Review--Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany

WARNING: IN THE DESCRIPTION THERE IS A SPOILER FROM BARGAINS AND BETRAYALS. AS WELL AS IN THE REVIEW, PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company's headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wanted after all. But both Jess and Cat know the truth--that normal can't be taken for granted. Their precious cure isn't permanent--and when a new danger stalks into their small town, Alexi decides he must overcome his issues with the mother who abandoned him to be raised by wolves and make a brand new deal to save his adopted family.

I received this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin, for review.

OMG! OMFG! So I finished Shannon Delany's Destiny and Deception, which I totally loved! As you knew I would! It was freaking epic! So my review is going to be a little weird--since I have yet to really fall into a habit, I'm going to touch on some of the strong features of the book that had me oozing with emotions!

Picking up where we left off, Pietr and his brother and sister have been cured of their lycanthropy. But for how long? As we know from Cat, the cure isn't permanent. But it takes and things seem to be going smoothly. Yet, it is making Jessie's life miserable. She and Pietr no longer have the same spark in their relationship. Pietr has turned into a totally different boy from what he once was. Was Jessie ever in love with Pietr? Was it just the wolf? She has some serious questions going through her head over the course of the book and it was practically tear jerking for me!

There are some really interesting developments in the book, a new pack of wolves has moved into Junction. Marlaena, we learn a lot about her as the book is told through her p.o.v. as well as Jessie and Alexi. And let me tell you, I do not like Marlaena! Sure, she started as an interest character with a troubling past that she has overcome. But once she saw Pietr...oh man...I do not like her! She is the alpha female in her pack, even with two other wolfs vying for her affections--one openly, the other not so--and having some feelings (a variety of them) towards both, she still looks to Pietr! Even though he is cured.

Another part of the novel that was truly moving for me was Max and Amy. We all know now that poor Amy had a creep of a boyfriend--whose now gone--and Max has suddenly turned a new leaf. He isn't the playboy we all knew and loved. Now he's sweet, caring, considerate. Never fear, for he does still maintain his snarky attitude...anything to get a smile out of Amy. The way he cares for her and treats her as she heals from her ordeal is just so moving! Max is definitely my fave secondary character!

There were definitely some laughs for me throughout the book! As my teasers showed, there were little remarks that kinda of joked at the book itself. Making fun of Twilight and there was also a Scooby-Doo reference! Do I need more reason to totally LOVE this series!! It has everything I could ever hope for all wrapped into a neat little book--soon to be 5!

The pacing was good, I'll admit things were kinda sedate for awhile, the Rusakovas are no longer werewolves, so there's no present danger. Yet it is definitely brewing. The mafia is still there and there's still the threat happening at school with the cafeteria food--so glad I brought my lunch nearly everyday at high school! And Wanda, oh yeah, she's there too still and there are still some startling revelations to be had about that woman!

The mysteries and secrets are still there. Being touched, yet not solved. Like the whole thing with Derek and what may have happened to Jessie and the girls before he died. It wasn't fully explored but touched about 3 times or so. Expecting that to come into play again next time!

And the ending! Oh the ending! FREAKING-KILLED-ME!! Wanted to scream bloody murder! Yes, there is another dreadful cliffhanger! Shannon really knows how to keep her readers hooked! So there's going to be a disastrously looooooooooooooong wait til August when Rivals and Retribution releases, concluding the series. My heart breaks, yet at the same time I do hope for happy endings all around!

Overall rating...seriously? You need to check? ;)  5/5 stars!