A Thrill Ride

I recently finished reading the Torn Trilogy by Erica O'Rourke. It's YA but doesn't feel YA...does that make sense?!? I mean, yes, it is about a girl who is in high school and I can see where the life events she's having to endure and the decisions she's having to make can be stripped down to reveal the same basic issues all teenagers struggle with. But man...the things Mo has to face are so much more than what most teenagers have to. So that's what I'm saying...

Maura "Mo" Fitzgerald first learns about a world separate from the one she lives in when she witnesses her best friend murdered. Outside her world, where she has to deal with the rumors of her family's involvement with the mob and her father's incarceration, outside of attending an elite private school where she's trying to earn early acceptance into NYU and outside of working at her mom's restaurant, Mo has learned of the Magic world and the Arcs. Her best friend, Verity, knew about the Magic and her role in an ancient prophecy. But now that Verity is gone, Mo is now to fulfill that prophecy...if she survives that long. Learning to deal with and live within the Magic world is treacherous, especially since there's a faction within that realm out to cause a revolution. And it's not only those in the Magic world who are after her. She's learned that her family is indeed involved with the mob. With a new mob leader trying to take over in town, Mo begins walking a dangerous path - playing both sides against the other. 

In her corner, she has Colin, the bodyguard her uncle has assigned to watch over her in the human world. Colin is safe and solid and understands her human world as well as her dealings with the Arcs. But Colin has his own secrets. And she has Luc, who is mysterious and is drawn to Mo from the start. He's also her partner in the Magic world's prophecy. Mo tries to keep her two worlds separate. She tries to ignore her feelings for Luc (whom she believes is only interested in her for her part of the prophecy) while focusing on her feelings for Colin. Mo's trying to stay true to herself and figure out what exactly that means, find her own way in the world and what her place is in it. Mo eventually figures out how to balance her worlds, protect those she loves, and allows herself to fall in love...all while saving worlds, both human and magical.

There's a lot of angst and action and love in this series. It was exciting and heartbreaking. And it all made for great reading!