Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
400 Pages
Synopsis: Abandoned by her family in Plague-ridden Dominion City, eighteen-year-old Lucy Fox has no choice but to rely on the kindness of the True Borns, a renegade group of genetically enhanced humans, to save her twin sister, Marot. But Nolan Storm, their mysterious leader, has his own agenda. When Storm backtracks on his promise to rescue Margot, Lucy takes her fate into her own hands and sets off for Russia with her True Born bodyguard and maybe-something-more, the lethal yet beautiful Jared Price. In Russia, there’s been whispered rumors of a Plague Cure.
While Lucy fights her magnetic attraction to Jared, anxious that his loyalty to Storm will hurt her chances of finding her sister, they quickly discover that not all is as it appears…and discovering the secrets contained in the Fox sisters’ blood before they wind up dead is just the beginning.
As they say in Dominion, sometimes it’s not you…it’s your DNA.
I’ve been looking forward to True North since I finished its predecessor, True Born, and although I think it suffers a slight case of the dreaded “sequelitis”, there were still parts I enjoyed. I think my biggest problem was that there just didn’t seem to be as much action in this as there was with the first. After the exciting conclusion in True Born, I assumed that in addiction to more action-packed fight scenes, we’d also get a better picture of Russia and how it differs from Dominion. I was also expecting more information regarding the different societal factions, as well as more revelations about the Fox sisters. While there are some more answers given about Lucy and Margot, they don’t come until near the end, and there is nothing new imparted about the Preachers or the True Borns, which left me a bit frustrated. My last complaint is in regards to Lucy and Jared’s romantic relationship, or rather the lack of one. Jared drove me absolutely up the wall with his hot and cold attitude toward her, and even when he finally explained himself, I just didn’t buy it. He reminded me too much of Edward Cullen in Twilight, (which is a whole other topic for another day). But, there were also some positive aspects to balance the negatives. Lucy, who I really liked in the previous book, continued to grow and find herself here. She was more self-confident and willing to rely on her own instincts even if it meant going against what others were telling her. I have a feeling that she’s truly going to be a force to be reckoned with. There was also a new character named Alistair who I thought was intriguing and likable, and I hope there’s much more about him in the next book. Nolan Storm, the enigmatic leader of the True Borns, came across even more interesting here, and left me wondering what his true motivations are toward Lucy and Margot. Thankfully the action did pick up a little in the second half and the ending was a satisfying set-up for the third book. While True North was a little disappointing, I’m still hopeful that the next book will regain all the excitement that True Born was filled with.
About the Author:
L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature–where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit YA novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate. Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt–inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
beetleypete said:
I have now added ‘sequelitis’ to my mental dictionary. 🙂
Good to see you back.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Pete. And definitely beware of sequelitis!
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beetleypete said:
Where films are concerned, there is an epidemic of sequelitis going on! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Most Definitely!
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vinnieh said:
Fabulous to see you among us again Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie! I still have to take it easy, bit it felt lovely to be able to post this.☺
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vinnieh said:
As long as you take it easy and don’t pressure yourself, I know you’ll be fine. Stay fantastic sister.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie. I’m definitely taking things slowly.😙
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vinnieh said:
That’s the best way to do it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😗😗😗
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ignitedmoth said:
Welcome back! 🙂 I hope you’re feeling better. ❤
lol "sequelitis" is a term I'm definitely going to remember. 😛 I think we've all encountered books or films that have suffered from it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! I’m feeling a bit better, but I’m still taking things slow. I missed you guys thought and it felt so good to wrote this review even though I was a little disappointed by the book.☺
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ignitedmoth said:
Glad to hear you’re feeling a bit better. 🙂 Yeah, definitely take it easy and go at whatever pace works for you. It was so nice seeing one of your reviews. Hope you have a great week!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for those kind words! I hope your week is great as well!
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LizScanlon said:
I Picked up True Born based on your review of it and I can’t wait to start reading the first book even though there seems to be a case of sequelitis! 🙂 Great review… It’s good to have a heads up in some ways.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I hope you enjoy it Liz! And True North wasn’t bad. Just not quite as good as the first.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
So good to see you on here! Hope you’re feeling well. This is a great review. I am disappointed to hear the reviews coming in on this one. It seems that a lot of people agree with you completely. I did want to read it, but I just don’t think I have space on the TBR for a MEH read right now. I’m so glad I read this before hand!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Krysti! I’m taking it easy, but on my good days I definitely want to be here. I miss you all too much! As far as the True North goes, even though it didn’t live up to True Born, I still have hopes for the thirds book.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. We’re all thinking about you here. I haven’t read True North yet, but it’s been on my list for a while. I may still give this series a go. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Krysti. I really can’t tell you how much your kind words and support mean to me. I think you would love True Born and even though True North didn’t live up to my expectations, it wasn’t all bad.😗
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KrystiYAandWine said:
I get migraines too, but not nearly on that level. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through, so you certainly have my support! I will definitely read these ones then. ☺️
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m sorry to hear that Krysti. Any level of migraine is no fun.😒
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KrystiYAandWine said:
No, but I certainly don’t want to compare mine to what you’re going through either! I wish there was an easy fix for them for you!
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Lelia T said:
You’re back! Yeehaw!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww! Thanks Lelia! I’m still taking things slow but it does feel good to be here. I missed you guys.😗
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
Aw man, such a bummer than it doesn’t live up to your expectations. Glad to hear you still managed to enjoy this sequel though! In fact, glad to see a review from you, Kim!!! 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww! Thanks so much Lashaan! I’m still taking it slow and easy, but it’s lovely to post and talk and catch up with all of you!☺
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Jen said:
I’ll definitely be looking forward to your review of the 3rd book when it releases. Especially since the first book sounds so fascinating. I can deal with a meh middle if #1&3 are fabulous!😆
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen!
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Sophie @ Blame Chocolate said:
I haven’t read True Born yet so I have no idea what this trilogy is about. I got super interested, though, as I kept on reading your review. It had plot, it had sisterly love, it had action… Plus, the “forbidden” relationship looked so awesome! What a disappointment…
I will still try the prequel, since you seem to have enjoyed it more, and then if I like that one, give this one a go.
Once again, amazing review, Kim! And thank you for the rec 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie! I hope if you try them you enjoy them!
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Sophie @ Blame Chocolate said:
Thank you! 🙂
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