Ava Parks’ job as a seeker for the Grim Reaper is one she wouldn’t wish on anyone. It’s her responsibility to find souls with the potential to become angels. Last fall she learned the hard way that bucking the system has its own set of consequences, as her choices nearly killed the two people she cares about most—her mother and the boy she’s come to love, Cole. Now, Ava’s mother is fading fast. Her former handler—and the root of her problems—seems set on revenge. And Ava must confess to Cole the price he has to pay for her saving his life—a decision he may never forgive her for. Ava’s path to retribution is filled with twists, turns, and a whole heap of heartache. As problems mount and push her to the breaking point, she’s forced into the unthinkable, making her question everything she thought she knew about life, loyalty, and love.
Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at jessicaruddick.com. To sign up for her newsletter, visit jessicaruddick.com/NL.
Retribution is the second novel in Jessica Ruddick’s Legacy series and is another highly enjoyable and extremely easy to read tale that will draw readers in and guarantee they are left wanting more.
As a seeker for the Grim Reaper, Ava Parks' job is to find souls worthy of angelhood and turn them in. Yet essentially sentencing people to death has become more than she can bare, and refusing puts the lives of the people she loves most—her mother and her boyfriend Cole—in jeopardy. Her mother is fading fast and Xavier is still out there, haunting Ava’s every waking moment. Add to the fact she now has a new handler in the form of Xena and has to find a way to tell Cole about his new status as a seeker, Ava finds herself struggling more than ever. Ava will have to find the strength to protect those she loves, but with none of the choices good options, how will Ava choose who lives and who dies?
Having quickly devoured Retribution, I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying this series so far. Even with only two books now under my belt, I’m very much invested in Ava’s story. Jessica Ruddick has created something in the essence of Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent; a tale filled with likable characters who have wonderful connections and chemistry together, a supernatural storyline that is both intriguing and full of potential, romance, action and plenty of ups and downs to entertain from beginning to end. Simply spot on, solid reading.
After the events of the first book Birthright, Ava and those closest to her are trying to come to terms with their new realities, while facing the overhanging threat of Xavier who is still the villain and whose motives are still unclear. Supporting Ava and Cole who readers are sure to already be in love with, Ruddick includes some new characters in the form of Xena and Shanice. Bill also takes on a larger role within the story and I think it’s simply adorable the new role he plays in Ava’s life. Personally I think the characters really complement each other and bring a lot to the story.
Retribution marks the beginning of a lot of changes to Ava’s life and sees her struggle with a lot of difficult and painful situations. Forced to eventually tell Cole the truth about when he was shot by Xavier, their relationship is put to the test. Ava remains a strong, personable character who has a likable voice and the perfect balance of inner strength, sass and teen vulnerability.
The loss of someone close to her will no doubt impact future books and I for one can’t wait to see what Jessica Ruddick does with the series next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ava´s life was one hard choice after another. With Xavier gone missing, removed from the position of their handler, she hopes to get better off with the new handler, Xena. But her family life is no easier with mom having no money to keep their own household, and the burden of secret about the circumstances of saving Cole´s life threaten to break her. Everytime Ava´s hopes go up, something crushes them again. Her life gets a new motto: one step forward, two steps back. And now it´s harder to cope with than before. I have already grown some feelings for the story and its characters while reading Birthright, so it is probably no surprise I liked the second installment in the legacy series. It was a nice and fast-paced read, and although I was forced to interrupt my reading, I easily slipped back into the familiar feel once I started reading again where I stopped before. Very emotional, but not forcefully so, the story could be both a nice relaxing read and morally conflicting read. The tough choices Ava is forced to face and the harsh circumstances building in her life provide a fertile soil for serious thinking about life, morals, and decision making, wondering what I would do in her place. I received an ARC of the book and voluntarily provide my opinions.
Retribution was another unputdownable book in the Legacy series, and I'm seriously hooked! Ava makes an impossible decision, to save Cole's life, but it's never that simple. Another great book, and even when things are looking dark, Ava manages to make me smile with her sarcasm and wit. Oh, the ending!! (No spoilers but omg.)
Just like with the first book of the series it’s kind of a slow burn. It took me about halfway through to actually be super interested. It felt like it dragged on too slow. More than halfway through is when I was like oh ok things are getting good lol However when it did get good it was interesting and I did enjoy it. I’m hoping the rest of the series picks up from here on out.
*RE-READ - I haven't read this series in over two years, I barely remember anything that happened*
This book was a roller coaster of emotions and the only constant was Bill. I honestly think Bill might be my favourite character and considering how little we actually see of him and his life in comparison to other characters, that's pretty telling. In comparison to the first book, this definitely wasn't better but it wasn't worse either. They are kind of on par with one another for me. There were a few plot twists in this book that kind of took me by surprise but I found that I struggled to find motivation to pick this book up and read it after I got about a quarter of a way through. The first half of the book just seemed quite long and drawn out, with nothing really making much sense to me. However, I persevered (I can't stand having DNF's on my shelf) and the second half of the book was actually a lot better. It was faster paced, more full of action and I actually found myself wanting to finish the book just so that I could see how it ends. The emotional roller coaster happens in the second half of the book, particularly towards the end and I felt a lot of sympathy for Ava.
Definitely not my favourite book in the series but 100% not my least favourite.
A saddened Ava must go on, if, only alone. I am hoping she achieves a Better Option. I will not spoil it for the reader. The need to see this for themselves.
Haunting. This book was an emotional rollercoaster that kept me up through the night reading it. The story was full of so many different emotions and twists I never knew what was going to happen. This is definitely a story that's going to stay with me for a long time. In this book we see a more vulnerable side to the characters and it really just hits my heart. I can't wait to see what happens next I'm both excited and even a little fearful and sad but I have no doubt that the next book will be just as gripping. I voluntarily reviewed an arc from the author.
Wow, I really enjoyed reading this book. I feel teenagers and young adults would love to read this book. I still love how Ava hates doing what she has to do and she so wants to change it, but no matter what it comes back to haunt her. Now that her love of her life is a seeker, because of her choice to bring him back to life in the last book, will he forgive her, can she teach him about auras because her new handler wants her to teach Cole. She has to make a decision on saving her mother or saving others, can she make that choice. Will all the choices she has to make be the right ones? I so had a hard time putting this down, just cause I had to know what was going to happen and what was going to happen next. I received an ARC copy for my honest review.
This is an awesome 2nd book. One sniping teenager, a hero whose mad at our heroine, a sick mother and a fallen angel with an attitude all lined up to take on the bad guy. That makes for a mashup team. Filled with edge of your seat suspense. You won't be able to put this one down either. Appropriate for young adults, new adults and older adults. Loved this story. Will read anything by this author. I received this as a free download and happily and voluntarily choose to leave a review.