Book Review: The Janes by Louisa Luna
Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!
In February 2018 I reviewed Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna. It was a fast-paced thrill-ride that left me wanting more of Luna's heroine, bounty hunter Alica Vega. I told myself that the two-year wait would be worth it, and I was not mistaken.
The Janes is the second Alice Vega novel from Louisa Luna. It is published by Doubleday, a Penguin Random House imprint. In this latest adventure, Luna reunites Alice Vega and her partner, Max Caplan. Together they are called into a West Coast case involving the unidentified bodies of two young girls. Both Jane Does appear to have been a part of human trafficking. This hits home with Alice, who has made finding missing children her priority. And for Max, father of a teenage daughter. Alice suspects that there are more girls being held. With Max's help and that of a local detective, they begin to unravel the details of the Janes' identities.
Halfway through the case, they are told that they are no longer needed. Red flags go up for Alice as a seemingly by-the-book commander begins to act strangely. Vega and Caplan ignore their cease and desist and covertly continue to look for the location of the remaining trafficked girls. This leads them into danger and a set-up that will have dire consequences if those responsible get their way. The Janes have sisters and Vega will not rest until they are safely released and the guilty are brought to justice. Her justice happens to involve a lot of broken bones.
The Janes was a spectacular novel with plenty of action, danger, and not once did I believe that anyone was safe. Luna has constructed a taut thriller with an underlying message of family and loyalty. She has created characters whose moral compasses are always pointing to hope, as they wade through the muck of humanity's worst offenders. Alice was sensational in this installment. With her trusty bolt cutters and sharp tongue, I was reunited with a heroine that once again did not disappoint. Max Caplan's relationship with his daughter was often touching. And his reaction to the treatment of innocent children was visceral. Luna's handling of the current immigration climate in the United States was deftly presented with emotion and common sense. The subject of sex trafficking was hard to read but under the author's direction was tastefully approached. Alice's cyber expert, the Bastard, returned to aid the bounty hunter, even getting a spot in the epilogue. I enjoyed the side characters a lot. Each one added to the narrative and contributed to many of the book's more harrowing scenes. Many of the action sequences were out of a Hollywood blockbuster and very cinematic. I was hooked on this novel from the first few pages and it never let up. The finale was filled with shocking reveals that left me speechless.
I read The Janes in part with the excellent narration of actress, Tavia Gilbert. I have enjoyed her work on other audiobooks, which made this presentation all the more fun. She has a distinct reading style that draws you into the story and feels like more than one voice is at work. I actively seek out the books she narrates. Fantastic job.
The Janes was a heart-pounding adventure with two strong protagonists. This five-star entry into the Alice Vega series again left me wanting more. If you need a book to keep you company as you wait out the Winter, this book is perfect for cozying up and being thrilled.
I read The Janes in part with the excellent narration of actress, Tavia Gilbert. I have enjoyed her work on other audiobooks, which made this presentation all the more fun. She has a distinct reading style that draws you into the story and feels like more than one voice is at work. I actively seek out the books she narrates. Fantastic job.
The Janes was a heart-pounding adventure with two strong protagonists. This five-star entry into the Alice Vega series again left me wanting more. If you need a book to keep you company as you wait out the Winter, this book is perfect for cozying up and being thrilled.
Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading this week.
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