Second Life

Life First #2

by R.J. Crayton

This is an alternate cover edition for ISBN10: 1492725358 / ISBN13: 9781492725350).

Susan Harper is being held captive by her government, with no clue why. She knows she helped a fugitive escape and that she's being constantly prodded by doctors, but her please for answers to why she's been locked away fall on deaf ears.

As the normally feisty Susan's hopes of freedom dwindle, a mysterious stranger sneaks into her room and promises to help. Mystery man Rob grows close to Susan as he tries to engineer her escape, without raising the suspicion of the government holing her. While Rob had hoped he had time on his side in helping Susan get away from the government, all that changes when the duo discovers the truth behind Susan's captivity. They must speed up their plan to save her.

Susan and Rob will need more than passion for each other and their wits to succeed. They will need help from old friends, including Kelsey Reed. Susan helped Kelsey start a second life in book one of this series. Will Susan get a second life of her own?

Genres: Dystopia, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Mystery

285 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2013

About the author

RJ Crayton is the author of the three book series. The Prophecy of Light series includes Trapped, Unleashed and the soon to be released Foretold. The Virus series includes Concealed, Exposed, and Contained. The fast-paced dystopian Life First series include Life First, Second Life and Third Life:Taken. She's also author of the paranormal novel Scented and the short-story collection Four Mothers. Prior to becoming an author, Crayton was a journalist. She reported for several publications, including The Kansas City Star and Education Technology News. Crayton lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, she enjoys eating cupcakes, walking, reading, sewing or watching TV (she's partial to Star Trek, super hero flicks and gripping dramas). To find out more about her, visit her website, www.rjcrayton.com.

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this second book to be slower and not nearly as exciting as the first book. But then how do you compete with emergency skydiving? I tried to be patient realizing we were getting to know other characters better.

Having a disabled person as the main character was a plus. I love it when authors take a chance with something other than perfect people and let us see characters who are different.

Still, the first half of the book took place in two rooms. THAT was boring! Sure we needed to get to know our characters' thoughts but there had to be another way to do that.

Towards the end, things picked up and felt more like the first book. Knuckle were whitened, nails were bitten. And I was praying that there would be no cliffhanger. And there wasn't. The book left you in a safe enough place but you knew there was more that needed to be done. Luckily, I had book three lined up and took off with that one!

Something I need to add here is another original idea of these three books is the moral dilemma similar to abortion or capital punishment. What if we were forced to give up our organs to those we match who are dying? This book takes further into what if by being forced we become disabled or otherwise harmed? Who is held responsible? I love books that make you think and this series does do that while presenting well-developed characters and lots of adventure.

Shoot, I just decided that I need to raise this from three to four stars, just due to my own review. I will remember this series long into the future that hopefully doesn't have the dilemmas presented here.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed with this second book of the series. I found it intriguing and frightening on several levels. In light of the political climate this year, I found the premise plausible and frightening. To interpret the Constitution to force organ donations from living citizens or consider them sociopathic and harvest their organs after implementing their death sentence is an extreme view of pro life, but sometimes politics are extreme. I was invested in several characters lives and was on an emotional roller coaster. Easy to read and caused me to question the laws of the land passed by the majority of citizens that may infringe on individual rights.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* Please note that this review contains a few small plot spoilers.

Susan's part in Kelsey's escape has backfired and she is being held in another facility against her will, forced to take part in taped therapy sessions. If she helps to discredit her friend and support Life First, they might have an incentive for her, but failure to do so could end in disaster.

Susan was one of my favourite characters in Life First and I was hoping that we would find out what happened to her. Her story is central to the plot but we also get updates on what is happening to Kelsey in her new life which was also good. Rob was a nice addition as he was a really nice, ethical guy who wants to help people but got in over his head on a dodgy medical project. Kelsey's doctor is also back and I liked that we saw a different side to him in this book, giving him more depth and letting the reader see what makes him tick. The character development is strong and there are plenty of bad guys for our heroine to encounter, which is fun for the plot. The story flows nicely in our two locations with no confusion, and the storytelling is straightforward and easy to follow.

Plot wise, I liked the action sequences with Kelsey in danger again, as it showed that she is not truly free even though she escaped from her prison cell. I liked the scenes were Rob's mother was interacting with Susan because you can feel her hatred shining through, and where the Colonel was making it clear what would happen if Susan refused to cooperate. These were tension filled sequences which let the reader experience the danger that Susan was in. I liked the way she was bullied and manipulated with the stick and carrot approach and the fact that a cure was dangled in front of her because we all want Susan to get that cure! The climax to the book was clever, well thought out and gripping for the reader, as you wonder whether success or failure is just around the corner.

I liked both books in the series-book 1 was a mainly dystopian novel with elements of romance, friendship, betrayal and mystery to it. This book felt a bit more like a romance novel for Susan for the first two thirds of the book and then in the final third it returned to it's tension filled dystopian roots. I am not a fan of romance novels so I did find this a lot slower in plot when it went back to Susan and Rob each time. Their dates tended to drag a bit for me in places when I wanted to get back to escape plans or evil people trying to hurt them. It was still a good novel and these niggles are just about my personal taste and no reflection on the author or how good the plot was in general.

Overall the book is enjoyable and tension filled, with something in it for fans of romantic suspence, dystopian and thrillers. I'm looking forward to the third book to see what happens to everybody.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Life is primarily a continuation of Susan's story. It answers several questions I had from the first book in this series and is well-written with interesting characters. I enjoyed it very much and hope you will also.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second book for this exciting & scary series! I really enjoyed the continuation of the story & the characters development! Again good plots & well written!

[Harry and Kristi Oliver]

Great series

Truly a well written book. The characters are captivating. The storyline is so good that I didn't want to stop reading. Definitely a new favorite author.

[Isis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank RJ Crayton and The Cover Contessa for the opportunity to read this e-book. Although I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my reviews.

Susan Harper is being held captive by her government in this romantic thriller, Second Life. As the normally feisty Susan’s hopes of freedom dwindle, a mysterious stranger sneaks into her room and promises to help her.

Susan and mystery man Rob grow close as he tries to orchestrate her escape. When the duo discovers the truth behind Susan’s captivity, they realize she is in grave danger, and they must act quickly. Susan and Rob will need more than passion for each other and their wits to succeed. They will need help from old friends, including Kelsey Reed.

In the previous book, Life First, Susan gave Kelsey a chance at a second life. But now will she get a chance at her own?

While I enjoyed parts of this book, I felt that it suffered from a case of the sequel not living up to the standards set by the first book. That's not to say the book was bad, but it simply dragged on in places. However the final quarter of the book certainly seemed to pick up in both energy and excitement, which was a welcome diversion.

What didn't work for me in the book:
It was nice that we got to know Susan on a much deeper level than had been possible in the first book, but I felt as if there was too much focus on the emotional and not enough action, even emotionally the action felt a bit stunted for a good portion of the book. I got the sensation that there was much more emotionally that could have been taking place, yet it wasn't happening for a variety of reasons. While Susan had been portrayed as a firecracker in the first book, she certainly didn't come off that way for much of this book. And the fact that she yields to perceived threats so quickly just doesn't feel right for the character we've gotten to know thus far. Plus, the threats towards the very end felt a bit off to me, as they seemed to contradict the whole premise of the story from one side of those involved.

There seemed to be very little action in the majority of the book, though of course there were pockets of action sprinkled throughout, they just didn't seem to fit the premise of the story, or the jacket blurb. Given the danger Susan is supposed to be in, the number of secrets everyone keeps from each other is annoying. If the characters had been more open with one another the potential for more action would have dramatically increased.

What I liked about the book:
The romance between Susan and Rob is sweet, and while it develops slowly that only adds to the realism of the relationship, giving it more depth than the white knight rescuing the damsel in distress would normally have. It gave them a fighting chance for having a relationship beyond the situation they found themselves in - assuming they both survive the situation. Additionally Susan regained some of her spark and zest, which was nice to see, regardless of what had taken place.

The situation for Kelsey and Luke felt realistic, and it was nice that they were involved in this story since it was sparked by their actions. And a huge plus was Kelsey finally waking up to the reality of a particular person's true nature, and then calling them on it. That scene was one of my favorites, particularly given the back history and the fact that Kelsey doesn't like confrontations, yet she initiates one once she realizes how necessary it is.

My overall response to this book:
I struggled a bit with the beginning, working to get into the feel of this book, yet once I got into it I was hooked. While I still feel some of the earlier sections of the book could have been edited down, I truly enjoyed the final quarter of the book. Plus the introduction of certain characters, or reintroduction with more depth, was enjoyable and possibly clarifying.

Once again the ending held some surprises that were totally unforeseen, as well as at least one that was partially foreshadowed. Yet even the one that the reader may have seen coming led to unexpected results, results which are still up for debate regarding their authenticity. It is situations such as those that make you want to come back for the next book in the series, so that you can discover if your take on certain scenarios was accurate or not.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first real book of 2014 was this one, the sequel to Life First which I read a few months ago. This novel continued the story, picking up very soon after the first book ends, and adding in the story of Kelsey's roommate, friend, and assistant in escape Susan. Most of the novel focused on Susan and her situation, but Kelsey was still involved and her story is followed alongside of Susan's, just not in as much detail.

Susan was paralyzed from the waist down after a Marked surgery forcing her to donate bone marrow, as per the Life First rules of the FoSS, and that is a large part of why she helped Kelsey escape. After Kelsey and Luke escape to Peoria, the neighboring country which does not accept or use the precepts of Life First, Susan was then taken somewhere else where she is kept against her will. She is fed, provided with a nice suite to live in, but is not allowed contact with anyone outside and is forced to go through "psychological sessions" with a man pretending to be a doctor. As her allies on the outside, primarily Senator Reed (Kelsey's father) work to find out what's happened to her and free her, the ultimate carrot is dangled in front of her - there is a surgical procedure that could let her walk again. Will she cooperate in the vilification of Kelsey in order to receive this treatment?

The story was tightly written and the pages flew past, as I was compelled to find out what happened next for Susan and Kelsey. Much like the first book, this novel covers what could be done by an unscrupulous government enforcing extreme views, and the lengths which the FoSS will go to are shown to be even further than what they did in the first book. The characters are varied and interesting, and I found the family interactions and byplay between Rob, his mother Patricia, and his brother George to be fascinating. The shadowy figure of Dr. Grant is involved with both Susan and Kelsey's situations, and his true motives and desires are still hidden as he plays both sides and looks only for his own gain.

This is a great book, and it is an excellent sequel to the first one, which is not always the case so I am particularly pleased that it worked out so well. It's a great "what if" scenario that I think more people should consider (especially those so-called "pro-life" folks), and while targeted at the YA audience is plenty adult and engaging for older adults. I'd be sure to read the first book first, however, as much of this story depends on that novel.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series picks up two months after the ending of the first book. Whereas the first book was told entirely from Kelsey’s POV, this one alternates between Kelsey and her best friend Susan (who played a very solid supporting role in the first book), with the focus more on Susan and the consequences she has to face as a result of her decision to help Kelsey flee the FoSS. So as not to spoil the book for those who haven’t yet read the first one (go read it!), I’m going to be purposefully scarce on the plot details.

While the first book was more plot-driven and had a lot of action, this book seems more character-driven. The action is slower paced (although it does pick up by the end), but in return you get to know Susan much more in-depth than in the first book. Several new characters are also introduced, including a mom you’ll love to hate. More details are exposed about the corruption of the FoSS, and some characters from the first book are revealed to be something other than what they seemed to be. By the time you’re halfway through the book, you don’t know who’s trustworthy and who’s not (although all is revealed by the end).

I highly recommend reading the first book before diving into this one, as I feel like you’ll get much more out of “Second Life” by reading “Life First” beforehand. The author does do a good job of providing the necessary back story so you theoretically *could* read this one without having read the first, but I enjoyed “Life First” so much that I have to mention it again here. And there’s quite a bit of information in the first book that isn’t covered in this one (necessarily, otherwise it would get pretty redundant for those who read the series in order), so “Second Life” will be much more enjoyable when read after “Life First.”

“Second Life” was, like “Life First,” a very fast paced read and well worth picking up. I’m very much looking forward to the third book in this trilogy, as the author RJ Crayton has done an excellent job of making me care about her characters and curious to know what happens to them next.

**I received a complimentary copy of this ebook; however, all opinions expressed are completely my own.**

[Rachel Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortunately you don't have to read the first book to follow along. The author follows up with the important bits, without making you bored if you've read the first one. The first book is more about Susan's best friend, Kelsey, and Luke's story. The second book is more about Susan and her side of the story. But there are chapters of Kelsey's life now as well, and how their paths may or may not cross. The chapters are short and a relatively easy read. You can read a chapter at a time if you want, or a few. It's good for any reading level, or time constraint or just for fun.

It's a believable story set sometime in the undetermined future, in which the US, recovering from a pandemic, has set up a new order. One in which they believe Life comes First, and if you are a match for anyone in the country, it is your duty to provide, whether you like or agree with it or not. Except for Peoria, formerly known as Florida. That is where those who don't agree with the new rules go to escape and are granted asylum.

I don't want to reveal too much, if you're interested in reading the first book first, but again not necessary. But in this book we're taken on Susan's wild ride continuing from the first. At first no one is sure where she's gone, not even her. And the new people and the ones from her past who try to save her, both from where she is and from herself. I'm not normally a big fan of this type of fiction, but it's a pretty believable story, to a fault. If you're looking for something to pass a little bit of time, or just want something new in your repertoire, I think this is a solid choice. Not as gripping as the first, but still solid!

[Crystal Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many of you know I am a dystopian fiction fan, and Second Life (Life First 2) by RJ Crayton definitely fits the bill. Having enjoyed the Life First very much, being the first in the series, it set up the world of FoSS as you can see in my review linked above. That being said, Second Life was albeit did not contain the same level of action as the it's predecessor.

Spoilers to Life First to follow:
Second Life, rather than following Life First's primary character Kelsey, it follows although secondary equally important character Susan. Susan and Kelsey are the best of friends, and owes her life to Kelsey. As a result, Susan risks her life in Life First to rescue Kelsey from the holding facility at which is destined to die. In Second Life, however Susan, having risked her own self to rescue Kelsey now faces her own trouble. The FoSS with Life First mentality may not be quite as Susan may have previously believed, that being said her life is forever changed by the decision she made in Life First. We also have a chance to catch up with Kelsey, although she is not center stage in this story, her life is so intertwined with Susan that it is a vital component of the storyline.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is actually part of a series and I have not read book one. That being said. This book was so well written that you can read it and not be left in the dark as to what was going on or be left at the end wondering. It ends leaving you satisfied that all is well with the characters. I was not wanting for background on what was going on and how it all came about. Really excellent job. It's hard to find a series you can do that with. That doesn't mean I won't be reading the rest of the series. I will be doing that. The characters were so vibrant and engaging that I really want to finish the story. It was a real pleasure to read a story with two strong and self assured female leads. It showed their many sides. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their fears, and their dreams and desires. All the characters were well conceived and thought out. The story line was intriguing and probably not to far in our future given the state of our world. If you like dystopian books you will love this series. I highly recommend it.

[Melinda Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed First Life, and also Second Life, the sequel. I would have preferred the book to center a little more heavily on the suspense and dystopian aspects, and a little less on the romance, but that’s mostly a personal preference. Still, I think the romance got in the way of the plot sometimes, and the arguments between Susan and Rob could have maybe been trimmed.

The errors and punctuation quirks weren’t frequent or distracting enough to detract from the story, and the writing was good.

Susan’s first few chapters really drew me in, and the story kept me reading. I finished it faster than any other book I’ve read recently, which is always a good sign with me.

Though Rob was a little too perfect, I really enjoyed seeing the gray areas within the characters of Dr. Grant and Dr. Patricia Donnelly.

Second Life is an enjoyable book, with some great tension, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes their dystopian seasoned with a lot of romance.

[Emmanuelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel, we find out how the story continues from Susan's pov. While the whole gang thought Susan would be released after Kelsey's escape, she's instead been captured and brought to a secluded compound. While she does appear to live luxuriously in her conditions, she also realizes she's a prisoner. However, when she hears the reason for her captivity, she needs to decide whether she still wants to escape or whether she will willingly stay. With so many people coming into her life and telling her an assortment of stories, who will she trust?
The author has continued the saga begun in Life First and created a few tale of mystery and adventure. I honestly liked this book much better then the first because there was more drama to it (while book one seemed to mostly just take place in a court room).

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I was worried about Susan and Rob finally getting together, and if Susan was going to live. I did read the first book, because it had some background information, and I recommend reading both together. I also liked that old friends from the first book came back in the this book. I liked to see how they were doing. The suspense kept me reading until the last page. I am giving this book a 4/5.I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
- See more at: http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2...

[Danelle Our-Wolves-Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

]This was a very enjoyable and exciting read, full of twists and turns with a dash or two of betrayal. All of which keeps you wanting to turn each page with more wonderment and energy, this was a quick read for me because of the storyline. The characters are well developed and compliment each other nicely. I am fully inclined to go back and read the first book in the series, just to further the background details on some of the major players.

Suspense is key theme in the book as a whole, so if this is something you are looking for, you will find it in this novel.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written as was the first book in this series. I loved hearing Susan's perspective as well as Kelsey's. I am well into the third book now. This story proceeds so naturally, nothing feels contrived, yet it is not predictable for the most part.
this is a society where those who are ill are matched with the best match in their society and that "marked" person is required to give an organ, like a kidney or part of a liver or whatever, to keep another person alive. The key word is "required." A very interesting concept.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book to review

Cassandra's Review - Second Life holds its own as a part 2 but I would recommend reading part 1 as well if not first just to make sure your in the loop fully. I think that it is well written and very entertaining.

[Marta Jordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. It was a wonderful follow-up to Life First. I was so excited to learn more about Susan, and her romance with Rob is sweet, yet steamy. Can't wait for the final book in the series.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first book in the series I was keen to read the follow up. I was not disappointed. I am not usually a fan of dystopian novels but thoroughly enjoyed this gripping tale.