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The Feuds #2
Torn
In an America split into the genetically superior and inferior, a fiercely ambitious ballerina and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks must stop a deadly virus that is spreading quickly.
Determined to escape from TOR-N, a corrupt Narxis research center, Davis meets another recovered patient, Mercer, whose sweet smile and quirky sense of humor give her hope in humanity again—and a way out. As they make a perilous journey seeking clues that could lead to a cure, Davis and Mercer's friendship begins to evolve into something more... but she's still struggling to let go of her feelings for Cole, whom she believes is dead.
Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.
Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?
Determined to escape from TOR-N, a corrupt Narxis research center, Davis meets another recovered patient, Mercer, whose sweet smile and quirky sense of humor give her hope in humanity again—and a way out. As they make a perilous journey seeking clues that could lead to a cure, Davis and Mercer's friendship begins to evolve into something more... but she's still struggling to let go of her feelings for Cole, whom she believes is dead.
Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.
Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2015
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494 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 15, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.)
This was an okay story, but I didn’t love it.
Davis and Cole were apart in this story, which was a shame, but both seemed to be working hard to get to where they wanted to be, as well as finding a cure for the illness that was affecting the genetically engineered.
The storyline in this alternated between Davis who was on some sort of boat, and Cole who was trying to work on the cure. I once again found that I was wanting to put this book down a lot, and the amount of information was once again a bit overwhelming.
There was pretty much no romance in this one at all as Davis and Cole were apart.
The ending to this was okay, but I’m not sure if that’s the end of the story or not?
6 out of 10.
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Just got approved on NetGalley. The cover is so pretty!
This was an okay story, but I didn’t love it.
Davis and Cole were apart in this story, which was a shame, but both seemed to be working hard to get to where they wanted to be, as well as finding a cure for the illness that was affecting the genetically engineered.
The storyline in this alternated between Davis who was on some sort of boat, and Cole who was trying to work on the cure. I once again found that I was wanting to put this book down a lot, and the amount of information was once again a bit overwhelming.
There was pretty much no romance in this one at all as Davis and Cole were apart.
The ending to this was okay, but I’m not sure if that’s the end of the story or not?
6 out of 10.
**********************************************************************
Just got approved on NetGalley. The cover is so pretty!
July 24, 2015
I enjoyed reading Torn. It wasn't amazing or anything but I liked it a bit more than Feuds. The ending, though, left me with some questions. If it wasn't for that I'd probably given it four stars.
In this sequal Davis and Cole were pretty much seperate until the end (*sniffles*). One the one hand I liked most of that because they had to find their own path back to each other, each having struggles they had to face, but on the other hand I had wished they'd spend a little more time together because I missed seeing them together.
At the start of the book Davis is still stuck at TOR-N, which is an awful place to be with corrupt doctors, terrible living conditions and people dying. I kind of wished that the time spend at TOR-N was more written about more extensively about the months she spend there.
In the.She met Mercer there who Davis bonds with and eventually escapes TOR-N with. I really really really disliked Mercer. I just knew he was lying about some things and I just hated the little shit.
Cole in the meantime is in hiding and trying to do everything he can to go back to Davis, which means competing in the Olympiads. He starts training and even takes over his friend Brent's identity to be able to enter. I must admit I was more curious about Cole than Davis, although I enjoyed both their points of view.
Some things felt a little rushed and not explained enough in the story. And then the ending felt all too easy and wrapped up. I'm not sure there will be another book because everything was resolved. I guess I didn't like it in the end that for the whole book Davis and Cole weren't together. But all in all, I really did enjoy most of the story. The writing, although sometimes rushed, was pretty good. I do hope another book will come, though, but who knows!
In this sequal Davis and Cole were pretty much seperate until the end (*sniffles*). One the one hand I liked most of that because they had to find their own path back to each other, each having struggles they had to face, but on the other hand I had wished they'd spend a little more time together because I missed seeing them together.
At the start of the book Davis is still stuck at TOR-N, which is an awful place to be with corrupt doctors, terrible living conditions and people dying. I kind of wished that the time spend at TOR-N was more written about more extensively about the months she spend there.
In the.She met Mercer there who Davis bonds with and eventually escapes TOR-N with. I really really really disliked Mercer. I just knew he was lying about some things and I just hated the little shit.
Cole in the meantime is in hiding and trying to do everything he can to go back to Davis, which means competing in the Olympiads. He starts training and even takes over his friend Brent's identity to be able to enter. I must admit I was more curious about Cole than Davis, although I enjoyed both their points of view.
Some things felt a little rushed and not explained enough in the story. And then the ending felt all too easy and wrapped up. I'm not sure there will be another book because everything was resolved. I guess I didn't like it in the end that for the whole book Davis and Cole weren't together. But all in all, I really did enjoy most of the story. The writing, although sometimes rushed, was pretty good. I do hope another book will come, though, but who knows!
July 29, 2015
4.5 Stars
'Torn' is the conclusion of the young adult science fiction/dystopian romance series, The Feuds. It continues to follow our two main characters - Davis and Cole - as they fight to find a cure for the deadly Narxis virus that's killing the majority of the Priors, like Davis. Cole and Davis are separated - with Davis believing that Cole is dead. When she meets another Prior who didn't die from Narxis, they set off together in search of a cure. Mercer is just what Davis needs - a fun and quirky guy with a great sense of humor - and they find that their friendship is turning into something more serious. Davis doesn't know what to do about the situation - she's still heartbroken over Cole, whom she believes is dead. Meanwhile, Cole is training to fight in the Olympiads - where it's now legal for Imps to compete against Priors. He teams up with Mari - the rebellious daughter of a retired fighter - who helps him prepare and train for the event. Cole faces tons of obstacles and tests that both beat him down as well as leave him exhilarated - and he finds himself in way over his head. Will Davis and Mercer be able to find a cure for Narxis? Will Davis and Cole be reunited? If they are, will they have the courage to fight alongside one another and let their love finally win?
I have to say right off that I'm so sad and disappointed that this was only a duology - only because I wanted MORE! More books, more Cole and Davis, more suspense - more of everything! But the two books that we did get have to be enough, and I'm glad that I got to read them - even if there are just two - instead of not having read them at all. That being said, I have no idea where to start this review or what to say. There was so much happening in this book that it would take forever to talk through it all. Obviously, you need to read the first book before you read this one. Without doing so, you will be pretty confused and lost and there's just no way you could connect as deeply with the characters otherwise.
Ah! The characters! Cole and Davis - a Romeo and Juliet type of relationship where she's the genetically enhanced Prior whose father is a politician; and he's an underground fighter in the FEUDS and an Imp - star-crossed lovers the whole way. Their relationship was incredibly emotional for me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the way the author wrote each of their characters and their relationship with one another - or if I'm being a giant romantic sap. Either way - this was a huge emotional roller coaster for me. I don't usually react viscerally to books - at most, I might get a bit misty-eyed. Not for these books. I was completely swooning one minute, then absolutely sobbing later on - and every emotion in between. (For those of you who have read these books, you'll know which parts I'm referring to.) Honestly, I don't know why I reacted this way. I am a big romantic at heart and I guess I have a soft spot for the whole star-crossed lovers idea. I'm literally sitting here trying to come up with the right words (or any words) to help describe what I felt and why it all effected me like it did. I just can't do it. All I have are adjectives or images (now would be the perfect time to start using GIF's!) - like soaring high, absolutely shredding my heart into teeny tiny pieces, trying to put said pieces back together in some resemblance of what it was before all of this, hesitant smiles and hope, tears of both grief and joy - to name just a few. There just aren't the right words to express it and whatever I tried wouldn't nearly do it justice. Like now, as I ramble on about it and just go in circles without making much sense. SO. That's all I can say about that part of the story.
The plot was original and truly unique - aside from the whole "star-crossed lovers" part. I loved the way the author took so many different concepts and blended them together to create one intricate story. There's so much that's going on during the book - the Narxis virus and trying to find a cure, the whole Imp versus Prior issues that effect the entire world they live in, the Olympiads, and - of course - Davis and Cole, with their own personal stories along with their relationship. There wasn't a dull moment during the book - I found myself devouring each page as fast as I could just to see what would happen next. The author uses a quick but natural flow for the story, which made it a fast read for me. The book is written in the third person point of view, alternating between Cole and Davis. I'm always remarking on point of view and it's importance, and this book was no different. I really wish that it was told from the first person POV of the two main characters. We would've gotten an inside look at each of their inner thoughts, emotions, fears, and their perspective on what was happening. It would have made a much more personal experience for the reader and would have allowed a deeper connection to the characters. Although it's done in third person POV, the author did a great job of bringing the characters and their world to life. By using vivid descriptions and imagery, I was able to easily slip inside the world the author created and found myself alongside both Davis and Cole and all the situations they encountered. The only thing I can really think of is how effected I was by Davis and Cole's relationship in the story - and what it would've been like if it was written in the first person instead. I can't even begin to imagine what that would've been like - although I desperately wish I could experience it.
Overall, I loved this book. There are things I hate - like the fact that the series is over and there were only two books. But the rest - the things that matter - were fantastic. Like I mentioned - my emotions were all over the place, and I didn't even talk about how the tension and suspense built up to the point where you could practically feel it. Davis and Cole's relationship throughout both books was nothing short of mesmerizing. I very highly recommend this book - and series - to fans of science fiction, dystopias, fantasy, suspense, and - of course - romance (especially the Romeo + Juliet type). It has a bit of something for everyone.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Torn' is the conclusion of the young adult science fiction/dystopian romance series, The Feuds. It continues to follow our two main characters - Davis and Cole - as they fight to find a cure for the deadly Narxis virus that's killing the majority of the Priors, like Davis. Cole and Davis are separated - with Davis believing that Cole is dead. When she meets another Prior who didn't die from Narxis, they set off together in search of a cure. Mercer is just what Davis needs - a fun and quirky guy with a great sense of humor - and they find that their friendship is turning into something more serious. Davis doesn't know what to do about the situation - she's still heartbroken over Cole, whom she believes is dead. Meanwhile, Cole is training to fight in the Olympiads - where it's now legal for Imps to compete against Priors. He teams up with Mari - the rebellious daughter of a retired fighter - who helps him prepare and train for the event. Cole faces tons of obstacles and tests that both beat him down as well as leave him exhilarated - and he finds himself in way over his head. Will Davis and Mercer be able to find a cure for Narxis? Will Davis and Cole be reunited? If they are, will they have the courage to fight alongside one another and let their love finally win?
I have to say right off that I'm so sad and disappointed that this was only a duology - only because I wanted MORE! More books, more Cole and Davis, more suspense - more of everything! But the two books that we did get have to be enough, and I'm glad that I got to read them - even if there are just two - instead of not having read them at all. That being said, I have no idea where to start this review or what to say. There was so much happening in this book that it would take forever to talk through it all. Obviously, you need to read the first book before you read this one. Without doing so, you will be pretty confused and lost and there's just no way you could connect as deeply with the characters otherwise.
Ah! The characters! Cole and Davis - a Romeo and Juliet type of relationship where she's the genetically enhanced Prior whose father is a politician; and he's an underground fighter in the FEUDS and an Imp - star-crossed lovers the whole way. Their relationship was incredibly emotional for me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the way the author wrote each of their characters and their relationship with one another - or if I'm being a giant romantic sap. Either way - this was a huge emotional roller coaster for me. I don't usually react viscerally to books - at most, I might get a bit misty-eyed. Not for these books. I was completely swooning one minute, then absolutely sobbing later on - and every emotion in between. (For those of you who have read these books, you'll know which parts I'm referring to.) Honestly, I don't know why I reacted this way. I am a big romantic at heart and I guess I have a soft spot for the whole star-crossed lovers idea. I'm literally sitting here trying to come up with the right words (or any words) to help describe what I felt and why it all effected me like it did. I just can't do it. All I have are adjectives or images (now would be the perfect time to start using GIF's!) - like soaring high, absolutely shredding my heart into teeny tiny pieces, trying to put said pieces back together in some resemblance of what it was before all of this, hesitant smiles and hope, tears of both grief and joy - to name just a few. There just aren't the right words to express it and whatever I tried wouldn't nearly do it justice. Like now, as I ramble on about it and just go in circles without making much sense. SO. That's all I can say about that part of the story.
The plot was original and truly unique - aside from the whole "star-crossed lovers" part. I loved the way the author took so many different concepts and blended them together to create one intricate story. There's so much that's going on during the book - the Narxis virus and trying to find a cure, the whole Imp versus Prior issues that effect the entire world they live in, the Olympiads, and - of course - Davis and Cole, with their own personal stories along with their relationship. There wasn't a dull moment during the book - I found myself devouring each page as fast as I could just to see what would happen next. The author uses a quick but natural flow for the story, which made it a fast read for me. The book is written in the third person point of view, alternating between Cole and Davis. I'm always remarking on point of view and it's importance, and this book was no different. I really wish that it was told from the first person POV of the two main characters. We would've gotten an inside look at each of their inner thoughts, emotions, fears, and their perspective on what was happening. It would have made a much more personal experience for the reader and would have allowed a deeper connection to the characters. Although it's done in third person POV, the author did a great job of bringing the characters and their world to life. By using vivid descriptions and imagery, I was able to easily slip inside the world the author created and found myself alongside both Davis and Cole and all the situations they encountered. The only thing I can really think of is how effected I was by Davis and Cole's relationship in the story - and what it would've been like if it was written in the first person instead. I can't even begin to imagine what that would've been like - although I desperately wish I could experience it.
Overall, I loved this book. There are things I hate - like the fact that the series is over and there were only two books. But the rest - the things that matter - were fantastic. Like I mentioned - my emotions were all over the place, and I didn't even talk about how the tension and suspense built up to the point where you could practically feel it. Davis and Cole's relationship throughout both books was nothing short of mesmerizing. I very highly recommend this book - and series - to fans of science fiction, dystopias, fantasy, suspense, and - of course - romance (especially the Romeo + Juliet type). It has a bit of something for everyone.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2015
I received a copy of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Don’t remember my review of book one, FEUDS? Check it out here!
First of all, I’m happy to say a lot of the things I wanted to see in this second installment, I did. I really flew through this part of the story, whereas the first book took longer to get into. We start off right from the beginning in the middle of action — Davis is being taken away to a camp, left to die and Cole, being alive and hidden from the world. Davis is heartbroken, because she thinks Cole is dead, but she never really seems to let it get to her in the face of what needs to be done, which I really liked.
I love how the two works of Priors and Imps become intertwined in this book. The separation that started this world, is also what needed to be overcome to save it. I loved that. LOVED IT!
I am actually surprised that this book was the end of the series, because I think the author had a lot to explore. However, I am glad it wasn’t dragged out and that we were able to get the story that we needed and no extra filler.
It was hard to see Davis and Cole apart, especially since I really loved them together so much. However, Davis grew so much from her days in the first book — that naive girl who gave love a chance became a smart, confident woman. However, this is one of the main reasons I wanted another book — because I want more Davis & Cole TOGETHER.
The end did seem to wrap up nicely, maybe even too nicely, but I was okay with how everything turned out. I appreciated the further look into the world, even if I wanted *more*. I’m always wanting more from the world though. I did love the mix of science fiction and dystopia. It was just the right amount of both to enjoy the book.
Overall, I think I liked this book even better than the first one, even if the spark of Davis and Cole’s romance was missing for most of the book. Watching them find themselves and then find their way back to each other was wonderful. I still love the stunning covers and honestly, if I had them as posters, I’d hang them in my office.
Don’t remember my review of book one, FEUDS? Check it out here!
First of all, I’m happy to say a lot of the things I wanted to see in this second installment, I did. I really flew through this part of the story, whereas the first book took longer to get into. We start off right from the beginning in the middle of action — Davis is being taken away to a camp, left to die and Cole, being alive and hidden from the world. Davis is heartbroken, because she thinks Cole is dead, but she never really seems to let it get to her in the face of what needs to be done, which I really liked.
I love how the two works of Priors and Imps become intertwined in this book. The separation that started this world, is also what needed to be overcome to save it. I loved that. LOVED IT!
I am actually surprised that this book was the end of the series, because I think the author had a lot to explore. However, I am glad it wasn’t dragged out and that we were able to get the story that we needed and no extra filler.
It was hard to see Davis and Cole apart, especially since I really loved them together so much. However, Davis grew so much from her days in the first book — that naive girl who gave love a chance became a smart, confident woman. However, this is one of the main reasons I wanted another book — because I want more Davis & Cole TOGETHER.
The end did seem to wrap up nicely, maybe even too nicely, but I was okay with how everything turned out. I appreciated the further look into the world, even if I wanted *more*. I’m always wanting more from the world though. I did love the mix of science fiction and dystopia. It was just the right amount of both to enjoy the book.
Overall, I think I liked this book even better than the first one, even if the spark of Davis and Cole’s romance was missing for most of the book. Watching them find themselves and then find their way back to each other was wonderful. I still love the stunning covers and honestly, if I had them as posters, I’d hang them in my office.
July 26, 2015
Received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TORN is a fun and easy read—perfect for a lazy day by the pool. Having enjoyed FEUDS so much, I was really looking forward to Avery Hastings' follow-up novel. The tension the author builds as you read the alternating POVs is extremely effective and made it hard to put down. If you want to know what’s in store for Davis and Cole you should definitely check it out!
The storyline pretty much picks up where we left off and the author does a decent job of getting you caught up. I appreciated that there wasn't a lot of downtime. It was an entertaining read, but I honestly felt like everything was a bit too rushed--numerous plot lines were resolved WAY too easily or simply swept under the rug. I wanted to get to know some of the new characters a bit more (Mari in particular--she's a total bad ass). I’m all for a Happily Ever After, but it needs to be earned. Although Davis and Cole had to fight some pretty crazy odds for their reunion, it wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped it would be. It just felt a bit too convenient the way everything worked out.
Avery Hastings built up such a fascinating and complex world with FEUDS, I truly wish she’d had the opportunity and extra time to explore it more in this novel. I’m giving it 3.5 stars. An enjoyable read, but could definitely have used a bit more polish.
TORN is a fun and easy read—perfect for a lazy day by the pool. Having enjoyed FEUDS so much, I was really looking forward to Avery Hastings' follow-up novel. The tension the author builds as you read the alternating POVs is extremely effective and made it hard to put down. If you want to know what’s in store for Davis and Cole you should definitely check it out!
The storyline pretty much picks up where we left off and the author does a decent job of getting you caught up. I appreciated that there wasn't a lot of downtime. It was an entertaining read, but I honestly felt like everything was a bit too rushed--numerous plot lines were resolved WAY too easily or simply swept under the rug. I wanted to get to know some of the new characters a bit more (Mari in particular--she's a total bad ass). I’m all for a Happily Ever After, but it needs to be earned. Although Davis and Cole had to fight some pretty crazy odds for their reunion, it wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped it would be. It just felt a bit too convenient the way everything worked out.
Avery Hastings built up such a fascinating and complex world with FEUDS, I truly wish she’d had the opportunity and extra time to explore it more in this novel. I’m giving it 3.5 stars. An enjoyable read, but could definitely have used a bit more polish.
November 9, 2015
The Book: After over a year of anticipation, I was beyond excited to finally got a copy of Torn. I'm sad to say I didn't enjoy it as much as Feuds. The story was convoluted and I had to reread it several times to understand what was going on. The premise was much different from Feuds and introduced a lot of new characters. Other characters disappeared without explanation. The story was complicated and filled with references to things that never happened. The main idea was interesting, but the endless plot holes made it difficult to understand.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD - Feuds left us with Davis finding out her mother actually escaped from the hospital when Davis was born and may possibly be alive. Davis qualified for the Olympiads, but Vera blew them. Something was wrong with Vera, but she was afraid to tell Davis. Davis discovered she is "NOT FULLY A PRIOR," but we're not yet sure what that means. She was captured by quarantine officials and believed Cole to be dead. Cole faked his death to escape the police and went into hiding. Michelle was unable to deliver Cole's message to Davis before she was taken, so Cole is determined to find her. Parson Abel was arrested, most likely for his involvement with the FEUDS, but we're not exactly sure.
The Plot: A lot of different things are going on in Torn. Davis and Cole are apart and tell their stories separately. Let's break things down for simplicity:
A Plot: Davis is at TOR-n, coping with Cole's death and planning an escape with another patient named Mercer. They both have a Neither status, meaning they're not fully Prior but not Gen. They discovered that a doctor from Durham, where Mercer is from, thinks he can find an immediate cure for Narxis. He needs samples of Neither blood because something about their status enables them to heal from the virus. Davis and Mercer break out of TOR-n and travel from the Everglades to Durham in search of Dr. Hassman. It's too late for Davis to save Cole, but she can possibly save thousands from succumbing to Narxis. She soon realizes Mercer has feelings for her, but Cole's death is so fresh in her mind that involving herself with another man seems like a betrayal. Unfortunately for Davis, she is the one who ends up betrayed.
B Plot: Cole is intent on finding Davis. He plans on changing his identity so he can compete in the Olympiads. If he wins, he'll have enough money to travel from Columbus to the Everglades and save Davis. He'll also be able to take his mother somewhere far away, where Gens are accepted and she'll no longer have to work. Cole wants nothing more than take care of his mother and let her live a peaceful, restful life. But Cole is in hiding; he can't let his family know he's alive. His best friend Brent discovers the truth and helps him swap identities and compete in the Olympiads. Cole trains with Mari, the daughter of a renowned coach and Olympiad winner. Despite his love for Davis, Cole develops feelings for Mari. He begins to wonder whether things would even work out with Davis and if she would be better off if he just let her go.
C Plot: Worsley, a young prodigy, is convinced he can find a cure for Narxis. He's using Vera and her unborn baby as an experiment. He's so obsessed with his work that he starts losing his mind, focusing only on the vaccine and forgetting that Vera is a human and not a science project. Worsley makes several mistakes. Vera and the baby, whom he injects with Narxis, become very sick.
First, the beginning. It sounds as if Davis was kidnapped and taken to a death camp. When did her father supposedly "send" her there? Apparently we missed that in FEUDS. If Davis knew, why didn't she know what was going on when she was taken? She was captured by quarantine officials, bound, thrown into a van, and hauled off on a boat filled with sick people and dead bodies.
TOR-n stands for the Territories' Operational Research - Narxis facility. But what exactly is it? At first it sounds like an internment, then it sounds like a normal penitentiary. Patients are first treated like property, but then given chances to earn merit points and privileges. Davis is even given a tablet while she's there. Patients are supposedly given medical treatment, but most of it is useless testing as a guise of searching for a cure. The facility is being funded, but the doctors are skimming the money and not reporting back to government officials. Davis believes her father is paying for her to be there like it's some kind of fancy rehab facility. But other patients are sent there by their families out of shame. So are some patients paying to be sent there and others are sent by government officials? All patients are considered to be wards of the state, regardless of whether they've paid to be there. It sounds like people's families are paying for them to go to jail.
Back in the Slants, the story is easier to follow. Vera unexpectedly got pregnant with Oscar's baby and blew her chances in the Olympiads. Her parents were ashamed so they dumped her in the Slants. Worsley believes this baby may hold the cure for Narxis, so the stakes are high for him to keep them both alive. Mari's training for Cole involves a lot of twisted Hunger Games type of mental torture, but it prepares him adequately for the sick minds of the Olympiad designers. Cole's best friend Brent is dating Michelle, but she's obviously still in love with Cole. Cole struggles with his newfound feelings for Mari, lack of feelings for Michelle, and passionate love for Davis. He's hiding the fact that he's alive from his family, so Worsley and his friends are the only ones who can help him.
The Characters:
Vera: Poor Vera. I love that girl. I looked forward most to reading her parts of the story. It broke my heart learning that her parents and Oscar dumped her in the Slants. It's sad that she got pregnant before she was ready, but I love the thought of Vera being a mother. She's such a loving friend and good person that you know she'll give her baby the world. And of course she'll look polished and poised while doing it.
Mari: Mari was a likable character. At first she was just crazy, but after getting her backstory you started to really feel sorry for her. The girl grew up without a mother, like Davis, but in poverty. Mari saw a lot that she shouldn't have during her father's Olympiad days. It made her grow up fast and jaded. She deserves genuine happiness. I'd like to see her go on to do great things.
Mercer: This guy's definitely a weird one. He's suspicious right from the beginning. He seems to know way more than he lets on and his intentions are not always clear. The whole idea of him being at TOR-n is questionable. Neithers aren't allowed in Durham, but he has so many connections there and his status wasn't known. Why would he send himself to a death camp? Why wouldn't he have stayed and sought help there if he knows all these doctors and scientists? And how was he communicating with Jan and his other friends, like the people at the commune, while he was in TOR-n? His whole M.O. just doesn't make sense.
Worsley: Worsley did nothing but great things, but his attitude towards everything was not always so great. He seems to age quickly during Torn, becoming an obsessive hermit and generally creepy. He let his anger get the best of him a lot of times and it made me despise him.
Cole's Mom: Torn introduced us to lots of new characters, but we never meet Cole's mother. I think getting to know her would have given us a lot of new background on Cole.
Stuff I Didn't Get: There were a lot of weird inconsistencies that were never explained. The story didn't pick up immediately where Feuds ended, so there's some missing information. For example, both Davis and Cole seem to think about things they did with each other, or things they know about each other, that seemed cut out of the book. When did they spend all this time together when they supposedly got to know one another and build memories? Yes, they're in love, but in reality they only knew each other for a few weeks before they were separated.
It's also briefly mentioned that Cole and Mari saw each other naked, supposedly while they were helping Vera. But how did this happen? Was it somehow necessary for them to remove their clothes to use for Vera, or did they just get frisky? For Davis's sake, we'll never know.
Something frustrating and glaringly obvious was the constant name switching. Thomas Worsley was called Tom, Thomas, and Worsley. Each time he was mentioned he was called something else, just like Parson Abel in the first book. What are we supposed to call them? And by the way, what happened to Parson Abel? We know he was arrested, supposedly for running the FEUDS, but we never found out why and didn't hear from him again.
The spelling of names was inconsistent, as well. In Rival, Gabrielle's last name changed from Rydell to Reydell. At the end of Feuds, we discovered Cole's last name is Everett. But in Torn, it was changed to Everest. That means his brother's name is Hamilton Everest and he was named after two mountains–-Mt. Hamilton in San Jose, California and Mt. Everest. Did Mama Everest do this intentionally?
Lots of people died, but no one really died. A surefire way to get me to cry at the end of a book is to kill off my favorite characters. The protagonists almost always live, but brave authors like to axe major characters to get the tear factor flowing. It's an evil trick to get you emotionally attached to the story. In the Feuds saga, tons of nameless and/or faceless characters died, but not one single important character died. Everyone significant survived, so the emotional loss factor wasn't there. If Vera or her baby had died, I would have been crushed. If Cole or Davis had died, that would have really hit home with the whole star-crossed lovers theme. I would have been satisfied if someone like Worsley died, because his actions were pivotal to the story but I didn't really care for him too much.
The Ending: The story was a bit difficult to follow, but the ending cleaned everything up nice and neatly. It was actually a little too perfect to be considered memorable. Everything seemed to fall into place exactly how everyone wanted it. Personally, I think Cole should have ended up with Mari. I think Cole is perfect for Davis, but Davis is not perfect for Cole. He and Mari have so much more in common and would have made a great couple. Davis grew in maturity over the course of her story, but I don't think she will ever be as tough as Cole, even after her experience at TOR-n. It would have been refreshing to have an ending where the star-crossed lovers do not end up together.
I really liked what happened when Davis discovered the truth about her mother. It was relatable because a lot of people grow up in blended families and know what it's like to have an absent parent. You don't need to be blood-related to be considered family. Terri is a wonderful stepmother and Davis is lucky to have her.
The best part of the ending was Vera giving birth to her baby. The little girl's name was a fitting way to end the story. Vera is by far my favorite character. I'd love to see a novella or bonus scene from her perspective.
What's Next: As of now, Avery hasn't announced any new novels in the works. Even though I didn't enjoy Torn as much as Feuds, I'm looking forward to seeing what else she's got in store for us. In the meantime, check her out on Twitter for the latest news.
http://youngadultgloss.com/2015/10/28...
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD - Feuds left us with Davis finding out her mother actually escaped from the hospital when Davis was born and may possibly be alive. Davis qualified for the Olympiads, but Vera blew them. Something was wrong with Vera, but she was afraid to tell Davis. Davis discovered she is "NOT FULLY A PRIOR," but we're not yet sure what that means. She was captured by quarantine officials and believed Cole to be dead. Cole faked his death to escape the police and went into hiding. Michelle was unable to deliver Cole's message to Davis before she was taken, so Cole is determined to find her. Parson Abel was arrested, most likely for his involvement with the FEUDS, but we're not exactly sure.
The Plot: A lot of different things are going on in Torn. Davis and Cole are apart and tell their stories separately. Let's break things down for simplicity:
A Plot: Davis is at TOR-n, coping with Cole's death and planning an escape with another patient named Mercer. They both have a Neither status, meaning they're not fully Prior but not Gen. They discovered that a doctor from Durham, where Mercer is from, thinks he can find an immediate cure for Narxis. He needs samples of Neither blood because something about their status enables them to heal from the virus. Davis and Mercer break out of TOR-n and travel from the Everglades to Durham in search of Dr. Hassman. It's too late for Davis to save Cole, but she can possibly save thousands from succumbing to Narxis. She soon realizes Mercer has feelings for her, but Cole's death is so fresh in her mind that involving herself with another man seems like a betrayal. Unfortunately for Davis, she is the one who ends up betrayed.
B Plot: Cole is intent on finding Davis. He plans on changing his identity so he can compete in the Olympiads. If he wins, he'll have enough money to travel from Columbus to the Everglades and save Davis. He'll also be able to take his mother somewhere far away, where Gens are accepted and she'll no longer have to work. Cole wants nothing more than take care of his mother and let her live a peaceful, restful life. But Cole is in hiding; he can't let his family know he's alive. His best friend Brent discovers the truth and helps him swap identities and compete in the Olympiads. Cole trains with Mari, the daughter of a renowned coach and Olympiad winner. Despite his love for Davis, Cole develops feelings for Mari. He begins to wonder whether things would even work out with Davis and if she would be better off if he just let her go.
C Plot: Worsley, a young prodigy, is convinced he can find a cure for Narxis. He's using Vera and her unborn baby as an experiment. He's so obsessed with his work that he starts losing his mind, focusing only on the vaccine and forgetting that Vera is a human and not a science project. Worsley makes several mistakes. Vera and the baby, whom he injects with Narxis, become very sick.
First, the beginning. It sounds as if Davis was kidnapped and taken to a death camp. When did her father supposedly "send" her there? Apparently we missed that in FEUDS. If Davis knew, why didn't she know what was going on when she was taken? She was captured by quarantine officials, bound, thrown into a van, and hauled off on a boat filled with sick people and dead bodies.
TOR-n stands for the Territories' Operational Research - Narxis facility. But what exactly is it? At first it sounds like an internment, then it sounds like a normal penitentiary. Patients are first treated like property, but then given chances to earn merit points and privileges. Davis is even given a tablet while she's there. Patients are supposedly given medical treatment, but most of it is useless testing as a guise of searching for a cure. The facility is being funded, but the doctors are skimming the money and not reporting back to government officials. Davis believes her father is paying for her to be there like it's some kind of fancy rehab facility. But other patients are sent there by their families out of shame. So are some patients paying to be sent there and others are sent by government officials? All patients are considered to be wards of the state, regardless of whether they've paid to be there. It sounds like people's families are paying for them to go to jail.
Back in the Slants, the story is easier to follow. Vera unexpectedly got pregnant with Oscar's baby and blew her chances in the Olympiads. Her parents were ashamed so they dumped her in the Slants. Worsley believes this baby may hold the cure for Narxis, so the stakes are high for him to keep them both alive. Mari's training for Cole involves a lot of twisted Hunger Games type of mental torture, but it prepares him adequately for the sick minds of the Olympiad designers. Cole's best friend Brent is dating Michelle, but she's obviously still in love with Cole. Cole struggles with his newfound feelings for Mari, lack of feelings for Michelle, and passionate love for Davis. He's hiding the fact that he's alive from his family, so Worsley and his friends are the only ones who can help him.
The Characters:
Vera: Poor Vera. I love that girl. I looked forward most to reading her parts of the story. It broke my heart learning that her parents and Oscar dumped her in the Slants. It's sad that she got pregnant before she was ready, but I love the thought of Vera being a mother. She's such a loving friend and good person that you know she'll give her baby the world. And of course she'll look polished and poised while doing it.
Mari: Mari was a likable character. At first she was just crazy, but after getting her backstory you started to really feel sorry for her. The girl grew up without a mother, like Davis, but in poverty. Mari saw a lot that she shouldn't have during her father's Olympiad days. It made her grow up fast and jaded. She deserves genuine happiness. I'd like to see her go on to do great things.
Mercer: This guy's definitely a weird one. He's suspicious right from the beginning. He seems to know way more than he lets on and his intentions are not always clear. The whole idea of him being at TOR-n is questionable. Neithers aren't allowed in Durham, but he has so many connections there and his status wasn't known. Why would he send himself to a death camp? Why wouldn't he have stayed and sought help there if he knows all these doctors and scientists? And how was he communicating with Jan and his other friends, like the people at the commune, while he was in TOR-n? His whole M.O. just doesn't make sense.
Worsley: Worsley did nothing but great things, but his attitude towards everything was not always so great. He seems to age quickly during Torn, becoming an obsessive hermit and generally creepy. He let his anger get the best of him a lot of times and it made me despise him.
Cole's Mom: Torn introduced us to lots of new characters, but we never meet Cole's mother. I think getting to know her would have given us a lot of new background on Cole.
Stuff I Didn't Get: There were a lot of weird inconsistencies that were never explained. The story didn't pick up immediately where Feuds ended, so there's some missing information. For example, both Davis and Cole seem to think about things they did with each other, or things they know about each other, that seemed cut out of the book. When did they spend all this time together when they supposedly got to know one another and build memories? Yes, they're in love, but in reality they only knew each other for a few weeks before they were separated.
It's also briefly mentioned that Cole and Mari saw each other naked, supposedly while they were helping Vera. But how did this happen? Was it somehow necessary for them to remove their clothes to use for Vera, or did they just get frisky? For Davis's sake, we'll never know.
Something frustrating and glaringly obvious was the constant name switching. Thomas Worsley was called Tom, Thomas, and Worsley. Each time he was mentioned he was called something else, just like Parson Abel in the first book. What are we supposed to call them? And by the way, what happened to Parson Abel? We know he was arrested, supposedly for running the FEUDS, but we never found out why and didn't hear from him again.
The spelling of names was inconsistent, as well. In Rival, Gabrielle's last name changed from Rydell to Reydell. At the end of Feuds, we discovered Cole's last name is Everett. But in Torn, it was changed to Everest. That means his brother's name is Hamilton Everest and he was named after two mountains–-Mt. Hamilton in San Jose, California and Mt. Everest. Did Mama Everest do this intentionally?
Lots of people died, but no one really died. A surefire way to get me to cry at the end of a book is to kill off my favorite characters. The protagonists almost always live, but brave authors like to axe major characters to get the tear factor flowing. It's an evil trick to get you emotionally attached to the story. In the Feuds saga, tons of nameless and/or faceless characters died, but not one single important character died. Everyone significant survived, so the emotional loss factor wasn't there. If Vera or her baby had died, I would have been crushed. If Cole or Davis had died, that would have really hit home with the whole star-crossed lovers theme. I would have been satisfied if someone like Worsley died, because his actions were pivotal to the story but I didn't really care for him too much.
The Ending: The story was a bit difficult to follow, but the ending cleaned everything up nice and neatly. It was actually a little too perfect to be considered memorable. Everything seemed to fall into place exactly how everyone wanted it. Personally, I think Cole should have ended up with Mari. I think Cole is perfect for Davis, but Davis is not perfect for Cole. He and Mari have so much more in common and would have made a great couple. Davis grew in maturity over the course of her story, but I don't think she will ever be as tough as Cole, even after her experience at TOR-n. It would have been refreshing to have an ending where the star-crossed lovers do not end up together.
I really liked what happened when Davis discovered the truth about her mother. It was relatable because a lot of people grow up in blended families and know what it's like to have an absent parent. You don't need to be blood-related to be considered family. Terri is a wonderful stepmother and Davis is lucky to have her.
The best part of the ending was Vera giving birth to her baby. The little girl's name was a fitting way to end the story. Vera is by far my favorite character. I'd love to see a novella or bonus scene from her perspective.
What's Next: As of now, Avery hasn't announced any new novels in the works. Even though I didn't enjoy Torn as much as Feuds, I'm looking forward to seeing what else she's got in store for us. In the meantime, check her out on Twitter for the latest news.
http://youngadultgloss.com/2015/10/28...
January 12, 2018
I enjoyed this even more than the first installment. The dual perspective really worked for this narrative. I am always a big fan of the hero’s journey and felt that this was done well here. There were a few hiccups in the writing for me but overall I enjoyed the read. I sped through this one easily. It kept me engaged and the pacing was pushed along by the alternating perspectives.
September 4, 2017
This two books in this series are amazing and kept me reading, wanting to know more. I couldn't put them down! Definitely recommend
December 24, 2019
2.5
Everything was just so like..........not as good as it should've been. So much potential, but such nooby execution. It was a little TOO easy for this happily ever after
Everything was just so like..........not as good as it should've been. So much potential, but such nooby execution. It was a little TOO easy for this happily ever after
January 10, 2022
Packed with action and plot. The author really develops her characters in this book while also introducing new characters.
June 11, 2015
Courtesy of St. Martin's Press, I received an advanced reader copy that I greatly enjoyed. Thank you.
Davis and Cole are in love, or were depending on who you talk to. Davis is stuck on TOR-N with one thing on her mind, Cole is dead. But she doesn't have time to think about Cole because she's stuck on a corrupt island where people are dying daily. She has to find a way to escape TOR-N and find a cure to Narxis so she can save the remaining people she loves. Cole however, is not dead. He's in hiding and trying desperately to find a way to Davis to save her.
Torn is the last book in The Feuds Series. Having not read the first book, the beginning of this one dropped me in the middle of a Narxis riddled world where everyone is struggling to stay alive. There was enough overflow of the stories that I could pick up on the basics of what happened in the first book and know exactly where the characters were and how they got there for this book; from there the story took off. It was a whirlwind of places, problems, characters. I loved that there wasn't a lull in the book, the characters were always moving and progressing towards the inevitable climax. I did expect a little more conflict to arise, especially since they were always on the run or hiding, but all the conflict was pretty subdued throughout the story.
I loved that the story flipped back and forth between Davis and Cole's point of view. Having the two different points of view allowed the reader to see a wider scope of the devastating effects of Narxis as well really get a feel for each characters thoughts and feelings on the situation at hand. However, for as much as they love and miss each other and the build up to them reuniting, I feel like it fell a little short. They finally find each other and then the book is over and I feel like the 3 kisses they shared at the end was not enough for me to be convinced of their lasting love. Although, perhaps if I read the first book I would think otherwise. Other than that, the ending wrapped everything up nicely. There were no unprecedented deaths, cliffhanger endings, or unexpected twists; everyone got their happy ending. All in all, I really enjoyed this book.
Davis and Cole are in love, or were depending on who you talk to. Davis is stuck on TOR-N with one thing on her mind, Cole is dead. But she doesn't have time to think about Cole because she's stuck on a corrupt island where people are dying daily. She has to find a way to escape TOR-N and find a cure to Narxis so she can save the remaining people she loves. Cole however, is not dead. He's in hiding and trying desperately to find a way to Davis to save her.
Torn is the last book in The Feuds Series. Having not read the first book, the beginning of this one dropped me in the middle of a Narxis riddled world where everyone is struggling to stay alive. There was enough overflow of the stories that I could pick up on the basics of what happened in the first book and know exactly where the characters were and how they got there for this book; from there the story took off. It was a whirlwind of places, problems, characters. I loved that there wasn't a lull in the book, the characters were always moving and progressing towards the inevitable climax. I did expect a little more conflict to arise, especially since they were always on the run or hiding, but all the conflict was pretty subdued throughout the story.
I loved that the story flipped back and forth between Davis and Cole's point of view. Having the two different points of view allowed the reader to see a wider scope of the devastating effects of Narxis as well really get a feel for each characters thoughts and feelings on the situation at hand. However, for as much as they love and miss each other and the build up to them reuniting, I feel like it fell a little short. They finally find each other and then the book is over and I feel like the 3 kisses they shared at the end was not enough for me to be convinced of their lasting love. Although, perhaps if I read the first book I would think otherwise. Other than that, the ending wrapped everything up nicely. There were no unprecedented deaths, cliffhanger endings, or unexpected twists; everyone got their happy ending. All in all, I really enjoyed this book.
August 18, 2015
Torn is the second and last book in The Feuds duology. I must say that I’m really liking this ‘duology’ type of ‘series’ as I won’t have to wait yet again for the next part of the series but the story is just right in length. Feuds ended in a bit of a cliff-hanger and I was keen on continuing Davis’ and Cole’s journeys; coming from opposite ways of life, they face what is basically a insurmountable challenge to be together and stay together. By the end of Feuds, they were torn apart.
Thankfully, the story is told from two perspectives, Davis’ and Cole’s, so we see what challenges they had to tackle on their own. Davis is still her wise old self albeit a very sad one but otherwise still a very together and confident girl. I really like that she’s not totally consumed with the thought of Cole. On the other hand, Cole was still just as determined to survive and fight for a better future, for his family and for Davis.
I’ve enjoyed having to explore this world a little more as other parts of the world was introduced, a load of interesting new characters, and some Hunger Games-esque twist(not quite sure whether I like this last bit; one part of me thinks it’s unnecessary). It was a little disappointing that we didn’t get to see Davis and Cole together for most of the book but I think the meeting point was so very sweet that it kinda made up for it. For me, anyway…
Torn was a breeze to read especially since I’ve picked up the jargons from the first book. The ending, I felt, was too rushed which, therefore, I think, left a couple of continuity issues and/or loose ends. In saying that, I read an uncorrected proof, so maybe it’s fixed in the published copy.
Thanks St Martin’s Press for copy of eARC via NetGalley
Thankfully, the story is told from two perspectives, Davis’ and Cole’s, so we see what challenges they had to tackle on their own. Davis is still her wise old self albeit a very sad one but otherwise still a very together and confident girl. I really like that she’s not totally consumed with the thought of Cole. On the other hand, Cole was still just as determined to survive and fight for a better future, for his family and for Davis.
I’ve enjoyed having to explore this world a little more as other parts of the world was introduced, a load of interesting new characters, and some Hunger Games-esque twist(not quite sure whether I like this last bit; one part of me thinks it’s unnecessary). It was a little disappointing that we didn’t get to see Davis and Cole together for most of the book but I think the meeting point was so very sweet that it kinda made up for it. For me, anyway…
Torn was a breeze to read especially since I’ve picked up the jargons from the first book. The ending, I felt, was too rushed which, therefore, I think, left a couple of continuity issues and/or loose ends. In saying that, I read an uncorrected proof, so maybe it’s fixed in the published copy.
Thanks St Martin’s Press for copy of eARC via NetGalley
June 7, 2015
I received an advanced reader copy of this novel courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
Torn, the second novel in what I assume to be The Feuds duology, wrapped up these two novels quite nicely. Seeing the two main characters, Davis and Cole, separated from one another and put in situations in which they must rely on themselves, for each other's sake, was very interesting to see and definitely built the characters as participants in their dystopian world.
Although the writing was not particularly great, the story was still conveyed well. Everything was clear and each character was easily differentiated. That being said, I felt as though perhaps the characters were too predictable, and at times cliche. I still find it a little hard to believe that Cole and Davis are devastatingly in love, because their interactions with one another were not carried out over long periods of time and developed as such, at least to the reader's knowledge.
Everything seemed to work out quite easily for all of the characters as well...too easily. I would have liked to see the characters encounter and deal with more conflict, rather than just constantly worry that they will run into some sort of conflict, but never really end up doing so. The one bit of conflict that I enjoyed and did not expect was at the end when Cole made it through the ropes after what had happened to Landon.
Everyone had a happy ending, and I actually enjoyed that. If someone had died, or if something particularly horrible had happened to one of the characters, it probably would have felt forced. Luckily, that was not the case, and besides what I have mentioned above, the two books were wrapped up pretty decently.
Review Result:
3.8/5 stars
Torn, the second novel in what I assume to be The Feuds duology, wrapped up these two novels quite nicely. Seeing the two main characters, Davis and Cole, separated from one another and put in situations in which they must rely on themselves, for each other's sake, was very interesting to see and definitely built the characters as participants in their dystopian world.
Although the writing was not particularly great, the story was still conveyed well. Everything was clear and each character was easily differentiated. That being said, I felt as though perhaps the characters were too predictable, and at times cliche. I still find it a little hard to believe that Cole and Davis are devastatingly in love, because their interactions with one another were not carried out over long periods of time and developed as such, at least to the reader's knowledge.
Everything seemed to work out quite easily for all of the characters as well...too easily. I would have liked to see the characters encounter and deal with more conflict, rather than just constantly worry that they will run into some sort of conflict, but never really end up doing so. The one bit of conflict that I enjoyed and did not expect was at the end when Cole made it through the ropes after what had happened to Landon.
Everyone had a happy ending, and I actually enjoyed that. If someone had died, or if something particularly horrible had happened to one of the characters, it probably would have felt forced. Luckily, that was not the case, and besides what I have mentioned above, the two books were wrapped up pretty decently.
Review Result:
3.8/5 stars
June 26, 2015
I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, but this is my honest review. I was concerned that since I had not read the first two books in the series, that I would be lost, but that was not a problem. Avery Hastings did a great job getting you caught up within the storyline. This book actually has many of our real life problems, but they are done in a very different, but a very interesting science fiction/ fantasy storyline. Cole and Davis fight segregation, genetic modification, a deadly virus, a corrupt government facility, friendship, family, love, and faithfulness. When reading this book you have to keep in mind who the target audience is, 12 to 18 years of age. I taught middle school for many years, and I see this book as not only an interesting book for them to read, but also a springboard for discussion. Great book, Avery Hastings.
September 21, 2015
I really liked this. It is the second in the Feuds series. The story loosely based on Romeo & Juliet continues. Davis has been quarantined and has to find a way home. Cole needs money to reunite with Davis, who believes that he is dead. The saga continues. I love it. On another note, I have no idea where the next book might be bound. Maybe they'll stumble across some drugs and have a midsummer night's eve. Just kidding. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys any of the following: YA fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, Shakespeare re-imaginings, love stories, so basically anything. If you like books, read this, but start with Feuds.
June 10, 2015
I received this book thanks to St. Martins Press and a Goodreads Giveaway, and am reviewing it on behalf.
It was alright, I enjoyed some of the Dystopian themes, and also the fact that it took place in my home state of NC, but there were a lot of finer points I had with it, not enough action, little too much romance, the ending feeling sort of rushed and scrapped together, with no real build up or intensity to it. Everything sort of ends up being pretty predictable, and it doesn't really give you a feeling of emergence towards the end, as it should, but overall it wasn't terrible.
It was alright, I enjoyed some of the Dystopian themes, and also the fact that it took place in my home state of NC, but there were a lot of finer points I had with it, not enough action, little too much romance, the ending feeling sort of rushed and scrapped together, with no real build up or intensity to it. Everything sort of ends up being pretty predictable, and it doesn't really give you a feeling of emergence towards the end, as it should, but overall it wasn't terrible.
July 21, 2015
3.5
Torn is a heart-stopping race against time as two lovers fight against all odds to get back to each other.
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
Torn is a heart-stopping race against time as two lovers fight against all odds to get back to each other.
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
August 1, 2015
First time to read anything by this writer and I really liked this book.Would read more by this author.
October 28, 2015
Solid trilogy
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