Wednesday 5 December 2012

Review: Severed by Sarah Alderson

Severed by Sarah Alderson
Publisher: Amazon
Publication date: 28th November 2012
My rating: 4 stars


Fate brought them together.
Now it’s threatening to tear them apart.

As the last in a long line of demon slayers, Evie’s destiny is to end the war that has raged for centuries between humans and demons.

Lucas, the half-Shadow Warrior half-human who was sent to kill her, has betrayed his own Brotherhood and his family to fight alongside her.

With an army of unhumans on their tail, Evie and Lucas are forced into an uneasy alliance with a group of rogue Hunters who offer protection and the promise of answers.

As the past is untangled and the dark history of the Hunters revealed, Evie discovers that severing the realms is going to require a lot more than just fighting. It’s going to require a sacrifice – one that only she can make.

…More than realms will be severed.

Alderson has again produced fast and fiery sequel in Severed. If you were suckered in by Fated, you honestly haven’t seen anything yet. Alderson in my eyes has quickly become the master of surprises; the sucker punches that came in Severed had me sitting in shock, left my mind reeling and had me wanting to jump up and down shouting how could you do this to me?

In Severed we are reunited with the unexpected pair of Lucas and Evie, after everything’s that’s gone down, they’re on the run with who knows how many unhumans after them. But that’s not the worst of it; they still need to find out about the prophecy and how they can bring an end to the chaos. But in the process they end up discovering something they never expected.

I can’t believe it was nearly a year ago when Alderson introduced us to Lucas and Evie, after devouring Hunting Lila a few weeks before I didn’t think any other character could compare. But being back with Lucas and Evie has made me realise just how much of an impression they had made the first time around. I was beyond excited to dive into their world of unhumans again, to see Evie and Lucas fighting their way through everything thrown at them, would their relationship be strong enough this time? I liked the different sides we got to see of Lucas and Evie in Severed. Evie has definitely grown up loads after first discovering she was a hunter. With their lives constantly on the line, she was strong and always ready to go into battle. With so many lives lost previously Evie didn’t want to put anyone else in the same position and so quickly became aware of the risks she had to take, she didn’t dither about in the slightest. In comparison Lucas I was a bit unsure about at first, he had lost the brotherhood and had every single unhuman after him and Evie after what he had done. It took a while for the Lucas I‘d become to love from Fated to come through, but once he was back, boy I couldn’t endure to part from him. Severed also enabled us to delve into a more fragile side of both characters, we were able to learn their hopes and what worried them the most; not having the other are around. It did often result in some heartbreaking scenes which left me with a lump in my throat. But Alderson also takes their relationship a whole another notch, be prepared to swoon girls!

I was also slightly worried that the gap left by characters from Fated; Neena and Risper would be extremely had to fulfil. But my worrying was totally uncalled for as Alderson provides us with new characters which I enjoyed even more and I’m sure will leave a great impression on everyone as they did with me. Cyrus is definitely a character to look at for, he really had made me confused at first, but his cheeky demeanour and totally uncalled for comments around Evie and Lucas had me cracking up. He’s a big character who creeped his way in and had me longing for him and his witty remarks when he never was around.

Despite Severed taking a more serious tone than Fated, Alderson weaved humour into the book well, that I found myself with a huge smile on my face when it was an inappropriate moment. Severed in my eyes is one hell of a follow up to Fated. Fans of Alderson’s work won’t be disappointed, but just be warned after finishing the last page you will be dying to get your hands on Shadowed!

14 comments:

brandileigh2003 said...

I haven't read anything by Alderson, but Lucas and Evie sounds great.
Happy reading,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I'd never heard of this one, but i'm so glad it was a wonderful sequel for you! Sounds like a winner for sure- love books that constantly surprise yuo.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't such a big fan of the first book and I wasn't sure whether I was going to try this one out or not, but I'm very much intrigued thanks to your review. It seems like the book really did impress you, Jasprit. I also like the sound of the characters. I'll give this one a shot when it comes out! Great review, Jasprit! :)

Unknown said...

I never connected this series to having the same author as the Lila series. I've heard so much about them, but not so much w/this series. Fated & Severed seem very exciting. I'll give then a try. Great review!

Nea said...

YES!! That's what I wanted to hear!! <3 <3 Can't wait to see what's more to the story with Evie!! <3 :)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Is it just me or books with cracks on the covers are popular these days. Never mind. I haven't read the first book so I have no idea what it is about. Sounds good I can say! :) Maybe I'll give it a try. Great review :)

Shirley said...

YAYYYYY!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this as much as I did!! CYRUS definitely stole the show for me - I'm seriously in love with him right now :) heheee Can't wait for Shadowed next year! Awesome review Jasprit<3

Unknown said...

I need to read my copy of Fated. Great review, Jasprit. I just downloaded this on le Kindle. :)

Jenny said...

I need to read this series Jasprit! After reading your last line and Shirley's opening line to her review, I'm definitely going to be waiting until Shadowed out before I pick these books up. I can only take so much torture in the form of cliffhanger endings! So glad to know you enjoyed it so much Jasprit, beautiful review:)

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I just adored Evie and Lucas in Fated and I'm super eager to get my hands on this. Alderson's books are always incredibly fun and I'm sure this one will be no exception. I'm also curious about these new characters, I'm sure they're awesome, her secondary characters always are which is why I desperately want to meet them.
Wonderful review, Jasprit!

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I'm super excited about reading this as I have enjoyed all of Sarah Alderson's books so far, but I am worried about this ending. Maybe it would do me better to wait closer to the release of the next book. ;) Brilliant review, Jasprit!

Also, Jasprit, you're reading Ultraviolet?! Eeep! How did I miss this?! Enjoy! :D

Anonymous said...

Jasprit, you're killing me with all this praise pointed towards this author! ;) Being the idiot I am, I haven't found an opportunity to begin this series, but I know that I must since it encompasses so many things I adore reading about. :) Brilliant review, love!

P.S. YOU ARE READING ULTRAVIOLET. 'nuff said ;)
P.S.S. Yayyy we're starting The Off Season tommorow! Excited? :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

This sounds really good! I haven't read Fated yet but Lucas and Evie seem to be going through quite a bit of a growth in this installment. I think I'll have to check this series out. Thanks for sharing, Jasprit!

Keertana said...

HOW IS RACHEL READING JUST ONE DAY! OHMYGOSH SHE'S READING IT! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *dies*

Sorry, I tend to get a little freaked out when I see MY MOST ANTICIPATED 2013 RELEASE in the hands of another amazing blogger! ;) I can't WAIT to read that one!

Anyway, AMAZING review, Jasprit! I wasn't quite sold on this series before, but now I'm just itching to get my hands on this! I need to read the first book ASAP and I can't WAIT! :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...