The Rising (Department 19 book #2) by Will Hill

 Title: The Rising

                                                               Author: Will Hill

                                                               Published: 16th August 2012, by Razorbill

                                                               Series: Department 19 book #2

                                                               Genre: Supernatural, YA

                                                               Stars:4/5

James Bond meets Dracula in this epic saga of one boy and a ton of weapons versus the world's oldest evil--vampires as you've never seen them before!

Sixteen-year-old Jamie Carpenter's life was violently upended when he was brought into Department 19, a classified government agency of vampire hunters that was formed to deal with a little problem . . . known as Dracula.

But being the new recruit at the Department isn't all weapons training and covert missions. Jamie's own mother has been turned into a vampire--and now Jamie will stop at nothing to wreak revenge on her captors. Even if that means facing down Dracula himself.

***THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

Click here to read my review of Department 19 book one.

My opinion of the characters within this book is pretty much the same as the first book but it was the plot line that absolutely won me over.

Everything is darker and gorier and there is a real urgency within the department. Dracula has risen and whilst he may not be fully strong, he has brought fear amongst all the recruits.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Valeri and Valentin. I was so glad that they properly introduced the two other original brothers and they dynamic between the two are just brilliant. Valeri is the oldest and will always be Dracula’s most loyal servant. He is the one that is helping Dracula get back on his feet and is the one who is carrying out his attacks. Valentin surprised me in this book. We were briefly introduced to him in the first book and whilst we understood that he loved to throw lavish parties, I just regarded him as another blood sucking enemy of the department. However, his goals are very different from Valeri and that is why he switches sides-much to the outrage of Valeri and Dracula-and helps the department despite the fact that no one within the department fully trusts him.....yet. I may also have a very, teeny, tiny crush on him. He is just so charming, yet unbelievable strong. Even Valeri was surprised.

This book was better than the first one. Now I’m a girl who loves action and this book had tons of it and since Jamie is a lot more experienced at fighting and is more aware of supernatural things, he takes part in a lot more action packed scenes. There was also a lot more gore and horror. All I have to say to that is wow! The author really did go all in and describe with as much detail as possible the torture and killings. Yet that just helped enhance the book and make it that more exciting to read, giving the readers a clear visual to the intensity of the situation.

I honestly cannot wait to read the third book. I thought this whole series would not be my cup of tea but I was wrong!