Get ready for the second installment in the Anastasia Phoenix series. It’s a fast-paced romp thru Europe as Anastasia, her sister, and their closest friends chase the culprit in the Department D scandal.
This book was an absolute riot. Not in terms of being ha-ha funny, but with all the characters introduced, plot lines switched, intrigue, mystery, and who’s good versus who’s bad debate. It will keep you turning pages over and over and before you know it, you will be at the end breathless and waiting for more.
Definitely read the first book in this series prior to reading Lies that Bind. While the author does try to give some background, it isn’t going to be enough that you are going to be invested in this second installment. The plot moves quick and just when you think you have everything figured it out, everything goes topsy-turvy and you’re off again.
The characters are believable, even more so if you believe everyone has endless funds and nine lives. The language is simple, although there are some non-English words interspersed throughout the book. However, not knowing these words won’t detract from the story. Context gives pretty good clues.
If you’re one of those readers who can’t stand to be left waiting for a next installment on a cliff-hanger ending, you may want to hold off on this one. It appears a third book is in the works and this one will leave you on the edge of your seat. A great read for those who love suspense and a good action-packed book.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by the Author
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 14 religious exclamations, 13 mild obscenities, 4 derogatory names, 10 scatological words, 5 anatomical terms, 1 f-word derivative.
Violence/Gore: Various reports of deaths in “accidents” and murders; 4 page description of a previous fight that resulted in a stabbing death of teenager; teenage girl roughly grabs another’s arm; four verbal threats of death or bodily harm; numerous references to parent’s supposed death in car accident; teenager drugged; 3 page fight with graphic detail, broken jaw and ends with vicious stomp to man’s crotch; 3 page bloody hand to hand fight ending in murder by stabbing with graphic blood.
Sex/Nudity: Hand around waist twice; 6 instances of kissing; man looks woman up and down; sex implied twice; heavy make out session with groping and removal of shirt; caress of arm; 3 instances of hand holding; two instances of touching forehead to forehead; two instances of hand on knee or leg of girl; reference to the possibility of having sex.
Mature Subject Matter:
Computer hacking, infidelity, death, alcoholism, neglect, mugging, murder, divorce, homelessness, abandonment.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Teenagers and adults drink beer and hard liquor.
