Second Coming

First Fruits, Book 2

By: Amanda Carney

Narrated by: Lynn Norris

Her blood brings all the vampires to the yard...

When Parsley Walker's fairytale happy ending with her dark lover is threatened, she must risk everything to get it back. Even if it means facing the most dangerous enemy of all.

Even if it means dying.

Jesse Linwood knows about sacrifice. He's spent the last three hundred years chained to the most powerful vampire alive. Festering. Hating. Killing. Now, he lives for a blue-eyed redhead's smile, and he'll take on the impossible to protect her.

Let the battle begin.

READING ORDER: Second Coming is the second novel in the First Fruits series and is not a standalone. For the fullest experience, it is recommended to listen in order.

©2017 Amanda Carney (P)2018 Amanda Carney

I can't wait for more!

I loved First Fruits, and I was eager to listen to the second book from the moment the first finished. Once again, the bad guys are all too real and grimy men, their actions both understandable and deplorable in the best way. A whole new world was opened in the form of Allswell, and the description of it was a vision without being overly wordy. Every new character introduced was given depth and personality, which I really appreciated.

Without giving any plot away, I was riveted by the ups and downs Jesse went through. Par was shown to be a headstrong and courageous woman, if a little emotional at times (but not in annoying way). Their relationship moved along in a way that gave me warm fuzzies all around. I also liked getting a little backstory on Patrick; it really gave meaning to his cruel nature and his actions.

Once again, Lynn nailed her narration. I simply cannot get enough of her. Every character has the perfect unique, distinguishable voice. She puts so much emotion and energy into her work. I really hope she takes off in the audiobook world.

Lastly, I really, really hope there's another book coming for Felix (it sounded like it!). He's a hoot of a character, I foresee a lot of fun dialogue coming from his story.

I was given a copy of this audio in exchange for an honest review, but truthfully I would hands down spend money or credits on this book series. I'm seriously hooked at this point.

Awesome sequel to the first book!!

I was enthralled by this book. I listened to it straight through. I loved to story and the fantasy of the mythology characters. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. It’s a must listen book if you like romantic fantasy with suspense and adventure.

☆!!!tour de force narrative!!!☆

If you could sum up Second Coming in three words, what would they be?

love's magic wins!!!

What other book might you compare Second Coming to and why?

I'd compare Second Coming to the first book in this trilogy, First Fruits. I very much enjoyed the first book — particularly the brilliant narration of Lynn Norris — but much territory in that book was taken up with exposition: our world crammed with supernatural players and a rich history of this shadow world, unperceived by "normal" humans.

In the second novel, plot baseline well established, we see much more of the deep, lavishly detailed and nuanced world of supernatural beings, in which even the "good" characters sometimes suffer from longstanding prejudice. Like the best of science fiction/fantasy, this story reflects societal ills and personal foibles with which we can all identify and, in a context of high adventure, romance, and a climactic full-on battle with detail at once ravishing and devastating, we're shown ways in which even the most evolved among us can grow.

A delicious array of characters and circumstances provides a vivid palette at last worthy of the simply prodigious vocal and interpretive talents of ☆LYNN NORRIS☆, who limns character after character with masterful detail and seemingly endless energy and range. I was nonplussed at first by the tack of voicing consistently third-person narrative in the voice of a single character appearing in each scene (rather than in a neutral narrator's voice), but I came to appreciate the extra emotional color and clarity afforded by plot advancement via a particular character's apparent perspective. A total innovation, in my experience. Way to go, Lynn Norris! I've made no secret of my admiration for her truly enormous narrative gifts, and this outing just takes the proverbial cake. Amanda Carney must be over the moon to have someone rise fully to the challenges of bringing her elaborate, panoramic plot to breathtaking life. Norris goes from strength to strength, and is destined to be a shining star in the audiobook universe.

Which scene was your favorite?

Truly, there are so many beautifully realized scenes in this book, but the true tour de force I referred to in my headline has to be the battle scene near the end of the story. The energy is just headlong, as Lynn Norris throws herself fully into breakneck tempo with perfectly enunciated, crystal-clear yet wholly passionate relating of Carney's stunningly detailed, no-holds-barred narrative of battle that feels like the memoirs of veterans, it's so emotionally real. Whoa. Just virtuosic. And in the midst of violent chaos and peril, we actually learn more, through revelation of their thought processes, about the principal characters, without sacrificing an atom of excitement. Breathtaking work by both author and narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Magic power's great. Love and courage are better.

Any additional comments?

If you love great romantic fantasy-adventure, this book's for you. Read the trilogy in order, though; if the second book is any indication, it's just gonna get better and better.

SPECTACULAR

i absolutely loved this book and the series such an amazing world you are brought into , love, friendship and loyalty definitely a must read!! narration is PERFECT for this book !!! must read

a phenomenal roller coaster ride

Second Coming is a phenomenal roller coaster ride that will leave your heart soaring and your expectations high. While I waited I tried walking through all of the possible stories scenarios I could come up with, and the real thing blew them all away! It was full of the signature heart and soul that we saw in First Fruits. Nothing could have prepared me for how epic this story is becoming, and I loved every second of it. Untamable characters that will turn your heart upside along with a fabulously imaginative plot gives you a wonderful new author to enjoy and look forward to many more spectacular and incredible books to come!

Parsley wants nothing more than to rest, regroup, and strengthen her resolve to love, to live, and to fight. While discovering many wondrous new people, she longs for the one person who sets her heart aflame and brings unending joy to her soul. The one person she can’t be with is fighting for them both with everything he has. Jesse wants nothing more than to fold Parlsey in his arms and never let her go, but the best thing he can do right now is to keep her hidden until he can strike back at the one who will hunt her down and take her from him. He can stand anything done to him, but he cannot stomach an ounce of that directed at her. Parsley fully intends to fight for what she wants, and right now, the most dangerous place to be is in her path.

At first, I was not sure how these two characters would meld together, but then once they were open and honest with the other, nothing could stop the storm of passion and longing for love that rages between them. Never being able to stand still long enough to feel, Parsley isn’t sure how to deal with the strong and strange emotions she feels for Jesse the more they meet and get to know each other. Jesse holds himself away from Parsley because whenever he lets go of his tightly held control, he will do all but devour her. He has wanted her since he first laid eyes on her, and this strange feeling only deepens the longer her gets to know her. Nothing in their world is as it seems, and once the veil falls from Parsley’s eyes, she will find that she knows exactly what she wants.

Amanda Carney has written a magnificently inspiring story that only continues to get better with each book. The meticulously beautiful characters will make you fall in love with them while the pulse-pounding plot will twist your heart into shreds. I could not get over just how good this book is! It is a fascinating and enthralling vampire tale that will hold you captive until the very end. Don’t skip this book for you may regret it later.

The narration was absolutely perfect! She nailed the amazing characters and made the storyline soar even more then on its own. I hated seeing this book end as everything about this book kept my senses engaged and my heart entangled then entire time. I can't wait to see what comes next!