Thursday, June 23, 2011

Torn (Torn Trilogy, #1)Torn by Erica O'Rourke

Torn (Torn Trilogy, #1)Torn by Erica O'Rourke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads: Everyone has secrets.
Even best friends.

Swirling black descends like ravens, large enough to block the glow of the streetlights. A dull roar starts like a train on the 'L', a far-away rumbling that grows louder as it pulls closer, until it's directly overhead and you feel it in your chest, except this doesn't pass you by. Verity, white-faced and eyes blazing, shouts through the din, "Run, Mo!"

Mo Fitzgerald knows about secrets. But when she witnesses her best friend's murder, she discovers Verity was hiding things she never could have guessed. To find the answers she needs and the vengeance she craves, Mo—quiet, ordinary, unmagical Mo—will have to enter a world of raw magic and shifting alliances. And she'll have to choose between two very different, equally dangerous guys—protective, duty-bound Colin and brash, mysterious Luc. One wants to save her, one wants to claim her. Which would you choose?

"Who doesn't love a character torn between two dangerous worlds and two risky guys? The only thing safe about this book is how good it is." —Lee Nichols, author of Deception, A Haunting Emma Novel

"Dark, exciting and totally addictive! Just. . .wow!" -Kristi Cook, author of Haven

My take: I'd not read or heard of Erica O'Rourke before reading this book but she is an excellent writer. The book begins with Maura, or Mo in the hospital after an attack she can't describe. She was with her best friend, Verity, when they were attacked and Verity was killed. Turns out, Verity had some magical secrets and a fateful place in the world of magic.

Maura's family has deep roots in the mob. Because of this attack, it appears that someone is trying to reach Uncle Billy via Mo. He stations a bodyguard for her safety. The love triangle is complete with the introduction of Luc, Verity's secret partner in magic, from New Orleans.

The components of magic are destabilizing. With the shifts, one group wants the power and control which would throw much of the world into chaos. With Verity dead, Mo is out for revenge. She may have more power within her to change fate, however.

The story is interesting and kept me turning pages. The pace is perfect with enough down time for introspection to better understand the protagonist but not so much I wanted to strangle her. In fact, I liked all of the characters in the book. The protagonist and the two love interests are all interesting and unique people.

This book is part of a tour organized by the Teen Book Scene. My review is based solely on my impressions and are not endorsed in any way.

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