Torn

Fire Born #2

by Laney McMann

Find Max.

That’s all Layla cares about. Not healing from the Fomore attack. Not finding answers to how she survived a fall that nearly killed her. Nothing will stop her. She will find him. She’ll even pair up with an overbearing Fallen Angel who’s hell bent on making everything harder than it needs to be if she has to.

Protect Layla.

For Max, nothing else matters. Not the bruises covering his body. Not the pain radiating from his broken bones. Not even his hands tied behind his back. He will find a way to save Layla, and the Fomore will pay if they’ve hurt her.

Every. Single. One of them.

In the second installment of The Fire Born trilogy, a new breed of villain looms—one Layla and Max will never suspect, and this killer has nothing to lose. Better yet, with Max and Layla’s deaths, victory is in the grip of the enemy.

Will Max and Layla find each other in time, or is it already too late for them both?

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Demons, Mythology

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

I write young adult dark urban fantasy mixed with a spike of paranormal romance, a touch of history, and a dash of mythology. I'm a dreamer, an over thinker, and a myths and legends believer. Nothing moves me more than writing fantastical stories. And reading them.

I am the author of:

The Fire Born Novels, The Primordial Principles, and The CrossWorld Chronicles




Website: http://laneymcmann.weebly.com/

Blog: http://laneymcmann.com

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laney-...

Newsletter Sign-Up for book Updates:
http://laneymcmann.us3.list-manage.co...

Reviews

[Emmeline (The Book Herald) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kindly received a copy of this book from J. Taylor Publishing Via NG in return for an honest review

"Nil aon ghra sin gan pian." (There is no love without pain) He said.
"Ni dheanann an bhraitheann mhaith phian" (This doesn't feel like pain)."

The Fireborn have arisen,
and everything seems to want to destroy them or tear them apart.
Max and Layla/ Teine have discovered only a part of who they are, but now the story unravels a tale that will destroy their world as they know it.
Max is missing.
The Raven is ever cunning.
Both are sick and nearly dying.
All is against them, and even the love between them may snap at the dawn of war.

Okay...I wasn't a ginormous fan of this one guys.
I'll throw my hands up in the air and admit it.
This one kind of felt like...well, slightly boring to be honest.

I'm trying to say that as nicely as I can, I was a really captivate fan of the first book but in this story, Max and Layla simply just agonised after each other. Literally that was it.
One gets kidnapped. One gets left behind. They both freak out. Then they're separated again. Then they both go off in fits of angst. To the get crazy jealous of other people standing too close.

It was just cliche ya know? In here that creepy vampire chick was Max's ex...I felt like the author just dropped that one in there because she thought it'd be more drama. I mean, in the first book, it was literally reiterated constantly that Max always knew that Layla was the one...so why the heck did you date another chick?!
See? makes no sense.

So like the very fitting title- I find myself very torn over this book because a part of me liked it while another part of me tried to curb the amount of sighs, and annoyed groans.

I mean Layla became tediously petty. repeating Max's mistakes over and over again...sheesh.

anyway, I will be reading the next one and I'll admit the ending had me intrigued. Let's see where this goes huh?

Stay Awesome!

-The Book Herald

tweet me @thebookherald

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*please note i won this book in a contest and agreed to leave a review upon reading this book*

This was the first book I have read by Laney McMann. The book is second in her 'A Fire Born' series. Overall I did enjoy then novel, I am a fan of the Fantasy genre and this was right up my alley. To be honest at first I was a bit confused but that was due to the fact I had not previously read the first book Tied, but once I had got caught up (which didn't take very long) I found it to be a great afternoon read and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap! This one picked up right where Tied left off and then ended on my jaw dropping moment of me dying for book 3!! WOW!! I mean, this one is darker, and better, and so much more. We finally get some answers about all those prophecies, and we find out who Max really is, and what is Layla’s place in all that is. It’s gunna be a shocker for you. Serious, this series is excellent. There’s a dead line, there’s war coming, and there’s a whole lot of death going to be had. Hold on to whatever you can.
Layla is in trouble, I swear she keeps almost going, and when she wakes, she knows she’s gotta find Max. And wait til she does, it’ll be a big ordeal. And then there’s crazy and her mom and grandma and aunt all throwing things at her, but most aren’t helpful, and then she makes a deal but she doesn’t understand the consequences and then it’s gunna be a crazy ride.
Max on the other hand, I wanna slap him a little. Yes I know he wants to do the right thing, but dammit, screw the right thing, because everyone lies, especially to him, and take your girl and fight! Oh man, I cannot wait to see where this is gunna go, but I can’t tell you anything without spoiling a whole mess of stuff.
The characters are evolving, so are their powers, and their knowledge. That knowledge blows the roof off. Literally :) And the writing is epically awesome. I couldn’t put this one down and I didn’t want to. It’s amazing. I want more. So Much more. The romance picks up, and action is more ass kicking, the bad guys are out of hiding and throwing in the big guns, and now, everyone’s life is in danger, and the world stands in balance of tipping over. Trust me, this one is MAGNIFICENT!! 5 PAWS!!! I need more, GIMME!! :)

[Carol Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really uncomfortable writing reviews. I’m always afraid I’ll give away too much or sound stupid. But as one of the luckiest people in the world – an advance reader of this book – I want to share the experience.

The story picks up right where we left off in Tied, and the action, plot, and characters pulled me like an irresistible, invisible hand through to the end. Layla and Max have to mature as they are tested, not only in their love for each other, but also alone - physically, psychically, and spiritually. The mythical life they embody serves as the perfect backdrop for their all-too-human struggles.

I gave the first book in the series, Tied, 5 stars – I truly enjoyed it that much. I sort of wish I had liked it a little less because Goodreads doesn’t go up to 11, and that will need to be the scale by the time we’re through with this tale.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I had a minor panic trying to read this. I've said before that my Kindle decided to die or go on strike or whatever and it's been out of commission for months, which is why there's a sudden influx of NetGalley reviews on my blog. Now I started to read this on my Kindle, imagine my panic when my supposedly "fixed" Kindle was like "nah mate, not in the mood today" and decided to glitch itself to the max. Luckily a reset and a few minutes of serious, complete panic fixed it and I could merrily read this, a good thing seeing as I read and loved the first book!

I'd been super excited for the next book in this series as the book ended leaving you like "what?! How am I supposed to wait!?", Torn leaped right back in and was every bit as good as the first book. There are plenty of different plot threads all woven together to create the story.

You can disappear in to the world entirely as the world building and the descriptions are all so vivid and imaginative. The characters are each well drawn and developed and their flaws make them more realistic and believable. There were so many feels in the book, particularly at the end, but I won't be specific because then spoilers, but I was literally shouting at the book at one point and I was like "hell no" and then the reveal happened right in the last chapter and I was like "oh my God what is happening, how do I wait for the next book?! How can you do this to me!?". Prepare for feels basically.

The book kept spurring you on, you didn't want to put it down, there was so much intrigue. You have no idea who to trust, and there was so much going on that it was a constant twisty turny ride that would surprise you at every new turn. The end though, really did it for me. It wasn't like "MY LIFE IS OVER NO" cliffhangery, it was "well. Now I need to know what happens and waiting is going to be inconvenient". Like it's not an unbearable cliffhanger. But it is a pain!

Hoping book number three is super fast because the romance in this book is so cute and then it took a very interesting turn and then everything's up in the air and the crap is hitting the fan.

[EndlessReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank the lovely author and NetGalley for kindly providing me with a copy of Torn to read and review.

Holy crap! What the actual hell!?

Torn picked up right where Tied left off and then ended with a jaw dropping moment leaving me dying for book #3 True

We finally get some answers about all those prophecies, and we find out who Max really is, and what is Layla’s place in all that is.... Houston We Have A Problem.....!!!! This is a total "Dan Dun Daaaaaaaa" moment when you piece them together

Both Max & Layla are evolving, so are their powers, and their knowledge. Both Layla and Max have to mature as they are tested, not only in their love for one another, but also alone - physically, mentally & spiritually.

You get sucked into this world entirely. The descriptions are all so vivid and imaginative you can practically shut your eyes and see what you are reading. The characters are each well drawn and developed and their flaws make them more realistic and believable. There were so many emotions rolling around in the book, especially at the end, I don't want to give too much away, but I was literally shouting at the book at one point and I was like "Hell to the No" and then the reveal happened right in the last chapter and I was like "oh my effin God what is happening?, How do I wait for the next book?! How can you do this to me!?".

Prepare for emotions people.

I couldn’t put this one down and I didn’t want to. I always wanted to know what happened next.

I automatically kept asking myself who to trust. Will they? Won't they?

It’s amazing. I want more. Sooooo Much more

[Haniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original Post:
http://booknauthors.blogspot.com/2015...

Again, Layla and Max are struggling to free themselves from the same thing - The Curse. Layla just wants to find Max and stay with him forever. Max can't come close to Layla as it's the only way to protect her. One must have to kill the other to end The Cycle, which made me remember the ending of The Hunger Games. 

TORN was again filled with emotional scenes. I was addicted to this novel, and the there is a new addition, the scary Elethan. 
McMann has written a speechless novel. I would love to give it 101/100. The book is filled with emotions. Your heart will ache during the emotional scenes between Layla and Max. I don't know how Laney got the idea of Fomore, The Light World, Fae, Merrows etc... You will fall in love with the whole plot. The author is totally amazing and I dont have words to describe her amazing writing style. 
I request the author to please reunite Layla and Max. You can see the continuous risky struggles of Layla. Similarly, you can see how much Max wants to protect Layla with every fibre of his being. Layla just takes the potion at the end *sobs* and Max is faking in front of his father that he would kill Layla. *in tears*
I want the final book, TRUE, right now... like NOW...! The story went very slow, Thank God! The ending had me in tears.. My heart was crying. I wanted to kill Max's father. Why did Layla took the potion? If you want an 'unputdownable' read, buy this book!!

[Alexander Nader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I rated the first book in this series 3.5 or so stars. This book has definitely earned another star to put it at 4.5*. That's an increase of like 33% or something. Pretty close anyway. Don't check my math. I may have rounded (guessed). So at this rate, I figure TRUE (Book 3) will be somewhere around 7.2 stars. Again, that's a roundabout, don't judge me.

So, you want to know about the book? It's good. Really good.

We done yet?

No?

Fine. This book is an excellent continuation of the series. Obviously, from the 33 1/3% better rating. Yeah, I added a third just then. Shut up about it. So right about now, you might be asking your computer screen, why is this book better? I'll tell you why. Because all of the steaks have been razed. No, that's not a typo, I'm just hungry. Anyone got a Snickers?

You're still reading this, are you? Okay, (clears throat, puts on serious voice) Torn picks up right where Tied left off. This time there's no introductions or setup needed and that shows in the pacing of the story. Torn grabs you by the throat and holds on till your face is bluer than that forgetful fish in the Pixar movie.

What's that? Oh, right, serious voice. So the book is a real thrill that carries you through an entire spectrum of emotion and leaves you right on the eve of something monstrous. Yes, yes, pun fully intended. Because the talons really come out in this one.

[Angelspearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you thought book 1 was good then book 2 will take you on a an even bigger ride.
Book 1 ended in a cliffhanger that had me on edge until i read this book. And we are back, Layla wakes up she can bearly move or stand but all she is thinking about is Max! Where is Max? Max is gone, taken by the Formorians. Max comes face to face with his father Elethan , king of Fomor who gives Max and offer that seems like he cannot refuse it. Elethan promises to stop hunting Layla and the world of light if he chooses to stay in the shadowlands. Will Max choose to save Layla’s life by loosing his own to the shadowlands?
enjoyed this book soo much that I just couldn’t put it down once I started it and I was sad once again how it ended but glad it wasn’t such a cliff hanger like book one. The legend and the snippets of information did not help me understand some of the riddles or visions that were happening in the book. But there is a lot of action in this book that is just none stop. I guess in book three a lot of these riddles will be come crystal clear as it appears the best is yet to come in this series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I won a review-by-release copy of Torn by Laney McMann; provided by publisher J. Taylor of J. Taylor Publishing.


This book continues the story of the Fire Born, Teine and MacKenzie and/or Layla and Max as they call themselves. We find Layla on the beach, weakened by a Fomore attack. Max, the love of her life is gone. Despite the others’ advice she starts the quest to get Max back.

With Torn, Laney McMann has created an intriguing successor of Tied, the first book in the Fire Born series. The different plot lines are easily distinguishable. There are enough hints to our protagonists’ past that you do not necessarily have to know Tied. The characters are believable with all their flaws, their description leaves enough room for your own imagination – a very nice touch. It was hard to stop reading – I always wanted to know what occurred next. I automatically asked myself who to trust. There is a cliffhanger of the less annoying kind. I am curious about the protagonists’ future – instalment #3 is already on my TBR list.

[*Book Euphoria * · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are light Spoilers

Torn starts off where Tied ended. The beginning was confusing for me cus I wasn't sure what exactly happened at the end of Tied, it just confused me. Torn starts off with a mixture of dreams or visions or maybe it was reality. There's was a lot of things going on in Lays head.

Max is still gone and Lay wants to go find him but no one wants her to cus she's weak from what happened in Tied. (wasn't sure what it was that happened, she fell or something, but we do learn what was going on with her) She is not doing well and the whole realm isn't either. What's happening to her effects the realm. Lay does what she wants and tries to go look for Max but Justice won't let her do it on her own. While she tries to look for Max and keeps failing, she starts remembering her past, and she gets her Ogham (Marks) back, that give her abilities.

Max learns who he is, he doesn't like it but he wants to protect Lay from his dad by agreeing to stay in the Underworld and rule with him. Lay and Max argue, he wants to leave to protect her, she doesn't want him to leave, thinks they can fight the war together. They argue a lot through out the book. They fight make out, fight make out.

In this book Lay meets new people/creatures/beings who aren't exactly on her side. No one she runs into seems to like her. They blame her for their misery, and want to get revenge or not help her at all. Some are just shady and deceiving.

I wasn't a big fan of Benny. She's mad at Lay for telling her Sam is a traitor, but it was true and how is it Lays fault he switched sides, she's cursed, she was born like that, its not like she wanted a war or for others to be cursed too. Sheesh. And I think Mom just doesn't want Lay to be with Max. You see how mom feels about the gargoyles, like she's better than them, even though they're helping.

There were cute but sad dreams of a boy and a girl, I thought it was intriguing. I wanted to know more.

There were many twist and surprises, which I didn't see coming, that's good. The ending was just like Oh My Gosh!!!! Soooo I must now go read the next book to see what happens to these two, the realm and the world, dun dun duunnnn.....!!!!

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this book after finishing the first, but sadly it just wasn't as great. The world building and descriptions are still fantastic, but it took me a long while to get into the story. Pretty much all the way until the end actually. And Layla kinda pissed me off a lot...

After Layla finally wakes up and heals enough, she spends about half of the book going around looking for the way to get to Max. Along with her is Justice, as he not only feels he must protect her, but it's also part on him to find the way to Max. So we encounter other creatures (most of which are not particularly hospitable towards her) and Layla slowly learns or remembers bits and pieces more about herself.

While Layla is searching for him, Max is the unwilling guest of his father. Being the Formorian prince one would think he'd be treated better, but that is definitely not the case. Having been given an ultimatum of a sort by his father, Max leaves to find Layla. But when Max gets back, things are not what he expected. Eventually he finds Layla and their reunion is short lived. Max makes a decision to protect her that Layla can't believe, but his plan doesn't go as he thought. Making things harder is that Layla is not herself. She has slowly been losing her mind, though it takes her a while to realize why. Even with all she says and put Max thru though, he doesn't walk away. I get what the real reason was that Layla was like that, but it still was cruel and very surprising to me how Max stayed.

As Max's decision becomes moot, Layla's condition worsens and a friend gets kidnapped. With Layla out of it, Max feels it's up to him to save them. But that goes so wrong it's beyond crazy. Which led to a "what the hell did he just do!?" moment with Max's father. The end was definitely the best part with all the twists and such. It was kind of nuts, and I can't wait to see what the heck Max has planned with this fight against Layla.

It was interesting to get all of the flashbacks this time around about their pasts and all that we found out about who the two of them really are. I am really hoping for a great conclusion to this story and finding out how they're going to break their curse.



Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley.

[BabyMooSaysWhat · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Review:
0 Stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Let's start this review by saying I did not realize this was the second book in the series when I requested it. After figuring that out (after the first chapter), I immediately went and bought the first book so I could properly read, understand, and review the second. Oh, how I wish I hadn't.

Never the less, this review is about the second book, "Torn", so we won't get into the first book. However, that being said, the second book was even worse than the first. I can't even believe it was possible for me to hate a book this much.

The writing had been put through a meat grinder then thrown into a blender and finally spewed onto the page through a wood cutter. It's so choppy and so poorly put together that it's nearly impossible to actual get a good idea of what the heck is actually going on.

The plot is pathetically underwhelming and the 'villan' is completely laughable. The entire story revolves around the Max and Layla 'true love fest'. Ugh.

The characters, oh my god, the characters. I am disgusted with all things Max and Layla. The two of them on their own are annoying enough, but put them together, and bam! Instant hate with how pathetic they are. Apparently there was a case of alien body snatchers from the first book to the second... because now, Layla had gone from a miserable, spineless whimpering love struck moron to some steel hardened badass... except she's not. She is still just pathetic. Miraculously, Max had become the spineless captive this time around, although, he wasn't much more than a stupidly pathetic two dimensional character the first time around. Are you getting a theme here, people? The whole book is pathetic.

I just absolutely cannot understand any of these 4 and 5 star reviews or even how this book was published. ou can see this review on my blog:
www.morganaextravaganza.weebly.com

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to thank J. Taylor Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy to review. Layla (Teine) wakes up, confused, in the Otherworld with her Grandmother. She is devastated to find out that Max is missing and that there is not currently a plan to find him. As she searches Max's house for clues, Layla finds his bracelet - three woven leather bands entwined to create the symbol of eternity. This bracelet, identical to her own, is the sign of the Fire Born and was used in a ritual to Tie them together. As her Grandmother, Mother, and friends fight to keep Layla safe, will she be able to give up the search or will her single minded focus be her undoing? Usually a sequel will build upon the foundation that was laid in the first book, but this, unfortunately, did not happen here. This book suffered from too many ideas, as well as continuity issues and points of view confusion. With Layla going in and out of a dream/nightmare state, it was almost impossible to follow the story. The author has a great concept and original ideas, but her vision was just not realized in this book for me.

[Melanie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel of Tied, which I had just finished,, Torn picks right up where the first ended. This time there is the added point of view of Max, which was not a part of the first book. I was still struck, however, by how limited the narrative seemed. The reader knows no more than the characters and they seem rather clueless. There adults all seem to know what's going on, but they're not sharing. And yet their survival seems to hinge on the actions of adolescents who bumble about, mucking things up, and causing more drama than necessary.
As a sequel, Torn does a good job of moving the story along without finishing it, leaving room for the third installment. I really think the whole series could be compressed into one book and result in a tighter, well-written story,with much less frustration for the reader.

[Marie -The Reading Otter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for review

I remember liking the first book, but I remember nothing about it. So when got this book I re-read the last couple chapters of the first one to maybe refresh my memory. Unfortunately, nothing came to me so going into this book I was extremely confused that quickly transferred to boredom.

I ended up skimming most of the book, and I cared little about the story since the start of this book was kind of a mess. I don't plan on continuing this series from here.

[Laney McMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute writing this book. It's my favorite of the trilogy.

[Bri Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up right where tied left off. Got some more answers about what has been happening but I felt that it was a little predictable.