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level 2What: Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1) by Lenore Appelhans

Who: Allen and Unwin

When: January 2013

How: A copy of this novel was provided by Allen and Unwin for review.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost-family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian-a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life-comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

3cats2I was surprised by Level 2. Towards the beginning of the book, I was absolutely in love with it. I was even really excited; thinking that I had finally found another book to add to the precious ‘favourites’ list. But then something … happened. And it wasn’t necessarily bad, but it prevented Level 2 from making it to the favourites shelf. Which is sad.

It had been a long time since I had read the blurb for Level 2, and I had, in all honesty, completely forgotten the fact that it was about angels. This came as such a surprise to me when I read it in the novel. I was completely expecting a sci-fi story, and instead I was thrust into another angel world. But that is entirely my own fault for neglecting to re-read the synopsis of Level 2.

The premise of Level 2 was completely unique. A hive filled with girls who replay their memories, and can share in others’ memories, as well? It’s awesome, to say the least. The first part of the novel focussed more on this awesomeness. The hives, Felicia’s memories of her life. And I think that’s perhaps the reason why I wasn’t quite as enamoured with the latter half of this novel. We were introduced to rebels, and there was weird fog, and angels. To be entirely honest, the last chapters or so had my head entirely reeling, and I found myself wondering what on earth was going on. I was lost, to say the least.

I didn’t quite understand Felicia’s unwavering love for Neil. Sure, I can understand that to Felicia, Neil was this bright light in human form. A perfect Christian boy who introduced the love of life back into her. But I was kind of left unimpressed by him. I felt like he was nothing special. And maybe that’s the way he was meant to be portrayed – I am not sure. But I was definitely unimpressed by the boy who consumed our heroine so completely.

And then there was Julian. SO MUCH MORE IMPRESSED. I mean, he was badass, and sexy, and just downright crushable. When I was reading, I was constantly wondering why Felicia wasn’t head over heels in love with him rather than Neil. What can I say? I don’t understand characters’ choices sometimes, and this was one of those occasions.

The events of Level 2 occur within the span of about a day. I thought this was awesome. A few hundred pages, and we are only witness to one day in the life of our main character? This was one aspect of Level 2 that I really enjoyed. I like it when the flow of time within a book isn’t too fast, and I think the pacing in Level 2 was pretty fantastic.

The writing style was engaging, as was the storyline overall. There are all these events that Felicia references, and you have to wait to find out what she means by them. That may sound annoying, but it really was not. I found myself excited whenever a memory was about to be relived, because I wondered if this was the one where we would find out what Felicia was talking about. Very sneaky tactic to keep me wanting more, I must say.

Even though there were aspects that I didn’t adore, I still thoroughly enjoyed Level 2. I raced through it within a few hours, and I am being completely honest when I say that I cannot wait to read the sequel.

© 2014, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

Your Turn: Have you ever forgotten what a novel is about and then were surprised when you read it? Do you fall in love with the non-love interest, too?

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Posted on: April 18, 2014 • By: Chiara

10 Responses to Review: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

  1. This happened to me with The Name of the Star. I was expecting it to be a historical YA, which was why I put off reading it. Then I found out that it was about an English boarding school and Jack the Ripper – modern day. SO EXCITING when that happened. Haha, I tend not to read blurbs very much anymore – mostly I read what other reviewers have loved, or from authors I already know I enjoy :)

    • Chiara says:

      Okay, wow, that book sounds amazing! *runs off to Goodreads*
      I try and skim read blurbs now, just so I get the general sense because it makes reading the story so much more mysterious and exciting. I actually loved it when I realised this book was about angels and not aliens, haha.

  2. Katherine says:

    I’ve also read this book and felt pretty much the same way! I actually prefer to read books that I have forgotten the synopsis because it gives me a better reading experience – having absolutely no idea where the book is going is a little more fun for me (although that rarely happens). And yes, lots of times! In the Shatter Me series, I love Kenji, but he was never a love interest! Great review :)

    • Chiara says:

      I’m starting to avoid synopses for that reason! It makes the story even more exciting that way :D
      Oh, Kenji. I must say I kind of liked Juliette + Kenji together, haha. They had such a nice chemistry!

  3. Jen says:

    Angels seem to be rising in today’s YA stories, though there’s nothing wrong with that. Personally, I’d like to see more alien books because I’ve only read one alien book so far.

    I couldn’t name any books where I’ve forgotten the synopsis, but it has happened. And I totally fell in love with Simon from TMI and still wholly ship Simon & Clary! (I just hate Jace.)

    • Chiara says:

      I’m willing to give any book a try! And I am quite partial to angels :) I definitely think there needs to be a few more alien stories! I only know of two, and have only read one (that I can think of).
      Oh yeah I remember having a conversation with you about Simon and Jace, haha :D

  4. Great to hear you enjoyed it! I read that this was a pseudo religious book, which is why I didn’t care to read it, but I’m glad you shared your thoughts with us. The concept sounds amazing and I agree with you – Julian sounds hot lol.

    • Chiara says:

      I wouldn’t say it’s a religious book, but there are religious elements because she joins a youth group. But it’s not pushy or anything, and I really appreciated that!
      The concept was great, and I thoroughly appreciated it. And ohmygosh YES Julian was just asdfghjkl. XD

  5. I really enjoyed this book, and thought it was really original. However, Felicia got annoying for a while there. Between her obsession with Neal, and then her “hero complex”, I really wanted to hit her over the head, lol. I’m in love with Julian. He is just so asdfghjlk. Why choose Neal when Julian is RIGHT THERE?

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