ARC Review: Elizabeth Miles - Fury

Elizabeth Miles - Fury

• Pub. Date: August 30, 2011
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Format: Hardcover 384pp
• Age Range: Young Adult
• Series: Fury Trilogy #1

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

I received this ARC as a prize from Armchair BEA. Here is my honest review:

This book was kind of slow at the beginning. I'm not even sure if that's the word, slow. I just definitely wasn't sucked in by page one. Or page fifty, or even page one hundred. I honestly didn't think this book got very interesting until almost the very end, where it finally took a turn I certainly wasn't expecting.

I guess I don't think that things were explained very well. It seemed to me that big events from the past just showed up instead of being hinted at throughout the book. That felt like the rules were being made up as you went in a way. I will say, though, that the end really made me want to read the next one. It got a little intense there, and the very last passage is definitely eyebrow-raising.

The characters just seemed kind of whiny to me. Chase was getting pulled into his deal, and I thought maybe that's why Em felt the way she did about Zach, but I guess that's not true. And I also thought that Chase and Em would get together. Not saying whether that happens or not, just telling you my thoughts. And even though JD always says he wants the best for Em, he does judge her, and he reminded me of a high school friend of mine.

I will also be frank here: I'm not a huge fan of all the Greek mythology stuff coming out right now. I don't really care for it. Why, I'm not exactly sure. If the story is good, fine. Like with Daimon and Half-Blood. Those are excellent. I guess it just all depends.

What I liked:

• The end. Like I said, it didn't get interesting for me until the very end. It makes me want to find out what happens next, made me very curious, but I wasn't pleased with the rest of the book.
• Unpredictability. One character's death is unexpected, and I really didn't see the end coming at all.
  

What I didn't like:

• The characters. I won't give spoilers, but I never liked Zach, Gabby is annoying, Em is ridiculous, and Chase is kind of whiny and he tries too hard. Plus, Ty and crew are over the top!
• The story. I don't care much for Greek mythology showing up in novels like this. Why, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not terribly familiar, but that's no excuse.

Bottom line: This isn't a terrible read, but don't expect to be amazed. Not necessarily recommended.

Rating:

3/5 book sharks