Review: Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson

Title: Losing Lila

Author: Sarah Alderson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Released: Aug 02, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

Action-packed and completely exciting, the sequel to Hunting Lila is even better than the first book.

There is no stopping to catch our breaths with this instalment. We are very briefly reunited with Alex and Lila before the story explodes once again. They are on the run, evading the iron grip of the Unit, along with Demos and the others. For Lila, staying away from the Unit becomes increasingly difficult; they have her mother and brother and she is determined to rescue them. In a bid to save her family and take down their captors, Lila learns to harness her ability, to use it to her advantage. She wants revenge. Only destroying a large military base crawling with soldiers proves to be easier said than done…

Sarah Alderson just keeps getting better and better. This is undoubtedly her best book yet and my favourite of all her works. The story is exciting, unravelling at a fast but comfortable pace, and there is never a dull moment. We have action, we have romance, we have everything in between – it’s an exhilarating ride to the finish line, packed with laughs and heart-stopping moments. If you thought Hunting Lila was exciting, Losing Lila will positively impress.

The characters do not lose their spark in this book. If anything, they are much easier to appreciate. Alex and Lila – and their relationship – have always been a treat to read about and that much remains true in this book. Crafting a riveting romance is clearly something Sarah Alderson has a degree in. The scenes between Alex and Lila were undeniably swoon-worthy, not to mention incredibly entertaining. There is a large focus on the romance but never did I feel it was interfering with the plot.

Lila makes some commendable progress in terms of character. She was always likeable in Hunting Lila, but never particularly confident in her strength. I loved her in this book. The sacrifices she makes and her willingness to risk the things dear to her in order to save her family is quite admirable. Alex, on the other hand, surprised me a little with the insecurity he showed. It was interesting seeing this different side to him, one buried under all the layers, and I think it just made me adore his character even more in the end.

The secondary characters too left a more significant impression in this story compared to the first book. Suki and Nate particularly stood out – and provided some much-welcomed entertainment to balance out the suspense. I warmed to both of them and wish I had my own Suki and Nate to keep me company. It was also a treat to dig deeper into the personalities of other characters, including Key and Lila’s dad.

Losing Lila proved it could live up to the success of Hunting Lila, delivering an engaging follow-up with wonderful characters. The story wraps up beautifully, leaving a pleasant feeling of satisfaction, though not without a longing for more. This sequel was an impressive one, there’s no doubt about that. Fans of Hunting Lila will not be disappointed. 

Rating: 4.5 stars