Book Review: The Replaced by Kimberly Derting + Giveaway

---

The Replaced
The Taking #2
Author: Kimberly Derting
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: April 28, 2015
Review Source: Harper Teen

Romantic and action-packed, The Replaced is the gripping second installment in the Taking trilogy.

Kyra hasn't been the same since she returned from her mysterious five-year disappearance. Now, on the run from the NSA, Kyra is forced to hide out with others who, like her, have been Returned. Yet she is determined to find Tyler, the boy she loves who was also abducted—all because of her. When her group intercepts a message that Tyler might still be alive but is in the hands of a shadowy government organization that experiments on the Returned, Kyra knows it's a risk to go after him. What if it's a trap? And worse, what if the returned Tyler isn't the same boy she lost?

Perfect for fans of The Fifth Wave and the Body Finder series, The Replaced is both chilling and explosive, with creepy, otherworldly elements and twisty, psychological thrills that will have you questioning what exactly it means to be human.

The Replaced picks up right where The Taking left off. Strange and unexplainable things have happened to Kyra. She disappeared one night in high school and then five years later reappeared. Looking exactly the same, but doing things no "normal" human could do. The crazy ride that The Taking took us through introduced us to Tyler, Kyra's love interest whom she had to take a MAJOR risk on. She had to let him get "taken" too. Now she's on the scariest chase imaginable, searching for Tyler and hoping he's out there being the same boy she fell for. Will she find him? If so, will he be the same? What's at stake? How much danger is she putting herself through?

I had to wait what felt like an eternity to finally read The Replaced after indulging in The Taking (which btw was definitely one of my top reads last year!) I was worried The Replaced would suffer from the opinion that most second books fall short. THANK YOU KIMBERLY DERTING FOR NOT DISAPPOINTING YET AGAIN! It is safe to say I am alien obsessed. If there is anything dealing with aliens my grabby hands come out real quick. Which also goes to say that it makes me critique alien books harder. But I am "completely and irrevocably in love" with this thrilling series.

Reading The Replaced now makes The Taking seem like a warm up. You pick this book up and you run. I don't think I've ever read a book where so much action started happening so soon. Boy, was it good! I was holding my breath the entire time. #dead LOL. Apart from all the action happening, it's still a roller coaster ride of emotions. You assume one thing will happen and it doesn't- repeat times forever. My heart strings we tugged and pulled leaving it sore until I can get my hands on the next installment.

I won't give away too many spoilers but I will say these few things:
- Kyra is such a great and strong character! She's still discovering who she is now and what her abilities are but her head and heart stay grounded. She's a tough cookie and I love her!
- Tyler will always have my heart. #TeamTyler for sure! With that said, it's safe to assume there is a possible "love triangle" aspect being brought in. While most readers find love triangles overdone, I feel like I haven't had one in a long time and it's great to be stuck in this "team so and so" thing again. It's executed so well you will not be frustrated with it!
- This plot is EVERYTHING.

Lastly, I want to say CAN THIS YEAR GO BY FASTER PLEASE? (Sorry for the passionate shouty caps!) I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Kimberly Derting you are a sic-fi rockstar! Yet again I find myself anxiously awaiting the next installment in The Taking series so I can dive right back into this amazing world.

P.S.: Here's my review for The Taking :) And, don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an ARC copy of The Replaced! Then you have no excuse but to come fangirl with me...

a Rafflecopter giveaway