Reviving Izabel (In the Company of Killers #2) by J.A. Redmerski [Audio Review]

Determined to live a dark life in the company of the assassin who freed her from bondage, Sarai sets out on her own to settle a score with an evil sadist. Unskilled and untrained in the art of killing, the events that unfold leave her hanging precariously on the edge of death when nothing goes as planned.

Sarai’s reckless choices send her on a path she knows she can never turn back from and so she presents Victor with an ultimatum: help her become more like him and give her a fighting chance, or she’ll do it alone no matter the consequences. Knowing that Sarai cannot become what she wants to be overnight, Victor begins to train her and inevitably their complicated relationship heats up.

As Arthur Hamburg’s right-hand man, Willem Stephens, closes in on his crusade to destroy Sarai, she is left with the crushing realization that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. But Sarai, taking on the new and improved role of Izabel Seyfried, still has a set of deadly skills of her own that will prove to be all she needs to secure her place beside Victor.

But there is one test that Izabel must face that has the potential to destroy everything she is working so hard to achieve. One final test that will not only make her question her decision to want this dangerous life, but will make her question everything she has come to trust about Victor Faust.

 

#1 - KILLING SARAI - > Victor and Sarai’s Story

#2 - REVIVING IZABEL – > Continues Victor and Sarai’s Story
#3 - THE SWAN & THE JACKAL - > Fredrik and Cassia’s Story. Fredrik is the torturer, he can break anyone except for his wife. 
#4 - SEEDS OF INIQUITY - > Victor, Sarai, Fredrik, Nikolas, Nora story. This is mainly Victor and Sari’s, but there are equal parts of the other characters, it also introduces Nora.
#5 - THE BLACK WOLF - > Nikolas’ story

 

5 I’m in Love with Victor Faust Stars

I’m doing an audio re-read because it’s the best way to re-read. I love In The Company of Killers series. It’s so raw, gritty, dramatic, gut wrenching and twisted. J.A. Redmerski knows how to write a good story and I love the emotions she makes me feel as I read.

I felt a lot of things when I was listening to Reviving Izabel. I knew what was going to happen, but listening to books just makes you feel everything for the first time again. I felt for Sarai and her issues, I felt for her need to find acceptance and be okay with Victor gone. I felt her pain and her need to put other people before her and I felt Victor’s indifference.

Reviving Izabel picks up a little after where Killing Sarai left off. Sarai is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. She understands why Victor left her, but it doesn’t make it any easier on her heart. To my surprise, she found a boyfriend (hey a girl gots needs), this hurt my heart a little, because I’ll be honest, Victor is my book boyfriend and it felt like a betrayal, but a girl is got to do what a girl got to do.

She’s trying to live the “normal” life, but she is nothing but normal. She realizes she won’t be at peace until she gets revenge and even though she has little training, she tries to do it.

“I’m not just sleeping with an assassin. I’ve grown very attached to one.”

“When he touches me I know what he's thinking, how he truly feels beneath that mask he wears in the face of others.”

I love how much Sarai has changed. She’s always been strong, confident and caring, but she’s like this fierce warrior in Reviving Izabel. It’s so refreshing, talk about girl power. The dynamics between Victor and Sarai is VERY intense. I love that Sarai doesn’t throw herself at Victor, but she still has feelings for him. I love Victor. I love how aloof he is and I love that Redmerski made him somewhat vulnerable (just a touch, but it’s enough). Yes, you will see a different side of Victor and it’s great, fantastic, you will get your panties wet.

“all I want to do is pull her against me and hold her until we both die.”

Redmerski incorporates more of the characters you will see in the future books and she provides some backstory. I love that because it really builds the characters and ties everyone together.
One of the reasons why I love these kinds of books is because the author doesn’t tell me how to feel, she just makes me feel it. There’s nothing worse than reading a book explaining to me my emotions. I love that Redmerski can write scenes and a story that just pulls me. It’s very addictive.

Audio Questions
What made the experience of listening to Reviving Izabel the most enjoyable?
J.A. Redmerski wonderful writing made my listening experience the most enjoyable. She knows how to write a story that consumes you, pulls you in and twist your gut. It’s a heart wrenching, yet joyful experience everyone should go through reading a book.

What did you like best about this story?
See the different side of Victor Faust was the best part of the book. There is nothing better than seeing a Hero with mega issues slightly vulnerable because of a girl. If that doesn’t make you sigh then your heart is made of stone.

Have you listened to any of Stephen Bel Davies and Kate Reinders ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I love audio re-reading. I did the audio version of Killing Sarai so I am experienced to Kate and Stephen’s voices. I’m a fan of Kate. I love her sweet, young and youthful sounding voice. She sounds like the Sarai I envisioned in my head and she did a standup job.
Stephen’s voice is older than I expected. I know Victor is suppose to be older, let’s just say I had to get use to Stephen’s voice. I love Victor as a character so much, eventually it got better.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
I hate this question because I can never think of anything witty or cool to say, so I’ll just say this.
Fantastic read, another instant hit by Redmerski. The continuing story of a tortured lover’s tale … (I tried my best!)



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In the Company of Killer SERIES

Killing Sarai #1 REVIEW (AUDIO) |  AMAZON

Reviving Izabel #2 REVIEW | AMAZON

The Swan & the Jackal #3 REVIEW | AMAZON

Seeds of Iniquity # 4 REVIEW | AMAZON

The Black Wolf #5 AMAZON

 

The Edge of Never Series

 

The Edge of Never #1 REVIEW | AMAZON

The Edge of Always #2 REVIEW | AMAZON

 

 

AMAZON (KINDLE) | AMAZON (PAPERBACK)

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J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE EDGE OF NEVER lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

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