SERIES: Schasm
SERIES PLACEMENT: #2
AUTHOR: Shari J. Ryan
AGE GROUP: Young Adult
GENRE: Romance, Mental Health
RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2014
PUBLISHED BY: Booktrope
FORMAT: eBook and Paperback
PAGES: Approx. 260
COPY PROVIDED BY: Jennifer Gilbert at Booktope Publishing
MY GOODREADS REVIEW LINK
RATING: 5 Stars!
CLIFFHANGER: Yes
BOOK BLURB:
Author Shari J Ryan reunites the colorful cast of friends and family in Book 2 of the Schasm Series with a powerful tribute to the power of the mind and heart in this romantic, suspenseful, and engaging novel. After nineteen years of suffering with a psychological condition, ethereal Chloe had finally come close to finding her ultimate escape—or, so she thinks on the vibrant streets of Paris. Finally in a relationship with Alex, a man she fell in love with in Schasm, Chloe thinks life is finally coming together. As she battles her own demons, she attempts to repair the damaged man she’s grown to love. But as his clouded past abruptly crashes into their lives and falls heavily upon their budding romance, Chloe must fight to maintain her relationship. Although even when the problems begin to subside, she comes to realize certain things cannot be escaped. Just as Chloe believes she might have sealed the doors of darkness once and for all, new questions, new findings and new inceptions arise. Whether or not Chloe wants to continue forward with the path her life seems to be leading, she quickly learns that any choice she makes will ultimately land her in a place she never knew she was destined to be.
REVIEWERS NOTE: Fissure Free is book two in the Schasm series and is a Young Adult, Romance written by Shari J. Ryan. I was gifted this book from Booktrope Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
5 Drifting, Fissure Free Stars!
Bewitching and Imaginative. An Artistic, Schizophrenic Adventure that Will Enchant and Astound! I Couldn’t Put It Down!
The Review:
Shari J. Ryan, with her colorful storytelling and her beautiful writing style, has continued the enchanting journey of Chloe and Alex as they trip through The Drift in their physical, dream like world that will certainly draw you in and hold you captive from the first page, to the last. To say I was excited when I learned the second book was coming out, was an understatement. I loved this read in all it’s genuine intangibility. What’s real to one person may be false to another. But in this story, it’s all a matter of perception.
Story...
When we meet Chloe and Alex in book two, they’ve been living the last several months in The Drift, floating around and experiencing a life Chloe only pined for while locked away and alienated in her parents house. Paris is their home base in The Drift and every day is a new exploration. But as wonderful as life is, and against Alex’s advice, Chloe feels they need to go back to the real world and settle the mistakes and problems left behind. She knows there’s an undeniable possibility her life, as well as Alex’s, is in true danger.
When Chloe gets back to the real world, she quickly realizes her worst fears pale in comparison to the physical nightmare she finds is now her reality. She and Alex are captives to an unhinged mad man who has plans for both Chloe and Alex, so he’s keeping them alive... for now.
But after fleeing to The Drift once more, Chloe knows their time is running out and with Alex truly trapped inside his own mind, she has to find a way to face life outside The Drift if they want to continue with the beautiful life they’ve created in their dreams... and she has to figure out what her enemy wants before it’s too late for all of them.
This adventure is one wild, crazy, uphill mountain of twists and turns. Like in book one, just when you think you have things figured out, something comes along and changes everything. It’s exciting and insane and just so much fun!
Characters...
Everyone seems to have their role to play. We are introduced to new situations, new characters and new dangers as it seems not even in your dreams everything is perfect. Horrors can be relived, lies can be told and trust is a fluid thing.
Chloe and Alex find they are being chased throughout dream and reality by a maniacal, self proclaimed mad hatter. Chloe has to decide which world she wants to tether herself to and even as we find out more about Alex and why he is the way he is, it seems he’s keeping secrets and telling lies.
There is a thin veil between dream and reality as their worlds are ever moving. A lot of questions from the first book get answered, but new and exciting questions are posed.
Shari J. Ryan has a very clever and unique way of telling a story that makes you question everything and throws you in a head-trippy world filled with intrigue, thrilling adventure and sweet romance. Her characters stand out and each have their own voice.
I really saw a difference in Alex in this book. He was more caring and also a bit more reserved. Something was definitely up with him. Chloe has come out of her shell a bit more and she has a better handle on her “ability”. These two together are sweet but it’s not all flowers and poems with them. They face one crisis after another and they both have to find a way to deal with it all.
My Thoughts On FISSURE FREE...
What would you do for love? How far would you go and what would you be willing to give up? For Chloe, this is THE question. She’s not exactly trapped in her own mind the way Alex is, so technically she could live a life in reality. But her love for Alex is powerful and enduring. They have the traditional problems that most couples do and even in their dream world, life isn’t picture perfect. But unlike most, dangers and fantastical situations lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce. Yet, all this is worth it to Chloe so that she can live the life she wants with the man she wants.
It’s revealed to us that their lives have been intertwined since they were both small children and that’s not something Chole nor Alex want to just let drift away. They hold on to that love and that connection tightly and find a way past their difficulties to be who they want to be.. who they were destined to be.
I love this couple. They fight, they make up, they disagree, they love, they get angry, they experience happiness, they know pain. It may be made up in Chloe's mind. It may not even be real. But it’s her choice. Her life. And she and Alex are happy. To them, its very real. They are one hundred percent positive about their choices. How many of us can say that?
Yes, I’ve gotten a bit philosophical but this book makes you truly think. There were so many times I questioned what was really happening. I questioned the story, the characters and wondered if everything was really a creation of Chloe’s mind or if the possibility of drifting was real for her and a unique few. Are they all mentally ill and living in a rabbit hole within their own minds? Is this an elaborate dream for which she can’t awaken from? Or is this her reality, dream-land and all? You just never know and thats one of the many reasons I love this series!
Alex is a conundrum. I loved his character but I also questioned him and his motives at times. Past what is revealed as truth in this book, I truly believe he knows something unpleasant because not everything is adding up and he drops little hints that Chloe either isn’t picking up on or has decided to remain ignorant about and not ask questions. He’s wording things a certain way to keep his secrets but its obvious he knows more than he’s saying. Color me intrigued because I’m dying to know, even though I have an idea and I think it’s going to break my heart! But I love my angst :D
This author writes with a quick pace, choppy, scene changing style that is very much like a dream sequence. With stunning imagery, perilous, sometimes tenuous situations, these characters journey through The Drift, trying to live out a life the best way they can. To them, its very concrete as they experience their dream-like lives in a unique and fascinating way, through taste, feel, sound and smell. It’s mind-boggling.
The Wrap Up:
This book and the one before it, are definitely different. It’s mind-trippy, it’s unique and it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. With so many books reading the same way every day, saturating the market, why not give something new a try. This book will definitely satisfy those who want something rare and fanciful, yet still has a great romance and amazing story. And with the cliffy Fissure Free leaves off on, I can’t wait for book three!
Quotes I Loved From The Book...
Quote Spotlight...
It’s a dream inside of a dream.
Quote Spotlight...
I lean forward on the base of the sink and stare at my own reflection, wondering what’s happening inside of my mind - how this can feel so real. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t question the validity of the reality I live in.
Cold and warm. Love and hate. I’m not given an option to choose, but I want this. I want Alex. I want Paris. I want to be loved. I don’t want what I left behind. I don’t want that to be the base of everything that is real. Because anything that is real is bad. Evil.
Quote Spotlight...
He tries to pretend this is all okay - hiding and masking the truth of our existence. I know this is his only reality, besides the whitewashed mind that inhibits the part of his physical being. But this isn’t my only reality. My mind is still connected to my body, and I’m far more aware of my actual existence than he is.
Quote Spotlight...
Most women spend a lifetime searching for the man of their dreams, but I seem to have found mine within my dreams.
Quote Spotlight...
I’m so lost, even here within my own thoughts. I still don’t know what’s real and what’s not. Is anything real at all? Alex has promised me that he’s real. But is it my mind that’s making him say that?
Quote Spotlight...
I never thought I’d want to purposely keep myself loved in an abandoned institution, but if that means I can remain in this alternate state with Alex, than what he’s saying actually makes sense. “I get it, Alex. Here, you’re fissure free.” I offer a smile. I understand that if will be the only way we can both live together. It has to be here in the dream of reality, without complication.
Quote Spotlight...
I stand up on my toes and pull his face down to mine. I press my lips into his and then pull back slightly. “I love you more than anything in both of our worlds. You and I ... we’re an endless dream.”
Quote Spotlight...
He pulls away slightly, searching both of my eyes. “Thank you for freeing me,” he says, smiling with his eyes. “With you, I will always be fissure free. You saved me.”
Buy the Book!
Schasm (Schasm #1)
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About the Author...
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Requested Review by:
Jennifer Gilbert at
Thank you so much for your amazing words. You have truly made my day <3
ReplyDeleteLoved your book Shari! And I can't wait for the next one. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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