Pierced by J.C. Mells.
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Publisher: Self through Amazon.
Rating:

The Summary: Imagine the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Betty Crocker.

That’s Pierce in a nutshell.

Pierce has been on the run for two years from the man who held her captive in a vampire compound for almost a decade. Life on the run would be a lot simpler if she didn’t suffer from several social disorders and ‘quirks’, have a ten-year-old brat in tow, as well as have two characters from a 1945 classic film living in her head and guiding her at every turn.

Disclosure:I was sent a copy of this book as part of a read and review group. I am not compensated for this review, nor am I influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Review: I finished this book two days ago, and I cannot get it out of my head. It is mind blowing and simply one of the best things I’ve read this year. The characters are amazing. Pierce is a character that I haven’t encountered in all of the books I’ve read. Her compulsions and her delusions are as much characters as the rest of the cast of this story. The book itself is labeled Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, and it is indeed urban fantasy. There’s not a lot of romance (thus far) and I’m glad there isn’t. Pierce’s background and her current character– to force a love interest at her would cheapen the story. There are hints, subtle ones and with time I can see something developing with the character Pierce is starting to show a glimmer of interest in. But for now? I’m really liking the way this story is in terms of ‘romance.’

The story is fast paced, without being rushed. Pierce’s paranoia and constant vigilance adds to this aspect of the story. It’s extremely well written, with a complex plot, full of twists and turns and a couple of massive bombshells that I didn’t see coming until the end. This book is fantastic. I cannot express this enough. It’s also really hard to talk about without spoiling anything, and I’m trying really hard not to just type over and over “go buy and read this book”.

On that subject while I want everyone to read this book, it’s not for everyone. There’s violence, explicit drug use, offensive language, child abuse– and while they’re there and out for the reader to see and the other characters to interpret and experience they don’t take away from the story. Pierce is heavily flawed, and has many issues, none of which she uses as a crutch. She’s a strong, well written character and one that will stick with me for a very long time.

There’s a novella to this series, and there’s a second book listed on amazon, which I’m incredibly grateful for because the book ended in a cliffhanger, and I am craving the second part of this series. I loved this book and I know a couple of people that need to read it right now.

Purchase Pierced on Amazon On sale for .99 until August 21, 2013!! Snatch this up while you can.