Ethos (Equinox, #2) by Desiree Finkbeiner

Death separated them... but the will of the Universe gave them a second chance to be together. Brianna and Kalen embark on a difficult mission to save their civilizations from the evil designs of Ellette and her minions. The laws of Ethos that forbid their relationship are challenged by their undying devotion to one another. Can they change the law or will the fight destroy their love? 

Lives are lost as they're caught up in a conspiracy that goes deeper than they ever imagined. Untold secrets are exposed sending Kalen and Brianna down a path from which they discover a hidden past, and an unknown future. When prophecies fall short of predicting the outcome, where can they turn for answers? Book description.

I was given this copy as an ARC free to review, but as always on the basis that my opinion is honestly held, and whether paid for or free my views are not influenced by that. Integrity is important to me and gushing false reviews do neither author or reader any favours. As always my views are what I honestly feel about this book. Please note there may be some changes from the review copy I have to the final version.

This is book two in the Ethos series. Its young adult fantasy romance. I enjoyed part one though had some restrictions over the lack of emotion shown by the main characters when events conspired to keep them apart despite their love. This book has the same light flow in their romance with it being considered OK one moment then someone deciding their positions in society forbade it. Once again Kalen especially seemed to accept it without question but Brianna shows some backbone and decides that they will be together and those who say its forbidden must be wrong. There's more of the was with Ellette and her army, the heat is definitely stepped up and Brianna and Kalen return to earth with a small select group to see what can be done to prevent an uprising.

I was fine with the story and the first part of their return to earth – their romance was flourishing and they were forging ahead into some interesting situations.... then came the conspiracy theorists and every theory I’ve heard of seemed to work its way into the plot. It was just too much to take for me I'm afraid, I can deal with imaginary creatures and places, shape shifters, werewolves, witches etc. and accept them as “real” but the turn the story took in embracing the traditional conspiracies that flourish in the Net about space and other planets and people was just a step too far. They took up too much of the story – embracing a couple and incorporating them I could have dealt with but I just got lost in the maze of them somewhere about halfway through. It’s a shame because the premise and execution of the first book and the beginning of this one was very promising. 

Still – we all like different things and I'm sure for some people this will just make the book that much more exciting. It ended well, some great drama and adventures wrapped up in the sweet love story that they have. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and no horrible cliffhangers. I hate wondering what’s going to happen to characters next and this book wraps it up nicely.

I haven't any info on actual length or price yet but going by the kindle download of 6429 locations I’d guess at around 250 pages – certainly its a decent length as was the first one.
Stars: - sadly only 3 – the conspiracy section just detracted too much from the story for me.

                                                        

                                                              Reviewed by Midnight Ruby

 You may purchase Ethos ( Equinox #2)  here : DarkissReads Bookstore