Bonds and Broken Dreams

These Amplifier books are a really good sub-series in the Adept world. I like it more than the main series (Dowser).

What I love most about these characters in the Adept world are their flaws and perseverance. Watching them build lives and connections despite reluctance, learning more about their pasts and journeying forward. And perhaps one of these days Emma might be able to fight while clothed ;) <br /><br />While this isn't a cliffhanger in the traditional sense, it is a 2nd installment of the same characters and likely doesn't make sense as a standalone. It is an excellent 2nd book that I devoured (only nice part about airport layovers) and I eagerly await the 3rd. Huge fan of Meghan!!

I like these books. I really like them. I'm not sure why I didn't get into this one as much, but something didn't work for me. If you haven't already read the prequel or book 1, then don't even think about reading this one. Emma Johnson and her brother Christopher (sort of) are in semi-hiding from those who would control them. The prequel book tells of their escape. Book 1 sets this up on their farm within a small town. This one has the past creeping back as they struggle with trying to figure out how to lead as normal a life as possible. I've read every book in the Adept world, so far, including the short stories and novellas. So I don't really understand who I could be confused at times, but it happened. There were scenes and dialog that just didn't seem to fit or work for me - either a few more words or sentences were needed to make a clear point or conversation. I kept having to re-read spots to try and pick up on a nuance I missed. I really liked it but not as much as I've loved other books of this series.

This was an exercise in frustration - so much is left unspoken between the characters, they stare at each other broodingly, have constant tense discussions that make no sense, talk a lot in two or three word sentences, seeming to answer questions that were never asked, referencing things that make no sense here and now to this conversation. They constantly interpret every conversation to be either a jab at them personally or a reference to the past, leaving the reader feeling like there are multiple conversations going/and not going on at the same time - and we, readers, get no real answers.<br />And good god, how many times can Emma clam up, misinterpret a statement, only then to be okay with it, but needs a moment of silence to work through it, only for Christopher/Aiden to misinterpret her silence and read something else into what she is/or isn't saying? So much drama. And I'm the hamster on the wheel getting no where fast.<br />More annoying with this book than the weird conversations/and not conversations - was the rather limited lack of storyline - not a lot happens. Aidan's brother arrives, dinner, a witch arrives, kidnapping, kill bad guys, cliffhanger. It all felt very plodding, one step in front of the other other, the story and the bad guys telegraphed (funny, the author hides no mystery in her plots but no characters can have a simple conversation)<br /><br />Characters are stereotypes - the brother just got more and more machiavellian, might as well twirl a moustache and threaten the dog (oh, yeah, he does that) Isa's motives were very one-track, he seemed unable to deviate, underestimating Emma time and time again though he witnesses what she can do.<br /><br />Am giving up on this series, what I thought was refreshing and unique about it got old really fast, the characters failing to grow or evolve and the author clinging to past books/storylines adding more layers of mystery but awkwardly and not giving us much in the way of answers or evolving the Five.

These books are definitely growing on me now. While Emma was a bit tough to get used to, I now find myself hoping she finds whatever happy ending she is after.<br /><br />I was a little worried that each book would involve a different member of the five showing up and us dealing with the repercussions. Surprise, surprise, but this one is actually mostly Aiden's fault. He is still out trying to cure his magic addiction when his brother and ex-"girlfriend" show up at Emma and Christopher's place looking for him. This sets things in motion for his quick return, not that Emma needs protection. <br /><br />This installment also addresses a loose end from the "job that went bad," that we hear about a lot. The witch that was being used to power the spell (the spell Emma has since been obsessed with cracking) ends up playing a larger part here, and probably in the future. Opal, the witch, and Ember, Emma's lawyer, end up helping or confusing Emma's somewhat reclusive existence with knowledge, or (in Opal's case) some humanity. <br /><br />There are certainly some twists and turns in this one and it kept me on my toes. I find myself more and more in agreement with Emma's battle strategy to defend her land, her family, and her friends. There was a lot of battle (and goo) in this one, along with some fallout we will certainly address in the future. You've convinced me, Amp-5, to continue reading this series.

As you can tell by fact i have read all the series, try to read in series order as the books are not stand alone stories.<br />Werewolves, Seers, Cupcakes, vampires, mages, Dragons and Chocolate<br /><br />Below is the reading order though you can read this before but nice to read in order<br />1. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic, Dowser 1<br />2. Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic, Dowser 2<br />3. Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, Dowser 3<br />4. I See Me, Oracle 1<br />5. Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic, Dowser 4<br />6. Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic, Dowser 5<br />7. I See You, Oracle 2<br />8. Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic, Dowser 6<br />9. I See Us, Oracle 3<br />10. Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)<br />11. Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)<br />12. Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3)<br />13. Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7)<br />14. Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (Dowser 8)<br />15. Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things That Byte (Dowser 8.5)<br />16. Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)<br />17. The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) – bundled with Close to Home (Amplifier 0.5)<br />18. Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1)<br />19. Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2)<br />20. Mystics and Mental Blocks (Amplifier 3)<br />21. Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4)<br />22. Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1)<br />23. Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)

This book continues from book one and includes the same MCs.<br /><br />Bonds &amp; Broken Dreams takes the build up from Demons &amp; DNA and brings us some dark dealings from friends, family, and foes. It also brings us a couple new characters who add so much to the story. I can’t tell you much more without ruining book one and possibly this one as well. So just read them already :)<br /><br />This book had me hanging on the end of my seat. I adored everything about it and am immediately diving into book three. I cannot wait to see what happens next.<br /><br />I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Meghan Ciana Doidge’s Adept Universe is amazing. I want to crawl inside and live amongst these characters.<br /><br />I recommend this for ages 16+<br /><br />I rate this 5 of 5 stars.<br />

<strong>The best book universe</strong><br /><br />I love reading and MCD brings mutt lover of books to the forefront.the adept universe is an absolutely beautiful and relatable place to be. The characters are so real you can almost reach out and touch them. All their flaws, traits, beautiful scars and personalities... I love watching how Emma and her family keep growing and being tiger and tighter knit. I love what Aiden brings out in her and the absolute love between her and Knox, aka christopher. He it's just my doll, I absolutely adore him. If you want to lose your self in book universe, then please read MCD's Adept Universe.

Aiden returns to the farm when Emma lets him know she has received a visit from his older brother Isa. With Isa is Aiden's former lover a witch who immediately dislikes Emma. The feeling is mutual. Christopher has visions of chaos including the witch and the Isa. The young girl that had been kidnapped and injured in the job Emma had worked in San Francisco has been.appearing in Emma's dreams. Contacting Ember Pines her attorney Emma learns that the child is attending the academy and is being fostered by Ember's sister. The child is named Opal and is proficient in magic.

Meghan Ciana Doidge is becoming one of my favorite authors.(Plus she knits!) Her Adept Universe is original and full of characters you love and hate. Up till now the Oracle books were my favorites but the Amplifier series is taking its place. I loved the flawed humanity of the heroes of these books much more than the Dowser series. Jade is a little too perfect for me to love though the books are still very good. I cannot wait for the next installment this fall.