Author: Martina Boone
Genre: Young adult, paranormal
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 27, 2015
464 pages, hardcover
Check out the full synopsis on Goodreads.
NOTE: I was provided with an e-ARC of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Simon Pulse for letting me read this!
I read and loved the first book in this series, Compulsion, earlier this year. I really enjoyed the southern gothic feel, the mythology, and Watson’s landing. All of which were things I still loved in this sequel.
One of my favorite things in Persuasion was the new magic that Barrie discovers once she comes back to Watson’s Landing. She meets a man named Obadiah who may or may not be strictly human. He wants her to find something that will let him break the Colesworth curse, but because he threatens to take away her ability if she doesn’t find it, she must go behind everyone’s back and lie to those closest to her in order to do so. Even though I really liked Obadiah and thought he was that perfect kind of magical, creepy character, he created the biggest problem I had with this book.
Barrie lies in this book. A lot. She “has” to because she thinks it’ll save those closest to her and not get them involved with whatever Obadiah will do should he not be satisfied. But because of this, her relationship with Eight was a lot of “I love you, but I want to protect you, so I’m going to push you away” but then she’d be right back in his arms making out. Then arguing with him and pushing him away. Then making out. UGH. It felt very toxic and not as adorable as they were in the first book. In addition to this, I also was a bit bored in the middle – partly because of that back and forth I mentioned above but partly because it was just a bit too long. There was a lot of history and…these flashbacks that were a bit overwhelming.
However, I really loved the voodoo magic and the ghosts and the southern charm and the mystery. I think Boone is really skilled at creating a magical-feeling world with a lot of mystery. The magic, the voodoo, the curses, and all that is what really makes these books shine, and I was not disappointed in the slightest on that aspect of Persuasion.
The bottom line: Despite the fact that I wasn’t quite as impressed with this one as Compulsion, I’m still excited for the next one. Here’s hoping Barrie and Eight’s relationship gets better. That cliffhanger at the end gave me the grabby hands though.
Rating: 6 – good, but not great
Caught Read Handed 
I wound up deciding to skip this one because my problems with the book outweighed my enjoyment and life is too short to continue a series I don’t love. I’m sad to hear Barrie and Eight are still all “I’m mad at you but let’s kiss more”–that was so frustrating in the first book. I wish more of those relationships where the pair starts out not getting along could figure out how to move into healthy territory instead of just constantly arguing.
I agree with you, Barrie definitely bugged me a bit with her secrets and lying. (Especially when the excuse is “I was lying to protect you”) The ending really killed me and I really want to read the third book now. I loved the the different VooDoo magic and different magical abilities throughout this book as well. Great review!
~Kaitlin
Yeah! I think that was my problem – she’s lying “to protect” him. It just bothered me. But I agree: I can’t wait for the next book!
Great review Stefani! I just finished this and I’m planning on posting my review sometime next week. I have mixed feelings about this also. I loved the further development of the mythology of Watson’s Island, but Barrie wore on me in this book.
Thank you! Yeah, it was the same with me – the mythology and magic was really cool, but Barrie…
Haha, “gave me the grabby hands” – I love that expression! 🙂