Book Review: The Replaced by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Replaced (The Taking #2)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Format Read: Finished Copy- Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Romantic and action-packed, THE REPLACED is the gripping second installment in the Taking trilogy.
Kyra hasn't been the same since she returned from her mysterious five-year disappearance. Now, on the fun from NSA, Kyra is forced to hide out with other who, like her, have been Returned. Yet she is determined to find Tyler, the boy she loves who was also abducted-- all because of her. When her group intercepts a message that Tyler might still be alive but is in the hands of a shadowy government organization that experiments on the Returned, Kyrs knows it's a risk to go after him. What if it's a trap? And worse, what if the Returned Tyler isn't the same boy she lost?

Perfect for fans of THE FIFTH WAVE and the Body Finder series, THE REPLACED is both chilling and explosive, with creepy, otherworldly elements and twisty, psychological thrills that will have you questioning what exactly it means to be human.

THE TAKING was a fantastic read for me-- I have a hard time getting into sci-fi, and it gave me just enough of that element that I could enjoy it-- and so as soon as THE REPLACED hit the shelves earlier this year, I went out and got it. I devoured this book because, like the first one, it was the perfect amount of contemporary relationships and sci-fi aliens and abductions, as well as an ever-present aura of mystery that surrounds Kyra and her situation. It's not one of those sci-fi stories that throws you into a world and leave you with questions and things you don't understand, which is something that I appreciated, and the characters always feel very real in this series.

THE REPLACED was everything I had hoped it would be, from the intra-character relationships to the suspense, and the emotional chunks that left me in tears. There were some points in the story about which I would like a re-write because certain things were just too unfair, but that aside, I give this one four stars, with an antsy wait for the conclusion. 

If you like alien abduction stories, or sci-fi, or even if you're like me and have a hard time with sci-fi, this is a book for you. Also, if you like THE BODY FINDER, you'll like this series as well. It's the same writing style, same detail and writing talent, just with a bit of a different storyline.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder (The Body Finder #1)

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Harper

Release Date: March 16, 2010

Format Read: Paperback (FC)

Description from Goodreads: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies-- or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the chaos that the dead leave behind int he world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer-- and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... she might become his next prey.

Since I read and loved THE TAKING, I thought I should try Derting's first successful series, THE BODY FINDER. It ended up being a pretty good decision, as I'm now going to have to pick up rest of the books. 

Violet was a perfect balance of a character-- both strong and emotional at the same time. Her gift was definitely interesting to read about, and I just wanted to know more, especially once the story got thick and juicy and things started to really come together. Not only were the characters great (And totally crushable when it comes to Jay), but the plot was solid and I had a fantastic time watching the best-friend duo solve this crime.

I would give BODY FINDER four stars, and recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal crime/mystery/thriller books with a little romance thrown in. I don't know about you guys,but I am becoming a Kimberly Derting mega-fan.

Happily,

Stephanie

THE TAKING GIVEAWAY

    Giveaway Time, Yay!

If you've seen my review of THE TAKING by Kimberly Derting, then you know I kind-of-sort-of-maybe think it's, oh, you know, only one of the BEST releases of the year so far. I met her on one of the stops of the Dark Days Tour earlier this year, and we have a little something for you. How about a giveaway, huh?
     One lucky winner will receive a SIGNED hardback copy of THE TAKING as well as a swag pack! If you've been wanting to read this one, then here's your chance!

Visit Kimberly's Website

Check Out THE TAKING on Goodreads

See My Review of THE TAKING

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Book Review: The Taking by Kimberly Derting

     This book. Absolutely loved it. I was hooked from the very beginning, and there wasn't a single moment that I wanted to put it down, or even pause to get up for food. If you can get your hands on this book, I strongly recommend it.
     Kyra Agnew  is just a normal girl- the star of the softball team, who has an amazing best friend and the perfect guy- but that changes one night when she gets into an argument with her dad and makes him stop the car. Angry, Kyra gets out, and trips, falling down an embankment. She sees a flash of white light, and then...

     She wakes up five years later.

     Her boyfriend is off to college with her best friend leading the life that was supposed to be Kyra's. Everything has changed, and she doesn't like it, and worse than that, she just might be falling for her boyfriend's kid brother, who isn't such a kid anymore. But maybe, just maybe, Kyra isn't the only one who's seen the flash... And just maybe, she isn't the only one who woke up in another time.
     I can honestly say, without a shadow of doubt, that this is one of my favorite books of the year so far. I can't wait for it to come out and be enjoyed by all of you, because I know it'll go great places. Hats off to Kimberly Derting *Removes hat*. I'm ready and waiting for book two.