Fiction Fare

Erased by Jennifer Rush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Erased, the follow-up to Altered was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Fast-paced, intense, and full of action.

Erased picks up just after the end of Altered. Anna has fled the Branch with Sam, Cas and Nick and they are searching for answers. They are struggling to survive… following strict rules in order to keep themselves hidden, and struggling with memories that they can’t make sense of.

The tension in the house is thick and Nick’s attitude doesn’t really help. But assistance from someone they least expect helps lead them to someone Anna has been searching for and hopefully some answers as well as a way to destroy The Branch.

They quickly realize that they need to split up which leaves Anna traveling with Nick. For reasons unknown, Nick has always shown a bit of animosity towards Anna and despite that I loved the time the two spend together. As we’re slowly given information regarding their pasts, his actions start to make more and more sense.

Despite all the action, we get a bit of the romance too. Sam and Anna are struggling to make sense of the past as well, and the relationship he had with her sister… but we definitely still get the swoons.

He leaned into me, his other hand cupping the side of my face. He kissed me softly, slowly, in a way that was more than just lips on lips. A kiss that was not only physical but something more, something deeper. A kiss I felt in my soul.

But what I love most about this series is the camaraderie between everyone… Anna is like the little sister to these boys… they tease and taunt but they honestly love her and would do anything for her.

Cas sat down next to me on the bed and put his hand on my leg. “I offered to give you mouth-to-mouth but Sam vetoed. I don’t know why. I said I wouldn’t use tongue.”

I think my favorite thing about Rush and her writing would have to be the wonderful characters that she creates. They just jump off the page. The depth of the relationships are realistic and perfectly written in my opinion and the affection I find that I have for these characters is a testament to her writing.

Rush provides readers with an amazing second part to Altered. With twists and turns you couldn’t expect and a riveting story that will have you turning pages, you definitely want to pick this book up when it releases in January. And if you haven’t yet read Altered, go get it today!

Thank you to Little Brown for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Quotes are taken from an advance copy and may change in the published version.