Author: Lisa Maxwell
Release Date: 8th October 2014
Publisher: Flux
Find on: Goodreads
Quick Review: Lucy Aimes has always been practical. But try as she might, she can’t come up with a logical explanation for the recurring dreams that have always haunted her. Dark dreams. Dreams of a long-ago place filled with people she shouldn’t know…but does.
When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.
As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish.
Detailed Review: <<I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>>
Another point scorer is the author's inclusion of family. She emphasis throughout the book how important family really is. I just loved Lucy's brother, T.J. He is the absolute cutest. And the prologue even mentioned her parents and how they met (that's actually quite interesting but nothing compared to the rest of the story)
Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It!'
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When I read that first sentence, it didn't prepare me for what was due to come. Even countless re-readings of the synopsis didn't help soften the blows this book dealt me.
One thing was obvious though: this was about reincarnation and Voodoo. I already knew that from my first glimpse of the synopsis.
How these two elements came together though, was a different story. I twisted my mind in every way to see how the pieces fit into the puzzle, but I couldn't figure it out. Not as well as Maxwell, anyway.
Everything is not a coincidence in this book; it is all planned out from the start. This is what a really good book needs: some prior planning before plunging into writing and some significant character development (especially the main characters) throughout the book.
Sweet Unrest had both. That means that it's a really good book.
Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be this good, because there was quite an ordinary first line and first paragraph (I judge books by first lines and paragraphs), not enough to capture someone's fancy for long.
Until you read the end of the prologue. That's when it sparks your interest.
My sole advice when reading this book is to read on-yes, even when you're bored- because you'll always discover something at each turn of the page. You wouldn't want to miss any of it.
I'm talking about the plot twists here. There are a few. Fair warning: they're not light ones; they pack a punch.
The characters had interesting developments throughout the book, but that was one of the plot twists (hopefully that's not considered a spoiler)
This book had a considerable amount of fear factor in it, because it's Voodoo. Yet, the author does mention that it's not all bad, the story itself does highlight that the art can be used for ulterior motives.
The romance between Alex and Lucy was certainly great, but I thought more attention could be given to their relationship in the present, not in the past. This did somehow make the romance seem slightly unnatural, despite the fact that they have met each other in a different life at a different time.
But... Everything other than that was great.
The writing in this book is straight to the point, though Maxwell loves leading you off the safe path to dark places, so beware... She even likes to include some meaningful musings about life (ahhhhhhh).
Did I mention that I swooned when I read that Alex had a French accent (OMG THAT IS HOT) and that his full name was Alexandre Jourdain (double OMG)? French guys are seriously the best.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but honestly it was still as heartbreaking as if there was a cliffhanger. You get what I mean. But it was good though, in a way that it gives your imagination full reign of what will happen to the characters in the future. It isn't just restricted by what the author gives you, it's up to you what happens. That's what I liked the most.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but honestly it was still as heartbreaking as if there was a cliffhanger. You get what I mean. But it was good though, in a way that it gives your imagination full reign of what will happen to the characters in the future. It isn't just restricted by what the author gives you, it's up to you what happens. That's what I liked the most.
Brief Review: Maxwell successfully fits two very different elements together into a well-written book. She gives Voodoo a near insight- she transforms the art into something beautiful and horrifying at the same time. She not only does it with talent; she does it with amazing characters and storytelling on her part. I must say that Sweet Unrest will most definitely clear a path for the author to start of her writing career!!!
Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It!'
QUOTE:
This somehow reminded me of Alex and Lucy's first meeting in Le Ciel
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye---H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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