Review: Fractured by Sarah Fine

Fractured by Sarah Fine

Book Two of the Guards of the Shadowlands series

Publisher: Skyscape

Publication Date: October 29, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In the week since Lela returned to Rhode Island as Captain of the Guard with Malachi as her second in command, local news has been dominated by chilling sightings of human-like creatures running on all fours. Lela knows there’s only one explanation: the Mazikin have arrived in the land of the living.

Needing to maintain the appearance of a normal life for her foster mother, her probation officer, and her classmates, Lela returns to Warwick High along with Malachi. At night they secretly hunt for the Mazikin nest. To assist, two new Guards from very different parts of the Shadowlands are assigned to Lela’s unit, including the bad boy Jim, who repeatedly challenges Lela's authority. Lela struggles to keep all her Guards on the right side of the law, but their mistakes come at a terrible cost.

As one painful revelation follows another and the Mazikin start targeting those closest to her, Lela finds herself more vulnerable than she’s ever been, wanting a future more than she ever has. With an enemy determined to separate soul from body, one question remains: how much is she willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves?

What I Liked:

I literally just finished this book and OH MY GOODNESS WOW WOW WOW! *insert flailing*

I mean, I knew that Fractured would have to be QUITE the book, in order to live up to my expectations and standards set by Sanctum. Because Sanctum was one of those books for me that I saw once, kept walking, saw again, was sure I would hate, picked it up anyway, read it, loved it. Like, I love love LOVE that book. I read it in January or February of this year, and could not believe I passed it so many times in the library, and didn't want to pick it up.

Well. I'm glad I did. Because not only did I love Sanctum, but I loved Fractured. Good use of my decision-making skills! I am so scared of sequels, and starting this one was hard for me, but once I started, I couldn't put it down. Sarah Fine went beyond my expectations with this book.

Lela is back from the Shadowlands - back home in Rhode Island, but with a new problem in her life: she is captain of the Guards, and she has the Guards to lead, in order to find and eradicate the Mazikin population. All while going to school, keeping up the farce with her foster mother and the law, and holding on to Malachi.

Easy? No.

There are so many bumps and holes in Lela's road. I think one of the reasons why I fell in love with Sanctum is because of Lela's fierce attitude towards almost everything. I don't know how Sarah does it, but she captures Lela so amazingly - Lela is so realistic, so authentic, so teen-like, but she is hardcore and resilient, brave and fearless. Like, she is by no means perfect, nor is she flawless, but she is flipping awesome, you guys! 

Or maybe that's just how I see Lela. I feel like we would be really good friends. From one teenage girl to another, I totally get her.

The first book was all about getting Nadia out. This book is about finding and containing the Mazikin. I love the continuous action that fills the plot. I feel like Lela, Malachi, and the other two Guards, Henry and Jim, never catch a break. Sarah Fine throws obstacle after obstacle at the Guards, and as the book goes on, it gets trickier and trickier to fight.

The romance in this book is complex. The first book includes the budding relationship between Lela and Malachi. In this book, we know that Lela and Malachi are a thing. So, as in all sequels, they must solidify their relationship, and work through trials together. We get a good look at their relationship throughout this book, on many different levels. I won't be any more specific than that, because if I go farther, I'm liable to spoil things, and I don't want to spoil anything.

The climax and ending of this - craziness! A good kind of crazy. The problem with the Mazikin isn't completely resolved - as with all trilogies, that must happen in the final book. And I totally saw the ending coming - maybe it was just me, but the ending totally fits. It makes sense in this series. I feel like a lot of sequels in YA lit end this way. But do not despair! There is more to come!

But seriously, you all, how often do I rate book one AND book two with five stars? HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?! Never, really.

Book three, yes? Yes. I NEED IT!

What I Did Not Like:

The only thing that I didn't necessarily like was this one decision by Malachi (you'll know which one). I hate when one of the protagonists does that to the other! It's so frustrating, because it's like, DUH, that decision IS NOT the better, more selfless one for you and the other person. But of course, it takes the entire book for them to see this. ONLY IN SEQUELS does this happen. I mean, look at New Moon...

Anyway. Whatever. You'd think I'd be more fussed about the ending. But no - I totally saw the ending coming. I think it's a fitting ending, because it just makes sense with this series.

Would I Recommend It:

OHMYGOSHYES! There is no doubt in my mind that readers of book one will LOVE book two. And if they don't, then it's probably because they're really hung up on the ending. DON'T BE! Read between the lines. This is a fantastic sequel, and I encourage people who haven't read the first book to DEFINITELY read Sanctum AND Fractured, because Fractured lives up to expectations, and goes beyond! You don't want to miss this series, believe me!

Rating:

5 stars. Sarah Fine definitely knows how to build a thrilling story, rip out your heart, and leave you begging for more, right until the last word! Book three, please!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!