Scan barcode
mlbnbrit's review
4.0
Whoa. Ok. My head is spinning.
I devoured this book, but I've got questions. Tons of questions. And none of which I can ask because I want to avoid spoilers.
While book one was slow to reveal the paranormal elements, this book fully immerses you into the paranormal world, and it's pretty fascinating. The issues I had with Hazel in book one are still present, but not as nagging. I appreciate how slow she is to trust the Kings, because it shows she's not a complete idiot. I'm completely intrigued by the Kings, more so than I was in book one. I feel like book two really gave them each more character depth because we learn more about their histories.
I've still got questions, though. Some are still lingering from book one, and some are new. It seems as though the author is going to answer them, eventually, so I am just going to have to be comfortable with not knowing for the time being. It's almost as it, along with the PNR elements, this book has psychological thriller aspects, as well. I am definitely diving into book three because I NEED ANSWERS.
And that cliff hanger? Wtf. I'm so glad I waited to binge this series because I would have been RIOTING if I had to wait.
I devoured this book, but I've got questions. Tons of questions. And none of which I can ask because I want to avoid spoilers.
While book one was slow to reveal the paranormal elements, this book fully immerses you into the paranormal world, and it's pretty fascinating. The issues I had with Hazel in book one are still present, but not as nagging. I appreciate how slow she is to trust the Kings, because it shows she's not a complete idiot. I'm completely intrigued by the Kings, more so than I was in book one. I feel like book two really gave them each more character depth because we learn more about their histories.
I've still got questions, though. Some are still lingering from book one, and some are new. It seems as though the author is going to answer them, eventually, so I am just going to have to be comfortable with not knowing for the time being. It's almost as it, along with the PNR elements, this book has psychological thriller aspects, as well. I am definitely diving into book three because I NEED ANSWERS.
And that cliff hanger? Wtf. I'm so glad I waited to binge this series because I would have been RIOTING if I had to wait.
sambrooke's review
5.0
Oh. My. God.
Oh my freaking...I cannot believe this! I don’t think I’ll make it till October 14th. I love this series and I just started it yesterday. I’m obsessed. Obsessed I tell you! I need to know what’s going to happen with Hazel and everyone else.
Seriously, how am I supposed to take that ending? It makes no sense. I highly doubt everything was a figment of her imagination. Come on. Ugh. I love a good cliffhanger until I realize the next book won’t be out for a couple of months. That’s the real kicker.
Initiated focuses on Hazel and the three kings as the struggle to figure out what’s really beneath the school and how to destroy it. However, with the likes of Courtney, the headmaster and all those rotten excuses for parents, it’s kinda hard to figure out the secrets hiding in those caves. There were a few moments when I was this close to disrupting the fabric of our world by jumping in there and shaking a few people around. If only I could’ve done that.
Now let’s talk about the characters. I have a lot to say. And I mean, a lot.
Let’s discuss Hazel (aka Hazey). Hazel’s personality is such a refreshing change to the usual heroines we see in the reverse harem genre. It felt more realistic to me.
Instead of falling for her three tormentors as soon as they started showing her acts of kindness, she kept them at arms length. She trusts Quinn, Trey and Ayaz about as far as she can throw them. However, as time passes, they do show her that they can be trusted which makes the relationship progression more realistic. Slow-burn all the way people. It’s so slow-burn that you should not not expect any action until Initiated.
Another characteristic of Hazel that I like is her ‘take-no-shit’ attitude. One thing I hate is when people just take people’s shit without giving anything back (although I think that kinda makes me a hypocrite because I don’t always give much back).
Of course there were a few pranks that could have had some disastrous results but what do you expect when you have peers literally pouring tar into her hair and destroying her personal possessions? I guess she could take the high road, but that would be an incredibly high road.
Now, it’s time we talk about the kings: Trey, Quinn and Ayaz.
Trey is...complicated. He doesn’t give much away about himself. In my opinion, he was one of Hazel’s worst tormentors. That in itself would make you think he couldn’t be redeemed, but, well, things change. Also, out of the three, Trey is definitely the leader although that doesn’t mean he’s not a pawn. In fact, every one of them is a pawn.
Quinn is a laidback jokester who is an absolute flirt. I know that Quinn is just a flirt in general, but he’s such a sweet one when he’s not being a bully. There were a few moments where Quinn managed to snag multiple smiles from me. He’s that good. Ugh, he’s awesome (except during that first quarter of school).
Ayaz, hm, I’m not sure how to describe Ayaz. He has a quite persona similar to Trey’s except much different. I’m not sure how to describe it except sort of like a tortured artist. I do like Ayaz, but I feel like I haven’t learned as much about him as I wish I had.
All in all, I like these three guys and I’m worried about them. I’m not sure what happened, but I swear that headmistress has something to do with it. I won’t say what, but it’s not looking good.
My Thoughts (Possible Spoilers)
Ugh, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment. I do think that Ayaz was either under that god’s mind control or faking it. The first option is not good, not good at all. The latter should yield a much better outcome as we can expect them to plan Hazel’s asylum “prison” escape.
However, I swear, if he was being truthful at the end and meant what he said, I will be piping mad. I might even punch my phone. I simply cannot believe that everything was a hallucination. Unless Steffanie Holmes decided to create the mind-fuck of all mind-fucks. That would be awful, yet brilliant.
Oh my freaking...I cannot believe this! I don’t think I’ll make it till October 14th. I love this series and I just started it yesterday. I’m obsessed. Obsessed I tell you! I need to know what’s going to happen with Hazel and everyone else.
Seriously, how am I supposed to take that ending? It makes no sense. I highly doubt everything was a figment of her imagination. Come on. Ugh. I love a good cliffhanger until I realize the next book won’t be out for a couple of months. That’s the real kicker.
Initiated focuses on Hazel and the three kings as the struggle to figure out what’s really beneath the school and how to destroy it. However, with the likes of Courtney, the headmaster and all those rotten excuses for parents, it’s kinda hard to figure out the secrets hiding in those caves. There were a few moments when I was this close to disrupting the fabric of our world by jumping in there and shaking a few people around. If only I could’ve done that.
Now let’s talk about the characters. I have a lot to say. And I mean, a lot.
Let’s discuss Hazel (aka Hazey). Hazel’s personality is such a refreshing change to the usual heroines we see in the reverse harem genre. It felt more realistic to me.
Instead of falling for her three tormentors as soon as they started showing her acts of kindness, she kept them at arms length. She trusts Quinn, Trey and Ayaz about as far as she can throw them. However, as time passes, they do show her that they can be trusted which makes the relationship progression more realistic. Slow-burn all the way people. It’s so slow-burn that you should not not expect any action until Initiated.
Another characteristic of Hazel that I like is her ‘take-no-shit’ attitude. One thing I hate is when people just take people’s shit without giving anything back (although I think that kinda makes me a hypocrite because I don’t always give much back).
Of course there were a few pranks that could have had some disastrous results but what do you expect when you have peers literally pouring tar into her hair and destroying her personal possessions? I guess she could take the high road, but that would be an incredibly high road.
Now, it’s time we talk about the kings: Trey, Quinn and Ayaz.
Trey is...complicated. He doesn’t give much away about himself. In my opinion, he was one of Hazel’s worst tormentors. That in itself would make you think he couldn’t be redeemed, but, well, things change. Also, out of the three, Trey is definitely the leader although that doesn’t mean he’s not a pawn. In fact, every one of them is a pawn.
Quinn is a laidback jokester who is an absolute flirt. I know that Quinn is just a flirt in general, but he’s such a sweet one when he’s not being a bully. There were a few moments where Quinn managed to snag multiple smiles from me. He’s that good. Ugh, he’s awesome (except during that first quarter of school).
Ayaz, hm, I’m not sure how to describe Ayaz. He has a quite persona similar to Trey’s except much different. I’m not sure how to describe it except sort of like a tortured artist. I do like Ayaz, but I feel like I haven’t learned as much about him as I wish I had.
All in all, I like these three guys and I’m worried about them. I’m not sure what happened, but I swear that headmistress has something to do with it. I won’t say what, but it’s not looking good.
My Thoughts (Possible Spoilers)
Ugh, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment. I do think that Ayaz was either under that god’s mind control or faking it. The first option is not good, not good at all. The latter should yield a much better outcome as we can expect them to plan Hazel’s asylum “prison” escape.
However, I swear, if he was being truthful at the end and meant what he said, I will be piping mad. I might even punch my phone. I simply cannot believe that everything was a hallucination. Unless Steffanie Holmes decided to create the mind-fuck of all mind-fucks. That would be awful, yet brilliant.
readermelodie's review
4.5
Wait what??????
Again I'm soooo speechless
This Story is sooo intriguing but also confusing ?????
I just don't know what to think anymore wow, every time I think I know what is going on, the Story completely changes ????
Shunned, ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Author followed !
fr0gheart's review
2.0
this book was such a letdown from the first book and i’m kinda mad. it fell flat and the plot line wasn’t really interesting but as a person who has a compulsive need to finish the things i start i will finish this series and hopefully i enjoy the rest of the books
romanceasaurusrex's review
3.0
I'm so confused by this unreliable narrator. I enjoyed this book. The bullies, the besties and the Beast. I look forward to reading The third instalment of this series
myntop's review against another edition
4.0
I was so drawn into the first book in this series, I just had to get into book 2. The bullying has stopped from the Kings, but other students at Derleth are still not happy that Hazel is there. Also, there is the whole mystery of what happened to the students and how to possibly save them. Hazel is on a mission. But she's also weary, she doesn't know if she can trust Trey, Quinn and Ayaz. But she's also drawn to them in ways she doesn't quite understand.
There is so much drama, heat and mystery in this series, it's almost impossible to put the books down. I love the differences between Hazel's relationship with each of the Kings. I also love Greg and Andre and what they bring to the story.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series, each book seems to end with a cliffhanger more enticing than the last!
There is so much drama, heat and mystery in this series, it's almost impossible to put the books down. I love the differences between Hazel's relationship with each of the Kings. I also love Greg and Andre and what they bring to the story.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series, each book seems to end with a cliffhanger more enticing than the last!
More...