Devoted
Devoted (Elixir, #2)by Hilary Duff
Since Sage was kidnapped, Clea has no way of knowing if he is alive or dead. And even though she has only just discovered they were soulmates, she feels like a part of her is lost forever. What’s worse, she can’t even turn to her best friend Ben—because every time she looks at him, all she sees is his betrayal.But waiting for something to happen is not an option, so Clea is ready for action. Suffering through dreams of seeing Sage with another woman, she makes an uneasy alliance with Sage’s enemies and sets out to be reunited with Sage...in this life or the next. (goodreads.com)
Oh, Elixir series, how you have broken my heart. I admit to having been supremely sceptical of the first YA novel by Hilary Duff, but my brain was surprised by the lack of suck in Elixir. Sure, I had problems with the ending of the previous book and I didn't like Sage all that much, but I was generally impressed with the story.I am very sad to say that I couldn't finish Devoted. I gave the book 136 pages, but those 136 pages took me almost two weeks to get through. I think I could have given the story a little longer if there wasn't the new addition of the "Psychic Elixir Family" (as I am calling them) chapters. These chapters alternated with those from Clea's point of view. The PEF chapters were written in italics from the point of view of the youngest member of that family - Amelia.I had so, so many problems with this new addition to the story line. First off, the descriptions of how the PEF lived, not in body but as consciousness, was just too much for me. That Amelia has lived for over 2500 years and still considers herself a 7-year old girl bothered me. Amelia's narrative was so irritating to me. I ended up skimming much of those chapters until I just couldn't take it anymore.Clea, on the other hand, seems to be all about Sage. Sage, Sage, Sage. The awkwardness between her and Ben ruined much of what I was reading as well. Clea didn't come off as all boy-obsessed in the first book, but this book seems to have turned her into a mindless stereotypical YA novel teen. Obsessed with boys. I don't think that's exactly how it was written, but it was the way I was reading it.I kept finding myself saying "But I don't CARE!" out loud as I was turning the pages. That was my first clue that this book and I weren't going to have a long-term relationship.Every single character was making my skin itch. I was getting annoyed and frustrated and the thought of reading all the way through to the end of the book was depressing me.I don't know if this is because of my current head space or what, but the book was not working for me at all. I feel really bad because I always try my best to read all the way through to the end of book I get for review. In this case I couldn't. I was feeling anxious about even picking it up because I wasn't liking it that strongly.I am very disappointed in my reaction because I was honestly looking forward to the sequel to Elixir. Maybe I'll pick it up at another time and give it a second chance. Right now, I need to step away from Devoted and try and find another book to occupy my mind.Elixir series