Welcome today's stop on the Olivia Decoded by Vivi Barnes Blog Tour hosted by YA Reads. Today's stop is a review as well as a chance to enter the great giveaway that is being run throughout this tour.
The Review:
I really enjoyed this second book in the Olivia Twisted world. As the original book had been a re-imagined Oliver Twist, I was interested to see where book 2 would go.
I thought this was a clever continuation. The story flowed well and I finished the entire book story in a matter of hours. Olivia in general felt like quite a genuine character and how her life had panned out since finding her grandfather made sense. This story starts 3 months after the events of the original story so circumstances had changed for most of the characters and it was good to see where they all were and how they were coping. Some better than others.
The story is told from both Olivia and Jack/Z's perspective which gave us two different story threads which I felt Ms Barnes intertwined and eventually merged well with twists and turns that had me turning the pages quickly to see how it would all turn out. I also liked the vein of romance throughout the story with the relationship between Olivia and Jack, strained ( or non existent) as it was given the events of book one and the direction it took during this story. I felt like it moved in a way that felt authentic and and where it was at the end of the story made sense in the story.
I kind of picked the ending alittle but it didn't matter too much as I thought the whole story wrapped up quite nicely and I had a lot fo fun reading this.
I give this story 3 3/4 stars :-)
Olivia Decoded (Olivia Twisted #2)
Book Title: Olivia Decoded (Olivia Twisted, #2)
Author: Vivi Barnes
Release Date: Sept. 6, 2016
Genre: YA Thriller
Olivia Decoded Book Synopsis:
This isn’t my Jack, who once looked at me like I was his world. The guy who’s occupied the better part of my mind for eight months.
This is Z, criminal hacker with a twisted agenda and an arsenal full of anger.
I’ve spent the past year trying to get my life on track. New school. New friends. New attitude. But old flames die hard, and one look at Jack—the hacker who enlisted me into his life and his hacking ring, stole my heart, and then left me—and every memory, every moment, every feeling comes rushing back. But Jack’s not the only one who’s resurfaced in my life. And if I can’t break through Z’s defenses and reach the old Jack, someone will get hurt…or worse.
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About the Author:
Vivi Barnes was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. After college, she convinced her supportive husband to
move with her to be part of the sunshine and magic in Orlando, Florida. On a good day, she manages to divide her time writing, working, reading, goofing off with her three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes. Vivi is a proud member of SCBWI and attends conferences whenever she can.
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Go back the beginning of the series
Olivia Twisted (Olivia Twisted, #1):
Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Liv might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Liv and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…
Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted.
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The Giveaway:
A signed copy of Olivia Decoded + a $25 Amazon Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Read below for an excerpt from the book:
“Wow, who gave you that?”
“My grandfather. He left it on my car seat this morning.”
“Oh, boo. I thought maybe you had a secret admirer or something.” I try not to smile at her obvious disappointment. Emerson’s been on me to date for months now. She knows I had someone back in Richmond who was special, but only that we broke it off before I moved here. She doesn’t know anything else about Jack. No one does, because what would I say? The last guy I dated is a criminal, and the last time I saw him was right after we got kidnapped by his horrible boss and almost died trying to escape. That’d go over really well.
“I don’t know, what do you think?” Emerson breaks into my thoughts as we walk down the hallway to our lockers.
“About what?”
She sighs. “Where Kade’s taking me tonight. Girl, you are not with it today, are you? Are you doing anything tonight?”
“My grandfather’s taking me to dinner.”
“Sweet. Not so romantic, but sweet.”
I smile. “Yes, he’s sweet. But a little over the top on gifts sometimes.” Even after eight months of living the wealthy life, I’d be happier if he gave me a gift card to a bookstore instead of extravagant jewelry I rarely wear.
My phone starts buzzing, and I pull it from my pocket. Grandfather’s text reads: What gift?
I frown, typing, The bracelet you left in my car. I snap a quick picture of the bracelet on my wrist and send it to him. Maybe his text was a hint to send a picture, though I doubt it. He’s usually pretty direct about things.
“What’s up?” Emerson asks.
“Looks like Grandfather forgot he left me the bracelet.” But even as I say it, it doesn’t sound right. He’s one of the sharpest people I’ve ever known, and he runs a financial institution.
“Maybe he gave it to one of his staff to put in your car.” Her voice has the usual bitter tone whenever she’s thinking of her parents. They’re hardly ever around, and when they are, they don’t pay much attention to her.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I don’t believe that, though. Even though it’s possible Mrs. Bedwin did put it there, I doubt it. Grandfather is the type to handle things himself when it comes to me. But Emerson’s parents travel so much for their business that they often let their staff handle things like birthdays and other events they think aren’t important. So as grateful as I am that Grandfather’s always there for me, I don’t like to rub that in Emerson’s face.
“Maybe you really do have a secret admirer,” she says hopefully.
I roll my eyes.“I doubt that.”
“Oh, really?” She stops in her tracks, her eyes fixed straight ahead. I follow her gaze, a sharp sense of dread creeping down my spine. A white rose is dangling from the vent in my locker.
A rose I know wasn’t placed there by my grandfather.
