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Having recently lost her beloved Auntie—the woman who showed her what it meant to be a Fenestra—Meridian has hit the road with Tens, her love and sworn protector, in hopes of finding another Fenestra. Their search leads them to Indiana, where Juliet, a responsible and loving teenager, works tirelessly in the nursing home where she and several other foster kids are housed. Surrounded by death, Juliet struggles to make a loving home for the younger kids, and to protect them from the violent whims of their foster mother. But she is struggling against forces she can't understand . . . and even as she feels a pull toward the dying, their sickness seems to infect her, weighing her down. . . .
Will Meri and Tens find Juliet in time to save her from a life of misery and illness? And will Meri and Tens' own romance weather the storms of new discoveries?
From the Hardcover edition.
This sequel toMeridian(2009) opens three weeks after 16-year-old Meridian, a part-human/part-angel Fenestra, or "window" that helps dying souls pass on, and her protector/boyfriend Tens saved a Colorado town from Nocti (evil spirits in human form that try to send souls to hell). They're traveling the country, looking for fellow Fenestras, when Meridian feels drawn to Carmel, Ind. Fifteen-year-old Juliet, an unknowing Fenestra, has been living in this sleepy town at a center that doubles as an group home for the elderly and a foster-care home. The teens' alternating viewpoints tell this hefty story, which, like many second novels in a series, builds on the first but ultimately leads up to a third. Meridian provides back story, uses her great-aunt's journal to discover more about Fenestras and schemes to find Juliet and save her before she's forced by Nocti to become one of their own. All the while she ponders her free will, her developing body and why Tens keeps putting off their first time having sex. Meanwhile, Juliet gives (over and over again) a look at her abusive situation—she's constantly punished and must care nonstop for the residents—and her burgeoning Fenestra talents.
Some of the day-to-day events may be hard to believe, but this is a book about angels and demons after all; fans will forgive.(Paranormal romance. 12-16)
“Pulloverpulloverpullover!” I screeched as we approached the outskirts of another small town.
One more bump, one more pothole sitting in this beater truck, and I was going to lose my mind. Tens and I were just past three weeks from leaving the wreckage of Revelation, Colorado, on our Divine-tasked quest to find other Fenestra. More people, girls, like me. More Protectors like Tens. Supposedly, there was one, somewhere in the state of Indiana, who needed our help.
“Pleasepleaseplease!” Now at the tail end of January, it had been nearly a month since Jasper’s granddaughter brought us the newspaper article about a cat who predicted deaths and a girl called the Grim Reaper.
It was impossible to think in the bouncing, flouncing truck. I refused to inhale any more hay dust, mud particles, and springs of decades past, not for another second. I heard my brain rolling in circles around the inside of my skull like a Super Ball. “We’ve been driving for lifetimes, Tens. Pull over!” I shouted.
Unflappable as always, Tens didn’t take his eyes off the road. “Meridian, we’re almost there. It hasn’t been that long today. You’re exagger--”
I cut him off. “Long enough. I need to stretch. Just for a minute. Here’s good.” I reached for the door handle as we passed a sign proclaiming Welcome to Carmel, Indiana.
“Here?” He slowed, but didn’t stop the truck.
I needed out.
Right.
Now.
“Here.” I leapt out. As Tens parked the truck along the curb, I breathed in warm pre-spring air, huffing and puffing like I’d been running instead of sitting.
Custos sprang out of the truck bed, disappearing into the shadows. If I glanced around, I knew I’d see her. But knowing she was watching from the periphery was enough for the moment. I hadn’t truly figured out whether she was more than dog, more than wolf. But I suspected.
Tens unfolded and walked around to the front of the cab, waiting for me like one of the Queen’s guards. I knew that expression. All patience, calm, and deliberation. He used it with wild animals in traps.
I closed my eyes against the irritation with him I felt bubbling up. “I have a feeling about this place.” I knew it as truth, as soon as the words left my mouth.
Tens brushed the area with his glance, taking in every detail, assessing our safety in a blink. “Good or bad?”
Frustrated, I blew out a snort and rubbed my palms on my thighs. Our third day on the road, the newspaper article had mysteriously gone blank, the ink disappearing. Now all we had left was flimsy newsprint and our memories to guide us. I kept expecting another sign. Something I recognized, something that told me we were on the right path. Only nothing presented itself. Each day flowed into the next and failure frayed my edges.
Where was she? This mysterious girl like me, hunted by the Nocti, needed by the good, by everything that was light, clean and pure. What was she thinking? Was she wishing someone would fall from the sky and tell her she wasn’t a freak? Or did she understand her destiny and feel confident in herself?
“Meridian? Good or bad feeling?” Tens loped toward me, carefully keeping his distance. I didn’t bite, but I’d been cranky enough lately that I understood his reticence.
“I don’t know yet.” I turned away, trying to puzzle out the gut feeling twisting me up. “Why don’t you sense it, too? Why can’t you sense her? What good is your gift if we can’t count on it? What if we don’t find her? Are we supposed to drive every road in the state, and the next state, and then . . . what? Canada? Mexico? I can’t believe we’re supposed to drive around for the rest of our lives eating burgers and sleeping in crappy motels.” We had plenty of money, thanks to Auntie. What we didn’t want to do was grab the interest of authorities--the last thing we needed was a Good Samaritan wanting to rescue a minor from life on the road. Although sixteen and old enough to drop out of high school, I still resembled a barely pubescent girl. I didn’t look a day over fourteen, and Tens’s intimidating nature screamed criminal. Not a good combination for keeping a low profile.
“You’re tired.” He said this like it explained everything, including my volatile attitude.
Pissed, I hissed up at him, “Don’t patronize me.” Of course I was tired. We never ceased driving, not for more than a few hours at a time. We’d been to every retirement and nursing home from the southern Indiana border to the middle of the state. I walked in circles, kicking the truck’s tires.
I craved a bit of balance, stillness for my soul. Direction wasn’t enough on this quest; I wanted a clear purpose. What was the point of sending us out in blind ignorance? Not for the first time I wished for a conversation with the Creators--the rule makers. I wanted one of those comment cards. Fenestras shouldn’t have to operate alone and vastly outmatched by the community of Nocti, who had each other and leaders and clear mandates to destroy and bring suffering. Me--my team? We simply had journeys and lessons and growth. Yee-haw for the good guys.
Tens sighed and leaned over the hood of the truck. “Fine, you’re not tired. You’re thinking clearly and you’re not wailing like a toddler who didn’t get the lollipop. Tantrum much?” He rested his face in his hand, huffed a breath, and straightened toward me.
My mouth gaped. Then I choked back an utterly bitchy retort. He was right. He was always right. “Wow. Harsh.”
“Yeah, sorry. No excuse.” He softly brushed hair off my neck and kneaded the muscles knotted in my shoulders, successfully turning my claws into purrs. “I’m hungry. You have to be hungry. Let’s go in there.” He kissed the top of my head and turned me gently toward the restaurant behind us. He patted my butt flirtatiously, shocking a giggle from my throat.
From the Hardcover edition.
Anonymous
Posted August 19, 2014
He swoops down into a steep landing, his bloodred scales glittering coldly.
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Posted August 19, 2014
Flies above the clouds, her body blending in with the clear blue sky.
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Posted August 19, 2014
~Cordelia
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Posted June 1, 2014
The book had a great plot and I loved her new friends she finds along her journey. I really enjoyed seeing how Juliet and Meridian have different experiences in their life as Fenestras. I do have concerns about how young Meridian is. It's very easy to forget she's only 16 because usually she carries herself in an adult manner, but sometimes I find it a bit disturbing when I do realize how young she is. I love her confusing relationship with Tens, but the youngness factor makes it slightly creepy. Overall it is an amazing book and it can get slow, but I love the action once it starts to get going.
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Posted September 5, 2012
I bought this book because the first ended so abruptly and I had truly enjoyed that one but I was so bored during this one I could barely finish. Things were not explained and the transition between books was awkward. Major plot points were not explained in the beginning of this one and I never connected with Meridian which is odd since I liked her initially. I won't even waste time or money on the next one.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I read the first book before I started blogging and really loved it. The whole world building as well as the characters capture my imagination an set me on a whole new path to discover.
What I loved most about this book is the character growth. Meri is growing in who she is and what she is meant to do. There are times where she feels so incapable of doing things that I could feel her frustration. I could see the time away from her family as well as always being on the run is taking a toll of her.
The love interest really grew as well. Their relationship is sort-of on a stand still being that they are always on the run but it definitely grows in trust and strength. The have late night talks that really bring a smile to my face as I watch them become so much more than friends. The jealousy issues is bound to catch up being that they haven't really gotten in further in their relationship with trust in that area. Their sort of like just going with flow, assuming things. And we all know what happens when you assume.
The action of the book is great. I loved reading about other characters who are the same as Meri and going through the same troubles like her. Meri has such a big responsibility. She takes everything in with stride putting everything aside for what need to be done.
Wildcat Fireflies explodes with so many new possibilities! Exciting new characters, new revelations of being a Fenestra, and the darkness that surrounds them. Wildcat Fireflies is great!
Anonymous
Posted May 17, 2013
It wasok no my favroite
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Posted April 22, 2012
Hello can i talk to you?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2012
This book was good but I thought it was a little long and at times the author just rambled on too add pages to the book. If you like books that explain every detail down to the color of the car seats then this shouldn't bother you. Aside from that the book was great and I can't wait for the next one.
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Posted November 22, 2011
This book has Everything you would want. A great and refreshingly honest romance with a wonderful storie line to tie these uniquely suprising characters together.
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Posted September 9, 2011
This is a really good series, I recommend it to anyone fans of the Hush,Hush series or Fallen series.
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Posted August 21, 2011
This book is the continuation of Meri's tale concerning her new discovery that she is a Fenestra, one of the few who can literally open up a window to allow souls to go through. Meri is just as resilient as ever; she lost her family and now her mentor, but she still holds on-partly due to Tens's comforting presence. Meri and Tens discover that there may be another Fenestra who needs their help. They travel to find her, quite by accident though. They encounter quite a few interesting secondary characters, some who appear as if they should be Meri's enemies...but aren't, and some who Meri has yet to make up her mind about.
Tens and Meri continue to develop their relationship through this stressful time. Meri isn't sure what Tens wants...she's not sure if she wants to give him "something more" quite yet. Tens appears content to remain as they are, openly loving Meri. This frustrates Meri, who is on the fence whether to take their relationship the proverbial step further or not. The reader will enjoy watching their relationship unfold and grow i the pages of this novel.
Juliet, the other possible Fenestra in trouble, is in an orphanage. She is ill-used and her safety is compromised in her current situation. She is caring and sweet, helping the younger kids and, like Meri, is very resilient. She recently lost Kieran, a boy she thought she had a crush on...until she learns that he is changed later in the novel. She desperately needs the help and guidance that Tens and Meri can possibly provide for her. The secret of her parentage is also discussed in the book...leading to a shocking ending.
The plot is the same as the first novel's, just as entertaining and unusual. The events are fairly fast-paced, some of the scenes are charged with emotion while some are more low-key. The characters are all fairly likable, the main characters will probably become almost like friends to the reader. This is a huge book, plenty of chapters to sift through, but the reader will finish quickly as it is not an easy book to put down. This book is recommended to young adults/teens who enjoy fantasy mixed with romance.
951651
Posted August 11, 2011
The numbers that merdian and ten say to each other is 143 , which the author tells us that it's secret code for i love you.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Meridian and Tens are back again in Wildcat Fireflies, on the road to Indiana looking for another Fenestra, and, of all things, a cat. While searching for this Fenestra (who is a sixteen year old girl named Juliet) they unexpectedly make some great friends and learn some shocking secrets. The reader also finds out a bit more about Tens's background. This book is written a bit differently than the first as the story is told from alternating perspectives of Meridian and Juliet.
I had such mixed feelings about this book. The first book in this series, Meridian, blew me away. It was simply amazing. So of course I expected to fall in love with the next one too. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. First off, for most of the book Juliet's story is so completely depressing, the kind of depressing that stays with you after you put the book down. I'd be eating dinner and all of a sudden I'd think of Juliet and say "God, her life really freaking sucks!" I sometimes dreaded reading her chapters because they were always almost guaranteed to be sad and depressing. But I have to say that Juliet was a great character. I felt bad for her but I also felt like she had an indomitable spirit. I rooted for her all the way throughout the book, just waiting for her to taste happiness, true unfettered happiness. Lord knows if anyone fictious deserves it, it's her.
Meridian and Tens did grow a bit. Tens opens up more and Meridian is more cautious and doesn't want to be the damsel in distress, but the damsel with the sword hacking at her enemies. Some of the scenes in this book deals with Meridian wanting to have sex with Tens, and there was one or two pretty graphic (for a YA novel, at least) scenes with them together. I don't really have an issue with that but this book might not be suitable for anyone under 15.
(On a side note, what's with the cover? It's almost identical to the one on Meridian. The green butterfly pattern is pretty but for some reason the girl on the cover looks kind of creepy to me.)
Okay, so wrapping it all up here, it was an okay book. At the end I had some questions like: what the HECK happened to Nicole and what was the number thing Tens and Meridian said to each other on the last page? The author didn't explain it at all, it was completely random. Did I miss something? Though Wildcat Fireflies had its faults it wasn't terrible. It was a page turner and worth the read. It didn't put me off from reading the next book in the series, but I hope the next one will be better.
In this second novel, readers first meet a young girl by the name of Juliet Ambrose, who resides at the Dunklebarger Rehab Center in the middle of nowhere. Dunklebarger is literally a prison. Half of this huge, creepy building serves as the "last chance" for old people who come to Dunklebarger to die; while the other half of the institution plays home to children six to sixteen years of age, where they are made to clean, cook, take care of the elderly, get yelled at constantly.basically, they're inmates. Juliet is frightened because she is about to turn sixteen and will be thrown out of the place, leaving her younger friends to fend for themselves against a woman who is determined to abuse them all. Feeling alone and unwanted all her life, the only thing Juliet is quite good at is helping the dying. When people are about to pass, she goes to their room and allows them to have a safe journey by leading them to their loved ones on the other side. Meridian and the love of her life, Tens, are working their way across the country trying to find this fenestra who is in danger. Meridian knows that she exists and that someone is hunting her - one of the evil Nocti. The Nocti are the nemeses of the fenestra's; their sole purpose on earth is to cause chaos and destruction - to stop the finestras and suck souls into the lightless place. When Meridian and Tens pull over on the highway to take a break from their journey, they walk into a shop where they drink tea and eat a little something before continuing on. But the ambiance of the place is strange. There are glass balls hanging from the ceiling that light up mysteriously when Meridian sits beneath them; there is an old rehab center that Meridian is drawn to for a reason she doesn't yet understand; and a town, itself, that seems to be teaming with energy. Meridian and Tens stay in a cottage behind the tea room exchanging work with the shop's owner, Joi. Things begin to go a little crazy when they meet up with Rumi, the glassblower in town, who speaks of with balls, spirit stones, and old Native American tales about fireflies that once gathered together to save a missing child. Meridian and Tens must find a way to help this unknown fenestra and discover what evil is going on within the walls of Dunklebarger, while Juliet Ambrose - a girl who is about to be taken over by a pretty evil plan - must find a way to believe in angels in order to be saved. As with the first Meridian novel, this is an excellent story that focuses on faith, friendship, thrills and chills, with a bit of romance thrown in for fun. Although the story goes on a little too long, the premise, characters, and intense quest that Meridian is on, will have readers riveted until the very last page. Quill Says: A good continuation to a strange, but entertaining story. It will be interesting to see where Meridian and Tens head next.
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Posted June 16, 2012
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Posted September 18, 2014
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Posted July 19, 2011
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Posted December 3, 2011
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Posted December 25, 2013
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Overview
Having recently lost her beloved Auntie—the woman who showed her what it meant to be a ...