Infinite Harmony

Shifters & Seers #2

by Tammy Blackwell

Ada Jessup lives for the moment, knowing the promise of tomorrow can be all too easily broken.Joshua is an Immortal, a heavenly warrior who will still be fighting long after the rest of the Alpha Pack have turned to dust.When a gunshot wound forces Joshua to tell Ada the truth of what he is, there is more at risk than the safety of the Alphas he's sworn to protect. For Joshua, the real danger is the way he feels drawn to the human girl. After all, what can the future hold for a girl whose days are numbered and a boy whose life has no end?

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Reader. Librarian. Writer. Whedon fan.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️’s

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been an avid fan of these series since the Timber Wolves, and this was my least favourite. It read just like a contemporary romance, and I was bored for the most part. While I like Joshua quite a lot, I wasn't overly fond of Ada. And I'm not a fan of new Alpha Scout. There was only one way I felt this was going to end, and I wasn't wrong. Not sure I'll be rushing to pick up the next book in this series, but I'll always love the Timber Wolves series, and I'm keeping that one on my to re-read list.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Tammy Blackwell does an amazing job of creating new story lines for the side characters we grew to love in her Timber Wolves Trilogy, while also filling us in on what's happening with our old favorites. 

Scout (Tammy's original heroine) is one of my all time favorite female characters, so I was happy to see that Ada shares some of her spunk. Ada has Cystic Fibrosis but doesn't let it define her or hinder her from living life the way she wants to. I love that Tammy is bringing awareness to this fatal disease. I encourage everyone who reads this book to find out a little more about it. My nephew has CF and on the day he was born the doctors told my sister that his life expectancy would be around 36. Can you imagine? Knowing that you will outlive your child. Knowing that his life will most likely include multiple hospital stays and, if he's lucky, a double lung transplant. Knowing that his last days will be incredibly painful & torturous. 

I can empathize from a parent stand point, but I've never really thought about it from the CFers point of view. I love that Tammy's version of a CFer is strong and independent. She knows what she wants to accomplish, and she's going to do her best to cross everything off her bucket list while still being respectful of her parents. 

Her father is a public figure in the Christain community. Anyone who's grown up in the church knows what this means. Outward appearances are crucial. Every word out of your mouth and every action is being weighed and measured. It's a very tight rope, and Tammy writes it perfectly. She gives you the feeling that even the parents themselves don't know where the public figure ends and the dad/mom begins. I absolutely love how Ada responds to them. She knows exactly what to say to pacify her parents and move on from areas of disagreement while still being respectful. Unlike most rebellious teenagers, Ada is fully aware of all the pain and suffering she's put her parents through because of her disease. Ada is unselfish, yet snarky and fun. I love her. 

Joshua is as intelligent and wacky as ever. I really enjoyed the dynamic between him and Ada. Actually, I enjoyed the dynamic between Joshua and everyone. He's such a fun character. Although, his ability to consume all things chocolate without gaining an ounce or becoming diabetic leaves me severely jealous!

Joshua never sees a "sick" girl when he looks at Ada. He just sees the coolness that is she. His approach to her CF is to try to improve her equipment/treatments. If only Joshua and his problem solving brain existed in the real world.

And that brings me to my only point of contention with this book. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that this book doesn't dwell in the harsh reality that is Cystic Fibrosis. I'm sure this is intentional but CFers, and those who love them, might be a tad disappointed not to see the truth of their daily struggles represented. Which is why I encourage all of you to check out cff.com to learn more about this disease.

[P.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, this has been my least favorite book of the series; I mean...

Destiny Binds: protagonist dies!!
Time Mends: protagnist Changes and is nearly killed!!
Fate Succumbs: Sarvarna finally dies!!!
Fragile Brilliance: Charlie is back... and there's fire!!
Infinite Harmony:

Yeah, yeah... we get to know a lot more about Joshua and Angel (who, by the way, deserves her own book)... and there's Ada, a freakishly boring character... BUT (there's always a "but" in everything) Joshua loses his supernatural powers (except for inmortality, I know), which I completely and totally and utterly HATED!!!

The best part about the books: the last sentence.
The author tried to fix everything by returning the SHP to the picture; and, even though, it did not fix the entire book, it causes (at least for me) a wish to keep on reading... because there's going to be another book, right? Whispered Visions? Right?

To sum up, writing was good. Ada was boring. Angel suffered. Joshua loss was horrible.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deze recensie is als eerste geplaatst op Carpe Libra

Infinite Harmony is niet het verhaal geworden dat ik hoopte dat het zou zijn. In plaats van opnieuw totaal overdonderd te worden kreeg ik een bijna saai en totaal voorspelbaar verhaal voorgeschoteld, dat me enigszins teleurgesteld achter liet. Waar waren de spanning en actie? Waar waren Scout en Liams hilarische en schattige momenten? Het epische gebekvecht van Jase, Angel en Scout? Waarom waren mijn emoties niet echt aanwezig tijdens het lezen? Waarom voelde niets vertrouwd aan? Waarom dit? Waarom dat? Het boek liet me eigenlijk met meer vragen dan antwoorden achter. Het voelde totaal niet aan als een boek van de hand van Tammy Blackwell, daarvoor was het gewoon te rommelig, te verwarrend en te onbevredigend en daar baalde ik enorm van!

Infinite Harmony is nog steeds een aardig boek om te lezen, begrijp me niet verkeerd. Echter door al die vragen die in me op kwamen, al die vragen die niet of maar gedeeltelijk beantwoord werden, raakte ik op den duur een beetje gefrustreerd en lukte het me niet meer om helemaal in het verhaal op te gaan. Om even de wereld om me heen te vergeten. Het boek las gewoon niet lekker genoeg hiervoor. Oké ik snap dat dit boek wederom niet om Scout en Liam en al die andere super geweldige personages van The Timberwolves trilogie gaat, maar in het vorige boek kwamen ze wel terug. Voelde het wel vertrouwd aan. Waarom dit deel dan niet?

Ik denk dat het voor een gedeelte komt omdat dit boek zich, voor mij totaal onverwachts, een paar jaar na Fragile Brilliance af speelt. Hierdoor moest ik eerst even een omschakeling maken, want hier had ik me niet op ingesteld en blijkbaar was er toch het een en ander gebeurt. Dit wordt frustrerend genoeg alleen terloops vermeld en er wordt niet dieper op ingegaan. Waardoor ik het gevoel kreeg alsof ik de enige was die in het ongewisse was gelaten, werd buitengesloten en ik had af en toe de grootste moeite om het verhaal te blijven volgen.

Het lukte me ook niet om echt een band met Joshua en Ada op te bouwen. Ada was daar te plots voor uit de hemel komen te vallen, bij wijze van spreken ;) en ik snapte niet echt wat haar nu zo speciaal maakt. Waarom uitgerekend zij diegene is voor wie Joshua valt, na al die jaren. Bovendien was het voor mij moeilijk om me in haar te verplaatsen en lukte het mij maar niet om om haar te gaan geven. Me in haar te gaan interesseren, om haar als een volwaardig personage te zien. Daar kwam ze toch iets te vlak en onderontwikkeld voor over.

Met Joshua had ik iets meer binding omdat ik al de nodige avonturen met hem had beleefd. Toch was het fijner geweest om ook bij hem iets van diepere gevoelens te zien en veeeeeel meer over hem te weten te komen. Ik bedoel hij is een mysterieuze Immortal! Wat houdt dat in? Hoe is hij er een geworden? Hoe was hij hiervoor? Dat soort vragen kun je toch een antwoord op verwachten als een boek over een tot dan toe onbekend wezen gaat? Dat er wordt verteld wat dat precies inhoud en de geschiedenis enzo wordt vermeld? Nou dat is in Infinite Harmony toch wel anders. Hier kom je eigenlijk niets extra’s over Joshua en zijn ras te weten. Na de laatste pagina had ik echt zoiets van: en, wat is hij nu werkelijk?????? Ja?????

Daarnaast snap ik, nu ik het boek gelezen heb, de meerwaarde er eigenlijk niet van. Er gebeurt totaal niets in dit boek en ik zie eigenlijk geen enkel verband tussen Fragile Brilliance en Infinite Harmony. Het voelt meer aan als een standalone, die zich toevallig in dezelfde wereld en met dezelfde personages afspeelt, dan dat het voort borduurt op het verhaal van Fragile Brilliance. Ik kon nergens de rode draad ontdekken die de boeken met elkaar verbond. Ik kon er niet achter komen hoe dit verhaal in het geheel past. Ik hoop dan ook dat ik bij het volgende boek wel enige samenhang kan ontdekken.

Laat je trouwens niet door mijn rantfest afschrikken. Ik, als hele trouwe fan, ben gewoon teleurgesteld dat dit boek niet net zo’n meesterwerk en genot was als alle andere boeken die ik tot nu toe van Tammy Blackwell heb gelezen. Als ik namelijk dit boek apart beoordeel, was het best wel leuk om te lezen. Joshua en Ada zijn een leuk stelletje samen.Joshua is bovendien een hele schattige en aan ADHD grenzende nerd, die iets teveel van chocolade houdt.

Conclusie

Als trouwe Tammy Blackwell fan was Infinite Harmony een teleurstelling. Geen spanning, actie of onverwachte plotwendingen. Bijna geen Liam en Scout. Enige samenhang met het vorige deel ontbrak en ik had grote moeite me in Joshua en Ada te verplaatsen. Toch nog wel een aardig verhaal om te lezen, met een schattig koppeltje en een leuke chocolade verslaafde nerd. Voor de niet-fans en fans toch de moeite van het proberen waard.

[Ginabm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto la,historia, de la,pareja inmortal.

[Sara Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

I love Ada and Joshua’s story! It’s sweet and clean but steamy too, with just the right amount of funny and serious. Highly recommend it!

[Kristyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book of the Shifters & Seers series, Infinite Harmony, Tammy Blackwell sucks the reader back into the world of shifters, seers and other beloved supernatural creatures. I’ve been a huge fan of Blackwell’s work. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone but I recommend that you start with the Timber Wolves trilogy. (You’ll understand what’s going on in the background a bit more.) I was fortunate enough to receive an eARC and I was super excited to dive in. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I absolutely adored it!

I’m continually amazed by Blackwell’s ability to create realistic characters in supernatural settings. She captures the essence of humanity and fills her characters with life. Her books cover contemporary issues in a sensible, grounded way that allows the reader to decide for themselves. The talent it takes to pull that off and write an entertaining, fulfilling novel blows my mind.

This book follows Joshua, the immortal, and Ada, a girl with an illness. I loved the irony of a man who can’t die falling in love with the girl who’s terminally ill. Their story was heart-warming and sweet, funny and passionate. I was in love with these two. I particularly enjoyed how Joshua was such a believable character. I thought the way it was explained that Joshua could be both 80 and 19 years old at the same time was very clever and logical, making the love between Joshua and Ada that much more beautiful.

The underlying theme of life and death was beautifully done. I loved how the more “supernatural” incidents were addressed like reality with the same consequences based on life-changing decisions. In the same way, I appreciated how this book talked about religion and belief, by presenting it as the world knows it, but leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions, just as the character Ada finds her own way. To me, it was inspiring to see. I hope this book inspires others to forge their own path.

Throughout the book, we get glimpses into the life of Scout and Liam, Charlie and Maggie and all the other characters from this series and the Timber Wolves series. I love these characters and their world. I want to live there! The book wrapped up nicely with some major hints towards the direction of the next book. I’m eager to read more. If it’s written by Tammy Blackwell, it’s a given that I’m going to read it, and you should too.

This book will be released October 14, 2014.

Thank you Tammy Blackwell for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

STARS: 5 out of 5

More reviews at Note To Selph Book Reviews.

[Chelsea Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thankfully chosen as an Advanced Reader for this book, so I'll try to do a better job reviewing it than I normally would!

Aside from the typos, I enjoyed this book. There was a good bit of religion, and the beginning made me slightly uncomfortable as a Southern Baptist. But Tammy Blackwell handled the material sensitively and poignantly (especially toward the end), so I came away much more impressed than squirmy. However, I also feel like this aspect, though well done, detracted from the story; the other book in this series and the Timber Wolves Trilogy were riddled with hilarious dialogue and dramatic situations. This book was more internal, serious dialogue with a looming danger, but no real action. Blackwell also relies on the hope that her readers have read the other series, so there were many people thrown in who did not get much explanation. For example, Miriam and Hank from the third Timber Wolves made a small appearance, but their significance was not explained. Lizzie from the second and third Timber Wolves books was brought back, but we did not get a reminder of her Sight or her significance within the Alpha Pack, making the ending a little unimpressive. Then other characters we fell in love with in the last book did not make an appearance until halfway through the book, and then are barely seen the rest of the time. I was hoping to get more insight as to what Maggie was up to within the Alpha Pack and her artistic accomplishments. Also, I feel like there was a huge lead up, but then we were let down on two occasions. For fear of spoilers, I'll just say that Ada was promised to see something significant, but we never get that fulfillment; secondly, there was an organization mentioned every once in a while, but they never did anything in this book until the last page. Lastly, I really hoped to get more information about what the Erelim were and their specific duties and how that whole system works. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

All-in-all, I don't mean to seem like I did not enjoy the book. I certainly did! I simply think it was not Blackwell's best, and the next seems to be set up to be spectacular with the culmination of everything seen in this book; I just hope to see more of everyone together!

[Tiffany]

I think my favorite thing about this new “Shifters and Seers” series is that I get to keep in touch with Scout and Liam. Usually I like to hear about all the other characters getting their happily ever afters, but the last one with Charley and this one with Joshua just don’t have the same stuff that the Timber Wolves books do. I appears that they are attempting to move the storyline along through these secondary characters but it’s just not happening.

I’m still giving it four stars because it was well written and I enjoyed hearing about Joshua.

The whole gang is at some sort of lakeside cabin resort in preparation for Scout and Liam’s wedding. There is a group of people out to get the shifters and seers. Some sort of pro-human group. They are hurting and killing anyone they can get their hands on and the packs are getting volatile. This is pretty much were this storyline ends.

Joshua meets Ava who is working the front desk at this resort. It is interesting to listen to how both Joshua and Ava find the other more attractive the more they get to know each other. This is how it usually happens right? Obviously there are those people who are just beautiful, but most of us become beautiful in others eyes as they delve deeper into the person. The only problem for these two is that Joshua is going to live forever and Ava is sick with a shortened normal lifespan. They both struggle through this, but separately. The entire book happens within a week but Joshua and Ava do get to know each other quite a bit during this time.

Favorite Quote:
“I’m just as committed to stamping out all signs of fun and enjoyment as you are, Party Breaker-Upper Girl.” He reached out and slapped the top of the golf cart with his hand. “Onward, brave steed! Evil is afoot and we must eradicate it while the night is still young!”

For more Tammy Blackwell reviews or other book suggestions visit my blog at: http://bibliobibulireviews.blogspot.com/

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infinite Harmony was such a great book! I meant to read for just a little while for a study break, but I couldn’t put it down. I thought it was impossible for me to fall in love with yet another guy from these books, but Joshua proved me wrong. I actually think he’s my favorite now! And the romance between him and Ada was swoon-worthy.

I loved Ada's character. It was great to read about a “normal” character, and I really liked how Miss Tammy wrote about two depressing things: CF and overbearing religious parents/authority figures. I’m so used to reading books with healthy characters; Ada was definitely a more interesting person to read about with her struggle with CF. I don’t know anyone personally suffering from CF, but Infinite Harmony really widened my viewpoint on the disease.

I loved Angel before, but I love her even more now! I can’t believe that she’s 12! It seems like she should still be 6 years old. It’s so fun to read about how she’s growing up, and I love her snarkiness with Scout and Jase. I always love seeing the other Alpha Pack members and seeing how they’re doing (Maggie is so badass now with her abilities!)

Also, I absolutely loved how religion was included in the book. Being from the south, I completely understand what it’s like to be judged solely on if you’re a “good Christian” or not. I think this is something that will definitely help teens to read; I think a lot of them will relate to how Ada is treated because of religion.

This book also included Liam and Scout's wedding, which was so perfect. I'm thrilled that I finally got to read about it.

I can’t wait for the next book! I am dying to know what happens next! There was such a huge cliffhanger, and it's going to be a long wait!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve read any of the books that take place in this world, you know that the character who is the best at being mysterious is Joshua. I was super-duper excited that we finally got into his brain (and his world) with this installment of the series.

Joshua, the Immortal, doesn’t like to share a lot about his supernatural abilities. Sure, he’s good with computers and has a lot of varied knowledge, but who wouldn’t if they lived forever? We get a little look at why he is so tight-lipped in the last book, but here we get the whole enchilada. It seems like an ordinary night when Joshua hunts down some chocolate in the lobby and meets Ada. Ada has lived in town all her life (which just so happens to be the same town that Scout grew up in). She isn’t quite sure what to do with someone who doesn’t know all her secrets but is happy to chat with Joshua. He even offers to accompany her on a trip to break up a rowdy party. As is the custom of all alpha pack members, being there appears to muck things up and leaves Ada in the hospital believing things that shouldn’t be real.

These two are definitely the right match of stubbornness, strength, and passion. While Ada knows her life has an expiration date, Joshua suffers from the exact opposite problem. It seems like these two are cursed to suffer the most out of all the couples until fate intervenes. This was a sweet story that somehow managed to spin a very old immortal hooking up with a teenager in a way that I could accept it as normal. These stories just keep surprising me.

[sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tammy Blackwell has done it again!

With her latest installation of the Shifters and Seers series, Blackwell introduces readers to Ada Jessup, a wonderful girl with a tough life. The reader learns that Ada Jessup has Cystic Fibrosis, a disease Tammy Blackwell has definitely done her research on, and loves with her over-bearing and extremely religious parents. Throughout the book, Ada is trying to discover herself and learn what she wants out of life. It isn't until she meets Joshua, a lovable guy with quite a sweet tooth, that she starts to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life.

Blackwell explores the life of a teenager, lost in the world and wishing they knew what they needed, and captures the reality of the situation. Her characters are well thought out and just the type of people you would want to be friends with. She even pulls in characters from Fragile Brilliance, the first book in this series, and from the Timber Wolves Trilogy offering those who have read her other works more of the lives of the people they have grown to love. Even if this is your first Tammy Blackwell book, you'll be able to love the older characters without fear of spoiling the other works.

Tammy Blackwell has done a great job writing this book and is surely leaving every reader on the edge of their seat with her cliff hanger ending, asking, "When is the next book?!"

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in this series.

I really enjoyed getting to read Joshua’s story. It was nice to get some more information about his life and how he became an immortal. I also really liked getting to see more of his character and personality. He seems to blend together nerd/warrior/comedian archetypes together quite well. Ada was also a great new character and I enjoyed getting to know her. I liked how both her and Joshua were old souls and had similar senses of humour. Their bantering back and forth was always light-hearted and entertaining.

One thing I really liked about this book was that it kept you updated on what was happening with all the other main characters from the other series as well as telling a new character’s story. In this book Scout and Liam are getting ready for their wedding and continuing to try and deal with the threat posed by humans who believe Shifters, Seers, and their associates are an abomination. This time Angel, Scout’s young half-sister, has been threatened and they spend most of the book trying to protect her from any possible harm. Aside from that, there weren’t too many more crucial plot points to the overall series – just that things have been set up for another book as the threat against Angel remains unresolved at the end of this book.

Overall, this was another good read in this series I’d recommend if you’ve read the first Shifters & Seers book and the Tiber Wolves series.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Infinite Harmony is an exceedingly character-driven story and you should be impressed because it takes a lot to make me love character-driven stories. I LOVE these characters and wow did I cry and laugh a lot while reading this one. Since it's a companion novel, it works quite well as a standalone though you'll spoil a few things from the first series and be dying to go read all the previous books. But you should. Because.

[ele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author by chance back when the Timber Wolves was still being released, and I'm glad I did.

I'm liking this series a lot so far, and while I'm not that up-to-date with the author's plans I'm thinking that with this book's ending, the next book will be about -those- characters? If there's even a next book? Maybe? Am I just hoping too much?

[bookwormmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is with the cliff hanger? I hate those. Ada was so bland. I didn't see it and wasn't feeling it. I don't know. I'll probably read on because I like the series as a whole, but this one was a let down. I was mostly invested in Angel's part of this book and agree with another review that she should have her own book.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit predictable which is unusual for Blackwell's books. Still an enjoyable read and now I'm left with a cliffhanger to wait on.

[Kathy Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tammy, Tammy, Tammy... How do you keep this up? This book drew me in, shook me up and tossed me back out totally blindsided. As long as you keep writing like this, you will have fans for life.

[Iza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Jessica Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this new series! Bummed I have to wait until September for the next installment

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aawwhhh the ending !!! Noooooo !! When is the next part coming !!!!

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition. Nice to see the whole gang again. Joshua is opened up and transparent in this book. There is more about his past. The new characters are likeable. The is a cliffhanger

[Elizabeth Feira · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5, I preferred the Timber Wolves Trilogy, however, this was a good short read.

[Brandy Larmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story.

[Madeleine Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5/5

[Cathlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation to the series. Loved that Joshua found his love, but we also continued to see the characters we had come to know and love grow more (Liam, Scout, Jase, and Talley).

[Crystal Rohenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series

I love the series it's well written and a page turner. I am glad my daughter made me read it. The author is very insightful.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the exception of the ending, this story could have been classed as contemporary romance instead of Fantasy, but still I really enjoyed it. Ada's story was heartbreaking, Joshua was just so... lovely and sweet, and everything about the wedding was great to read.