Book Review: Envy by Elizabeth Miles

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publish Date: Sept 4th, 2012
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2221-6
Series: The Fury Trilogy, book #2
Source: ARC from publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
The Furies are back in the second book of a chilling paranormal trilogy where revenge rules the day—and “sorry” isn’t going to cut it. Spring is coming, and the ice is slowly melting in Ascension…revealing the secrets buried beneath.
Emily Winters knows the Furies have roots in Ascension, Maine—but she’s about to discover that they’re deeper than she ever imagined. With the help of her new friend Drea, she vows to dig them out. But it’s hard to focus when she’s desperate to make up with JD, and to figure out why Crow, a mysterious Ascension High dropout, seems to be shadowing her.
Meanwhile, new girl Skylar McVoy is determined to leave her own dark past behind. So she’s thrilled when popular Gabby takes her under her wing, and the stunning and sophisticated Meg offers to give her a major makeover. But everyone knows what happens to the vainest girl of all…
It’s tempting to be naughty. But beware: the Furies are always watching, and their power grows stronger by the day.

My Review:
Envy follows the lives of Em, Drea, JD and others from the first novel in this trilogy, Fury (my review here). We are reunited with these characters along with Ali, Ty and Meg, the beautiful 'cousins', also known to destroy the lives of others because they are Furies. Beautiful girls who wreak havoc on those who have wronged someone. The wrath they dealt out continues when the new girl in town, Skylar becomes close friends with Meg. Skylar moves to Ascension to start her life again and make the most of it. She had a tough life where she was always in the shadow of her sister and now she's ready to become popular and have people notice her. Skylar, being the new girl meets Gabby, the girl who is super nice to everyone and right away the click. They become good friends and Skylar is happy. That is until one of the Furies tries to ruin it all and put ideas into Skylar's head, that may change everything.
Envy is written so that each chapter focuses on a different social group per se, though the all overlap and intertwine. Em, from book #1 is trying her hardest to explain her situation with JD, whom she has finally admitted feelings for. But he feels betrayed and hurt and cannot fathom ever forgiving her for what he thinks happened. Meanwhile, Em is trying to put a stop to the Furies and finds out some things along the way that may or may not be the answer. And this new Crow character, there's something to him that I just cannot wait to read about in book #3. I'm eager to find out more about this mysterious high school drop out.
I really enjoyed Envy, more so than Fury. This book was written better with more character development and more depth. Overall, Envy was just more enjoyable. And I'm happy to see that we are getting some answers and some explanation with the history and background of these ladies who are out to get you. There was definitely a creepy feel to the book. Envy will seep into your mind and haunt you well into the night. It's just that kind of good!

Fury Blog Tour!

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Release August 30, 2011

Simon & Schuster

I was lucky enough to read and review an ARC of Fury, you can read my review here. Also, I was lucky enough to be part of this blog tour, and today you get to read my exculsive Q&A with the author, Elizabeth Miles.

Here we go:

Stellar Book Blog: What made you write about Furies? Have you always been fasinated with them, or is it just the direction your novel took?
Elizabeth Miles: The Furies are a lesser-known creature in Greek mythology—I hadn’t heard of them myself until I was in my twenties. I was immediately drawn to their vengeful and disproportionate sense ofjustice. I thought it would be a great foundation for a contemporary novel.

SBB: Do you know the outcome of the characters before you write them, or does it play out in your head as it's happening and as you're writing?
EM: I work off of a very detailed outline. Of course individual scenes and emotions develop organically, but I’m always conscious of where I am in the story and where I need to go.

SBB: Which is your favourite character in Fury and why?
EM: It’s hard to choose a favorite! It was fun to write Chase—I enjoyed exploring the male perspective. I certainly have some key things in common with Em. The Furies are deliciously bad and I love watching them do their thing. And some of the minor characters, like JD and Drea, are people who I would actually be friends with.

SBB: Since this is your debut novel not due to be released until August 30, now that it's circulating around reviewers and such, and people are reading it, what does it feel like? Is it what you were expecting? You must be so excited for Aug 30 to come!
EM: Thank you, I am super-excited for August 30th! I’m also: overwhelmed, nervous, proud, insecure, gleeful…am I doing a good enough job demonstrating that I’m dealing with a lot of conflicting emotions? I poured a lot of energy into Fury and I’m happy with the result. No matter what happens, that will remain true.

SBB: Fury isn't over yet, what can we come to expect in this trilogy in the upcoming books?
EM: It sure isn’t…Fury is the first book in a trilogy. The next book, which I’m revising right now, is called Envy, and it will follow some old characters and some new ones through increasingly terrifying ordeals with the Furies. We’ll find out more about where the Furies came from, and more about how the Ascension teens will choose to banish these beautiful persecutors.

Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to answer these questions!


And for your listening pleasure, the Fury Series Playlist:

For more information on Elizabeth Miles and Fury

The Fury Series * Goodreads * Twitter *
Facebook * Elizabeth's Blog

Book Review - Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 330
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2224-7
Series: Fury
Source: ARC from Simon & Schuster

Goodreads Synopsis:
Sometimes sorry isn't enough.... 
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems... 
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend. 
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed. 
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. 
Em and Chase have been chosen.


My Review:
As it seems I start off a lot of my book reviews talking about the cover of the book, it's only fitting that we start there for Fury too! The cover is beautiful! I may be a little biased (red hair myself) but who wouldn't love the cover with a girl with amazing flowing, long red hair?!
The main idea of Fury is that two people, Chase and Emily (Em), living their own different lives in the same town are chosen by 3 Furies to pay the price of something they have done. We meet Chase and Em along with some other important characters, such as Gabby, Zach, Ty, Drea and my personal favourite, JD. For the most part they are your typical teenage characters - popular, the jocks, trying to fit in, etc. Right away, Chase and Em are not likable characters, but I think that's the point. They have done something horrid, and need to pay, so Miles doesn't make us like them right away. But I really do love what she did with JD's character. He's the friend who is sometimes embarrassing to be seen with (wacky hair, strange clothes) but you love to spend time with, and he's alright with that. To me, JD had the most lasting impression, and every time he appeared I couldn't help but smile!
 I was expecting a little more mythology and paranormal aspects to Fury, it seemed to be lacking that in the long run of things. But overall the story is pretty original and well written though it took about 100 pages or so for me to get into it. But after that, I was really in! Lauren Kate wrote "Achingly gorgeous. Fury seduced me." (quote taken from cover of ARC of Fury) I completely understand and agree with that statement! Fury called to me all hours of the day and night and I needed to read it.
Though it is a bit slower starting out, Fury is an eerie and haunting read. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series because I still have so many questions I need an answer to.