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Galilee Falls Trilogy #2
Galilee Rising
Love in the time of superheroes...
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius
The year since Galilee Falls lost its reigning superhero Justice has not been kind to Joanna Fallon. She's lost her best friend, her boyfriend, her badge, even her mind. The city of Galilee Falls hasn't fared much better with supervillain related crime skyrocketing to cataclysmic proportions. Deliverance for the city arrives in the guise of The Royal Triumvirate--King Tempest, Lady Liberty, and Lord Nightingale--who vow to be the heroes the city needs. Salvation for Joanna appears in the brilliant form of Dr. Jem Ambrose, another lost soul in need of saving. But salvation comes with a high price. When Emperor Cain, an old nemesis of The Triumvirate, decides he will stop at nothing to make sure there is no city left to defend, it is up to Joanna to rise not only for her city, for her new love, but for herself as well…
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius
The year since Galilee Falls lost its reigning superhero Justice has not been kind to Joanna Fallon. She's lost her best friend, her boyfriend, her badge, even her mind. The city of Galilee Falls hasn't fared much better with supervillain related crime skyrocketing to cataclysmic proportions. Deliverance for the city arrives in the guise of The Royal Triumvirate--King Tempest, Lady Liberty, and Lord Nightingale--who vow to be the heroes the city needs. Salvation for Joanna appears in the brilliant form of Dr. Jem Ambrose, another lost soul in need of saving. But salvation comes with a high price. When Emperor Cain, an old nemesis of The Triumvirate, decides he will stop at nothing to make sure there is no city left to defend, it is up to Joanna to rise not only for her city, for her new love, but for herself as well…
283 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2013
3 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Harlow
28 books408 followersJennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virgina home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 12, 2013
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
2013 will go down as the year that I discovered Jennifer Harlow. I have devoured everything she’s written so far – three F.R.E.A.K.S. books, the Midnight Magic book, and both books published so far in the Galilee Falls trilogy. This is to say, I may be a bit of a fangirl. However, I do think it’s deserved. With GALILEE RISING, Harlow steps up the game a bit. Whereas her other books are a bit more lighthearted, the Galilee Falls trilogy has a darker, more sinister bent, a more damaged heroine, and no vampires, witches, or werewolves in sight.
Jo Fallon, the main character of the Galilee Falls trilogy is one of those characters that is frustrating but that you can’t help loving anyway. She’s got a lot of issues – some stemming from her childhood, losing her father early in life and growing up with an alcoholic mother – and also some from as recently as the events in JUSTICE, when she finds out her best friend was lying to her for years. But she’s also a strong, resilient, and loyal woman, and that helps balance out the times when she runs from something and you’re thinking “JOANNA just give it a chance!” Her romantic life is particularly emotional, because as a reader, I just wanted her to be happy, and it is so hard for her to have that happy romantic ending, with all of the barriers she puts up between herself and other people.
The Galilee Falls trilogy reads a little bit like a written version of a comic book. Obviously, there’s superheros, but there’s also underground lairs with crazy technology, double identities, lots of explosions and even faked deaths. There’s a lot of other tropes too, like the “meeting with the previous supervillain to try to figure out the motives of the current supervillain.” Sometimes, plot points come off as rather obvious, for example, in both books I spotted the civilian identities of the superheros within pages of them appearing, but Harlow still manages to pull off a thrilling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat.
If you’re one of those people who loves the more recent, darker Batman films, I would definitely suggest you pick up both books in the Galilee Falls trilogy. And while it is possible to read GALILEE RISING on its own, as a reader, a lot of it will be much more fleshed out if you read JUSTICE first. I know that I definitely can’t wait until the third and final book in the trilogy comes out, as I’m rooting for Jo’s happy ending, and can’t wait to see what superheros we’ll encounter next.
Sexual content: Sex, references to rape
2013 will go down as the year that I discovered Jennifer Harlow. I have devoured everything she’s written so far – three F.R.E.A.K.S. books, the Midnight Magic book, and both books published so far in the Galilee Falls trilogy. This is to say, I may be a bit of a fangirl. However, I do think it’s deserved. With GALILEE RISING, Harlow steps up the game a bit. Whereas her other books are a bit more lighthearted, the Galilee Falls trilogy has a darker, more sinister bent, a more damaged heroine, and no vampires, witches, or werewolves in sight.
Jo Fallon, the main character of the Galilee Falls trilogy is one of those characters that is frustrating but that you can’t help loving anyway. She’s got a lot of issues – some stemming from her childhood, losing her father early in life and growing up with an alcoholic mother – and also some from as recently as the events in JUSTICE, when she finds out her best friend was lying to her for years. But she’s also a strong, resilient, and loyal woman, and that helps balance out the times when she runs from something and you’re thinking “JOANNA just give it a chance!” Her romantic life is particularly emotional, because as a reader, I just wanted her to be happy, and it is so hard for her to have that happy romantic ending, with all of the barriers she puts up between herself and other people.
The Galilee Falls trilogy reads a little bit like a written version of a comic book. Obviously, there’s superheros, but there’s also underground lairs with crazy technology, double identities, lots of explosions and even faked deaths. There’s a lot of other tropes too, like the “meeting with the previous supervillain to try to figure out the motives of the current supervillain.” Sometimes, plot points come off as rather obvious, for example, in both books I spotted the civilian identities of the superheros within pages of them appearing, but Harlow still manages to pull off a thrilling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat.
If you’re one of those people who loves the more recent, darker Batman films, I would definitely suggest you pick up both books in the Galilee Falls trilogy. And while it is possible to read GALILEE RISING on its own, as a reader, a lot of it will be much more fleshed out if you read JUSTICE first. I know that I definitely can’t wait until the third and final book in the trilogy comes out, as I’m rooting for Jo’s happy ending, and can’t wait to see what superheros we’ll encounter next.
Sexual content: Sex, references to rape
January 2, 2015
I'm going to say this right away. I was slightly disappointed with Galilee Rising. I mean, it was still a likable book and the last 10 to 7 chapters I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what was going to happen... yet it wasn't enough to wow me like the first book, Justice, did.
I guess the main reason for not loving this book was that a lot had changed between the ending of Justice and the beginning of Galilee Rising. It was quite shocking. I guess I just do not well with change. I did approve of some of the changes but mostly I was left feeling meh about it all. Also some things were really obvious like who King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale were in the real world. At least this time Joanna found out too pretty fast unlike with Justice.
I also had a hard time getting into the book. It took me at least the first 50-60% to really start enjoying it. Right about when the true action began. I do love the action scenes and the heroes and villain fighting. There were also some very shocking things revealed. And why do my favorite heroes always have to die?
I loved Joanna in the first but but in this one I liked her a lot less. The good thing is, after a year, she's starting to get back on the right track, changing her life and finding new love. That's all good and well but I really disliked the romance. Actually, I just disliked Jem. Maybe other will love him but I just didn't. It happens. As for the other characters I loves the new ones like Lexie and Brendan. But I missed Harry. Due to everything that happened in the year between now and the last book he wasn't as much in Joanna's life. I felt so sad about it. Maybe I shouldn't have focused so much on that but there you go.
Overall, Galilee Rising was a likable read. I didn't love it but it wasn't awful either. It was a slightly more darker book than Justice in my eyes, which is always a plus. I am curious to see, though, how the third book is going to turn out!
I guess the main reason for not loving this book was that a lot had changed between the ending of Justice and the beginning of Galilee Rising. It was quite shocking. I guess I just do not well with change. I did approve of some of the changes but mostly I was left feeling meh about it all. Also some things were really obvious like who King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale were in the real world. At least this time Joanna found out too pretty fast unlike with Justice.
I also had a hard time getting into the book. It took me at least the first 50-60% to really start enjoying it. Right about when the true action began. I do love the action scenes and the heroes and villain fighting. There were also some very shocking things revealed. And why do my favorite heroes always have to die?
I loved Joanna in the first but but in this one I liked her a lot less. The good thing is, after a year, she's starting to get back on the right track, changing her life and finding new love. That's all good and well but I really disliked the romance. Actually, I just disliked Jem. Maybe other will love him but I just didn't. It happens. As for the other characters I loves the new ones like Lexie and Brendan. But I missed Harry. Due to everything that happened in the year between now and the last book he wasn't as much in Joanna's life. I felt so sad about it. Maybe I shouldn't have focused so much on that but there you go.
Overall, Galilee Rising was a likable read. I didn't love it but it wasn't awful either. It was a slightly more darker book than Justice in my eyes, which is always a plus. I am curious to see, though, how the third book is going to turn out!
April 25, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: An action-packed thriller filled with bad decisions, deception and hope.
Opening Sentence: God, how I love this city.
The Review:
Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Justice by Jennifer Harlow. It was the first book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy and I absolutely loved it. Justice was one of my favorite books of the year. Galilee Rising is the sequel to Justice and while it didn’t quite live up to what I loved about Justice, it was still an incredible sequel with heart stopping action and some heartbreak.
Joanna Fallon is not the same girl that we saw at the end of Justice. She is no longer a crazy “suicidal” cop who does just about anything to get the bad guy caught. We now find her heartbroken since the love of her life had just died with just a little amount of hope that maybe things will be alright in the end. A year has passed since the events of Justice and one of the big surprises is that Joanna now runs Justin Pendergast’s billion dollar corporation. She lives in Justin’s house. She is also close to being one year sober since she went on a binder and cheated on her wonderful cop boyfriend Harry. Needless to say they are no longer a couple so know she is sober in more than one way. (She quite often has sex on the mind.)
With the major superhero, Justice now being dead, Galilee Falls has been almost taken over by supervillans and just plain bad guys who don’t have to worry about any superheroes taking them to jail. So when the Royal Triumvirate comes to town seeking to help Galilee Falls, they aren’t exactly welcome with open arms, especially by Joanna. King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale show up at Joanna’s hoping to have the use of a computer system that Justin had installed to catch crime happening throughout the city. Joanna doesn’t want to be left out but she doesn’t entirely want them there either so she agrees if they let her help solve crimes with the computer too.
In the meantime, Joanna is making friends and feeling better about her life after Justin. She meets Dr. Jem Ambrose, a man that a friend had tried to set her up with in the first novel, and they begin a flirtatious friendship. She also strikes up a quick friendship with a model that hates all the fundraising parties almost as much as she does. With her new friends, Joanna is finally coming out of her shell and having a little bit of fun. She is in her own way she is a little bit happy. But soon all that changes because Emperor Cain, the mortal enemy of the Royal Triumverate, rises from the dead and seeks to create massive destruction to Galilee Falls.
Even though Joanna is not the “crazy cop” with a death wish like she was in the first novel, she still really tries her hardest to stop crime any way she can by feeding the information to the police. She takes more of a sideline role but yet the crime still manages to come to her. Joanna still has a hard edge that some might find abrasive but all she really wants is to find someone to love who will love her back. For Joanna that happiness will be fought with tears and deception.
Overall, Galilee Rising was another action packed book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy. Joanna had to do some growing up and it really showed in her actions. After this novel, I can’t wait to see where Joanna and this superhero world go next.
Notable Scene:
The gunfire begins again, moving closer. Time progresses slowly. The few people still on the street sprint inside for cover. My driver starts praying again and ducks down as a man in full tactical SWAT gear and balaclava lays covering fire behind himself as he rounds the corner. Coming right for us.
I don’t think. I just do. My hand reaches inside my purse, pulling out the Taser and pearl handled .22 I carry for just such emergencies. I have to time this just right. I peek through my shattered side window. With the gun now in my waistband and Taser in hand, as the shooter runs beside the front passenger door, I throw mine open with all my might. It hits home. He smashes right into the door, chest and legs first. Dazed, he drops the Uzi and falls to the cement with a groan. The moment he wipes out, I zap his leg with the Taser. His body convulses, then grows still when I release the button. I know from experience how scrambled the bastard’s brain is now. Good.
On shaky everything, I manage to climb out of the car, training the .22 on the stunned man. The Uzi has skidded out of reach but not the Glock on his belt. Breathing heavily, I crouch down and retrieve it, throwing the .22 into the town car. I keep the Glock on him as I Taser him again. I’ll just keep zapping until the cavalry arrives.
“Holy shit.” My gaze whips up toward the man who steps out of the store in front of me. More people follow him. That’s when I realize the gunfire around the corner has stopped.
“Everyone get back ins—”
Quick movement to my right startles me enough to turn the gun that way. As if materializing from thin air, a tall man in a black and white costume with “WN” on his broad chest appears. My gun is trained right on his completely masked face where only the eyes are visible. They lock on mine, and he’s suddenly breathing as heavily as I am, gasping even. The man raises his hands in surrender. “Please lower your weapon,” he whispers for some reason. “I’m one of the good guys.” That voice literally sends a chill down my spine as if someone walked over my grave. Why—
“Lower your weapon,” another man shouts. I glance left to find a bleeding police officer approaching, pistol right on me.
I toss the Glock near the Uzi. “You guys are welcome,” I say cattily.
The, I’m assuming, hero lowers his hands as the officer steps beside me. “Got this?” the hero asks in that same low tone that can barely be heard over the oncoming sirens.
“Yes, sir,” the officer says, pulling out his cuffs.
The hero nods, then looks back at me, eyes burring on my face. He stares but when I try to meet his eyes, he gazes down. “I…” His mask moves where his mouth should be but no more noise comes out. Instead he grabs me by the shoulders hard enough to hurt, giving me one quick shake. “Never do that again.” He releases me, and disappears as fast as he came.
I roll my eyes. Sometimes I really hate superheroes.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Harlow graciously provided me with a copy of Galilee Rising. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: An action-packed thriller filled with bad decisions, deception and hope.
Opening Sentence: God, how I love this city.
The Review:
Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Justice by Jennifer Harlow. It was the first book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy and I absolutely loved it. Justice was one of my favorite books of the year. Galilee Rising is the sequel to Justice and while it didn’t quite live up to what I loved about Justice, it was still an incredible sequel with heart stopping action and some heartbreak.
Joanna Fallon is not the same girl that we saw at the end of Justice. She is no longer a crazy “suicidal” cop who does just about anything to get the bad guy caught. We now find her heartbroken since the love of her life had just died with just a little amount of hope that maybe things will be alright in the end. A year has passed since the events of Justice and one of the big surprises is that Joanna now runs Justin Pendergast’s billion dollar corporation. She lives in Justin’s house. She is also close to being one year sober since she went on a binder and cheated on her wonderful cop boyfriend Harry. Needless to say they are no longer a couple so know she is sober in more than one way. (She quite often has sex on the mind.)
With the major superhero, Justice now being dead, Galilee Falls has been almost taken over by supervillans and just plain bad guys who don’t have to worry about any superheroes taking them to jail. So when the Royal Triumvirate comes to town seeking to help Galilee Falls, they aren’t exactly welcome with open arms, especially by Joanna. King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale show up at Joanna’s hoping to have the use of a computer system that Justin had installed to catch crime happening throughout the city. Joanna doesn’t want to be left out but she doesn’t entirely want them there either so she agrees if they let her help solve crimes with the computer too.
In the meantime, Joanna is making friends and feeling better about her life after Justin. She meets Dr. Jem Ambrose, a man that a friend had tried to set her up with in the first novel, and they begin a flirtatious friendship. She also strikes up a quick friendship with a model that hates all the fundraising parties almost as much as she does. With her new friends, Joanna is finally coming out of her shell and having a little bit of fun. She is in her own way she is a little bit happy. But soon all that changes because Emperor Cain, the mortal enemy of the Royal Triumverate, rises from the dead and seeks to create massive destruction to Galilee Falls.
Even though Joanna is not the “crazy cop” with a death wish like she was in the first novel, she still really tries her hardest to stop crime any way she can by feeding the information to the police. She takes more of a sideline role but yet the crime still manages to come to her. Joanna still has a hard edge that some might find abrasive but all she really wants is to find someone to love who will love her back. For Joanna that happiness will be fought with tears and deception.
Overall, Galilee Rising was another action packed book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy. Joanna had to do some growing up and it really showed in her actions. After this novel, I can’t wait to see where Joanna and this superhero world go next.
Notable Scene:
The gunfire begins again, moving closer. Time progresses slowly. The few people still on the street sprint inside for cover. My driver starts praying again and ducks down as a man in full tactical SWAT gear and balaclava lays covering fire behind himself as he rounds the corner. Coming right for us.
I don’t think. I just do. My hand reaches inside my purse, pulling out the Taser and pearl handled .22 I carry for just such emergencies. I have to time this just right. I peek through my shattered side window. With the gun now in my waistband and Taser in hand, as the shooter runs beside the front passenger door, I throw mine open with all my might. It hits home. He smashes right into the door, chest and legs first. Dazed, he drops the Uzi and falls to the cement with a groan. The moment he wipes out, I zap his leg with the Taser. His body convulses, then grows still when I release the button. I know from experience how scrambled the bastard’s brain is now. Good.
On shaky everything, I manage to climb out of the car, training the .22 on the stunned man. The Uzi has skidded out of reach but not the Glock on his belt. Breathing heavily, I crouch down and retrieve it, throwing the .22 into the town car. I keep the Glock on him as I Taser him again. I’ll just keep zapping until the cavalry arrives.
“Holy shit.” My gaze whips up toward the man who steps out of the store in front of me. More people follow him. That’s when I realize the gunfire around the corner has stopped.
“Everyone get back ins—”
Quick movement to my right startles me enough to turn the gun that way. As if materializing from thin air, a tall man in a black and white costume with “WN” on his broad chest appears. My gun is trained right on his completely masked face where only the eyes are visible. They lock on mine, and he’s suddenly breathing as heavily as I am, gasping even. The man raises his hands in surrender. “Please lower your weapon,” he whispers for some reason. “I’m one of the good guys.” That voice literally sends a chill down my spine as if someone walked over my grave. Why—
“Lower your weapon,” another man shouts. I glance left to find a bleeding police officer approaching, pistol right on me.
I toss the Glock near the Uzi. “You guys are welcome,” I say cattily.
The, I’m assuming, hero lowers his hands as the officer steps beside me. “Got this?” the hero asks in that same low tone that can barely be heard over the oncoming sirens.
“Yes, sir,” the officer says, pulling out his cuffs.
The hero nods, then looks back at me, eyes burring on my face. He stares but when I try to meet his eyes, he gazes down. “I…” His mask moves where his mouth should be but no more noise comes out. Instead he grabs me by the shoulders hard enough to hurt, giving me one quick shake. “Never do that again.” He releases me, and disappears as fast as he came.
I roll my eyes. Sometimes I really hate superheroes.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Harlow graciously provided me with a copy of Galilee Rising. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
July 29, 2016
My first comment: Good, but not as good as the first one.
Once again, probably my favorite part of this book was the voice. Again narrated by the main character, Joanna Fallon, the book has that refreshing, take-no-shit outlook to everything. I think, however, with Joanna's big life change after the first book, the chance to really hear this voice in more exciting context is lost. Instead of being a detective who spends her time actually IN the action, she is now the heiress of the Pendergast fortune, courtesy her dead best friend and former Galilee Falls superhero, Justice.
Now, instead of an Acura, she drives an Aston Martin. And lives in a mansion. And is worth billions. And attends society functions and fundraisers on a regular basis. It's just... different.
But, with Justice gone, Galilee Falls has turned victim to criminal activity. So a new super-trio is brought in. The Triumvirate. And they work on cleaning up the city. But, in order to do this, they need access to Justice's super computer... Which is in Justice's old house that Joanna now inhabits. So, naturally, she becomes a part of their operation. This, for me, was one of the downfalls of the book. Not that she was involved -- of course I liked that! But, no longer being a detective and having the super computer in her house, much of the action is experienced from sitting behind a computer and told from Joanna's perspective as she watches it unfold on screen. It was just a little more boring that way. No danger involved.
Along the course of the book, a new love interest develops with the brilliant and adorable Dr. Jem Ambrose. It's sweet and obvious he cares for her, but Joanna is still apprehensive after her last year.
Overall, it's a good love interest and totally has its butterfly moments. However, if I had to read the term "love of my life" one more time, I think I might have thrown my Kindle across the room. And there is another aspect of said love interest's life growing up that I REALLY think the book could have done without. Or could have been explained much differently. It was just kind of thrown out there and left hanging. Totally uncomfortable and an unnecessary evil -- literally. Like, it was mentioned to make the super villain more evil, but I just wasn't quite getting its necessity.
Unlike the first book, this super villain is not introduced upfront. It takes a good while for that action to come into play, and I was disappointed by that too. It's like the first half of the book is just spent setting up Joanna's life post losing Justice, rather than being woven into the good vs. evil story and developing with it. And the super villain, while a complete sociopathic nut job, isn't anywhere near as "bad" or well-developed as Alkaline was.
And then there's the matter of White Night. (Again, doesn't take a genius to figure it out, but I won't say anything.) But WTF? I was totally expecting more. Like, ummm, really? A very tiny teaser was thrown out there towards the beginning and then just dropped off the face of the earth. I kept waiting for a reappearance. Totally frustrating. Grrrr...
Guess I'll just have to wait until the third and final installment. :)
Once again, probably my favorite part of this book was the voice. Again narrated by the main character, Joanna Fallon, the book has that refreshing, take-no-shit outlook to everything. I think, however, with Joanna's big life change after the first book, the chance to really hear this voice in more exciting context is lost. Instead of being a detective who spends her time actually IN the action, she is now the heiress of the Pendergast fortune, courtesy her dead best friend and former Galilee Falls superhero, Justice.
"I mean, what the hell was he smoking when he wrote his will, leaving me controlling interest in Pendergast? I could barely balance my checkbook."
Now, instead of an Acura, she drives an Aston Martin. And lives in a mansion. And is worth billions. And attends society functions and fundraisers on a regular basis. It's just... different.
But, with Justice gone, Galilee Falls has turned victim to criminal activity. So a new super-trio is brought in. The Triumvirate. And they work on cleaning up the city. But, in order to do this, they need access to Justice's super computer... Which is in Justice's old house that Joanna now inhabits. So, naturally, she becomes a part of their operation. This, for me, was one of the downfalls of the book. Not that she was involved -- of course I liked that! But, no longer being a detective and having the super computer in her house, much of the action is experienced from sitting behind a computer and told from Joanna's perspective as she watches it unfold on screen. It was just a little more boring that way. No danger involved.
Along the course of the book, a new love interest develops with the brilliant and adorable Dr. Jem Ambrose. It's sweet and obvious he cares for her, but Joanna is still apprehensive after her last year.
"He opens his beautiful eyes again, looking square in mine. They're brimming with sadness and hope. 'You-You turn around and survey your life, your goals, and you don't recognize them. Or yourself. But you continue looking because the quest is all you have. And you're alone. So alone for so long with only that guilt to drive you that when someone wonderful comes along, so wonderful you actually begin to imagine another life for yourself full of love and joy, it rocks you to your core. You've seen the dawn after a million starless nights, and it's beautiful, but you're afraid it's just an illusion. That it'll be taken from you, or that you never really saw it, and you're alone again once more with that ache. I don't want that for you. Justin wouldn't either. You survived. You're alive. So live."'
Overall, it's a good love interest and totally has its butterfly moments. However, if I had to read the term "love of my life" one more time, I think I might have thrown my Kindle across the room. And there is another aspect of said love interest's life growing up that I REALLY think the book could have done without. Or could have been explained much differently. It was just kind of thrown out there and left hanging. Totally uncomfortable and an unnecessary evil -- literally. Like, it was mentioned to make the super villain more evil, but I just wasn't quite getting its necessity.
Unlike the first book, this super villain is not introduced upfront. It takes a good while for that action to come into play, and I was disappointed by that too. It's like the first half of the book is just spent setting up Joanna's life post losing Justice, rather than being woven into the good vs. evil story and developing with it. And the super villain, while a complete sociopathic nut job, isn't anywhere near as "bad" or well-developed as Alkaline was.
And then there's the matter of White Night. (Again, doesn't take a genius to figure it out, but I won't say anything.) But WTF? I was totally expecting more. Like, ummm, really? A very tiny teaser was thrown out there towards the beginning and then just dropped off the face of the earth. I kept waiting for a reappearance. Totally frustrating. Grrrr...
Guess I'll just have to wait until the third and final installment. :)
February 11, 2017
Originally reviewed at Dark Faerie Tales: http://darkfaerietales.com/review-gal...
Quick & Dirty: An action-packed thriller filled with bad decisions, deception and hope.
The Review:
Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Justice by Jennifer Harlow. It was the first book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy and I absolutely loved it. Justice was one of my favorite books of the year. Galilee Rising is the sequel to Justice and while it didn’t quite live up to what I loved about Justice, it was still an incredible sequel with heart stopping action and some heartbreak.
Joanna Fallon is not the same girl that we saw at the end of Justice. She is no longer a crazy “suicidal” cop who does just about anything to get the bad guy caught. We now find her heartbroken since the love of her life had just died with just a little amount of hope that maybe things will be alright in the end. A year has passed since the events of Justice and one of the big surprises is that Joanna now runs Justin Pendergast’s billion dollar corporation. She lives in Justin’s house. She is also close to being one year sober since she went on a binder and cheated on her wonderful cop boyfriend Harry. Needless to say they are no longer a couple so know she is sober in more than one way. (She quite often has sex on the mind.)
With the major superhero, Justice now being dead, Galilee Falls has been almost taken over by supervillans and just plain bad guys who don’t have to worry about any superheroes taking them to jail. So when the Royal Triumvirate comes to town seeking to help Galilee Falls, they aren’t exactly welcome with open arms, especially by Joanna. King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale show up at Joanna’s hoping to have the use of a computer system that Justin had installed to catch crime happening throughout the city. Joanna doesn’t want to be left out but she doesn’t entirely want them there either so she agrees if they let her help solve crimes with the computer too.
In the meantime, Joanna is making friends and feeling better about her life after Justin. She meets Dr. Jem Ambrose, a man that a friend had tried to set her up with in the first novel, and they begin a flirtatious friendship. She also strikes up a quick friendship with a model that hates all the fundraising parties almost as much as she does. With her new friends, Joanna is finally coming out of her shell and having a little bit of fun. She is in her own way she is a little bit happy. But soon all that changes because Emperor Cain, the mortal enemy of the Royal Triumverate, rises from the dead and seeks to create massive destruction to Galilee Falls.
Even though Joanna is not the “crazy cop” with a death wish like she was in the first novel, she still really tries her hardest to stop crime any way she can by feeding the information to the police. She takes more of a sideline role but yet the crime still manages to come to her. Joanna still has a hard edge that some might find abrasive but all she really wants is to find someone to love who will love her back. For Joanna that happiness will be fought with tears and deception.
Overall, Galilee Rising was another action packed book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy. Joanna had to do some growing up and it really showed in her actions. After this novel, I can’t wait to see where Joanna and this superhero world go next.
Quick & Dirty: An action-packed thriller filled with bad decisions, deception and hope.
The Review:
Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Justice by Jennifer Harlow. It was the first book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy and I absolutely loved it. Justice was one of my favorite books of the year. Galilee Rising is the sequel to Justice and while it didn’t quite live up to what I loved about Justice, it was still an incredible sequel with heart stopping action and some heartbreak.
Joanna Fallon is not the same girl that we saw at the end of Justice. She is no longer a crazy “suicidal” cop who does just about anything to get the bad guy caught. We now find her heartbroken since the love of her life had just died with just a little amount of hope that maybe things will be alright in the end. A year has passed since the events of Justice and one of the big surprises is that Joanna now runs Justin Pendergast’s billion dollar corporation. She lives in Justin’s house. She is also close to being one year sober since she went on a binder and cheated on her wonderful cop boyfriend Harry. Needless to say they are no longer a couple so know she is sober in more than one way. (She quite often has sex on the mind.)
With the major superhero, Justice now being dead, Galilee Falls has been almost taken over by supervillans and just plain bad guys who don’t have to worry about any superheroes taking them to jail. So when the Royal Triumvirate comes to town seeking to help Galilee Falls, they aren’t exactly welcome with open arms, especially by Joanna. King Tempest, Lady Liberty and Lord Nightingale show up at Joanna’s hoping to have the use of a computer system that Justin had installed to catch crime happening throughout the city. Joanna doesn’t want to be left out but she doesn’t entirely want them there either so she agrees if they let her help solve crimes with the computer too.
In the meantime, Joanna is making friends and feeling better about her life after Justin. She meets Dr. Jem Ambrose, a man that a friend had tried to set her up with in the first novel, and they begin a flirtatious friendship. She also strikes up a quick friendship with a model that hates all the fundraising parties almost as much as she does. With her new friends, Joanna is finally coming out of her shell and having a little bit of fun. She is in her own way she is a little bit happy. But soon all that changes because Emperor Cain, the mortal enemy of the Royal Triumverate, rises from the dead and seeks to create massive destruction to Galilee Falls.
Even though Joanna is not the “crazy cop” with a death wish like she was in the first novel, she still really tries her hardest to stop crime any way she can by feeding the information to the police. She takes more of a sideline role but yet the crime still manages to come to her. Joanna still has a hard edge that some might find abrasive but all she really wants is to find someone to love who will love her back. For Joanna that happiness will be fought with tears and deception.
Overall, Galilee Rising was another action packed book in the Galilee Falls Trilogy. Joanna had to do some growing up and it really showed in her actions. After this novel, I can’t wait to see where Joanna and this superhero world go next.
December 10, 2013
*Genre* Science Fiction
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
*Galilee Rising was provided to me by the author Jennifer Harlow in lieu of an honest assessment of the book.*
Galilee Rising takes place almost a full year after the ending of Justice (Galilee Falls # 1). For 33 year old Joanna Fallon, her entire life has been fundamentally changed and there is no going back in time and wishing that things could be different or that she could change who she's become. Joanna went from being a disgraced cop with no boyfriends, to a billionaire thanks to her best friend Justin Pendergast's will.
Joanna is NOT the same character she was in Justice. I think the bottom line of this book is Joanna picking herself off the group and rising to the occasion to say her city from being drowned in blood. If you haven't read Justice yet, I would absolutely recommend that you do so. Joanna had her entire life changed because of the events surrounding her best friend and superhero known as Justice supposed death. No longer is she Detective Joanna Fallon member of the GFPD's Priority Homicide division. No longer is she with Harry O'Hara her former boss and former lover thanks to some really foolish indiscretions.
Because of Justin's will, Joanna is now the head of Pendergast Industries but she hasn't truly given up the feel of putting people behind bars for their transgressions. While not running Pendergast, she monitors the city for crimes against its citizens and passes on this information to the police. This leads to her involvement with a group of superheroes known as the Triumvirate (Lord Nightingale, King Tempest, and Lady Liberty) who arrive in town in order to step in for Justice and to make the citizens feel safe once again.
Galilee Falls is an interesting place to live. There are more villains and superheroes than any other place on the planet. Joanna once thought that the superheroes were the antithesis of everything she believed in. She fought hard against rallying to their side and trusting that they would do the right thing for the residents of Galilee Falls. I would say that she has come to accept the need for superheroes as a deterrent to the villains like KitKat, Alkaline, and Emperor Cain who is truly one of the more vilest and evil villains you will read about.
Joanna's life does get a little bit better with the arrival of Dr. Jem Ambrose along with Brendan and Alexia Darby. Jem is a shy, nerdy character who is more than a match for Joanna's head strong and driven character. Brendan and Alexia more than make things interesting by being a married superhero couple that befriends Joanna. I was a bit surprised by the relationship that forms between the Joanna and Jem. I was pleasantly surprised that Harlow gave readers a happy ending which was 360 degrees different from the ending of Justice.
The last book in the series is tentatively titled Fall of Heroes and will release sometime in 2014. I am definitely on the Jennifer Harlow bandwagon. She knows how to get into characters heads and make readers understand what her characters are feeling at the time. She definitely uses adult situations and language to get her point across which absolutely does not turn me off.
Expected publication: December 10th 2013 by Devil on the Left Books
**Blog Sthttps://www.goodreads.com/#op 12/10/2013 @ Gizmos Reviews with Review*
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
*Galilee Rising was provided to me by the author Jennifer Harlow in lieu of an honest assessment of the book.*
Galilee Rising takes place almost a full year after the ending of Justice (Galilee Falls # 1). For 33 year old Joanna Fallon, her entire life has been fundamentally changed and there is no going back in time and wishing that things could be different or that she could change who she's become. Joanna went from being a disgraced cop with no boyfriends, to a billionaire thanks to her best friend Justin Pendergast's will.
Joanna is NOT the same character she was in Justice. I think the bottom line of this book is Joanna picking herself off the group and rising to the occasion to say her city from being drowned in blood. If you haven't read Justice yet, I would absolutely recommend that you do so. Joanna had her entire life changed because of the events surrounding her best friend and superhero known as Justice supposed death. No longer is she Detective Joanna Fallon member of the GFPD's Priority Homicide division. No longer is she with Harry O'Hara her former boss and former lover thanks to some really foolish indiscretions.
Because of Justin's will, Joanna is now the head of Pendergast Industries but she hasn't truly given up the feel of putting people behind bars for their transgressions. While not running Pendergast, she monitors the city for crimes against its citizens and passes on this information to the police. This leads to her involvement with a group of superheroes known as the Triumvirate (Lord Nightingale, King Tempest, and Lady Liberty) who arrive in town in order to step in for Justice and to make the citizens feel safe once again.
Galilee Falls is an interesting place to live. There are more villains and superheroes than any other place on the planet. Joanna once thought that the superheroes were the antithesis of everything she believed in. She fought hard against rallying to their side and trusting that they would do the right thing for the residents of Galilee Falls. I would say that she has come to accept the need for superheroes as a deterrent to the villains like KitKat, Alkaline, and Emperor Cain who is truly one of the more vilest and evil villains you will read about.
Joanna's life does get a little bit better with the arrival of Dr. Jem Ambrose along with Brendan and Alexia Darby. Jem is a shy, nerdy character who is more than a match for Joanna's head strong and driven character. Brendan and Alexia more than make things interesting by being a married superhero couple that befriends Joanna. I was a bit surprised by the relationship that forms between the Joanna and Jem. I was pleasantly surprised that Harlow gave readers a happy ending which was 360 degrees different from the ending of Justice.
The last book in the series is tentatively titled Fall of Heroes and will release sometime in 2014. I am definitely on the Jennifer Harlow bandwagon. She knows how to get into characters heads and make readers understand what her characters are feeling at the time. She definitely uses adult situations and language to get her point across which absolutely does not turn me off.
Expected publication: December 10th 2013 by Devil on the Left Books
**Blog Sthttps://www.goodreads.com/#op 12/10/2013 @ Gizmos Reviews with Review*
December 10, 2013
Ms. Harlow has created another exciting chapter in her superhero series that kept me on the edge of my seat and my emotions on a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Joanna's still recovering from the dark place she went to following the death of her friend/soul mate Justin in the previous book. Relying on alcohol and isolation almost killed her, as did her survivor's guilt, but she's slowly coming back to life. With a trio of new superheroes on the scene she has found purpose once again, along with friends and a possible love interest. Just when happiness looks to be within reach a villain with a personal connection to the Triumvirate rears his nefarious head in a series of bombings and blackmail that might end her life just as it's beginning once again.
Joanna is an admirable heroine who's been put through the wringer repeatedly. She's rough around the edges and far from perfect but I was always impressed by her ability to keep going no matter how much pain she was in. I enjoyed her snark as well as seeing her fall for a new man. She was like a schoolgirl when dealing with new doctor in town Jem Ambrose and I enjoyed every scene that put them together. After everything she'd been through she deserved the moments of happiness he brought her.
The Triumvirate are an intriguing trio of superheroes with unique personalities and who are great at kicking butt in numerous action-packed scenes. Their real identities were obvious to me early on but for the most part were kept cleverly hidden throughout the story. The new villain in town is truly nasty in his personal vendetta and completely turns the superheroes lives upside down with one crushing blow that results in huge ramifications for the rest of the story. Ms. Harlow once again did the unexpected and I applaud her for keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Showing Joanna at her worst to build her up to a real life superhero made this an inspirational story and, with its unexpectedly moving romance, a thoroughly sweet and sexy read too. With an ending that's wiped the previous slate clean I'm greatly anticipating the final book in this series and the intensely emotional read I've come to expect from Ms. Harlow.
Joanna is an admirable heroine who's been put through the wringer repeatedly. She's rough around the edges and far from perfect but I was always impressed by her ability to keep going no matter how much pain she was in. I enjoyed her snark as well as seeing her fall for a new man. She was like a schoolgirl when dealing with new doctor in town Jem Ambrose and I enjoyed every scene that put them together. After everything she'd been through she deserved the moments of happiness he brought her.
The Triumvirate are an intriguing trio of superheroes with unique personalities and who are great at kicking butt in numerous action-packed scenes. Their real identities were obvious to me early on but for the most part were kept cleverly hidden throughout the story. The new villain in town is truly nasty in his personal vendetta and completely turns the superheroes lives upside down with one crushing blow that results in huge ramifications for the rest of the story. Ms. Harlow once again did the unexpected and I applaud her for keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Showing Joanna at her worst to build her up to a real life superhero made this an inspirational story and, with its unexpectedly moving romance, a thoroughly sweet and sexy read too. With an ending that's wiped the previous slate clean I'm greatly anticipating the final book in this series and the intensely emotional read I've come to expect from Ms. Harlow.
November 15, 2013
Holy crud, Joanna hasn't had an easy year. And with some of the foreshadowing I see for book 3 (unless I'm just projecting, which is ENTIRELY possible), things are going to get rougher once certain truths come to light. Honestly, I don't know what to think. I DON'T KNOW! I'm on the "there's potential for complete happiness and yet THINGS ARE GOING TO COME TO A HEAD! I CAN FEEL IT!" emotional roller coaster. Well played, Jennifer Harlow. Well played.
So, book 1 in this series kind of gutted me. When Joanna finds out the truth about Justin, I was ten kinda of weepy. As I was reading this book, I kept looking at the things that were happening and thinking "Oh, no. OH, NO!" And there was a point where we, as the reader, can see things so clearly that it looked like Joanna couldn't avoid being hurt in that same way again. Then, THEN, Joanna pulls a rabbit out of her hat and completely surprised me and IT MADE SENSE. I can't help but be impressed when things come together so nicely like that.
The ending is suitably climactic, the characters are put through the wringer, and bad, bad things happen. Joanna teeters between being a strong, confident woman and being a complete wreck. She's dealing with the events that happened a year ago but there are days when she breaks down and has a hard time finding her way out of the darkness.
If you dig superheroes, supervillains, and one ordinary woman who doesn't know how to sit idly by when people need her, this series will be one you want to try. Just, you know, have tissues handy because the betrayals are brutal and the buildup to them is painful to watch. In a good way. And by good, I mean entertaining. And by entertaining, I mean you'll hurt as the characters hurt.
But in a good way! I SWEAR!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So, book 1 in this series kind of gutted me. When Joanna finds out the truth about Justin, I was ten kinda of weepy. As I was reading this book, I kept looking at the things that were happening and thinking "Oh, no. OH, NO!" And there was a point where we, as the reader, can see things so clearly that it looked like Joanna couldn't avoid being hurt in that same way again. Then, THEN, Joanna pulls a rabbit out of her hat and completely surprised me and IT MADE SENSE. I can't help but be impressed when things come together so nicely like that.
The ending is suitably climactic, the characters are put through the wringer, and bad, bad things happen. Joanna teeters between being a strong, confident woman and being a complete wreck. She's dealing with the events that happened a year ago but there are days when she breaks down and has a hard time finding her way out of the darkness.
If you dig superheroes, supervillains, and one ordinary woman who doesn't know how to sit idly by when people need her, this series will be one you want to try. Just, you know, have tissues handy because the betrayals are brutal and the buildup to them is painful to watch. In a good way. And by good, I mean entertaining. And by entertaining, I mean you'll hurt as the characters hurt.
But in a good way! I SWEAR!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 9, 2013
I was shocked when I started reading GALILEE FALLS, so much has changed since the ending of JUSTICE and the start of book 2 it takes a minute to catch up with time. And don't think that the twists and turns are over with Justices 'death' because they just get more complex. The synopsis above does a pretty good job explaining the book so I wont bore you with my take on events.
Joanna is more determined than ever not to be shoved in a protected corner. When The Royal Triumvirate show up in her cave she lets them know they are stuck with her. I was a little surprised that Joanna was attracted to Jem. I mean he sounds cute but he is super shy and it didn't seem like she went for the shy nerdy type. They are pretty cute together though so it was fun watching him stutter in her presence. If you have read any of Jennifer Harlow's other books you know she does a great job conveying and bringing out emotions to her readers. This series is no different. I found my self tearing up and laughing with the characters. There are plenty of devastating events so have the tissues on hand if you are an emotional reader. I really enjoyed the new characters that GALILEE FALLS introduced and I am excited to see where they all go next.
I was really happy with the events that took place in GALILEE FALLS and the outcome of those events but I can't help but think of the shit that will hit the fan when Joanna finds out that she is still being lied to when it comes to Justice. How much lying can one girl really take? I guess we will find out in book 3 ... Hopefully...
* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Joanna is more determined than ever not to be shoved in a protected corner. When The Royal Triumvirate show up in her cave she lets them know they are stuck with her. I was a little surprised that Joanna was attracted to Jem. I mean he sounds cute but he is super shy and it didn't seem like she went for the shy nerdy type. They are pretty cute together though so it was fun watching him stutter in her presence. If you have read any of Jennifer Harlow's other books you know she does a great job conveying and bringing out emotions to her readers. This series is no different. I found my self tearing up and laughing with the characters. There are plenty of devastating events so have the tissues on hand if you are an emotional reader. I really enjoyed the new characters that GALILEE FALLS introduced and I am excited to see where they all go next.
I was really happy with the events that took place in GALILEE FALLS and the outcome of those events but I can't help but think of the shit that will hit the fan when Joanna finds out that she is still being lied to when it comes to Justice. How much lying can one girl really take? I guess we will find out in book 3 ... Hopefully...
* This book was provided free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2013
Braine's Talk Supe review
GALILEE RISING is the heart stopping second book in Jennifer Harlow's Galilee Falls Trilogy. Let me get this out of the way before I proceed. Ms. Harlow, please don't end the series yet! These superheroes are the gifts that keeps on giving and I hope you'll consider extending the expiration date of this brilliant series of yours. I don't know how you're going to do it, overdose on your magic juju juice, talk with the leprechauns in your backyard, have your Muses serenade you, I really don't care what you do it as long as you write more superhero books! I'll offer a blood sacrifice on your behalf if you say YES!
I found it so interesting that Joanna's greatest ally in GALILEE RISING is her greatest nemesis. That is just genius on JHarlow's part that put quite an interesting twist on things. Which makes me wonder if book 3 will revisit some parts of Justice of it it's going to be a whole new plot. And as we're a book away from the ending, I really don't know how JHarlow is going to conclude this story. It feels like there's so much more to tell and I don't think three books will be enough to cover so much ground. However, JHarlow never fails to surprise me so I'm sure that I'll both be wailing and laughing when book 3 comes out. As for now, stay safe and healthy guys, keep yourselves warm and curl up with a superhero book for a change. Joanna Fallon and her league of superheroes will provide you with much entertainment and joy.
GALILEE RISING is the heart stopping second book in Jennifer Harlow's Galilee Falls Trilogy. Let me get this out of the way before I proceed. Ms. Harlow, please don't end the series yet! These superheroes are the gifts that keeps on giving and I hope you'll consider extending the expiration date of this brilliant series of yours. I don't know how you're going to do it, overdose on your magic juju juice, talk with the leprechauns in your backyard, have your Muses serenade you, I really don't care what you do it as long as you write more superhero books! I'll offer a blood sacrifice on your behalf if you say YES!
I found it so interesting that Joanna's greatest ally in GALILEE RISING is her greatest nemesis. That is just genius on JHarlow's part that put quite an interesting twist on things. Which makes me wonder if book 3 will revisit some parts of Justice of it it's going to be a whole new plot. And as we're a book away from the ending, I really don't know how JHarlow is going to conclude this story. It feels like there's so much more to tell and I don't think three books will be enough to cover so much ground. However, JHarlow never fails to surprise me so I'm sure that I'll both be wailing and laughing when book 3 comes out. As for now, stay safe and healthy guys, keep yourselves warm and curl up with a superhero book for a change. Joanna Fallon and her league of superheroes will provide you with much entertainment and joy.
November 16, 2015
The conclusion to the Galilee Falls trilogy just came out earlier this month and as soon as I finished it I embarked on a reread of the whole series. It's really holding up for me and still as enjoyable the second time through as it was the first.
The first book in the series was very much an urban fantasy novel with a great set up to the world where superheroes really exist and the city where the trilogy is focused, Galilee Falls. This book is a bit more relationship focused. There is still the city and its three new superheroes and a new super-villain who must be defeated but this is much more a book about the heroine Joanna Fallon's emotional transformation. Things are quite changed for Joanna in this book from when we last saw her. She has really been through some rough times and it takes a guy as emotionally damaged as Joanna is to allow her to begin to heal and make some significant changes in her life. I loved reading about her journey. Joanna is a tough heroine for some readers to like but I love that she is flawed and unlikeable at times.
What I love best about Joanna is just how capable she is. Despite all the super heroes in this series she is no damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. She is doing as much of the saving and rescuing in this book as they are. Everyone plays to their strengths. You don't need to be a superhero with superhuman strength to step up to the plate and take a shot. Such a refreshing heroine.
A really enjoyable continuation of the Galilee Falls trilogy.
First read - February 2014
Second read - November 2015
The first book in the series was very much an urban fantasy novel with a great set up to the world where superheroes really exist and the city where the trilogy is focused, Galilee Falls. This book is a bit more relationship focused. There is still the city and its three new superheroes and a new super-villain who must be defeated but this is much more a book about the heroine Joanna Fallon's emotional transformation. Things are quite changed for Joanna in this book from when we last saw her. She has really been through some rough times and it takes a guy as emotionally damaged as Joanna is to allow her to begin to heal and make some significant changes in her life. I loved reading about her journey. Joanna is a tough heroine for some readers to like but I love that she is flawed and unlikeable at times.
What I love best about Joanna is just how capable she is. Despite all the super heroes in this series she is no damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. She is doing as much of the saving and rescuing in this book as they are. Everyone plays to their strengths. You don't need to be a superhero with superhuman strength to step up to the plate and take a shot. Such a refreshing heroine.
A really enjoyable continuation of the Galilee Falls trilogy.
First read - February 2014
Second read - November 2015
December 11, 2013
I absolutely loved book one, JUSTICE, when I read it. Harlow knocks it out of the park again with this second installment. Vivid, vibrant, dreary, human, action-packed, and full of human emotion, this was an incredible follow up to Justice that is easily termed a kindle-bruiser. I couldn't put it down once I started.
It's been nearly a year since we left Galilee Falls. Joanna self-destructed after Justin's death: her alcoholism skyrocketed, she self-sabotaged her relationship with Harry (and I was so sad about that until I started to fall for Jem), she lost/quit her job. She has slowly been gathering herself, going through rehab, has been sober, when more superheroes crash into town, plus another supervillain.
Enter the Triumvirate - Lady Liberty, King Tempest, and Lord Nightingale, fresh from Independence, coming to their late friend Justice's city to deter crime. With them, they bring the supervillain, Emperor Cain. What follows is new friendships, love, building trust, and the gamut of human emotions.
I loved this story. I loved JUSTICE and now, I love this second book. I cannot WAIT for book 3 to see how this trilogy ends. I'm hoping there is a HEA and maybe some kind of freak accident that gives our dear Jo some super powers herself.
It's been nearly a year since we left Galilee Falls. Joanna self-destructed after Justin's death: her alcoholism skyrocketed, she self-sabotaged her relationship with Harry (and I was so sad about that until I started to fall for Jem), she lost/quit her job. She has slowly been gathering herself, going through rehab, has been sober, when more superheroes crash into town, plus another supervillain.
Enter the Triumvirate - Lady Liberty, King Tempest, and Lord Nightingale, fresh from Independence, coming to their late friend Justice's city to deter crime. With them, they bring the supervillain, Emperor Cain. What follows is new friendships, love, building trust, and the gamut of human emotions.
I loved this story. I loved JUSTICE and now, I love this second book. I cannot WAIT for book 3 to see how this trilogy ends. I'm hoping there is a HEA and maybe some kind of freak accident that gives our dear Jo some super powers herself.
January 7, 2014
So I'm kind of in love with anything Jennifer Harlow's written...
"With GALILEE RISING, Harlow steps up the game a bit. Whereas her other books are a bit more lighthearted, the Galilee Falls trilogy has a darker, more sinister bent, a more damaged heroine, and no vampires, witches, or werewolves in sight... The Galilee Falls trilogy reads a little bit like a written version of a comic book. Obviously, there’s superheros, but there’s also underground lairs with crazy technology, double identities, lots of explosions and even faked deaths...If you’re one of those people who loves the more recent, darker Batman films, I would definitely suggest you pick up both books in the Galilee Falls trilogy."
Check out my full review at All Things Urban Fantasy
"With GALILEE RISING, Harlow steps up the game a bit. Whereas her other books are a bit more lighthearted, the Galilee Falls trilogy has a darker, more sinister bent, a more damaged heroine, and no vampires, witches, or werewolves in sight... The Galilee Falls trilogy reads a little bit like a written version of a comic book. Obviously, there’s superheros, but there’s also underground lairs with crazy technology, double identities, lots of explosions and even faked deaths...If you’re one of those people who loves the more recent, darker Batman films, I would definitely suggest you pick up both books in the Galilee Falls trilogy."
Check out my full review at All Things Urban Fantasy
December 27, 2013
The second book the Galilee Falls series, "Galilee Rising" returns us to the story of Police Detective Joanna Fallon about a year after the previous book "Justice".
Now head of Pendergast Industries, Joanna has been using Doris, Justice's crime fighting supercomputer, to help her old supervisor at the Police Department. She is less than thrilled with the arrival of a supergroup known as the "Royal Triumvirate" to Galilee Falls, especially when they demand access to Doris.
As with the first book, "Galilee Rising" really uses the depression/low self-worth that Joanna struggles with to give added depth to the story. Once again there are no easy solutions, instead there is some poignant scenes where Joanna uses what she has been through to understand and try to help another even though she is still struggling herself.
Once again I highly recommend this series.
Now head of Pendergast Industries, Joanna has been using Doris, Justice's crime fighting supercomputer, to help her old supervisor at the Police Department. She is less than thrilled with the arrival of a supergroup known as the "Royal Triumvirate" to Galilee Falls, especially when they demand access to Doris.
As with the first book, "Galilee Rising" really uses the depression/low self-worth that Joanna struggles with to give added depth to the story. Once again there are no easy solutions, instead there is some poignant scenes where Joanna uses what she has been through to understand and try to help another even though she is still struggling herself.
Once again I highly recommend this series.
December 27, 2013
There are very few books that force me to shoot up out of a comfortable bed at 2am- with a heart beating so fast I can practically hear it and a sudden heat flush as I furiously clutch my kindle thinking "THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN OH MY GOD I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING OH MY HOLY F**KING HELL JEEZ OH MY WHAT?! NOOOOO!? WHAT OH MY GOD AAAAAAAH WHAT!? NO WAY NO WAY. NO. WAY!". I then looked around my empty bedroom mouth agape, mind aghast, desperate to share my outrage, with someone, anyone . It took me a few silent minutes to get my bearings and continue to read.
I love that sort of book. I loved this book.
I love that sort of book. I loved this book.
January 7, 2014
While I'm reading this book I sadly tell at my son (who reads comics) about poor King Tempest and he answers that is so for the good ones super heroes but after Justice I would have liked more happy time also for Joanna, poor her too, always finishes to hospital . Apart for this I enjoyed reading this story, not as the first book but close enought. I liked Harry more than Jem but I'm happy for Joanna who finally has found her match . This series is truly extraordinary, unique for being romance,fantasy, mystery ,all in only story. Now I'm just curious of third book because of what can happening at Galilee Falls and her supervillains and naturally to Joanna.
July 9, 2015
Great book! Wish I could give it 6 stars since it was even better than the first one (which is 5 stars). wWile I know this is supposed to be a trilogy, I would be quite content for the series to end here for fear what the author might do in book 3. The change in Joanna's situation between books 1 and 2 was a bit of a shock at first and I don't think I could handle more upheaval for her in book 3 if that's what Harlow chooses to do. However, if Joanna keeps with the path she is on, then bring on book 3!
December 22, 2013
Dark, Gritty, at times depressing. This is not usually the type of book I enjoy. but... I loved this second book in the trilogy. I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Harlow, I devoured Justice, with Galilee Rising, I simply couldn't wait to keep reading it. I like that Joanna Fallon displaces such raw human emotions following the events of the previous year. The action is jam-packed, the romance not overwhelming, and I love that "girls" kick-ass.
October 25, 2019
I was not expecting this but I absolutely loved it! I would say even more so than the first story.
Sure, Jo became completely screwed up after the event on the first novel and did come out as a whiny self-pitying woman but it just made her much more believable, more human. No one could have gone through what she did and not develop a bad case of PTSD.
Also, the plot was clichéd and very predictable but that is always the case with superheroes stories, really.
Sure, Jo became completely screwed up after the event on the first novel and did come out as a whiny self-pitying woman but it just made her much more believable, more human. No one could have gone through what she did and not develop a bad case of PTSD.
Also, the plot was clichéd and very predictable but that is always the case with superheroes stories, really.
Want to read
March 10, 2015I just started Galilee Rising and the 'White Knight' bit at the beginning of the book really annoyed me especially after we read on and see how damaged Joanna has become.
I think it's obvious who the white knight is and that is just not cool.
So I'm taking a break and I'll see if I come back to the book.
I think it's obvious who the white knight is and that is just not cool.
So I'm taking a break and I'll see if I come back to the book.
July 31, 2014
Good second book. Lots of secrets come to light. Joanna falls in love. Tragedy strikes again. Only thing I didn't care for is the bad words used by Jo everytime she opens her mouth. Wow to much. Can't wait for book three to come out.
December 16, 2013
Fantastic! Up late into the night, got up earlier to read before work after sleeping only 4 hours, read through lunch, and finished as soon as I got home. Could not be any clearer that this book absolutely pulled me in. LOVED IT
December 27, 2013
Good book! If you've read the first of the series definitely jump into this one and take the time to finish it! The twists aren't as out of left field as the original but this book provides a lot of fun for superhero fans.
August 27, 2016
In my opinion, it wasn't as good as the first book and there are two main reasons: first, the element of novelty was gone, and second, the scheme of how to capture Emperor Cain was too complicated and confusing. I did like it but I don't think that I am going to read final book.
January 27, 2014
Excellent!
May 19, 2014
Review to follow.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews