I loved the previous book in the series, Ripper, and I really enjoyed this book as well. It was very atmospheric and full of interesting historical details amid dark psychic visions and bloody mysteries left in Conclave's demise.

I applaud heroines like Arabella. She is a warrior, fierce and stubborn. She is not a damsel in distress and her every action only proves it again and again. She is actually the character who does all the dirty work in both books. In that trait she is very similar to Ripper - she has an innate talent for killing, and she fights dirty.

In Renegade, Arabella tries to come back to normal life after what happened to the Conclave, however life gives her a blow after blow. She finds out something about William that makes her doubt him to the points of breaking all ties, and she still has this weird connection to Simon, whom I admit I favour much more.

Then when William disappears, it's up to Arabella to find him with the help of Simon, and to vanquish the creature who guards him.

Now that creature's thoughts is what perhaps slowed down the book for me and diminished my pleasure of reading. She has perhaps third of the book to herself, while she reminisces about her past and does her dirty deeds. However I found her so unexciting, I kept wanting to get back to Arabella...

There are also two major plots in the book: Arabella and Ripper's connection, and mysterious cannibalistic murders in London. Now this I suspect has something to do with vampirism, and reminded me strongly of Bram Stoker's Dracula, but unfortunately that threat disappears without any sort of conclusion. I suspect it will renew itself in the next book.

All in all, it's a pretty good book despite some structural misgivings. Recommended. ( )

A sure fire way to get a headache heart ache on.

In Renegade, it’s some months after the events that transpired in Ripper and again we follow Abby in her misadventures. She is in love with William but she has feelings for Simon. What the heck?! You can’t go double dipping girly! I’ve never been too keen on love triangles, this one isn’t bad but I admit I really wasn’t expecting it in Renegade because I thought all of that was taken care of in Ripper. Expect some teeth gnashing in this regards folks.

I was so frustrated with Abbie and her fickle feelings. I won’t go into details with spoilers but suffice to say there are MAJOR tensions in the relationship department. I think this was the intention though – to make me so frustrated with Abbie that I just wanted to slap some sense into her. I have serious issue with someone blaming people for things they have done in their past. However, in my mind the way Abbie reacted was realistic given the time period and quite frankly I think it’s a pretty normal reaction. I would have been pretty appalled myself learning that (no spoilers hehe you have to read to know) about someone that I loved. In a way I don’t blame her because I would have a hard time between William and Simon also.

My favorite part of Renegade was definitely the new character, Seraphina or “Effie”. She was a lamia, she had both a human form and her lamia form that she could transform into at will as well as against her will. Her body being half human and half reptilian and quite venomous she enjoys feeding on the flesh of humans. I absolutely adored reading from her perspective and couldn’t wait when it would jump back to her. She is a ruthless killer, but she is also a victim. My heart ached for her and the rotten position she was in.

I feel like we haven’t seen the end of the romantic uncertainties that Abbie suffers from which depending on how you like your romance could either make you love Renegade or hate it. Either way if you read Ripper it is worth a read. ( )

(This review is based on an advance copy of the novel provided by Netgalley.)

Being that the author is an old college friend of mine, I expected, as I did in Ripper, that my bias would get in the way of how I really felt about this book. I figured I would read through it, enjoy it, but in the back of my mind, there might be this niggling disappointment that I wouldn't want to admit to in order to save her feelings.

Thank god THAT didn't happen.

I am not one drawn to mystery novels, nor do I much care either way about Jack the Ripper. I saw the movie From Hell with Johnny Depp and was vaguely blasé about it. Despite all of this, Reeves was able to draw me in, hold my attention and deliver a Ripper story that left me wanting more. (And in the interest of fairness, I did try to come up with some part of the narrative to critique, but in reality, I just really enjoyed the story.)

This book picks up where we left off in Ripper. The Conclave is gone, Max is still alive in the shadows, and Arabella Sharp is returning to her work at the hospital. But life does not return to normal, nor can it, while the Ripper continues his plans. Newly murdered bodies show up in the graveyard, eviscerated fishermen are washing up on the shores of Scotland, and despite Abbie's best intentions, Max has her right where he wants her all along the way. As she contemplates her feelings for the two physicians who love her, William and Simon, she must also contemplate two events from her past that haunt her to this day. And in the midst of all of this, there are rumors of the existence of a once-thought-only mythical creature patrolling the seas...a connection to the Conclave or another mystery altogether?

The characters continue to evolve as the reader's loyalty is challenged several times; is Simon actually the better partner for Abbie or will William prove worthy? Who is Richard when he's not playing the part of Abbie's grandmother's butler and can he be trusted? Are Inspector Abberline's investigations leading him on the right path or is he too blinded by his suspicious nature?

What I enjoy most about this series is the strong nature of its main character, Arabella. She does not play the heroine-in-distress easily, having defended her own life and those of her friends by single-handedly killing the members of the Conclave in the first novel. Abbie knows how to handle a knife, yet can sit with her grandmother for tea time. She is honest about her emotions, her passions, and what she wants most in her life (to be a physician in a time when female doctors are hard to come by), yet realizes that what comes first is to rid her world of the Ripper and his murders. She may be scared for her life along the way, but she never shies away when it comes to saving the lives of her friends and boldly staring death in the face. She is an ever-evolving character who is not perfect, who admits her flaws, and who is all the better for doing so.

My only critique is that I would have liked to have seen Richard and Abberline fleshed out a bit more this time around. They're both such intriguing background characters who I have latched onto and want to know more about. Reeves answered a mysterious statement made by Simon in the first book ("You should know your butler better.") with another mystery to string her readers along and spoken as a truly impatient reader, I hope that we get even more satisfaction in the next book. Abberline was a love-to-hate-him character in Ripper, but stayed more in the background in Renegade. Although his major scene with Abbie brought a bit more humanity to him, as he stumbles down the alley after they part ways, he also stumbles from the narrative into the shadows again. I'm excited to read his story; to find out why he is the way he is and if there will be redemption for him.

Well-written, engaging, and a strong follow-up to Ripper, I am already anxiously awaiting the third installment in this series: Resurrection, its publishing date set for 2014, according to Flux. But in the meantime, I will enjoy the story that has been given to us so far and think about what's in store for us in the next novel, given the unexpected character we're introduced to in the last two pages.

And just wait until you get to the confessional scene... ( )

Just as a heads-up, I am going to try to keep this review as spoiler-free as I can for both Renegade and Ripper, although the summary above hints at the happenings in the first book.

After the rather heart-pounding, breathless events at the close of Ripper, I was super excited to read Renegade and see just where Abbie's journey would take her next. The villain of these books is perfectly twisted and dark, with a major creep factor that - particularly in the first book - makes your skin crawl, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen when he and Abbie came face-to-face again. And while you certainly do see this villain in Renegade, Abbie's biggest concern is her visions of a mythological creature known as a lamia, and her turbulent romantic relationship with William.

As the romantic aspect of this story was played up more and more, I became concerned that it would color my opinion of the story. I wanted more Ripper action, more Abbie being strong-willed and kick-ass, and was afraid her mooning over William and their spat close to the beginning would temper exactly what I loved so much about her in the first book. I am happy to report, therefore, that this wasn't really the case; Abbie remained just as strong and stubborn as ever. I love that she is definitely bucking societal trends in wanting to go to medical school and continuing to volunteer at the hospital. She is just so absolutely full of spunk and life that you can't help but love her!

Normally I don't go for love triangles at all, and I do have to say that this one did annoy me just a tad, but I did enjoy watching Abbie come to terms with her feelings for both William and Simon, and her thought process as she tried to figure out what she wanted. While I don't necessarily "ship" her with one of the other, I do have to admit to a fondness for Simon over William, simply because of his steadfast approach and his willingness to believe and lend a hand whenever Abbie needed it. Sometimes it's the strong, sturdy ones who are the most swoon-worthy, and to me, that's Simon to a tee. I loved that we got more information about his life, and his background, and what makes him so somber and still and quiet. I am definitely looking forward to more of him!

I do want to mention that your understanding and enjoyment of Renegade is very contingent on your having read Ripper. There are a lot of references throughout to characters introduced and situations that happened in the first book, so much so that you will be completely and utterly lost without that background. Just something to keep in mind if this review makes you curious!

Renegade is a really good continuation of Abbie's story. The stakes are really being raised, and she's really having to dig deep and confront quite a lot of darkness. There are a lot of questions raised at the end of the second book, and I can't wait to see how they're all going to be answered in the final installment. If you're looking for a really well done Jack the Ripper story with a wonderful female lead character, do check these books out!

An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: This is a great book filled with action, romance and suspense.

Opening Sentence: She strayed further from her home than she had in years.

The Review:

Abbie Sharp survived her run in with the Conclave, but there are still a few members left and they would like nothing better than to see her suffer for what she did to the rest of their group. Things have been quiet for months now and Abbie is just waiting for something to happen. She is happily dating William and getting ready to start applying to med school. She hasn’t had any visions and her work at Whitechapel Hospital is going very well. Then she gets a mysterious vision of a monstrous girl that seemed to be the mythological lamia (a human that is part dragon and part human). After that things just start to fall apart in Abbie’s life. She starts to see dead people and vicious murders start to happen again in the city. To top it all off she has a major falling out with William and she doesn’t know if he is really the right guy for her anymore. Shortly after their breakup William disappears. Abbie isn’t sure what she feels for William but she has to find him and she needs Simon’s help. Is the mysterious Ripper behind the gruesome murders and Williams kidnapping? Will Abbie be able to save William before it too late? Will Abbie be able to figure out where her heart truly lies and what boy she is destined to be with?

We get to see inside the head of the beautiful Arabella Sharp once again and I loved it. She is such a strong independent character and she really is very relatable. We get to see a new side to Abbie in this book. We learn a lot more about her past and the horrors she went through when her mother passed away. We also get to see her be more vulnerable and open up a lot more. She has a very hard time trusting people, but throughout the book we see her grow and learn that nothing is a guarantee and that sometimes you have to just have faith that things will work out in the end.

Simon St. John is in this book a lot more than the last one and I really enjoyed getting to know him better. He really opens up to Abbie in this book and you learn why he is always distant and keeps people at arm’s length. Because things with William are unsure Abbie and Simon really get to have a chance at a relationship. Abbie really opens herself up to the possibility of a future with Simon and they really are perfect for each other in so many ways, but the question still remains can Abbie love him as more than a friend. Simon is such a gorgeous good guy and at times I really wish that Abbie and him would end up together.

Then there is the beautiful William Siddal. He is a total jerk but a very attractive one. He has an attitude but he really does care about Abbie. He really pushes her buttons but he is good for her and makes her better. Of course he isn’t perfect he has a past and Abbie really doesn’t know if she can trust him with her heart. In the end I do feel that William is the best choice for Abbie but I really love both guys and it is so hard to choose one.

Amy Carol Reeves did it again. I really enjoyed Ripper and Renegade is a great addition to the series. The flow was great with lots of action and romance. There are some intense moments in the book but once again nothing too scary. The characters really grew in this book and I grew to love them even more. There is a little bit more of a cliffhanger in this book but it’s a bearable one. I can’t wait to read the next installment, but unfortunately at the moment there is no release date available. I would highly recommend this series to anyone that likes YA Paranormal or mystery books.

Notable Scene:

I stopped, frozen when I saw a figure blocking my path ahead. It was not Max, but a woman. She was not the darkhaired woman I had seen earlier—this one was older, around forty years of age. She wore a heavy wool black dress. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a knot at the back of her head. She looked dignified, attractive, as if she might have been one of Grandmother’s guests at a cribbage game.

But I did not continue forward. I stayed where I was. The woman walked toward me, sharp leaf shadows cutting across her white face—her mouth smeared with blood.

The giggle from behind me rang out.

They were closing in on me.

I ran down a path to my right, praying that it would take me toward the entrance.

It did. I saw the open gates ahead.

A man stood in front of the gates. When he saw me, he began walking towards me. He was tall, older. He wore some kind of uniform, probably a constable.

“Help!” I yelled, running toward him. He turned to me. It was then that I saw a thick drop of blood slide down his chin.

I ran, panicked now, down yet another path, my heart pounded vigorously. I had no idea what I was going to do. Christabel screamed in my arms. The tombs, monuments, offered many hiding places, but they were useless to me if the child continued to cry.

I heard crashing through the branches behind me.

I had to face my pursuers. I had to fight them, even though I knew now that I had at least three pursuers. I had no idea how to defend myself with the child in my arms. So I continued running deeper into the cemetery. We would be trapped soon.

I felt my elbow grasped in a painful tight grip.

Nearly, dropping Christabel, I swung around to kick the person away.

“No!” I yelled loudly.

FTC Advisory: Flux Publishing provided me with a copy of Renegade. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )