| Title | : | Courage (Mark of Nexus, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle , Hardcover , Paperback , Audiobook & More |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published October 8, 2013 |
♥ ♥ ♥
The novel is best enjoyed after Strength (Mark of Nexus #1).
Courage (Mark of Nexus, #2) Reviews
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A WELL DESERVED 5 STARS!!
Wallace
"Is this really necessary?" Wallace grunted and bent back so I could cover his eyes. "I want it to be a surprise. Just a few more steps." "That's what you said before we ran into the water fountain.""Are you still going on about that?" He came to a halt...blindly tilting his head back "Baby, if you have nuts, you'd be going on about it, too."
Rena
She produced a notebook paper card with two different colors of ink and grinned form ear to ear. "It's an apology card." she said. "Wow! This is the best apology card I've ever gotten and the only one that doesn't contain an actual apology.". She slapped my arm. "It's close enough!"
"I've wanted to hold you since the day I met you." His hand shook as they slid down my back, memorizing each and every curve... "Don't wake up, don't wake up.." he muttered under his breath.
"Baby, this isn't a dream. This is normal."
My arms wound around his neck and I crushed my mouth to his...as he murmured praise against my lips "Baby..love you."
The ARC book was kindly provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
This was sooo delightful to read!! I couldn't put it down at all! I was so eager to read what would happened next and what will they do in each and every situations that was thrown at them. Rena was still funny as ever and Wallace, he has gone sweeter and so loving to Rena.
The story continues a couple of months right after the first book Strength finished. Wallace and Rena have decided to be a couple but their relationship was tested right away and you would think that it can't be salvaged but at the end, they have come out of it stronger and more united.
The Strength of Nexus has also been explained further in this book and what power it yields to couples who have it. You will also see a glimpse of Wallace's leadership and how he naturally stepped up to it. And the most intriguing part of it all, how Rena fits in all of these!
More characters were introduced like Corryn, an exchanged student from London, who is the catalyst in this book!! Also other characters were revisited in-depth like Aiden, one of Rena's best-friend, I think he will be in the next book and will be one of the main characters. And of course, Cole, he is such a bad boy you just can't help but fall in love with him.
There are two things I can't seem to understand about this whole story, why is Rena still cooperating with Faye. Yeah sure she made a promise to be there when summoned but I thought it was just a one time thing but nooo, she kept on going to her to be examined and tested. Don't they think that Faye would somehow get a hold of her DNA and copy it? They have an inside knowledge of what Faye is upto. For someone who is mouthy and opinionated, she should have pointed this out to her, she could have negotiated it with Faye but didn't. Another thing that bugged me, when they were rescuing Aiden, they were willing to sacrificed the good of many for one man. At that moment, I thought they backtracked with what they stood for, sure, Aiden might be one of the major players in the next series but it just didn't made sense to me of how they would jeopardize the safety of all for one person.
Overall, I really loved this book despite some areas that didn't made sense. This hardly scratch the surface of what the main event would be, can't wait for the next one!!! -
Courage has almost identical flaws to Strength. The writing is a little amateurish. The author doesn't seem to be confident in expressing emotion. Instead, she writes every single character's speech as though they have a stutter. "Y-yeah"; "N-no"; "H-he"; etc. This is a shame because the actual content of the speech is quite witty.
I would have liked to have seen less plot driving towards a showdown and, as I said in my review of Strength, "more exploration of what it might be like to be in a relationship with someone who you can barely touch". There is a little bit of sexual exploration but honestly - if a couple is waiting until marriage, why is it ok for them to do other things?* And if they're waiting due to practical issues around super strength, what on earth are they waiting for? With this in mind, I particularly disliked the rush to . Apart from that it's ludicrously soon and just asking for , is it just so that they can have sex already?
I never felt any real sense of concern around the showdown and I think that's because of the stunted expression of emotion. It needs tweaking. All that said, I still enjoyed Courage. It's an interesting and touching concept and I will probably read the rest of the series.
*A religious girl who I went to school with was saving herself for marriage. She and her boyfriend instead had copious amounts of anal and oral sex, which apparently "God" doesn't mind...?! -
Author Carrie Butler has hit another one out of the park with her second book in the Mark of Nexus series. Courage takes it up a notch in the excitement level as Rena and Wallace's relationship deepens and they are caught up in the drama of the Dynari and two newly-introduced supernatural elements. The plot is unique and original, and if you dig paranormal romances, this is definitely for you. Wallace is about as hot as they come, and Butler's use of dialogue and voice is absolutely unmatched. And this time, there are new voices to fall in love with. All in all, a witty, energetic, and entertaining read you will not regret picking up. 5 brilliant stars for Carrie Butler's Courage!
Fantastic read! Put this NA PNR on your TBR list! -
I need book 3 now!!!! I need to find it what's going to happen.
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Carrie Butler's debut novel, Strength is one of my most favorite books ever. So I was pretty excited to read this next installment. Butler doesn't disappoint. The same magic that was in the first book is still here. Rena is as spunky and witty as ever and Wallace is as hot and stoic as ever, although we get to see a much softer side of him as he and Rena deepen their relationship. There are some pretty poignant scenes between the two that I had to read a few times because they were just that good. The sexual tension between these two rolls right off the pages. It is maddeningly awesome. The chemistry between Rena and Wallace alone makes this book worth the read. What Courage really does is delve deeper into the supernatural elements in this series, and it is extremely captivating. I was very pleasantly surprised by the new and exciting developments. I don't want to spoil it for other readers, but let's just say that this whole Dynari thing gets way more intriguing as Courage goes on. For me, not being a fan of supernatural anything, the premise that Butler has laid out is nothing short of fascinating. It is compelling, intelligent and above all, original. Butler is one of the most imaginative authors I've ever read. I think it is a testament to her talent that she can win over a hardcore crime fiction junkie like me. I've read both her books more than once. I love what she's done here. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I cheered my behind off. To me the measure of a really great book is how invested you become in it as a reader and this book sucked me in completely. The only complaint I have is that her next book can't come out fast enough!
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I'm scared. I already dislike Corynn. I don't even like her name! Corynn Catley! I don't want to read from her POV, I'd rather sit back and harbor my dislike for her without getting into her head. Unless she doesn't get between Rena and Wallace... Then I'm all for new characters :) But I'm still super psyched for this next book! October is too far away! And the fact that Strength took place in Ohio and mentioned Cleveland gains MAJOR points.. Even though that's where the Laboratories were calling from... Still SUPER EXCITED!
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For books like this they should make a shelf "OMFG! Why isn't it out now?! I neeeed this book in my life."
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Wow wow wow. Carrie Butler has outdone herself. No sophomore slump here - Courage was incredible. I really loved Strength, but Courage absolutely knocked it out of the park. In a new adult world of sameness, she has managed to create something truly unique in her Mark of Nexus series. There is literally something for everyone here. You need a good love story? It's here wrapped up in a kick ass paranormal package and tied with a new adult bow.
When we last saw Wallace and Rena at the end of Strength (Mark of Nexus #1), their battle with the nasty Faye and her minions had left them branded with matching arm band tattoos that allow them to sort of sense each other all the time. Not really a bad thing since these two kids are crazy in love. But, they're still trying to work around Wallace's super strength and all its implications, so it's definitely not easy street. Meanwhile, Faye has moved on to stage 2 in her master plan for creating a utopia. And, she doesn't care who she needs to sacrifice in order to do it.
Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) is told from four different POVs. Yes, you read that right. Four. Initially, I was afraid that would prove to be extra confusing - hell, sometimes TWO POVs are confusing, much less four. The thing is, when you see where the story is headed, the reasoning behind Butler's decision to do it this way becomes more apparent. There are a few things going on at once, all related to the overall master plan. The four POVs are a unique way to let the reader in, a little at a time, on where the story is headed. And, despite being in four heads, I was still surprised by the twists and turns.
Rena is absolutely my kind of heroine. She is ballsy and brash and strong. She has integrity and a slight martyr-complex. She loves wholly and completely and despite her bad assery, she is not afraid to show emotion. Some secrets are revealed about her and her connection to Wallace, and after a momentary freak-out, she takes it in stride and moves on.
Wallace has grown and changed since the beginning of Strength. He was so alone and quiet, He internalized everything. In Courage, Wallace has found his voice. Funny thing is, he's not always good with words. But, he knows where his power lies and he's not afraid to use it anymore. For such a big, strong guy, his moments with Rena are tender and sweet.
One thing that Courage had in spades was some off the chart feels. I was getting the sideways glances from my husband as my throat closed, my eyes burned and I brought the tissue box closer to my seat. Rena and Wallace go through some tough stuff together, and the bad guys are even worse in this second go-round. Between the sadness and the frustration, the tears were falling. Thank goodness for Cole, Wallace's twin brother. He provides some much needed frequent comic relief.
The paranormal part of this story is, really, the best part. The Dynari - what Wallace and Cole are - are super cool. Like X-men. They all have different powers like super strength, super speed, ability to control the weather - and the other two either augment or neutralize those powers. Which means they can be used as tools for either side of the line of right. Once again, I LOVED what Carrie Butler did with the Mark of Nexus tattoos that Rena and Wallace have. There's something special about them that bonds those two together in tangible and intangible ways.
In this new adult series, the sex takes a back seat. Well, maybe a ride in the trunk, really. There's hardly any sexy times (there's a reason for this that has to do with the story, though). So, the feelings and the emotion have to come to the forefront since the physicality between Rena and Wallace is almost non-existant. If you require romance in your stories like I do, never fear. I never once felt it was lacking in that way.
The Mark of Nexus series is the best of my favorite genres married together.The characters are intricate and compelling. The romance is sweet and permeates throughout the entire story. And the paranormal parts are off the hook. One things's for sure - Loyalty (Mark of Nexus #3) is going to be one of my must-reads in early 2014.
Full review found on Krista's Dust Jacket here:
http://kristasdustjacket.blogspot.com... -
Full Blog Post @
Book-Marks the Spot
So I’m going to start this review with saying what an idiot I am. I started reading Courage and didn’t look at where I was reading. I read the last 4 chapters before I even noticed. I was like really. I knew I felt like I was missing something but I was like maybe there will be a flashback. Yeah no. Even though I read the ending it didn’t stop me from loving this book. I just pushed those last chapters out of my mind. Courage was just as awesome as Strength and I love how this author writes. I’m pretty sure this book was longer than Strength but I finished it faster. I stayed up till 2 a.m but that just goes to show how hooked I was.
Sometimes all it takes is a little Courage to make it through.
Things in Courage by no means slow down. There is danger everywhere and then there is Rena’s and Wallace relationship. They are so perfect for each other but it is difficult for them to be together because Wallace could hurt her. But good things never come easy. The strain on there relationship in this one had me torn apart. I may have cried a little. Rena has such a huge heart. so in the book there is this new girl and apparently she neutralizes the Dynari powers so Wallace can actually huge her and touch her without her getting hurt. Rena sees this and it tears me up that she had to watch. She knows she will never be able to be that free with Wallace. So she does the only thing she knows how……which is……I can’t say. *sniff*
Now we learn a lot about the mark of Nexus in this one and man it was some good stuff. I held my breath the entire time the found out something about it. Oh gosh I wish I could tell you about the things I learned but I just can’t. You can’t believe how much I want to. I want to talk to someone about it! It’s killing me and now I have to wait until 2014 to read Loyalty and AHHH the frustration. I know its going to be even better than Strength and Courage because that’s how awesome Carrie Butler is. She does not disappoint.
The cover: Love love love the cover, just like the first one. Especially the tattoos. I can not wait to see the next one. MEEP
Overall: Another fantastic book by Carrie Butler that will leave you begging for more! -
This book was even more amazing than the first. With even more curveball plot twists and turns. I love a read that keeps me guessing every step of the way and this one certainly did that.
New characters were introduced, and new truths about existing characters changed the game on so many levels. I loved being able to see the story from so many different POVs. It gave me real insight to the characters. Especially Wallace, who I enjoyed getting to know in the first book, but totally fell in love with in this one.
At times it seemed like Wallace and Rena just couldn't catch a break. There were so many elements working against them. Not only did they have to deal with Wallace's super strength but Rena's bloodline posed a threat, and to top it off they were up against ERA and their new virus. I'm just glad their bond was strong and they were able to weather the storm.
This book upped the ante and is a fantastic continuation of the Mark of Nexus series. I'm looking forward to reading Loyalty, the third book in this series. What more will Butler throw at her characters, and will good conquer evil once and for all? -
COURAGE is endearing, sweet, sexy, and wholly compelling! I held my breath, swooned, and rooted for Team Wallace and Rena to stick together and maybe even rule the world. ;-) Butler's writing is flawless and her story takes you on a sweet and suspenseful journey that will leave you craving more.
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Review coming closer to release date.
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*Received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
"You know the best way to overthrow a kingdom like this, Coryn?"…"Kill the queen." -Rena
Courage is an amazing sequel to Strength. Everything that I loved about the first book was multiplied in this one. There's just about everything in this book to keep you on your toes. Romance, mystery, action, suspense, angst. And with the introduction of new characters, things were taken to a whole new level. Relationships were tested, more questions arose, betrayals occurred, and several revelations were made. One of the things that I loved about this book where the multiple POVs. I loved getting to see the perceptions of several characters and with all the stuff that happens, it helped show their true intentions and what side each character is on. Courage is one heck of a ride that i don't regret getting on.
"I'd ruined him. I took his beautiful, gentle soul, and I ruined him. All I wanted was for him to be happy, and I didn't even know if that was possible now. That trust we'd worked so hard to build these past few months was gone. Just…gone. -Rena
RENA
In this book, I had a bit of a love hate relationship with Rena. She makes a decision that although was made with the best intention, was also made a bit selfishly by not looking at the situation from all angles and not thinking about the consequences that may result from it. At the same time I also felt so bad for her because so much happens to her in this book; my heart went out to her. I would've been an emotional wreck and not been able to function for a few days if I went through what she did but this girl is so strong and an overcomer. For a few months after the showdown at the end of Strength, Rena and Wallace get to experience a somewhat normal relationship. They get to spend time together, learn more about each other, and most importantly work on Wallace's strength. But as always, not everything lasts forever and must come to an end sometime. And it does. Rena is summoned by Gail to be studied and its officially time to get back to reality and all that comes with it. Not soon after she starts going to appointments at ERA, she and Wallace are hit with a roadblock. They are presented with an opportunity that would provide Wallace with the chance to have a life that other wise might be impossible to accomplish. This leads to Rena making a decision that will hurt the one person she loves the most and can impact their future together in a big way. So not only is she left feeling horrible and heartbroken but to add fuel to her despair, tragedy strikes close to home; causing her to lose someone she's very close to. Not only that but this person also almost commits an act that would've destroyed her. Like I said, this girl goes through so much, its a miracle she doesn't end up in an asylum. Rena's enemies have made their move, now, the next one is hers.
"For the past three months, this girl had been giving me a different kind of strength-a love I'd never known I needed." -Wallace
WALLACE
I have to start by declaring that… I LOVE WALLACE! He is all kinds of wonderful. His emotions and overall personality is a total contrast to his ability. On the outside all people see is this big, strong, intimidating guy when really he is such a big teddy bear. I swear, if he were real, I'd be all over him. Rena is one lucky girl. Wallace is one fierce fighter but an even fiercer lover. His love for Rena is so strong and unwavering that even when given such an amazing opportunity of having the future he's always wanted, if it means being without her, he'd rather not have it. Rena is such a big part of him that without her, a part of him would always be missing. In Courage, Wallace gets to experience several firsts. The one most life altering being something that he's always craved but thought would never be possible. For the first time ever, he gets to experience being able to touch someone without having to worry about harming them. To be able to hug someone without having to restrain himself in fear of unintentionally crushing them to death. He finally gets to be normal. Even though it was just for a little while, it meant so much to him and gave him hope for a future he thought wasn't in the cards for him. Unfortunately his jovial and hopeful mood from this wonderful event doesn't last very long. Soon after this occurs, he is left heartbroken by the one person he never thought would ever hurt him. For several weeks he secludes himself in his dorm room in an angry and somewhat depressed state. In the end though, eventually it all works out for them. This trial they were put through only helped confirm to one another just how much they love each other. So much so that they'd put themselves through hell if it meant the other would have a fulfilling future. Their troubles didn't end there though. Thanks to Wallace's crazy aunts and cousin, the world is also now one step closer to disaster and the stakes are so much higher.
"…you didn't give up on me, and you reached me on a level no one else had before. Nexus or not, your soul is always going to have a hold on mine." -Wallace
Overall, Courage is a great follow up to Strength in a series that only keeps getting better. This book, to me, was all Rena. Her strength is tested as things in her life start to plummet but she's not shaken. With the help of Wallace and a great set of friends, all the painful events she is put through only help strengthen her more instead of tearing her apart. Rena could give Katniss a run for her money. I've come to enjoy these characters so much, at times it was like I was going through everything they went through along with them. Im not even gonna lie, when Rena gave the eulogy, I cried. I felt her heartbreak and pain as she thought about the person she lost. I really can't wait to see what lies ahead for the characters in the next book. Because of the last line in the book, I am so ready to get my hands on it. Let the ass kicking commence! The Mark of Nexus series is proving to be an awesome one.
Other Favorite Quotes:
"Before Rena, I didn't know weakness. For someone so small, so fragile-looking, she had an inner-strength I couldn't match." -Wallace
"Her lips brushed mine, hesitant at first, before she claimed what was rightfully hers-branding me with a kiss turned declaration." -Wallace
"…when he brought you with him that first morning, it nearly killed me. I'd never seen him so free with his emotions, so alive and ready to conquer the world. It was like he lit up around you." -Rachel
"Her heartbeat resonated with mine; her emotions melted into my own. There wasn't a minute of the day I wasn't intimately aware of her presence." -Wallace -
The saga continues in this intriguing new adult paranormal romance with the second installment in the Mark of Nexus series, Courage, which picks up shortly after the events that occurred at the end of Strength. We were introduced to the supernatural race called Dynari in Strength, the first book in the Mark of Nexus series. The Dynari each posses special gifts - sort of like X-men, yet they look completely normal. Wallace Blake's ability happens to be strength, supernatural strength mind you, so much so in fact that he has to be very careful even touching his girlfriend Rena for fear of seriously injuring her. Renal and Wallace share the Mark of Nexus, which bonds them together. After a fierce battle with the evil ERA in book one, Rena now has to fulfill her end of the bargain she made to save Wallace's life with Faye, who is the Dynari in charge. They also learn a whole lot more about the Dynari and the Mark of Nexus, and find out that they aren't the only supernatural race out there. The more Rena learns, the more concerned she becomes about the role she plays and how it affects things, especially between she and Wallace. Faye meanwhile brings in a new player in the game, Corynn, who is everything that Rena isn't - meaning that her abilities cancel Wallace's out. What that means is that he can touch her, hug her, and could have a normal life without having to worry about injuring her. This causes some major problems between Rena and Wallace, which is just what the old bitty Faye and her evil old self had planned. I hated that Rena and Wallace had to go through what they did, but I also wanted to shake them both a time or two so they could get past it to the truth. Meanwhile Faye and the ERA are in the process of carrying out their evil plan, one which could possibly affect the entire human race.
Courage is told in four view points, with Rena and Wallace's being the main two, then we also hear from Corynn, and Aiden, Rena's best friend, and believe me, a whole lot happens with Aiden in this book. In fact, Carrie Butler sets things up in this novel that has me both anxious and excited to find out what role Aiden is going to play in the next book in the series. I have to admit that I was really worried about a love triangle of sorts that seemed inevitable with the introduction of Corynn (I really didn't want a love triangle). While there are issues that cause some big problems, it isn't what I thought it would be and I was really happy about that, and with where Wallace and Rena's relationship goes in this segment. Wallace and Rena prove to be quite the hero and heroine. I also liked the fact that it seemed we got to know Wallace even better in this installment. The secondary characters all play big roles in this story and are all well-written and enjoyable to get to know. My favorite is Cole, Wallace's twin brother. I can't tell you how much I loved Cole in this book. He stole the show on more than one occasion and it was wonderful. We get to know some of the characters we met in book one better, while also meeting new ones. The plot is fast paced and Carrie Butler has done a wonderful job in capturing and holding your attention in Courage. The story is creative, romantic, suspenseful, and never boring. I also was really pleased with the ending. Carrie Butler ends the story at a point that leaves you satisfied and happy, yet anxiously anticipating where she will take this series in the next installment. If you are a fan of paranormal romance, then The Mark of Nexus Series is something that I most definitely recommend. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here are a couple of short teasers:
"Almost there," I coaxed, stumbling on my tiptoes as I struggled to keep my boyfriend's eyes covered. Wallace grunted and bent back so I could reach as we walked.
"Is this really necessary?"
"I want it to be a surprise." I frowned, shoving my breasts against his back in an attempt to get closer. So logistics wren't my strong suit. We'd sill make it there. "Just a few more steps."
"That's what you said before we ran into the water fountain."
I rolled my eyes and leaned around his arm to see how close we were. "Are you still going on about that?"
He came to a halt in the middle of the hallway, blindly tilting his head back to address me. "Baby, if you had nuts, you'd be going on about it too."
*****
I leaned back to study my masterpiece, ignoring the lecture up front. On a folded piece of notebook paper, I'd written, "Remember that time I shoved you through a door?" I flipped it open and stifled a snicker at my stick figure drawing of Wallace sprawled out in the hallway. "Me too."
.....She produced a notebook paper card with two different colors of ink and grinned from ear to ear. "It's an apology card." she said. "Wow! This is the best apology card I've ever gotten, and the only one that doesn't contain an actual apology." She slapped my arm. "It's close enough!"
4.5 Stars -
She knew the rumors, knew the supposed danger I posed, but she didn't back down. For the first time in my life, I felt like a man. Just a man. And that stirred something inside me.
Wow!! What a fantastic read Courage was!!! The whole time I was reading it my thoughts kept going to the fact of how amazing this series is. Of how much I love Carrie Butler's writing and her characters. This book needs to be taken to all corners of the globe so that everyone can fall in love with this author's amazing writing skills and her characters just as I have.
I'm not going to go into the storyline too much. The synopsis is pretty descriptive and I don't want to give away too much. Courage is the second book in the Mark of Nexus series and is told from the point of view of four different characters. Rena, Wallace, new character Corynn and Aiden. A lot of the time, that just doesn't work. It's too much jumping from one voice to another. But this time it was perfect. It was needed so that as the reader we were able to understand the choices that each character was making. And since Aiden and Corynn play such integral parts in this story I think the story would have lacked without getting their take on things.
When I first read the synopsis for Courage I admit to being worried. I was a worried about the role that Corynn would play. I knew that Wallace and Rena loved each other. But that love is new and filled with challenges. Could someone come along and place a wedge between them? Well Corynn turned out to be so different than what I expected. I ended up really liking her. She was pushed to make some decisions that I didn't like but her heart is good.
Aiden plays a much bigger role this time around, The direction his storyline took just blew me away. The choices that he makes were ones that I didn't see coming and the outcomes of those choices... Boy!!! I cannot wait for the next part of his journey.
Cole, as always is a scene stealer. The guy has it in spades!! Charming, witty, hilariously funny, cocky and beyond confident. He just exudes appeal. He needs his own books!!! I simply adore his relationship with Rena. They have an ease about them, yet at the same time they rib each other constantly.
Her heartbeat resonated with mine; her emotions melted into my own. There wasn't a minute of the day I wasn't intimately aware of her presence.
And that leaves us with Rena and Wallace. How can a relationship work when your strength is so strong that you can barely touch? Touching is such a huge part of a relationship. Is love enough to get you through? Rena and Wallace encounter a few bumps in the road this time around. There were times I wanted to scream at Rena to stop being so stubborn. But for the most part she is so strong. She's not whiney or whingey. She just decides what needs to be done and gets on with it. And there is no denying her love. Not just for Wallace, but for her friends as well. Wallace!! He is just so perfect. As a couple they are perfect. But Wallace holds my heart.
"Don't wake me up, don't wake me up..." he muttered under his breath.
"Baby, this isn't a dream." I looked up at him through a film of tears. "This is normal"
This part of the book had me all teary. This whole scene was perfection. Beautifully written and emotional. It's such a big part of the story, so unless you read the book, you won't really understand the significance of those two lines. This guy is just so incredibly special.
I felt that the characters really grew throughout the story. They faced changes and challenges and came out the other end as better, stronger people. I think Wallace's growth has had the biggest impact. He was so alone before Rena came into his life, but he's evolved into this confident, loving man.
One of the main things that I love about Carrie Butler's writing is that no one aspect of her story overpowers another. The romance blends perfectly with the paranormal. Everything fits together seamlessly. If you haven't started this series yet, please do. And then tell everyone how much you loved it so that they too can get the same enjoyment that we have.
5/5 Wallace Owns My Heart Stars. -
*****4.5 stars*****
When I read the first book in this series, I was very pleasantly surprised by what a unique and captivating story it was. Carrie Butler set the bar pretty high for this sophomore installment, and she managed to impress me yet again! Just when I thought Rena and Wallace couldn’t get more lovable, Courage brings us more of the fun, flirty, and feisty side to them that make them such memorable characters, as well as a thrilling plot to keep readers hooked.
Courage begins with Rena and Wallace settling into their relationship “as is”; his super-strength put her in danger even from the slightest touch, so they were constantly on guard and unable to really be close like a normal couple. Not that Rena wasn’t determined to try, and I just adore this girl with her sassy attitude!! The fact that Wallace couldn’t even hug her was so sad, I mean, they were really facing a life together that would never leave either of them truly happy. Add to that Rena’s monthly required visits to get poked and prodded by the ERA thanks to the Mark of Nexus that has resurfaced between her and Wallace, and she was a woman at the breaking point.
Then the discovery was made that would change how they looked at everything: the Dynari wasn’t the only race of supernaturals. Turns out there are two more bloodlines, the Augari who amp up the Dynari powers, and the Nullari who wipe the slate clean. Not a problem, except for the fact that Rena happens to be one of those who give Wallace’s super strength an extra boost, and the new girl on campus Corynn just happens to be the one who he can hold without fear of breaking her in two. Yep, I was seeing red every time this girl came into the picture, but kudos to Carrie Butler for creating a twist that had me holding my breath and cursing at every turn! Through the emotional drama, unexpected revelations, and one hell of a fireworks show from their enemy, Rena and Wallace stuck it out even when their hurt feelings pushed them apart. I love these two as a couple, and I loved that we got a dose of heartbreak just to show how much they really belong together. It doesn't hurt that they have some seriously steamy moments together that had me panting over Wallace!!
Faye is back and more demented than ever in this installment, and as her psychotic plans started to be unearthed, it became clear she wasn’t to be trifled with. Altering humans and using her knowledge of the bloodlines to build herself an army of supernaturals, she’s more determined than ever. With a multi-point-of-view perspective, we see not only how Faye’s web weaving affects Rena and Wallace, but also how her devious plot drags in a love-blinded friend of theirs and a misguided Corynn. I liked getting the separate perspectives on this, and it was definitely needed to get the full picture of what was going on behind the scenes with the ERA. The whole mad scientist vibe gave the story a creepy feel, and I’m nervous but excited to see just how far things will go before it all reaches the boiling point!
With all of the cookie-cutter paranormal stories out there, the Mark of Nexus series is something unique and exciting that is sure to impress all fans of the genre. If you haven’t started this series yet and you’re looking for something new, I highly recommend grabbing it up!
Quotes:
Something about me augments his abilities. His, and everyone else’s who carries the Dynari bloodline—which is perfect, given that half of them are batshit insane. ~Loc 42
“You have exactly three seconds to get your arm off of me.”
Cole snickered and mussed my hair. “Easy, killer.” ~Loc 323
Oh, great. His strength chose now to return. Freakin’ supernatural cockblock. ~Loc 2273
Find this and more of my reviews at:
http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la... -
4.5 stars!
My Thoughts:
I have so many feels for this book, so many emotions all tumbling around. Okay, so I adore this series, I adored this book, I adore the characters. A lot of adoring going on! And I feel that Courage was a perfect second book in the series. It didn't have that second book drag, or feel like nothing important was happening. Oh no. Courage was filled with intense situations, powerful powers, and wonderful, much needed character development.
What first drew me in to read this book (other than the amazing things I heard), was the mythology. Carrie throws in her own delightful mythology. Made it feel real, and very believable. She created a world that could sustain it, and then wove a brilliant tale around her mythology. I love mythology, and I feel that Carrie did an amazing job creating her own mythological world.
Now, I do love that the book is told from different POVs. Getting inside Wallace’s head, dear lord almighty, did that make me just fall even harder for the guy. But it also allowed me to understand him, to really experience just what he feels. However, I didn’t really care too much for Aiden’s or Corryn’s POV. Though it was nice, and brought a nice element to the story, I just didn't really care about being in their heads that much. It did help, though, for me to understand their actions and situations.
Wallace and Rena really surprise me in Courage. And, boy, do they get tested in more ways than one. But I felt the challenges they endure really helped them, and it was something they needed. I felt that they are stronger in so many ways now. Their love is still beautiful to me, maybe even more so now.
I also saw a lot of character growth in both Rena and Wallace. I am very proud at where they are by the end of the book. Rena is still stubborn and very strong, a girl who can really handle herself. And Wallace is still that lovable guy, though I can tell he is really coming into his own. Though there where some things that happened that made me want to shake them, ripped my heart out, and literally had me yelling at my e-reader, it was all worth the experience!
Even though I know Corryn played an important part in the book, I just couldn’t really like her that much. Though she didn’t get on my nerves like Gabby does, she still isn’t my favorite. I also got to get inside of Aiden’s head. Which helped a lot to see who he is as a character, but in all honesty, I can’t really like this character either. No matter what happened to him, some of his actions made me want to get a piece of board and jam it into his eye.
I also have to mention Cole! I think I adore that guy even more now! He’s so funny and every scene he appeared in, made me happy. I did see some character growth with him as well, and I loved it! And I cannot wait to get to know Cole even more :)
Carrie also throws in some great twists to the story, and a few things are clearer now. I really enjoyed the twists, along with the action. It kept me flipping the pages like a crazy person. And , like I have mentioned, I just love the mythology Carrie plays throughout her story. I also liked that a lot of the supernatural is explained more in this book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Courage. I felt, in a way, that it was even better than the first book. It was a great adventure of a read. Rena and Wallace’s love is beautiful. And the emotions this book brings out of me, had my feels all over the place!
I definitely recommend this book if you love a great New Adult with a supernatural twist. A book that challenges characters, and delivers a great adventure to the readers. Courage brings all the feels. -
Original review here:
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/10/courage-blog-tour-review-courage-mark.html
Courage takes place after Strength. Rena and Wallace are together and very happy. They still have an issue with Wallace's immense strength, but they are taking it one step at a time. That doesn't last long when Rena is summoned by Faye, she is the leader to ERA (Evolution Requires Action). They want to create a utopia and the only way to do that is through Wallace and Rena. But after some investigating, they realize that Faye has much bigger plans for them and those they love.
Courage is the amazing sequel in Carrie Butler's Mark of Nexus series and what a sequel it is. I am head over heels for the New Adult genre and Butler makes me love it more. Courage is full of mystery, betrayal, romance, badassary, and well, courage. Once you start this, you won't be able to put it down.
Rena and Wallace are still to die for. I love Rena's wittiness and lack of filter. If something is on her mind, you will hear about it. She is a great heroine. I love rooting for her. And Wallace, oh Wallace! I am so in love with that man. Why can't guys like him exist in real life? I love his way with words. He had me smiling within the first couple of pages of this book. I love how much he loves Rena and those around him. He is so scared to touch anything or anyone because of his strength. I love how much he has changed due to Rena. He was quite sheltered due to ability and it is so great seeing him out of his shell.
I love how this book is split between four different POVs. Butler handles all four very well. I knew exactly who was who without being told because everyone has a certain voice. We even follow Aiden in this book. He was a side character from Strength who I really enjoyed, cute and nerdy. But you won't believe where things go for him. My jaw dropped. We are also introduced to a new character named Corynn who I actually liked. I liked her sassy and spunky ways. I did feel bad for her because of the situation she was put in and her not being fully aware just how bad those guys are. She has been brought in by ERA because of her special abilities that can be used against (well, on) Wallace.
I really loved this story and how well put together it was. Butler can really pack a punch. She doesn't really waste anytime throwing us a curveball. I love that with each chapter we find something new. Faye is crazier than we originally thought and she wants to bring everyone into her madness. She will go any length to make this "perfect world". What she has planned is huge and very scary.
I loved everything about this book even Cole. Cole is Wallace's twin brother who is not always put in the best light. As a matter of fact, you will hate him when you first meet him in Strength, but you will warm up to him. He is the original pain-in-the-ass, but you will love him, trust me. But everything about this book was great. The chemistry between Rena and Wallace is off the charts. I love seeing them together. The buildup and pacing are perfect. I loved trying to put the puzzle pieces together. The mystery was great and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well fleshed out and are easy to connect with. I highly recommend this read if you are looking for a New Adult read with a kick. Definitely putting this on the favorites list and you will too. -
Originally published at
Rookie Romance.
*Probably best not to read this review if you haven't read Strength, book 1, as there will be spoilers.*
Where to begin...so Courage picks up from the end of Strength, after Rena and Wallace's big showdown with Faye and the rest of the ERA. Then they learn about the different supernatural races there are, along with the Dynari, which is what Wallace is. This basically introduces a whole bunch of new factors.
I love Rena, I really do. She's strong and she fights for the people she loves. She's also funny, loyal and kind. She's pretty awesome, and she continues to be mostly awesome in this book. I wish she had fought harder for her and Wallace at some points, but her insecurities about their relationship and the introduction of Corynn into their lives, confused and overwhelmed her. So I forgive her for her temporary insanity.
Man, did I love Wallace...again. He sounds so damn gorgeous, and he loves Rena so much. He's just such a good guy as well. He shoulders so much of the responsibility in trying to stop the ERA and protecting his loved ones, he's just such a sweetheart.
One of my favourite things about this series is how developed and fleshed-out the secondary characters are as well. Corynn and Aiden also have POVs in this book, although they pop up less frequently than Rena and Wallace's This is definitely a good thing, in my perspective. It was nice to understand what was going on with them, but I liked the focus to be more on Wallace and Rena.
To be honest, Aiden irritated me quite a bit. I felt kind of bad for him, because he loves Rena but it's just not going to happen. She loves him as a friend and nothing more. Then he goes and does something really, really stupid and I wanted to him over the head. Honestly, silly boy!
Corryn was quite likable and I did feel sympathetic towards her. She's caught between a rock and a hard place, and doesn't have much choice in what she has to do.
Gabby was as brilliant as ever, and such a good best friend!
The plot thickens in this sequel, as more light is shed on the ERA's plans and Rena and Wallace fight to save their loved ones safe. Rena and Wallace have their problems in this book, but their relationship grows and strengthens in leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see where the next book, Loyalty, will take them. They deserve to find peace and happiness with each other and I hope it happens, and happens soon!
I'd definitely recommend this series, although I probably wouldn't read Courage, without having read Strength first. You'd be a little lost, although it does recap events from the first book at the beginning. It has some off the charts sexual tension (looking at you, Rena and Wallace!), good vs evil battles, suspense, love and friendship. It's also got a rather refreshing take on the paranormal, and it'll suck you into the Dynari's world of the supernatural.
*I received a review copy from the author, for my honest review. Thank you! -
More Reviews Here:
Readers Live A Thousand Lives
I have been looking forward to this book since the moment I finished Strength a couple of months ago. I just love this series! It has everything I want in a New Adult book, but then it throws in some paranormal elements. Not your typical paranormal elements, different ones, so really I think this series was made personally for me. I love me some paranormal and I also love me some New Adult and with this book they just blend perfectly.
I guess I want to start with Rena. I just love this chick! She is so feisty and spunky and just a fun character. She did make some decisions that made me want to shake her, but I always understand her reasoning. She always tries to do what is best for others and is so selfless.
Then there is Wallace and I just adore him. He is so sweet and cute and strong (haha yeah I know, but strong in others ways too). I love how he carefully hopes for more and how he looks tough but on the inside he is like a giant marshmallow. He has so many wonderful qualities that make me want to hug him.
While I love Wallace, I’m not going to lie, in my opinion he doesn’t hold a candle to his brother Cole. I absolutely love Cole. He is so funny and quick witted and steals every single scene he is in. But beyond that he is a great guy. We get to see a much different side of him in this one. I always knew there was a genuinely good guy hiding behind the wit and sarcasm.
Now there are two characters I do have some issues with and they are Gabby and Aiden, Rena’s friends. I use the term friends loosely. I don’t really know what it is, but I find it hard to like them, and I am pretty sure that is how I am supposed to feel. I just think Rena deserves better friends, but whatever, it doesn’t detract from the awesome story.
Speaking of the awesome story, this one kept me on the edge of my seat. From beginning to end I was sucked into the story. It broke my heart, made me laugh, kept me guessing, and made me flail. I loved the romantic aspect of the story, but I also loved the action and drama that went along with it.
My favorite addition to this series is the varying points of view. I really love that we got Wallace’s point of view as well as two other pivotal characters. I feel like it added another layer to the story and really expanded the world. I loved that I didn’t live inside the bubble of Rena’s point of view. I love her POV, but she can’t be everywhere. Getting the varying perspectives allowed the reader to know things Rena didn’t and see things you wouldn’t be able to in her perspective. Plus I loved being in Wallace’s head. Also, here is where I put in the official request for Cole’s point of view! *puppy dog eyes*
Courage is a great addition to an already great series. It takes everything we love about New Adult and combines it effortlessly with everything we love about paranormal romance. It is a fresh addition to both genres and one that would be a shame to miss. -
Wallace is baaaaaack!! I can’t tell y’all how much i have been wanting to know what was next for Rena and Wallace. And I did find out, early if I may say so :P yes you may whine in your little corner and be jealous :D
It was perfect, although I’ll have to say that it was darker, rough and more emotional than Strength. Wallace and Rena and a lot of other secondary characters went through a lot, and I do mean a lot of things in this book. Rena and Wallace especially, I do think at some point I screamed mindlessly at my computer when Rena and Wallace broke my heart.. wait no. They stomped all over my poor sensitive heart. They put me through a lot of emotional damage, I wasn’t sure I could handle anymore of their pain.
I’m not sure if I can explain why they put me through torture without spoiling any of the storyline for y’all, so you just gotta read the book to find out the reasons they were very cruel to my wee heart.
One of the best parts in Courage was that finally got to meet Rena’s family, where we discover some very serious but interesting facts about Rena’s abilities and their background, which also explain the nexus mark on her arm. Rena and Wallace are somewhat settling into the life of normal college students. Well as normal as they can be, while at the same keeping an eye out for Faye and her ‘people’.
Enter the new girl Corynn, she has abilities too, although she doesn’t know that until Faye gets her claws in her and decides to blackmail her into doing nefarious things for her. Things keep getting interesting.
What surprised me the most was how Cole went from being ‘the bad guy’ in the first book to being this really sweet and supportive guy and how Aiden, the sweet, adorable, hopelessly-in-love-with-Rena, Aiden not only goes to Faye’s side which is plain stupid and wrong. He goes comleetely off his rockers, I mean I know we all get hurt when our love is one-sided and getting rejected is not a lot fun but that really doesn’t give Aiden the excuse become certifiably insane.
I loved how after Rena and Wallace got over their insecurities, they were stronger than ever! There were so many scenes were both of them were vulnerable and needed the other person to be stronger and bring them comfort. I ‘oohed’ and ‘aaawed’ at some of the sweetest scenes. I love Rena and Wallace dynamics. It’s a give and take relationship, where they actually have to work for it, it is so realistic. Although I wished we could have gotten more Rena and Wallace time *ahem* listening Carrie? ;)
There were so much angst, double crossing, bad villains, incredibly written plot lines and twists. Not all of them sat well with me, like with the whole Rena and Wallace thing. ouch. I alsmost blew a casket. Well now I’m even impatient for the third book. I can’t believe I have to wait so long to read it *pout face*. Carrie’s writing is as always incredible and I CANNOt wait for the next book in the series.
4.5 stars! -
“I’d always been a sucker for a good love story.”–-Corynn
Rena and Wallace found love in the previous novel, Strength, and now everything is perfect in their world. If only! Instead, they’ve got to deal with crazy relatives out to destroy them or worse–-break them up, friends that are upset with them, their own insecurities about their minimal contact relationship, and possibly the death of all humanity. If only admitting they loved each other was the hard part…
“Of all the humans in the world, I’d fallen for the most stubborn.”–-Wallace
I loved this book from the very first page onward. I loved how it was like revisiting old friends! The addition of other first person narrators is one of the major differences between this book and the previous one, and I loved the change! Not only do we get to have Rena’s awesome flair for the dramatic perspective, we also get to read Wallace’s! If I didn’t already love him after book one, book two would have sealed the deal! We also get the viewpoint of a new character, which was OK, but I didn’t care for her character so much, and then the viewpoint of a returning character, which I was surprised turned out to be a bigger character than I thought. Each character voice is unique, which makes reading this book so much fun since it’s like we really get to know each’s personality. It’s even more awesome when we read the different voices after a major plot shocker!
“Evil wins when good does nothing.”–-Rena
As in the first book, Wallace and Rena are still trying to deal with Wallace’s strength and also Rena’s own lineage. They’re not ready to save the world, and they know it. They have to deal with their own shortcomings and realize the consequences of going against such a powerful organization as RSTL. It made the book feel real since although our heros are strong and brave, they have normal insecurities and hopes and dreams. Although billed as a paranormal romance, the book feels more urban fantasy now, and I’m really enjoying the fantasy elements as well as the relationships between all the characters.
“There’s nothing more dangerous than someone fighting for what they believe in.”–-Edwin
Overall, Courage has college life, romance, friendships, humor, heartbreaks, highs for our heros, and some major, major lows. I didn’t want to stop reading, wanting to know what was next in store all the way to the shocking ending. Although not necessarily a cliffhanger, I’m eager to read what the implications are from the major event at the end of this book! If you enjoy college settings, paranormal romance, or urban fantasy, I definitely encourage you to check out this series (I’m highly recommending to read book one to get to know the characters before reading this one)! This is a 5 out of 5 for me!
(Originally posted on my blog; I received an ARC in exchange for an honest an unbiased review.) -
An absolutely perfect sequel, Courage was a fantastic read! It was romantic, thrilling, and full of secrets. I really liked the first book, Strength, but this book was even better. Loved it!
Rena did a lot of growing in this book. In book 1, I got annoyed with how impulsive she was. You know, "run into a dangerous situation now, think about it later." But, in this book, she became much more clever in how she dealt with the ERA. She became a stronger heroine and I ended up liking her more. I thought she was great.
Wallace was as sweet as ever. I just adore this guy. He's so sweet and wonderful and perfect. As with Rena, he became much more crafty in this book. He as up against a dangerous organization and he knew the way to beat them was brains rather than brawn (which he had a lot of). He proved he was a formidable opponent. I thought he was wonderful in this book and I totally adored him.
The romance was more intense in this book. Rena and Wallace face a lot of obstacles and deal with their insecurities. Their relationship deepens and it was sweet to see. The sparks between them were definitely there, though that part of their relationship was light. They were a lovely couple and I can't wait to see how things turn out for them.
Corynn and Aiden played big roles in this book, so I just want to mention them. When I read the blurb for this book, I was so worried that these two would become alternate love interests for Rena and Wallace and I really didn't want that to happen. Don't worry, it didn't. But, they did cause a bit of a mess. I wanted to hate Corynn at first, but I couldn't. She was a great character who would do anything for her family. After everything that happened to her in this book, I hope she gets a happy ending. And, Aiden...
Well, the real Aiden was super sweet and adorable and I completely loved him. But, then he does something that completely changes him. And, the person he becomes is a total jerk. I'm anxious to see what happens to him in the next book, because I want the sweet Aiden back.
The plot was fast paced. I was hooked the entire way through. There were so many secrets and surprises in this book that I never knew what was coming. I really enjoyed the story and the ending has me itching to get my hands on book 3.
Courage was a fantastic New Adult paranormal romance. I loved this book! The story was thrilling, the characters were great, and the romance was sweet. I can't wait to see more of this series. NA lovers, this book, and the entire series, is a must read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review -
“...then I ran into you. Literally. And it was like I'd finally met my match. You were every bit as stubborn as I was, maybe even more, and that scared the shit out of me. The thought of someone like you getting close to me, close enough to hurt, was too much.”
-
So much drama. That's my though while reading the second book of mark of the Nexus, Courage. Not that it's bad tho, in fact I do enjoy it so much.
Rena's life pretty much started normal, besides the fact she has to go to ERA headquarter frequently to running some test. But then reality hits her, to know that she's not human. She's an Augari, one of the supernatural races : Dynari, Augari and Nullari. And beyond all that she actually strengthen Wallace's power. If that's not enough to make things complicated, there come Corryn, a non other than a Nullari that practically null Wallace's power. And with her, Wallace does have a chance to live "normal", or so as Rena thinks.
Suddenly Rena and Wallace's relation feels like Romeo and Juliet, in my opinion, it's not meant to be, forbidden, but it's there and can't be denied. Be prepare for a lot of actions in this book, a roller coaster of emotions too. I even cried several times. And Rena's connection with Wallace is, glad to say, still stronger than ever.
And I do really like Cole in this sequel, he went from jerk to "less-jerk" and a great brother. He's having Rena's back and moments between them is kinda sweet. I tried to hate Corryn tho, she's like coming in the wrong time and place, but she's not really bad, she's just caught in the middle in a wrong situation.
I don't usually like changes of POV, but I quite like it in this book. I know that it's necessary so readers could get feel with everyone feelings. The author's writing helps too. It doesn't feels confusing at all.
I liked the ending too, it has a kinda happy ending vibe but still a cliff hanger, but if I could say, it doesn't feel much different than book one ending. It still ends up with Rena making a deal (I'm not giving out spoilers, am I?) so I think I gonna wait until book three coming out to see where it takes our beloved Rena and Wallace.
So, overall, it's a great sequel of mark of the nexus, and you should totally check it out and I guarantee this book definitely worth your time.
P.S : I read it in one sitting, about 3 hours straight. Yep, that's how much I can't put it off.
-
“But you didn't give up on me, and you reached me on a level no one else had before. Nexus or not, your soul is always going to have a hold on mine. I…I love you.”
-
I got a copy from the author in exchange for a honest review -
First off I have to say this because it is so true but Carrie you are amazing! Man when I read Strength I fell in love with Rena and Wallace my man of Strength. I just could not get enough of them and the trials they had to endure but they made it and Rena and Wallace have stayed strong. But that came at a price for Rena because she had to go up against the ERA and she made a deal with the devil so to speak because the ERA knew she wanted to save Wallace and they made a deal with her and she agreed. Rena needed to save Wallace and she would have done anything to save him and now that she has agreed to be the ERA guinea pig she is starting to think she may have just opened Pandora's box.
Wallace oh my poor Wallace. He was in school minding his own business watching Rena from afar when he and Rena finally become a couple. But for Wallace it is so much more because he is supernatural and has kept that to himself for a long time and when he and Rena get together and their world is jeopardized Wallace will do whatever it takes to save Rena. Even if that means giving up his strength to save the women he loves.
If this isn't enough to worry Wallace and Rena they have to worry about the secret weapon the ERA has brought in to tame Wallace. Corynn is brought in to take away Wallace's strength but Wallace welcomes it because he will be able to be around Rena and not hurt her but there is a glitch in that thinking and his powers stay when Rena is around. Lord poor Rena and Wallace can't catch a break and then Wallace realizes he is not the only vying for Rena's attention.
See her best friend is vying for her love and he will do everything in his powers to have Rena. Aiden is a man on a mission and he is determined to sell his soul to the devil (ERA) to get the girl of his dream. But what no one realizes is that in doing that he has set of a shit storm and the ERA is coming and wants it payment. Will Aiden be the reason Wallace and Rena are destroyed and the world destroyed? -
If you have not read book one Strength then stop and read that one before reading book two or will be confused. Book two Courage picks up where Strength left off.
Rena has found out that she can tap into others powers and its crazy, but they also find out a even bigger part of the puzzle. There are others as in other aliens and all of them are on the same side as good.
The war continues and Wallace, Rena and Cole are still at it trying to stop whatever Faye is up to. But Faye has a couple of aces up her sleeve and is not ready to let them all be known just right away. Now she has brought in a lot of others some very unexpecting humans and some other family members and so on.
Rena and Wallace’s relationship is put to the test in book two. Wallace is fighting with his powers and the clusters still in this book. He is afraid that he will hurt her and that will be the death of him. You know that saying you have to love someone enough to let them go well that what Rena that she was doing when Carlyon pops into the picture, you see Carlyon does not have any abilities but she can cancel out the abilities of others just by being around them. So she thinks that Carlyon can give Wallace the live he needs. But she is so wrong let me tell you that it gets good from this point.
Oh and Cole is so sweet in this book he is still a dang mess but so sweet…. And Wallace is just amazing and I can’t wait to find out how the story ends in book three…
Rena and Wallace have that once in a lifetime kind of love that we all wish for, that comes around once in a lifetime, the kind that’s worth fighting for. We also find out some interesting facts about their family tree. As well as Rena’s family tree. I was hoping for more fighting and love seams in this one but it was still good to me. I feel like this book was filling us in on the families backgrounds.
I will say that I would have liked for them to sit down with Rena’s family and ask questions but hey I may be jumping the gun and we may get this in the next book. -
Courage was a fantastic sequel! I really enjoyed seeing Wallace and Rena back and the continuation of both their relationship story and their fight against ERA. I really love the author’s writing style and would definitely read more from her.
Courage picks up after the events of Strength. To be honest, it took me a bit to remember who each character was and although the blurb suggests it can be read as a standalone, I would not recommend it. However, once I had a clearer picture of who the bad guys and good guys were, I was hooked on the story again.
Wallace and Rena faced a lot of the same challenges as the previous book, namely dealing with her augmenting his strength and potentially killing one another. I love them as a couple and I was glad to see them work through their issues as a team. They hit some bumps on the road and Rena was driving me crazy with her stubbornness. Wallace continued his awesomeness in this book and his brother Cole even grew on me.
The book is told in four POVs and I kind of wished the author had just featured Rena and Wallace’s stories. Aiden’s POV especially irked me and I felt like the crush storyline was a little unnecessary. Corynn’s part in the story was interesting and I worried about her tearing apart Rena and Wallace.
I highly recommend this series. It’s very original and the characters feel very realistic despite the supernatural aspects. The dialogue is fun and witty and the pacing is terrific.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received this book as part of the Courage blog tour. -
4.5 out of 5!
I was so excited to jump back into Carrie Butler's Mark of Nexus series that I polished it off in 7hrs. I did not sleep I just had to keep going to see the ending and boy what an ending. Okay, backing up a bit we start off not too much time had passed between book one and two and we find Wallace and Rena setlinging after the after math of book one.
Things are going smoothly we find out that Rena is not as human as she thought which makes spence and that the whole of her mother side is not human either. Ouch talk about family secrets. So Rena amplifies Wallace's powers not good if the hope to be together and Wallace still has trouble controlling himself to just hug her. But I was sure things were going to work out some way
Then Corynn Catley is introduced. OMG I have neared hated a name so much it'd freaking weird and she was such a pawn for 95% of this I wanted to reach in and punch her in the nose. But Rena and Wallace managed to muck things up too. This should be a warning about eavesdropping, nothing good comes from it, nothing! But just as Qu king a stings went sour they wer fixed and the the best things happened. Rena realized some potential to her amplifying Wallace's powers she can pull from it and use it herself! No more worrying about crushing her. Yay
My one and major issue with this book is that after all is said and done they are back when they were in book one, working for the enemy.
Oh and I need more Cole!! Hopefully book 2.5 helps with that. -
As if loving Wallace wasn't dangerous enough, now Rena must face a terrifying evil. One that could destroy everything. Plus, Rena discovers that Wallace isn't the only one with powers. There are so many factors at play, and so much Rena can't control.
After all, what is strength without courage?
Wow. It's not very eloquent, but it's the perfect word to describe how I felt about the second book in the Mark of Nexus series. From page one, you jump right into an amazing story with well-developed characters. Not only were all the characters I loved from Strength back, but their roles were amped up. Corynn, a girl whose power has major implications for Rena and Wallace, is introduced. Right away, I wanted to know her story. I suspect she will continue to play an important role in book three.
But my favorite addition to this story was the changing point of views. Although I love Rena as a character, there was an added intensity with Wallace's perspective. Now I just need some Cole thrown in. I'm Team Wallace, but Wallace's brother is piquing my interest more and more.
It's been a while since I felt this connected to a story--lost in it from page one of book one and seamlessly through book two. Book three can't get here soon enough.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. -
I'm really grateful for having the opportunity to read this one asap, I did really love the first and I'm seriously excited to know what happens next with one of my favorite couple.
So here it is, unlike the first book which is Strength, Courage is far more serious, we get to learn a lot of crazy stuff..Wallace's family history and ERA's cray cray plans ..etc. Our couple here, Rena and Wallace-baby is dealing with lots of things at the same time..I was kind of scared that the problems will tear them apart but hey it's Rena and Wallace right? need I say more?
Even though Courage is action-packed..
I'm glad that we still get to experience the funny dialogue's that I fell in love with in the first book. I also loved the fact that the problems Rena and Wallace encounter doesn't turn them into whinny-dramatic-I'm-so-poor type of characters instead it made them stronger.
All in all ...I loved it! and I'm freaking excited to read the 3rd book, aside from the story itself I can't wait to see the 3rd book's cover..the cover keeps on getting better!!! So yeah to the Fantasy-Paranormal loving readers out there..please check Carrie Butler's Mark of Nexus series.
