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Review

Book 5 in the Experiment in Terror series picks up six weeks after the events that finished off the last book, and we find Perry trying to pick up the pieces of her life after everything fell apart. She still so angry, and so full of hate, but mostly she’s just broken, and it’s devastating to watch.

“All I had to do was think about how scared I was and how alone I felt. All I had to do was wish I had someone at my side who would know what was wrong with me and do whatever they could to fix me. I had that once, and I didn’t have it anymore.”

The things she goes through in this book just floored me. One scene in particular had me full on, flat out sobbing. It took me ages to compose myself, it was so absolutely heartwrenching! There is still creepiness that goes on, but most of Perry’s battle is emotional and psychological (and because of that, is probably more terrifying than zombie lepers and ghosty fishermen). Her freaky-ass dreams continue, and she endures intense mindfuckery that builds and builds until she finds her very sanity challenged.

Because the book is so focussed on Perry’s journey, there is not a lot of Dex, and I so missed him! But he does show up (accompanied by much squeeing from this very excited little reader) and every little moment with him is absolute gold! He was also destroyed after the events of the last book, but he is now full of remorse and changed from the Dex he used to be…

Spoiler

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you how sorry I am. It doesn’t mean I won’t try, because you, Perry, you deserve a lifetime of servitude. Eons of grovelling. Even then, I don’t think I can show enough, do enough to let you see. And that’s OK. You have every right to hate me for this lifetime and many others. You have every right to never see me again. To spit on my grave. But tonight, now, I’m not going to give up on you. I’m going to fix you … or die trying.”

Epic, epic grovel Dex! I’m very impressed!

And, as every hero should be, he is there when Perry needs him the most, and as soon as I saw this – “Hey, kiddo … It’s just me.” – I promptly burst into tears (again). He even got a bit swoony!

Spoiler

“Perry,” he said quietly, his fingers trailing down the side of my face, “you’ll never have to save my life. You gave me life. I never lived a single day until the day I first met you.”

FINALLY!!!!

But there are still some major obstacles standing in the way for Dex and Perry, so it’s not all happy endings just yet.

Thank God for Ada, she really shone in this book! The relationship between the two sisters is developing beautifully and, despite only being 15, I loved how protective she was over Perry, being a support for her, and constantly standing strong by her side – she certainly needs somebody to stand up for her, because her parents are total douchecanoes! And her sass brought some much needed lightness.

“You still with your floozy girlfriend?” Ah, there is was. The elephant in the car…
He gave her an incredulous look. “Obviously not.”
She smacked him on his arm. “Don’t look at me like I asked a stupid question. Because it not a stupid question at all, and you damn well know it.”
“Fine.”
“So you broke up with her?”
“Yes,” he said sharply.
“Way to find your balls, man,” Ada congratulated him and sat back in her seat.

There are also some notable cameos from characters that have appeared in earlier books. Good and bad, I was (mostly) happy to see them again, and love how they have been carried through.

This is an intensely dark, and gut wrenching read, but OMG, it’s written brilliantly! I could feel Perry’s pain and hopelessness as she fought so hard to deal with everything that was being thrown at her. She’s an amazing character, and even though it was brutal at times, I really loved this book! And holy cliffhanger endings – this one is brutal. As always, I’ll be carrying straight on!