304p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Available now
Source: Provided by Tor for review
Death stalks the haunted, windswept prairie in this chilling sequel to Wide Open
Now that she's solved her sister's murder, Hallie Michaels has left the army and isn't sure what to do next. Her relationship with deputy Boyd Davies is tentative, there's still distance between her and her father, and she needs a job. The good news is, she hasn't seen a ghost in weeks.
All that changes when she gets a call asking her to help an elderly neighbor who is being stalked by black dogs, creatures from the underworld that are harbingers of death. When a black dog appears, Hallie learns, a reaper is sure to follow. And if the dark visions she's suddenly receiving are any indication, it looks like the reaper is now following her.
Meanwhile, strange events herald the arrival of ghosts from Boyd's past, ghosts the young deputy isn't ready to face. Refusing Hallie's help, Boyd takes off to deal with the problem on his own, only to find that he's facing something much larger and more frightening than he'd imagined.
Stalked by a reaper and plagued by dark visions, Hallie finds she must face her fears and travel into Death's own realm to save those she most loves.My thoughts:
After reading Wide Open I luckily had Deep Down ready and waiting for me to pick it up. While I do think you may be able to read this book without reading the first book, I wouldn't recommend it. You would miss to much character and story wise. Plus, there is only one more book in this trilogy so I would't miss that first book.
While the first book relied a bit more heavily on mystery than the paranormal, this one seemed to be the opposite. There was still plenty of mystery, but the paranormal reigns in this book. Not only there are ghosts, but reapers and harbingers in the form of black dogs. Now while I wouldn't want to specifically meet a harbinger, I did like one of the dogs that befriended Hallie in this book. Him, I would like to meet as long as it wasn't his "job" to meet me. :)
I have to say that I think I enjoyed this book more than the first. Now that the main characters are established the rest of the story just flowed better. I can't wait to see where this series takes us next in the last book. In fact, I have to know. As the main mystery and adventure is fully wrapped up, there is a question that is left floating. I hope that the answers are there as I need to know exactly what her decision was in the end. I suspect it will be the theme of the last book. You are left with that thread wide open (maybe that should have been the title for this book! LOL).
I give this book 4 1/2 stars and I recommend it to those that love a good paranormal adventure! Isn't that last book out yet? Not that I'm impatient or anything... :D
I love paranormal adventure :)
ReplyDeleteYou are the epitome of patience :)
I am? Since when? :)
DeleteOoh, I love the sound of Death stalking the haunted, windswept prairie and such a great cover as well. So glad you enjoyed this one, thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteOh I really enjoyed it!
DeleteI always like when there's a furry companion of some sort in a book (such a dog person!! Though, like you, I wouldn't want that dog stalking me to "meet" me.) Sounds like the second book rocks just as much as the first!
ReplyDeleteYou will like this one... as long as he isn't stalking you... :)
DeleteSounds like the second book is just as good as the first! I love it when sequel give the reader much more to dive into. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was a bit better. I think it was the paranormal angle that was so much richer in this one.
DeleteLook at you reading in order! I'm so proud:) I love when a second book is even better than the first, it gives me such hope that the entire series will continue in that pattern and only makes me want to read it all the more. How much longer til the last book?
ReplyDeleteTy! :)
DeleteI don't know when the last book is coming, but I've already begged for it. :)
I really like the sound of this. I was interested after your first review and I'm even more interested now since this one focuses more on the paranormal, which I prefer. I'm getting more and more tired of YA each day so this will make for a nice change.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Yes, I do think you'll like this one! I think you'll like them both.
DeleteI love the covers if this series. Really nice! I'm glad you enjoyed it a little more I hope it will continue like that!
ReplyDeleteMe too! :)
DeleteAlways good to hear when a second book is as good or better than a first. I still want to try these
ReplyDeleteOh I do think you'll enjoy them. I really have.
DeleteStill I am not sure
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of all the paranormal creatures and elements and your comments about the Harbinger made me giggle!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like in adult series I tend to like the second book more, once I'm more use to the world and characters. The paranormal aspects of this one definitely call to me. It sounds like a series I'd really like!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice series!! I do like a good paranormal story, and these dogs sound quite intriguing. I like reading a series in order if I can...it always seems to help me connect. :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I love the idea of the black dogs....even if they are harbinger's lol
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm curious about this series. I'd take your advice and start with the first though.
ReplyDeleteI already wanted to pick up Wide Open after your review, but now that I know you love book two so much, I'm even more excited to get started on this series! I love paranormal adventure, and I'm excited to meet these harbingers (from a safe distance of course). Wonderful review! :-)
ReplyDelete