Night World No. 2 by L.J. Smith

Title: Night World No.2

Author: L.J. Smith
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Acquired: Borrowed from friend
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 80% or B-
Buy It: Amazon

Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters — they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World

In Dark Angel, Gillian is saved from drowning by her guardian angel. Only visible to Gillian, Angel will fulfill her heart's every desire. But when Angel starts making strange and sinister requests, Gillian must question who he truly is and where he came from.

Armed with a wooden stake, martial arts, and the will to resist a vampire's mind control, Rashel struggles to avenge her mother's death in The Chosen. Then she meets Quinn, her soulmate, who is part of the world she has vowed to destroy.

Hannah receives notes warning her of incredible danger in Soulmate. But if death is her destiny, is the Lord of the Night World's love strong enough to save her?

My Thoughts::
I was under the impression that you didn't have to read these volumes in any particular order, so I just jumped in on volume two so I could check it out. The volume included three books called Soulmate, The Chosen, and Dark Angel. I'm going to review the volume as a whole instead of each book separately.

All of the books carried out some common themes, especially the idea of soulmates. Now, in literature I don't really mind this concept, but it was absolutely pounded into the books. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at certain points because the cuteness and loveyness was bordering on cliched romance. And nothing bothers me more than that. I'm all for love stories, I really am, but when you add the soulmates element it destroys the getting to know you time which makes the relationship seem fake and unrealistic. Though, when I got past those few bumps, I had to "awwwww" at some parts.

I really liked the whole Night World concept. Most books and authors are forced to limit themselves to one or two types of otherworldly creatures, but everything can exist in these books. One of my favorites would have to be witches. I've been seeing them more lately in books and I can only hope that they are making a comeback. The rest of the supernatural beings are sort of explored as well, but we mostly just get a taste of vampires.

Overall I think the ideas in the books were good, but the romance elements were a little weak. I would recommend this book to someone who loves hardcore, head over heels, soulmate love, or someone who just wants a taste of the supernatural world.