*Based on a Advance Reader Copy*
Fuse, the second book in the Pure trilogy, manages to escape the (in my opinion) dreaded middle book syndrome of which so many second books succumb. While I was not as completely enamored by Fuse as I was Pure, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, and am very much anticipating the third and final volume. I will be reading it again when it is released in order to see if some of my not-so-fond-of moments were taken out in the final draft.
I want to be clear- I love these characters. They are drawn with enough life that they linger in my mind days, of not weeks, after I have finished the final page. El Capitan, while not really being a contender in any kind of love triangle, and not truly what most would consider a vital character, has become my favorite of all. Strangely not my favorites are the main characters, Pressia, Bradwell, and Patridge. It is not that I don't have the same strong feelings for them, but El Capitan and his constant brother Helmund capture my heart in ways I can't explain. I think it's because these two characters (while just one in body) have the most to be redeemed; El Capitan's love for Pressia fuels his desire to be good, while he must fight his natural impulse for antipathy for others. It's in Fuse that Helmund becomes a full-fleshed character; we actually begin to see a separate personality in him, and I am anxious to see more of this (hopefully) in the final book.
My only complaints, if they can be called such, is the deux ex machina of a couple of the plot points. There are things that are easier and much more convenient than they should be in this world they live in, and I wished these plot directions weren't so neat and tidy. Some of the things that Pressia does as well seem off-character for this girl I met in Pure. I don't know for sure if this is due to character development or a lacking in the book. I will reserve my opinion on that for when I have had the pleasure of finishing the trilogy.
I very much believe this is a worthy, if slightly flawed, continuation of the Pure trilogy, and in no way should anyone NOT read this book. If you haven't read Pure yet, put down everything you are doing and go out and get it so you can be ready for Fuse's release. As for myself, I will be impatiently waiting for the next and last book to finally be given to me, so I can finish the story that is written so beautifully.
Fuse, the second book in the Pure trilogy, manages to escape the (in my opinion) dreaded middle book syndrome of which so many second books succumb. While I was not as completely enamored by Fuse as I was Pure, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, and am very much anticipating the third and final volume. I will be reading it again when it is released in order to see if some of my not-so-fond-of moments were taken out in the final draft.
I want to be clear- I love these characters. They are drawn with enough life that they linger in my mind days, of not weeks, after I have finished the final page. El Capitan, while not really being a contender in any kind of love triangle, and not truly what most would consider a vital character, has become my favorite of all. Strangely not my favorites are the main characters, Pressia, Bradwell, and Patridge. It is not that I don't have the same strong feelings for them, but El Capitan and his constant brother Helmund capture my heart in ways I can't explain. I think it's because these two characters (while just one in body) have the most to be redeemed; El Capitan's love for Pressia fuels his desire to be good, while he must fight his natural impulse for antipathy for others. It's in Fuse that Helmund becomes a full-fleshed character; we actually begin to see a separate personality in him, and I am anxious to see more of this (hopefully) in the final book.
My only complaints, if they can be called such, is the deux ex machina of a couple of the plot points. There are things that are easier and much more convenient than they should be in this world they live in, and I wished these plot directions weren't so neat and tidy. Some of the things that Pressia does as well seem off-character for this girl I met in Pure. I don't know for sure if this is due to character development or a lacking in the book. I will reserve my opinion on that for when I have had the pleasure of finishing the trilogy.
I very much believe this is a worthy, if slightly flawed, continuation of the Pure trilogy, and in no way should anyone NOT read this book. If you haven't read Pure yet, put down everything you are doing and go out and get it so you can be ready for Fuse's release. As for myself, I will be impatiently waiting for the next and last book to finally be given to me, so I can finish the story that is written so beautifully.
