Monday, October 14, 2013

Review: Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson

From Goodreads: Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which is somehow tracking their every move. While Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila's only thought is of finding a way back to California so she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they're being held. Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the others she's come to think of as family, Lila plans not only to save her brother and mum, but also to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for. But the plan requires Lila to return to California alone, and to make friends with the enemy - and in doing so, she risks losing everything: Alex, her family … even her life. 

My Rating: 4 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson begins a week after the end of Hunting Lila. When the novel starts, Lila and Alex are on the run from the Unit. Jack is in a coma after having been shot. Demos’ original group has splintered and those that remain with him are trying to divide the Unit’s forces by having the Unit chase them rather than Alex and Lila. Readers dive headfirst into the action, and it’s awesome!

As a character, Lila is definitely more mature in this novel. She’s still impulsive, but her impulsivity is reined in. It’s also evident throughout the course of Losing Lila that she has become more comfortable with her power and is able to control it better. As well, I really liked that she was able to stand up for herself, especially when it came to decisions made by Alex (who shows some emotional vulnerability in this installment) or Jack as those two tended to make the decisions for her in Hunting Lila.

I continue loving the sibling dynamic between Lila and Jack! Their interactions never fail to amuse me, and I love how they know exactly what buttons to push to annoy the other person. If I could have an older brother from a YA novel, Jack would probably be on the top of my list (although his protective streak might get old after a while)!

With the return of beloved secondary characters like Nate and Suki, Losing Lila is as enjoyable as Hunting Lila. While Hunting Lila may have been more fun, Losing Lila balances that out by having more emotional depth.

Losing Lila was released in August 2012 by Simon & Schuster UK. 

Comments About the Cover: I’m not really a fan of the cover. I liked Hunting Lila’s cover better.

8 comments:

  1. Ah, yes, while I preferred the first book, I was very happy with this one as well, and I agree that the characters showed far more emotional depth. Besides, any time with Alex is well spent, regardless of what's going on. :) I also liked that it's a duology, so it didn't drag for an eternity.
    There are some short stories I enjoy, especially when I miss these characters.
    Great review.

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  2. I haven't read Hunting Lila yet but I've heard so many great things about it. Also, I've always thought that this was realistic fiction, but now I know it's not, lol. Glad that both books are enjoyable and oh, I love a good sibling relationship so I might like Lila and Jack. Thanks for the review, Z!

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  3. I haven't read either of these, but I love series where the characters become more mature.

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  4. Glad the sequel is much more enjoyable, Z. I have to check this series out. And yeah, brothers are protective no matter if they are older or younger. ;)

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  5. I don't think I have ever heard of this series before but it does sound interesting, I especially love that it has a good sequel too. Although I don't know Lila, it seems like she went through some major character development!

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  6. Ahhhhh! I still need to read this Z, I absolutely loved Hunting Lila and can't wait to get back to these characters. I agree with you on Jack, he's a fabulous older brother, though we'd have to put him in his place a time or two with that protectiveness ;-) So excited to read this!

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  7. I had kind of forgotten about Hunting Lila and all its positive reviews until I read this review right now! This is a good reminder that I should be moving it up my tbr - it sounds so good! It's so rare that I get to read good sibling relationships so I'm all over that!

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  8. I'm glad you liked this, Z! I enjoyed the first book, but I think I preferred this one overall. Maybe because Lila had grown a little. I also loved the relationship between her and Jack. Great review! :)

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