For this review and more, pop by my blog - Drugs Called Books
Warning: This review will contain spoilers for the first book in the series. DO NOT read if you haven't read the first!
“Tony Stark over Bruce Wayne, but Batman trumps Iron Man.”
--First paragraph of Time Mends
After the shocking and devastating end to Destiny Binds, I really wasn't sure what's going to happen with this book. Am I going to like it, after having my heart broken and gutted out with the ending of first? But then, I couldn't not read it, you know? I mean, I had to know what happens next!
As it was, I found Time Mends to be a wonderful continuation to the first in the series. I was genuinely impressed with how much I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the writing style.
I kept being surprised at how Blackwell created something profoundly different from nowadays YA books out there. I can't really explain where it was that different, only that that's the way I felt. Good different, which is something remarkable in my opinion.
Time Mends centers mostly around Scout coming to terms with Alex's death. Which works wonderfully well, as, you know, I was dealing with his death as well. She's grieving, in a completely human way which made her seem as blood and flesh as you and me. And on top of all her worries, she has to suffer from great pains over her own injury, which makes her lock herself in her room, shut herself from the world and alienate almost everyone who were once close to her - not that I blame her one bit for it.
And that injury? Lets just say it leads to a change. A capital C kind of Change. And with that Change all hell breaks loose. Now she has to deal with her loved one's death, being different, trying to save her best friend, and a pack of the mightiest Weres out there wanting her dead. Yeah, great year for Scout.
The characters all develop wonderfully due to the event that took place of the end of Destiny Binds. They learn to forgive, but not forget. To look pass the blurriness of their pain and anger and see everything through clear eyes. To make what happened be a lesson for the future, instead of letting it hold them back in the past. They all grew so much as people that it was amazing to behold.
Jase and Scout's relationship is strained, to say the least, and the both of them learn the true strength of their bond throughout the course of the book. It was wonderful to see how much they mean for one another, and how much their relationship can take. I have loved their sibling relationship from book one, and I loved it in book two as well. I envy the love and devotion these two share, and the unbreakable bond. It took them time to overcome the hardships, but when they did it was for good.
Charlie and Scout deal with similar issues, and Charlie becoming all... different after what happened doesn't help. His connection to the The Death definitely makes things difficult, especially as you consider Scout's past(?) feeling for the guy. But these two, too, prove their bond is stronger than most.
As for Talley and Scout, they learn more of one another. One of the main points in this book involves saving Talley from the object-like treatment and "trade" she's been subjected to, which lets us learn more about her world and see these two's relationship.
As for romance... despite the lovely quote, said by our darling Alex, there isn't much romance, in this book. And I appreciated Blackwell, and this series, so much more for it, considering what Scout deals with.
She doesn't just jump into the next relationship.
True, we have Charlie. And really, you'll be rooting for him, because Blackwell is that amazing. She makes you think no matter who Scout ends with, you'll approve.
But the romance between these two, or rather "moments", are short, fleeting, and are definitely not the center of the book. Which I, for one, loved.
It made me, again, respect and love these characters even more (yeah, I know - who would've thought that's possible, right?!)
The ending of the book was exciting. A lot of things happen, some of them shocking, some of them I've been waiting for the whole book (such as Scout's wolf's identity. I knew who it was from, like, the first time he was mentioned--I mean, how many white wolves are around, anyway? But I've been looking forward to Scout finding out), some of them just made me want to bit on my nails off.
It definitely made me want to read the next, and sadly last, book in the series. Which, of course, I have already. Look forward to that review!
Bottom line, though, if you haven't yet read the first book in the series, and the second in the series (and the third) you really ought to. This is a MUST READ.
For this review and more, pop by my blog - Drugs Called Books