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Perilous #2
Altercation
The FBI promises Jacinta Rivera and her friends that they are safe. Jaci wants desperately to believe them but weeks of hiding from their kidnapper, alias "The Hand", have left her wary. Hidden from the public eye in an FBI safe house, Jaci must reconcile both her father's mysterious disappearance and the murder of her best friend. A betrayal lands Jaci back in the grasp of The Hand, shattering her ability to trust, and leaving her to wonder if she will ever piece together her broken life.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2012
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401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 24, 2013
I found out there is a prequel to this after I finished it. Oh well. This YA crime thriller follows the harrowing lives of 6 kids—3 girls (my favorite was Jaci) that have been abducted by slave traffickers and rescued by the FBI. They are living in a safe house until their kidnapper is found. Two boys—Neil and Ricky, who are feisty twins that are determined to keep their sister, Sara, safe, and another girl, Amanda, daughter of a FBI agent who becomes friends with these kids and wants to help them, are also involved. Jaci’s big brother, Seth, tries to find and rescue his sister when he learns that the kidnapper’s have found and stolen the girls away once more. The story was intense, with lots of awful experiences those poor girls endure as they try to escape and hope for rescue.
August 15, 2022
Altercation is definitely the book (and resolution) you need after having read Perilous. It continues with Jaci, Amanda, and Sara's heart-pounding, action-packed story to safety and to being kidnapped again. I think this read was different for me than the first since I went ahead and read the blurb (hence why I was waiting for the "other shoe" to drop). This was definitely as much of a page-turner to me as the first one, but I have to admit something clicked off for me when . After that and how their reunion happened with , I chose to suspend disbelief just to be able to follow the story and enjoy it. It worked for me, and I really loved how all the threads came together in the end. I definitely enjoyed again Jaci and Detective Carl's POVs, but was always on the fence about Megan's, though I also understood why it was necessary.
Overall, I did enjoy this one, and I found myself picking it up whenever I could (it was also really hard to put down). And while the ending felt a little open in the romantic department, it did give the resolution we'd all been waiting for. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. ~ 4.5 stars
Content:
Sex: none, though there's groping, as well as leering looks from the kidnappers. Two girls are forced to undress in front of a woman so that she can "report to the boss", and one girl is forced to undress in front of two men who're going to take her picture for the "or else" part of a ransom note. Also, there's a rape attempt that is stopped before any clothes have come off.
Language: 1 d*mn
Violence: plenty; mainly as part of the kidnapped situation (meaning it's either done to the girls or done in self-defense). Punches, slaps, yanking of hair, guns shot, razor cuts, etc. Verbal abuse.
Others: Effects of kidnapping shown for the girls and their families: nightmares, depression, anxiety, mood changes, etc. Also, a pregnant teenage girl isn't pregnant anymore by the end of the story (it's told after it's happened, not shown graphically).
Overall, I did enjoy this one, and I found myself picking it up whenever I could (it was also really hard to put down). And while the ending felt a little open in the romantic department, it did give the resolution we'd all been waiting for. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. ~ 4.5 stars
Content:
Sex: none, though there's groping, as well as leering looks from the kidnappers. Two girls are forced to undress in front of a woman so that she can "report to the boss", and one girl is forced to undress in front of two men who're going to take her picture for the "or else" part of a ransom note. Also, there's a rape attempt that is stopped before any clothes have come off.
Language: 1 d*mn
Violence: plenty; mainly as part of the kidnapped situation (meaning it's either done to the girls or done in self-defense). Punches, slaps, yanking of hair, guns shot, razor cuts, etc. Verbal abuse.
Others: Effects of kidnapping shown for the girls and their families: nightmares, depression, anxiety, mood changes, etc. Also, a pregnant teenage girl isn't pregnant anymore by the end of the story (it's told after it's happened, not shown graphically).
January 10, 2021
Another Action Packed Novel
What a great book! This is a clean YA but the characters are thrown into the darkness (but also come out into the light). The girls aren’t safe yet! Early on they are taken again. I may have yelled at the book for the incident and why the girls didn’t speak up when things looked fishy but it’s very plausible to teenage girls they wouldn’t think it’s weird. I loved that we were looking at the storyline from three different fronts. I loved that characters were deepened a bit, especially through showing rather than telling (there are some side characters I would have loved to learn even a bit more about). I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
There were a couple of minor swear words in the book. I would absolutely encourage my kids to read this though. This book makes me want to get them into self defense. It’s a mix psychological thriller, suspense, action, and adventure (but slightly less of the latter in this one opposed to the first). I cried for the characters, I smiled and laughed for the characters. This book will make you feel something. It deserves all 5 stars!
What a great book! This is a clean YA but the characters are thrown into the darkness (but also come out into the light). The girls aren’t safe yet! Early on they are taken again. I may have yelled at the book for the incident and why the girls didn’t speak up when things looked fishy but it’s very plausible to teenage girls they wouldn’t think it’s weird. I loved that we were looking at the storyline from three different fronts. I loved that characters were deepened a bit, especially through showing rather than telling (there are some side characters I would have loved to learn even a bit more about). I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
There were a couple of minor swear words in the book. I would absolutely encourage my kids to read this though. This book makes me want to get them into self defense. It’s a mix psychological thriller, suspense, action, and adventure (but slightly less of the latter in this one opposed to the first). I cried for the characters, I smiled and laughed for the characters. This book will make you feel something. It deserves all 5 stars!
May 7, 2020
Just when you think you're safe and on your way home, you're world is turned upside down when you're betrayed and captured again. Fifteen is too young to meet the horrors of the world and people are not always what they seem to be. You'll find yourself listening longer then you intended as you're drawn into the suspense of the story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review.
September 3, 2020
This is a book in which you really want to read book one before this one. It is a suspenseful continuation from book one. This book touches on a lot of sensitive topics. Rape, sex trafficking, teenage pregnancy, murder, self defense, kidnapping. I love the friendships that the teenagers have for each other. They support each other to help them get through the tough times. And tough they are. Enough to cause PTSD. There is a bit of romance mixed in with all the happenings.
August 31, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It has great character's that you will love. I enjoyed how they helped each other solve how to get them out of witness protection. The kids went through so much and yet survived but helping each other despite the FBI. It will keep you in suspense throughout the book.
July 28, 2018
Excellent story. Jaci is ever the darling. Twists and turns were unpredictable. A great wrap up for Perilous but with several loose ends. I look forward to what may follow.
November 26, 2018
This book was much harder to read. I will say this is one of the rare occasions that a second book is just as good, just as intense, action-packed, not to mention a realistic storyline I have read.
April 28, 2020
Loved it
Omg I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and what happens with Jace n Ricky n the rest of them
Omg I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and what happens with Jace n Ricky n the rest of them
May 20, 2020
This author has great range. I normally don't like suspense but this has enough to keep me going. I got this book through storyorigins and this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 17, 2021
Very good book
I really enjoyed reading this book. I have enjoyed reading all her books so far . Thank you for your book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I have enjoyed reading all her books so far . Thank you for your book.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The harrowing sequel finds Jacinta Rivera and her friends hiding under FBI protection, still haunted by betrayal and the shadow of their kidnapper known as “The Hand.” Trust is fragile, danger is close, and Jaci must fight to piece her shattered life back together in this gripping follow-up.
The harrowing sequel finds Jacinta Rivera and her friends hiding under FBI protection, still haunted by betrayal and the shadow of their kidnapper known as “The Hand.” Trust is fragile, danger is close, and Jaci must fight to piece her shattered life back together in this gripping follow-up.
September 26, 2018
Altercation follows on seamlessly from book.1. Perilous. Here we find out how the group deals with the aftermath of the forced situations Like persecution , starvation, horror, superstition, death and living like animals while they walked for months across the country trying to reach some kind of sanctuary. Will the friendships and promises made at the lowest points of their lives stand up in normality. Now they don’t have to rely on each other, will there relationships be the same? Do they even like each other. One of them is still holding a big secret that could cause a huge rift between them. The feeling of safety is also questionable, they are still not aloud to go home until the person responsible for hunting them is caught. Can they return home and Carry on life the same, or do the scars run to deep. Just when they start relaxing, they are betrayed. Once again some of the girls are back where they started, one completely losing her grip on reality. This time they have the Twin boys, Jaci’s older brother and Megan the daughter of the FBI agent who helped them in Perilous. The friction and emotions emmited from them is a great addition to the Storyline. What happens next, is completely Upto you to find out, as I don’t want to spoil it for you. I thought Altercation would be the ending of this story, but no, there’s more to come. You will become totally focussed and engaged in this story. Tamara Hart Heiner has the realism and creativity to draw you in and make you feel the storyline, as if you was in the room with them. She gives us more of the physiological effects of this trauma on the group alongside the degrading acts the girls, when recaptured are made to do. Including the fast paced action full rescue operation to save them. There is another book to this series. Nothing could stop me now I’m invested in there lives, with a need and a hope that life after can be lived to its fullest
June 30, 2012
I really enjoyed Perilous, the first book in the series, thrilling at the action, danger and suspense. Since it ended with the girls (Perilous spoiler ahead) saved by the FBI, I wasn't sure where Altercation would go. Pursuing the romance between Jaci and Ricky? Delving into the mystery of Jaci's dad? The Hand being captured and brought to justice?
The author did something completely unexpected with this sequel, something that surprised and delighted me, because usually sequels tend to rehash the first book and don't live up to the hype. But Heiner introduced new characters, Jaci's brother Seth and the FBI guy's daughter, who get involved in the action and add an element of interest with a new POV. I found myself enjoying these new characters and how they get into the chase.
This is a well-plotted, tightly-woven novel that plunges the girls back into danger while building on the psychological after-effects of their previous experience, with elements of romance between characters as a teaser to what might develop in later sequels. I look forward to more!
The author did something completely unexpected with this sequel, something that surprised and delighted me, because usually sequels tend to rehash the first book and don't live up to the hype. But Heiner introduced new characters, Jaci's brother Seth and the FBI guy's daughter, who get involved in the action and add an element of interest with a new POV. I found myself enjoying these new characters and how they get into the chase.
This is a well-plotted, tightly-woven novel that plunges the girls back into danger while building on the psychological after-effects of their previous experience, with elements of romance between characters as a teaser to what might develop in later sequels. I look forward to more!
February 9, 2013
Altercation....where do I begin? Altercation was just as much of a wild ride as Perilous was. I don't want to give anything away, so this is going to be short. But really if you read Perilous, it's almost necessary to read Altercation to finish the story. Afterall, Perilous never really does explain the mystery behind Jaci's father. This really is a good mystery for the YA genre. That being said, it's not something that I'd feel worthy of spending money on. It's a solid mystery with everything wrapped up nicely in the end, well as nicely as is possible.
July 9, 2019
This book was just as good as the first, maybe even a touch better. What's annoying is that these girls just keep getting taken, the boys keep escaping, and no matter how many FBI, cops, or security guards they have on them, something terrible will happen. But I guess that's the way of young adult novels, and I have to keep reminding myself of that over and over.
I do like these books though, as I have a really hard time with YA sometimes, and an ever harder time with free Kindle books, so I shouldn't complain. On to the final book!
I do like these books though, as I have a really hard time with YA sometimes, and an ever harder time with free Kindle books, so I shouldn't complain. On to the final book!
April 7, 2015
Book 2 was better than book 1 for me. The story was kind of unbelievable. I appreciate the author's weaving of the story but some of the things that I found hard to believe is the unlimited bank account that a small town police department would have or a detective that would invest his own money into solving a crime, I hate to be critical but the book was just ok for me.
October 5, 2013
I only gave this four stars because I really dislike the awful language, but the excellent plot, characters and setting are all still there. Plus, anyone who is willing to tackle the difficult issue of human trafficking is my hero. Making everyone aware that this is a terrible problem in the US will help many, many girls I hope! It's an insidious practice and ignorance won't help anyone.
May 19, 2014
This book was much better than the first one. We got to see more of a main character and we go to know her much better. To know what she was feeling and how she was dealing with that has happened. I also liked that the author didn't try to extend this series into a trilogy as I think it would have just make it either really small books or just the feeling of the story being dragged out too much.
August 5, 2014
There are some good moments and tension here, but it really doesn't live up to the beginning of the story (book 1). It feels artificially extended, unbelievable, and even the characters become inconsistent. I so wish book 1 and 2 had been combined and shortened, and that surly Seth and mascara Megan had been left out all together.
June 22, 2012
As much as I loved Perilous for being my first book, for being the brain child of my adolescence, Altercation is so much better. Perilous is a book written with passion, while Altercation is written with wit.
July 3, 2015
Book two did not disappoint!! Exciting and emotional...non-stop action! Still emotionally invested in the characters, actually even more so. After everything the kids go through you can't help but love them and want them safe from harm!!
Looking forward to seeing what happens next!!
Looking forward to seeing what happens next!!
December 26, 2012
Jaci goes through more than any one person should have to. The entire ordeal from the beginning is frightening to even think could happen, but it does. What a brave, brave girl.
YA Recommended
YA Recommended
February 8, 2013
Very good! an exciting addition to the Perilous series!
July 24, 2013
Great read! I could not put down until I finished!
January 1, 2015
Great read
A book you cannot put down once you start reading it. The twist and turns this book takes has you seating on the edge of your seat.
A book you cannot put down once you start reading it. The twist and turns this book takes has you seating on the edge of your seat.
February 8, 2015
Well worth reading
Some books just draw you in and make you a part of the story. This and it's predecessor are such books.
Some books just draw you in and make you a part of the story. This and it's predecessor are such books.
February 27, 2015
Very good I like the story kept my interest
But maybe for
A younger audience to read good story with the FBI doing there job and a lot of excitement
But maybe for
A younger audience to read good story with the FBI doing there job and a lot of excitement
March 19, 2013
Really enjoyed these two books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews