REVIEW: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

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WARNING: This is a review for the second book in a series. If you’ve not read the first book then be cautious because I can’t promise I won’t have spoiled anything. If you have read the first book than read worry free because I won’t have spoiled anything.
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Title: Sweet Peril
Author: Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Format: eBook
Rating:
4STARRATINGBNM

Synopsis(source):

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

overallthoughts Did I just devour the second book in the Sweet Evil Trilogy in less than two days? Yes, yes I did. Sweet Peril went above and beyond my expectations given that I did have reservations about a few things going in. In terms of second books as far as series or trilogies go can I just say that that is how you write a sequel ladies and gentlemen!

“In the days when demons roam the earth and humanity despairs, Will come a great test.”

The whole world that Wendy Higgins first introduced in Sweet Evil was built on and developed so well. As mentioned in my Sweet Evil review, I love the whole ideology the author has woven into these books in all of it’s horrific and shocking glory. Whereas in Sweet Evil you get more of an introduction into the world in Sweet Peril you really dive into it with the main protagonist Anna as she has to navigate through it to keep herself alive. There’s also a bit more of a backstory that is introduced that really brings a lot of things brought up in the first book full circle, which is something I really liked.

And don’t even get me started on the writing! It was already incredible, but I swear it got even better. Wendy Higgins is officially on my list of authors who make me feel everything the characters are feeling through their writing. I love when the writing pulls me in like that.

characters

The character development is monumental.

“It wasn’t about me, and I couldn’t lose sight of that. My life was a tiny dot on the map. But even those tiny dots could make a difference – especially when they came together. I grasped that thread of hope and let it lift me.”

It was a joy seeing how much Anna evolved in Sweet Peril. Gone is the girl who had a more fearful demeanor, she toughens up and gains her own strengths. At the same time, she doesn’t lose the Anna we’ve come to know and love. She still full of faith and has this beautiful tenderness and open-heartedness about her. She just accepts everyone for who they are and is so caring and I love that about her.

“Music used to be my one escape. Playing was the only time I could forget everything.”

Kai, why must you make me an emotional mess? He’ll make you swoon and he’ll break your heart. By break your heart I mean in the sense of all the self-doubt he feels toward himself and how unworthy he feels will break your heart, among other things. Gone is that shield that gave off all of that macho arrogance. He evolved in such a different way than Anna, and I don’t think we even got to see the half of it in Sweet Peril. I feel like he really opened up and finally let that shield down. It was beautiful!

There are so many incredible secondary characters, and you’ll get to know them even better in this. You’ll especially get to know Kope, Marna, and Ginger better as Anna spends quite a bit of time with them. You’ll also see more of Blake and the introduction of a few new interesting characters. I won’t give away too much, but Wendy Higgins gets an A+ for all of the friendships in these books. I was, however, sad that some of the secondary characters I really loved in the first book took a bit of a backseat. Although, I understood given the progression of the story going in a direction away from Anna’s old life.

“For the record. I was more myself with you during those three days than I’ve ever been with anyone in my life. It’d be easier if I could be fake with you, but you bring out everything in me, little Ann. All of it.”

The romance that likes to break my heart and then put it back together again! I was really worried about the possibility of a love triangle developing, but besides some mishaps it did not happen. I don’t even know how to go into this without turning into a fangirling mess! The romance in these books is definitely not without its flaws and problems, but in my opinion, the fact that it isn’t perfect is what makes it so good. It also gets down right swoon-worthly. Anna and Kai spent the better part of this book breaking my heart in terms of their relationship, but some things happen and… You’ll just have to find out for yourself! *evil laugh*

inconclusion Sweet Peril was the perfect sequel; it built onto the world, delved into some new things, and the characters grew. It was swoon-worthy, shocking, and downright suspenseful! It also did venture into that area I previously brought of issues, subjects, and taboos that might not be for all readers. This series doesn’t shy away from some serious topics. What I’m saying is, read it at your own discretion.