I didn’t manage to connect with this story, therefore I did not finish it. What I did read if it was well written and I am sure plenty of others would really enjoy it!

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley*
I liked this second book even better than the first one! I connected more to the main character, and I really saw her development.
But I'd have liked to know more about what kind of illness she had, and why she had the abilities she had.Sigh.

The plot was interesting, as were the rest of the characters, especially Happy, as he put a smile on my face the times he appeared. Sooo cute.

Anyway, this is a great YA that I recommend for most everyone, as there are no sex scenes involved and there is only minor violence.

Honestly, my expectations were a bit low going into this, not because I didn't like the first book, but because I didn't particularly like Jinx that much in Wilder. I was completely wrong in my assumptions that I would dislike this book. I loved it, it was exciting and had lots of twists and turns, I could not get enough. I basically read the entire thing in one sitting. That good.

I was so happy that I got more of Bozo. He's got to be my favourite character in this series. He's outrageous and funny. Any part with him in it is going to be a good scene. No doubt in my mind.

I grew to love Jinx in this book. She was a bit more closed off in the first book, but I guess that's just because she doesn't tell others much about herself and her past. Getting to know her in this book was great. Her story was so captivating. Her as a person is absolutely captivating. She was not the person I first judged her to be.

Okay, so I guess this is only a spoiler if you haven't read the first book, in which case check out my review for Wilder here. Okay continuing on, I was also a bit apprehensive bout reading it because I thought there was going to be some cheating going on on Dante's part. You'll understand what I mean if you've read Wilder. I am happy to say that this never happens and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders because there is nothing I hate more than people cheating in books.

I liked how there was a bit of magic sprinkled in. It wasn't the whole plot line, that wasn't what it was about. It was about people who had magic that were living their everyday lives. Not all their conflicts had to do with magic. They had problems other than magical ones. You don't normally see that in books with magic. Magic always seems to cause the conflict.

Overall, I loved this book. You should read it. I would suggest reading Wilder first. I mean, you probably could read this one as a stand alone, but I would not recommend that at all.

Well sometimes the NetGalley gods smile upon us ...

I finished reading [book:Wilder|31940745] only a few days ago (woefully late) and went looking for the second book in the series - which had only just been released for review on NetGalley - score!

This is more mainstream, kinda, PNR and centres on Wilder's genius friend Jinx (or Jiminella as she was named by her parents). Jinx is an off-the-scale genius, so brilliant that she actually cheated on her tests to make herself look dumber - just regular genius level! She has invented a number of gizmos and gadgets which bring her in a significant patent royalty income each week. But all is not well with Jinx, she is gradually falling apart, losing weight, not sleeping, her mind racing a million miles a minute. After her apartment is broken into and she is attacked by men, who clearly believe she has weaponised some of her inventions, and fighting with Wilder the decision is made that Jinx will be safer living in the village of Marshes where she and Kit are building a lab to look at the mysterious crystal they dug up in Wilder. Jinx feels very isolated, Wilder and her new family have accused her of being arrogant and elitist and everyone one wants "the genius" to do something for them, she is making herself ill trying to please everyone and stifle her thoughts.

Marshes is a small village. The people are poor and isolated but aloof, especially her cantakerous landlady (Paolo's mother Mrs Fratinelli) but Jinx's anxiety, sleep disorder and stomach problems get worse and worse. Then Jinx helps to save a man bitten by a deadly snake and suddenly the village welcomes her with open arms, all except Wilder's friend Dante who seems to have a permanent scowl on his face.

This felt less 'woo woo' than Wilder. Although Dante does have some special powers it is much less front and centre than Wilder and the birds in the first book. There is a nice contrast between Jinx's gradual acceptance by the village (and her suggestions to breath new life into it) and the increasing tension as she comes under threat from unknown forces. My only criticism would be that Wilder doesn't come across as a very nice person in this book, which is a shame.

Overall, I'm enjoying where this series is going and I can't wait for the next one!