In Until I Die Again, the highly anticipated sequel to Our Souls to Keep, Wake is alone in Hell, comforted and tormented by the memory of Annemarie. As session after session of torture on Bethany's table moves Wake closer to surrendering the last remaining fragments of his humanity, he receives information from an unlikely source. Nevin tells him that Annemarie's son Jacob is still in danger.
After discovering the true nature of Lucifer's plan for Jacob, Wake is determined to do the impossible—escape the Gates of Hell! He soon finds out that this unlikely task isn’t his greatest challenge. Wake learns the true meaning of self-sacrifice and the ultimate consequence of death as he searches for a way to break his contract with Satan. With an all-out war between Heaven and Hell in the near future, and the destiny of humanity at stake, Wake must decide who to trust as he battles to save a young boy from the powerful forces of Hell.
Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.
I would like to thank the author for providing with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the first book of this series, Our Souls to Keep, we met Wake, a trained soul collector. In that book, Wake was given a job that he couldn't come to terms with. In this book, Wake is struggling even more. He has a physical and mental burden he is dealing with and when it seems that nothing good will come out of it, things start changing.
This book started strong and just kept on moving throughout it's entirety. The first book had set up everything nicely that the reader comes into this one being able to just keep on going, without the need of explanation. The transition of the two books makes this one even better than the first. I found myself hoping that Wake would get what he wanted, even though he's not exactly the boy next door.
This is a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know immediately what was going to happen next. The torture endured, the emotional pain, felt so real. It was heartbreaking many times. So many emotions in this book, from one level through the rest, it really pulled me in.
I recommend this book for readers who like reading about Satan's damned and the battle between good and evil, that goes on even when it's thought that the fight was already lost
After having read Our Souls to Keep where I must admit the story was set up quite nicely to transition right into Until I die Again. Wake is a soul collector not a job he liked by any means. He made a deal with the devil and he's not sure who came out on the better side of things. Wade is not the best of characters and certainly not the worst. He is in utter torment most of the time and then he gets news about Annemarie and her son Jacob and for the first time in a long time Wake knows exactly what he has to do escape hell and break his deal with the devil. Breaking out of hell has never been done but Wake is sure that he will be the first to do it to protect Jacob at all costs. As a war between heaven and hell draws closer Wake must take a stand now or forever remain tortured forever. I loved this book and although Wake has made some not so likable decisions I still love reading about him. Gary Caruso does a fabulous job with his writing every scene felt like you were there with the character. He has a way with drawing you in and then taking you on the most edge of your seat adventures that at times it may leave some looking for a quick escape not me though I rode it out to the very end and I was left wanting to know more. Exactly how I like to be left at the end of a book. I look forward to reading more by Gary Caruso.
*I was provided a complementary copy in exchange for an honest review.
In 'Until I Die Again', we join Wake in a tortured level of Hell, and he is being tormented constantly by not only the physical inflicted on him by Bethany- but the emotional torture of being separated from Annemarie. Wake gets some news that her son is still alive and that the forces of Hell are plotting to use him for their own devices, Wake then becomes a force to be reckoned with and he really starts to fight. For Wake to almost be broken by the torture is bad enough for him, he really is a strong character... for a demon. The descriptive nature of all the torture that he endures is enough to make you feel as though you are witnessing it. This is a book not for the faint of heart, but I would have to say you knew that? I encourage you to grab this one, and if you haven't read book one you need it first LOL. This was an excellent read, and I ended up reading it on a time crunch, but even that wasn't an issue as I didn't want to put it down once I had started it. 'Until I Die Again' is a story filled with pain, madness, love and redemption- it's well written and it is fast paced! Grab your copy TODAY!! ~Dowie
5/5 stars This book sent chills up my spine. Gary A. Caruso wrote the perfect sequel to "Our Souls To Keep". Most of the sequels I have read make me loose interest in the story, not Until I Die Again. It put me on edge and kept me fully engaged. I was submerged in the story even when I wasn't reading. Setting down the book became a struggle, all I wanted to do was find out what Wake Reynolds would do next. When people ask me what my favorite trilogy is I usually have a set in stone answer, but Our Souls to Keep has definitely taken first place. Gary Caruso’s writing is flawless, creating scenes and dialogue out of thin air. His characters fit into the story seamlessly. They are extremely relatable and you bond with them instantly, even if they were only in a hand-full of pages. His attention to detail made me imagine the scenes play out right in front of my eyes. He integrates amazing life lessons into his adventures and I found myself taking advice from the characters. After finishing this remarkable book I found myself satisfied and ready to read whatever Gary A. Caruso writes next.
What a great continuation of a wonderful story! I have thoroughly enjoyed the angels/demons/humans connection in this series. Wake's inner struggles in his demon/human fight is very interesting to 'watch'. I felt the characters interacted beautifully. The love story might come around a little quick, but there are only so many pages in a book in which to try to put something like that together. And the ending was marvelous - unexpected, but really wonderful. I look forward to continuing with this story!!
Back in Hell and suffering at the hands of Bethany and her torture sessions, Wake is very close to surrendering to his pain until Nevin, wanting to make a deal with him, passes on some information about Annemarie’s son that Wake can’t ignore. With a newfound strength and determination Wake, with the help of Mr. Sohn, searches for a way to leave Hell and break his contract with Satan.
‘Until I Die Again’ is book two in the ‘Our Souls to Keep’ series and is a much faster paced book than the first instalment. The plot isn’t quite as intricate and is easier to follow creating a much quicker read and I easily finished it in two sessions.
Gary’s writing style is comfortable with a good flow. He has the ability to keep the reader engaged with interesting, if not completely likeable characters and an unpredictable plot. I think this is a great A read and recommend the series to lovers of demon and angel books.
This book begins with Wake being horribly tortured in Hell. This book is scary with all the horrors that are happening to Wake. His character seems more evolved in this story. I still didn't really like him but I didn't hate him either and I didn't want him to fail. The writing is good. The pacing is faster in this book and it is exciting. I was liking this second book better than the first. 4 stars.