When a Book Makes You Violent...In a Good Way

Title: These Ruthless Deeds
Author: Tarun Shanker, Kelly Zekas
Series: These Vicious Masks, book #2
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: March 14, 2017
Source: galley received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

England, 1883. Still recovering from a devastating loss, Evelyn is determined to use her powers to save other gifted people from those who would harm them. But when her rescue of a young telekinetic girl goes terribly wrong, Evelyn finds herself indebted to a secret society devoted to recruiting and protecting people like Evelyn and her friends.

As she follows the Society’s orders, healing the sick and embarking on perilous recruitment missions, Evelyn sees her problems disappear. Her reputation is repaired, her friends are provided for, and her parents are newly wealthy. She reunites with the dashing Mr. Kent and recovers the reclusive Mr. Braddock (who has much less to brood over now that the Society can help him to control his dangerous power). But Evelyn can’t help fearing the Society is more sinister than it appears...

I absolutely adored the first book in this series, so I was beyond excited to start reading These Ruthless Deeds. And it was a pretty great sequel, if not but a little predictable.

Here's the thing: the prologue made things so obvious to me. I like when a prologue teases things to come, but I still want to be relatively surprised when it comes to fruition. So, maybe skip that? Also, it was ridiculously easy for me to guess who the mysterious villain was, despite the red herrings. I almost wanted to be wrong because of how sure I was.

Still, there's never a dull moment for these 19th century would-be superheroes. Evelyn is being forced back into her role as debutante, but she still flouts decorum at every turn, especially in her duties for the Society. I love that this girl questions everything, even when everyone else is basically telling her to let it be. Evelyn is a true heroine, even if things don't always rarely go accordingly to plan.

There weren't nearly enough swoons for me in this sequel, though there are all manner of declarations of love. But, seriously, one kiss? Ugh, and the love triangle...don't get me started on it. Because I legitimately like both guys. I think I'm probably pulling for the one who won't make the cut, but that's my cross to bear.

Oy, and then that ending! It basically took everything awful that happened in book one and multiplied it by 100 to leave us with the most maddening ending ever. I kind of wanted to throw the book while simultaneously wanting to re-read it ten more times while I wait for the next book. So, while I didn't like this sequel quite as much as the first book, I maintain that any book that can make me want to cause bodily harm after reading it has effectively done its job. ;0)

GIF it to me straight:

 

About the authors:

Mild-mannered assistant by day, milder-mannered writer by night, Tarun Shanker is a New York University graduate currently living in Los Angeles. His idea of paradise is a place where kung-fu movies are projected on clouds, David Bowie’s music fills the air and chai tea flows freely from fountains.

His first novel, These Vicious Masks, co-written with Kelly Zekas, will be released by Swoon Reads / Macmillan on February 9th, 2016. It is the first of a trilogy.

Find Tarun:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr

Kelly is a writer living in NYC. YA is her absolute favorite thing on earth other than cupcakes and she has spent many hours crying over fictional deaths. She also started reading Harlequin romances at a possibly too early age (12?), and still adores a good historical romance.

Find Kelly:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter