Shudder

Stitch Trilogy #2

by Samantha Durante

-- Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy --

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, New Adult

356 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2013

About the author

An avid reader long before becoming an author herself, Samantha Durante has always felt a debt of gratitude to all of the writers who came before her; the Stitch Trilogy, her debut series, is her humble attempt to return the favor. Samantha’s dream is to bring the same delight to readers that other authors have brought to her life, so if you find yourself staying up just a little too late to finish another chapter, she will know she’s done her job!

Samantha lives in Westchester County, New York with four of the five loves of her life – her husband, son, younger daughter, and cat – and carries her fifth love, her stillborn eldest daughter, in her heart. In addition to penning novels and writing candidly about grief, she also volunteers her time as an advocate for empowered pregnancy - though more often than not these days she's on full-time mom duty!

A former Microsoft software engineer and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha said goodbye to the corporate world in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and lifelong love of writing. Learn more at www.samanthadurante.com.

Reviews

[Alana ~ The Book Pimp · Rating 4 out of 5]

4♥'s and a smidgen extra.

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around all the revelations, and questions Shudder contained. Yet another noodle warp. However, I will note that due to this story, I knew the world building would begin anew as if Stitch did not provide set up. Stitch really did set it up, but like Neo found out in the Matrix, that rabbit hole is one freaky mother.

I do wish the romance aspect of the story would have been played up a little more. I understand the reason behind it and there were moments... I think I've just been spoiled on romance with grand gestures. While the world building in Stitch (#1 in series) all added into the tasty morsel of a book, somehow the recipe wasn't quite the same for Shudder. I guess I was too eager to get to the 'meat' of the story and wanted to speed past some parts. I was surprised, confused, hopeful, frustrated, elated, and flabbergasted at times while reading Shudder. That is a sign right there. Any book that can give you some sort of emotional roller coaster (but not a traumatizing one,) is definite re-read material.

It MUST be mentioned, however, the end (once again) cliffhanger city, but it didn't leave me angry. On the contrary, I'm clamoring for more but willing to be patient for the story to have the time it needs to floor me! It's a solid sequel to the first book, and will garner gasps at moments. Button down the hatches, and take the plunge with this series!


I received a free eBook from Samantha Durante via CBL tours in exchange for an honest review.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The human animal is not an easy one to appease. We are, by nature, selfish - even cruel. To be truly happy, we must rise above nature. We must seek to overcome our baser animal instincts in pursuit of something greater. And that's what we're seeking with Paragon - a better place for all of us."

I brought this book everywhere with me today and read it everywhere I went. It was a great, entertaining read and I did enjoy it. I love how each voice is distinct. We have a couple different POV but I never got confused who I was reading because they were so different and clear and unique.

Howdy, neighbor

and I definitely connected with quite a few characters. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with Alessa. I found her mildly annoying.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to hear what you guys think of Book 2! Don't miss the Shudder Blog Tour, starting June 15th: http://www.samanthadurante.com/2013-s...

[Lottie Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just something about the Stitch series that makes reading it pure, genuine entertainment. When I read Stitch back a few months ago, I was in awe of the refreshing, new world of Paragon that Samantha Durante had created and the story that came with it. Now, after I have read Shudder, I am in awe of the exciting action, endearing characters, and the story.

The beginning of Shudder is what happens right after the end of Stitch. Alessa and Isaac have escaped from Paragon and are now exploring the deserted world outside of it, in search of base for the rebels. But Alessa, Isaac, and the reader soon find out that the weather conditions are the least of their worries. The threat of the monstrous, strange creatures following them and the fear of a disease that may or may not be gone looms over their heads. There is also the fact that unknown (and not-so unknown) visions and emotions that have been sparking inside Alessa’s head.

And as the pages turn, some more characters are introduced, and so are their stories. The boy named Nikhil who is trapped in a prison where his only company is a person that goes by the name of 14 and a girl who has woken up with no past memories called Pheonix who is just being introduced to the workings of Paragon. Through all these characters, as the reader learns about them and watches how their stories unfold and connect, information about Paragon is revealed and an exciting story of survival and rebellion kicks off.

Alessa, Isaac, Nikhil, and Pheonix really do shine in this installment. I cared for each and every one of them and thoroughly enjoyed reading their stories, which is the best part about the experience of reading Shudder ,I think. All these characters have depth and are extremely sympathetic, with fluid character development.

Since there are quite a bit of main characters in this book, there are quite a bit of point of views that the story is told through. I believe that Durante pulls off the multiple point of views with skill: the transitions between character to character are smooth and never feel unnatural or jarring, each character’s situation has a different aura to it, I could immediately tell which character I was currently reading about, and I never felt bored or impatient with a certain character’s chapters.

Stitch was very slow in the beginning, sometimes making a person impatient for what the synopsis promises, but Shudder had absolutely no problems like that. The story begins with excitement and action, keeping a perfect pace throughout the whole novel. My fingers were constantly ‘flipping’ the pages on my Kindle and I admit that it was really hard to stop.

Just like in the first installment of the series, Durante’s writing is compelling and easy to read, making it easy for the eyes to simply glide over and process the words with ease. I would even say that Durante’s already good writing has vastly improved. The world building is still absolutely captivating, though I believe it still hasn’t reached its whole potential.

One major quibble of mine centers on a scene in which Alessa and Isaac sit down and talk about how the disease affected them. The dialogue felt awkward, making the whole scene come off as lazily written. I think that it would have been better if the author had simply sprinkled the information throughout many different conversations instead of just one.

Overall, Shudder is a solid second installment of a trilogy that is not a victim of the famous Middle Book Syndrome. I am absolutely in love with the quality of this series and believe it to be a great example of what a self-published book series can be. I merely ask that Durante keep up the awesome work

[Sam (FallingBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shudder is the sequel to the mindbending dystopian novel Stitch. Unlike Stitch, which is harder to categorise because of its mixed genres, Shudder is firmly set in the dystopian world with plenty of mysterious to keep us entertained.

Eventhough Shudder isn't set long after Stitch at all, but I found myself stumbling through the events trying to figure out what happened in the previous book. Fortuneately, Durante does a good job at reminding us of previous events, and I quickly fell back into the world of Paragon with our main characters Isaac and Alessa.

We also meet a few new characters as well as getting to know our old ones a bit better. This book focuses on the rebellion of the people and their plan of action against the system. We find out some much about the secrets the government are hiding, as well as given to opportunity to experience the dark depths of Paragon like never before.

In this book, Alessa is unsure about her feelings for Isaac because her old feelings for Joe are resurfacing. I felt really sad knowing that she was with Isaac but still thought of her ex. Though she does make a decision by the end that will satisfy fans. Also, the moments she spends with Isaac and completely and utterly swoon-worthy! I couldn't get enough of them.

I'm anxious to read Struck, which is the conclusion to the trilogy, and I predict a lot of action as well as more secrets to be uncovered! I can't wait to see what happens to our characters, Isaac and Alessa.

[Bèbè ✦ RANT ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book was not as twistful as the first one in Stitch trilogy and it seemed more like in-between story that was more slow. We followed Alessa and Isaac after they left Paragon's walls and now had to find a new base for the rebels where they can strike back. Facing different challenges on the way and almost experiencing death, they have to stay together and try to survive.

Overall I did think that Shudder was a great sequel to Stitch. I mean that book would be pretty hard to top off but I am looking forward to reading the third book which is coming out in 2014 and hope that it would be an amazing end to this Trilogy!!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author for sending me a copy in return for an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my opinion or review.

Blurb from Goodreads:
It's only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...
The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

If you haven't read the first book in this series, I would stop right here. There might be spoilers for it and I would not want to ruin it for you.

As with the first book, I really like the cover of this one. it certainly draws you in. And if you understand what the Stitch is, the rip in the front completely makes sense.

This book picks up just a few days after the end of the first book. We join Alessa and Issac as they search outside of Paragon for a suitable headquarters for the rebels.

This book is packed with action and adventure. You are not sure what's going to happen at every turn. I can honestly say it kept me on my toes not knowing what to expect next. My emotions ran the gamete from fear, to elation, to happiness and some sadness, as well.

Alessa begins to grow during this book. She is torn for her love: between Issac and what she remembers with Joe. She's also torn between finding a place for the rebels to make their base and wanting to keep those she loves safe. She's not sure if she wants to join the rebellion or run from it.
Issac, on the other hand, knows what he must do. He must fight for what he thinks is right and that includes keeping Alessa safe. He also must fight for his family, even if they aren't his "real" family. He wants to make sure the rebellion succeeds in freeing those who are imprisoned within the walls of Paragon.
We also get three other points of view in this book: a girl named 14, Nikhil, and Phoenix, and the Engineers of the entire plot. I won't go into who the females are, as that's part of the mystery of the book, but it's interesting to watch the book move along through all five points of view. It's also interesting to see how the world came about as viewed by those that run Paragon. And a bit scary once you understand their motives.I never felt like I didn't know who was talking. Each character is well thought out and unique unto itself.
I was really able to connect with all the characters. They are real and totally relatable.

While I felt somewhat confused with the first book as to whether it was a paranormal, sic-fi or dystopian, until I got to the very end, this book was not confusing at all. From the start you know the characters are set within a post-apocolyptic type of world. But there is also a monster element that is introduced and remains quite a mystery until the end of the book. I wasn't sure what to make of these creatures, although I had an idea what they might be. The plot is reminiscent of a type of Holocaust, which is scary unto itself.

Durante's writing is interesting. While the chapters are told from differing points of view, they are not in first person. The entire book is done from an omniscient narrator. I can tell you that this is not an easy task, but Samantha does it really well. She is able to surprise and shock throughout the entire book. The writing flows well and is easy to follow. And Durante gives us tons of back story in this book, which helps in understanding the first book even better. It enhances the world building and really gives you the reason for why Paragon came into existence.

I really enjoyed this book, actually more than the first. There are so many twists and turns my mind was kept engaged the entire time. And the twist at the end, while not surprising to be honest, certainly leaves us with thoughts of what could possibly happen next. I am looking forward to the final installment in this series.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reviewed Samantha Durante's first book, 'Stitch', a few months ago, and enjoyed the paranormal meets adventure/dystopian genre, and Durante's crisp, professional writing. When she asked me to review her second book, 'Shudder', I jumped at the chance.

If you haven't read Durante's first book, you might want to skip this review. I tried a few times to write a review that didn't spoil the first book, but guys, it's just not possible! There's so many edge-of-the-seat mindblowing plot twists in 'Stitch' that I can't review 'Shudder' without revealing a few of them.

******HERE BE SPOILERS!******
'Shudder' picks up right where 'Stitch' left off. Alessa and Isaac, now remembering their true lives in the eerie planned community of Paragon, have escaped the city to help the rebellion find a new base. When they begin their expedition, Alessa and Isaac assume at first that the virus following the war ravaged civilization, leaving few humans behind. But then why does Alessa keep feeling something following them through the woods? What is the strange noise that Isaac hears at night?

And why does the monster following them leave human footprints in the dirt?

What I liked about this book:
Some sequels take the questions raised in the first book and toss them in the paper shredder.

I hate when old plot points aren't picked up or explained, but Durante does an amazing job of pulling together quite a few loose ends from 'Stitch'. For example, in my previous review, one of my complaints about the book was that the motivation of the bad guys (the head honchos of the city Paragon) don't seem to have a motivation for wiping the memories of troublemakers and replacing them with false lives. This is well explained in 'Shudder' -- the human population is so small that paragon's Engineers don't want to risk killing any of the citizens, and the memory wipe serves to maintain order.

Durante also splits time between a few different characters throughout the book. This can sometimes feel fragmented, but it's well balanced here and lets the reader see what's happening inside Paragon's prison, in the rebellion, and in Alessa and Isaac's recon mission.

What I didn't like about the book:
'Shudder' lacked some of the shock value of 'Stitch'. Since many of the questions opened in 'Stich' were answered in 'Shudder', I was able to figure out most of the plot twists on my own. This is a double-edged sword -- I like books that are logical enough so that I can see why the twist makes sense, but crazy enough where I scream a little when I get to the page. I didn't shout (as much) through this book as I did the last.

While several characters' perspectives were followed through the book, I still felt like I was missing some information about Regina, the leader of the rebels in Paragon. Her motives are unclear, and I found myself re-reading every scene with her in it to try to figure out why she's leading the rebels and what she hopes to do.

Final verdict:
A worthy follow-up to 'Stitch'. Durante pulls together most of the points from her first book, and introduces enough new conflicts and issues in 'Shudder' that I'm excited to see what's in store for Alessa in 'Stuck'. There's some intimate scenes between Alessa and Isaac in this one, but Durante keeps the language and violence pretty PG-13.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessa is finally learning what the Stitch is all about.

Now, she has a mission. She wants to get it done so she can go home. She has no idea if Janie is dead or alive. It had broken her heart to leave her behind.

The Mission:

1. Find the rebels base.

2. Figure out who is the enemy.

3. Avoid the creatures.

5 STARS - Would Buy It For Them (lol)

The cover for Shudder is very pretty. I like that the covers of the trilogy are similar.

Samantha Durante's second book of the trilogy, Shudder, is another resounding hit. It has so many things going on that, at times, I was torn about where I wanted the story to go. There is much to decipher, while she weaves her way through the hidden pitfalls.

Alessa left Pargon and her sister behind her to be with Isaac. But she could not forget about Joe, even though it was jeopardizing her relationship with Isaac. I'm thinking there must be a reason that Joe is on her mind so much. Will we see him again?

The nuclear winter caused when the bombs fell created famines. As the viral epidemic decimated the population and people became more and more desperate to survive, there was a group of men who figured out a solution. But, it is not a solution that anyone in their right mind could believe would work. I wonder if the same would happen in the real world.

The saying: "History repeats itself" is so pertinent to the events happening to Alessa.

It makes me think of the Holocaust and and the evil that spawned from the minds of some evil men who thought they had all the answers. It, also, makes me think of American politics at this time, how a few can disregard the many, for their own gains.

It is amazing to me that the egos of some people allow them to think they have all answers and, therefore, have the right to play God.

The thought of a virus wiping out the majority of the Earth's population is something real. Just think - due to rapid means of travel, a virus could be spread world-wide before it is even recognized. I have talked to a doctor who believes that is what will be our downfall.

Would our governments step in and decide who would live and who would die? What do you think?

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest and unbaised review. I was eagerly waiting for Book II of the Stich Trilogy and would have written the review regardless. Now I am waiting for Book III so I can see how Alessa's story ends.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The genre bending mash-up that presents in book one finds its way down a more dystopia, science-fiction path in the second installment of the Stitch series. When the revelation of the actual 'stitch' emerges, the ghostly mystery wanes. Shudder serves as a transition in a post-apocalyptic world where deceit is commonplace in the game for survival. Now it's time to choose a side, Alessa and Issac are given a new mission that is vital to the success of the rebellion. Will they succeed, runaway or fight?

Even though some of my favorite paranormal elements are cancelled, like the dramas in book one, new troubling events are introduced. For instance, mutant creatures are lurking in the woods. How come no one can get a good look at these menacing things? Seriously, how many times do they need to attack before we can call in a sketch artist? Okay, even with that slightly annoying dilemma, it's still intense and pretty cool. Then, there is that pesky problem Alessa is having, strange foresight and empathic feelings. Maybe, this is foreshadowing...maybe it's just a twist on the paranormal? Or maybe she is just whiny and hungry? After all, I would be if I dined on mere onions and acorns. Perhaps, I'm being mislead to jump to a conclusion that will knock my socks off in book three? OR...is this a handy dandy evolutionary mutant superpower that will save the species and the world in the end! I don't know yet, but I will have plenty of time to contemplate this new development while I wait for the final book to be released.

When pondering writing elements, one thorn sticks out. Alessa's voice is the most prominent. Without a doubt hers dominants above all the characters. However, the voice of Issac and other supporting characters unfortunately is similar to the main female lead. There is not much distinction given through dialogue or description to set them apart. It is clear who is speaking throughout the book, but to make it truly epic, a greater detailing to differentiating voice would have been the winning stamp of approval for this creative vision.

With that said...this independent author did not disappoint. The story is wrapped up without the horrid cliffhanger, but offers just enough doubt, conspiracy and mystery to leave the reader eager for the final book. Each book in the series thus far is individually satisfying while at the same time tossing enough bait that a reader can't resist scooping up the next one as soon as it is released.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! Dystopia at its finest! Shudder takes off right out of the gate and doesn't stop. We get the perspective of different people. First up are the Engineers who are running Paragon. We find out more about their motives and what they are hoping to accomplish (scary!). Then we are taken to one of the rebels who is being punished for her part in the rebellion. We're not sure who she is for a while, though. Next up is Alessa and Isaac, newly reunited, who leave Paragon to try to find a new headquarters for the rebellion. It's not an easy task and there are lots of struggles along the way. And finally, we hear again from a character in Stitch that we haven't heard from in a while who is back in prison. He starts communicating with his neighbor through notes and it's someone we know but don't find out her identity for a while, either.

I loved all the back and forth and it wasn't confusing at all. I had a hard time getting anything done since I just wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. Hearing lots of different perspectives moved the book along at a fast pace and I was engrossed in this story. The interesting part of dystopia is that the people in charge seem to start out with good intentions but in their quest for control, they forget that most people desire freedom and the chance to live life the way they want so it never turns out well. I enjoy reading about those willing to fight back.

Alessa goes through quite a bit as she struggles with wanting to no longer be involved with the rebellion to her feelings for Isaac as she can't seem to stop thinking about Joe. She also has some physical issues to deal with as she tries to figure out what's happening to her. And then the ending--I was not happy that I didn't have book 3, Stuck, ready to start (there is a sneak peek at the end of Shudder, and I think I will love this one, too). If you are looking for a fantastic dystopian series, this is one I would highly recommend!!

Content: Some sex (without any details) and mild swearing

Mel's Shelves

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhhh my! I just finished reading Shudder, as in I just turned the last page on my Kindle and I was cussing :) Samantha under my breath. What the heck?!?!? Leaving me hanging like that. But WOW! I need to take a minute before I can dive into how awesome this book was......

Ok (taking a deep breath) three words; unbelievably, fasted paced. Shudder begins immediately where Stitch left off. Alessa and Issac have escaped Paragon and are setting out to find a place for the rebels to prepare for war against Paragon. We get to know all the characters more in depth. And we find out more about the illness that took so many lives and also what the "stitch" does if it goes wrong. And how the Ruling Class of Paragon played a huge role in wiping out almost the entire human race. Shudder hit the ground running and never slowed down.

Samantha's writing is very complex. Just like in Stitch, one moment you're thinking one thing is going on and the next you are totally taken back by what actually is going on. When I read Samantha's books, it's as if I'm watching a reality TV show unfold before my eyes. She is a brilliant writer that can make you see the characters like they are right in front of you. And the characters are all so complex that your mind is racing this way and that trying to put it all together. And as I am right now, you continue to think about them long after you are done.

For the entire review plus others visit my blog...
http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com

[CeCe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book for me to review since I do not want to give too much away. I think when the reader will go into this story with fresh eyes, they will enjoy the “ride.” You won’t expect certain twists and revaluations, so saying that, I will go through my typical questions.

Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes. We learn so much more about the characters and the situation they are in. We see their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I don’t think the right word is weaknesses. We see how their whole situation is taking a toll on them. I loved certain scenes with Isaac and Alessa when they were just alone. They were my favorite.

Pace of the story: Good. Moved at a faster pace than the first book, Stitch. Just when you think one thing is happening, something else happens. Love that in a story. At around 80%, I could not read fast enough. I had to know what was going to happen.

Positives: A story about war, poverty, survival. What will our world be like 100 years from now? Sometimes, I thought “how far are we away from the realty of this really happening? This story made me think and I love when an author can do that.

Negatives: Some of the wording felt awkward in the beginning.

Do I recommend? A great series. A good sequel to Stitch.

Bottom line: Surprised how much I liked this one. Suspenseful and…OMG…I need book #3 NOW!!!!

Book Format Read: A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

When does part three come out?!!!

Part two in this trilogy doesn't disappoint. Questions regarding how the characters came to Paragon and the origin of the virus are answered, filling in gaps in the backstory from the first book, Stitch. Alessa faces new challenges, both internal and external, in Shudder and part of this book is a survival story. After thinking I'd never hear from them again, I was happy to see some characters from the first book resurface in Shudder and learn more about their story as well.

As with Stitch, just when I thought I had the plot figured out, I was once again surprised. Halfway through the book, I was sure I knew how it was going to turn out and was having issues with a certain character, feeling an urge to smack them which, of course, I couldn't do. But near the end, it all changed with intriguing plot twists.

More is learned about the Engineers, Alessa and Isaac's relationship undergoes some new developments, there is a good amount of action/adventure involving life and death situations, and the epilogue promises major conflicts in the third book of this amazing trilogy.

Shudder is due to be released June 15th at Amazon.com. This review is based on a digital ARC from the author.

[Editing Services by Cynthia Shepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

As most of you know, my reviews for the second book in the series is always short in case other people have not read the first but I almost don’t know where to start without giving stuff away or posting spoilers! I loved Stitch, the first book. It was blow-your-mind amazing and Shudder was exactly the same way. I was on pins and needles waiting on this book, dying to know what was going to happen to Alessa and her crew. The complexity of the plot and the dynamics have you wondering what exactly Samantha has in her mind to be able to imagine this complex world. I never one time imagined that what happens in the book could actually happen but now the idea is planted firmly in my mind. It is a little freaky. While reading the book, you will do nothing but search your mind, wondering what in the world could happen next, and you would be wrong every time. I highly recommend that if you have not read Stitch, you go grab your copy, devour it, and then grab Shudder for even more mind-blowing action. This is one series that you do not want to miss! I am already dying for the next book. I give it 5 stars!

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings

- - -

*This review will contain spoilers for Stitch—the first book in the series!*

Shudder picks up just a few days after the final events of Stitch. Alessa and Isaac have escaped Paragon, and the mission of finding a command center for the rebels lies ahead of them. Such a task should be easy enough, but not in their world. Outside Paragon are different types of danger. Not only is here the biting cold, the possibility of starving, the ever-present danger of catching the virus that wiped out most of humanity, but also a new threat in the form of bloodthirsty creatures out on the prowl. Alessa and Isaac must watch their backs at every turn, run for their lives - while all the while, Alessa has a hole in her heart—missing the sister she had to leave behind.

And then there are her visions.

Ever since the Stitch, Alessa has been trying to piece her old life back together in her mind. On top of this struggle come strange feelings and visions. She's plagued with emotions that aren't her own, sees memories that she's long left behind her, and the worst part is she has no idea why these things are happening to her.

So with the internal and external challenges piled high, Alessa and Isaac take on their mission with full-force, hand in hand.

- - -

Can I just freaking say how much I LOVE this series?! Stitch was good. Shudder? AMAZINGLY AMAZING!!! I can't even express how much I just LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. Everything about it was perfection.

Alessa and Isaac are finally back together after being separated in Paragon, Stitched, and put on the dramas. They have their memories back and they've been tasked with finding a command base for the rebels; a place for them to begin fighting back. I loved seeing the interaction between them with their true memories back intact. I think they have a beautiful relationship, but it is flawed—as all relationships are. In this book, we see how insecure Isaac can get when it comes to his brother Joe. Joe is dead, yes, but the memory he left in his wake is a tangible thing, and Alessa can't help but think of him often now that her memory has returned (she was in love with Joe, afterall!). Isaac feels as if he is her second choice, and it's painful to see him hurting. Alessa sort of made me mad a couple of times with her Joe-obsession, but it all makes sense in the end. My point is, it was nice to see a hero who isn't all perfect and cocky. He is real. He has feelings and insecurities. I loved that about Isaac.

This book is told through multiple third-person POVs. Alessa and Isaac, of course, but also Nikhil, various Engineers (men who are responsible for the way Paragon is run and for the Stitch), and a mystery female with amnesia—dubbed “Phoenix”. I like that Samantha Durante did this, because it gives us a fantastic view of the story from all angles, as well as a better look into each character's mind. We get to know them better, feel closer to them, understand where they're coming from. It's a win-win.

One of the things I was most impressed with was the action and adventure in this installment of the trilogy. I am so happy to say that that this book does not have middle-book-syndrome. Too often, the middle book in a trilogy ends up being a dud. These books are slow, boring, pointless books to bridge us from book one to book two. Shudder is quite the opposite. Things happen in this book. This book is a big deal. There is a multitude of adrenaline-inducing, action-packed scenes. For me, the time Alessa and Isaac spent outside Paragon was the very best part. These creatures they keep encountering... these things are scary. Alessa always seems to get her strange feelings and visions when they are around, and wonders if the two things are connected somehow. It's all very intriguing and thrilling. Each time the two lovers had to outrun these creatures, I was literally on the edge of my seat being afraid for them. The author did a phenomenal job of making them horrifying, yet mysterious at the same time. She also did a phenomenal job of building up the suspense and wonder about them. By the end, I was ready to screech! I had to know—what are they? Where did they come from?

Many questions lingering at the end of Stitch were answered for us in Shudder. Not only do we learn lots more about Alessa's past, but about the world in general. Through the mystery that is Phoenix, we learn straight from the Engineers what happened to the planet and it's inhabitants. We learn the origin of the virus that wiped out most of mankind. We learn how Paragon came to be. We learn why the dramas were created. We learn so so so many things. I was thoroughly impressed with Samantha's skills in writing. She wove together so many different plot threads. This story is actually very intricate and layered. I am in awe, really I am.

As with it's predecessor, Shudder is packed with mind-blowing twists and revelations. The thing that amazes me most is that Samantha hides these things from us so well!! I mean, seriously... had I not been sitting down already, I'd have been knocked flat on my ass. It's jaw-drop surprising. And the best part? It's not just one thing! Nope. Samantha delivers blow after blow in the way of plot twists. I'd seriously like to peek inside her mind. It's got to be amazing in there!

All in all, Shudder blew me away. I can't even express how much I truly loved it. If you liked Stitch, you will LOVE this book. Even if you were on the fence about Stitch, you will still love this book. I am telling you, it's fantastic. Multidimensional characters, action-packed adventure, horrifying revelations, beautiful romance, superb writing, and amazing plot twists that'll leave you with your jaw resting on the floor—for hours. Samantha Durante has delivered a spot-on, perfect follow-up to Stitch. I recommend this book (and the trilogy as a whole) to anyone who is a fan of YA/NA paranormals, science fiction, romance, or just amazingly-freaking-fantastic stories that'll blow your mind. :) Thank you, Samantha, for one of the best dystopians out there! I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of Stuck !

- - -

Book source: From the author for review
Publisher: Self-published

[ThymeOperator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like my experience reading 'Stitch', I found myself reading the first 80% of this thinking it was so taken from Stephen King books, which made it hard for me to involve myself fully, because I couldn't stop comparing it and feeling this came up short. But then at the end, it threw in other elements that suddenly changed the game and made it more original, and that forced me to re-think my view on it.

I think despite the similarities I've mentioned (namely to The Stand and The Running Man), I could still give this 5 stars except that I didn't feel very emotionally involved in the characters. They all feel very much like...well, like characters, rather than people I've come to love as if they were personal friends. I feel like these books are more story than writing, if that makes sense - the ideas are all there, it's all structured well, there's nothing wrong with it in any way, but I don't feel swept away by the actual words. That's what's holding me back from giving this 5 stars.

That might all sound picky, but that's just how I feel. I like it, and I definitely want to read book 3 because I'm very curious to see where this is all going, but I'm not in love with it.

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessa and Isaac are finally back together, and they have both escaped the facility. They are trying to figure out how to live in the wild together as they look for a new bunker for the resistance to move into. Without a stable bunker, the resistance members will remain in the facility being experimented on by Paragon. While hunting for this space, Alessa always has a feeling of warning before they are in any danger, and this comes in handy. But on the other hand, sometimes she is attacked by debilitating head pain and is put out of commission for minutes at a time, and she doesn't know why. She also misses her sister who has been left at the facility, and is also struggling to love Isaac without thinking about his brother that she also loved in the past. 

I have to say that this book suffered a bit from trying to shove too much into a fairly short book. We spend most of the book learning about Alessa and Isaac, but then we jump to Nikhil and a mystery girl exchanging notes in a jail cell, and then a girl named Phoenix learning from scientists while in some sort of hospital. At the end of the story, it all comes together in some ways, but I felt as if I was flying around from scene to scene. Every time something got good with one character, it was onto the next character. Then by the time it got back to the old characters, it felt as if they were in a completely different situation and that I had missed something. I hope that this changes in the last book of this trilogy, as I want to be able to see all the characters individually for the finale. 

Besides the fact that the story jumps around quite a bit, the individual storylines with each character were smooth and showed a lot of character development. Now you know how each character is linked to each other, and the backstories of the characters are also being revealed. Even though most of the characters haven't shown up until this book, I am already quite attached to them, and I can't wait to see more of them in the final novel. 

My only real complaint about this story was how short it felt! Even though the paperback says nearly 400 pages, the digital edition seemed much shorter than that, and I wanted to know so much more about the characters. I don't know that the finale will still give me the information I desire, but I can hope!

Overall, I did enjoy this sequel, and I can say that I am truly dedicated to finishing this series soon. I also can't wait to see what else Mrs. Durante is going to write!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA or NA novel. 

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. 

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Shudder" the heart-pounding and gripping second book in the "Stitch Trilogy" explodes with action when Alessa and Isaac escaping Paragon set out on a rebel mission to find a home base for the rebels. Stepping into an environment that could still hold the deadly virus and chased by creatures with super speed and strength the tension mounts especially when Isaac sickens with flu-like symptoms and Alessa's mind falls prey to alien feelings and memories of Isaac's brother Joe. As Alessa and Isaac struggle to complete their mission, Samantha Durante weaves in two subplots when Janie and Nikhil connect while in prison and Phoenix, a battered woman who's lost her memory is systematically brainwashed into an alliance with the Engineers.

Set in a world after wars, bomb attacks, a nuclear winter, food scarcity and the horror of an epidemic have brought nothing but chaos and death, survivors work in a walled camp where they're drugged and entertained to keep them complacent. In this dark, hopeless atmosphere a rebellion is brewing that needs a base of operations so they can fight the sinister plans of the Engineers.

Twisting and turning with secrets, lies and shocking surprises that keep you on the edge of your seat the story reveals more information about the Engineer's rise to power, the Doctor and his partners' sinister experiments as well as the memory-altering "stitch" that for Alessa has opened her mind to the memories of the dead and the emotions of the monsters that haunt the woods. It is this new dimension to Alessa's character that not only frightens and confuses her but starts a painful rift in her relationship with Isaac. Fearing that they might drift apart she searches for answers while continually questioning Isaac's actions which undermines his confidence. Fast-paced and riveting the story moves swiftly and smoothly to a revelation at the end that promises an explosive third book.

The mission tests Alessa's resilience and courage as she's forced to leave Janie behind in Paragon while she and Isaac face unseen dangers in their search for a base of operations for the rebels. Swamped by bizarre urges, foreign emotions and memories of Joe she struggles to keep her sanity and her loving relationship with Isaac. Yet although Alessa gets sidetracked in her purpose, she's determined in her commitment to protect Janie and Isaac. Isaac Mason guilt- ridden because of his lack of self-confidence continues to be smart, kind and witty, maturing as a strong, committed and honorable soldier in the rebellion. In this plot the personality traits of the Engineers become more apparent ;like Pascal, the practical and frank Draftsman; the brilliant, rich and egotistical Developer ; and the cold, calculating heartlessness of the General. Yet all the characters add to the intensity and suspense that escalates at every turn in the struggle.

I loved "Shudder" with its rich and imaginative story line and fascinating characters. I couldn't put it down until finished and am eager to read the last book in the trilogy.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Finally Alyessa and Isaac are together. They set out to find a safe place for the resistance to escape to. Lots of things happen during this journey and afterwards. The leak to Paragon is discovered as well.

Cannot wait for the conclusion!

[Gina - What She Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

View the original review on my blog:




What an emotional ride. Thrilling, fast paced and completely engaging the entire time. The sequel to Stitch is one you don't want to miss out on. The only thing I can say now after reading this is, WHERE IS STRUCK?! (aka, book 3)

We finish Stitch on one massive cliffhanger One jaw dropping cliffhanger to be exact. Now starting Shudder, we don't miss a thing. Getting straight back to where we were in the story, just a mere 3 days after where we finish Stitch, everything is coming back to us and we are just as on edge as before. There are more things brought into this book that we don't see in Stitch. In Stitch, we become part of Alessa and go with her everything that has happened and that is to happen. We go with her to get her life back on track from the Stitch and to bring the Rebel's plans into motion with Issac. Now in Shudder, we get more information on this world and how Paragon came to be. We are introduced to a few new characters and some we have seen glimpses of before, Nikhil, 14, Phoenix and Joe. In this book, we see what they are going through and where they are. Nikhil and 14 in a prison, Phoenix in a hospital, visited by all Paragon's producers, directors etc, and hearing about Joe from Alessa and Issac. Even from the prequel , we get the inside scoop on the Producers and the big shots running Paragon.

For most of this book, we are with Alessa and Issac as they try to find a new base camp for the Rebels. This felt a little slow for me, but the mysterious creatures that kept hunting them brought the pace up and kept us intrigued as we learn about the past and what they hope for in the future, as well as the romance between the two. Even in this book, most main characters start to get on your nerves, and you even start to dislike some of them. Not in this though, we love Alessa and Issac even more that we do in Stitch. Our connection with them grows and we delve deep into the book and cling onto every word they say and everything that they face together. These characters continue to surprise us with how strong they are emotionally and physically, as well as their drive to do everything that they can for the better future, as well as getting to see their loved ones at the end of this journey.

The change of "scenes" (not really POV's because it's in third person, but anyways....) was flawless, even though there are multiple scenes to go between, Samantha does not miss a single beat and we pick up right where we left off, as if we hadn't even left those characters for a few chapters. No confusion, no time gap or event gap at all, everything flows perfectly and we love every second we get into a new "scene", just like as if we were the rest of the population watching the Dramas.... All I can really say is, well played Samantha!

Some of the things were a bit predictable. It was this case with the end of the book, but even though it is, it doesn't make you disappointed when you come to find out in the end of the book. It just makes you want Struck even more, because you knew what was going to happen, even though you don't want it to and you NEED to know what is going to happen next. Just like what happened when we reached the end of Stitch.

Even though this book was completely engaging, I just wish that there was a bit more world building when it came to Phoenix being visited in the hospital by all the producers while they tell their story and their part of how Paragon came to be, and with Alessa and Issac when they are looking for the new base camp. We get a brief view of what everything looks like, but not like we did in Stitch. We start to miss that in this book, especially when we want to know what everything is like on the outside, as well as on the inside with the producers and directors.

My own little problem was that I wish I had more time to read this book. I had to stop myself between chapters because of so many other things going on that I just didn't have much time to read. When I started back up in between chapters, I knew what was going on, but I lost the pace that was built up while I was really getting into the book. This is not a fault with the book, but my own little fault because of the time. I didn't get into this book as I knew I could have when starting the book. I could see myself really getting into the book, but then something happens that dragged me out of the book and back into reality..... Damn. :(

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

At A Glance
Shudder was definitely better than Stitch. And though I was bored in the beginning, the second half of the book really took off.

The Good
Durante has a way of keeping her readers on their toes. I was blown away by the twists and turns in this book. The level of surprises just kept getting higher and higher as we learned more about the virus that killed billions of people, the Engineers overall game plan, and how the whole mess came to be.

Meeting the Engineers was the best part of this book. They are devious as they are brilliant. They truly believe in their cause, even when it means killing and torturing people. They think they are doing the right thing. It's delusion at it's finest. But they put up a pretty good front and I can easily see why so many people follow their lead. I can't wait to watch their downfall though. Hint, hint, Durante.

I felt so bad for Alessa in this book. She has lost so much and has worked so hard for a cause she believes in, but I can tell she is getting tired. Tired of the death, pain, and fighting. If it wasn't for Isaac, I think she might have given up by now. Which doesn't make her a bad person. She deserves a break, she deserves to worry about herself and not every other human being. So much is expected of her, and it has taken its toll. But she is a trooper. She keeps chugging along, trying to save the world from maniacal geniuses who think they know what's best for the world.

Isaac is Alessa's rock this time around. He can tell their journey is messing her up. She is discovering that she has supernatural abilities that neither one understands and Isaac tries so hard to comfort her despite his confusion. Isaac really grows in this book. When Alessa falters, he is right there to take charge. He is becoming stronger and more of a leader.

We get to experience a lot of differing POVs in Shudder. Along with Alessa and Isaac, we also get into the heads of the Engineers, Nikhil from book one, and the mysterious Phoenix (that one will have to be a surprise for you). The whole Phoenix plotline is just creepy and scary. That poor, poor person. Their lives are about to be majorly FUBARed.

The ending leaves us with a lot to be resolved. Bad things are coming and I just don't know if our group is going to be ready for it. But I'm hopeful.

The Bad
I don't know what it is but when it comes to the Stitch Trilogy, it just takes me forever to get into them. Shudder was more exciting than Stitch, but it still had a beginning that seemed to drag on forever.

Some of why I didn't like this book is based off my emotions. I found myself so depressed by the whole story. It seems like when the resistance takes one step forward, the bad guys make them take two steps back. At this point, everything feels hopeless, and I was so sad when I finished the book that it took some time for me to recover.

Some of the revelations and plans made in this book just seemed far-fetched.

The Snuggly
Alessa and Isaac really become close this time around. We didn't get to see them together that much in Stitch, but in Shudder they are rarely separated. They go through rough patches but they come out stronger in the end.

There is non-descriptive sexual content. Very YA-ish.

Final Thoughts
I still want to read the next book in the trilogy, I just think I need to prepare myself for the sadness that comes along with this story. I think the twists and many interesting characters keep this book going enough to recommend it to many of you looking for a good dystopian. So recommended overall.

Quotes
The spine-chilling cry threw every reflex in Isaac's body into overdrive, but for some reason he couldn't fathom, Alessa was still standing there, wide-eyed and mouth agape.
It wasn't like her to freeze under pressure, and that realization scared Isaac more than anything. If Alessa wasn't reacting, something was seriously, seriously wrong.


Isaac shook his head. "I can't," he coughed. "I can't leave." The words came out in a rush, the mucus bubbling in his chest.
"You can," Alessa wept, releasing him with finality. Her voice a coarse whisper, she promised once again, "You can."

*Free book from author for honest review*

[Emily Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Shudder is the second book in Samantha Durante's thrilling dystopian trilogy. Lemme tell you, this book packs a punch. Durante immediate grabs the attention of the reader and doesn't give a moment's rest as she settles into the continuation of Stitch. This book was able to pull me out of my reading funk, and entertain me while I suffered from strep throat (which is the absolute worst; I want to cry just thinking about it). Shudder has everything needed to make a great novel: action, thrills, science and romance that'll make you swoon and sigh.

Alessa and Isaac may have escaped the Paragon, but they are about to be introduced to threats that may be even bigger. Set just after Stitch, Shudder follows the characters we came to know in book one as they face all sorts of obstacles, setbacks and dangers in hopes of finding a place to be happy, safe and free. This fast-paced novel will leave its audience on the edge of their seats, just waiting to know what's going to happen next!

This was really not what I was expecting before I picked up book one in this series, Stitch. Even though I really enjoyed Stitch, Shudder blew me out of the water. The book took a turn for crazy, and dragged me willingly along. It's fascinating watching everything unfold, and getting the background of this society. Seeing it from multiple perspectives only benefit the novel. Usually, it's difficult to keep up with characters in a third person point-of-view story (for me at least), but Shudder did not have the issue in the least. Durante is a fantastic storyteller. She created likable characters, introduced them in a way that made sense and put them into a truly engaging plot that will leave its readers breathless.

These characters have really grown on me, especially our main characters, Alessa and Isaac. Their insecurities are realistic and relatable, which is surprising considering the different eras from which we come. I loved that. Durante makes sure that though this is a futuristic story, it can tie back to the world we, the readers, know. I would say we see growth in all of the characters during Shudder. For some, this is a good thing. For others, not so much. It was interesting to watch each character mold to their experiences during this book. Watching these developments will really help the audience form a bond to them and make it easy for them to love the story. Though I didn't agree with all of their thoughts and actions, none of them seemed out of character or random. They are all very stable and lovable characters.

This author does an excellent job with dialogue and monologue, but the world-building still was a bit lacking. I immensely enjoyed the story, even though I wasn't always able to picture the setting. That's the only "flaw" this story had for me. Everything about this book was entertaining, and even though the end of the book left me utterly frustrated, I cannot wait to get my hands on the third and final novel, Stuck--too bad it won't be out until sometime in 2014. (I AM JUST DYING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. WHY DID IT END THERE? WHY?!)

It had been awhile since I read Stitch, but I hadn't had the time to pick it up again before reading the sequel for this tour. Luckily, Durante recaps her debut extremely well. There is some "info-dumping," but rather than annoy, it fits in with the story very well. The author uses dialogue to remind the reader of what happened in the prequel, and like I previously stated, she is wonderful with dialogue. The interactions between characters never felt forced, strained, or awkward. The novel flows very well, thanks to Durante's skill. This series should attract all kinds of readers, and I'd definitely recommend it.

I received a copy of this novel from the author for my honest opinion and review.

This review can also be seen here on my blog.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shudder picks up pretty much exactly where Stitch left off. It's only been a few days and Alessa and Isaac are still working their way through the forest to find the rest of the rebellion members. Unfortunately, they aren't alone out there. Something dangerous and deadly is stalking them and Alessa is starting to have strange visions and sensations. She doesn't know exactly what it is or why it is happening, but she needs to learn the truth quickly before it is too late.


First off, I have to say that I am so excited to be getting back into Alessa's world. Even though it has actually only been a few months since I read Stitch, I feel like I have been waiting a lifetime to read the next installment of this series. Yes, I know. I am incredibly impatient! Thankfully though, Shudder was definitely worth the wait. Told in alternating chapters, we not only get to hear more about Alessa and Isaac but from a few other surprise characters as well (more on that in a bit).

The relationship between Alessa and Isaac is a strong one and I was thrilled to finally see real interaction between them out in the real world without the interference of The Engineers. Even though they were facing an incredibly dangerous journey, they still made time to get to know one another again and even spend a little "quality" time together, if you know what I mean... They took care of each other, watched each other's backs and even had some often funny banter. I'd like to think that should I ever find myself in Alessa's situation (and I'm crossing my fingers that I don't because oh man that would be awful) that the husband and I would still be able to communicate even half as well as these two characters.

Aside from Alessa and Isaac's relationship, there is much more happening with her. There are strange creatures stalking Alessa and Isaac that don't seem like animals but aren't human either. We also get to know The Engineers and learn a few of their shocking secrets that I just did not see coming, and to top it off we watch as Alessa starts having strange dreams about Joe, her first crush and Isaac's brother. Even though this seems like quite a bit for Alessa to be dealing with all at once, it didn't read like it. The author does a fantastic job of incorporating all the different parts of the story without it feeling like information overload. I appreciated this quite a bit since a lot of times with so many different storylines happening at once it can become confusing and hard to keep an interest in it. But if anything, this only kept me turning the pages faster.

Like I mentioned above, the story alternates between several characters' lives. Alessa is the main character of course, but we also get a little bit of a surprise. I'm talking about the return of Nikhil, the boy who Alessa had met back in college who had disappeared after their one partial date. I'm so incredibly happy that the author brought him back and gave us a chance to learn more about him and why he was on the drama with Alessa. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was wondering about him.

Lastly, the other character we learn about is referred to as "Phoenix". Right away we know that there's really only two people this character could be: Janie or Lizzie. I immediately had my suspicion as to who it would be but again, the author did a great job in messing with my head every time I thought I had it figured out for sure. I think this storyline might have been my favorite just because of the mystery of it all and I felt quite bad for everything that Phoenix had to endure.

Overall, Shudder was every bit as amazing as Stitch and I can't wait to get my hands on book three. It has everything you could want in a story: mystery, action, and a little bit of romance. I can't recommend it enough. If you enjoyed Stitch, you are going to love Shudder so don't waste any more time and go out and read it immediately!

[Eric Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Stitch started slow and built up the tension and suspense, Shudder dives right into the action where the previous book left off. Alessa and Issac continue on their mission to find a base for the resistance as they explore the world outside of Paragon. In my review of Stitch one of the major things I brought up was that I had wished the POV of the ghost Alessa encounters had been explored earlier to give more depth to the character and balance out the story a bit. I highly doubt my review had anything to do with it but that is certainly not an issue in Shudder. Durante decided to utilize multiple POVs from the very beginning of the book, enough to the point that I was worried about the opposite effect. Would there be too many? Would the reader get lost shifting from one perspective to another and lose that coveted depth in the process?

I'm thrilled to say that it wasn't the case at all. Durante used these POVs superbly, balancing them all in just the right way so that we gained insight without becoming frustrated or confused. Different aspects of the world that could only be delivered by using this method were given and the strength of the writing allowed for each POV to feel as strong and coherent as the last. Each part was crucial and I'm ecstatic that she pulled something of that difficulty off.

I still love the characters in this series, from major to minor. While I can't wait for Stuck, book 3 in the series, to hopefully focus more on the secondary characters of Josephine and Janie, learning more about the main characters was plenty interesting by itself. Alessa and Issac's relationship is a bit awkward at times, but overall I think it works. They're young, it isn't supposed to be perfect, and it feels REAL, which I can't stress the importance of.

Finding out more about Paragon and its origins/purpose from another POV (I won't spoil whose) was also great for depth. It answered a lot of questions left over from Stitch, though because of the conspiratorial nature of Paragon you never know how much truth you are getting fed along with the lies.

The plot! People, the twists and turns in this book?! Seriously, it's amazing how Durante keeps you on your toes throughout. I kept thinking I had everything figured out and then BAM, another wrench thrown into what I thought I knew. There are conflicts of interest between characters, on opposite sides and even on their own. Dangers lurk around every corner. New abilities are just waiting to be discovered! How do you get better than that? Awesome.

The only minor issue I had with Shudder is that it lost one of Stitch's main strengths, the world building. While the world outside of Paragon was interesting it just couldn't compare with all of the nuances and intricacies Paragon had. I don't know how you would go about making it richer without losing something in the balance (character depth, plot building, etc.) but it felt less impactful. I loved what Durante did in Stitch with how easy it was to picture the campus in my mind, in Shudder I never really had a mental image of the landscape they were going through, it was focused on the plot and characters. Nothing more really to say about that, it wasn't bad, just not as strong as its predecessor.

Overall I definitely enjoyed Shudder and I'm so thankful to Samantha for asking me to be a part of her amazing blog tour! The book is available in eBook and Paperback and I highly recommend you get it, as well as Stitch if you haven't already. This is shaping up to be one of my favorite trilogies in quite some time. I already am pining for Stuck's release!

Rating: 4.5/5

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year I enjoyed Stitch the first book in the Stitch Trilogy and was anxious to discover what was happening in this strange dystopian world. Samantha Durante's second book Shudder shows us the world beyond the walls of Paragon, and the engineers that designed Paragon. She does this all while revealing things that kept me turning the pages. Three word review: fascinating, suspenseful and enlightening.

The tale picks up right after Stitch ended as Alessa and Isaac travel the world beyond Paragon looking for a headquarters for the rebels. There is danger and something supernatural pursuing them. As they search Alessa experiences emotions and memories of the dead and the creatures that pursue them. Phoenix is taken captive by the Engineers and we gain insight into their operations. Told from multiple third person perspectives that change with each chapter Durante reveals the characters and the engineers to us creating a suspenseful and fascinating read.

Alessa struggles in this novel with her emotions, the visions and the mission. Memories of Joe haunt her and she is unsure why, she loved him but loves Isaac. I like Alessa and find her to be brave and fearless even if she occasionally wants to escape her grueling reality. Isaac is sweet, and does things to protect both Alessa and his family. Phoenix is brave and through her we learn more about the engineers, the past and Paragon. We meet #14 and #15 as they exchange notes through a hole in the prison cells and learn their identity towards the end of the book. While the driving force of this tale is the world itself, I would still like to see the characters fleshed out a bit more. I wasn’t as emotionally invested in them this time around. I thought once they became unstitched I would feel more. The engineers *shiver* are diabolic and we are often privy to their plans. We see many of the original rebels and I am hoping they become more fleshed out in book three. I struggled with some of the characters behavior but the author slowly reveals information explaining it and I am anxious to see what develops.

While Shudder didn’t suffer from middle book doldrums it didn’t have quite the captivating affect that book one had on me. The author uses Alessa and Isaac in the beginning to recap events from book one through conversation and sadly it felt awkward. Once we got past that bit their conversations and connection felt more natural. While it is not the main focus, we see growth in the romance, despite a few hiccups. We have a several storylines running parallel to each other. The first is Alessa and Isaac as they travel outside Paragon. The second is Phoenix with the engineers and the third is the prisoners in the cells below Paragon. Each thread was interesting and gave us tremendous insight into the world while still maintaining an air of mystery and suspense. I actually like the way this was done, it kept things suspenseful. The tale moved at an even clip until the final chapters where I found myself turning the pages at a frantic pace as all of the threads came together and we moved to the climatic ending. We as the reader are now privy to things the Rebels do not know and the set up for book three created suspense and anticipation. With its powerful world-building this tale has me excited to read the conclusion of this trilogy.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at City of Books

Shudder is one of the best dystopians I've read so far! It's so intense, so captivating. There's a lot in it, and it's so well written. The action, the suspense, the thrill... All of it will leave you begging for more. I know I am! Samantha, you've really set the bar with this one. I enjoyed every second of it.

Alessa and Isaac are making their way away from Paragon and towards where they believe the rebel base is. They're running away from something they've known and have been familiar with for almost a decade, and they're both naturally hesitant. Alessa has even more to deal with when she begins to experience emotions and memories that she knows aren't hers. Oh, and the two of them are constantly being followed and hunted by some sort of creatures that they've never seen before. Tension grows, and things look doubtful. Meanwhile, we find out a lot more about the people behind the Ruling Class. The Engineers. We find out the reason behind Paragon's existence, and get quite a lot of shocks on the way!

I generally tend to prefer first person to third, but in this case, third person works beautifully. We get the perspectives of both Alessa and Isaac, as well as a few other characters. Nikhil, who we first met in Stitch, is back. And we get his story, too. For the most part, Shudder is mainly split into three perspectives. Alessa and Isaac's, Nikhil's, and Phoenix's. Phoenix is a character we know, but she has forgotten herself. The reason her narrative is so important is because we find out everything about this world and how it came to be.

I can't imagine the ordeal that Alessa and Isaac have to go through in this book! They're being chased by fearsome human-like things, they have a limited food supply and not much to go on, and each of them are dealing with their own internal issues. Alessa's newfound ability is causing her pain and anguish, and Isaac is helpless, not knowing how to stop it. Alessa's also been having vivid flashbacks of Joe, which causes her relationship with Isaac to become strained. But I loved that they had some moments of reprieve, of laughter and abandon. It's easy to see how much they care for each other. Alessa is more strong-willed than ever in this book, determined to do whatever she can to keep the people she loves safe. I really admire that about her. And Isaac? He's so lovable! And completely adorable. I love how protective he is of Alessa, and how incredibly sweet he is. They're definitely lucky to have one another.

The world-buliding in this book will just blow you away. Seriously. It's so amazing! The intricate details in everything, the complete background we're provided with... I have to admit I didn't understand some of the things the Doctor tells Phoenix about the creation of the mind-altering program, but I loved how Samantha managed to give us explanation of everything. That's really the basis of any good dystopian book.

I can't even begin to count how many surprises and twists there are in Shudder. It's so unpredictable! At one point I was beside myself with grief, and then suddenly I was shocked at a new twist Samantha added in. And that ending, oh my god. Such an enormous cliffhanger! I'm now really desperate for Stuck, the final book in the trilogy. I have faith that it will be totally mind-blowing, and I hope it's just as awesome as this one!

*Thank you to Samantha Durante for organizing the blog tour and sending me a copy for review*

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi everybody,
It's me, your trusty stead of a reviewer here to...well review. This is my first ever book review on my blog and it kicked of with a BANG! This story made me gasp with joy (Okay I'm exaggerating a bit still enjoy the picture to the side) We have a book from Samantha Durante a already skyrocketing YA author of the dystopian series Stitch. I'm reviewing the second book in Stitch which is so far fairly interesting. This book started with a shall I saw mysterious plot that kept me intrigued and grappling for more. I needed to know what was going on (because of course I didn't know until I was on the 30th page I started on the second book). Yet the suspense allured me to keep reading even though I didn't know what the heck it was about in the beginning. This story takes place in a dystopia society in the future year of 2114. Humans at the time live a life of "Dramas" kind of like living out a movie or acting out a scene from a play. This indeed is not there real like but they are convinced wholeheartedly it is. Which I found totally creepy imagining living a life that isn't your own and not knowing? Like a never ending dream. Between the humans "Drama" lives, work, and the drugs that the government is pumping into there system they don't seem to know what is real or fake and are missing out on there real problems there society which is ruled by a somewhat (Very what) much inimical government. That's something that would make even Lady Gaga say Yikes!



But don't worry people, we have are hero and heroine two teens who are in a romantic relationship (Cue the giggling) The kind that makes you look up form the book; make voice and detail that author gives in this story is enticing it leads me to another word and keeps me there a hard task only great authors can accomplish. These characters pull is in to there horrifying life and gees I wish I was as knowledgeable as them and yes I used the word knowledgeable to sound smarter don't judge. I practically like the character Alessa the bad ass girl with a super power to feel emotions and things around her. Her character draws me into the book as she fights to survive and save the society people from the fiction that is there lives. But of course there are people after her in the government that just have to make her life a living hell. Along with her is that boy she gets romantic with Issac. There is also another character that I sympathized for and enjoyed intently Regina the leader of the rebels who where against the government. Samantha Durante deserves to be even more well known amongst the other YA writers. If you like Legend and Across the Universe you'll devour this book!

Alessa's not as bad ass as Black Widow but shes still cool.


Of course there are somethings I have to point out. Even though there not much maybe at the beginning of the story the author should have done a small recap of the past story for readers who happen to pick up the series in out of order. Other than that everything is great so far! From the lovable characters, to the thrilling suspense, and into the twisted world that is Paragon. So I do recommend this book to lovers of the dystopian genre and until next time keep reading and I'll keep reviewing. ;)

Sincerer Crazy Book Loving Girl, Bailey. M. Harrop
Want a book review? Email me at: cocosasha729@gmail.com (I only accept YA and teen level books)

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes we just have to do something because we're the only one's who can."
"But why us Isaac? Why me? There's nothing exceptional about me - I'm just like everyone else. How did I end up in the middle of this mess? How -" She sighed deeply. "How am I not supposed to fail?"
And there it was. That was the root of all this. She was afraid of letting everyone down.

What a fantastic follow up to book one in the Stitch trilogy!! I absolutely loved it, from start to finish!!

Shudder picks up right where Stitch left off. Alessa and Isaac are on a mission to find a base for the rebels to situate themselves free of Paragon. The world outside of the compound is bleak and desolate. If contending with the elements of the weather, the lack of food, the fear of the virus and the prospect of failing their mission isn't enough for them to deal with, they are now being stalked and hunted by creatures. Creatures that they have no doubt want them dead.

And then Alessa starts experiencing odd feelings. Feelings and emotions that aren't hers. Then there are the constant thoughts of Joe. And the bloodthirst. What is the bloodthirst? Will they complete their mission and find a new base for the rebels? With they survive the attacks from the beasts waiting to pounce?

I truly loved Isaac in this book. He remained caring and supportive at all times. I think there was only one instance where he lost his cool and that was due to Alessa's attitude, and if I'm honest, I would have lost it with her as well. Because she frustrated me through that period of the story. But putting that aside, after everything she'd been through I suppose she had the right to have doubts and fears. And unfortunately Isaac was the only one around to carry the burden of that. But despite their mission and everything going on around them, Alessa and Isaac still found time for each other.

The problem was that he couldn't remember which memories were real and which were fake. There were so many different lives jumbled in his head, it was hard to tell now which was the real Nikhil.

I absolutely loved Nikhil. I could really feel what he was experiencing and my heart ached for him. I think I actually looked forward to his portion of the story the most.

We got to learn the whole back story to the virus and the evil that are the engineers. How things happened and why they played out the way that they did. Shudder was a whole labyrinth of storylines all converging at about the seventy five percent mark of the book when the story really picked up to a whole new level. When I expected something to go one way it turned out completely differently. When i thought one characters story was going to go one way it went the other. And then there was that superb ending!!

The one constant thought that kept coming at me while I was reading Shudder was the originality of it. I remember feeling the exact same way while I was reading Stitch. Personally, I have never read anything like it before and I have to give huge applause to an author who can create such a fantastically original, well written, engaging piece of writing.

4.5/5 Stars.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Stitch, the first book in this series, back in February I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely loved it. Going so far to call it one of my favorite reads of 2013, which is still true. I was extremely excited to read Shudder, I wasn't completely disappointed but it wasn't all that I wanted it to be.

Shudder starts off almost immediately after Stitch ended, with both Issac and Alessa outside of Paragon searching for a good home base for the rebels that isn't surrounded by the bad guys or actually inside of the bad guys home base. Outside of Paragon there are several dangers Alessa and Issac must face; the possibility of the virus still being out there, the possibility of dying from starvation, and the possibility of getting eaten by some psycho monster things they run into. Yup, that's right. From some unknown place, crazy blood thirsty monsters have appeared and they're hunting Alessa and Issac outside of Paragon. As you can see Alessa and Issac obviously go through a lot on this trying journey to help push the rebel plan forward but it might end up being worth it.

Alessa struggles a lot in this book, she starts thinking about Joe again and has to face her feelings about losing him. She has to deal with a new sort of ability she develops, which was a really fun twist to the story, and she has trouble facing the fact that even though she's already been through so much and done so much the fight has just begun. She even goes so far to think she might just run away, you can tell she's really having a rough time. I really liked seeing this vulnerable side of Alessa and getting to know her on a more personal level. I loved seeing her take care of Issac throughout this book too, because that allowed us to watch them grow closer and to also see his vulnerable side. I think we get to really know both of these characters on a personal level because of this, but don't let all of this vulnerability fool you. They're both still badass rebels.

I think my favorite moments throughout this book were when Issac and Alessa just got to relax and not worry for awhile. I loved seeing them just love each other and be okay, even if the moment was fleeting. I think it was key for them to survive a lot that they went through or are going to go through. Shudder also gave us a lot of background information on Paragon and The Engineers. We got to learn how exactly it formed and came to be and where the virus came from. At times I felt this book got a little boring in a few parts, but when the action happened it was pretty awesome. It showed us just how awesome and kick ass these characters can be and proved to us just how passionate all of them are about making things right.

The ending to this book just about killed me, I suspected it but I didn't want it to be true so when my fears were confirmed it broke my heart. I am now dying to know what this means and if they can fix it. Overall I really enjoyed Shudder, I'm really excited for the third book to see how exactly this trilogy wraps up.