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Nikki #2
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble
In the strange and unpredictable sequel to "Streaks of Blue," intern newspaper reporter Nikki Janicek is wooed by a cult of criminal ex-Scientologists obsessed with the looming effects of global warming, population control and the race to colonize Mars. By the time Nikki finds out the truth about the secretive organization, her loved ones, friends and even a former assailant are entangled in a web that stretches from New England to South Africa.
- GenresContemporaryYoung Adult
380 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2015
394 people want to read
About the author
Jack Chaucer
10books167followersJack penned the four-book Nikki Janicek novel series, a genre-bending, unpredictable ride from Lakes of the Clouds Hut in the White Mountains of New Hampshire ("Streaks of Blue," 2013) all the way to deep space ("Mars Colony Agatha: Nikki Red," 2019), with many interesting stops along the way ("Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble," 2015, and "Nikki White: Polar Extremes," 2017). Chaucer also has written the mythological tale "Revenge to the Tennth Power" (2018), the children's book "The Password Is Wishpers" (2017), the political sci-fi thriller "Queens are Wild" (2012) and the rock 'n roll novella "Freeway and the Vin Numbers" (2010), as well as the short stories "Afterlife University" (2023) and "heroinE" (2016). He lives in Litchfield, Connecticut, USA, with his wife and twin 13-year-olds.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 30, 2017
Engilsh review at bottom!!!
***
.2.75
"Wish I knew what you wew looking for
Might have known what you would find"
Lo que esperaba era raro, y lo que obtuve fue aún más raro.
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble, para ser súper honesta, llenó mis expectativas hasta cierto punto.
Me deja un sentimiento raro porqué la verdad, que la verdad, no sé qué estaba esperando de esto. Jack fue muy amable en enviarme su trilogía completa y ahora vengo yo a darle una calificación de dos estrellas después de que el primer libro fue muy bueno.
Haré dos listas en esta reseña para aclarar algunas cosas (y para tratar de justificar a Jack las dos estrellas porque debe estar odiándome en este momento): la lista de cosas que me gustaron y la de cosas que NO me gustaron:
COSAS QUE NO ME GUSTARON:
- NIKKI: Honestamente, la amo. Ella en el primer libro de la serie me encantó. Me parecía muy simpática y buena gente y me gustó mucho su desenlace con los otro personajes: su relación con Dereck, su amistad con Adam después de todo lo que pasó, cómo enfrentó sus miedos y luchó contra Lee, su super friendship goals con Candace y su relación madre-hija. Todo me parecía hermoso. Hasta que leí SOT. De verdad que está nueva Nikki no me parece la misma Nikki que conocí en mayo. No se me parecía mucho. Yo sé que la vida da muchas vueltas y las personas cambian pero, por ese pequeño detalle (y algunos otros) no me pareció estar leyendo la secuela de Streaks of Blue. Todo este embrollo con The Bridge Group, su repentina mala relación con su novio de cuatro años, su mal trato a Adam (que me encanta, por cierto), su altanería hacia su madre, su desenfrenado deseo por casi todos los personajes masculinos nombrados en SOT, todas esas cosas y más, me hacían pensar que quería golpearla en la cara. No sé. La extraño. hubo una parte en la que ella misma decía que quería tener 17 otra vez, y yo: SI POR FAVOR LLEVENSELA NO LA QUIERO AQUI, porque de verdad que fue super shocking todo eso. No sé. La extraño.
- EL PLOT: Esta novela está situada cuatro años después de la anterior y debo decir que si no me dicen que es la secuela no me lo creo. Parece otra cosa. Es buena, tiene sus cosas buenas, pero no me pareció estar leyendo la segunda parte de la historia de la chica del cabello azul que recibía inspiración divina para ayudar a los demás. Si no es porque, en efecto, es el mismo personaje todos los demás también, no pensaría que es la secuela, y eso me pone muy triste.
Debo admitir que el plot no me gustó. No sé mucho sobre la cienciología (de hecho, soy miembro de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días y bla bla bla) pero ahora no sé qué pensar sobre ellos (le tengo mucha estima a Tom Cruise, rlly) y no sé si son unos estúpidos mentirosos y obstructores de verdad como los pinta Chaucer. Espero que no. Me gusta querer a todo el mundo no importa sus creencias por muy locas que sean.
Me pareció que la cantidad de personajes narrando y lo corto de los capítulos se me hizo fastidioso e algún momento. No sé. Todos hablaban al mismo tiempo y a la media página ya estaba hablando otro y aaaa, eso me aburrió un poco. Se me hizo pesado.
- EL NUMERO DE PÁGINAS: Algo que sí me fastidió mucho fue LO LARGO QUE ESTE LIBRO! O por lo menos a mí se me hizo largo. Hubieron como 150 páginas en las que me aburría porque (sí estaban pasando cosas) pero no eran las cosas que yo esperaba. Todo esos embrollos románticos de Nikki con absolutamente todos los personajes masculinos se me hizo tan innecesario. Yo entiendo que ella está probando a los hombres porque su padre engañó a su mamá cuando era pequeña y todo eso, pero es como le dice Obi-wan a Anakin en La Venganza del Sith: TE CONVERTISTE EN LO QUE JURASTE DESTRUIR!. Tal cual. Entonces, eso se me hizo muy laaaargo. Las ultimas 100 páginas se me hicieron eternas.
- NO HAY CASI ADAM (ni Dereck): Yo amo a Adam y él casi no sale aquí y eso me duele en el corazón. Ah, y cuando por fin salía estaba en prisión, jugando GTA o secuestrado. Honestamente no sé cuál es peor.
- VIRGIL: LO ODIO
- PETER: LO ODIO
El título honesto de Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble es:
No sé por qué me siento así.
Peeero, ahora puedo hablar de las cosas que SÍ ME GUSTAROOON (qué lástima que son tan pocas)
- ADAM: LO AMO
- ADAM JUGANDO GTA: LO AMO MÁS
- ADAM ESCRIBIENDO MENSAJES DE TEXTO CON ERRORES ORTOGRÁFICOS: LO AMO DEMASIADO
- LO SUPER BADASS QUE ES ROY EN ESTA ESCENA:
We kissed and Roy allowed himself a chuckle. "Don't start that shit agan. Get a room... get an ocean... it's over there and rising fast"
Amé eso.
- LA NOCHE DE NAVIDAD CON DERECK, NIKKI, CANDACE Y ADAM EN LA MISMA TABERNA: DIOOOOOS, ESO SI FUE INTENSIDAD!
- EL HECHO DE QUE CADA VEZ QUE NOMBRABAN ALGUNA REFERENCIA A STAR TREK RECORDABA A MI CRUSH DE LA INFANCIA WESLEY CRUSHER DE STAR TREK: THE NEW GENERATION (AKA: CRUSHer lol)
- EL PRÓLOGO: Eso es lo que más me gustó. Las primeras 30 páginas de SOT fueron mARAVILLOSAS! Me encantó ese prólogo. Lo amé.
Debo decir que aunque algunas cosas de este libro no me gustaron, me pareció una lectura entretenida y porque me hizo sentir. Odié personajes y amé situaciones. Eso me parece que es el verdadero efecto de leer.
Una vez más, gracias a Jack Chaucer por enseñarme que la fina linea entre la locura y la cordura es difícil de distinguir. Quiero disculparme por no haberlo leído cuando me lo pediste la primera vez y por tal vez no apreciarlo tanto como debería.
Gracias, por los e-book y gracias por todo, "mira a las estrellas, que brillan para tí"
.2.75
"Wish I knew what you wew looking for
Might have known what you would find"
What I was looking for was weird, and what I faound was even weirder.
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble, to be super honest, has filled my expectations in some aspects.
It leaves me with a weird feeling because the truth, the truth, I donot know what Iwas expecting. Jack was very kind in sending me his full trilogy and now here I am giving it a two-star rating after the first book was very good.
I will make two lists in this review to clarify some things (and to try to justify Jack the two stars because he must be hating me at the moment): the list of things I liked and the things I did not like:
The things I DIDN'T liked:
-NIKKI: Honestly, I love her. I loved her in the first book in the series. She was very nice and I really liked her with the other characters: her relationship with Dereck, her friendship with Adam after everything that happened, how she faced her fears and fought against Lee, her super friendship goals with Candace and her mother-daughter relationship. Everything seemed beautiful to me. Until I read SOT. Nikki really doesn't look like the same Nikki I met in May. I didn't recognize her. I know that life takes many turns and people change but for that small detail (and some others) I didn't seem to be reading the sequel to Streaks of Blue. All this mess with The Bridge Group, her sudden bad relationship with her boyfriend of fou-years, her bad treatment towards Adam (I love him, by the way), her roughness towards her mother, her unbridled desire for almost all male characters named in SOT, all those things and more, made me think I wanted to hit her in the face. I don't know. I miss her. There was a part where she said that she wanted to be 17 again, and I was like: YES ME OO YOU PLEASE TAKE HER I DON'T WANT HER HERE, because I really was super shocking all that. I dont know. I miss her.
- THE PLOT: This novel is setted four years after the previous one and I must say that if you don't tell me that it's the sequel I don't believe it. It seems something else. It's good, it has its good things, but I didn't seem to be reading the second part of the story of the blue-haired girl who received divine inspiration to help others. If it's not because, in fact, it's the same character all the others too, I wouldn't think it's the sequel, and that makes me very sad.
I must admit that I didn't like the plot. I don't know much about Scientology (in fact, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and blah blah blah) but now I donot know what to think about them (I really appreciate Tom Cruise, rlly) I know if they are the stupid liars and real obstructors of justice as Chaucer paints them. I hope not. I like to love everyone, no matter how crazy their beliefs are.
It seemed to me that the amount of characters narrating and short of the chapters seemed to me annoying and some time. I don't know. Everyone was talking at the same time and the half page next was someone else's pov and aaaaa, that made me a little bored. It was heavy to read.
- THE NUMBER OF PAGES: Something that really annoyed me was THIS BOOK'S LENGHT! Or at least it was long to me. There were about 150 pages in which I was bored because (things were happening) but they were not the things I expected. All of Nikki's romantic affairs with absolutely all the male characters became so unnecessary. I understand that she's testing men because her father cheated on her mother when she was a little gir and all that, but it's like Obi-wan tells Anakin in The Revenge of the Sith: YOU BECAME WHAT YOU SWORE TO DESTROY!. Just like that. So, that seemed to me pretty loooong. The last 100 pages felt like forever.
- THERE'S ALMOST NO ADAM (or Dereck): I love Adam and he almost doesn't make appearance here and that hurts my heart. Oh, and when he finally left he was in prison, playing GTA or kidnapped. I honestly don't know which is worse.
- VIRGIL: I HATE HIM
- PETER: I HATE HIM
The honest title of Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble is:
I donot know why I feel this way.
BUUUT, now I can talk about the things that I DID ACTUALLY LIKED (what a shame they are so few)
- ADAM: I LOVE HIM
- ADAM PLAYING GTA: I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE
- ADAM WRITING TEXT MESSAGES WITH ORTOGRAPHIC ERRORS: I LOVE HIM SO DAMN MUCH
- THE SUPER BADASS THAT ROY TURNS OUT TO BE IN THIS SCENE:
We kissed and Roy allowed himself a chuckle. "Don't start that shit agan. Get a room... get an ocean... it's over there and rising fast"
I loved that.
- THE CHRISTMAS' EVE WITH DERECK, NIKKI, CANDACE AND ADAM IN THE SAME PUB: GOOOOOOOOD, THAT WAS INTENSITY! It was the best part in the whle book really.
- THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME THAT THEY APPOINTED ANY STAR TREK REFERENCE I REMEMBERED MY CRUSH FROM THE CHILDHOOD WESLEY CRUSHER FROM STAR TREK: THE NEW GENERATION (AKA: CRUSHer lol)
- THE PROLOGUE: That's what I liked the most. The first 30 pages of SOT were WONDERFUL! I loved that prologue. I loved it.
I must say that although I didn't like some things in this book, I found an entertaining reading and because it made me feel. I hated characters and I loved situations. That seems to me to be the true effect of reading.
Once again, thanks to Jack Chaucer for teaching me that the fine line between madness and serenity is hard to fathom sometimes. I want to apologize for not reading this when you asked for it the first time and for perhaps not appreciating it as much as I should. So so sorry *tears*
Thanks for the e-book and thanks for everything, "look at the stars, look how they shine for you"
***
.2.75
"Wish I knew what you wew looking for
Might have known what you would find"
Lo que esperaba era raro, y lo que obtuve fue aún más raro.
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble, para ser súper honesta, llenó mis expectativas hasta cierto punto.
Me deja un sentimiento raro porqué la verdad, que la verdad, no sé qué estaba esperando de esto. Jack fue muy amable en enviarme su trilogía completa y ahora vengo yo a darle una calificación de dos estrellas después de que el primer libro fue muy bueno.
Haré dos listas en esta reseña para aclarar algunas cosas (y para tratar de justificar a Jack las dos estrellas porque debe estar odiándome en este momento): la lista de cosas que me gustaron y la de cosas que NO me gustaron:
COSAS QUE NO ME GUSTARON:
- NIKKI: Honestamente, la amo. Ella en el primer libro de la serie me encantó. Me parecía muy simpática y buena gente y me gustó mucho su desenlace con los otro personajes: su relación con Dereck, su amistad con Adam después de todo lo que pasó, cómo enfrentó sus miedos y luchó contra Lee, su super friendship goals con Candace y su relación madre-hija. Todo me parecía hermoso. Hasta que leí SOT. De verdad que está nueva Nikki no me parece la misma Nikki que conocí en mayo. No se me parecía mucho. Yo sé que la vida da muchas vueltas y las personas cambian pero, por ese pequeño detalle (y algunos otros) no me pareció estar leyendo la secuela de Streaks of Blue. Todo este embrollo con The Bridge Group, su repentina mala relación con su novio de cuatro años, su mal trato a Adam (que me encanta, por cierto), su altanería hacia su madre, su desenfrenado deseo por casi todos los personajes masculinos nombrados en SOT, todas esas cosas y más, me hacían pensar que quería golpearla en la cara. No sé. La extraño. hubo una parte en la que ella misma decía que quería tener 17 otra vez, y yo: SI POR FAVOR LLEVENSELA NO LA QUIERO AQUI, porque de verdad que fue super shocking todo eso. No sé. La extraño.
- EL PLOT: Esta novela está situada cuatro años después de la anterior y debo decir que si no me dicen que es la secuela no me lo creo. Parece otra cosa. Es buena, tiene sus cosas buenas, pero no me pareció estar leyendo la segunda parte de la historia de la chica del cabello azul que recibía inspiración divina para ayudar a los demás. Si no es porque, en efecto, es el mismo personaje todos los demás también, no pensaría que es la secuela, y eso me pone muy triste.
Debo admitir que el plot no me gustó. No sé mucho sobre la cienciología (de hecho, soy miembro de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días y bla bla bla) pero ahora no sé qué pensar sobre ellos (le tengo mucha estima a Tom Cruise, rlly) y no sé si son unos estúpidos mentirosos y obstructores de verdad como los pinta Chaucer. Espero que no. Me gusta querer a todo el mundo no importa sus creencias por muy locas que sean.
Me pareció que la cantidad de personajes narrando y lo corto de los capítulos se me hizo fastidioso e algún momento. No sé. Todos hablaban al mismo tiempo y a la media página ya estaba hablando otro y aaaa, eso me aburrió un poco. Se me hizo pesado.
- EL NUMERO DE PÁGINAS: Algo que sí me fastidió mucho fue LO LARGO QUE ESTE LIBRO! O por lo menos a mí se me hizo largo. Hubieron como 150 páginas en las que me aburría porque (sí estaban pasando cosas) pero no eran las cosas que yo esperaba. Todo esos embrollos románticos de Nikki con absolutamente todos los personajes masculinos se me hizo tan innecesario. Yo entiendo que ella está probando a los hombres porque su padre engañó a su mamá cuando era pequeña y todo eso, pero es como le dice Obi-wan a Anakin en La Venganza del Sith: TE CONVERTISTE EN LO QUE JURASTE DESTRUIR!. Tal cual. Entonces, eso se me hizo muy laaaargo. Las ultimas 100 páginas se me hicieron eternas.
- NO HAY CASI ADAM (
- VIRGIL: LO ODIO
- PETER: LO ODIO
El título honesto de Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble es:
Lolita likes Star Trek
No sé por qué me siento así.
Peeero, ahora puedo hablar de las cosas que SÍ ME GUSTAROOON (qué lástima que son tan pocas)
- ADAM: LO AMO
- ADAM JUGANDO GTA: LO AMO MÁS
- ADAM ESCRIBIENDO MENSAJES DE TEXTO CON ERRORES ORTOGRÁFICOS: LO AMO DEMASIADO
- LO SUPER BADASS QUE ES ROY EN ESTA ESCENA:
We kissed and Roy allowed himself a chuckle. "Don't start that shit agan. Get a room... get an ocean... it's over there and rising fast"
Amé eso.
- LA NOCHE DE NAVIDAD CON DERECK, NIKKI, CANDACE Y ADAM EN LA MISMA TABERNA: DIOOOOOS, ESO SI FUE INTENSIDAD!
- EL HECHO DE QUE CADA VEZ QUE NOMBRABAN ALGUNA REFERENCIA A STAR TREK RECORDABA A MI CRUSH DE LA INFANCIA WESLEY CRUSHER DE STAR TREK: THE NEW GENERATION (AKA: CRUSHer lol)
- EL PRÓLOGO: Eso es lo que más me gustó. Las primeras 30 páginas de SOT fueron mARAVILLOSAS! Me encantó ese prólogo. Lo amé.
Debo decir que aunque algunas cosas de este libro no me gustaron, me pareció una lectura entretenida y porque me hizo sentir. Odié personajes y amé situaciones. Eso me parece que es el verdadero efecto de leer.
Una vez más, gracias a Jack Chaucer por enseñarme que la fina linea entre la locura y la cordura es difícil de distinguir. Quiero disculparme por no haberlo leído cuando me lo pediste la primera vez y por tal vez no apreciarlo tanto como debería.
Gracias, por los e-book y gracias por todo, "mira a las estrellas, que brillan para tí"
.2.75
"Wish I knew what you wew looking for
Might have known what you would find"
What I was looking for was weird, and what I faound was even weirder.
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble, to be super honest, has filled my expectations in some aspects.
It leaves me with a weird feeling because the truth, the truth, I donot know what Iwas expecting. Jack was very kind in sending me his full trilogy and now here I am giving it a two-star rating after the first book was very good.
I will make two lists in this review to clarify some things (and to try to justify Jack the two stars because he must be hating me at the moment): the list of things I liked and the things I did not like:
The things I DIDN'T liked:
-NIKKI: Honestly, I love her. I loved her in the first book in the series. She was very nice and I really liked her with the other characters: her relationship with Dereck, her friendship with Adam after everything that happened, how she faced her fears and fought against Lee, her super friendship goals with Candace and her mother-daughter relationship. Everything seemed beautiful to me. Until I read SOT. Nikki really doesn't look like the same Nikki I met in May. I didn't recognize her. I know that life takes many turns and people change but for that small detail (and some others) I didn't seem to be reading the sequel to Streaks of Blue. All this mess with The Bridge Group, her sudden bad relationship with her boyfriend of fou-years, her bad treatment towards Adam (I love him, by the way), her roughness towards her mother, her unbridled desire for almost all male characters named in SOT, all those things and more, made me think I wanted to hit her in the face. I don't know. I miss her. There was a part where she said that she wanted to be 17 again, and I was like: YES ME OO YOU PLEASE TAKE HER I DON'T WANT HER HERE, because I really was super shocking all that. I dont know. I miss her.
- THE PLOT: This novel is setted four years after the previous one and I must say that if you don't tell me that it's the sequel I don't believe it. It seems something else. It's good, it has its good things, but I didn't seem to be reading the second part of the story of the blue-haired girl who received divine inspiration to help others. If it's not because, in fact, it's the same character all the others too, I wouldn't think it's the sequel, and that makes me very sad.
I must admit that I didn't like the plot. I don't know much about Scientology (in fact, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and blah blah blah) but now I donot know what to think about them (I really appreciate Tom Cruise, rlly) I know if they are the stupid liars and real obstructors of justice as Chaucer paints them. I hope not. I like to love everyone, no matter how crazy their beliefs are.
It seemed to me that the amount of characters narrating and short of the chapters seemed to me annoying and some time. I don't know. Everyone was talking at the same time and the half page next was someone else's pov and aaaaa, that made me a little bored. It was heavy to read.
- THE NUMBER OF PAGES: Something that really annoyed me was THIS BOOK'S LENGHT! Or at least it was long to me. There were about 150 pages in which I was bored because (things were happening) but they were not the things I expected. All of Nikki's romantic affairs with absolutely all the male characters became so unnecessary. I understand that she's testing men because her father cheated on her mother when she was a little gir and all that, but it's like Obi-wan tells Anakin in The Revenge of the Sith: YOU BECAME WHAT YOU SWORE TO DESTROY!. Just like that. So, that seemed to me pretty loooong. The last 100 pages felt like forever.
- THERE'S ALMOST NO ADAM (
- VIRGIL: I HATE HIM
- PETER: I HATE HIM
The honest title of Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble is:
Lolita likes Star Trek
I donot know why I feel this way.
BUUUT, now I can talk about the things that I DID ACTUALLY LIKED (what a shame they are so few)
- ADAM: I LOVE HIM
- ADAM PLAYING GTA: I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE
- ADAM WRITING TEXT MESSAGES WITH ORTOGRAPHIC ERRORS: I LOVE HIM SO DAMN MUCH
- THE SUPER BADASS THAT ROY TURNS OUT TO BE IN THIS SCENE:
We kissed and Roy allowed himself a chuckle. "Don't start that shit agan. Get a room... get an ocean... it's over there and rising fast"
I loved that.
- THE CHRISTMAS' EVE WITH DERECK, NIKKI, CANDACE AND ADAM IN THE SAME PUB: GOOOOOOOOD, THAT WAS INTENSITY! It was the best part in the whle book really.
- THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME THAT THEY APPOINTED ANY STAR TREK REFERENCE I REMEMBERED MY CRUSH FROM THE CHILDHOOD WESLEY CRUSHER FROM STAR TREK: THE NEW GENERATION (AKA: CRUSHer lol)
- THE PROLOGUE: That's what I liked the most. The first 30 pages of SOT were WONDERFUL! I loved that prologue. I loved it.
I must say that although I didn't like some things in this book, I found an entertaining reading and because it made me feel. I hated characters and I loved situations. That seems to me to be the true effect of reading.
Once again, thanks to Jack Chaucer for teaching me that the fine line between madness and serenity is hard to fathom sometimes. I want to apologize for not reading this when you asked for it the first time and for perhaps not appreciating it as much as I should. So so sorry *tears*
Thanks for the e-book and thanks for everything, "look at the stars, look how they shine for you"
November 23, 2017
Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble Review
Book Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Story Line: 4 stars out of 5. It's been four years since Nikki graduated from high school. She started as an intern for a newspaper. She goes to a groundbreaking for The Bridge. A company that is trying to launch people into Mars. They would like to colonize Mars by the year 2029. The Bridge offers Nikki a PR job. They force her to confront her biggest fear. Talking to Thomas "Lee" Harvey. She had nightmares about him. Once she confronts him it makes her feel better. After that she breaks up with her boyfriend of four years. She ends up meeting her favorite author Bill Oz at a gala in Waterbury, Massachusetts. This book was weird in a good way. Nikki had to go through a lot in this book. The ending of this book makes me want to read on. It had a surprising and shocking conclusion. Although I didn't know how to feel through a lot of this book either.
Characters: 4 stars out 5. Nikki was still a great character. Since she's now 21 she has made a lot of changes in her life. She's grown up, but she's not the same person she was in the first book. She didn't make a lot of smart decisions. Like joining the Group the Bridge. She should have thought it through before she joined such a big operation. Also her relationship with her father is growing. Her relationship with her mother is deteriorating. I really didn't like that. She already came from a broken family.
Adam also started to turn his life around. He became a mall security cop. He had a lot on his plate as well. He knew his father murdered somebody that was bullying him. He ended up joining the Bridge as well. He was stabbed in the back for this company. I was so worried about this poor kid. By the end of the book I am more worried about him.
Bill's character was entertaining in the beginning. He really started to worry me at the end as well. I loved the fact that he was an author. I also like that he was the love interest for Nikki. Yes, he's 39, but I liked him all the same. I also loved his son! He was really cute!
The Bridge Group people...hated most of them. I found them to be creepy the whole time. They really freaked me out. I thought there plans were completely insane, but that is completely and totally understandable.
Writing Style: 4 stars out of 5. I did love the intense scenes that Jack wrote in this novel. The ending makes me want to read the third one. I can't wait for it to be released! 2017 can't come fast enough.
Book Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Story Line: 4 stars out of 5. It's been four years since Nikki graduated from high school. She started as an intern for a newspaper. She goes to a groundbreaking for The Bridge. A company that is trying to launch people into Mars. They would like to colonize Mars by the year 2029. The Bridge offers Nikki a PR job. They force her to confront her biggest fear. Talking to Thomas "Lee" Harvey. She had nightmares about him. Once she confronts him it makes her feel better. After that she breaks up with her boyfriend of four years. She ends up meeting her favorite author Bill Oz at a gala in Waterbury, Massachusetts. This book was weird in a good way. Nikki had to go through a lot in this book. The ending of this book makes me want to read on. It had a surprising and shocking conclusion. Although I didn't know how to feel through a lot of this book either.
Characters: 4 stars out 5. Nikki was still a great character. Since she's now 21 she has made a lot of changes in her life. She's grown up, but she's not the same person she was in the first book. She didn't make a lot of smart decisions. Like joining the Group the Bridge. She should have thought it through before she joined such a big operation. Also her relationship with her father is growing. Her relationship with her mother is deteriorating. I really didn't like that. She already came from a broken family.
Adam also started to turn his life around. He became a mall security cop. He had a lot on his plate as well. He knew his father murdered somebody that was bullying him. He ended up joining the Bridge as well. He was stabbed in the back for this company. I was so worried about this poor kid. By the end of the book I am more worried about him.
Bill's character was entertaining in the beginning. He really started to worry me at the end as well. I loved the fact that he was an author. I also like that he was the love interest for Nikki. Yes, he's 39, but I liked him all the same. I also loved his son! He was really cute!
The Bridge Group people...hated most of them. I found them to be creepy the whole time. They really freaked me out. I thought there plans were completely insane, but that is completely and totally understandable.
Writing Style: 4 stars out of 5. I did love the intense scenes that Jack wrote in this novel. The ending makes me want to read the third one. I can't wait for it to be released! 2017 can't come fast enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2017
In this second installment in Jack Chaucer's Nikki series, our titular protagonist is in her senior year of college, where she is pursuing a degree in journalism. She intends on spending the summer as an intern at a mid-level newspaper, but those plans change during her first assignment. Nikki is offered employment in a mysterious corporation known as The Bridge Group, and things in her life begin to change, and not really for the better.
This book differs from its predecessor in terms of narrative style. Here, we have multiple first-person POVs, ranging from Nikki herself to her father, even Adam Upton. I enjoyed piecing together the story from these various narrators, but I did enjoy some more than others. Personally, Bill and Steven kind of creeped me out. Nikki is certainly not the same person she was as a teenager, and I appreciate that the character has been allowed to grow & evolve as she's gotten older. I wouldn't have made the same decisions she did, but I don't fault her for making her choices. It's secondary to the main plotline, but it seemed to me that Nikki's mom is almost unrecognizable from the woman we met in the previous book. It's like she went from sunshine and rainbows, almost a friend to her daughter than a parent, and swung to the opposite end of the spectrum, emerging as a critical nag, always haranguing her daughter about how she should live her life. Perhaps the events of the previous book combined with sending off her only child to college changed Lynn's temperament? I'm not sure but I thought it was a curious thing whenever she appeared on the page.
The Bridge Group is a really interesting and compelling source of conflict. Readers can immediately sense that what they offer seems too good to be true, leaving us wanting to know what their real motivations and intentions are. That aspect of the story really made me turn pages quickly, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, , to find resolution for the cliffhanger that Nikki Blue ending with.
Thank you to the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book differs from its predecessor in terms of narrative style. Here, we have multiple first-person POVs, ranging from Nikki herself to her father, even Adam Upton. I enjoyed piecing together the story from these various narrators, but I did enjoy some more than others. Personally, Bill and Steven kind of creeped me out. Nikki is certainly not the same person she was as a teenager, and I appreciate that the character has been allowed to grow & evolve as she's gotten older. I wouldn't have made the same decisions she did, but I don't fault her for making her choices. It's secondary to the main plotline, but it seemed to me that Nikki's mom is almost unrecognizable from the woman we met in the previous book. It's like she went from sunshine and rainbows, almost a friend to her daughter than a parent, and swung to the opposite end of the spectrum, emerging as a critical nag, always haranguing her daughter about how she should live her life. Perhaps the events of the previous book combined with sending off her only child to college changed Lynn's temperament? I'm not sure but I thought it was a curious thing whenever she appeared on the page.
The Bridge Group is a really interesting and compelling source of conflict. Readers can immediately sense that what they offer seems too good to be true, leaving us wanting to know what their real motivations and intentions are. That aspect of the story really made me turn pages quickly, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, , to find resolution for the cliffhanger that Nikki Blue ending with.
Thank you to the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2017
This review may contain some spoilers, but not more than the descriptions on the back of this book and the first in the series.
First book in series: girl has premonition there's going to be a school shooting and works to prevent it.
Second book in series: No premonitions, but there is a suspicious agency wanting to send people to Mars. They have questionable morals.
*shrugs* Okay, yeah, I don't exactly know how these fit together other than having some of the same characters???
In the first book, Nikki is passionate, daring, adventurous, and trying to make some good in the world despite her fear of what might happen to her. Maybe she learned when she got shot that she wasn't invincible and that's what made her do things like join The Bridge in the second one. In the first book, she cares about others more than herself. In the second, the only thing she cares about is herself, her money, and getting a rise out of people. 17 year old Nikki is the person we wish we were. 21 year old Nikki is the person we actually are. Something definitely changes in Nikki, but it doesn't really happen over the course of a book, it happens BETWEEN books, which is not something I can say I have ever seen before.
What I'm getting at here is that I'm not sure these books were meant to be in the same series. Yes, the characters are the same. Yes, that makes the characters have a past that The Bridge can use to try and control Nikki. Yes, it would be hard to come up with another character and find a way to explain the type of difficult path The Bridge attempts to use.
But what if Peter was Nikki's doctor after she got shot in the first book or if men in blue suits made some sort of appearance? What if Nikki had a premonition in the second book trying to warn her of The Bridge but she interpreted it wrong and thought it was urging her to follow them? Maybe there were sprinklings of more than Nikki's past connecting them, but if there were, I didn't catch them.
Also, could we get this girl some lipstick or tinted lip balm or something? She looks dead on the cover of this one. Her lips are like the same color as her skin.
Don't get me wrong, I like this book, I love The Bridge (as a source of conflict), and it's interesting to think about as having a possibility of being real. People who think they are better than everyone else trying to colonize Mars? Jeez, a corporation is probably attempting it right now. The writing isn't as description heavy as the last one, which is good in my opinion. The book is slightly longer. Ends on a cliffhanger, but I didn't realize that until the beginning of the next book (also interesting, never seen a cliffhanger like that).
If there were more connections between the first and second books, I'd probably give this four stars, but as is, three stars. I'm interested to see how the next one plays on the first two...
First book in series: girl has premonition there's going to be a school shooting and works to prevent it.
Second book in series: No premonitions, but there is a suspicious agency wanting to send people to Mars. They have questionable morals.
*shrugs* Okay, yeah, I don't exactly know how these fit together other than having some of the same characters???
In the first book, Nikki is passionate, daring, adventurous, and trying to make some good in the world despite her fear of what might happen to her. Maybe she learned when she got shot that she wasn't invincible and that's what made her do things like join The Bridge in the second one. In the first book, she cares about others more than herself. In the second, the only thing she cares about is herself, her money, and getting a rise out of people. 17 year old Nikki is the person we wish we were. 21 year old Nikki is the person we actually are. Something definitely changes in Nikki, but it doesn't really happen over the course of a book, it happens BETWEEN books, which is not something I can say I have ever seen before.
What I'm getting at here is that I'm not sure these books were meant to be in the same series. Yes, the characters are the same. Yes, that makes the characters have a past that The Bridge can use to try and control Nikki. Yes, it would be hard to come up with another character and find a way to explain the type of difficult path The Bridge attempts to use.
But what if Peter was Nikki's doctor after she got shot in the first book or if men in blue suits made some sort of appearance? What if Nikki had a premonition in the second book trying to warn her of The Bridge but she interpreted it wrong and thought it was urging her to follow them? Maybe there were sprinklings of more than Nikki's past connecting them, but if there were, I didn't catch them.
Also, could we get this girl some lipstick or tinted lip balm or something? She looks dead on the cover of this one. Her lips are like the same color as her skin.
Don't get me wrong, I like this book, I love The Bridge (as a source of conflict), and it's interesting to think about as having a possibility of being real. People who think they are better than everyone else trying to colonize Mars? Jeez, a corporation is probably attempting it right now. The writing isn't as description heavy as the last one, which is good in my opinion. The book is slightly longer. Ends on a cliffhanger, but I didn't realize that until the beginning of the next book (also interesting, never seen a cliffhanger like that).
If there were more connections between the first and second books, I'd probably give this four stars, but as is, three stars. I'm interested to see how the next one plays on the first two...
December 18, 2016
Yet another great book by Jack :)
This book is about action, love, loss, mystery, suspense and so much more.
Nikki is a gal that has been through so much before the age of 21 that I'm not sure many of us could handle, although there are so many that have. I don't wanna spill too much considering this is a series. Just know that Nikki is a strong and sassy lead character and is followed by a few great men including her dad.
I only gave this book 4 stars because The Bridge kind of lost me with all the craziness for a little bit. But Once I hit about 70% I was hooked for the rest and couldn't put it down. Don't get me wrong this was a good book regardless but it gets a little frustratingly odd.. The people that are part of the bridge just confused me and made me want to jump ship. I kept thinking why aren't you seeing this crazy behavior Nikki. That being said when someone hands you the amount of money that Nikki got I think I might want to believe their BS too. LOL I have a lot of faith in Jack since his first book was so awesome and this one had an exciting ending chapter. I am so excited to start the next!!
This book is about action, love, loss, mystery, suspense and so much more.
Nikki is a gal that has been through so much before the age of 21 that I'm not sure many of us could handle, although there are so many that have. I don't wanna spill too much considering this is a series. Just know that Nikki is a strong and sassy lead character and is followed by a few great men including her dad.
I only gave this book 4 stars because The Bridge kind of lost me with all the craziness for a little bit. But Once I hit about 70% I was hooked for the rest and couldn't put it down. Don't get me wrong this was a good book regardless but it gets a little frustratingly odd.. The people that are part of the bridge just confused me and made me want to jump ship. I kept thinking why aren't you seeing this crazy behavior Nikki. That being said when someone hands you the amount of money that Nikki got I think I might want to believe their BS too. LOL I have a lot of faith in Jack since his first book was so awesome and this one had an exciting ending chapter. I am so excited to start the next!!
July 15, 2015
The sequel answers some of the questions left from "Streaks of Blue" while setting off on a whole new, unpredictable, entertaining and thought-provoking arc.
At 87K-plus words, it's considerably longer than the first book (54K) and goes much deeper with its characters.
Part 1 features only Nikki's POV in first person. Part 2 introduces four male POV characters, all in first person: Adam Upton, her damaged friend from the first book; William Osborne, a divorced author and dueling pianist from Miami; Roger Janicek, Nikki's dad and a fire captain; and Steve Pearson, a married journalist and Nikki's colleague.
Parts 2 through 4 feature all five POVS, giving the story a much more well-rounded perspective.
While the 5-star rating is completely biased, the effort put into this sequel is at least double the first book. Hopefully it pays off with a "Goodread" for all of you. Thanks for your interest!
Best,
Jack Chaucer
At 87K-plus words, it's considerably longer than the first book (54K) and goes much deeper with its characters.
Part 1 features only Nikki's POV in first person. Part 2 introduces four male POV characters, all in first person: Adam Upton, her damaged friend from the first book; William Osborne, a divorced author and dueling pianist from Miami; Roger Janicek, Nikki's dad and a fire captain; and Steve Pearson, a married journalist and Nikki's colleague.
Parts 2 through 4 feature all five POVS, giving the story a much more well-rounded perspective.
While the 5-star rating is completely biased, the effort put into this sequel is at least double the first book. Hopefully it pays off with a "Goodread" for all of you. Thanks for your interest!
Best,
Jack Chaucer
October 17, 2015
oh wow.
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First of all I'm glad to have the opportunity to review another Jack Chaucer's book. I reviewed the first book entitled Streaks of Blue way back October 16, 2013 (review link is provided). I enjoyed that first book and this second one didn't fail me. I do like how the author writes because he isn't just creating a book but his works has a connection to the real world or the things that is happening around.
This book focuses on Nikki's new life as an adult, the struggles, change of environment, jobs, money, relationship and many more things, but for me there are two factors that stands out, money and relationship. Money because Nikki gave up her internship when there were someone who offered he a new job with big deals. Relationship because she gave up the love of her life Derek due to her selfish decisions. The Nikki I met before who saved the life of many people changed in this book. She evolved from someone more not-so-Nikki.
I can't blame Nikki for she has dreams of her own but what happened to her is the result of an unplanned decision. The book has it's lessons on his own which is really applicable to our own lives. You won't get lost in the story because this was different from the other one though it is a second book it can be a stand alone. I had a great time reading this, I had goosebumps because Nikki still wants to save somebody else life even her own is just like a puzzle.
If the readers want something new and a life changing kind of book, I suggest you guys should read this book. It was worth your time, actually no matter how busy I am lately I managed to read and give time to finish this book. I always look forward to what the new chapter has to offer.
Annnddd because of that... the author himself has a surprise for everyone.. He gave me a permission to this giveaway. There will be five winners for this blog review/giveaway.
The GIVEAWAY is in my blog... visit
======
First of all I'm glad to have the opportunity to review another Jack Chaucer's book. I reviewed the first book entitled Streaks of Blue way back October 16, 2013 (review link is provided). I enjoyed that first book and this second one didn't fail me. I do like how the author writes because he isn't just creating a book but his works has a connection to the real world or the things that is happening around.
This book focuses on Nikki's new life as an adult, the struggles, change of environment, jobs, money, relationship and many more things, but for me there are two factors that stands out, money and relationship. Money because Nikki gave up her internship when there were someone who offered he a new job with big deals. Relationship because she gave up the love of her life Derek due to her selfish decisions. The Nikki I met before who saved the life of many people changed in this book. She evolved from someone more not-so-Nikki.
I can't blame Nikki for she has dreams of her own but what happened to her is the result of an unplanned decision. The book has it's lessons on his own which is really applicable to our own lives. You won't get lost in the story because this was different from the other one though it is a second book it can be a stand alone. I had a great time reading this, I had goosebumps because Nikki still wants to save somebody else life even her own is just like a puzzle.
If the readers want something new and a life changing kind of book, I suggest you guys should read this book. It was worth your time, actually no matter how busy I am lately I managed to read and give time to finish this book. I always look forward to what the new chapter has to offer.
Annnddd because of that... the author himself has a surprise for everyone.. He gave me a permission to this giveaway. There will be five winners for this blog review/giveaway.
The GIVEAWAY is in my blog... visit
April 17, 2017
Whoa, there is so much crazy in this! I don't know what happened to Nikki from book one but now sue is all over then place...and I like it. Crazy new "church" groups, new guys in her life, and then a twist that I didn't expect. Hello Thomas and welcome back. Yeah, if you like crazy well read this one! Wild ride.
August 19, 2021
Those who read the first book will remember that Nikki ended up stopping a school shooting and got shot but not hurt too badly. She went on to become a hero whilst the shooter ended up behind bars. Now Nikki is in Boston spending her summer with her boyfriend Derek and interning at the local newspaper before heading to college in Boston. Well, that was the plan right up to when she was asked to cover an event called The Bridge opening. The Bridge sounds like a new cult being opened and formed, a new religious branch off those who have left Scientology. They plan to send their members to start a new life on Mars as they are worried it's only a matter of time till earth collapses and ceases to exist. Nikki is offered the job and a helluva lot of money to become their communications director. Four days into her internship, she quits her job and joins their time and from there she ends up chatting to the guy who shot her and breaking up with her boyfriend Derek. Nikki Blue was an intriguing read and it shows how easy it is for people to be sucked into cults and dangerous manipulative religions as once they have reeled you in with materialistic things like money, you learn that it's simple to belong to and get involved in but once you are in - they sink their teeth into you, you start changing your personality and eventually you are so deep in -that there is no way out except through death as Nikki is about to realize the extent when her new boyfriend Bill Oz is choosing to leave and must choose between his life or his son's Max. I am now looking forward to reading Book #3 Nikki White for more crazy adventures as it seems trouble follows Nikki everywhere.
January 30, 2020
Nikki Blue- Source of Trouble� by Jack Chaucer
Thank you to Author Jack Chaucer for sending me his book! This is the second book of his I have read, the first was “Streaks of Blue.� You can read the review for “Streaks of Blue� here. It’s a great introduction to the second book, but I do think you could read the books as stand-alone books, too.
“Author Jack Chaucer has written another great book! I can’t wait to see where Nikki Blue’s next adventure will lead!� -Green Gables Book Reviews
Intern Nicole Janicek is on her first news story as an Intern. She’s not really sure where she is headed, but this does not look like they assignment the newspaper told her about.
Soon after, Nicole is approached by “The Bridge,� the group she had covered as an intern, with an offer she can’t turn down. She jumps at the chance to have a great life, her college paid for and a career. But, it doesn’t take long for her to be out of her comfort zone.
Confronting her past is one of her biggest fears-and when she is facing her shooter, Thomas Lee Harvey, via a computer screen, she is put to the test. It is just one of many tests the former troublemakers from the Church of Scientology will put her through.
Will Nikki’s life ever be her own again? Or is she fated to spend her life at their mercy?
File Size: 944 KB
Print Length: 382 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1515128954
Publication Date: October 9, 2015
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B015JEO3DG
Thank you to Author Jack Chaucer for sending me his book! This is the second book of his I have read, the first was “Streaks of Blue.� You can read the review for “Streaks of Blue� here. It’s a great introduction to the second book, but I do think you could read the books as stand-alone books, too.
“Author Jack Chaucer has written another great book! I can’t wait to see where Nikki Blue’s next adventure will lead!� -Green Gables Book Reviews
Intern Nicole Janicek is on her first news story as an Intern. She’s not really sure where she is headed, but this does not look like they assignment the newspaper told her about.
Soon after, Nicole is approached by “The Bridge,� the group she had covered as an intern, with an offer she can’t turn down. She jumps at the chance to have a great life, her college paid for and a career. But, it doesn’t take long for her to be out of her comfort zone.
Confronting her past is one of her biggest fears-and when she is facing her shooter, Thomas Lee Harvey, via a computer screen, she is put to the test. It is just one of many tests the former troublemakers from the Church of Scientology will put her through.
Will Nikki’s life ever be her own again? Or is she fated to spend her life at their mercy?
File Size: 944 KB
Print Length: 382 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1515128954
Publication Date: October 9, 2015
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B015JEO3DG
September 5, 2015
This book picks up four years after the failed school shooting at Nikki's high school now Nikki is a intern at a local newspaper hoping to become a journalist when she is sent to write a story about a church being built. Early on Nikki learns that it's not a church being built but rather a bridge that looks like the Star Ship Enterprise. After Nikki leaves with more questions than answers she gets a phone call one of the members Virgil who tells her information to help boost Nikki's career then in a turn around offers her a job with a nice incentive.
Even though NIkki doesn't totally buy what they are selling she signs on. Early on Nikki confronts Thomas "Lee" Harvey which leads NIkki nowhere other than almost breaking a computer with her fist. She also breaks up with Derek only this time she is sure it's for good. She also learns a powerful secret from Adam Upton that she wished she didn't know.
Even though NIkki doesn't totally buy what they are selling she signs on. Early on Nikki confronts Thomas "Lee" Harvey which leads NIkki nowhere other than almost breaking a computer with her fist. She also breaks up with Derek only this time she is sure it's for good. She also learns a powerful secret from Adam Upton that she wished she didn't know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2015
After reading Streaks of Blue I fell in love with Jack Chaucer's writing and having just read its sequel, I can confirm my love for his work is still going strong. This was an amazing sequel to Streaks of Blue. As with most series, I prefer the first book. I've found it rare that I and so many others like the second or third or other book in the series aside for the first. The first is the book that hooks us onto the series so it's hard for the writer to top that book. This may not have been better than Streaks of Blue but it still was a great book.
When Bill and Peter it's just amazing. I mean I wasn't all that into Bill because I mean come on. His name is Bill. Do I really need to explain myself there? But it's JUST A NICKNAME! SO YAY! His real name's William which means all is forgiven. Nikki is also just a nickname for those of you unaware. Her real name is Nichole. But honestly you just can't help but love them, or at least in the beginning. You will forever love Bill though.
Now I did feel quite gross with them being super old, but they're amazing so what can I say? After getting to know Peter though, I have grown a small hatred towards him. He's awful and just no. I do not like anyone who likes Peter. What is wrong with you guys?
Oh and Cersei Lannister from GoT makes an appearance and I just can't. And Nikki and Bill are just perfection. They're my OTP. I have a million OTP. What's their ship name? Is there even one? Nikil? Bikki? Bichole? Nichill? Someone please help. I'm clearly unable to come up with ship names on my own. Leave help in the comments! Nikki's dad is also amazing. And I can't even. She's so lucky.
One thing for sure is the end of the book will leave you like Emma Stone here:
But no seriously, this book is utterly phenomenal. The characters develop so well throughout the story. Nikki is in a completely and utterly different place in her life by the end of the book. I'm so proud of her. I feel like I raised that child even though in no way have I actually done so. Not to mention blue hair? I totally love it. Did I mention that I've been wanting to dye my hair blue? Not because of Nikki Blue though. xD I just love dying my hair. And the plot is just so interesting. Like how Jack Chaucer even came up with it is beyond me. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next book. THERE BETTER BE A NEXT BOOK JACK! DON'T BE THAT EVIL AUTHOR WHO JUST ENDS THE SERIES IN A CLIFFHANGER!
Anyways, for a rating. I'm gonna go ahead and gives this a 4 simply because I did prefer the first book. I mean clearly I loved this book but I just honestly really preferred the first book.
What makes this book different from all others? And why should anyone care?
Well lets see, a 21 year old girl gets mixed up with all these weird Scientology hater weirdos. Like they were in Scientology but then they started hating on Scientology and so they made their own thing and is obsessed with the world being doomed. Honestly, they need to get their life in order.
Did this book meet my high expectations?
Yes. It did.
Would I recommend this book and to who?
Yes I would. I'm not sure who exactly I'd recommend it to... I'd say if you liked Jack's previous books or if you like by Missy Marciassa or similar books.
March 24, 2016
I received an e-copy of Nikki Blue from NetGalley for a read to review.
I give Nikki Blue a solid 3.5/5.
I normally do not start a series in the middle, but the premise of a young journalist confronting a race to Mars among cultists had me intrigued. I figured I could fill in the missing pieces of the previous book. However, I didn't need to because Jack Chaucer does a wonderful job of leaving bread crumbs about Nikki's past throughout the first portion of the book. There's enough information to build a picture of Nikki thwarting a school shooting plot. These bits of information were a godsend and not redundant play by play summary.
I freely admit to making mistakes in my early 20's, which is why I gave Nikki some slack. But I still wanted to throttle her for much of the first part of the book. There are mistakes, and then there are the mistakes that will and can ruin you. Get rich quick schemes fall into the latter. Her reasoning to leave her job after only a few days made me set the book down. I couldn't justify her actions in my head other than The Bridge offered that nice bonus with little work entailed, which sadly speaks to America's work ethic.
The POV switch in the second half of the book is a bit jarring. I was cozily nestled into Nikki's POV, and switch took me a bit get into. Roger's perspective almost felt needless until the end. In a way, it did help show how the Bridge was changing Nikki, but I also found myself speed reading through his chapters. Steve, Nikki's short lived coworker, came at Nikki with hard hitting questions. I wish he would have kept coming at her so that she could regain her journalistic senses sooner. Steve, even though he had that crush on her, was a voice of reason... a much needed and welcomed voice.
One of my favorite moments happened towards the end between Nikki and Roger. "This is a burning building for me right now... just so you know." Even through all their years of dysfunction and non-communication, Nikki still finds a way to reach out and ask him for help, and it is in a way that only Roger could interpret. No matter how old you are, you still need your dad sometimes. It was a much needed respite in a sea of chaos.
Random Questions I Have After Reading:
Adam. How did he get a security job after being in prison for a conspiracy to be involved in a school shooting? Security companies tend to frown upon that.
Can we send Nikki's mom to Mars by herself? The woman needs a Xanax.
Why would you go to Mars when Doctor Who clearly taught us to avoid it all costs?
All in all, Nikki Blue is an intriguing read. It's fast paced, and makes you see behind that curtain in how religious/political organizations run, and it'll make you sick and a little crazy.
I give Nikki Blue a solid 3.5/5.
I normally do not start a series in the middle, but the premise of a young journalist confronting a race to Mars among cultists had me intrigued. I figured I could fill in the missing pieces of the previous book. However, I didn't need to because Jack Chaucer does a wonderful job of leaving bread crumbs about Nikki's past throughout the first portion of the book. There's enough information to build a picture of Nikki thwarting a school shooting plot. These bits of information were a godsend and not redundant play by play summary.
I freely admit to making mistakes in my early 20's, which is why I gave Nikki some slack. But I still wanted to throttle her for much of the first part of the book. There are mistakes, and then there are the mistakes that will and can ruin you. Get rich quick schemes fall into the latter. Her reasoning to leave her job after only a few days made me set the book down. I couldn't justify her actions in my head other than The Bridge offered that nice bonus with little work entailed, which sadly speaks to America's work ethic.
The POV switch in the second half of the book is a bit jarring. I was cozily nestled into Nikki's POV, and switch took me a bit get into. Roger's perspective almost felt needless until the end. In a way, it did help show how the Bridge was changing Nikki, but I also found myself speed reading through his chapters. Steve, Nikki's short lived coworker, came at Nikki with hard hitting questions. I wish he would have kept coming at her so that she could regain her journalistic senses sooner. Steve, even though he had that crush on her, was a voice of reason... a much needed and welcomed voice.
One of my favorite moments happened towards the end between Nikki and Roger. "This is a burning building for me right now... just so you know." Even through all their years of dysfunction and non-communication, Nikki still finds a way to reach out and ask him for help, and it is in a way that only Roger could interpret. No matter how old you are, you still need your dad sometimes. It was a much needed respite in a sea of chaos.
Random Questions I Have After Reading:
Adam. How did he get a security job after being in prison for a conspiracy to be involved in a school shooting? Security companies tend to frown upon that.
Can we send Nikki's mom to Mars by herself? The woman needs a Xanax.
Why would you go to Mars when Doctor Who clearly taught us to avoid it all costs?
All in all, Nikki Blue is an intriguing read. It's fast paced, and makes you see behind that curtain in how religious/political organizations run, and it'll make you sick and a little crazy.
August 23, 2015
Nikki Blue:Source of Troube by Jack Chaucer
4.5 Stars
Wow. That is all I have to say. As many of you know I absolutely loved and I mean loved the first book, Streaks of Blue and could not wait to see what the author had coming out next and I was not disappointed. I will say first and foremost that when I started reading this book and I saw it mention Scientology, I thought "hmmmm...not sure if I will like this" and was apprehensive. However, I am so glad I stuck it out and continued to read.
This book starts off with Nikki who is now 21 out in the real world looking for a job. She does get one at a local newspaper as an intern and is shortly thereafter propositioned by a company called "The Bridge". They make her a monetary offer that she can not refuse and takes the job not really knowing what exactly the company does nor what her exact job will be. At this point in the book I was scratching my head wondering how this heroine that I loved in the first book could be this blind and naive? I mean I could see or rather read from a mile away that this was a shady deal and she was missing the big picture that would come back to haunt her.
Needless to say this book takes you on a very interesting journey. While it does make mention of Scientology, this new group is made up of people who left scientology, which I am not sure is better or worse. Through the course of her employment Nikki starts to finally see the bigger picture and that she is being used as a pawn, only now its just not her. This clever group has entertwined her past and her present together and all are in danger. I dont want to give away to much of the plot but old characters are still around and you get to see what they are up to and how they get mixed up in this nightmare with Nikki. I found myself at times holding my breath and reading as fast as I could to see what happened and unexpectedly and totally caught off guard, the book ends in a cliffy!!! NOOOOOOO!!!! Which may I add I was sweating at the end of!! I was so engrossed in the book I never realized it was almost to the end! I am praying to the literary gods that the author is feverishly working on the next installment.
Definately recommend this book but recommend you read the first one as well!
4.5 Stars
Wow. That is all I have to say. As many of you know I absolutely loved and I mean loved the first book, Streaks of Blue and could not wait to see what the author had coming out next and I was not disappointed. I will say first and foremost that when I started reading this book and I saw it mention Scientology, I thought "hmmmm...not sure if I will like this" and was apprehensive. However, I am so glad I stuck it out and continued to read.
This book starts off with Nikki who is now 21 out in the real world looking for a job. She does get one at a local newspaper as an intern and is shortly thereafter propositioned by a company called "The Bridge". They make her a monetary offer that she can not refuse and takes the job not really knowing what exactly the company does nor what her exact job will be. At this point in the book I was scratching my head wondering how this heroine that I loved in the first book could be this blind and naive? I mean I could see or rather read from a mile away that this was a shady deal and she was missing the big picture that would come back to haunt her.
Needless to say this book takes you on a very interesting journey. While it does make mention of Scientology, this new group is made up of people who left scientology, which I am not sure is better or worse. Through the course of her employment Nikki starts to finally see the bigger picture and that she is being used as a pawn, only now its just not her. This clever group has entertwined her past and her present together and all are in danger. I dont want to give away to much of the plot but old characters are still around and you get to see what they are up to and how they get mixed up in this nightmare with Nikki. I found myself at times holding my breath and reading as fast as I could to see what happened and unexpectedly and totally caught off guard, the book ends in a cliffy!!! NOOOOOOO!!!! Which may I add I was sweating at the end of!! I was so engrossed in the book I never realized it was almost to the end! I am praying to the literary gods that the author is feverishly working on the next installment.
Definately recommend this book but recommend you read the first one as well!
August 7, 2015
Wow, this novel is on a completely different path from the first in the series, but luckliy it works. Our protagonist "Nikki" has grown so much through this novel and we get to grow with her, as does the plot. The plot is very 'now', it targets some interesting topics that society today is faced with and in my opinion, shows them for exactly what they are! I love the direction this novel has taken, it is engaging and keeps the reader on their toes!
The writing, as always is incredible, it draws you in from the very first page and keeps you interested throughout the novel. It is original, contreversial, confronting and honest.
If I had to pick a fault with this novel, it is that it ended too soon and too suddenly, however it has left me keen for the next book!
An amazing, fast-paced read, definitely one of my favourites this year!
The writing, as always is incredible, it draws you in from the very first page and keeps you interested throughout the novel. It is original, contreversial, confronting and honest.
If I had to pick a fault with this novel, it is that it ended too soon and too suddenly, however it has left me keen for the next book!
An amazing, fast-paced read, definitely one of my favourites this year!
August 23, 2015
Nikki has her ups and downs but she has a good head on her shoulders. Nikki takes a step out of her former shoes of the small town heroine and into the real world where you fall in love and do what is necessary in work. She again is faced with a shady group called the bridge. This book brings up issues that will happen or has already started. Lets take a moment and think about Nikki she was a good character that has been fleshed out more than one could expect also making others with almost suffer like Nikki in a way to keep the book together. We might not think we impact others and what happens but we do. Thanks again Jack for letting me read Nikki Blue I hope to read and review any book you write. Also on a side note I was in Connecticut and I was trying to imagine where it be.
March 7, 2016
I received this book from Netgalley, and while I absolutely loved the first one, this one did not work for me for various reasons.
One, I found myself disbelieving many of the actions that the main character was taking. She was a completely different person, and while I believe the things she went through could change someone, this change was way to drastic.
I could not get into the "cult idea" at all.
I wished I could like this one, and I will give it another chance perhaps someday. However the first book of this series is amazing, and I think everyone should read it
One, I found myself disbelieving many of the actions that the main character was taking. She was a completely different person, and while I believe the things she went through could change someone, this change was way to drastic.
I could not get into the "cult idea" at all.
I wished I could like this one, and I will give it another chance perhaps someday. However the first book of this series is amazing, and I think everyone should read it
February 7, 2016
This book was a great read. I was overwhelmed with the emotions of the characters. I felt I was a character myself and that I was there experiencing it all. I found it to be enthralling and a very unpredictable sequel. I commend Chaucer and hope to read more by him soon.
December 16, 2017
Thank you, , for providing me this book so that I could read and review it!
Wow. This book was so, so different from (#1), which told the story of Nicole Janicek as she befriended an outcast boy to try to stop him from committing a mass shooting at her high school. In that story, Nikki is a poised, self-confident, meritorious young woman who does the right thing because she knows it is right. In Nikki Blue, three years later, she is no longer that girl. She's confused, she's impulsive, and she's a little destructive. She ignores red flags that are right in front of her eyes, to her near-peril. I missed the old Nicole. Even young people who are trying to find themselves still retain the essence of themselves, but that didn't seem to be the case here. Her transformation was a little too abrupt for me.
It was also a much longer book, and it moved a little slowly. But I did see why all the plot development was necessary, as we basically started a whole new story—this one has almost very little to do with the first book, other than retaining the same characters and their relation to one another. The concept was intriguing, though. And it definitely fell firmly into today's political climate, with the major themes of society's desensitization to climate change, Tesla and other organizations' race to Mars, and even young people's struggle to pay for college and find a stable, promising career.
All in all,I felt that Nikki Blue fell firmly into the category of "second books in a trilogy that help get you from book one to book three."
Wow. This book was so, so different from (#1), which told the story of Nicole Janicek as she befriended an outcast boy to try to stop him from committing a mass shooting at her high school. In that story, Nikki is a poised, self-confident, meritorious young woman who does the right thing because she knows it is right. In Nikki Blue, three years later, she is no longer that girl. She's confused, she's impulsive, and she's a little destructive. She ignores red flags that are right in front of her eyes, to her near-peril. I missed the old Nicole. Even young people who are trying to find themselves still retain the essence of themselves, but that didn't seem to be the case here. Her transformation was a little too abrupt for me.
It was also a much longer book, and it moved a little slowly. But I did see why all the plot development was necessary, as we basically started a whole new story—this one has almost very little to do with the first book, other than retaining the same characters and their relation to one another. The concept was intriguing, though. And it definitely fell firmly into today's political climate, with the major themes of society's desensitization to climate change, Tesla and other organizations' race to Mars, and even young people's struggle to pay for college and find a stable, promising career.
All in all,I felt that Nikki Blue fell firmly into the category of "second books in a trilogy that help get you from book one to book three."
December 3, 2018
ARC
The second book in the Nikki series begins when Nikki and her boyfriend are now living together for the summer, and Nikki has just been hired as an intern for a newspaper. Nikki isn't sure things with Derek will work out, and she's unsure what is in store for her, but when she has to interview a new "church" her world gets turned upside down.
Nikki turns to the Bridge for help when they offer her a new job, and she's thinking of taking it, but sometimes things aren't always what they seem.
This book was not as good as the first one. I mean it was okay, but not great.
The plot line was okay, but it just sort of felt kind of out of left field. Then I really can not stand Nikki's choice in men. She keeps picking the "wrong" ones in my opinion.
Then I really just didn't get the whole bad guys in this one. And the end was a major cliffhanger, and beyond frustrating.
The second book in the Nikki series begins when Nikki and her boyfriend are now living together for the summer, and Nikki has just been hired as an intern for a newspaper. Nikki isn't sure things with Derek will work out, and she's unsure what is in store for her, but when she has to interview a new "church" her world gets turned upside down.
Nikki turns to the Bridge for help when they offer her a new job, and she's thinking of taking it, but sometimes things aren't always what they seem.
This book was not as good as the first one. I mean it was okay, but not great.
The plot line was okay, but it just sort of felt kind of out of left field. Then I really can not stand Nikki's choice in men. She keeps picking the "wrong" ones in my opinion.
Then I really just didn't get the whole bad guys in this one. And the end was a major cliffhanger, and beyond frustrating.
September 22, 2019
The book is a good young adult read. The story does end in a cliffhanger. The story has a good story line. The characters are good. The story is an enjoyable coming of age read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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April 12, 2020I enjoyed this as well as the other two of the series that I have read (fourth and then first). While the other two could definitely stand along, you definitely need to read the third in the series after reading this one. I plan on starting it later tonight.
April 25, 2021
I felt this book was different from the sequel. The characters seem to be new and not the same as Streaks of Blue. It was a bit weird and confusing.
Nikki seem to be a different character. She did things that would have seem abnormal for her character. I understand that the sequel takes place four years later, but the core of the character should have stayed the same. This was not the case for Nikki.
There were many new characters introduced in this book. It was a bit upsetting to not see much of the other characters from book 1. I knew that the author was showing that people meet new people and change, but I would have loved to see how life was treating the other characters.
I loved the multiple character POVs, but would have loved to see Adam POV more. He in a way the main character as Nikki was.
Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment to the first book. It had interesting elements to it, but I wished Nikki's character haven't changes as much as it did in this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nikki seem to be a different character. She did things that would have seem abnormal for her character. I understand that the sequel takes place four years later, but the core of the character should have stayed the same. This was not the case for Nikki.
There were many new characters introduced in this book. It was a bit upsetting to not see much of the other characters from book 1. I knew that the author was showing that people meet new people and change, but I would have loved to see how life was treating the other characters.
I loved the multiple character POVs, but would have loved to see Adam POV more. He in a way the main character as Nikki was.
Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment to the first book. It had interesting elements to it, but I wished Nikki's character haven't changes as much as it did in this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2015
I was given an electronic copy of Nikki Blue: Source of Trouble by NetGalley, in order to provide an honest review. The sequel to Streaks of Blue, this is the story of Nikki Janicek as she navigates her life years after being shot by classmate Thomas Lee Harvey. Interning at a local paper for the summer, Nikki is given the opportunity of a lifetime to work for a secretive and lucrative group called The Bridge. Out of her element, Nikki soon realizes that her new career move may be more than she bargained. Nikki's strength and strong survival instinct comes through in this story. Because it was contrary to her personality, it bothered me that Nikki seemed to make the decision for the job change so easily. With everything she had gone through, you would think that Nikki would be more skeptical and more cautious. The switch to science fiction was a little surprising, as there was really no indication that this was the direction that the plot would take. The ever changing points of view and multiple side plots took away from the central story. Too much of the focus was taken away from Nikki's story, lessening the impact that her compelling tale should have had. The cliffhanger ending all but ensures a sequel, which I look forward to reading purely for curiosity's sake.
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