Concerto

by J.D. Spero

Samantha McGovern sacrificed her magic to save her home town. Finally, after more than two years, new stirrings within her offer hope of a reawakening. However, neither that nor the prospect of a summer music program can offset the misery of her boyfriend’s departure. How can she keep Jason when he’s moved on to college life, but she’s still trapped in Skenesboro and high school for another year?

Sami finds distractions enough during her stay in Boston. New friends help her rediscover her power, and an old crush seems into her, far more than when they had both lived in NYC. Sami struggles to fend off the intoxicating charms of Miles Eichen, but with Jason’s increasing distance, it feels like a losing battle.

When her strange visions begin to come true, and extreme weather bursts over New England, Sami discovers a new purpose to her magic—magic stronger than she could imagine. Millions of lives are in danger, and only she has the power to foil a great evil with an agenda all its own. However, it will take a different kind of power to repair the rift between her and Jason. Is their love strong enough to heal the breach?

Genres: Young Adult

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

About the author

Johannah Davies (JD) Spero’s writing career took off when her first release, Catcher’s Keeper, was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. Her small town mystery series has won similar acclaim. Boy on Hold won 2020 IPPY Gold for Best Mystery/Thriller ebook and Boy Released was a 2021 Indies Today Finalist. Check out her bestselling romantic suspense, The Secret Cure. Having lived in various cities from St. Petersburg (Russia) to Boston, she now lives with her family in the Lake George, NY region where she was born and raised.

Reviews

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous read!
A sequel to Forte, this one captures the imagination much better if that was possible, and in a myriad ways.
Set two years later, it has Sami attending a summer music program in Boston and Jason away for college.
The distance between them and the reappearance of an old friend confuse Sami.
But more than this, is the question of what more she can do with her music. Will she ever experience the magic again?
When she sees visions of terrible problems related to the weather, Sami knows she has to drum up the power to fight it.
What stood out for me was the scenes painted by the words and the energy which the reader feels.
Looking forward to more in this series for sure.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

concerto by j d Spero.
it's been two years since she sacrificed her magic to save her home now. Sami McGovern has to face an evil force that manifest as extreme weather. Can she stop it?
a fantastic read. this series just gets better and better. I really didn't trust Miles as soon as I read about it. there was something telling me he wasn't to be trusted. 5*.

[Sarah Ramsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. Can’t wait to read more from this author. Would recommend to my friends

[M.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually had the pleasure of getting to read this before it came out. And, after sitting on book 1 for, admittedly, far too long, I decided to simply dive in and read the new one as a treat to myself (and to save my groaning TBR shelf from having to add one more title. hehe)
So, this is the impression of someone who read book 2... before reading book 1. Essentially: If you're a weirdo like me who actually enjoys the intellectual adventure of reading a series out of order... for the 'Forte' books, it's totally doable!
Fun magic system with cool locales (bonus points for real world places that I like!) I really got swept up in the story and the characters and was left wanting more. In a good way. (Which is great because, as you know, I hadn't read yet book 1 and so could easily scratch that itch.)
Spoiler alert for folks who want to go into a book cold (and if so, why are you reading this far into a review anyhow?) but Aunt Gaye really stole the show for me. I want to know her, I want to have coffee with her, heck I want to BE her. I'd easily read an entire book based around Aunt Gaye.
And, in hindsight (I actually thought I'd posted a review with my rating back when I read this in December but, apparently, it hadn't "stuck") if I were to read this again--and I intend to--I think my rating might increase. The prose is very fine, the imagery fantastic, and the book 'sticks' with you afterwards and would probably benefit from re-reads.
Could see this becoming one of my "comfort food" books that I return to again and again.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an editor, I generally refrain from giving star ratings to works in which I am involved in order to maintain the integrity of the system. However, JD Spero has followed up her initial offering of the award-winning FORTE with this truly excellent sequel, CRESCENDO. I'm quite proud of her work in this project, her meticulous attention to detail, her wonderful voice, and her ability to really get into the psyche of her characters. Nothing rings false or forced as she immerses the reader into contemporary culture and gives it a supernatural spin. Teens and young adults will appreciate her ability to see through their eyes. Adults will praise her for her deft handling of sensitive subjects, just as she did in FORTE. As one with teens to love and guide, JD's FORTE series is at the top of my gift list. I'm certain CRESCENDO will add even more accolades to Ms. Spero's growing collection.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Book One Of this series, I was very keen to read this sequel. I most certainly was not disappointed. The author’s skill at writing for both audiences of Young and Older Adults is extremely impressive. Yet again, we find the main character in a situation where she not only has to fight her own battles as a teenager, but has to take on the battle of saving much more. The plot flowed so well, as she finds out so much more about herself and others. That ultimate challenge of who to trust, while finding herself. Sensitive subjects are handled with care, but with no patronising or glamorous description. I applaud the skill that is shown by the author.

[Brian Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy to read this follow up to Forte though a little worried that I would still be frustrated with the lead character. Sami had previously been a rather confusing character to me in that a lot of her actions just didn't make sense to me. Not that she wasn't written well, I guess I just don't get the thought processes of teenage girls.

This time around she has matured and has grown. She tackles one crisis after another with grace and courage while balancing a teenagers ever dramatic personal life.

This book was a joy to read. It was paced wonderfully and had a satisfying story arc and conclusion while leaving a bit of mystery for the future.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spero deftly weaves together magic, mythology, mystery, suspense, a love triangle, and powerful (timely) enviromental themes. Fans of Rick Riordan's books will enjoy this series surely. I loved how Sami's character deepened and matured and how the author keeps you guessing. All the characters (especially the villians) delight and surprise. A fabulous sequel — and the sneak peek at Cadence, book three, made me so excited for the next book!

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I finished Forte, I went right to Concerto, the second book in this series, eager to find out how Sami continues her journey. And since I’m not one for fantasy, I put the fantastical elements aside (magical birthmarks, future-predicting-music and the like) to once again learn from Sami. Thrust into a new situation where she has to sort through her purpose and gifts for the world, we learn about friendship and the ties that bind, love and complicated relationships and the powers that just might still exist around us. And if you love that kind of vibe full of modern mythology, you’ll want to take a look at Concerto, the third book in the series, too.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read! This sequel takes Sami to a whole new world in many ways. Not only does she leave her small town for Boston and the North Shore, but also realizes that the power of her music magic can have a positive impact on the natural world, increasingly plagued by extreme weather. What is causing so much of it and does it have anything to do with Miles, her long lost flame, with his mysterious connections? A romantic triangle, growing pains for Sami and a positive environmental message make a great read for young adults and everyone.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jd Spero’s sequel is entangled and fast paced, loaded with foreboding and foreshadowing. The characters have great chemistry. It feels like you’re in the room. She Really takes you on an incredible ride through Sami McGovern ‘s world of urban Greek mythology. This is a page turner. My 15 year old self totally ate it up.

[Jim Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spero's follow up to the award-winning "Forte" brings Sami's magical, musical world to a grander scale. Now off to college, Sami encounters sinister magics afoot that threaten the stability of our very Earth. Her story is relatable, as she doubts herself, her place in the world, and the array of new people she's meeting. As always, Spero writes her characters well. They are always easy to distinguish, and have their own personalities, drives, and ways of speaking. Even the villains are sympathetic. She also goes deeper into the Greek mythos, which fans will love.
Highly recommended!

[Sally Mcdonagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been 2 years since we left off in forte and Sami has matured quite a bit. She is now in a relationship with Jason and is facing another, if different, battle, where she tries to keep that relationship on track while separated. She is going to Boston for a music program and he is in Rhode Island at college.
She’s surprised to see a familiar face on her first day classes, her old friend Miles. As she reconnects with Miles we see her relationship with Jason deteriorate.
But, that’s not all that’s happening. It’s only when Jason is caught up in a hurricane that she realises that magic is caught up in her music again.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one as I found Sami to be more likeable and less flighty. The story
Itself was very interesting with its ties to Greek mythology again. I look forward to reading book 3

[Kay Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from J D Speed with just the right about of fantasy, grounded by a good story. not my normal genre if book but thoroughly enjoyed this and the previous book Forte. if you don't normally read this type of catagory give it a go, suitable for all ages. looking forward to the next one.

[Kamini Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga continues. I am still reading, wanting to know what happens next. There were some rough patches, but so go the teenage years. The main plot is consistent and compelling.

[Sydney Champagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book! I couldn't put it down! The plot twists and lovable characters made it an exiting read

[Kaitlyn Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love JD Spero’s writing. Concerto is sequel to SPIKE! (And I loved that one too)!
Unique story line with perfect balance of magical realism and relatable. Easy reading READ THIS!!!!