Fury by Elizabeth Miles
10:00 AM
Author: Elizabeth Miles
Release Date: August 30, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 352
Source: ARC provided by publisher
Overall: 3 Stars
Summary:
Sometimes sorry isn't enough....
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.
Em and Chase have been chosen.
My Thoughts:
I began reading Fury with guarded expectations. The novel may feature a beautiful cover with one of the Furies, but I’ve been hearing mixed comments about the novel… and I can really understand why after reading the book. But if one of my main goals of the novel was to make you anticipate seeing two teens pay the consequences of their bad judgements, then I think Fury has accomplished its job.
It’s really difficult for me to lose myself in a story when I can’t connect with the characters, and with Fury, this was definitely an aspect which made it harder for me to truly like the novel more. I could hardly round up any sympathy for Chase and if I did feel anything for him, those traces swiftly disappeared after learning what he had done to make the Furies choose him as a target. He was such a phony person, pretending to be something he wasn’t and caring only about the materialistic. I can’t exactly say I felt too bad for him when the Furies decided his fate as it was just too hard to find a real redeeming quality about him.
As for Em… I don’t necessarily think it was right that the Furies were after her, but she wasn’t exactly an angel either. Her best friend, Gabby, could be rather annoying, but she didn’t deserve Em’s dishonesty. Em may be a popular girl, but she actually has a lot of self-pity and feels that she doesn’t get much attention. So when Gabby’s boyfriend, Zach, starts noticing her more, it’s not really her fault that she’s under the possible illusion that a guy like him could like her. I don’t know, sometimes I liked her as a character… and at others, I just wanted to shake her to make her see that her childhood friend and neighbour, JD, would have been such a better influence for her. She’s a slow learner, I guess.
Elizabeth Miles has certainly set the stage for the next novel in the trilogy, Envy, though. If Miles can maintain the excitement that was the final build-up in Fury, then I’m sure I will enjoy the next novel so much more. I’m really glad we got a glimpse as to who will be the next target to pay for their actions because if there was ever a character that deserved the attention of the Furies, it would be this person. My dark side has come out to play and I think it’s going to be absolute fun seeing the next victim brought down by the beautiful Furies!
Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing this review copy!
6 comments
I agree - I didn't really see why the Furies were after Em, and I had trouble connecting to the characters. I did like the concept though, and I'm looking forward to the next book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThe Furies going after Em was a bit too much, and though I didn't like the characters, I enjoyed the plot, particularly the ending. Awesome review, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThe characters were very unlikable, agreed. I think it was only after I decided to accept that I wasn't supposed to really like them that I was able to enjoy the novel. And I was able to muster up some sympathy for them because while they did do some pretty crappy things, especially Chase, they definitely didn't deserve death for their mistakes! The Furies meant serious business, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I really hated Em and all of her self-pity. Even though her best friend was annoying and self-centered, I was so mad at Em for betraying her friend with Zach the way she did. AND how could she not see what a tool Zach was??? UGH. Okay, I am done with my ranting now. Fabulous job on your review!! =D
ReplyDeleteI keep reading mixed reviews for this one but I have a copy waiting to be read, I hope I like it more than you did :) It seems like the characters would probably bother me too but we'll see. Great review Liz!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it was the most amazing book I've ever read but thought it was okay and it had the element of curiosity going for it where I wanted to know what was going to happen. This might not be the great teen crossover that all adults will love.
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