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Persefone #2
Don't Look Now
Noa Torsen is on the run. Having outsmarted the sinister corporation Pike & Dolan, Noa and her friend Zeke now move stealthily across the country, protecting runaways before they become test subjects for P&D's horrific experiments. Noa knows all too well what that feels like: Whatever they did to her has left her exhausted and scared.
Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa's movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he's desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what P&D has done to his ex-girlfriend Amanda.
Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the corporation before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.
This stunning second book in the critically acclaimed Don't Turn Around trilogy raises the stakes to their absolute limit and will leave readers begging for the exciting conclusion, Don't Let Go.
Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa's movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he's desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what P&D has done to his ex-girlfriend Amanda.
Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the corporation before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.
This stunning second book in the critically acclaimed Don't Turn Around trilogy raises the stakes to their absolute limit and will leave readers begging for the exciting conclusion, Don't Let Go.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2013
109 people are currently reading
2226 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Gagnon
36 books720 followersMichelle Gagnon is a former modern dancer, bartender, dog walker, model, personal trainer, and Russian supper club performer. Her bestselling adult thrillers THE TUNNELS, BONEYARD, THE GATEKEEPER, and KIDNAP & RANSOM have been published in North America, France, Denmark, Spain, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Australia. BONEYARD was a finalist for a 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
The first book in her Young Adult PERSEFONE trilogy, DON'T TURN AROUND, was selected as one of the best books of 2012 by the American Library Association, Entertainment Weekly Magazine, and Kirkus. It was nominated for an ITW Thriller award, and was a Junior Library Guild and Indienext pick. Along with DON'T LOOK NOW and DON'T LET GO, the entire series received multiple starred reviews and state library awards.
UNEARTHLY THINGS is a modernized, deconstructed version of Jane Eyre set in the world of San Francisco high society. (SoHo Teen, 2017)
Her latest adult novel, KILLING ME, is a neo-noir thriller about unlikely heroines who hunt serial killers.
Michelle lives in Los Angeles, where she is currently attaining a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology.
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleGagno...
or Twitter: @Michelle_Gagnon
The first book in her Young Adult PERSEFONE trilogy, DON'T TURN AROUND, was selected as one of the best books of 2012 by the American Library Association, Entertainment Weekly Magazine, and Kirkus. It was nominated for an ITW Thriller award, and was a Junior Library Guild and Indienext pick. Along with DON'T LOOK NOW and DON'T LET GO, the entire series received multiple starred reviews and state library awards.
UNEARTHLY THINGS is a modernized, deconstructed version of Jane Eyre set in the world of San Francisco high society. (SoHo Teen, 2017)
Her latest adult novel, KILLING ME, is a neo-noir thriller about unlikely heroines who hunt serial killers.
Michelle lives in Los Angeles, where she is currently attaining a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology.
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleGagno...
or Twitter: @Michelle_Gagnon
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 230 reviews
August 12, 2016
I loved this book! I've read this in one day (it's 50 minutes past midnight but hey). First day of the big Books Ever After Readathon and one book down whoohoo!
Let's talk about this awesome book
This book is so NOT suffering from second book syndrome, how awesome!
The story grabbed me in the previous book and held me tight. There is some love in this book but it is logical. Unexpected things happen that throw your expectations upside down and gosh
This book is the perfect combination of a bit scifi in a thriller for ya with a bit of lovestory. Will be reading the third book really soon!
Let's talk about this awesome book
This book is so NOT suffering from second book syndrome, how awesome!
The story grabbed me in the previous book and held me tight. There is some love in this book but it is logical. Unexpected things happen that throw your expectations upside down and gosh
This book is the perfect combination of a bit scifi in a thriller for ya with a bit of lovestory. Will be reading the third book really soon!
August 29, 2021
Sure hope the third book is better.
August 19, 2013
This review may contain minor spoilers from the first book. Proceed with caution.
At the end of Don’t Turn Around, Noa, Peter and Zeke narrowly escaped the evil Pike & Dolan corporation after uncovering their dangerous and unethical experiments on wayward teens. Though they would like to think they have stopped P&D, it soon becomes apparent that there may be other warehouses across the country, so Noa and Zeke set out to investigate/help other potential victims while Peter stays in Boston to feed them intel and help them stay ahead of the threat.
But P&D are more dangerous than any of the kids could have imagined. During a rescue mission gone awry in Phoenix, Noa and Zeke find themselves in deep trouble, and Peter finds himself even more immersed in P&D’s evil deeds when he realizes Amanda, his ex-girlfriend, may have been infected with the virus.
No one can be trusted.
Everyone is in danger.
I LOVED the first book in this series, and really enjoyed this one as well. I love the action, the mystery and the thrills. Ms. Gagnon definitely knows how to build tension and craft explosive and heart-pounding action scenes.
While I felt the pace to this one was a bit uneven (the first half kind of dragged in places but the second half was way intense), and I did like the first installment more, this book is definitely worth a look. It’s definitely a “filler” book, but I didn’t feel it completely suffered from the dreaded “second book syndrome”. There’s a ton of information revealed and plenty of twists which perfectly sets up for what is sure to be an epic conclusion in book three.
I loved Noa in the first book and I loved her even more in this installment. I love her strength, her resourcefulness and her ability to adapt. She’s strong, intense and determined.
I must admit, I was a bit disappointed in Peter in this installment. I think I liked it better when he and Noa were physically working together in the first book. Their relationship felt more cohesive. Peter seemed to be a bit off in this one, which makes sense because of his determination to help Amanda. Speaking of Amanda — I’m not really a fan. I just couldn’t connect with her for some reason. I’m hoping maybe that connection finally happens once book three comes along.
An uneven start turned into a thrilling read full of suspense and plot twists. If you are a fan of fast-paced thrillers, I highly recommend this series. You won’t be disappointed!
At the end of Don’t Turn Around, Noa, Peter and Zeke narrowly escaped the evil Pike & Dolan corporation after uncovering their dangerous and unethical experiments on wayward teens. Though they would like to think they have stopped P&D, it soon becomes apparent that there may be other warehouses across the country, so Noa and Zeke set out to investigate/help other potential victims while Peter stays in Boston to feed them intel and help them stay ahead of the threat.
But P&D are more dangerous than any of the kids could have imagined. During a rescue mission gone awry in Phoenix, Noa and Zeke find themselves in deep trouble, and Peter finds himself even more immersed in P&D’s evil deeds when he realizes Amanda, his ex-girlfriend, may have been infected with the virus.
No one can be trusted.
Everyone is in danger.
I LOVED the first book in this series, and really enjoyed this one as well. I love the action, the mystery and the thrills. Ms. Gagnon definitely knows how to build tension and craft explosive and heart-pounding action scenes.
While I felt the pace to this one was a bit uneven (the first half kind of dragged in places but the second half was way intense), and I did like the first installment more, this book is definitely worth a look. It’s definitely a “filler” book, but I didn’t feel it completely suffered from the dreaded “second book syndrome”. There’s a ton of information revealed and plenty of twists which perfectly sets up for what is sure to be an epic conclusion in book three.
I loved Noa in the first book and I loved her even more in this installment. I love her strength, her resourcefulness and her ability to adapt. She’s strong, intense and determined.
I must admit, I was a bit disappointed in Peter in this installment. I think I liked it better when he and Noa were physically working together in the first book. Their relationship felt more cohesive. Peter seemed to be a bit off in this one, which makes sense because of his determination to help Amanda. Speaking of Amanda — I’m not really a fan. I just couldn’t connect with her for some reason. I’m hoping maybe that connection finally happens once book three comes along.
An uneven start turned into a thrilling read full of suspense and plot twists. If you are a fan of fast-paced thrillers, I highly recommend this series. You won’t be disappointed!
April 28, 2019
Verhaal: 4/5
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Waarschijnlijk! Op naar het laatste deel!
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Waarschijnlijk! Op naar het laatste deel!
May 6, 2016
UGH.
Almost everything about this book annoyed me- the numerous POV's of people that I didn't care about and that had literally no point to the plot whatsoever, the extreme stupidity of numerous characters, the incessant use of the word "kids" and "teens" to describe the group- EVERYTHING. And, well, that ending.
So the book was split into 4 POVS.
1. NOA- Kickass. Awesome. Kickass. Did I mention awesome? No time for BS because she's too busy being kickass.
2. PETER- TSTL. Literally dude, the world TSTL was invented for you. Find a dictionary, look up the word TSTL and you'll find your picture right next to it.
3. AMANDA- Why the hell were you in this book? Were we supposed to like you or something? Or care about you? Sorry Miss Amanda, I felt like your chapters were totally pointless. No connection to the plot. AT ALL.
4. TEO- Um........what.the.actual.fuck.?? Thy name is "waste of space". Literally, he only existed to take up space, and fall in ridiculously fast insta-love with Daisy (they started to have sex after knowing each other for 2 days, SERIOUSLY??) and basically draw the spotlight away from anything more interesting.
So yeah, that's the 4 parts.
I feel like this book would've been so much better if there had only been 1 part- Noa. Noa and Zeke. For once, I actually supported their ship. I thought they went well together. If the story had just been about her and Zeke roaming around the country and trashing all the evil buildings, it would've been so much more stronger, so much more satisfying, so much more everything. But instead we got some Noa/Zeke, and then shitloads of the stupid Teo-And-Daisy Insta-Love Show, and the super-boring Amanda-getting-PEMA, and Peter TSTL trying to go out and get himself killed in every way possible. Basically, it all read like dull filler.
Also, it really, REALLY pissed me off that . Because A, he and Noa were great together, and B, now that means she's going to end up with boring Peter who clearly is still hung over his old girlfriend (because why else would we be getting so many chapters about Amanda.)
However, I have hopes for the next book. Hopefully, Zeke will make a miracle recovery from the dead (but a-HA, it never said he was dead in the first place! See, loopholes!) And while we're at it I'm going to hope Cody comes back too. It was never really proven that he died either. It was just like, "Oh, there was a fire in his house blah blah blah some unidentified bodies blah blah" and then that was it. There was never even any mention of him in this second book, so who knows, maybe a case of Forgotten Identity by the author.
Almost everything about this book annoyed me- the numerous POV's of people that I didn't care about and that had literally no point to the plot whatsoever, the extreme stupidity of numerous characters, the incessant use of the word "kids" and "teens" to describe the group- EVERYTHING. And, well, that ending.
So the book was split into 4 POVS.
1. NOA- Kickass. Awesome. Kickass. Did I mention awesome? No time for BS because she's too busy being kickass.
2. PETER- TSTL. Literally dude, the world TSTL was invented for you. Find a dictionary, look up the word TSTL and you'll find your picture right next to it.
3. AMANDA- Why the hell were you in this book? Were we supposed to like you or something? Or care about you? Sorry Miss Amanda, I felt like your chapters were totally pointless. No connection to the plot. AT ALL.
4. TEO- Um........what.the.actual.fuck.?? Thy name is "waste of space". Literally, he only existed to take up space, and fall in ridiculously fast insta-love with Daisy (they started to have sex after knowing each other for 2 days, SERIOUSLY??) and basically draw the spotlight away from anything more interesting.
So yeah, that's the 4 parts.
I feel like this book would've been so much better if there had only been 1 part- Noa. Noa and Zeke. For once, I actually supported their ship. I thought they went well together. If the story had just been about her and Zeke roaming around the country and trashing all the evil buildings, it would've been so much more stronger, so much more satisfying, so much more everything. But instead we got some Noa/Zeke, and then shitloads of the stupid Teo-And-Daisy Insta-Love Show, and the super-boring Amanda-getting-PEMA, and Peter TSTL trying to go out and get himself killed in every way possible. Basically, it all read like dull filler.
Also, it really, REALLY pissed me off that . Because A, he and Noa were great together, and B, now that means she's going to end up with boring Peter who clearly is still hung over his old girlfriend (because why else would we be getting so many chapters about Amanda.)
However, I have hopes for the next book. Hopefully, Zeke will make a miracle recovery from the dead (but a-HA, it never said he was dead in the first place! See, loopholes!) And while we're at it I'm going to hope Cody comes back too. It was never really proven that he died either. It was just like, "Oh, there was a fire in his house blah blah blah some unidentified bodies blah blah" and then that was it. There was never even any mention of him in this second book, so who knows, maybe a case of Forgotten Identity by the author.
July 20, 2013
You know how certain things can motivate you to get the job done more than others? Receiving an email and two copies of Don’t Look Now by Michelle Gagnon motivated me to read it sooner. I know, most people don’t kowtow to pressure, but I totally do. Also, I figure given the cornucopia of Don’t Turn Around copies that I received last year, I might as well read and review Don’t Look Now early so that I don’t feel that year-round guilt. It seems that there’s this trend with me, where when I feel the pressure to read a sequel, I kind of end up liking the sequel better than the first book. This happened with me and Don’t Look Now as well. I guess now that I am not trying to figure out what the heck is going on, why the characters are acting the way they are and what the conspiracy is, I can sit back and enjoy the ride.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
Want to read
March 14, 2013August :(
January 23, 2015
Het tweede deel van Project Persefone, leuker dan het eerste deel!
http://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie/...
http://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie/...
April 9, 2023
2.5 stars
August 20, 2013
We are doing a giveaway of this book on www.appraisingpages.com, check it out while it's still going!
This book takes a whole new turn for the Persefone’s Army story, a turn that I really liked. Michelle Gagnon uses the characters and plot she sets up so well in Don’t Turn Around and brings it all to an even more intense level. I think I finished this book in a single day, which for this working mom of two toddlers who is often distracted is a big feat. That should tell you that this book is difficult to put down!
I don’t think this is too much of a spoiler because at the end of the first book they are separated but Peter and Noa remain separate for much of Don’t Look Now and even though I really like their blossoming friendship in Don’t Turn Around I really liked seeing Peter and Noa expand as characters on their own. They’re both so different even though they have such similar talents and interests that it’s great to see those manifest themselves in their unique ways. Even though they are fighting the same battle with Persefone’s Army they’re fighting very different battles and I liked seeing so many different parts of the action.
Don’t Look Now introduced a lot of new characters and twists and turns to the Project Persefone. If you liked Don’t Turn Around you would definitely love Don’t Look Now, I couldn’t put it down because it was so exciting and story-driven.
This book takes a whole new turn for the Persefone’s Army story, a turn that I really liked. Michelle Gagnon uses the characters and plot she sets up so well in Don’t Turn Around and brings it all to an even more intense level. I think I finished this book in a single day, which for this working mom of two toddlers who is often distracted is a big feat. That should tell you that this book is difficult to put down!
I don’t think this is too much of a spoiler because at the end of the first book they are separated but Peter and Noa remain separate for much of Don’t Look Now and even though I really like their blossoming friendship in Don’t Turn Around I really liked seeing Peter and Noa expand as characters on their own. They’re both so different even though they have such similar talents and interests that it’s great to see those manifest themselves in their unique ways. Even though they are fighting the same battle with Persefone’s Army they’re fighting very different battles and I liked seeing so many different parts of the action.
Don’t Look Now introduced a lot of new characters and twists and turns to the Project Persefone. If you liked Don’t Turn Around you would definitely love Don’t Look Now, I couldn’t put it down because it was so exciting and story-driven.
July 27, 2014
In regards to my 3 stars (2.5-3), I'm obviously in the minority here. I was riveted by the first book in the series, but I was completely disappointed by book two. I desperately wanted to find a new series for my students to cling to--one that I could really "talk up" come first day (I'm no phony: I need to BELIEVE in what I push in my class:) ). I'm afraid this one fell short: the story didn't "move"; the MAIN characters didn't develop in any way, and the setting is just a reiteration of what came before. SO FRUSTRATING! I'm afraid that number two feels like the age-old commerce v. art dilemma! You know: this is a great story, we're giving you a series contract for "x" amount of books, etc... The next thing you know, a great writer needs to do what they can to make the story "fit" the needs of the publisher, not the writing. Boo. Hoo.
August 20, 2024
Peter is at home in Boston doing his hacking. Persefone's Army has split into groups around the country. Noa is leading the one in the southwest. Amanda is still working at the shelter trying to warn the kids who have been targeted for experimentation. Peter ups his game by trying to hack the P&D servers, and then Mason's apartment. Noa's group is going to try a rescue mission in Phoenix. Amanda may have symptoms of PEMA.
It's a continuation from book one. Not the great hook that started book one, but we need to see if they can take down the baddies. It's a middle third of the story. Pretty good. There were a lot of "What the heck are you doing? That seems really risky" scenes. As of now 4.2 stars or incomplete. I have and will read the third book soon.
It's a continuation from book one. Not the great hook that started book one, but we need to see if they can take down the baddies. It's a middle third of the story. Pretty good. There were a lot of "What the heck are you doing? That seems really risky" scenes. As of now 4.2 stars or incomplete. I have and will read the third book soon.
March 9, 2023
2 étoiles juste parce que pleins de gens sont morts
August 15, 2024
3,5
J'ai eu beaucoup de mal avec cette histoire car 3 ans ce sont écoulé depuis ma lecture du premier tome mais je suis trop attaché au personnage principal pour ne pas lire le tome 3 !!
J'ai eu beaucoup de mal avec cette histoire car 3 ans ce sont écoulé depuis ma lecture du premier tome mais je suis trop attaché au personnage principal pour ne pas lire le tome 3 !!
July 5, 2022
Encore une fois, ça ne s'arrête pas ! Tout s'enchaîne, tout va très vite !
Place au dernier tome pour savoir comment tout ça va se finir...
Place au dernier tome pour savoir comment tout ça va se finir...
August 11, 2013
3.5 stars.
There's still a lot to love about this series, but I didn't quite enjoy the second one as much as the first. Don't Look Now like its predecessor, Don't Turn Around, is an action packed thriller that truly has some ultimate suspense moments.
Clearly the writing is awesome and leaves you on the edge of your seat, so why Kevin only 3.5 stars??? Well, that all comes down to some certain characters and that the first half, while suspenseful, nothing really happened in the direction of the plot.
I love chapters or sections whenever Noa or Teo were the main characters. Noa one of the original story-tellers from the first one is just super interesting. She has had the roughest time of any characters for sure, but has remained awesomely badass. She's smart, hardcore, and definitely a born leader in my book. She does so much for her team of runaways and the mission to help other teens when really she could just go into hiding and save herself. That's the definition of a hero to me.
Teo was a new character in this book. He is first introduced being saved by Noa's crew and quickly becomes a member, but Teo has internal struggles about the whole situation. I like to think at that age I'd be a badass like Noa, but nope I would definitly be more of a Teo. I just felt like his character made all the situations they were in real. He is afraid a lot of the times and he doesn't really know what he's getting himself into. But as the book go on, Teo really starts to change and accept the impact he can make to the cause, which I loved loved loved.
Now to the other two characters driving the story... Peter and Amanda. Peter was awesome in the first one, and he still had some great moments in this one, but his whole impact to the story seemed noncommittal based on his location and impact to the greater cause. He really didn't accomplish much, and for being so smart he made several dumb or "wut" decisions that drove me nuts. I hope Peter and Noa are more involved together in the next book.
Then there's Amanda. I really really despise Amanda. I felt for a lot of the book she was whiny, stubborn, and a distraction to other more important things going on, including Peter. I just was not interested every time she took center stage in the book. However, I do feel bad or her character. She was thrown into this situation by being with Peter, she now has A LOT on her hands from this book, and she does try to help anyway she can, which really isn't that much though.
This whole series reminds me of the Unwind series. They are both super thrilling and exciting, but can have dull parts where nothing really happens...because it's building for the suspense. Mainly, that was the first half of this one. It just took to long for me to be invested, unlike the first one. But when it got good again, it got really really good!
This book was definitely just a plot-mover into the third of the series. For me, that was pretty noticeable based on the main climax towards the end. The ending was pretty awesome though, and def gained the book some points in my book.
There's still a lot to love about this series, but I didn't quite enjoy the second one as much as the first. Don't Look Now like its predecessor, Don't Turn Around, is an action packed thriller that truly has some ultimate suspense moments.
Clearly the writing is awesome and leaves you on the edge of your seat, so why Kevin only 3.5 stars??? Well, that all comes down to some certain characters and that the first half, while suspenseful, nothing really happened in the direction of the plot.
I love chapters or sections whenever Noa or Teo were the main characters. Noa one of the original story-tellers from the first one is just super interesting. She has had the roughest time of any characters for sure, but has remained awesomely badass. She's smart, hardcore, and definitely a born leader in my book. She does so much for her team of runaways and the mission to help other teens when really she could just go into hiding and save herself. That's the definition of a hero to me.
Teo was a new character in this book. He is first introduced being saved by Noa's crew and quickly becomes a member, but Teo has internal struggles about the whole situation. I like to think at that age I'd be a badass like Noa, but nope I would definitly be more of a Teo. I just felt like his character made all the situations they were in real. He is afraid a lot of the times and he doesn't really know what he's getting himself into. But as the book go on, Teo really starts to change and accept the impact he can make to the cause, which I loved loved loved.
Now to the other two characters driving the story... Peter and Amanda. Peter was awesome in the first one, and he still had some great moments in this one, but his whole impact to the story seemed noncommittal based on his location and impact to the greater cause. He really didn't accomplish much, and for being so smart he made several dumb or "wut" decisions that drove me nuts. I hope Peter and Noa are more involved together in the next book.
Then there's Amanda. I really really despise Amanda. I felt for a lot of the book she was whiny, stubborn, and a distraction to other more important things going on, including Peter. I just was not interested every time she took center stage in the book. However, I do feel bad or her character. She was thrown into this situation by being with Peter, she now has A LOT on her hands from this book, and she does try to help anyway she can, which really isn't that much though.
This whole series reminds me of the Unwind series. They are both super thrilling and exciting, but can have dull parts where nothing really happens...because it's building for the suspense. Mainly, that was the first half of this one. It just took to long for me to be invested, unlike the first one. But when it got good again, it got really really good!
This book was definitely just a plot-mover into the third of the series. For me, that was pretty noticeable based on the main climax towards the end. The ending was pretty awesome though, and def gained the book some points in my book.
August 26, 2013
Originally posted at yAdult Review
As I made it clear here, I love and adore the first book in this series. The way the author writes and portrays her characters was spot on. The second book in the series continued with this portrayal. I made quite a noise when I was approved for this ARC because I was just that! excited! I barely found out that there was a sequel and then I found the ARC and book noises were made. Probably for the best that this was an eARC not a physical copy because it would not have been pretty.
This book picks up quickly after the first book in the series finishes, in the middle of a new caper no less! I had high expectations for this book for many reasons. Love of the first book, love of the storyline, etc. I promise you it didn’t not let me down. One could easily pick up this book without the first book and know immediately what was going on. The recap was amazing without seeming so “THIS! IS! A! RECAP!” which was much appreciated. In Don’t Look Now, good friends Peter and Noa are separated. Peter is still hacking, trying to figure out what happened in Noa’s life and essentially the systems working on breaking it down. While this is going on Noa is with Persefone’s Army which at this point is a modern day Robin Hood saving people from the worst.
The worst, which has happened to Amanda, who throughout this novel you continue to not trust. Or maybe you do, and if you do can you please tell me why you trust her? She gives me bad vibes (which I know, is so cliche to say).
Obviously Peter and Noa continue to have trust issues with everyone in this story who aren’t each other. The interesting part of the trust issues is that it gets in the way of them moving on with their lives and of course the oh so important plot. Noa slowly starts to trust Zeke, a fellow member of the army, who, while he doesn’t understand all the minute details of Noa’s life, is okay going slow and waiting for her. It is very sweet and endearing to not have a boy in a teen novel be demanding and be like NOW NOW NOW.
It is hard to review this book without giving too much away, not only about the first book in the series, but of course this book. I will say that while the book nears the end of the novel we’re getting closer to what happened and the soon downfall of it all but we’re still left hanging for the third and final novel of the series.
Solid 4.5. review closer to publication.
As I made it clear here, I love and adore the first book in this series. The way the author writes and portrays her characters was spot on. The second book in the series continued with this portrayal. I made quite a noise when I was approved for this ARC because I was just that! excited! I barely found out that there was a sequel and then I found the ARC and book noises were made. Probably for the best that this was an eARC not a physical copy because it would not have been pretty.
This book picks up quickly after the first book in the series finishes, in the middle of a new caper no less! I had high expectations for this book for many reasons. Love of the first book, love of the storyline, etc. I promise you it didn’t not let me down. One could easily pick up this book without the first book and know immediately what was going on. The recap was amazing without seeming so “THIS! IS! A! RECAP!” which was much appreciated. In Don’t Look Now, good friends Peter and Noa are separated. Peter is still hacking, trying to figure out what happened in Noa’s life and essentially the systems working on breaking it down. While this is going on Noa is with Persefone’s Army which at this point is a modern day Robin Hood saving people from the worst.
The worst, which has happened to Amanda, who throughout this novel you continue to not trust. Or maybe you do, and if you do can you please tell me why you trust her? She gives me bad vibes (which I know, is so cliche to say).
Obviously Peter and Noa continue to have trust issues with everyone in this story who aren’t each other. The interesting part of the trust issues is that it gets in the way of them moving on with their lives and of course the oh so important plot. Noa slowly starts to trust Zeke, a fellow member of the army, who, while he doesn’t understand all the minute details of Noa’s life, is okay going slow and waiting for her. It is very sweet and endearing to not have a boy in a teen novel be demanding and be like NOW NOW NOW.
It is hard to review this book without giving too much away, not only about the first book in the series, but of course this book. I will say that while the book nears the end of the novel we’re getting closer to what happened and the soon downfall of it all but we’re still left hanging for the third and final novel of the series.
Solid 4.5. review closer to publication.
September 14, 2013
This is a series that will put the idea of a thriller in a whole other perspective. This book as well as Don’t Look Now will take you on an adventure that will have slight effects of intense nail biting, standing on your toes, yelling madly, and possibly crying. This book would be nothing if it didn’t create these emotions that will surely coarse through your body.
Plot: The book continues from where things left off. Noa is on the run and she is on a mission to save children from the grasp of the men experimenting on them. Dangers are becoming more and more present and they are always watching. The book grabs hold of you and pulls you through the chapters
Characters: We still see Peter, Amanda, Zeke and of course Noa as well as other characters from the first book as well as being introduced to new characters as the story continues. The characters create a family bond that I feel is not present in some of the families of our world. These characters are something else. They go through things that children are never expected to go through and we are able to see how strong they are and the maturity overpowers their young age.
Romance: There are a couple things that prove interesting in this category. We have Noa and Zeke and we, as readers, want something to happen but life keeps getting in the way. I have decided to categorize life as a word that I learned through Urban Dictionary: Boonish. Going back…We also have Peter and Amanda who although broke up, still have a fire lit between them. Things will hopefully progress further in the next book but I have to say the ending did kill me.
Ending: This is where the yelling and crying comes in. I knew this might happened and I thought it was going to happen earlier because that is how every author is. They enjoy watching the readers suffer. I have concluded that it is in their nature. It is what it is…
I will keep my eyes peeled for the last book in this amazing series. I invite all readers to check out this thrilling series that will blow your mind apart chapter by chapter. Michelle Gagnon encased me in chills once again and even now when writing this review I peak over my shoulder just in fear that maybe there is someone watching my every moves. Be warned.
I give it 5 bites!
Plot: The book continues from where things left off. Noa is on the run and she is on a mission to save children from the grasp of the men experimenting on them. Dangers are becoming more and more present and they are always watching. The book grabs hold of you and pulls you through the chapters
Characters: We still see Peter, Amanda, Zeke and of course Noa as well as other characters from the first book as well as being introduced to new characters as the story continues. The characters create a family bond that I feel is not present in some of the families of our world. These characters are something else. They go through things that children are never expected to go through and we are able to see how strong they are and the maturity overpowers their young age.
Romance: There are a couple things that prove interesting in this category. We have Noa and Zeke and we, as readers, want something to happen but life keeps getting in the way. I have decided to categorize life as a word that I learned through Urban Dictionary: Boonish. Going back…We also have Peter and Amanda who although broke up, still have a fire lit between them. Things will hopefully progress further in the next book but I have to say the ending did kill me.
Ending: This is where the yelling and crying comes in. I knew this might happened and I thought it was going to happen earlier because that is how every author is. They enjoy watching the readers suffer. I have concluded that it is in their nature. It is what it is…
I will keep my eyes peeled for the last book in this amazing series. I invite all readers to check out this thrilling series that will blow your mind apart chapter by chapter. Michelle Gagnon encased me in chills once again and even now when writing this review I peak over my shoulder just in fear that maybe there is someone watching my every moves. Be warned.
I give it 5 bites!
August 8, 2013
It's been four months since Noa, Zeke and Peter escaped the raid in Boston, but things have only gotten worse. It may have gone further underground, but Project Persephone still rages on. Peter spends most of his time collecting information while Noa and Zeke organize raids as the southwest branch of Persephone's Army, a group willing to do anything to save kids from future experimentation.
Things seem quiet, though. Almost too quiet. After discovering another warehouse in Phoenix, Noa and her "soldiers", with Peter's help, formulate a plan to rescue any patients they may have, but they run into problems. Even after a narrow escape, something doesn't feel right about Taylor, a girl they rescued, to Noa. Was she right for not cutting the mission?
All the while, Peter is busy tracking Mason. If he could just hack into his life, maybe he'll figure out what's going on with Project Persephone and be able to do more than just sit behind his computer. Unfortunately, that's not his only problem. Amanda is getting sicker and sicker by the day. Could Mason have been so sadistic as to infect her?
Neither of them could envision what would happen.
This. Was. So. GOOD. I had been dying for an advanced copy of these for MONTHS and was able to snag a copy at ALA. Thank god for that, too, because this was incredible. It was just as fast paced as the first one with just as many twists and turns. This is truly some of the best thriller/suspense work I've read and it's not typically my favored genre. If you haven't read Don't Turn Around yet, you're missing out. Especially since you'll be dying to read this one.
Only problem: now I have to wait for the next installment. Ugh.
Things seem quiet, though. Almost too quiet. After discovering another warehouse in Phoenix, Noa and her "soldiers", with Peter's help, formulate a plan to rescue any patients they may have, but they run into problems. Even after a narrow escape, something doesn't feel right about Taylor, a girl they rescued, to Noa. Was she right for not cutting the mission?
All the while, Peter is busy tracking Mason. If he could just hack into his life, maybe he'll figure out what's going on with Project Persephone and be able to do more than just sit behind his computer. Unfortunately, that's not his only problem. Amanda is getting sicker and sicker by the day. Could Mason have been so sadistic as to infect her?
Neither of them could envision what would happen.
This. Was. So. GOOD. I had been dying for an advanced copy of these for MONTHS and was able to snag a copy at ALA. Thank god for that, too, because this was incredible. It was just as fast paced as the first one with just as many twists and turns. This is truly some of the best thriller/suspense work I've read and it's not typically my favored genre. If you haven't read Don't Turn Around yet, you're missing out. Especially since you'll be dying to read this one.
Only problem: now I have to wait for the next installment. Ugh.
August 23, 2013
The middle book in the Don't Turn Around trilogy has Noa working with Zeke and some others in the Southwest United States. Peter remains in Boston where he is doing the computer work for the group. Peter is also involved again with his old girlfriend Amanda who has been infected with PEMA. He is still trying to find evidence that the large corporation is still kidnapping and experimenting on street kids in order to be the first to find a cure for PEMA. He is also still trying to get something on Mason who is the one who threatened Peter and caused Amanda to be infected.
In the Southwest, Noa and group are still raiding the secret clinics they find to free the kids who are being experimented on. They have a safe house in Roy and Monica who are retired doctors who somehow made a fortune. This is the first time Noa ever remembers having a home and feeling safe. Unfortunately, a raid in Phoenix goes bad and trouble follows them home to Roy and Monica's.
The story switches viewpoint frequently between Noa, Peter and Amanda. All three are interesting people and well drawn characters. The story is filled with excitement as a group of kids try to go up against a major corporation. It is a real David and Goliath situation.
I look forward to reading the third book in the trilogy to see how the story concludes.
In the Southwest, Noa and group are still raiding the secret clinics they find to free the kids who are being experimented on. They have a safe house in Roy and Monica who are retired doctors who somehow made a fortune. This is the first time Noa ever remembers having a home and feeling safe. Unfortunately, a raid in Phoenix goes bad and trouble follows them home to Roy and Monica's.
The story switches viewpoint frequently between Noa, Peter and Amanda. All three are interesting people and well drawn characters. The story is filled with excitement as a group of kids try to go up against a major corporation. It is a real David and Goliath situation.
I look forward to reading the third book in the trilogy to see how the story concludes.
September 3, 2013
Don't Look Now picks up shortly after the end of Don't Turn Around. Noa now leads an army of teens in an attempt to break down the company behind Project Persephone. With Peter's help, they've hacked the company's system and have begun infiltrating their labs. With each new raid they've managed to save more and more teens from the fate Pike & Dolan has in store for them. And as word on the street spreads, targets for the project are becoming scarce. For Noa and the others, this is progress but they won't stop until the project ends.
Michelle Gagnon's Persefone series is an absolute must read for any action junkie! From the very first pages, this series is explosively intense and exciting. This second of the series matches pace with the series debut, Dont' Turn Around, drawing readers in with a smart plot that keeps you guessing and characters you can really root for.
I love how the action progresses in the series so far. There is so far very little explanation about PEMA, Pike & Dolan, and Project Persephone, though we do know the ultimate goal seems to be a cure for PEMA, this mysterious illness that affects teens exclusively. I'll be looking forward to seeing how that continues to play out in the final installment of the trilogy.
Michelle Gagnon's Persefone series is an absolute must read for any action junkie! From the very first pages, this series is explosively intense and exciting. This second of the series matches pace with the series debut, Dont' Turn Around, drawing readers in with a smart plot that keeps you guessing and characters you can really root for.
I love how the action progresses in the series so far. There is so far very little explanation about PEMA, Pike & Dolan, and Project Persephone, though we do know the ultimate goal seems to be a cure for PEMA, this mysterious illness that affects teens exclusively. I'll be looking forward to seeing how that continues to play out in the final installment of the trilogy.
November 25, 2014
The book I read was Don't Look Now by Michelle Gagnon.
This book is about Noa and Peter who are hackers trying to get ride of two people called Pike and Dolle (P&D). They have a project called project Persephone which is when P&D take kids and operate on them and then cut them into pieces and put them in crab pots. During one of Noa's raids something wheat wrong when I guy named Cole from P&D Corporation was sent out to capture Zeke and Noa but they managed to escape from him but the kid they tried to save never got put alive. So now we go to Peter who in all of this is trying to make sure is ex-girlfriend Amanda is ok because she is ill and is probably because of PEMA. Peter is so worried because his brother died of that same disease and he wants to make sure she is ok. after that bad raid Noa and Peter try to help each other but because Peter is in Boston and Noa is in Arizona they can't do much so Noa tells him that that they are going to try harder at the raids and get more kids out. so then... You will have to read The rest of the book because I don't want to give it away. If you liked this book you should defiantly read the third book Don't Let Go by Michelle Gagnon.
This book is about Noa and Peter who are hackers trying to get ride of two people called Pike and Dolle (P&D). They have a project called project Persephone which is when P&D take kids and operate on them and then cut them into pieces and put them in crab pots. During one of Noa's raids something wheat wrong when I guy named Cole from P&D Corporation was sent out to capture Zeke and Noa but they managed to escape from him but the kid they tried to save never got put alive. So now we go to Peter who in all of this is trying to make sure is ex-girlfriend Amanda is ok because she is ill and is probably because of PEMA. Peter is so worried because his brother died of that same disease and he wants to make sure she is ok. after that bad raid Noa and Peter try to help each other but because Peter is in Boston and Noa is in Arizona they can't do much so Noa tells him that that they are going to try harder at the raids and get more kids out. so then... You will have to read The rest of the book because I don't want to give it away. If you liked this book you should defiantly read the third book Don't Let Go by Michelle Gagnon.
September 19, 2013
Just like the first book in the series, I couldn't put it down. Don't Look Now picks up right where Don't Turn Around ended, you definitely need to read them in order to fully understand what is happening.
My only minor quibble, is that there is a slight "do I like him, don't I like him" plot line, and while it helped with character development, (and all YA books these days have them), this is one story where I would have been happy with just the action.
On a side note, I read the first one with my Guys Book Club...they loved it except for the main character Peter. He was their least favorite, and felt he just kind of got in the way of Noa, the girl main character, as she went around, kicking but and being smart and awesome. I didn't really agree at the time, however in the second book..well, I don't dislike him as a character as much a they did, but I started to see their point. It makes me happy how they don't care if a main character is male or female, just so long as they are a strong character.
I can't wait for the next book!
My only minor quibble, is that there is a slight "do I like him, don't I like him" plot line, and while it helped with character development, (and all YA books these days have them), this is one story where I would have been happy with just the action.
On a side note, I read the first one with my Guys Book Club...they loved it except for the main character Peter. He was their least favorite, and felt he just kind of got in the way of Noa, the girl main character, as she went around, kicking but and being smart and awesome. I didn't really agree at the time, however in the second book..well, I don't dislike him as a character as much a they did, but I started to see their point. It makes me happy how they don't care if a main character is male or female, just so long as they are a strong character.
I can't wait for the next book!
August 29, 2013
When Don't Turn Around ended I was dying inside! It quickly became one of my all time favorites and I needed more pronto! Don't Look Now has been one of my most anticipated books of 2013!
This trilogy is amazingly epic and I can't recommend it highly enough! I think this is a great series for girls, and boys as there is plenty of heart racing action! And it also helps that the story is told both through Noa, and Peter's point of view!
I am so obsessed with this series and am sad to see it end, but am dying for the next book! This one didn't have as much action as the last, but it was still pretty incredible! I was shocked, and left wondering what will happen, which is a good thing! It kept me guessing, and my heart went out to Noa and Peter, it felt like there was no one they could truly trust except for each other!
This was a solid followup to the first book in the series and I am excited to pick up where this one left off!
This trilogy is amazingly epic and I can't recommend it highly enough! I think this is a great series for girls, and boys as there is plenty of heart racing action! And it also helps that the story is told both through Noa, and Peter's point of view!
I am so obsessed with this series and am sad to see it end, but am dying for the next book! This one didn't have as much action as the last, but it was still pretty incredible! I was shocked, and left wondering what will happen, which is a good thing! It kept me guessing, and my heart went out to Noa and Peter, it felt like there was no one they could truly trust except for each other!
This was a solid followup to the first book in the series and I am excited to pick up where this one left off!
August 29, 2013
oh I was so scared to read this book. The first book was good/ok. Just not my usual thing. So I received this book from HarperCollins and I was just dreading Second Book syndrome.
Within the first few pages, I knew that wasnt going to happen. The writing seemed more intimate; we got to know and love the characters more.
Michelle Gagnon is the master if the cliffhanger. The intrigue and suspense was just neverending! I just needed to know what was going to happen next!
Its been awhile since I have read a book this fast paced and this realistic. And I am liking it :)
I am only upset that book 3 won't come out for at least a year or more!
Within the first few pages, I knew that wasnt going to happen. The writing seemed more intimate; we got to know and love the characters more.
Michelle Gagnon is the master if the cliffhanger. The intrigue and suspense was just neverending! I just needed to know what was going to happen next!
Its been awhile since I have read a book this fast paced and this realistic. And I am liking it :)
I am only upset that book 3 won't come out for at least a year or more!
Read
October 16, 2013As awesome as Don't Turn Around, the first in this series. She and Peter have found some answers, but still have a whole lot questions. Noa leads Project Persephone - a 4-cell group located in four corners of the country, that attempt to save other kids like her: kids who've been kidnapped, experimented upon, left to die.
There are warehouses full of them - and as Peter hacks their locations, and Noa leads her band of teens to steal the children away from them - they find out quickly that sometimes, there's no where to hide, no where to run, and no time left.
There are warehouses full of them - and as Peter hacks their locations, and Noa leads her band of teens to steal the children away from them - they find out quickly that sometimes, there's no where to hide, no where to run, and no time left.
May 31, 2013
Loved the first book & couldn't wait to read this one. This one is just as fast paced as the first but there was something that was missing in this one that I felt while reading. Can't put my finger on it.... Love how you feel right in the mix of things with this story. Love how there was some serious emotions the characters were dealing with. Such a great story. Now I need the third book! Full review to follow.
September 17, 2013
Wow I really liked the second book to this series. I enjoyed this book more then the first one. The first book had its good action parts, but book #2 just brings so much more to the table. Giving point of views from Amanda, Peter, Noa and Teo. A really good action pack book, that doesn't disappoint. You think you will have this book figured out. But it will leave you asking more and more questions with each page your turn.
September 16, 2013
Great second book - so action packed it was hard to put down! Wish that the plot had progressed a bit more, there weren't really any new revelations and the characters were pretty much just fighting the same fight, but I'm sure the last book in the trilogy will move forward more as it concludes the story.
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