Earthbound

Pike, Aprilynn.  Earthbound.  2014.  Penguin Group, New York.

 Hardcover$17.99,  ISBN:978-1-59514-650-2.

Book Talk:
Tavia's life has taken an unexpected turn for the worst.  The only survivor of a plane crash that killed both of her parents, she is living a quiet life in New England, attempting to recover from her injuries when things begin to get decidedly weird.

Her friend Benson, who works at the library, has been her constant companion and friend throughout this ordeal.  He has listened to her, held her confidences, and encouraged her when things seem like they are at their lowest point.

She is seeing a therapist - Liz - who is helping her deal with the traumatic fall out of her accident.

And she is living with a step-aunt and her husband- Reese and Jay- that she met once, at a funeral 10 years before.

Her new life is as far from normal as anything could ever be when she begins to have visions of a mysterious man who seems as if he's from a time 200 years in the past.  He appears to her, encourages her to follow him, and talks to her.

A stranger in town, Sunglasses Guy, begins following her around.  Wherever she goes, there he is.  He's outside of the therapists' office, outside of the physical therapist's office, and outside of her home.

Through it all, Quinn becomes a constant presence, encouraging her, attempting to lure her away from her life.

Coming home early from an appointment one day, Tavia hears Reese speaking with Liz on the phone, and realizes that they are speaking about her. Hearing just enough to fear for her safety, Tavia decides to make a run for her life.

Running from her foster parents and sunglasses guy, Tavia decides to chase after Quinn.  She wants to find out why he is haunting her visions, her dreams, and appearing wherever she goes.

But the truth could be more than she can handle...

Chased by two warring factions of Earthbounds, running from Sunglasses Guy, and running towards she knows not what with Quinn, Tavia clings to Benson for security, warmth, and love.

But, is everything as it seems?

This non-stop thrill ride will keep you gripping the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Unexpected plot twists, as well as a love triangle you will never expect will keep you guessing from beginning to end!

Reviewer's Note:
I read the middle book, Earthquake, before this book.  While I knew what happened next, I was blown away by some of the unexpected turns that the plot took in the first book that had not been elaborated upon in the second book.  Even better, as I was reading the book, I kept finding myself saying "NO!!! Don't you see what he's doing here?"

Excellent, excellent read!  Well worth the time!

Author's Web Site:
http://www.aprilynnepike.com/

Earthquake

Pike, Aprilynne.  Earthquake.  2014. Penguin Group, New York, NY.
Hardcover, $17.99, ISBN: 978-1-59514-652-6.

Book Talk:

Tavia was in an airplane accident a few years ago.  The sole survivor of the flight, she remembers very little.  What she does remember is earth shattering:

She is Earthbound.  An eternal being, who reincarnates every time she dies.  Unfortunately, she can not recall her past lives until she finds a piece of her past that will remind her of who she is and all of the memories of her past lives.  Unfortunately, because of the airplane crash, she is only able to remember the most immediate past life with Logan.

Somewhere on the planet is her eternal partner.  Logan is out there, somewhere, also equally unaware of who he is, and his past life.

Someone is trying to kill her.  The airplane crash that killed 255 people was meant to kill her.

She remembered her most recent past life with Logan, from 200 years ago, when she touched a necklace that he had given her.  Somehow, she must find Logan and reawaken his memories.  And she needs to do it before the people who are trying to kill her succeed and kill either her, Logan, or both of them.

Running constantly from danger into danger, not knowing who she can trust, Tavia finally finds Logan - only to have them both captured by the Reduciata before Logan's memories are restored.

While being held in the prison of the Reduciata, they are rescued by the rival faction of Earthbounds- the Curatoria.  But, has she really been rescued, or is she just being held prisoner in a more elaborate trap?

Meanwhile, a virus is destroying earth.  The people, the land, and the monuments are all disappearing at an alarming rate.  Tavia is the only person who can find the cure to stop the ultimate destruction of the planet and all who live here.

While Tavia races to find the cure to her virus, she discovers a secret - a dangerous secret that she has kept hidden from herself and from Logan over several past lives.  It's a secret that has had her killed several different times in the last 200 years, and the reason why an airplane was crashed to the ground.

Can Tavia remember what the secret is before she is killed, again?

Can she find the cure to the virus and save the Earth and it's inhabitants?

Will Logan remember who she is in time?

Can she remember the past lives that have remained hidden from her?

Author's Web Site:
http://www.aprilynnepike.com/

Reviewer's Note:
Fantastic, riveting read!  Several unexpected plot twists and turns, loved them all!
This is the second of a series.  I have not read the first in the series, but the book stands alone.
I do feel a need to go back and read the first book in order to answer a few plot questions I had from the second book, but I am so glad that the author did not dwell on plot from the first book.  She gave enough information to keep the plot flowing, but I'm really curious about what happened first.