Thursday, August 11, 2011

All You Desire by Kirsten Miller


All You Desire (Eternal Ones #2)
Kirsten Miller
Release: August 9th, 2011
Pages: 416 (hardcover)
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Publisher
Summary:
Haven Moore and Iain Morrow have been living a blissful life in Rome, an ocean way from the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader. But paradise is not to last. The mysterious disappearance of Haven's best friend, Beau, sends the pair running back to New York, where they encounter the Horae, an underground group of women who have spent centuries scheming to destroy Adam Rosier. Only they can help Haven uncover the secret to Beau's whereabouts in one of her past lives. But their help comes at a price: Haven must infiltrate the Ouroboros Society, charm Adam Rosier, and lure him into a trap. It's a plan the Horae believe will save the world-but Haven and Iain fear that it may destroy the happiness they've been chasing for two thousand years....summary at Goodreads.
Thoughts: Haven Moore has been living comfortably in Rome1 with Iain Morrow ever since they first ran off from New York City a year ago. Life is perfect. Haven owns a successful clothing boutique2 and she and Iain have no one to stand in the way of their love - but Haven can't shake the feeling that she's being watched, despite Iain's assurances that no one from the Ouroboros Society knows he's alive or where they both are. But when Beau disappears, Haven has no choice but to turn to anyone she can for help. Along the way, she discovers that not everyone is who they seem, and that there is more going on behind the scenes than anyone could ever guess.... 

In the end, All You Desire almost lives up to its title - despite a few issues, it had nearly everything I desired from this story, as well a few surprises. Even after all the time that has passed since reading The Eternal Ones, Miller successfully refreshed my memory without making the exposition too wordy or overwhelming. The descriptions of various settings were wonderful - from New York City to the ruins in Florence. Many of the characters managed to surprise and show more depth to their personalities, especially the mysterious Horae women, Iain's razor-sharp mother Virginia, Leah, and even Adam. The mystery surrounding Beau, Adam's intentions, and what the future holds in store for everyone blew me away.  

Highlights: Miller's descriptive writing and the mystery kept me from being able to set All You Desire aside - the addictive quality of this story is undeniable. Memories of past lives became an interesting aspect once again. Iain and Haven's romance was more believable to me in this novel, since they've been together for around a year3. The overall story surprised me - it was so full of shocking twists! I'm very curious about the next novel.

Lowlights: Once again, it's Haven. Haven isn't quite as gullible, but she's still gullible enough to almost drive me crazy. She's still the kind of girl who would believe anyone at all4. And okay, I just don't understand how a girl can get all distracted when she should be searching the streets for her missing best friend. I'd be hanging posters, knocking on (or breaking down) doors...come on, Haven. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 

1 Loved the descriptions of Rome & Florence - if only the entire story could have taken place abroad!
2 I adore how Haven has such an interesting hobby/career interest.
3 Sad to see how strained the relationship was in AYD, because of Adam.
4 Character flaws are fine, but not something as ridiculous as being overly gullible. Haven needs to start thinking more, instead of automatically trusting everyone. I had to rate this novel down from a high 4 out of 5 because of her character.


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14 comments:

  1. I've read the first book and I din't like it though this one sounds better. Thanks for the great review :)

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  2. NIce review, Lea! I think I'd like this one b/c of the romance.

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  3. Great review! I read the first on in this series last summer and really enjoyed it, so I'm happy to hear this one is good as well. The descriptions of NYC and Florence sound nice, and I'm intrigued now to see what all the twists will be.

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  4. I love books that have exotic (to me, anyway) places in them! I haven't read the first one yet...do you think I need to?
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  5. I haven't read the first book in this series yet, but I think I just might. It sounds pretty adorable and interesting -- plus, I love the fact that Haven's into fashion designing, too!

    Awesome review, Lea! I can't get over how awesome it is that you use footnotes in it. I read a book that did something like it before, and I thought it was so much fun to read! :)

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  6. Oh, so glad to know she does a good job of refreshing the storyline from book 1 without doing a giant info dump in the beginning:) The main problem I had with the Eternal Ones seems to be the same one you had - Haven just believed anything anyone told her. Nice to know it's a little better in this one, but I'm sure it will still frustrate me. Awesome review Lea!

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  7. Great review! I love stories that have plenty of unpredictable twists. I really need to give this series a try :)

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  8. I haven't started this series yet but I really ought to give it a go! Glad you enjoyed this one, despite the few issues you had. Great review!

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  9. Can I just say that your footnotes are the best. Please do this more! Loving it. And then on to the book. I haven't read the first book, it's high on my tbrlist, but Haven sounds annoying. I mean, you are so right when you say that you would be hanging posters, knocking on to find your best friend. To be doing nothing sounds like she really doesn't care for her friend at all. ;( Bad friend! lol

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  10. Part of it is set in Rome and Florence? I'm sold. I loved the first one--glad to hear this one's just as intriguing!

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  11. A little disappointed to hear that Haven hasn't changed that much. But I'm still excited to pick up All You Desire since I loved The Eternal Ones.

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  12. I hate to sound mean but Haven drove me nuts in the first book and I have a feeling she might do the same in this one. Great review, this does look like an interesting sequel, especially with the memories of past lives :)

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  13. Ah, the "addicting quality" of a story, I know it well. I've often read books where there will be several things that annoy me about it but I just can't put it down! Not necessarily a bad thing, I guess. I think Haven would drive me crazy too!

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  14. I had hoped Haven would have changed a little bit... and the romance in the first book didn't convince me but I'm definitely going to read this one. Great review!

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