Torn (Blood Lily Chronicles, Book 2)

After reading Tainted Book 1, I couldn't wait for Torn to be released! I really enjoy the character Lily in these books. She is easy to connect to. You can feel all of her emotions like you are right there in the action with her and the other characters she interacts with. In Torn, Lily realizes she has been working for the demons instead of trying to stop them. She is sent on a mission to collect 3 pieces of a key that will lock the 9th gate of Hell and prevent millions of demons from taking over the Earth. The only part of this story that I found hard to believe is how easily she was swayed to believe she was working for the dark side. She took one person's word for it and turned on the men she was working for. There was a lot of story to keep track of in this second book. Not only has she switched sides but she has to keep a demon who has taken up residence in her little sister's body happy by going along with what he wants, she has been assigned a partner to help collect the pieces, she falls in love with a demon, and she has to fight the urges within her that she takes in with each demon she kills. I highly recommend reading the first book first as this book begins right where the first one left off. For a second book, this one really shines. Kenner doesn't waste time in recapping the whole first book in the second one like some authors attempt to do. To me, that can be annoying and distracting. Keener jumps into the story and has small bits here and there from the previous book. This series is definitely a good one. I can't wait to get my hands on Book 3 that was released in January! For more reviews by me, check out my website [...]

I like Tainted, but I was a little underimpressed. It reminded me too much of the Signs of the Zodiac series with all the new body/sister stuff. Torn embraces its uniqueness and I loved the book for that. In Torn, Lily now knows that she has been working for the demons, after being tricked. She decides to play double agent and wants to work with demon-turned good, Deacon Camphire. A demon who raped her 14 year old sister Rose has invaded Rose's body and won't let her go unless unless Lily finds three pieces of a relic that will open all the gates that will allow billions of demons to flood the earth. Deacon wants the relic too, to keep it hidden and keep those gates stay firmly shut. Lily has to pretend to help the demon so that he won't hurt Rose. Added to all of this she must also keep up her pretense of being waitress Alice and act like she is still working with toady demon Clarence. Oh yeah, and there is another big bad following her everywhere. Torn could suffer middle book syndrome, where there is usually not a lot of furthering the overall plot. Instead the book has more action cramed into it than the first book. I like Lily and I like Deacon and Rose. This is important for a book to suceed. The only reason the book is a four star is that it falls a little short on the explanations. I found myself confused at times by what some relic or item was supposed to do. Also, powers come up pretty convienantly as they are needed in the story, and a lot of times as a reader I was confused how and why those powers were appearing. With Lily playing some many differnt 'roles' to hide her own agenda sometimes I got confused there also. Still there was much less of this confusion in the second book as well and it was an entertaining, engaging read. I find myself wondering if there will be more Lily books after the three originally planned. Julie Kenner has another winner I think.

[SPOILERS INCLUDED] I strongly suggest you read the previous book Tainted before reading this book. This installment picks up immediately where Tainted leaves off. Lily rescues her sister but was too late to protect her from being possessed by her demon rapist, Lucas Johnson. Lily is up to her neck in trouble when Lucas blackmails her to vacate her sister's body. Lily together with Deacon Camphire fight tooth and nail to close the hell gates. Knowing that she's been double crossed and out-played puts Lily on the war path! This book was dark and dangerous with interesting demonic creatures, has a plethora of thrilling twists and turns and plenty of action. This was an exciting read and I can't wait to see how this trilogy concludes. I recommend this book and series to fellow dark urban fantasy readers and look forward to the next book Turned due out 12/29/09. I also recommend: Speak of the Devil (Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 4) Scorched: The Dark Forgotten Street Magic (Black London, Book 1) Demon Inside Darkness Calls

When monstrous Lucas Johnson viciously attacks her sister Rose, Lily Carlyle sought vengeance but died instead only to have an angel give her a second chance at righting all the wrongs she committed (see Tainted). After being used as an assassin by those she thought she should kill, she went undercover as a double agent destroying demons from within. However, as she did when she was human, she attacks without thought of consequences. Lily soon learns she has been tricked by the enemy whim she was brought back from the dead to prevent them from bringing hell to earth. She has killed her potential allies, which is part of the reasons the ninth gate from hell is open. The demon horde prepares to invade with her only ally to prevent their success being half-angel, half-demon Deacon Camphire, who may be a double agent working for the adversaries just like Lily currently is as she marches with the demons. The middle tale of the Blood Lily Chronicles is fast-paced and loaded with action from the opening of the final war between Heaven and Hell until the climax with Lily caught on the wrong team. Readers of Tainted will comprehend how far Lily has come but also how far she has to go if she is to complete her mission (see Turned). Filled with action and personal traumatic choices (eternity in hell for fighting her heavenly cause), readers will appreciate Lily's violent war on demons with some sexual twists to enhance the strong tale that sets up the End of Days finish. Harriet Klausner

Torn, the 2nd book in Julie Kenner's Blood Lily Chronicles did not disappoint. I purchased it on Tuesday evening and had it finished less than 24 hours later. I could not put it down. Lily is a demon hunter, although part demon herself since she breathes in the essence of every demon she kills. When Lily's mother died, and her little sister was raped, Lily vowed to get revenge for her sister by killing her rapist. In the process Lily is killed, yet comes back in the body of Alice Purdue, a young woman who is involved, a long with her family, in the dark arts. Lily must keep her identity a secret from her sister, but vows to watch over her and protect her no matter what, all the while killing demons and frantically trying to keep them from opening the gates of hell. Lily is a fascinating character and Julie Kenner's version of the paranormal is a relative new one. There were several twists and turns, Lily doesn't know who to trust, but she has to trust at some point because she needs to keep her little sister safe as well as save the world, and a girl can't do that alone. You definitely need to read the first in the series called "Tainted" which was equally good. I am anxiously awaiting for the 3rd installment next month.