COLLIDE (The Taking #3) by Melissa West ARC Review plus Giveaway



COLLIDE (The Taking #3)
Release Date: 02/09/15
Entangled Teen
320 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.




BUY LINKS:
AmazonB&NKobo

BOOK REVIEW:
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have no idea what to say. I just turned the very last page of the final book in the trilogy that I really, really LOVE and I feel overwhelmed, sad and ecstatic all at once. I've read Gravity and Hover and felt nothing but awe with both books and I'm so happy to say Collide is no different. This book will make you swoon, cry, smile, scream and have you on edge until the end. It's the perfect conclusion to an amazing and unforgettable series!

Hover ended on a really huge cliffhanger so when I finally got my hands on an arc of Collide I dropped everything and immediately dived into this foreign but beautiful world. I didn't think it was possible for the series to get better but it did! There was so much intense action, drama and romance going on that it never got boring. Jackson and Ari never fail to amaze me. They're both so stubborn, selfless and willing to do anything it takes to save everyone. Unfortunately, you cannot save everyone in a war. Death is inevitable. I got teary eyed and my heart broke for Ari several times. Watching her go through the grief but not being able to show it is just... sad. I have always admired her determination and fierce personality and it shows every time just how strong of a person she is. She's one kickass heroine. I love seeing her character grow. She used to be the kind of girl who never depends on anyone but herself. She makes decisions and acts on them without really thinking about her safety. She's still all those things but now she sees that she's not alone and she doesn't have to be. She knows that she's a part of something bigger - with her family, all her friends and Jackson. I've said it then and I'll say it again, I am IN LOVE with Jackson Castello. 

“I don’t want to fight. Or yell. Or even talk to you. What I want to do is…” I trail off, not sure I want to admit my true thoughts with my parents a wall away.
Jackson smirks, his head tilting in that way I love. “Is what, exactly?”

How could anyone not love him? He's protective, understanding, gentle and caring. He has lost a lot of the people he loves but he never falters to be there for Ari when she needs him. And that scene with Ari's mom and dad! Talk about every guy's nightmare (lol). 

Collide was full of action, drama, swoon-worthy moments, heartbreak, excitement and everything you could ask for. I love the twists and turns to the story, the addition of new characters and the feeling of not knowing who to trust (I was very suspicious of everyone). So what's up with my one star missing review you may ask? Well I've always had in my mind that when Ari and Zeus finally come face to face in battle, it would be this epic, bloody and super intense fight to the death. Unfortunately (just like in HP and Hex Hall) that's not what I got. I admit I was kinda disappointed when I came to that particular part of the book and how the ending felt just a bit rushed. But since I've always had a special place in my heart for the Taking series, I didn't let those bother me too much. The ending didn't feel like it was wrapped up too nicely and neatly which was okay with me. I like my endings feeling hopeful and full of so many possibilities. Hey as long as I get to see Ari and Jackson well and together, you won't hear me complaining.

I have to say my heart is breaking to have to say goodbye to this great series. But since all good things come to an end and I could still stalk Melissa West in all of social media, I'd happily and eagerly wait until her next book comes out. And if you haven't started the series yet, I highly recommend that you do now. Must-read!

I received an e-arc to read and review as part of the tour.

Books in this series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)
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Buy Links to Gravity (Book One):
AmazonB&NKobo Books

Buy Links for Hover (Book Two):
AmazonB&NKobo Books


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.
She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

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