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Sapphire City #2
Scarred
Superpowers don't make you a hero.
Verity Fortune's crime-fighting days are over. In exile, defeated by her smug supervillain nemesis, her shady past exposed—even her own superpowered family condemn her as a traitor. Whatever it takes, Verity's determined to prove she can still be a force for good.
Now, Sapphire City faces a new threat. A delinquent duo with extraordinary powers and a terrifying talent for destruction. Outmatched and on the run, her telekinetic powers faltering, Verity can't defeat this menace alone—but who can she trust, when the only person who believes in her is her arch-enemy?
Verity Fortune's crime-fighting days are over. In exile, defeated by her smug supervillain nemesis, her shady past exposed—even her own superpowered family condemn her as a traitor. Whatever it takes, Verity's determined to prove she can still be a force for good.
Now, Sapphire City faces a new threat. A delinquent duo with extraordinary powers and a terrifying talent for destruction. Outmatched and on the run, her telekinetic powers faltering, Verity can't defeat this menace alone—but who can she trust, when the only person who believes in her is her arch-enemy?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2016
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Erica Hayes
39 books274 followersErica Hayes was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician, before finally landing her dream job: fantasy writer. She writes dark paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic science fiction, and her books feature tough, smart heroines and colorful heroes with dark secrets.
She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she’s terrorizing the wilds of Northern Virginia, USA.
She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she’s terrorizing the wilds of Northern Virginia, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 11, 2016
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I enjoyed the first book and I found it very interesting to follow superheroes for a change. I must say that Verity went through many things in the previous novel and I was curious to find out what would happen to her now.
Left to herself and facing her family who doesn’t trust her anymore, our heroine tries to regain her place little by little. Yet her relationship with the mayor and her sworn enemy makes her a pariah in their eyes and that’s why she is abandoned by all except her only friend. She will therefore have to prove herself and to make everyone understand that she has changed and that she can also be there for them. But now, while trying to resist Vincent, something already really complicated, she also has to face a big threat … Yes, two teenagers have decided to terrorize the city and it seems that their powers are much more dangerous than what they would have thought.
I enjoyed this new novel, seeing Verity trying to recover, to face her fears and to become the person she wants to be. It’s not easy but she is also helped by her friend and she realizes that she can be more than what she is now. However, their new enemies are far from what they may seem and it’s true that I was very surprised when I learned the truth at the end of the story. I think you will be as well!
Anyway, I had a good time again with the story and I admit that I am curious to see again how Verity is going to make it after all that happened.
My English review
I enjoyed the first book and I found it very interesting to follow superheroes for a change. I must say that Verity went through many things in the previous novel and I was curious to find out what would happen to her now.
Left to herself and facing her family who doesn’t trust her anymore, our heroine tries to regain her place little by little. Yet her relationship with the mayor and her sworn enemy makes her a pariah in their eyes and that’s why she is abandoned by all except her only friend. She will therefore have to prove herself and to make everyone understand that she has changed and that she can also be there for them. But now, while trying to resist Vincent, something already really complicated, she also has to face a big threat … Yes, two teenagers have decided to terrorize the city and it seems that their powers are much more dangerous than what they would have thought.
I enjoyed this new novel, seeing Verity trying to recover, to face her fears and to become the person she wants to be. It’s not easy but she is also helped by her friend and she realizes that she can be more than what she is now. However, their new enemies are far from what they may seem and it’s true that I was very surprised when I learned the truth at the end of the story. I think you will be as well!
Anyway, I had a good time again with the story and I admit that I am curious to see again how Verity is going to make it after all that happened.
January 22, 2016
What I liked:
Action and angst packed, two of my favourites. Verity borders on the line between good and evil, and hero and anti-hero, forever questioning herself, while some of the superheroes in the story behave less than heroically. I love that there's no clear divide sometimes. Vincent also makes for one twisted, complex, evil to the bone villain. But Glimmer...what a hero, in all senses of the word. This dude has had his life wrecked and gets saddled with the most conflicted super 'hero' in the universe, and yet holds it together and sticks with her despite all the mean stuff she says to him. Despite all the stuff dumped on him. He stays loyal, honorable, and so adorable I'd fight Verity for him. Want smexiness? You get one dose hot, and another sweet. I prefer the sweet but both were beautifully done. And the ending? Grab your tissues. If the truth about Sophron doesn't slay you, the finale will.
What I didn't like:
While I enjoy the first person POV and Verity's self torment, sometimes I felt it went on a bit too long/too much and slowed the pace of the story. Also I guessed the twist way before it happened (again) but that's probably because I read too many Agatha Christie books as a teen. I also wanted to bang Verity and Glimmer's heads together.
In conclusion:
I loved this book and I'm addicted to this series. Verity's constant doubts that she's a good woman, a superhero, or in any way beautiful or worthy of even friendship make for some great inner angst and romantic tension. There is action aplenty, smexiness, and interesting twists and turns. While this wrapped up its own story and some of book one, there is still plenty unresolved for at least one more book (hopefully more). For those who love superheroes, sassy repartee, sweet heroes and dyed to the bone evil villains with lots of action and some nicely done smexiness. Oh, and for those who think body count in a superhero book should be more realistic than Hollywood.
Action and angst packed, two of my favourites. Verity borders on the line between good and evil, and hero and anti-hero, forever questioning herself, while some of the superheroes in the story behave less than heroically. I love that there's no clear divide sometimes. Vincent also makes for one twisted, complex, evil to the bone villain. But Glimmer...what a hero, in all senses of the word. This dude has had his life wrecked and gets saddled with the most conflicted super 'hero' in the universe, and yet holds it together and sticks with her despite all the mean stuff she says to him. Despite all the stuff dumped on him. He stays loyal, honorable, and so adorable I'd fight Verity for him. Want smexiness? You get one dose hot, and another sweet. I prefer the sweet but both were beautifully done. And the ending? Grab your tissues. If the truth about Sophron doesn't slay you, the finale will.
What I didn't like:
While I enjoy the first person POV and Verity's self torment, sometimes I felt it went on a bit too long/too much and slowed the pace of the story. Also I guessed the twist way before it happened (again) but that's probably because I read too many Agatha Christie books as a teen. I also wanted to bang Verity and Glimmer's heads together.
In conclusion:
I loved this book and I'm addicted to this series. Verity's constant doubts that she's a good woman, a superhero, or in any way beautiful or worthy of even friendship make for some great inner angst and romantic tension. There is action aplenty, smexiness, and interesting twists and turns. While this wrapped up its own story and some of book one, there is still plenty unresolved for at least one more book (hopefully more). For those who love superheroes, sassy repartee, sweet heroes and dyed to the bone evil villains with lots of action and some nicely done smexiness. Oh, and for those who think body count in a superhero book should be more realistic than Hollywood.
January 18, 2016
I loved the first book, gave it 5 stars in fact. I did not want it to be a stand alone, so I was incredibly stoked to see this book come up on Netgalley. Our superhero heroine spent the entire book twisting and turning to discover who the villain was, Only to find out that in many ways, it was her all along.
This book picks up shortly after the end of book one. The bad guy had won, but the truth is, there was still so much we did't know. It still doesn't feel like we have the truth of everything yet. Verity is dealing with the shame of finding out how much she had become addicted to the man who tempted her into exploring her own darkness and just how far she had gone into that darkness. She wonders if she will ever truly make it back and flirts with the temptation to stop trying. The only things that keep her trying are the friendship she gets from Glimmer and the desire to redeem herself in her brother's eyes.
Verity is such a complex character, almost an anti-hero. The plot was a twisty, scary-fun ride, filled with moments of both loyalty and betrayal, that kept me on the edge of my seat. For maximum impact, you really need to read book one. If you like dark, gritty superhero stories, where not everyone makes it out alive, this needs to go on your to read list. I was kept guessing and second guessing right till the end. I had a great time with this read and gave it 4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for the opportunity to read this book.
August 11, 2020
Superhero?
Sorry, but Verity is a confused overly hormonal twit. How she even functions, I have no idea. My dog in heat is more rational than Verity. This book is so filled with emotional angst and confusion it just about killed the rest of the story. The basic premise wasn't bad but the emoting was SO annoying! Are all women that way? In my over 6 decades on this planet I've only known one who came close and she was 16 at the time. And that was a long time ago. If you dig the romance novel concept and like a few superpowers thrown in, then you might like this.
Sorry, but Verity is a confused overly hormonal twit. How she even functions, I have no idea. My dog in heat is more rational than Verity. This book is so filled with emotional angst and confusion it just about killed the rest of the story. The basic premise wasn't bad but the emoting was SO annoying! Are all women that way? In my over 6 decades on this planet I've only known one who came close and she was 16 at the time. And that was a long time ago. If you dig the romance novel concept and like a few superpowers thrown in, then you might like this.
January 13, 2016
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for a review so here it is :
Truth be told, I actually have not read the first book in this series(Scorched). I jumped into this not knowing it's a sequel, so I was left out on all the events that took place in the first book. Erica did a pretty good job in mentioning all the important parts that happened, so I was not completely clueless and had a rough idea of how the last book ended. This book on its own was a very entertaining read and I would like to read the first one if I had a chance.
The premise of Sapphire City was interesting and I loved how it brought back the classic crime-fighting heroes and evil villains. I do not recall reading anything like this in the recent years. I also loved reading from Verity's point of view. She had such a sarcastic sense of humour and her character was so real. I was slightly confused with her powers as it was supposed to be telekinetic but the way it was described and how she used it seemed to lean more towards superhuman strength? Either way, I enjoyed the times she used her powers and I also really loved seeing the others use theirs as well. I appreciated how none of them had identical abilities, so with every single new hero/villian, I get to see a different power. I am still a bit confused when it comes to differentiating Adonis' and Glimmer's powers, as they are similar in some aspects. This book had a few interesting plot twists which I loved. Overall, Scarred was definitely a very enjoyable read. I probably would have liked it even more if I read the first book, but it was still a good read nevertheless.
Truth be told, I actually have not read the first book in this series(Scorched). I jumped into this not knowing it's a sequel, so I was left out on all the events that took place in the first book. Erica did a pretty good job in mentioning all the important parts that happened, so I was not completely clueless and had a rough idea of how the last book ended. This book on its own was a very entertaining read and I would like to read the first one if I had a chance.
The premise of Sapphire City was interesting and I loved how it brought back the classic crime-fighting heroes and evil villains. I do not recall reading anything like this in the recent years. I also loved reading from Verity's point of view. She had such a sarcastic sense of humour and her character was so real. I was slightly confused with her powers as it was supposed to be telekinetic but the way it was described and how she used it seemed to lean more towards superhuman strength? Either way, I enjoyed the times she used her powers and I also really loved seeing the others use theirs as well. I appreciated how none of them had identical abilities, so with every single new hero/villian, I get to see a different power. I am still a bit confused when it comes to differentiating Adonis' and Glimmer's powers, as they are similar in some aspects. This book had a few interesting plot twists which I loved. Overall, Scarred was definitely a very enjoyable read. I probably would have liked it even more if I read the first book, but it was still a good read nevertheless.
June 17, 2016
Once again we have a supervillain who is hyperintelligent, handsome and (literally) hot and our heroine is obsessed with him. Addicted to him. Imagine reading a story about a superhero who is a recovering alcoholic and every other page rambles on about how beautiful whisky is, and eventually realises the only way to win the day is to get really smashed.
It's tiresome, tedious in the extreme. If you're a fan of OTT angst and super-hot know-it-all psychopaths then maybe you'll enjoy it, but I was skipping pages for the last few chapters.
I really liked the first book, but this one would have been so much better without Victor. Verity here is too irrational, too wild, too short-sighted to be a superhero; and Victor's perfection robs the story of any real sense of contest - like watching a child play a chess master, the outcome is inevitable, so where's the climax?
It's tiresome, tedious in the extreme. If you're a fan of OTT angst and super-hot know-it-all psychopaths then maybe you'll enjoy it, but I was skipping pages for the last few chapters.
I really liked the first book, but this one would have been so much better without Victor. Verity here is too irrational, too wild, too short-sighted to be a superhero; and Victor's perfection robs the story of any real sense of contest - like watching a child play a chess master, the outcome is inevitable, so where's the climax?
Want to read
March 1, 2016can't wait to dive right into the book!!
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