The Brightest Sunset (The Darkest Sunrise #2) by Aly Martinez

eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 27th 2017

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.

Bullshit.

Words destroyed me.

“I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.”

“Daddy, he can’t breathe!”

“There’s nothing more we can do for your son.”

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.

Lies.

Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me.

Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness.

“He’s gone.”

In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise.

“Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.”

My Opinion

I couldn't wait to start this book. The second I finished the first one in the duet I needed this. Unfortunately the ARC wasn't quite ready so I had to wait, which basically meant checking my email every hour of the day to see if it had arrived. 

The Brightest Sunrise picks up where The Darkest Sunset left off. For that reason I'm not go into any details about the plot since this is the concluding book. 

While I didn't feel this book broke me as much as the first, it was definitely packed with emotion. It held my attention well and I couldn't put it down. I thought the story was intriguing and a roller coaster of drama. It had its dark and light moments and the author did a good job of balancing everything so that the book was well-rounded. 

The only thing I will say is I wasn't too keen on the end. Maybe it's just me, but it came too quick. 

Overall, I still prefer this author's Retrieval duet. However, this was equally emotional and two of the most heartbreaking ARCs I've had the pleasure of reading so far this year. 

4

The Brightest Sunset--Book Two in the Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2sX0Yo9
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2tG4oJ9
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2u9VhU1
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/22u0aVAI

The Darkest Sunrise (Book One in the Darkest Sunrise Duet)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2tYlkMY
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u5aPrp
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2u5dCAX
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2u4XsHs

Review ~ The Darkest Sunrise (The Darkest Sunrise #1) by Aly Martinez

eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 13th 2017

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Whoever coined that phrase is a bald-faced liar. Words are often the sharpest weapon of all, triggering some of the most powerful emotions a human can experience.
“You’re pregnant.”
“It’s a boy.” 
“Your son needs a heart transplant.”
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Lies.
Syllables and letters may not be tangible, but they can still destroy your entire life faster than a bullet from a gun.
Two words—that was all it took to extinguish the sun from my sky.
“He’s gone.” 
For ten years, the darkness consumed me.
In the end, it was four deep, gravelly words that gave me hope of another sunrise. 
“Hi. I’m Porter Reese.”

My Opinion

This author can be a bit hit or miss for me. I found her via a book signing and started with The Fall Up. If you saw my review for this book, I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. However, after seeing the buzz about her Retrieval duet, I gave her another chance, picked up those books, and absolutely loved them. For that reason, I decided to take a chance on this duet and I'm so glad I did.

I requested The Darkest Sunrise, but wasn't sure what I was getting into. What I got was an emotional read about two sets of people struggling to piece themselves back together after horrible events. Through their pain and darkness, they find each other and help each other through the tough time.

Martinez's writing in the book is beautiful. Everything flows, it kept me hooked, and I finished this book much too quickly. It reminded me of her Retrieval series in structure, so if you're a fan of that definitely check this out. It had the same tone and amount of emotion.

What I really loved though was the humour brought to this book. While it is a sad, intense, and emotional read, the author did a great job of injecting lighter scenes that balanced out the bad. It made the characters more likeable and developed the connection between them.

Overall, this is definitely one of the better books by this author. I would highly recommend it and I can't wait to conclude the duet in book 2.

4

THE DARKEST SUNRISE by Aly Martinez is LIVE and you can read it for FREE on KindleUnlimited!

Get it now:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2tYlkMY

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u5aPrp

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2u5dCAX

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2u4XsHs