Monday, October 27, 2014

REVIEW: LAST LIGHT BY M.PIERCE

Matt Sky is missing. After a solo ascent of Longs Peak that left only a large blood stain, tatters of climbing clothing, and the tracks of an animal in the snow, he is presumed dead ...

Hannah Catalano is guarding a secret ...


Tensions rise, secrets grow bigger, and passions run deeper in the highly anticipated second book in the Night Owl Trilogy.

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Netgalley
Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon

Our Review--

This is nearly impossible to write. How do I write about this in a way that 1) doesn't spoil anything and 2) does a decent job in conveying how much I think you should read this book? Girrrrl, I know. 

First, before we attempt to discuss this novel, know that questions from Night Owl are answered and some new ones are raised. + Palpitations are induced. 

If you thought Matt was intense in Night Owl, just wait until you start reading this novel. In Last Light...well, he's so intense. And angry. And obsessed. And in love with Hannah. Let me tell you....gah! I wanted to put both hands around the girth of his...neck and throttle him sometimes. He was an ass. And a liar. And just fuckity fuck fuck. He also was in love with Hannah and obsessed with trying to get his way with her (petulant child, MATT?!! yes.). And, ps?, I LOVED HIM and his intense self. He IS so intense. THAT is a perfect word. I fell back in love again as I read the prologue. Holy prologue, batman. The opening line? The description and beautiful writing that reinvigorated my heart for reading prose that is worth every penny to get it? Yep, we love this book. 

I was fascinated.

Why?

This novel felt like I was watching the makings of a train wreck happen right in front of my eyes. I was compelled to watch it; couldn't look away. It is. As we knew it would be...I've decided as a person with serious middle-child syndrome...this book has that syndrome too. And it had to throw out some serious sass in making a splash in this series. I think Last Light definitely succeeded in that. 

There's so much plot.!!!!
So many things in play.!!!! 

..and the lies. Matt lies. Hannah lies. Just....ugh. I wanted to..well, I did actually, fuss at them. Yes. I fussed at my Kindle screen. And then I turned my page and kept reading. My heart was in anguish by the decisions they make. ANGUISH. M. took teeny tiny details. Set them out there for us to fester on, and wonder about. And even in the middle of reading the book, I hoped and prayed that I could somehow make the characters do what I wanted them to. I mean, why can't I do that! Haha. 

In addition to loving Matt, I loved how strong Hannah was in Last Light. As much as Matt was a focal point in the novel, she was too. In Night Owl, I wanted more Hannah. In Last Light, I felt like I got a lot of story from them both. And I loved it. I loved her sass. I loved her level-headedness. I found myself cheering her on..until this one thing. This one thing that must not be written about. Because spoilers. And even still...I liked her. Forgave her, even. Just as I was able to forgive Matt's stupidity--I was able to forgive hers as well. I feel this is an important statement to be made. Some people get nervous (myself included) that things will be a repeat of the first go around (Hangover 2, anyone?) I have to adamantly say that while we feel Night Owl's beautiful intrigue, and style...Last Light packs a huge literary punch on it's own. More on that later! 

So....Why? Why do they work for me? 

Because M. Pierce wrote them in a way that seemed so real. They were both a mess and flawed. They did dumb things and yet...they are obviously in love with each other. Their actions, mistakes, and thoughts were rooted in love. Sometimes a little manipulative or,frankly, fucked up..but love was at the origin of all of this. I found a quote recently that fits this idea perfectly "For sometimes you can't help but crave some ruin in what you love." Chang-rae Lee...and isn't that so damn true. Matt's motivations and decisions...Wow. Flawed thinking. But I had to admire him for his path, because to him-it meant a path that he would see through to the end, and was something that made sense. 

Um, what else? Hmm.

We met several new characters and heard more from some of the ones we met in Night Owl. Every one of the new characters added something--whether it was to further the plot or enhance our understanding of Matt and Hannah and their motives, or both; I loved each new addition (even when some of them I wanted to throttle). Secondary characters were definitely among the movers and shakers here...wow. You said it, Shel. Some we loved. And a couple *cough, Seth, cough* we didn't love, and then we did. I may be alone in my feelings on that one, but the Sky brothers intrigue me...especially when they don't get along. (Can I have a scene of just them three in a room hashing shit out? Please? Or wrestling in jello? Whatever works. Thanks)

The hot factor? 

Well...M does not fail us. It's hotter than hot. It's fucking hot. The sex. Just whoa. I'm not sure..how do you top it, M? *reaches for After Dark* (I can't wait to see what you come up with next). Uhmm....yeah. Matt does NOT disappoint us, in any way. We finally see the conclusion of that ONE teaser (whoa) and honestly there was some discomfort for me down the stretch (sorry, I'm currently watching baseball and couldn't resist)...but that was what was soooooo awesome...that is the point! I know I was paying VERY close attention to detail because of it. M. can make us squirm for any reason, at any time. 

The writing? It was definitely M. Pierce. You can feel M there in the shadows..it was Night Owl +. It's hard to explain. The writing was very clean and clear. Swift moving. Great dialogue but even greater-- the little gems between the dialogue. I don't think I've ever highlighted so much in a book. Ever. Right? I have bookmarks everywhere, and you KNOW how much I don't think to do that. I had to mark those passages so I could come back and read my favorites again (aka, the whole book!) Gonna fangirl some more. I flove M. Pierce's writing. I totally understand what you are feeling right now. It is hard to explain, but the gist of it is...we are in a huge book hangover. I am going to be ruined for other books, because reading beautiful words from this author really makes you stand up and pay attention to how it should be every time. Sorry, it had to be said. This book is so very complete. It can stand alone in this series. I am so utterly excited and enthralled by the references written about writing and just, everything that is so intriguing about M. Pierce in the book, and M. Pierce the author. 

So to sum up this all over the place review: 
1. Lots of plot 
2. Lots of Matt + Hannah
3. Great weaving in of secondary characters
4. Sex? Yes. Hot? Fuck. Yes. 
5. Writing= excellent.
6. Love? Yes. I felt the love. And I fell in love with this writer and the characters all over again.

We did. If you read this book, I think you will also see what we mean about obsessive, all-encompassing love, the things people do for the person that means the most to them-even if it seems crazy, and how blood is definitely thicker than water. My take: obsessive, a beautiful blend of literary prose with an erotica flare that will make those with tastes for something high-brow blush like a virgin, and is another 5 star hit from M. Pierce. 

I absolutely loved reading this novel. I inhaled it. I cannot wait to see what happens in After Dark, even if it saddens me to see the end of the trilogy. I know M must have other things looming and I cannot wait to see what all of those things are. I inhaled it when I could (damn my work taking up my reading time) and am in love. I still remember vividly my reading experience of Night Owl in January, and this is the same way, but different in the best way possible. 

Shelley: 5 stars (or a billion)
Courtney: 5 stars 

About the Author:
M. PIERCE is the bestselling author of Night Owl, book one in the erotic Night Owl Trilogy. The author lives in Colorado and owns a rabbit named Laurence.

See the contact page to connect with the author.

Books two and three in the Night Owl Trilogy, Last Light and After Dark, will be published by St. Martin's Press / Macmillan in 2014 / 2015.

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