Review: Requiem by Jamie McGuire

“Jared paced, brooded, and once in a while, when his thoughts were particularly tormented, he winced. The color had long left his face as he played back the different scenarios in his mind. Back and forth he paced, so many times that I watched the floor, wondering when he would wear a trail. His inner turmoil could have set the room on fire. It was unbearable to watch, but I couldn't leave him; not when he was planning my death.”


Dreaming of the dead might mean a restless night for anyone, but for Nina Grey it was a warning. 

Still healing from her last run-in with Hell, Nina struggles with not only her life as a Brown University student, but also as an intern at Titan Shipping, her father's company. Recurring nightmares about her father's violent death have become a nightly event, but being overwhelmed with guilt from Ryan's unexpected departure to the Armed Forces, and heart ache over Claire being across the ocean to protect him, Nina believes her sleepless nights are the least of her problems—but she's wrong.

Worried about Nina's declining health, Jared must steal back Shax's book for answers. Fighting new enemies, and with the help of new friends, Jared's worst fear comes to fruition. Desperate, he is faced with a choice: Fight Hell alone, or start a war with Heaven.

This is when it gets thick ~ helluva sequel. I loved Providence, but as I said in my review, I wished there would be more background, history, something. I got more than enough in Requiem. With a surprise on every page, Requiem went at a racing pace, bringing Nina deeper into the depths of Heaven and Hell, allowing her to make the discovery that she's not as displaced in Jared's world as she once thought. 

So much happens in this sequel, my head is spinning trying to figure out what to write first. My favorite element was the history provided, the little details that caused Nina's world to head in a downward spiral.When you're reading Providence, you start to believe that this is going to be a simple love story, and Jared and Nina will always have to fight fate to be together. As if that obstacle wasn't difficult enough, Requiem makes their problems in the first novel seem like sweet indulgences. I didn't expect freakish, practically fulfilled prophecies and full on battles with Hell, but that's what I got, and I gladly accepted. 

I had to look up the meaning of Requiem. A requiem is a "mass for the dead." I don't know why they can't simply say 'funeral,' so I'm assuming it's much more complex than that. The dead reach out to Nina in her sleep, sending her messages in hopes to help her and Jared with this overwhelming prophecy she's a part of that will supposedly alter the balance between Heaven and Hell. That, and Nina and Jared's destiny isn't exactly full of life, so I suppose the title is also in relation to that. (I'm trying to be vague here; don't want to spoil too much for ya.)

As for Nina and Jared's relationship, it's reached that peak where there love holds fast and nothing can keep them apart. It's the other characters that are focused on here such as Claire, Ryan, and even Kim. I love that McGuire expands on these other lovable characters and brings them closer to Nina and the shadows she faces. As if the demonic and historic storyline weren't enough in this book, the growth of all these characters gives the story even more ground to stand on. 

Definitely a must read. This book blew my mind, and as soon as I turned the last page, my thumbs hastily brought up the Kindle store to purchase the third and final installment, Eden. Worth your time, I promise.

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~  

Review ~ Providence by Jamie McGuire

In the old world shadows of Providence, Rhode Island, Nina Grey finds herself the center of a war between Hell and Earth.

Struggling with her father’s recent death, Nina meets Jared Ryel by chance…or so she believes. Although his stunning good looks and mysterious talents are a welcome distraction, it soon becomes clear that Jared knows more about Nina than even her friends at Brown University. When questions outnumber answers, Jared risks everything to keep the woman he was born to save—by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect.

When her father’s former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father is not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. Searching for the truth behind her father’s death, Nina stumbles upon something she never expected—something Hell wants—and only she holds the key.

Jamie McGuire is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I love her witty writing style and her ability to instill passion and steal multiple breaths from the reader. Providence kept me up late into the night (I see a trend forming with this author) crying, laughing, and growling (yes, I actually growled at one point) in frustration.

Most of the time, as a character-driven reader, I can see the characters independently from the story-line, but with this novel, the plot plays a significant role in creating the characters ~ this is the kind of novel that keeps you reading for hours on end. I was hoping for a little more background or history of Jared's heritage, but I'm a bit of a mythology/history fanatic, and there is more than enough explanation to keep the reader satisfied.


The emotions in this book are tangible in such a way that the reader can't help but feel the effects. Nina's feelings reflected in my mood as I read the book, and although it's usual for me to become personally vested in the story of a book, not many have affected my emotions as obviously as Providence or any other of Jamie McGuire's books I've read so far.

The relationship between Nina and Jared is nothing less than nerve-wracking-intense. It did feel a little forced or quick to form to me, as Nina fell unconditionally for Jared without question pretty much from their *first* aquaintance. This is the only element of the book that had me raising my eyebrows in disbelief, BUT the sincerity from Jared makes up for any doubts I may have had.

**Must Read** Incredible book, fabulous writer ~ definitely worth the all-nighters you're bound to pull when reading Jamie McGuire :)

Kobo Highlights

"Like you're not swimming in your own freakily potent pheromones right now," Kim said.

She didn't speak for the rest of the trip home to keep from spoiling the illusion with trivial things like the truth.

Anger was easier to control than feeling betrayed.

"Don't interrupt my anxiety attack. It's rude," I whispered.

I narrowed my eyes and mimicked Beth's crossed arms We must have looked ridiculous side by side; the Prom Queen Mafia.

A strange sense of accomplishment came over me; I had perfected the art of ripping out surveillance wires.

"Our relationship could unintentionally provoke Hell..."

"Ugh! Why can't Hell stay where it's at? Why does it always have to break loose?" she whined.

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~