Shannon Delany
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Griffin
Release Date: August 16,
2011
Series or Standalone: 13 to Life #3
ISBN: 9780312609160
Format: ARC
Pages: 307
Websites:
Rating: 5 Stars
I just want to start out by
warning you this is a long review but I do not care because I have a lot to say
about this wonderful little book. It’s also completely free of spoilers from
previous books and this book. And it’s a long review filled with lots of love.
I did not think it was
possible for me to love the 13 to Life series anymore than I already did, but Bargains and Betrayals proves I can love
it even more. And boy, do I love it. I have previously reviewed both 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows here on the blog and have confessed my love for
them, but Bargains and Betrayals blew
me away. Everything about Bargains and
Betrayals was spot on: the writing, the characters, the story. Everything.
So initially I was a bit
worried about this book because Shannon Delany decided to do something a little
different in the third book in this series which was to tell the story from
both Jessie’s and Alexi’s point of view. Up until this book, the story had been
told only from Jessie’s point of view so this switched worried me a bit.
However, as I was reading, I realized this decision worked perfectly. It was
really interesting to learn more about Alexi and see a different perspective on
the story. There was a lot about Alexi that I did not know about before this
book but I learned through his point of view. One thing that Shannon Delany was
really good at was deciding when to switch between the point of views of the
two characters. Every time the story jumped from Jessie to Alexi or vice versa,
it made perfect sense and the story continued to flow as one. I really hope
that Shannon Delany continues utilizing multiple point of view in future books
in this series because it really adds to the writing and the story. And I would
really like a book that has Max’s perspective, but that’s just cause I love
Max.
Shannon Delany’s writing in
this book was her best yet. I feel like the writing in this book was the strongest
it has been in the series. Shannon Delany was able to balance the really
serious scenes with some hilarity which I always love. But seriously, this book
had so many beautifully written in lines and phrases that I was in love. I
actually have a list of them because they were just perfect. One of my favorite
quotes in the entire book was “Sometimes are hearts should rule our heads.” It
just really describes the feeling of the book for me and was such a great line
in the scene. I definitely feel like that as this series has gone on the
writing has gotten stronger in each book and truly, the writing was the best in
this book so far. It flowed perfectly and had some really heart breaking scenes
and lines.
Bargains and Betrayals was one of those books that I was very emotionally
invested in. So much, that at points I was yelling at the book because I did
not want characters to do something that I knew they were going to do anyways.
I was very into this book, so into that I found myself talking to (in a good,
not crazy way). Which leads me to the story. The stakes were definitely the
highest they have been for Jess and Pietr and the Rusakovas. I’m going to keep
this spoiler free for previous books, but if you know what happened in Secrets and Shadows I bet you can figure
out why. A lot of what happened in Bargains
and Betrayals I seriously did not see coming. I should have know from the
title that there would be huge bargains and huge betrayals, but seriously, I
did not think some of those bargains would ever occur, nor some of those
betrayals. This book changes everything for the characters. A lot of things
happen that will have a huge impact on their lives in the following books. I
really want to talk about some huge spoilery things in the book, but will hold
back because you need to experience them on your own. The story will keep you
on the edge of your seat and even have you yelling at some of the character’s
choices.
One of my favorite things in
this book was the character development. Jessie, Pietr, Alexi, Max, Kat, Amy,
Derek, Sarah, Wanda, and Leon have come so far since 13 to Life and there growth is really apparent in this book. Pietr
and Jessie have come so far. They are drastically different people because of
what occurs in Bargains and Betrayals. I
really like the people Jess and Pietr have become. I love how both of them are
willing to put those they love first. New depth has been added to the
characters in this book. I just want to say, I still love the same characters,
like Jessie, Pietr, Max, Kat and Alexi but my hatred for some characters * cough * Derek * cough * grew even more. I
felt like some of the decisions the characters made in this book really will
define them in coming books and change who they are.
Also,
I really need to talk about Pietr and Jess’s relationship in this book. It was
perfect. Seriously, this is what their relationship should have been from the
beginning. Jess and Pietr truly care for each other and I felt their
relationship really shows that. When you see what each of them risks for the
other, what they give up for each other, it tugs at your heartstrings. Also,
there was a certain scene in this book that was done perfectly and made me
extremely happy and you will definitely know what it is when you read it.
Now,
I have to sit back and wait until Destiny
and Deception comes out. And once again, the wait is going to be torturous
because of the ending. Shannon Delany really knows how to write an ending that
leaves you wanting more. When I got to the ending of this book, I did not
realize there was no more pages left and then burst out “What?” because it just
another killer ending. I want Destiny and
Deception now to find out what happens next!
Bargains and Betrayals is by far the best book in
the 13 to Life series. If you haven’t
read this series I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up and read it. Each book gets
better and better and I cannot wait to see where Shannon Delany takes the story
next in Destiny and Deception.
