Format Read: Audiobook
Length: Novel
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Audible Frontiers
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: Oct 25th (Audiobook), Dec 6th, 2011 (ebook)
Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy #3
Formats Available: Audiobook, eBook (in Dec)
Purchasing Info: Samhain Publishing, Audible, Author’s Website, Goodreads
Book Blurb:
JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!
In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’t adding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?
Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mind game yet.
With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.
Our Thoughts:
WARNING: We both just finished the book so the emotions still run hot and this review will contain an absurd amount of squeeing so people with tender ears get yourself some earplugs. You have been warned.
We’re trying not to spoil anything but it’s hard to miss who Susi and I root for. Just so you know…
Susi: I have to admit that I wasn’t sure about the audiobook factor. I, in contrast to Caro, am not much of an audiobook gal but I HAD to get this one ASAP so well here we are. I’m officially converted.
Caro: Well I love Audiobooks but I’m often very particular about which book I listen to (I get easily bored). And narrators are very important in my choices. But I knew I would listen to this one without hesitation. I threw my worries about the narrator away and gave it a try. Good thing I ended up really enjoying this narrator! =P
Susi: See we both can be brave and try something new. LOL I agree I really liked her. She kind of grew on me. At first her voice didn’t really feel like Justine but in the end I was actually happy with it. I always heard Justine in my mind as just a bit younger and lighter voice and I don’t even know why. Just how imagined her.
Caro: I KNOW! She grew on me too! I loved most of the voices she created. My only
‘not so great’ concern was with Otto’s voice. He sounded a bit…hum…dumb.
*shrug*Susi: Yes, but I never liked him so I didn’t care about that. LOL
Caro: Yeah I know, good thing her Packard voice was good *g* Alright that was about the narrator. I would recommend it as an Audiobook to anyone. Very easy to listen to. I know many people who are reluctant to buy Audiobooks but see? Even Susi enjoyed it! So you should give it a try 😉
Susi: Yes I agree 100%. I had a blast listening to it even though it can be embarrassing when you start to giggle while walking to work.
Caro: Ahem…now let’s talk business. *SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE* What a fantastic book! Well it was a long awaited book but it was definitely worth the wait. I still feel so giddy about it *happy sigh*
Susi: Yes, we waited so long for this one and had so many ideas about what would happen. We had whole international discussion about it- including my bf and well we wanted, NEEDED to know what will happen after that enormous cliffhanger at the end of book 2.
Caro: I was actually scared about what would happen. Of course we won’t spoil the book but let’s say I had no idea how it would end. And yes that cliffhanger at the end of book 2 was TORTURE!
Susi: I was so surprised about how everything turned out. Head Rush really kept true to the previous books and their surprise factor. At the beginning I started to worry if Carolyn would give us what we were always waiting for. I had to keep telling myself “She wouldn’t do that to you! She just won’t”
Caro: Indeed I can’t agree more. I won’t lie I did want to *JustineHeadDesk* (Warning: Do not try to *HeadDesk* at home. Caro and Susi won’t be taken responsible for any injuries) quite a few time…a lot in the first couple of chapters. I wanted to slap the heroine. But never did I end up disliking her. She never fell into the TSTL category, it was more that I wanted her to wake up.
Susi: Justine is just such a nice girl. She feels bad for so much and god I really love her for that. She is a great character who always sees the good in a person. She is a bit naive at times but her being the way she is I didn’t really mind it. But well I agree on the *JustineHeadDesk* LOL
Caro: She’s such an endearing character. I could see myself in her sometimes (yes that’s worrisome) and I could understand why she acted this or that way.
Susi: And OMG I loved Simon and Shelby. Simon made me snort so much- his recklessness is so endearing sometimes. I adored him. Well and I have the weird urge to buy a top-hat now.
Caro: Simon *squee* yes he’s fantastic. Hilarious. And you know I kept looking at the trading cards and it was so fun. Him with the fur coat and no shirt. *g*
Susi: You all should have seen the pics she emailed me- scenes laid out with trading cards including bubbles for the convos and all. LMAO
Caro: *hides* Well I did like playing with those cards LMAO
Susi: And Shelby- she made me laugh so much. Her view of life is just crazy and perhaps it is bad but it made me giggle at times. I loved that anecdotes about the Tangle view. So true!
Caro: You know I always got her accent wrong in my head when I was reading the books. But the voice this narrator gave her was perfect. And I do love Shelby too.
The story started up slowly but once it started wow…I had trouble closing the Ipod to sleep. I wanted to listen faster LOL. Oh and another little quirk of listening the the audiobook? I could peek at the ending!!! AH! me the serial peak-er, stuck without any means to spoil the ending. That was perfect. I know it was best not spoiling it by looking at the end first. but yeah if it’s been an ebook I would have =P
Susi: I hear you on that. That’s what I wanted to do too-listening faster (not peaking- that’s just bad). The story is just that addictive and exciting. At times I wanted to push Justine to do this and that but she never listened.
Caro: LOL indeed bad character not listening to you! How dare she?! 😉 I should tell you something stupid…but this book made me think of 2 completely different things. It’s stupid but it also made me laugh. I couldn’t help but think of the last Harry Potter book with some aspects of this book. AND lol…it also made me think a lot about the Royal wedding of William and Kate (anyone who watched that wedding will see what I’m talking about *wink*). And while listening I couldn’t help but giggle at what it made me think of. See random me!
Susi: Well I didn’t so I have no idea what you mean. LOL Well but I thought about something crazy too while listening but only the Germans will get. I had to think of one Blümchen video while Justine was rolerblading. Totally random and giggle worthy. LOL
Caro: Indeed I have no idea what Blümchen is. So I wouldn’t get the reference =P It seems we both smoked something weird while listening to this book hon.
Susi: Okay back to the book: another side character I adored was Justine’s dad. He was hilarious but also brought another layer of emotion and depth to the story. I loved his father daughter convesation and the way he handled the whole situation. Heartbreaking and funny!
Caro: You did? O_o well…I think I was just too paranoid and I was doubting everything while listening to the story. This book is filled of heart-wrenching moments. Some of the dialogues were so AWWWWwwwwww *heart breaking*. We both agree on a few but we can’t share them without spoiling but there is one we can share. Something Packard said…
Packard: I love you So fucking much. So fucking much.
⇐ *Insert Caroline’s sobs*
Susi: *super sigh* Some scenes were also just so true- I felt like writing them down for keeping them. You know, these quotes that just ring true to life.
Caro: Oh yes some were so true. I think that’s what made them so poignant.I had teary eyes a lot of time. Sometimes I had teary eyes and 2 seconds later I was laughing my heart out. (Yes I’m still on the book high).
Susi: Okay and let’s not forget PACKARD! *inserts instant glorifying look of adoration* When I think back to Mind Games I would have never thought that he would grow that much on me. Everytime his character came up my heart stopped for a second. I’m totally smitten and well after Double Cross my heart bled for him.
Caro: *puddle of goo* I love Packard. It’s hard to explain how much I love him. He grew so much in the last 3 books. It’s somehow shocking how much he changed. Or maybe he didn’t so much but my vision of him did. I’m smitten too *g* can’t you tell? lol There’s a Packard-shaped hole in my heart now (⇐ LOL yeah I had to go cheesy)
Susi: Well I think we can honestly say that Head Rush is a worthy conclusion of the trilogy. It answers the questions we had burning deep inside and Crane even makes us doubt our own views.
Caro: I can’t agree more. Carolyn Crane made me very happy. But she’s a bit evil too because I felt bad for some bad guys! I feel so happy and giddy right now I think it’ll be hard to come back down to earth.
Susi: Yep exactly. It’s not easy to make a reader feel for the bad guys too. I loved how the story unfolded and I’m so happy that we got the closure that makes me as a reader just happy happy.
Conclusion:
Caroline: *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* I know I will be getting the ebook when it comes out. And yes the print too, because I’m weird like that. LOL Awesome Awesome Awesome. Entertaining and sweet and ….and so much more. I loved it! And it has a freaking EPILOGUE *g* *happy dancing* Thank you Carolyn! THANK YOU.
Susi: This book deserves to be labeled as Made of Awesomesauce! It will make you bomb others with Awwwws and squeeees on twitter because you won’t be able to contain the happiness. Believe me I tried. Everything you could wish for and than a bit more.
We both give Head Rush 5 (Sterling *g*) Stars!
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Susi
Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.
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Hey! No fair posting the review when it won't be released until December.
Scowl. Now I'm all antsy.
@Draconismoi *looks very sorry* We couldn't contain our excitement that long! You don't like Audiobooks? Coz now you have a good reason to try 😉
*hides from the rock throwing*
*drools a bit*
But I dare not do audio, if the narrator is not to my liking I hate the book
Oh my gosh, I can't wait!!!
I want the ebook!!!!!!
I am glad you both love this book so much. And I am sorry, I have not read this author yet, but she will go on the wishlist immediately.
@draconismoi We know the pain that's why we got the audiobook. The suspense was killing us. 😉
@Blodeuedd I think you can test listen to it on audible? Like a sample.
@Leslie Worth every second of waiting.
@Sully I know, me too. (hug)
@Aurian You have to get these. They are just great. Really, no kidding.
OH MY PACKARD! *dreamy sigh* I almost had an emotional breakdown just for reading your review. BTW, I love it, I'm so glad I'm not the only one going all squealing, fangirly and 'puddle of goo' because of this series.:)) And… an epilogue? Really?*faints* I'll get this audiobook SOON and I'll come back to squeal and cry with you!:) Promise! ♥
I agree with Draconismoi on this one. So not fair for the rest of us who are waiting for the December ebook release. Glad you enjoyed!
@pattepoilue – Sure you can duck my rocks. My aim is pretty bad with one hand. But no one can escape the power of my death glare!
Am I prejudiced if I say that I was expecting Head Rush to explode with awesomeness? I mean after the first 2 books, I expected nothing less of Carolyn 🙂 lol But so glad it made you both squeee with joy and excitement, I SO cannot wait to finally read it!! and yep Caro, I'm just like you: I'll have to get an ebook and a paperback as well 😀
@Blodeuedd I can understand. I wouldn't want you hating the book only because of the narrator not working for you :/
@Lesley Like Susi said it's def worth the wait!
@Sullivan I've never wanted an ebook this bad! I can't wait to be able to highlights my favorite quotes in it!
@Aurian Wooooot!!! I can't wait to know what you think of Mind Game *g* It was so awesome!!
@Deea Squeeee!! Yes do that! I want to know what you think of it! *g* I finished it yesterday and I'm still squeeeing. It's one of those books that will have me excited for a month! =P Welcome to the Squeeing Club. 😉
@LSUReader Sowwy! We thought about waiting to post the review but since it's released in Audiobook we thought it deserved a review now. I can't wait for December and see what others think of it =)
@Draconismoi Oh no not the death glare O_O. Susi has me cowering at her death glare. Now I won't be able to look at your name in the eye! 😉 But kidding apart I can't wait for December. I really want to see everyone's reaction to this book.
@Stella *g* I was scared about how it would end…a few times. But Susi kept reassuring me that 'Surely Carolyn wouldn't do that to us' LOL It was a comfort to know that the author was on our side and didn't try to get a rise out of us. Love it!!! I think you'll like it too *g*
@Deea YAY, a fellow squeeeeer! Make sure to come back and we will share the crazy jumping around and being all exited. *g*
@LSURReader ((hug)) but you can try audio. I never thought I would say that. LOL
@drqaconismoi Ohhhh, I'm the queen of the deathglare too. LOL
@Stella I will so get both too. Well ebook for me and bf and his dad need the paberback cuz they are oldfashioned that way. LOL
Fun interview! Sad to say, I haven't read anything in this series or from this author before, but it sounds like a good read. And anytime I get a hint of serial murderer activity, my interest is automatically piqued!
Smiles!
Lori