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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
3.0
The first book in this series was really exciting. I especially loved the mythology, the way hell worked and even more Lucifer and Lilith and how they interacted with the other characters in this story. I was therefore very excited to read the second book in this series. Luckily for me I got an ARC via a Facebook group and the moment it came in I knew it was gonna be the next book I would read. So, yesterday morning I picked it up.
However, for some reason I didn't feel the excitement I felt during the first book while reading this second book and it's quite hard to pinpoint why. I guess it has mostly to do with the fact that the aspects of the stories I found the most interesting were not really prominent in this second book. The entire book takes place in only two different locations and we don't learn many new things about the world or the different species around.
The mystery of the book also seems to be on hold until the very end of the book. I'm totally fine with character bonding and I really love how we got to know Malik a lot better in this book, but I personally would have liked a little more plot in this book and a little less sex. That doesn't mean I don't like the dynamics between these characters. I really love Gabe, how he's different from the other angels and how he really found a home with this bunch of people.
And of course I really love Lana, our leading lady. I have to admit that she seems to have a little too many powers. I understand that she's special and someone the world has waited for for a very long time, but personally those heroines who are so amazing and can do everything also seem a little unrealistic. Or maybe better said, it's impossible to imagine yourself as a person like that. It's easier to connect with someone if they're more human, more vulnerable and with some more flaws.
However, there is a big and final battle coming and I'm really excited to read how it ends!
However, for some reason I didn't feel the excitement I felt during the first book while reading this second book and it's quite hard to pinpoint why. I guess it has mostly to do with the fact that the aspects of the stories I found the most interesting were not really prominent in this second book. The entire book takes place in only two different locations and we don't learn many new things about the world or the different species around.
The mystery of the book also seems to be on hold until the very end of the book. I'm totally fine with character bonding and I really love how we got to know Malik a lot better in this book, but I personally would have liked a little more plot in this book and a little less sex. That doesn't mean I don't like the dynamics between these characters. I really love Gabe, how he's different from the other angels and how he really found a home with this bunch of people.
And of course I really love Lana, our leading lady. I have to admit that she seems to have a little too many powers. I understand that she's special and someone the world has waited for for a very long time, but personally those heroines who are so amazing and can do everything also seem a little unrealistic. Or maybe better said, it's impossible to imagine yourself as a person like that. It's easier to connect with someone if they're more human, more vulnerable and with some more flaws.
However, there is a big and final battle coming and I'm really excited to read how it ends!
pagesinkedinshadows's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
More pieces fall into place and we get quite a bit more back story. Lana’s power grows and the bonds are completed. I am looking forward to the battles and spice that will come next.
book_lover_97's review
4.0
This is a wild ride with action, steam, adventure, drama and thrills. This picks up right where book1 left off and keeps up the fantastic pace. This has great development in both characters and storyline. Very enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next book.
belindaclemons_123's review
5.0
Balance Altered is crazy good. it is hot and sexy and full of rollercoaster emotions. i cant wait to read more in Restored
ellesbellesreads's review
5.0
I absolutely loved book 2 of this amazing series. We go through so much, we've got secrets, lies, suspense, action,
bookwormbunny's review
4.0
Balance Altered is the second book in Jenn D. Young’s Unyielding Fates Mates series. This book picks up where book one left off and continues forward at a good pace that kept me engaged from beginning to end. In some aspects I can easily say that this book is better than the first and that is always something that I truly love about a series is when the author is able to build on the first and make the second book better than the last.
Balance Altered continues with the alternating chapters of where readers get the story from multiple perspectives. The prologue with this book really captured my attention and even made me feel a certain kind of way with the individuals in power in this book. In the present moment they may feel some remorse for their refusal back then, but like we all say “hindsight is 20/20.” Malik really comes through as an engaging character with this book, and the author does an excellent job of altering the perspective of how he has been portrayed by so many.
My only real issue with this book is how the author portrays Gabe and the other men wanting classify them at one point in the book as “all ‘extremely’ different men.” For me, in this book, Gabe really doesn’t read as an angel. Ezra and Andros are the demons in this book, but it really is easy for me to forget that Gabe is an angel and not a demon as well. I know that the author wants Gabe to be “different” from the “stereotypical” angel who is “good and angelic” but Gabe dropping literally a string of curse words and one in particular multiple times in a sentence makes it hard to view him really as an angel. An angel is supposed to be more balanced and yes, lean more toward the light (otherwise why have two side of light and dark?) than to the dark. Yes, I know the characters curse when they are frustrated, but I feel that for Gabe, he goes overboard more often than not and I truly forget that he’s supposed to be an angel and that he’s not a demon.
For those who enjoy steamy…this book brings it! I loved it! I enjoyed the heated/steamy build-up so that it’s not something that just happens out of nowhere. We get multiple delicious scenes with this book and I absolutely ate it up.
I am choosing to rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I’m taking off a star because Gabe rarely reads as an angel for me. I understand wanting to make him different, but he’s too hot headed and prone to LOTS of swearing which makes him read more as a demon. Also, the author wanting to have the main character think that each of her men is “extremely” different is a reach. Two are demons, maybe different levels, but demons nonetheless; Malik is the only truly distinctive character in comparison to the rest. Reading it was hard to remember who was the demon between Ezra and Gabe half the time unless a certain scene pointed me in the right direction. This book is good, but it has some pitfalls as well. If you read the first and enjoyed it then I encourage you to pick this book up.
Balance Altered continues with the alternating chapters of where readers get the story from multiple perspectives. The prologue with this book really captured my attention and even made me feel a certain kind of way with the individuals in power in this book. In the present moment they may feel some remorse for their refusal back then, but like we all say “hindsight is 20/20.” Malik really comes through as an engaging character with this book, and the author does an excellent job of altering the perspective of how he has been portrayed by so many.
My only real issue with this book is how the author portrays Gabe and the other men wanting classify them at one point in the book as “all ‘extremely’ different men.” For me, in this book, Gabe really doesn’t read as an angel. Ezra and Andros are the demons in this book, but it really is easy for me to forget that Gabe is an angel and not a demon as well. I know that the author wants Gabe to be “different” from the “stereotypical” angel who is “good and angelic” but Gabe dropping literally a string of curse words and one in particular multiple times in a sentence makes it hard to view him really as an angel. An angel is supposed to be more balanced and yes, lean more toward the light (otherwise why have two side of light and dark?) than to the dark. Yes, I know the characters curse when they are frustrated, but I feel that for Gabe, he goes overboard more often than not and I truly forget that he’s supposed to be an angel and that he’s not a demon.
For those who enjoy steamy…this book brings it! I loved it! I enjoyed the heated/steamy build-up so that it’s not something that just happens out of nowhere. We get multiple delicious scenes with this book and I absolutely ate it up.
I am choosing to rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I’m taking off a star because Gabe rarely reads as an angel for me. I understand wanting to make him different, but he’s too hot headed and prone to LOTS of swearing which makes him read more as a demon. Also, the author wanting to have the main character think that each of her men is “extremely” different is a reach. Two are demons, maybe different levels, but demons nonetheless; Malik is the only truly distinctive character in comparison to the rest. Reading it was hard to remember who was the demon between Ezra and Gabe half the time unless a certain scene pointed me in the right direction. This book is good, but it has some pitfalls as well. If you read the first and enjoyed it then I encourage you to pick this book up.
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