Chaos by Sarah Fine

Title: Chaos
Author: Sarah Fine
Series: Guards of the Shadowlands #3
Publisher: Skyscape
Release Date: October 7, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands—the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.

The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help—and love—of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn’t the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end?

Review

I finished reading Chaos over a month ago and I have been avoiding writing this review since then. I haven't been able to find the right words to do this book or this series justice. And I still don't have them.  But I want need to publish something, even if it isn't perfect, because I have to give this series conclusion the recognition that it deserves. So without further ado...

Chaos is the type of conclusion one wishes for. The story that we've been introduced to in the first two books peaks and wraps up in this final installment. The pace didn't slow down for a minute and kept me glued to the pages. My emotions were all over the place and so intense that I might have permanently damaged my heart. And the ending was ridiculously perfect and satisfyingly complete. In one word, it was epic.

Lela and Malachi are one of my favorite couples ever and the heart and soul of this series. I love them as individuals, but together... they are a force to be reckoned with. They have suffered such hardship but continue to fight and endure... their resilience amazes me. It is beautiful the way that they strengthen each other and show each other such unending love. I cherished the moments of tenderness that we experience amidst all the ugliness and fighting. Malachi is so delicate with Lela, it gets me every time. Their relationship progressed beautifully. I loved their ending. Gah, this couple. I just love them.

And the world-building in these books is simply amazing. Each book has a different setting and they are all equally vivid and dark. I love the reimagining of the afterlife and how complete the picture was painted. The Mazikan were the perfect villain.

I just think Sarah Fine's writing is flawless. She knows all the strings to pull to make a strong story. If you like lots of action, fantastical dark worlds, strong characters, OTPs, and emotional roller-coasters, then you need to read this series. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Fractured (Guards of the Shadowlands #2) by Sarah Fine

Title: Fractured

Series: Guards of the Shadowlands #2
Author: Sarah Fine

Publisher: Skyscape

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Pages: 357, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

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?

Review

Recently I listed 5 of my favorite books that I wish more people would read. Sanctum was number one on that list. I loved Sanctum, and after reading Fractured, this is easily one of my new favorite series. Right up there with the likes of Throne of Glass. I actually think Sanctum was a stronger first book than Throne of Glass was. Yes, I said it. That should be reason enough for everyone to go pick up this book now. There is literally nothing I dislike about either the first or second book. I think they are that great.

Since it’s safe to assume that anyone reading this review hasn’t (yet) read Sanctum (I don’t understand why this series isn’t hugely popular), I am going to attempt to write this review spoiler free for both books.

So what makes a great book? Well, I think really strong characters are essential. But I also think the relationships between the characters are equally important. And this series excels on both accounts. Lela and Malachi are not only amazing individuals but they are now one of my favorite couples. Both are such complex characters with dark histories, and both are among the most capable, passionate, smart, loyal beings I know. And together? Holy sexual tension. Gosh the chemistry between these two has a physical presence in this series. Think Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy. Lela and Malachi are akin that relationship. The secondary characters are strong too. In fact, I think Fractured does a better job with the secondary characters than did Sanctum. By the end of the book I cared just as much about Jim, Henry, Ian, and Tegan, as I did about Lela and Malachi. And that’s just to name a few. There are few series where I love all the characters as much as I do here.

Setting and world building can also make or break a book but Sanctum/Fractured will not disappoint you on this front either. The Suicide City that Fine created in Sanctum is so eerily fantastic that it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I marvel at her imagination. And even though the second book takes place in Rhode Island, Fractured is just was exciting as Sanctum, so let me put to rest any worry over the setting change right now. Fine manages to make RI feel just as dark and ominous. In fact, I may be scared of Rhode Island now too. And from the way things ended in Fractured, readers can look forward to what should be one hell of a third book.

Now let’s talk about the plot and the writing. In my opinion, Fine has some serious talent. Both books are extremely well-written, with a good mix of story and character development and plenty of action and suspense to keep the pace moving. What was started in Sanctum was nicely continued in Fractured, with no signs of middle book syndrome whatsoever. Actually, I think Fractured is a stronger book than Sanctum. Sanctum was Fine’s debut novel, and it was a great one, but to me there are signs in Fractured that she is becoming more sure of her storytelling and willing to take more risks plot wise. There are a lot of emotional moments in Fractured and one explosive ending. The third book is easily one of my most anticipated 2014 releases (as was this book for 2013).

I don't think I know of anyone who has read either book and disliked it. Christianna from The White Unicorn gave both Sanctum and Fractured 5/5 stars. Lili from Lili's Reflections gave Sanctum 5/5 stars. Sam from Realm of Fiction gave both Sanctum and Fractured 4/4 stars. There are more out there but you can see the trend forming... I am not the only one who loved these books!

I understand that there are a lot of great books out there, and all of our TBR piles are overflowing. Even though I'd like you all to go out and start this series right away, I know that is unrealistic. But I highly HIGHLY recommend this book and cannot imagine anyone would wind up disappointed by it. So it can't hurt to bump it up the TBR, right?

Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands #1) by Sarah Fine

Title: Sanctum
Series: Guards of the Shadowlands #1
Author: Sarah Fine
Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Pages: 433, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads:

“My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple.”

A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos’s best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance—hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn’t just anyone—she’s determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife.

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she’s captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city’s endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn’t—the dark city isn’t the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.

Review

Sanctum is:

dark

dangerous

sexy

chilling

passionate

intense

addicting

imaginative

complete

What a fantastic debut. Sanctum has a lot to offer the YA community. Complex and intriguing characters. A well-paced, compelling storyline. A vivid and interesting setting. A believable romance. And a satisfying, stupid-grin-worthy ending. Where to begin?

Let's start with Lela and Malachi (but not Lela and Malachi, we'll save that for later!). When Lela first met Nadia she was broken, closed off, hopeless. With a past consisting of abuse, attempted suicide and near murder, it is no surprise that she was just going through the motions of life. But Nadia saw something in Lela and through friendship and kindness, helped Lela turn her life around for the better. When Nadia committed suicide, Lela followed her through the Suicide Gates to save her soul, not because she felt she owed Nadia, but because she loved her and wanted to be the friend that Nadia deserved. Lela's past made her resilient and her present made her loyal. She was a strong lead with a commanding presence.

The plot focuses on Lela's journey to find Nadia in the Suicide City. There is no shortage of action and suspense, which danger around ever corner. Along her way she crosses paths with Malachi (*sigh*), the leader of the city guards. Malachi reminded me a lot of Dimitri from Vampire Academy (for those familiar with the series). He was the best at his job, both feared and respected, dangerous but kind. Wanting to protect Lela from a fate worse than this city, he decides to accompany her in her search for Nadia.

The relationship between Lela and Malachi was intense. They were immediately drawn to each other,  for both reasons of curiosity and admiration. This initial connection only intensified in the face of danger when they had to rely on each other to survive. To complicate matters, their love was impossible. After all, they are in a version of hell that Lela is not meant to be in. But love knows no bounds and the passion continues to build. It was a very satisfying romance with an ending that doesn't disappoint. Again, I can make a connection to the relationship between Rose and Dimitri in VA. If you were a fan of their romance, you will likely be a fan of this one.

Sarah Fine does a good job with the imagery of the Suicide City. She provides more than just a backdrop by elaborating on the inhabitants and they way the system works. In the end I could vividly picture the city in my head and trust me, it was no place I ever wanted to end up. It was depressing, hopeless, and creepy.

"In the dark city, scents were faint and thin - nothing to hold on to, nothing that repelled me, nothing that drew me in"

"In the dark city, something sucked the life out of the color. Something vital had bled from it, leaving it easily defeated by darkness"

"In the dark city, sounds were shallow."

In summary, Sanctum really stood out for me among other YA novels. I finished the book feeling completely fulfilled. Great writing. Great ending (no loose ends). Heated romance. Adventure. You name it. I definitely recommend this book.