Adjusting hasn't been easy for Kyla in her new life as a werewolf. After a nearly catastrophic loss of control, her and Camille decide to get help from the Pack in Oregon. The girls soon learn that human kidnappings have been on the rise, and Otherworld overseers from the Supernatural Council think that whatever is committing the crimes might be coming for the Pack next. Even with the help of a potential ally in a clan of vampires, the Pack can't determine why they've been targeted. It's a race against time as the abductions get closer and closer to home. And when Camille and Kyla find themselves at the center of the turmoil, they discover just how vast and dangerous their supernatural world really is.
Rape had been implied at the end of the last book, but there is no follow-up on it. Which is weird and confusing as hell, but there is more.
The character is possibly raped, force to broke up with the love of her live, then murdered, then Changed in a werewolf which has control issues and so can't live with her family anymore.
That girl is expected to be able to control her beast self in weeks ? Without proper PSYCHOLOGICAL help ? She is even forced to go to a therapist to whom she can't tell the truth. This is abuse pilled up on abuse.
Then there is the "love of her life". Who does not connect the dots with the breaking up and the abduction (I had a really hard time swallowing that pill) and they don't TALK about IT the all book.
It's great because that way after a lot of hardships and another possible love interest, they can get back together, to fight evil none less, and so much the better. Huh.
I was put off reading this book due to the other reviewers stating their frustration over Camille and Kyla's misunderstanding but I'm glad I did finally read it. Zoe Reed still does great storytelling here and continues their adventures. I don't want to spoil it but there is resolution as far as the love story is concerned. It seems like this book may lead into another as it ends a little abruptly and opens up other possibilities. It's definitely worth the read.
When the vast majority of the book is spent in the bad feels, I'm not gonna like it. It wasn't so much the violence or the paranormal dark that bothered me. It was the trilogy trope that the second book of the trilogy the couple, for reasons unknown to me, must break up. I can't stand that. So. There you have it. 2 stars. Now I know why I rated it the way I did 3 years ago. Sure hope book 3 is better. This one is a real stain for me.
I have one word to describe this one: frustrating.
- Frustrating because it was indeed just a stupid misunderstanding that kept Camille and Kyla apart, and it took a lot not to stop reading - Frustrating because there was so many interesting elements in the story (jealousy, a bonding of two souls, a telepath, vampires), but Zoe Reed didn't explore them as much as she could have, didn't give me as much emotion from these elements as I would have liked - Frustrating because I had to wait for the two final chapters to be even remotely excited with the story - Frustrating because there is so much potential in Zoe Reed's writing, there are such sweet and powerful romantic moments and dialogues, that it broke my heart how inconsistent the story was, and how bored I was during most of it
But because frustration is merely the unfulfillment of my maybe unrealistic wishes, I can't say that the story is entirely bad. There are a lot of good things: Kyla is a lot more interesting and badass than in In Spirit and Truth, moments of affection when they are in wolf forms are very sweet to read, some plot ideas are quite original... and I still very much like the idea that the girls are really meant to be together.
I have mixed emotions about this book. I really wanted to rate this higher but it's really frustrating to the point that I'm on the verge of throwing this to DNF. The whole book, they've avoided the topic of their break up or the misunderstanding of their break up. My heart breaks for Camille. I really thought the Author hated her character, I mean from book 1 to here Cami's like this love sick puppy following around Kyla, I also think she's too weak and clumsy for a werewolf. Second, I think Kyla and Abby has spent more time together rather than Kyla and Cami. I wanted to see Cami with someone else also but that didn't happen. She's too good for Kyla. Don't get me wrong, I also like Kyla but she's selfish sometimes.
I kinda liked this sequel better. More action although I found the poor communication between the main couple annoying (silly actually). Look forward to whatever has for us in the series.
I choose this rating because I thought the author wrote a story about two characters who were trying to find d their way back to each other. The storyline and characters were believable. I would definitely recommend this book.
I liked this book. Barely, hence the two stars instead of three. That said, the writing is ok at best, the plots and subplots are either overdeveloped and repetitive(the romance) or underdeveloped (the rest).
The most damning part though is that the plot is developed through making the main characters suddenly stupid and non communicative. It's very out of character for them as described in the first book in this series. It comes out of no where, or at at least no where plausible or consistent. This depressing *farce* was alowed to go on for way too long. And, the way it was resolved was nothing short of a deus ex machina where (spoiler) someone just reads both characters minds and tells them. Yep. It broke the immersion for me and I'd have thrown the book at the wall at one point if it weren't for the fact that I read it on my Kindle...
The subplot (about the disapearing werewolves) could have been fleshed out more as there was potential for some mystery and worldbuilding here that just wasn't.
Do I recommend the book? Sort of. It's not a waste of time if you're going to read the series through.
Phantoms of the Otherworld (In Spiritu Et Veritate Books 2) — Zoe Reed (28 chapters) November 16-20, 2021
Coming after the first book, this one was an incredible letdown. The book rebounded at the end, however, it took too long to get there. I wanted that ending or something exciting like it sooner . At the beginning and middle I felt like it was a slog fest; I wanted that exciting story development at the end throughout the entire story. Perhaps it is because I dislike break-up/make-up stories with characters that seem so right together in the beginning.
Perhaps it was what felt like a lot of filler in the middle between one of the good guys playing a bad guy and to why? Perhaps it was my state of mind.
But coming off a bonafide 5 stars book, this one didn’t hook me and left me feeling bored midway. It was the page turner of the first book and too many changes just did me in the end.
So this book was well written as one is used by Z R Reed. I think my biggest issue was that I'm no fan of the misunderstanding-trope and that was a huge part of this book. I liked the new characters and I'm still going to read the other two books but the bad communication between Kyla and Camille was aggravating and it took a lot away from the main happenings. Also, I couldn't take the bad guys in this book seriously. Their reasoning why they did what they did was... Meh. They had no depth and like the first evil they were just bad to be bad; to have a opponent for the sake of having an opponent. But as I said it's still very well written and it was cool to learn more about the supernatural world. I think my issue is just not liking the trope. Reed is still one of my favourite authors! So 2,5 starts.
I usually give all of Zoe Reed’s books a rating of 5 stars, but I had to drop it down to 4 this time. Why? Because I spent the majority of the book so frustrated that I wanted to rip my hair out!! I had to put the book down and walk away several times. I hated that they were apart all because of a misunderstanding, but boy when they’re together they’re TOGETHER! The last couple chapters made it worth it to me, and I’m excited to read the next book!
Loved it from beginning to end. Amazing other world. A wonderful follow up to a very good first book. Camille was a bit slow on the uptake here and that threw me off somewhat. Abby was a great character and showed great promise for a book on her own as did the entire supernatural council. Rook was very interesting. Zoe Reed has done it again. I have found myself reading her books in the reverse order they were written. She was very good then and even better now. Excellent follow up to an excellent story. Highly recommended.
Unlike the first book, book 2 made me want to take as long as possible to read the story because I didn’t want it to end. <> I know like everyone else I rolled my eyes a few too many times because of Kyla and Camille’s “misunderstanding” but I didn’t hate it. It didn’t make me cringe. I felt like what they went through—though unavoidable if there was open communication—was necessary. And I honestly cannot wait to read where this journey leads to next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved this book as much as the first but I had one problem with it. It was down right frustrating that Cami could not figure out that Kyla did not break up with her!!! There where times I was consideding putting the book down because it was so stupid that it took till the end for it to finally come out. other then that I loved the books and the story I hope there will be a 3rd book even though it sounded as if it would end with this one with the girls staying in Oregon.
I really liked the plot of this one and I enjoyed seeing Kyla as a werewolf. Being in their minds as werewolves more in this novel was really cute and fun! I wish it didn't take until the 80% mark for them to actually communicate their feelings and thoughts to each other, but it was still a great read!! Cannot wait until the 29th for The Innocent!!!!
Great story line, the characters were lovable and engaging would have wished for a different outcome for Lacey, but hey that 's what writting is all about. Will definitely look out for more on this author.
One of the best books I have come across. If you read the first one you are sure to love the second one. Love the struggle and the eventual resolve to the multiple issues in the novel. Now one of my favorites.
This is a really good second book in the series. I'm really hoping that there are more books. I find it interesting that the most important thing that the women learned is to communicate better.
Yay, more magical creatures that aren't vampires! The general plot was somewhat predictable, but that didn't make the story less entertaining or gripping. I did find myself getting quite frustrated by our girls, though. Just talk! You don't have to mope forever if you talk!
I did really like this book, but it's a three stars because the miscommunication between Kyla and Camille could have been resolved in five minutes if only those two would have properly talked about what happened and it drove me crazy.