Unforgiven (The Unseen Trilogy Book 2) by Stephanie Erickson
A Young Adult Fantasy Novel published by Pickles Press (06/03/15)
Summary:
“The important thing is to never assume something isn’t possible. It can leave you open to attack. Tracy is right. In the world of the mind, anything is possible.” (Page 118).
Mackenzie is back, sort of. She’s a shell of her former vibrant self. Maddie’s death in the first book hit her so hard, she can’t seem to recover. Her main functions now is sleeping and moping, until Owen is able to part her from her bed. She must continue training. She must help the Unseen. She must, because she’s the only one who can. Her first real mission is reconnaissance on a scientist she had researched and she finds out something that breaks her from her grief. Now she has purpose. Now she knows what she must do. Now she knows what she’s fighting against. Now she’s out for revenge.
Keywords:
Mind Readers, Secret Organization, Friends, Terrorists, Leadership, Taking Responsibility, Helplessness, Depression, Sadness, Anger, Regret, Guilt, Revenge
My Review:
Erickson has a way of setting the mood, making you feel Mackenzie’s depression and grief. The whole mood of the book is rather dark and will pull you down with it into the depths of Mackenzie’s despair and then up and up into the madness of her angered revenge. This is not the book to lift your mood, this is a book of raging grief and emotions that will put its mark on your own mood.
The story itself didn’t feel connected to the main plot as much as the first book did. This second book in the trilogy followed the same main plot, but it was more about Mackenzie working through her grief and the aftermath of what happened in book one more than anything new. Mac already found her romantic partner in Owen in book one. Mac already knew who her enemy was from book one: the Potestas. Mac already figured out why she was special and started working for the Unseen in book one. So where can book two go? It doesn’t have as much purpose as the Unseen, though it does advance the plot and show the ultimate destruction the Potestas are capable of and ramp up tension for book three.
The book flowed easily and the pace was quite even throughout. Erickson explores the mind and her concept of mind reading in this book more. It is interesting the ways in which mind readers can control and delve into the mind. The ‘training’ Mac went through in trying to get past the mind’s defenses was fascinating and quite imaginative.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This novel was published by Pickles Press June 3rd, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00
Links for more information:
Links to Purchase:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Iv2OLc
iTunes: coming soon
Nook: http://bit.ly/1MHZ3U7
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QLr9hD
Google: http://bit.ly/1HqxqyK
Mackenzie Day is reeling from the death of her best friend, Maddie. She’s lost her rock, her partner in crime, and her only family in one fell swoop. With that loss, Mac has lost track of herself, and the things she cares about, including her mind-reading abilities.
When the opportunity for vengeance arises, she becomes so blinded by her hatred that she no longer recognizes the person she’s become. As her empathy towards others slips away, even she can’t believe how far she is willing to go to claim justice for Maddie.
Without her moral compass and her sense of self, how can she possibly stop a group of mind-reading terrorists from killing tens of thousands of people? Can she see past her anger to care about anything besides retribution? How can she save her newfound family, when she can’t even tell the difference between herself and those who are truly unforgiven?
Put Unforgiven on your TBR list here.
Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for Unforgiven .
Join Stephanie’s Newsletter to get Book 1 – Unseen for free!
About the author:
Stephanie Erickson has always had a passion for the written word. She pursued her love of literature at Flagler College, in St. Augustine, FL, where she graduated with a BA in English. She has received several honors in her writing career, including recognition in the 72nd Annual Writer’s Digest Competition.
After graduation, she married and followed her husband in pursuit of his dream. The Cure and The Blackout were written to reignite Stephanie’s passion, when she found the time. Now that he is settled in his career, it’s her turn to devote more time and energy into writing.
Stephanie currently has 4 projects planned for 2015. Unforgiven is book 2 in the Unseen trilogy. The trilogy will be complete in September with the release of Undivided.
Stephanie, of course, loves to read and write. She also enjoys living on the beach on the Florida’s Treasure Coast. Most of all, she and her husband are in love with their baby girl.
Follow Stephanie on
Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter/Website | Literary Addicts
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card 18+, giveaway ends June 24th 11:59 pm EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rachel Author Barnard 