Resurrection

The Guardians of Vesturon #2

by A.M. Hargrove

An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.

From USA Today bestselling author, A.M. Hargrove, comes Resurrection, Book 2, in The Guardians of Vesturon Series. Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love? In Resurrection, The Guardians of Vesturon face their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. As protectors of the universe, The Guardians have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. Not only that, an unknown entity is intent on discrediting the Yarrister family. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?Resurrection, the continuation of Survival is a young adult/new adult clean romance, the second book in A.M. Hargrove’s the Guardians of Vesturon Series. It’s a blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal fiction, featuring suspense, surprising plot twists, and a mix of amazing characters that will keep you turning the pages. If you like raw emotion, unusual settings, and adventure, then start reading this series today.*Author's Note: This is the second edition of this novel. It was first published in 2012.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Aliens, Science Fiction

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2012

About the author

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she made a quick decision to quit her job and reinvented herself as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Reader, Writer, #WalterThePuppy Owner, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Vodka Aficionado, Coffee Drinker, she believes coffee and ice cream should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Connect with Annie here
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Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-m-h...

Reviews

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor “Survival” the cover to “Resurrection” is amazing! I absolutely love it! We get an imaginative look at Vesturon. And did anyone else notice the mark of Vesturon Blood cascading in the waters? My only disappointment was the marks of the first born were not weaved into the cover somehow. Although I could be wrong on that fact as I have a kindle copy and sometimes—cover art can be tricky. I did notice etching around the title.

Hargrove must have a genie in a bottle whipping up her title names. Not only is Maddie resurrected from for being a helpless human who seem to always be at the grips of death time and time again, but Rayn finds himself in a fight for his own life. All while Maddie is becoming an independent free thinking female with her own strengths and abilities. Hargrove managed to stun me as she continued to weave a plot with more mystery and utter heart breaking moment that seized my very breath.

Hargrove didn’t slack on character development as she intertwine the plots from book one and built a solid foundation for the series to thrive upon. “Resurrection” begins where we were last left in “Survival” and takes you on a emotional journey full of up’s and down’s; twist and turns. You will be on the edge of your seat unable to turn the pages fast enough.

This was another terrific read from Annie Hargrove and she ends the story with an unexpected twist involving Rykerian, it’s enough of a teaser to definitely interest me in reading the third book! I honestly can’t wait to see Maddie surrounded by more of the humans she loves.


Disclosure: I participated in Read it Reap in the Shut Up & Read Group and a copy was provided to me by the author. No payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was not any obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist, or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resurrection is the second book of The Guardians of Vesturon series. I actually enjoyed the second book in this series even more than the first. The development of the story and the characters came together well, and I loved the progression of the story.

Resurrection picked up right where the first book, Survival, left off. Maddie was seriously injured and needed immediate help. The only way to help her and keep her alive was to break all the rules (again) and bring her to Vesturon to be healed.

I love the world building in this story, as we got to see more about Rayn's home, Vesturon. The author did a great job creating this world for us and describing it in such a way that it could really be a real place. I also love the descriptiveness of the book overall.

I love the character development from the first book to the second. The characters we were introduced to and loved in Survival are back again. I love that we got to watch them grow and mature as they go through their struggles and learn more about themselves. I really liked reading about the romance between Rayn and Maddie. It was not too rushed, and you could feel the connection between them.

Resurrection has plenty of action to keep you entertained and enough mystery to keep you reading to find out what happens next!

Interview with author A.M. Hargrove:
http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspo...

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.M. Hargrove has written another gem. There is a lot more going on in Resurrection, the second book in the Guardians of Vesturon series. The characters have matured and the focus is not only on Maddie and Ryan. You get to learn more about the planet Vesturon, described in rich detail.
A superb read, fast-paced, with sub-plots that combine well and a flowing story line.
If you are looking for a solid adventure and lots of action, look no further.
I am anxiously hoping for a third book in this series and would like to read more about the stories behind Ryan's family.

[Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Did I like this book? Heck yes! Rayn is back and Maddie is in toe. Maddie grows as a character in story from being clumsy to strong. Does she still make her fair share of mistakes, yes. But with any story that what we want to read and see happen. I can’t share to much other than there are a lot of ups and downs. I wouldn’t want to walk in Maddie’s shoes. But somehow she pulls it off. Rayn, on the other hand, makes tough decisions. But I respect most of them. He’s been through a lot and even the best of us run out of patience at times.

I had some minor problems with the story but nothing that would keep anyone from enjoying it.

I thought Maddie’s powers, her going from clumsy to badass, rescue and destruction of the enemy to the point of retreat happened a little too quickly at times. However, most were reasonably explained later in the story.


This story is very interesting and different than any book I read. It captured my attention and I felt drawn back to it each and every time I had to put it down. So go out and read this second in a series after you’ve read Survival.

My book boyfriend is Rayn!

[Bookish Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Received e-book through Read It and Reap program from the Shut Up and Read! Goodreads group from author**

Book 2 of The Guardians of Vesturon is a definitely must-read if you have read the first book, Survival. It's definitely a much more smoother read than Survival (no constant changing of POV). Book 1 left a cliffhanger which made me crave for more! I must say the author did a good job in Book 2, not only did she gave a brief recap of the characters and what's happening, she also developed the characters even further.

It's heartwarming to read the change in Maddie even though she's still the accident prone and disaster bringing character. It's really fun to read everything about her. I can relate to her and understand her need to do what she had to do (please read to find out what). Powerful, that's what she'd become. It's really lucky that she has all the support from those around her, except for Rayn who couldn't see past what she's endured to become what she was now.

This is a series I want to continue.

Cheers for A.M. Hargrove and the The Guardian of Vesturon series.

Can I have more please?

4/5 stars for Resurrection!

[Nawnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out right at the cliffhanger that Survivor book one ended at. Maddie hurt and broken trying to decide between her parents and Rayn. This is a book fraught with emotional turmoil, and danger. Each character goes through major growth and changes in this book. Maddie finds out so much about herself through out this book she goes through growth and change, finds out an interesting mystery about her family tree, and pushes herself physically and mentally during the whole of this book. There is a lot more action going on in this book than in the first more plot twists, and more characters to meet and interact with. I really enjoyed this book and getting to know the characters more in-depth. If you enjoyed Survivor you will really enjoy the sequel Resurrection, I highly recommend that you pick up this book and read it. The Author's writing style is more put together and she's doing more showing than telling this time around, which is great I'd rather have the words used to paint a picture for me than a manual.



This was a free book given to me by the author for a fair review. Thank's for the book I really enjoyed it.

[Beckyloohoo Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ aka Mrs. Acheron Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story picks up from the monster of a cliff-hanger from the first book. I couldn't wait to pick it up and see where these characters would go. I was pleased to watch them grow and change. It was fun to watch. Maggie goes from a clumsy walking disaster (but a nice one!) to woman who can take care of herself. It was sad to watch her do it alone, but like most things in life it was necessary. She needed to take charge of her life and grow up, and it was really nice to see.

The funny moments had me laughing out loud, and the sad moments had me tearing up. It was heart-breaking in places. It was great to feel so connected to the characters that you can feel their sorrow leaping off the page. It was well done. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.


Would I reread this book? Yes, probably before the next book in the series.

Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes

[Hazel *Craves the Angst Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resurrection is the second book in the series The Guardians of Vesturon written by A.M. Hargrove. I read this as a R2R with Making Connections YA Edition. As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.

The Review:
Wow, what a huge improvement over book one, Survival. I really liked this book! I was truly impressed with both the writing and the story.

Likes:
I loved Vesturon! I want to live there! The author does a beautiful job describing the planet, its inhabitants, their culture, rituals and their technology. This story took a huge leap from book one, with lots of excitement, action and fun!

I loved that we get to see a completely different Maddie in this book. She’s stronger, more willful and develops into a terrific heroin. Her need to become independent sent her on a long journey of self discovery and training. The conflict that resulted from these actions between her and Rayn was dramatic and well done! I loved every minute of her time on Vesturon and I loved her and Rayn together! In book one, I was barely tolerable of the characters, finding them immature and poorly executed. Not in this book. There was some serious character development with all the mains and I loved the introduction of new the characters as well.

Dislikes:
I still had issues with the dialogue. I mentioned in my review for book one, I found it “contrived, long winded and sappy.” That was still the case in this book although not nearly to the extremes as book one. I also mentioned in my review of book one that I thought Maddie’s klutziness was just too much, too ridiculous and too silly. I still think that some of Maddie’s klutzy antics were over the top but at least we get an explanation in this book as to why. The only other issue I had with this book was how the story was “told” to the reader. Things were glossed over and you were told from a narrative POV instead of reading the action as it happened and Im not a huge fan of that style of writing. I want to experience the events of a book as they are happening to a character, not read about it after the fact or have it narrated in short form.

The Wrap Up:
I really enjoyed this book! I wasn’t a big fan of book one, but Im glad I read it because it lead me to this book. I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the time on Earth, the time in space and the time on Vesturon. This book was filled with action, laughs, scary moments and lots of fun. I would definitely suggest this book to my friends. Im excited to read book three, Determinant even though I think it moves on from Maddie and Rayn as the mains, to January, one of Maddies college friend and Rykerian, one of the important side characters in both Survival and Resurrection.

NOTE:: Click to read my review of book one, Survival.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Received e-book through Read It and Reap program from the Shut Up and Read! Goodreads group from author;
**Also posted on Amazon.com under Leanne

Resurrection continues the story of Maddie Pearce and Rayn Yarrister from the first book of the Guardians of Vesturon series, Survival. It begins where Survival left off, with the kidnapping and torture of Maddie at the hands of the serial killer, Darryl. As done previously, Hargrove divides the novel into four books, 1) Maddie’s rescue by Rayn’s brothers and her recuperation, 2) Rayn’s trial on Vesturon with the Council of Elders, the discovery of the conspirators, and the revelation of Maddie’s heritage, 3) Maddie’s exploration of her newfound abilities, and separation from Rayn, 4) Rayn’s rescue, the end of the conflict with the Xanthians (another race), and the conclusion of Maddie’s and Rayn’s relationship.

Hargrove definitely improved her writing with this book. Firstly, she stuck with a third person narrative throughout the novel, which made the reading of it more consistent and the plot more streamlined. This was in contrast to Survival, where we had multiple POVs, which confused the reader and resulted in disjointed sections throughout the book. Secondly, the character of Maddie underwent drastic development as she transitioned from a human female saved by Rayn and reliant on his family to becoming a much more independent young woman with her own strengths and point of view (hence the title, Resurrection). It was heartwarming and satisfying to see her lose her clumsiness and shyness and grow into a confident woman who could face obstacles without Rayn’s support; e.g. I cheered when she assertively stood up for herself against a bully at the academy and when she made defining decisions in her relationship with Rayn. At the same time, Hargrove managed to maintain Maddie’s charm and wholesomeness despite her transformation. Lastly, I appreciated Hargrove’s ambitious integration of multiple sub-plots with the introduction of new characters, which further illustrated the inner workings of the Guardians and the dynamics within the Yarrister family.

Overall, Resurrection was a delightful sequel, which answered many questions about the Guardians of Vesturon, the relationship between Maddie and Rayn, and Maddie’s role in her new home. Hargrove ends the story with an unexpected twist involving Rykerian, enough of a teaser to definitely interest me in reading the third book, as I love his character and believe he deserves a book of his own. I would recommend this to young adult readers, who are fans of Twilight and of the first book, Survival.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guardians of Vesturon Book 2

Sometimes a reader is enraptured with the first book of a series, anticipating the next, and finds herself disappointed. Well, worry not, Gentle Readers, that will NOT happen here. You loved and reveled in “Survival,” now get ready to rock with “Resurrection.” A. M. Hargrove is a very special author who delivers the goods. Qs a writer myself, I am constantly amazed at how she is able to meld the crossing of genres (contemporary, paranormal, science fiction, and more) and make the consequent product not only work, but endear itself to the hearts of readers. I’m so excited that the third volume in this wonderful trilogy will arrive in only three months; but in the meantime, we have the first two books in the “Guardians of Vesturon” series to read, reread, and reread yet again.

Readers who’ve raced through the first volume know that Maddie was left in seriously dire straits-waiting for rescue that she could not be certain would ever come, or at least not in time. If you haven’t read “Survival,” worry not, you can certainly enjoy “Resurrection” (although I would highly recommend reading both!), I don’t wish to need a spoiler alert in this review, so let me just say: get “Resurrection,” don’t overlook it; it doesn’t matter if you don’t think this is your usual genre of choice (there’s such a blend of genres here almost any reader is going to love it). Unless you don’t enjoy fast-paced, priceless reads, you’re going to want this as a keeper. Now go and get “Resurrection” (and “Survival”) and don’t delay.

[Darci · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you know I loved the first book in the series (you can find my review near the bottom of this post) and the second one definitely did not disappoint. I love how this book was mostly about Maddie finding herself. She refused to let her and Rayn's relationship go any further until she found her place in this world. A.M. Hargrove has completely changed my opinion of Aliens and different planets. I love Vesturon, and I could totally see myself marrying Tesslar and living up there someday! (wouldn't our names look so cute together?!) Anyway enough with my fantasies and back to the story. I love the kiss-a** heroine that Maddie is turning into. This book really took hold of my emotions. I didn't cry when it hit the low points, but I almost did which is saying a lot for me! (I have never cried while reading a book before) Maddie and Rayn really have to get through a lot in this book, and they make many new discoveries, but with each hardship their character develops. The growth is really what makes this book so great! Overall its a really awesome read and I can't wait for more books in this series!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and the first one had me on the edge of my seat... at certain parts of the books I was smiling like an idiot, cause it was just so enthralling. I can't wait to read the third book... I would love to see who the blonde beauty is at the end of the book... though I have an idea, but I need to know.

This book was wonderful!

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resurrection, the continuing saga of Survival continues with Maddie and Rayn's journey into a new life in a new world together. I am impressed with the author's development of the story and the way the characters all came together to make for a fun and interesting read.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Thoughts:

This was one world wind of a story; so much more happened in this book and the fact that the point of view switched really turned things around. I immensely enjoyed the connections I felt with the characters, the fact that I could keep reading and lose track of time and also the continuation of such a powerful yet sweet story. This book literally had all kinds of elements; action, the dreadful mean girl (in this case a girl with a back-up crew), love, both inner and outer struggles and so much more. There really aren’t enough words to sum up all that was unveiled in this book.

Plot:

The plot was planned just right, there was plenty of action and slow scenes to help keep the reader reading and enjoying it at the same time. A lot of the previous questions I had from the first book were clearly answered in this one but the author also introduced a new conflict near the end (so not telling; you’re going to have to read it on your own) But one thing I had a slight issue with was just the fact that so much happened in this story and I wished some of the plot points could have been a longer length of time; giving the reader time to absorb all its glory and consequences. Don’t get me wrong; I loved all that happened in this story I just wish some of it could have been drawn out just a little more.

Characters:

They were just as witty and full of life as they were in the first book. Each of them had a distinct personality and they were never dull. Even the more minor characters had their own little spark. Each character made a contribution to the story and I didn’t find any of them misplaced or invalued.

Transformation of the character:

There were some characters that transformed more in this book and two of them being Rayn and Maddie, both of them transformed so beautifully inside; each one had to overcome some pretty big hurtles and I liked how the author executed their transformations. They weren’t forced or rushed; she gradually made them change and allowed the reader to see a side of them that was both touching and painful. As for some of the other characters they too made beautiful transformations and a certain someone (won’t say the name) changed quite a lot in this book and I loved the fact that the author chose his transformation to fit his character and not the ones around him.

Description:

The description was beautiful, I enjoyed how she described Vesturon, and she did a great job creating a world that didn’t exist. What I enjoyed the most was how she described the military aspects, it was like she was really knowledgeable in their systems and it was nice to see that unfold. This author has a great knack on describing fight scenes and intimate ones that include a calm and smooth atmosphere. And the way she described the romance between Rayn and Maddie was perfect, she really did a great job on the more “intimate” scenes and created a sense of power and the love between them.

Style:

I liked how she used third person, I really got to see all aspects of the characters world and wasn’t whiplashed from character to character, I was able to see the story unfold from a distant yet intimate point of view. Though I felt at times some of the transitions were a little rough but in an overall look it really didn’t bother me. This author has her own unique style and I love that she switches it up; creating a new and more fresh outlook for the reading audience.

Goodreads Summary:

"Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again."

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?

In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

Last Thoughts:

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book of this series, this story had so many conflicts solved and alongside it added even more drama! I would also recommend this to anyone who enjoys the creativity and creation of a new world, this book definitely has its own flavor and is unique and fun to read. I wouldn’t however recommend this if you don’t like to read about aliens, though they aren’t your typical alien the idea itself is still there. I also wouldn’t recommend this if you don’t like reading about romance; this definitely carries that element throughout the entire story. Overall I did enjoy this book and I find myself thinking about it from time to time and crave that connection with the characters that I don’t find often in the books I read. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for all these loveable characters! This is definitely a series I want to continue!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin with, I absolutely loved this book! The above summary does not do it any justice. The story packs so much more, but I guess it's better left as a surprise.

This story is the second in the Guardians of Vesturon series, the first being 'Survival', you can find me review for that one here. The story picks up exactly where we left off at the end of Survival, which is great because I would hate to miss out on any possible story line.

As is usual for Maddie, in this book she finds herself in terribly awkward situations, and even more near death experiences. You really have to pity her sometimes, she is like a magnet for bad luck and trouble. The way she is portrayed, I almost see her as a little child, always getting into big messes, causing big problems, and Rayn's family is following her around and taking care of her, cleaning up her messes. At times, I wonder how they didn't explode or just ship her off, her episodes would probably be to much for me to handle, even if my brother was intensely in love with her. But, in this story, we get to see Maddie become a whole new person, making the title of this book pretty much perfect. It really is like a resurrection of Maddie. Gone is the Maddie we have known through book one and part of book two, by the end we have a brand new character that has grown in so many ways. You will come to admire her, love her, and be so happy for and proud of her. Going through Maddie's experiences with her and watching her grow was wonderful. I found myself biting my nails in anticipation, felt my stomach tying up in knots when things got intense, and ultimately I even cried.

Rayn also has some ups and downs in this book. We see sides of him that are surprising. Of course we know he is very protective of Maddie, but we get quite a good look at just how deep that emotion runs, and how it effects him during Maddie's trials and tribulations. Their love story is one I adore. I just wanted everything to be perfect for them, there are some major bumps in road for their relationship during this book, at times I feared the worst or caught myself thinking 'No! That's can't happen!'

Aside from Maddie's incredible character growth, and some amazing details we discover about her past that will shock you! There is also a big war waging between the Guardians and beings from another planet called Xanthians, who are attacking Earth with the plan to destroy it and steal all it's resources as theirs are near depletion. Rayn being the first born and a lead Guardian obviously plays a huge roll in this war, which obviously in turn plays into his and Maddie's relationship. For better or for worse, maybe a little of both, you will have to read it to see for yourself.

I know I said this in the beginning, but I full out loved this book. For a while at the beginning everything was going so well, and I was so happy, and then of course, you know something has to go wrong, at that point, It was impossible for me to stop reading. after I reached 60% I didn't stop reading till I was done, I couldn't! I was up way into the night, without feeling even slightly tired, because the story was just to enthralling. I seriously can not wait to read book three. I can't wait to sink my literary teeth into more of the world that Hargrove has created for us with these books. I absolutely recommend that you get out there and find yourselves some copies of these books, You will fall in love when you read 'Survival', and then Resurrection will rock your world! I'm willing to bet that the third installment will be even better! I want to send out a great big thanks to A.M Hargrove for sharing this book with me, I told her how much I loved Survival and she in turn gave me Resurrection, I am sincerely grateful! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with me, I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Lizze Gorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

For two star-crossed lovers, two soul mates Madeline “Maddie” Pearce and Rayn Yarrister life is looking pretty bleak. Rayn is imprisoned for breaking a scarred covenant of Vesturon and since he happens to be the first born son to the Vesturon’s leader, things really couldn’t look grimmer. That is until the remaining Yarrister children, with the help of Maddie, decide the time has come to fight for love, a new future and maybe a few changes to the old ways. Unbeknownst to them all, this is only the beginning and destiny has so much more in store.

After finishing Survival, written by A.M.Hargrove, even with all of its issues, bumps and blips along the way; I found myself invested, invested with Maddie Pearce and Rayn Yarrister, invested with as much of the Yarrister family that had been introduced thus far. I had fallen in love with Maddie’s quirks and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how she and Rayn would get past it all. But that’s just it, I wanted to know. So issues, blips, or bumps along the way or not, I picked up Resurrection and jumped right in.

I jumped right in and started reading and I found myself pleasantly surprised.

The reoccurring flashbacks that were and an issue in Survival? Gone. The Point-of-View jumping from character to character? That’s not entirely gone but it is handled in a much gentler manner. I can’t tell you how freeing it was to see, or not see for that matter, that these two major issues were gone like a bad dream. Without these two blips, speed bumps in the road if you will, it allows Resurrection to have the space it needs to open up – both in character depth and description of location and plot.

I won’t give away any spoilers, that’s not my style, but I will tell you this. I connected with the characters of Resurrection in a way that I wasn’t able to connect with them in Survival. It didn’t matter what type of emotionally charged situation any of them were going through, I felt as if I were there sharing that time with them. All of A.M.’s characters became a bit more 3-Dimensenial in Resurrection.

The characters weren’t the only thing to become more 3-Dimensenial. A.M.’s decsriptions of Vesturon were beautiful and detailed. I could feel Maddie’s reactions to Vesturon – the good, the bad, the indifferent. It was wonderful. It felt as if I were there with her; experiencing everything through her eyes and various, other senses for the first time.

My only qualm about the book is when the differences between how things are done one Earth and how things are done on Vesturon are explained. Rather than continuing on the journey and exploration that Maddie has already begun, it feels cold and mechanical. Almost as if A.M. was looking for a way in which to take up space and fill up time. So something that could have been very curious and full of wonder for both Maddie and the reader had turned cold and clinical.

That aside, I believe Resurrection to be a fantastic journey where many of the loose-ends from Survival are neatly tied up. And a few new ends are left dangling, leaving the reader to wonder, “Where will we go from here”?

[Ariella · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of my reviews at Secrets of Lost Words

*A review copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Look at my review of the first book here.

The Cover: Another pretty! Yay!

First Impression: *after finishing the first book* Oh my goodness, where's the second book?? I need it!

First Sentence: Maddie distinctly heard her father telling her, "Maddie, you must decide what you want to do."

My Thoughts:

I'm very excited for this book!!! I stayed up until 2 AM reading this. I just had to finish it! Now I'm a happy child.

So, this book picked up right where it left off in the first book. At the time, Maddie was kidnapped by the sadistic jerk, Darryl Carter (again). Rayn was shocked by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help. And thankfully, she got saved (of course she did).

I find that this book talks more about Rayn's trial and their life after it. It shows Maddie's change of character into someone that is more fitting to be the First Born's mate. You can observe Maddie's change physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Oh how I loved the pretty descriptions in the book. They gave me a clear image of the surroundings, characters, and etc.

Maddie, our loving character, is still very clumsy, unfortunately. But that, my friend, will be changed in this book. Maddie will face her destiny.

Hmm.. what other things are there? Oh yeah, be prepared for more DRAMA!!! Oh, we all love drama, don't we? *sarcastic* Maddie and Rayn will go through their really big up and downs (when I say big, I mean really big). Here's a bit of preview:

As he moved to leave, Maddie exclaimed, "Dear lord, Rayn, you are truly breaking my heart!"
Rayn responded none too gently, "Consider us even then, because you have ripped mine out and crushed it with your hand." With that, he stormed out the room."

Okay, I might have teared up a bit there. *sniffles*

Now, onto the negative side. Some things that I found weird was how Maddie would speak so formally and sound very much like an adult (like the example above) and then a few pages later she would sound like a teenager. That was pretty much the only problem I found.. (I'm not that good at finding problems).

Dramatic, moving, and beautifully-written, you should pick up this series if you haven't already! :)

[dsneaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove for free through the group Making Connections in exchange for a review. I read the first book in this series about two months ago. When I was starting this book I was literally jumping up and down in excitement. I could not wait to start the book. The first book leaves off with a massive cliff hanger. And I must say I enjoyed parts of this book more then I did the first book. Some parts of Resurrection lost my attention, but I really enjoyed the book.
A lot of things happen through out Resurrection. There is A lot of action. Though while reading it I started to think that I was starting to dislike how Maddie was being portrayed as weak and constantly needing Rayn to save her. That all Maddie needed to be happy was a man and to married. Though she under goes a transformation that makes me love the character of Maddie even more. Maddie is still the same person the same character but more badass in a sense. She's a character that everyone little girl would want to grow up to be and dream to be like. I love who she becomes in his book. This book shows the importance of being independent as a women and strong but that its okay to have a man and be in love. But that a person really needs to love themselves first before they can ever truly give their love to another person. I love that lesson in this story.
Just as a side note though of something I personally really liked in the book. I really enjoyed how the men referred to women as female. Like how Rayn would refer to Maddie as his female. not my women but my female. I just really enjoyed that and thought it was cute.
My recommendations is to READ THIS SERIES. If you read the first book it goes without saying to go and read this book, because how could you not want to read this book with an ending like the one in Survival. But if you have not read the first book in this series I suggest you do so, just so you can get to read this book.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for review from the Shut Up and Read group here on Goodreads.

Maddie, Maddie, Maddie. I absolutely adore this girl. This chick has been to hell and back and somehow she manages to stay strong. I envy her to be honest.

I definitely enjoyed reading Resurrection. I love the romance between Maddie and Rayn. There is so much going on during this story though that my head was spinning. It was fast-paced and I generally don't mind a fast paced story but I feel that certain sections should have gone more in depth. It felt rushed to me. Everything got sandwiched into one book and I felt it could have been separated into at least two books. First we have Maddie fighting for her life (again!), then we have Rayn being imprisoned on Vesturon, along with that have Maddie's side story, we have the Xanthians trying to attack Earth, a couple of romances, along with a few other things. We get to see Maddie transform into a wonderful woman and it's fun to be along for the journey.


I'm not saying it was a bad book because I don't believe it was. I was pulled into the story and I wanted to know what happened next. I just wanted MORE of each aspect that I was reading. One thing that annoyed me was Rayn's sister, Sharra. Every single time she is corrected by someone, she says the SAME THING. No one can possibly repeat themselves that much. I understand that it is her quirk but it could have been cut down some. There is plenty of banter among the Yarrister family that it didn't need to be included.

If you've read Survival, you will want to pick this book up. We pick up right where we left off and if you adore the characters as much as I do, you will want to see what happens next.

For more reviews and the original posting:
http://cassreviews.blogspot.com

[Julie(Reading By The Beach) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortuitous enough to receive a free copy of Resurrection from the author.

The characters are further developed as the perspectives interchange within the story. Rayn is the same protective, unconditionally loving man that readers first melted for. Maddie is the same accident prone, sometimes beyond innocent, indecisive girl, but she starts to transform as the story progresses. She makes the decision to change, ultimately finding herself and becoming a confident, independent woman. She undergoes many hardships, but Maddie's new way may be more agreeable to some readers. The change in Maddie is welcomed, turning the story from slightly great to fabulous, but unfortunately Rayn and Maddie's relationship hits some turbulence, leaving the reader in a gut-wrenched state.

The plot line has many twists, leaving the reader to grip the pages as they are left with events that are extremely unexpected. There is never a dull moment as we learn new qualities about all of the characters and watch the story unfold from our viewpoint. The time line of the story allows for everything to flow naturally, not rushed or forced. It adds major points to the overall feel of the book. The sub-plots merge nicely with the entire story, giving it meat. Resurrection is packing way more emotion than Survival, making the feelings it provokes palpable. The reader will be drawn even more into the story, not wanting to let go until the end, maybe even beyond that. A.M. Hargrove knows how to successfully draw in her readers and leave them satisfied, once again!

[Sitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of Maddie Pearce in this young adult paranormal romance story continues. The 2nd installment has topped all of my expectations. My wishes concerning more Maddie input became true. Never leaving the story too much out of my sight, I enjoyed every bit of reading. This book was divided into four parts but I felt that each of these parts were necessary to define different developmental and emotional stages that Maddie found herself growing into. We read how Maddie and Rayns live go through ups and downs of a relationship which displays some of the true challenges that the couple have to face sometimes in life and not all can be viewed behind rosy glasses. From those tests Maddie also grows and matures into a young woman worthy of becoming the next first Lady to the great leader of Vesturon in the future. It seems afterall Mariah, her mother has been right all along - Maddie is destined for greatness. Up on Vesturon everything is so much new and while learning more about the Planet, Maddie learns more about herself. Who wouldn't be loving a high-tech planet with the most advanced households supplies in the world which makes life so much more easier and comfortable. You can count me in for the fun, definitely. For sure I didn’t see all of that coming and there is some surprise up ahead with Maddie's close College friend January, which I probably get the answer once the 3rd book of the series has been published. Won't be too long and I'll be catching up.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great follow up to Survival! Again, I couldn't tear myself away from Maddie and Rayn. It was great to witness Maddie's triumph in her trials. The entire group of Rayn's siblings intrigues me and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I hope that the each eventually get their stories told. I'm especially looking forward to Shar's, she's hilarious!

Awesome, fast paced with lots of action that kept my interest. As in the first book, the characters were strongly written. I must say it was also great to read a book that is written the way these are. I like that the author doesn't "dumb things down" for lack of a better way to put it. There were lessons to be learned through the experiences of Maddie and Rayn. However, the writing style is such that you don't realize the moral side of things until you complete the book and reflect on what you've read.

I would recommend this series to anyone who is looking for an adventure with intelligent, charasmatic characters. HUGE thank you to Ms. Hargrove for sharing her work!!

[E.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book this morning and I just finished it, I could NOT put it down. I liked book 1 alot but book 2 went beyound like, beyond love even. It has made my favorites list! Not sure if I will be reading book 3, I totally fell in love with Maddie's story, but I most likely will. I cried at one point, and those who have read it I'm sure will know when that was. I had a good laugh more than once, not as much as I did in book 1 with the 'the animal that ate the bird', dont know why I found that so funny but i did. I still like the sister alot and would def like to read more about her.

[Amos Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I loved the first book in the series and I was worried that the second may not live up to my expectations but I am happy to say I loved Resurrection just as much. There is just as much intensity and imagination in this second installment as there was in the first. I love Maddie as a heroine and she grew as a character even more in this installment. This is the kind of series that you can simply lose yourself in and I look forward to more of the same.
Highly recommended.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and 24 hours was done with it. Love how Maddie come to know herself and her new abilities. At the end, now understands how Rayn feels about and walking through fire for her. I hoping the next book is coming out soon. A love story which will make you want to laugh, cry and cheer for victory. Looking foward in reading more og A.M. Hargrove books.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great follow up to the first book. I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to see where it will go next. I love the characters and the change in Maddie was amazing and done very well. This is a great story.

[Fiona (Titch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, what a book. It had me laughing, crying, lumps in my throat. It had me so gripped I can't believe I read this book within 2 days.

The characters were so believable and I so wanted to read on further. Now I definately can't wait til I get book 3 when A.M. Hargrove writes the next 1.

[Mauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I couldn't read it fast enough. So much was going on you just had to keep reading to see what would happen. One part just ripped my heart out for Maddie. Oh man! I also think we need a video of her dancing.
I am hooked on the Guardians of Vesturon and will keep reading.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! It picked up right from where the 1st book ended and continued at the same fast pace I had come to expect. LOVED IT! I also love how the "female" charecter is the strong one in this. We need more books like this!

[Evie]

These look so freaking awesome! I just got book number 1 free from amazon!