. Her relationship with Gabe is suffering while she deals with her guilt and grief over what happened.



Ultimately our group pack up and start the journey. Their skills are tested along the way against the evil reapers but this group of six has come together and are stronger. Along the way they run across another Setti Clan whose tracer Homer has been trying to contact. It’s exciting to have someone with the same gifts as they have to bond with and train with. Michael is the guardian of the group. His skills are much better developed than Clara’s are. These two are instantly drawn to one another. Is the attraction strictly due to their guardian powers or is it something more?

Gabe, ‘sigh,’ oh Gabe. I love this guy. He sees his newfound power, his gift, as his purpose. To defeat the evil that has come to earth. He does everything in his power to help Clara deal with what she is going through. But no matter what, she seems to be slipping away from him. Then Michael comes along. He continually has the overwhelming urge to punch the guy. But no matter what, he continues to work on his skill and do his best to keep his group safe.

“It is most certainly a heavenly gift – supreme light against infinite darkness.”



This book was simply amazing, right from the start. I got to know the characters in the first book but I grew to love them in this one. I do admit frequent frustration with Clara but this group of teens who have suddenly been thrust into the roles of saviors of humanity have won my heart. As they journey from Louisiana to New York, so many dangers await them along the way. My heart was beating out of my chest so many times. The book is fast paced, exciting, gripping and heart breaking. I can’t wait for the conclusion to this series, Revolution.

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist.
Children already know that dragons exist.
Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
-G.K. Chesterton

[David Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

No sequel slump for Ms Judice! She's managed to write a pretty awesome sequel full of action, humor and romance. She's definitely coming into her own as a writer in her debut series, and has created a world that's feeling more and more dystopian with each page turn! Welcome to the dark side Stephanie! Like the first book in the series, I'd recommend this to readers who enjoyed I Am Number Four.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What worked: There is always the worry when you start reading a series that the sequels will fall flat on their face and you’ll while away a couple of hours in heated disappointment. Thank goodness that wasn’t the case with Resistance! I was really nervous to read the next instalment of the Setti but when I did, I never stopped.
Once again, Steph Judice had my emotions in her hand and kept smushing them, stretching them, throwing them away and squeezing them to death!
One minute, I wanted to help Clara, the next I wanted to slap her upside the head for what was going on.

I really, really liked the fact that one of the characters you’d been led to believe was a goner, actually had a chance to come back to the group. Just the fact that Clara was determined that there had to be a way to bring this character back had me swithering between cursing her and praising her.

After dealing with the upheaval of Rising and then having to come to terms with the part they need to play, I have so much respect for the Setti. The group managed to grow up a lot while still staying true to their characters, they branched out and took chances that would never have been taken in Rising. Fair enough, there was that whole palaver thing going on with Clara and someone else but I genuinely have no idea how that situation is going to resolve itself.

What irked: The fact that I have to wait for Book 3 to be written . The ending, oh the ending was just brutal. I know, I know, it had to happen but NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Recommended to: Fans of the Saga obviously. Also, those of us who like to get so involved in a story that you risk sending your blood pressure through the roof. Be still, my beating heart.
If you like your YA mythological and dark then get started on this series stat. You won’t regret it.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Resistance starts out right where Rising left off. Clara, Gabe and their clan head north to meet up with other clans to begin training. A war is coming and they better be ready.

What I love most about Saga of the Setti series is the wonderful characters. In a world where monsters are destroying everything and everyone you hold dear, a few band together and fight back to save the world. I had already grown attached to the main characters from Rising and now have more characters that have attached themselves to me. Stephanie Judice has a way of making you feel what they feel and experiencing their pains and struggles. She mixes humor in at just the right moments and I found myself laughing right after I had just shed tears.

One of my favorite characters is Clara. Clara is a Guardian in Homer's clan. She has experienced more than her share of heartache. In Rising she had to watch as her mother was killed, her cousin was turned into a shadow scout and now in Resistance she has to leave her father behind to train and save the world. If all of that isn't enough, she has problem's with her boyfriend Gabe and is tempted by the new HOT bad boy Guardian Michael. (Well maybe the two guys aren't so bad) I wanted her to succeed in coming to terms with her loss and I honestly didn't know what I would've done about the guy situation. I just know I like Clara and I will continue to watch and see what is in store for her.

I honestly love this book and I highly recommend you go right this second and get the series! If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I am eagerly awaiting Revolution, the next book in the series!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an unfinished ARC copy of this book to beta read for the author, Stephanie Judice, to give an honest review.

Blurb from Goodreads:
The world is covered in darkness. A constant gray pall reminds the Setti that reapers are still here—watching, waiting, hunting. Gabe, Clara, and their clan must leave the relative safety of Beau Chêne, Louisiana, in order to train with others gathering in the north. No one knows what lurks when night falls. Yet, Gabe and Clara both know that they must chance the danger in order to fulfill a dark destiny.
While Gabe grows in confidence, Clara begins to doubt everything, including her feelings for Gabe. Looming between them is a growing chasm. Clara’s constant defiance against Gabe begins to sever the bond between them. New clansman and fellow Guardian, Michael, steps in all-too-willingly to take Gabe’s place as her confidant and more. Good-looking and self-assured, Clara finds his charms difficult to resist. She wonders why she should resist at all.
Jessie, now a shadow scout, defies the reapers’ malevolent power. She reaches out to Clara, yearning for the impossible—to be free of the reapers’ enslavement.
Beyond Clara’s battle to save a lost loved one and to keep Gabe close to her heart, another threat stirs, whispering to Clara in the dark. Something evil hunts her. Will she listen to the one who calls to her in nightmares and eventually finds her in the flesh? Will she succumb to his will or will she cling to her human soul and her human heart?

If you have not read Stephanie's first book in this series, stop here. You cannot read this book without that background. So, turn around, go back, and get yourself a copy of because you in no way will be disappointed. It will take you on the journey you need to enjoy this next masterpiece she has written!

When Stephanie asked me to read this book for her, I was jumping up and down screaming in my house (yes, my kids and husband were looking at me as if I had lost my marbles, what else is new?). I was so honored that she felt I was worthy enough to read this and give her honest feedback! And it was so wonderful to work with her and send her my opinions, edits and what I was loving about the book; to be able to watch the process evolve and become a piece of art. I loved her first book and knew there was no way I could be disappointed with this one. And I was SO right.

First I'll start with the cover. Well, it is just phenomenal. I love the way it looks. It totally captures the main characters of the book and their relationship. When Stephanie told me she was redoing the first book's cover, I was already excited. So after seeing it, I wasn't sure she could outdo herself, but she did! The colors, the setting, the emotion that this cover brings out are a testament to how well it captures the mood of the book. And besides that, it is just beautiful. The cover model is exactly what I pictured for Clara!

Let's move on to the characters. There are A LOT of characters. But there were a lot in the first book So, I got to know them through Rising before I started this book. When the new characters were introduced in this book, it was a bit hard to keep track of them all. Especially when the clans converged at the camp site in New York. I was finally realizing who each and every character was when, bam, there were more. It was a bit hard to picture them all, to really get a clear view of what they looked like. But for each character I met, I did love them. And each one brought something to the story, so I don't think it could have been done without them!
I loved how the main characters were developed throughout this book. You really see them all grow and change and come into their powers. I noticed this most with Clara. Of course, this makes sense considering she is the main character.
Clara's character goes through such a mix of emotions in this book. She is torn between two men who love and want her. She continues to mourn the loss of her mother, and her cousin Jessie. She grows to embrace her power, to begin to understand the real effects it can have on her being able to save the human race. Her emotions fly all around, typical of a teenage girl growing into herself. And she questions the reality of what the team is doing, who they are fighting, why they are fighting, and how she is so directly involved in it all.
Gabe, oh my poor Gabe. He's so strong for his team, when deep down inside he is just cracking and breaking, perhaps beyond repair. I don't want to say much more (for it may spoil the turn of events), but know that he really shows how much he cares about Clara in this book going as far as being willing to let her go if need be.
And Michael, well, RAWR to him! He's the new "bad boy." He is sexy, cocky, passionate, arrogant, loving, and shocking all at once. He knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to go after it. He does what he believes is right, sometime at the expense of others.
As for the other characters, I feel to talk about them and expand on them might ruin the story. So let's just say they will leave you crying, gasping, laughing, and clenching your teeth!

Now the story line. The first few chapters read fairly slowly for me. Despite it's slowness, I loved the prologue, for without it I don't think you can fully understand the rest of the story. But once I got to chapter three, things kind of picked up and there really wasn't turning back from there. It was a constant roller coaster ride, never stopping to let you off and breath. The story kept me always on my toes. And the constant change of scenery has you picturing all parts of the country you never thought you would see! I read Part 2 of this story in one day, staying up late just so I would not have to leave myself trying to sleep wondering what would happen next.

So, did I like this story? No. I LOVED this story. And if you thought Stephanie's first book was good, well you are in for a HUGE surprise because this one is even better! The story is stream lined and sharp. The details are there, but not overbearing. You can see the author has grownand learned from her first writing experience for sure. This book is so much better than the first. Bravo, Ms. Judice, for continuing to take us on this most spectacular journey through the plight of the human soul as it faces some of the worst evil imaginable!

I'm giving this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Why only 4 stars if I liked it so much, you ask? Because I think there were still some flaws with the writing (although the improvement from the first book is blatantly obvious). I know the next book will be even better!

[Soma Rostam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The first sentence that formed in my mind after reading this book was:
I am speechless.
I was, truly, perfectly, and utterly speechless. Stephanie Judice turned my heart into an elastic rubber band. With every page of the book, she stretched it, coiled it, tore it apart. Finally, she fixed it and put it back together inside me. She had me so under her spell that while reading, I wanted to scroll down to another page, but it wasn't working, I patted the mouse a hundred times but it didn't work. Then, I looked up and realized that I was at the last page, I didn't even notice how quick I was turning the pages.
" Warning: If you haven't read Rising (see my review here) then this might contain minor spoilers... Read at your own risk!"
In this book, we are thrust back into Clara and Gabe's world. They are on a road trip to find the other Setti clans, so they can gather in New York, and train to fight the monsters. On their journey, they find two other clans. Since Clara left her home town, she has been insecure, afraid of something inside her that she didn't even know existed. At the same time, Gabe grows more and more confident and his abilities get stronger. They start pulling apart from each other, little by little.
Clara thinks that Gabe cannot understand her. So she makes friends with one of the members of another Setti clan. Michael is captivating, alluring, and gorgeous. He is everything Clara should stay away from, but with everything going wrong, why should she resist anyway?
Will Clara and Gabe put down the wall between them? Will they be able to defeat the monsters by the help of the other Setti clans?
The monsters are here!
The Setti are putting up Resistance...
I LOVED this book. EVERY single part of it. I can lengthen my review to a hundred pages if I want to describe all the great things in this book. Stephanie Judice is one of my favorite authors of all time, and believe me, she is such a wonderful and friendly person, I ADORE her! She really puts her heart into the story, you can feel every single thing that the characters feel.
In the first book, the characters were dealing with the apocalypse, but in this one, they are learning to fight it. So the tension and the fear are evident throughout the book. This book broke my heart a thousand times but it also gave me hope to go through the thousand heartbreaks and still want to continue reading.
I assure you -with every fiber of my being- that the Saga of the Setti will be one of the best series YOU will ever read. It has something for everyone, and you will never hear of someone being disappointed after reading it. i just cannot stop biting my nails while waiting for the next book.
Please, Ms. Stephanie, hurry up! Please!
P.S. Now, that I have experienced it: the best way to describe my situation after reading this book is:
Book Hangover!

[Christina (Ensconced in Lit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was approached by the author with the second installment of the Setti trilogy, which started with the Rising. I thought Judice was promising then, but was waiting to see what else she would come up with. I was not disappointed. These two books have the same number of stars awarded by me, but I believe this second book is stronger than the first.

In Resistance, we meet up with our band of Setti again, after a confusing a long first chapter (I'll get to that in a moment), and it's a great reunion. I loved the characters in the first book, and we get to see them all again in the aftermath following the first book. We still get alternating perspectives of Clara and Gabe. Clara is still grieving and Gabe tries to give her space. Soon the gang travels and finds another band of Setti, which makes everything more difficult, once the characters realize they have a connection with those Setti with the same power. This leads to some romantic twists and turns. It's interesting because I was not that enamored with Gabe in the first one, but this book (mostly because of some plot twists) has me firmly in his camp. He's still not the most enigmatic character-- that title goes to Jessie, and I hope none of you remembers who she is yet, because I love how she comes back into the story.

So the things I loved: the plot twists, getting to see familiar characters that I really enjoyed the first time around, some solid writing, and a re-introduction of a terrific character and side plot. I love the world building of the Setti and their different powers. I have to say, I rarely get sucked into a book to the point that I don't put it down. This was one of those.

That said, this isn't a perfect book. The first chapter is very distracting because it is a long flashback to their ancestors, and honestly, that was the point where it was hardest to get into the story. If you get stuck here, just scan to the next chapter where you get the characters back. Secondly, I totally do not like Clara at this point. That's okay, it's the second book, she has some time to redeem herself-- but can be a dangerous move, since she was so awesome in the first book. Lastly, Judice falls into a partial trap where a lot of authors do-- since her character numbers are tripling with the meeting of other Setti, it's hard to keep everyone in scenes for us to remember who they are and what their power is. I found myself not remembering or caring that much, but she does do a good job centering the story on the two main characters.

Overall, Judice gets stronger with every book, and if the trend continues, the third should be the strongest of all.

[Amber Garr · Rating 5 out of 5]

No second book slump here! Stephanie had me entertained from the first page, and I had to read this book every day until it was finished. Clara, Gabe, and the gang have grown up quite a bit and are preparing themselves for the ultimate battle. Like regular teens thrown together in stressful situations, romances bloom and romances fail. I am very interested to see what happens with the love triangle, and several budding relationships within the rest of the group. It was nice to see an old character return, while it was torturous to feel the loss of another. The storyline with Jessie and Sveigja reminded me a little bit of Stevie Ray and Kalona from the House of Night Series, but I'm okay with that and I wonder what kind of role they will play in the series conclusion. In all, Stephanie captured me with her realistic characters and intriguing storyline and I am dying for her to release the last book as soon as possible.

The Good: Non-stop action. I like it when I get to the end of one chapter and can't wait to start into the next one.

The Issue: I wish I would have waited until Book Three is out to read the series, because now I have to be patient until 2013 to see what happens!

The Rating: 5 conch! Great characters, great plot, and great writing. A definite must-read!

Originally appeared at http://ambergarr.blogspot.com

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is fantastic. I liked it better than Book 1! It's so suspenseful, I couldn't put it down! It's a lot more serious than the first one, with good reason... the story has heated up (in more ways than one!).

What I love about this series is just how smart it is. It's not like any other end-of-the-world scenario book (one of my favorite kinds of books to read!), or like any other monsters-attacking-humans book. It's totally different and unique. It always keeps you guessing, and it is really a fun read. I love the imagery, the way it makes you feel like you are there, in different scenic destinations, I love all the little details about minor characters that you grow to love like little Megan, I just love everything about this book.

I won't give anything away but the end totally made me cry, both happy and sad.... but left me chomping at the bit to read the next one... how will I ever wait?

[Dvora · Rating 5 out of 5]

GABE!!! I still love you!! Now. Clara and Michael...we need to talk!!!

Ugh!!! What is her deal? And Michael. Well, :::::sigh::::::: he needs help!

I am so excited to see what is happening with Jessie!!!

This book was amazing. Te action, emotion, and all around story was mind blowing the whole way through. Stephanie's writing is so beautiful and so gripping, I simply could not help but get sucked right into the lives of these characters. So many emotions went on in my head while I read this book.

I really do not think I can wait long for the next one!!!

Stephanie THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!! I was blown away at how great Stephanie did with the follow up to Rising. Resistance was a page turner that leaves you desperately wanting to know what will happen in her next book Revolution. There is so much more I want to say, but can not do so with out giving out too much. I don't want to put a spoiler alert tag on my post!!! Thanks Stephen and please keep writing!!!

[Courtney Robichaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better than the first! I like that we are introduced to new characters alongside the old ones we already love! I went through so many emotions while reading! My heart was breaking for Gabe and poor Clara's such an emotional mess. There are happier moments though and Jeremy's funny teasing always seems to lighten the mood. I liked watching Mel and Ben grow closer as well. Herrald's clan brought a new energy with them. I enjoyed Hannah, Sonya, Ruha, and Sarah. Michael, well, I'm on the fence. Golden Eyes scares the daylights out of me. And Jessie - it's tough - I'm not a fan right now but that could change. There are a few more minor characters involved and Stephanie has a way of making you fall for them, too. (Megan, Bernard, Wanda, etc.)

This book was extremely exciting! The descriptions are so vivid, especially in the battle scenes, that you feel like you're right there!! It was a quick read but not in a bad way - In the "I just can't put this down until I know what happens next" way. There are so many twists I didn't see coming and Stephanie constantly kept me guessing. The ending is heartbreaking, but I'm excited to see where this journey will take them. The Setti clans will prevail! Waiting for Book 3, Revolution, will not be easy!

[Amanda Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant second book in the Saga of the Setti series from the talented Stephanie Judice! I was so looking forward to reading this book, and I was not disappointed. In fact I would go so far as to say I preferred this book to Rising (and I absolutely adored Rising).

As with the first book the writing is flawless, the pace is great, and the characters come to life from the start. I was so hooked, I stayed up most of the night to find out what happened to Clara, Gabe and the others.

I'm not going to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say I enjoyed meeting the new characters introduced, and there were some surprising development in the book that I hadn't expected.

Thank you Ms Judice for this amazing read. I can't wait for Revolution!!

[Karen’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie did it again with her second book in her Saga of the Setti series! Although darker and much more serious than Rising, I devoured Resistance whenever I could during a very busy vacation. An introduction of many new characters along with all of the favorites made this read very enjoyable and hard to put down. It appears from a glimpse into her third book that the characters come into their own and I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in the goodreads giveaway..
my review-
This book was amazing.. With more twist and turns in the sequel it was hard to put down.. It pulled a lot of emtions from me, anger, fear, happy, sad... Very unpredictable. New characters were brought to the story line.. Without saying too much there was a part in the book that has me wanting and needing to read the next book- i CAN NOT wait til it comes out- a must read!!!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh... my... WOW!!! I finished this book in less than 8 hours. Not because it was a quick read, but because it was THAT good and I could not put it down! The sequel to Rising was even better and had me in its grip from page one.

Romance, check. Action, check. Drama, check. Humor, check. This book had so much and more! I cannot wait for book three! Stephanie, you have a huge fan in me!

[Jr Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

psyched for the bloodbath in the 3rd, real cliffhanger

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the third book?!?! I need it. The ending of this...it just...it killed me. I got teary-eyed and I rarely cry over a book.
I need and want more.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

she's an amazing writer and i hope she continues to publish