Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 320pgs

The Story

Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which somehow is managing to track their every move. Whilst Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila's only thought is of finding a way back to California so that she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they're being held.

Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the people she's come to think of as family, Lila plans not just to save her brother and mother, but to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for.

But the plan requires Lila to return alone to California, make friends with the enemy, and to risk losing everything - Alex, her family, and even her life.

The Review

A big thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

Exciting, page-turning, romantic and a non-stop, action-packed adventure, it's fair to say that the author, Sarah Alderson, has done it yet again with her much anticipated sequel of her debut book series!

After the shocking and unsettling events found in Hunting Lila, we are back again with Alex and Lila who are still on the run from the Unit, along with some familiar faces, who are trying so desperately to keep each other safe as long as possible. But it's not long before the Unit are hot on their trails once more, which causes this new couple and their most unlikely crew to be forced right back into the explosive action and dangers that comes along with it. Despite how much Alex wants to protect her, Lila can't help but think it's becoming increasingly too difficult to evade the Unit as long as they have and she needs to do everything within her new, developing powers to put a stop to them once and for all . . . and rescue her brother and mother that she left behind. But the question is: Is she capable of destroying the military base with hundreds of soldiers armed at the ready? Is she capable of doing what others deem as impossible or must she be willing to putting everything - including her love for Alex - on the line to save many, many lives in the process?

Once again, I utterly adored Lila as a main heroine. Sure, she made some pretty silly assumptions in her mind and allowed her thoughts get ahead of her at times, but she remained strong throughout the book and she was so courgeous than what we've previously seen from her in Hunting Lila. She has grown a lot since then, and there was this constant part of her that showed us that she doesn't allow people to push her over the edge (not this time) and she was willing to take action and protect those she loves no matter the cost - even sacrificing her own life to do it, which I guess is why I love her so much. And along with that, along with her power and her special bond between her family and friends, with such a strong support system behind her you couldn't doubt Lila even for a second, because everyone around her didn't allow her herself to doubt her own actions . . . it makes me kind of jealous in some way, because I think we all wished for that kind of support in our own lives, right? Yes, I believe so.

Now onto Alex. Honestly when it comes to Alex's character I'm lost for words. Absolutely speechless. While I wanted some more sizzle and some bang scenes from him (sounded so wrong there but hey a girl can only dream), but trust me here when I say that we still get plenty enough of Alex in this sequel and my oh my . . . he's still the hottie devil that I remember for! For this series alone we have to admit there's no Lila without some Alex in it - after all he's her rock from the beginning til the end of this book - and even while they share their ups and downs, and have some silly, silly misunderstandings, Alex is never willing to back down without a fight when it comes to Lila and she's seriously one lucky girl to have Alex by her side, let me tell you. Life. Is. So. Unfair. But not only do we see that kickass and serious side of Alex, but we also see an intense, insecure and a sensitive side to Alex which only melted my heart in complete goo. I love you, Alex. I love YOU!

Now while I love me some Lila and Alex scenes, whether it'll be kissing or doing something Die-Hard-wise, but what stood out the most in this sequel was the supporting characters and I'm glad they played a much more significant role than the main heroines did. It surprised me to say the least. Take for example Suki and Nate, one of the most honourable mentions here for the supporting characters. Both of them added this perfect combination of one-liners and some hilarious comic relief to the book and I was all welcomed to it, and hell even Key, Lila's brother and father offered some great comedy as well, so I'm really, really happy that we got to see those other sides to them! They were so FUNNY!

Overall, LOSING LILA lived up to my expectations and was the perfect follow up to one of my favourite books from last year's list. Even though I loved Hunting Lila a little bit more than this sequel, but with sequences flowing like a movie up on the silver screen, I can definitely say without a doubt that Sarah Alderson always surprises me in her ability to write some awesome fast-paced work, and I'm very eager to read the third and final book of the series . . . need more of Alex and Lila, okay?!?! MORE!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars