Red River (Tent City Book 2)

The first book was great, but the second one, this book, was amazing! The story line moved along, keeping me engaged. The second half of this story pulled the story all together amazingly well. I couldn't put it down!

4.5 Stars! In Red River (Tent City #2), Dani is dealing with the aftermath of a world turned upside down by the never ending plaques and the devastating loss of Tent City and all it represented. Dani tries to navigate through the physicality of survival, while dealing with the emotional strife of teenage angst, as well as deep seated anger and the need for revenge. If that isn't enough, Dani feels the strain and burden of Brody's safety, not to mention she is torn between two lovers who are brothers! Phew! That would be enough to make anyone crazy and Dani is no exception. She is confused, tired and needs an escape from the pain, but escape costs Dani dearly as she delves into addiction, thus complicating her life even further. Although Dani has some major slip ups, she manages to learn from her mistakes and her trials make her stronger...a heroine's journey if ever there was one!

Before you think that Red River is an emotional downer and way too heavy, let me assure you there is plenty of exciting elements, including these amazing enhancements or superpowers that continue to develop. Also, two complex and endearing new characters are introduced and play a critical role in Red River: the self-sacrificing Hannah and the smooth musician Milo. I love both of them and I'm intensely convinced that Kelly has a whole other story or two to be told from their POV. I also love the role that Dani's father plays, but I'm not giving anything away. Finally, big kudos for a plot with many twists and turns and a finale that is hot...I'm just saying! I highly recommend this series and I'm already dreaming about the next book...please tell me there's more!?

This was a true page turner. I enjoyed Tent City but I think this book is better. I never knew what was going to happen next. The story line kept my interest and all I wanted to do was keep reading!

There were so many things I loved about this book and its predecessor, Tent City. The main character, a teenage girl, Dani, is someone I alternately want to cheer on and shake some sense into. Thank you, author Kelly Van Dyke-Van Hull for creating a truly multi-faceted, realistic protagonist.

The secondary characters don’t seem that way – they are fully fleshed out and I felt a connection to them also. Maybe it’s the intertwining relationships, all portrayed so well from a teenager’s point of view. I very much liked that Kelly is not afraid of tackling “sensitive” subjects. Real teenagers deal with those kind of issues. The way the issues were woven into the story make great food for thought.

The Black Hills of South Dakota are the perfect setting for the dystopian world and its plagues. The story moves swiftly from crisis to crisis and I never wanted to stop reading. As a matter of fact, when I finished Red River, I was disappointed to learn that it was the end of the series. I hope Kelly will add more to the story. I want to see how Dani matures. What becomes of Brody?? How does this world fare as time goes by?

I’m needing more!

The main characters are beginning to learn more about their advancements. They also believe the plagues are not occurring in order which adds mystique to this novel..

The return to Tent City came as a surprise to me. Dani's addiction to a prescription medicine and subsequent withdrawal from it are an integral part of this story. It proved to me that she is not perfect.

I did like the manner in which the book ended. I felt great empathy for Hannah and everything she "absorbed".

Highly recommended.

Bought this the second I finished Tent City, couldn't put either one down. I love the fact that all these indie authors are out there! Kelly Van Hull has such talent for story telling, I could “see" it all as I was reading. I will definitely be looking for more titles from this author!