Release Day Review: Thárros (Ελπίδα (Hope) #2) by C. Kennedy

Reviewed by Jenna

TITLE:   Tharros

SERIES:    Elpida #2

AUTHOR:     C. Kennedy

PUBLISHER:     Harmony Ink Press

LENGTH:      385 Pages

BLURB:

Elpida: Book Two

High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. Almost. He has great friends, parents who love him just the way he is, and he was a champion hurdler until someone took out his knee when they kidnapped his boyfriend. Yet, Michael is determined to make the USATF tryouts in spite of his injuries.

Christy Castle is Michael’s entire world. Healing from years of abuse, his abduction by a predator has left him hiding a new secret as he tries to start his life again. Together, Michael and Christy work to recover from their wounds in time to make prom and graduate high school. To complicate matters, Christy is astonished to learn a fellow victim from his native Greece has survived. Christy will stop at nothing to bring him to the US to keep him safe.

But the prosecution of Christy’s kidnapper looms large in their futures and the struggle to return to normal only worsens. Christy’s past continues to haunt them and, when the prosecution turns ugly and Christy’s new life is torn apart, only their unrelenting courage and determination can save them from the nightmare that threatens to destroy their future together.

REVIEW:

This book was absolutely heartbreaking. The story begins when Michael and Christy are recovering from their ordeal of Christy’s attempted kidnapping. Michael has to work hard to repair his injured knee which could possibly cost him his scholarship if he isn’t able to heal enough to compete in the tryouts. As for Christy, his abduction has led to new injuries, both physical and psychological, but he’s doing his best to move forward. Though Christy is in a wheelchair and has trouble staying awake for long, he goes back to school and attends physical therapy while they prepare for a trial against his kidnapper and abuser. Christy has to complete his paintings for the trial, but they still find time for fun activities. As they prepare for graduation and prom, tensions rise concerning their safety and the trial.

This book didn’t have half the danger and action as there was in the first book, but I loved it all the same. The first book was a bit emotionally taxing with all the attacks they endure, so it was definitely a relief to see the boys have a chance to live their lives together and begin to heal. Though there was growing tension throughout the book with respect to a gang of motorcycle riders who appeared to be harassing them, I was happy with how things turned out. They faced the biggest danger which was the trial. I loved being back in Michael and Christy’s world, and I loved seeing how Christy and Michael step up to face Christy’s abuser. Most of the book was sweet and moving, but the ending just about broke my heart. This book was just beautiful all around, and I recommend it to anyone who loves hurt/comfort themes, YA, and abuse survival themes.

RATING:  

BUY LINKS: 

Harmony Ink

Amazon

ARe