Book Review – Come Alive by Karina Halle

Come Alive (Experiment in Terror #7)<– BOOK #7 so those unfamiliar with the series, I recommend you check out these posts, instead: Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order & EIT Intrigued Readers Want to Know…

I have spent my wonderful Sunday cozied up with Dex on the couch and I couldn’t have chosen a better man to spend it with. Er… I mean “fictional” man, that is. *glances at husband*

Been dying to get to this book, but being that it came out just a few days before Book Bash, it just wasn’t in the cards for me. I was green with envy as my fellow Dex-lovers were swooning and declaring their devotion all over again, reading him together and I couldn’t. But I knew I’d have the last laugh. I’d get to be the girl in our group that gets to experience it for the first time (after everyone else has). I’m always a bit jealous of that girl, but this time it was me! 

Yep. Precious time spent with Dex shouldn’t be dispersed in chapter by chapter increments scattered amidst book-party-mind-chaos. I could have tried to keep up and read it with you guys, but Dex doesn’t warrant my severely side-tracked mind. He deserved my undivided attention. I prefer devouring him whole and in one sitting for full effect and my day has come! And what a glorious day it was.

“Was I being an a$$hole just then?” I whispered to Perry.

She patted my knee. “I don’t think so, but then again, I’m used to it.”

Tee heeeeeee!!!

So what’d I think? It was great! While it wasn’t my absolute favorite in the series (I suppose I prefer being “Perry” and wondering what Dex is thinking while experiencing his cocky aires – I wanna be on the receiving end of “Dex”  ), I still loved being that close to Dex’s heart. And boy was it on display in this installment. Dex is in love. HARD! As Elf would say (I love Elf!!):

“I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it!

Ahhhhhh soooooo sweet. Yet, I’ll admit, I wasn’t used to that coming from Dex. At first I was slightly surprised at how… cuddly and affectionate (inside his mind, and directly to Perry) he was being. Dex is usually a bit of a game player, and I’ll admit, I kind of love that constant wonder and “chase” (in books).

However, at this point in the Dex & Perry love saga, if it were real life, THIS is the Dex I would have hoped to finally have. His continued non-chalance and cockiness would have driven me mad (and made me all crazy and insecure and stuff – nobody likes a needy Maryse ). THIS is the stuff loving relationships are made of and since I *heart* him so much, I’d be crazy not to take advantage of basking in his amorous glow while it was shining so brightly.

She knew how I felt. I couldn’t have been more honest, more clear out there in the forest with her, essentially handing over my heart. She had it and it just seemed like she didn’t want it. I couldn’t blame her but I also couldn’t give up; I’d given up on so much before. I was afraid I’d drive her away if I didn’t give her space, if I didn’t let things be. She’d told me that maybe we were only meant to be friends and though I couldn’t have disagreed more, if it mean having her as a friend or having nothing at all, I’d have her I’d always have her, in any form I could get.

Perry on the other hand was leaving me somewhat cold. His love was there in spades, but I didn’t get to be Perry and absorb it with her. In fact, I found that she was deflecting him and making him a bit too… love-antsy. He was finally (and still – considering the last book) putting himself out there and yet… *sigh*. Yep. Making me nervous in the process. Uncomfortable for him and a bit mad at her.

Screw the formalities, screw whatever had happened between us – I needed her like I’d never needed anything and I could swear that she needed me too.

But she told me to sleep well and retreated to her room the one next door, closing it between us. I felt like she shut the door on everything that was and could ever be. It was like a guillotine blade on my future, our future.

Maybe had this been from her POV, my feelings towards that very important step in the series would have had me melting, instead of nervous.

But no worries, Karina pulled a fast one on me.  And I’m not going to say anything more about that. *zips lips*

Maryse’s Book Blog: Grrrrr Dex! You’re making me mad again….

Nancy: Loved it. Can’t wait to be back in Perry’s head again though! I miss her.

Kirsten: LOL. I know what part you’re up to.

Yep. That part. Actually there were like 4 times that had me growling but at one point I was all… OH NO HE DIDN’T!!!!!! Oh wait, I said I’d zip it, didn’t I? *whoops*

So what’s it about?

While Dex and Perry are feeling out their “new” situation there are a slew of “zombie-like” attacks in New Orleans (you know, kind of like the ones we’ve been hearing about here in Florida). Not your typical “zombies” but… you’ll see. The perfect opportunity for an investigation (along with the haunted houses and all of the Louisiana voodoo to investigate). Maximus (yes… the “ginger” that sets Dex’s teeth on edge and… well, let’s not even go where Perry and he have went ) is now an official part of the Experiment in Terror team. But that’s a good thing, as Max has connections in Louisiana that will help them uncover the zombie/voodoo priestess mysteries.

Elissa: I finished it on the car ride home yesterday! I have to say I wasn’t liking ginger n@ts at all but maybe I like him just a little now lol

Maryse’s Book Blog: Yep I knew all about Ginger n@ts because of her book “The Devil’s Metal” – nice crossover on that story…

And as in all of Karina’s “horror-ific” mysteries, the supernatural scenes in these will give you that adrenaline rush you’ve been jonesing for. And if you’re really only looking to read about more Dex and Perry (and you suffer through the scary scenes), there’s plenty of “them” in here too. Just don’t think it’s going to be an easy ride. They may call it “The Big Easy”, but there’s nothing easy about this.

Dex uncovers a lot more than who’s behind the evil lurking in New Orleans.

“You,” she seethed, her finger pointing at me again. I cringed a bit, feeling like she was poking at my soul. “You. I know you, I know about you! You’re the exception.”

Some things just aren’t mean to be, and “my” Dex was in full Dex mode by the end.

“What a bunch of f@%ked up, lovelorn, ghost-seeing sh!tburgers we are,” I said.

“Don’t forget crazy,” she added.

Did I scare you? Good! Go read it.

4 stars for some parts, 4.5 stars for all of the other parts!

For more about what I’ve written on the Experiment in Terror series, see below (lots, right? haha. I LOVE this series soooo much):

• Karina Halle – Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order
• The Experiment in Terror Series – Intrigued Readers Want to Know…
• Behind The Books – Interview With Karina Halle
• Book Review – Darkhouse by Karina Halle
• Book Review – Red Fox by Karina Halle
• Book Review – Dead Sky Morning by Karina Halle
• Just Finished Reading Lying Season by Karina Halle & I’m Freaking Out!! The Torture Is Just So Gooood!!
• Book Review – Lying Season by Karina Halle
• Book Review – On Demon Wings by Karina Halle
• Book Review – Old Blood by Karina Halle
• Book Review – The Dex-Files by Karina Halle
• Book Review – Into the Hollow by Karina Halle
• Book Review – And With Madness Comes the Light by Karina Halle
• Karina Halle’s “Come Alive” (Experiment in Terror book #7) is LIVE right now!! (My latest ODE to The Experiment in Terror Series —> I really dig deep!)

Tagged as: 4 stars, Experiment in Terror, Karina Halle, paranormal