Haze Blog Tour

Welcome to the Haze Blog tour!

So if you missed the first book in The Rephaim series, let me re-visit - 

Summary (by Goodreads)

It's almost a year since Gaby Winters watched her twin brother die. In the sunshine of a new town her body has healed, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn't help that every night in her dreams she fights and kills hell-beasts. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who's been appearing in Gaby's dreams, he tells her things about her brother and her life that cannot be true, things that are dangerous. Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And who is Gaby? The truth lies in the shadows of her nightmares.

In Shadows we were first introduced to the Rephaim.  It was complicated for someone who had lost their memory. Gaby discovers that she is much much more than a girl who has encountered tragedy and lost a loved one.  Her life is much more complicated and valuable. In fact, she is so important that people are looking for her...but what do they want from her?  

Shadows brought us into the world of the Rephaim.  I don't have much experience reading about angels but I did find it interesting how Paula explained so much in this book.  About how angels go to war and their different factions.  Gaby's life is complicated and oh so interesting!  I couldn't wait for Book #2 to continue so we could unravel more about her life.  And of course see how Rafa fits in...

Summary (by Goodreads)

"But what if we can’t find Jude?" 
He leans closer. His breath is warm on my ear. "We will."
"How can you be so sure?" I want to believe him so badly, but this is Rafa. The guy who’s all action and no plan. His smile is tired, knowing. An echo of a shared past I don’t remember. 
"Because I’m not smart enough to give up, and you don’t know how to." 

Gaby Winters’ nightmares have stopped but she still can’t remember her old life. Still can’t quite believe she is one of the Rephaim—the wingless half-angels who can shift from place to place, country to country, in the blink of an eye. That she was once the Rephaim’s best fighter. That demons exist. That Rafa has stayed. 

But most of all, she can’t quite believe that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive. 

And Gaby can’t explain the hesitancy that sidetracks the search for him, infuriates Rafa, and sends them, again, into the darkest danger.

Review:

(Yes, there will be spoilers!)

Ah, Jude!  Book #2 of the Rephaim series centers around discovering more about Gaby's planted memories and the possibility that her brother may still be alive.  Before she lost her memories, they were on different sides.  But what if he were alive now? Would he remember her?  Would they still be feuding?

To be honest, the first half of the book was a bit of a slow read for me.  It could be for you as well but there are plenty of details that will help you understand the last 1/2 of the novel.  The book REALLY picks up about 1/2 way through as Paula weaves her story and the reader feels more integrated.  I felt like I was reading at warp-speed!!  There is some serious pulse-pounding, heart-thumping action!  Things start to get very involved as we see the relationship between Rafa and Gaby develop.  After all, he becomes the main character she depends on.  Jason also begins to shape into a better supporting character in Book #2.

There is so much that starts to be uncovered in Haze!  Thank god there are 4 books in this series!  I'm not sure that Paula could have packed so much into a trilogy!

One of my biggest concerns when reading a series is that a title suffers from "second-book" letdown but Paula pulled out all the punches and kept me engaged in the story. Book #1 helped shape the characters and Book #2 shaped the story with plenty of intrigue and action to carry the reader into a suspenseful, anticipatory wait for Book #3.

Overall, I am really enjoying the Rephaim series.  I think you will too so I'm going to offer up a GIVEAWAY!  You can choose either Shadows (Book #1) or Haze (Book #2).  The rules? You must be a follower of this blog.  The contest is open to anywhere The Book Depository ships.  Additional entries can be earned by following the directions in Rafflecopter.  GOOD LUCK!  The contest will run until the end of the September.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A HUGE thank you to Paula Weston and Tundra books for including us in their blog tour!!

Oh, and by the way...I took a little quiz to find out which character I am and...

Must be my desire to make things...and my lack of supernatural abilities :)

For those of you who have read either Shadow and/or Haze, which character would you be most likely to hang out with?

Happy Reading!

- Christinabean