Book Review: Deviate by Tracy Clark

Deviate (The Light Key Trilogy #2)
Author:  Tracy Clark
Publisher:  Entangled Teen, 356 pages
Expected Publication Date:  March 3, 2015
*ARC received by publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
Tormented after a daring escape, Cora Sandoval must find a way to stop the Arrazi from murdering innocent people and from violating, using, and killing the Scintilla for their powers. She must also accept one bitter betrayal: Finn Doyle—the Irish boy who has both a piece of Cora's heart and soul—is Arrazi...

On the verge of extinction and sought by those who would either consume or destroy them, Cora and the remaining Scintilla survivors must solve the mystery of The Light Key. If they fail, the truth will stay buried forever and mankind will pay the ultimate price.

No longer will she hide.

No longer will her loved ones be hunted.

And she will have her vengeance...even if she shatters her heart in the process.

Review:

I loved this book and here's why:

1.  Richly detailed world-building.  In this second book, we learn more about the Scintilla (the givers) and the Arrazi (the takers).  Light versus dark and it all connects somehow to Dante's Paradiso and even Michaelangelo.  There's a certain Da Vinci Code feel to the story as Cora and her friends research the origin of the species and why Clancy wants three Scintilla.  Why were the Arrazi created if they have to kill in order to survive?  Why are all of these natural disasters happening? Why are people dying mysteriously all over the world?  Are the Scintilla meant to save the world?  Things are slowly being revealed and I'm fascinated with the world Tracy Clark has created.

2.  Complex villains.  Clancy and Ultana are a bit cartoonish, but the whole Arrazi race is much more complicated.  They are soul suckers, but if they don't kill, they die.  Finn is devastated after finding out what he is and decides he would rather die than have to kill in order to live.  And there are other Arrazi who also don't want to kill, struggle with it, but ultimately do it.  

3.  The romance.  Talk about star-crossed lovers.  Cora is still reeling from finding out about Finn, and now she doubts that he ever loved her since she believes he was just drawn to her because she's a Scintilla.  We also get Finn's POV as well, and it's hard not to still love him even as he does horrible things.  All he wants to do is help Cora, but at the same time, he can't be around her without putting her in danger.  

There's action, adventure, death, and betrayal.  So many heartbreaking moments, I need the next book NOW.  

Posted by:  Pam