Closet Geeks and Slow Mo

Oh wow!
I was simply blown away by Fury.
Really I was.
I mean I expected this to be well written. But... well I didn't expect....this... Me totally overwhelmed, me totally flabbergast, me totally simply and utterly shocked.

Okay. Let me explain this from the beginning:

I can't quite remember how and why I actually read the first book in the series. But while I loved the writing, I had some issues with the story line. I couldn't relate to the arrogance of the MCs and then there is the minor detail that I know the locations it is set in extremely well. Well, Mr. O is from South Africa you see... And I have worked in refugee camps and for aid organisations, in fact I still work for a charity org part-time... Somehow Amelie didn't get that part right for me. I guess this is quite unfair, considering, that I might be her only reader who actually lived through her setting. Still as I said, I adore her writing. AND I did adore Spencer, who was to be one of the MCs in Greed. Hence no questions asked, I was so reading Fury. Despite the fact that I had no love lost for Ethan. I thought, I would just enjoy the exceptional writing. Which I did. Very much. In fact I love the way Amelie wrote the fight scenes from Ethan's POV. Though I wasn't sure I would right at the beginning. But as I read on, I saw the pattern, the clever use of Amelie of it and it made so much sense and well, I love it. As I said in my review for Greed, I am totally and utterly taken by her extraordinary talent. Fury just cements this view of mine. This is an exceptionally well crafted novel.

The story line of this book is my favorite in the series. Now, there aren't many surprises here. I saw all the twists coming from a mile. But frankly this isn't about being surprised, it's about the journey there. I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Ethan and Finley. I loved how they became friends and how they slowly fell for one another. I adore their journey. It's simply beautiful and it felt real.

Which is due to the superb character building. And this is definitely one of the reasons I loved this book so much. In fact while I had my issues with Vain's story line, I was a bit put off by Greed's character building. Well Fury has not only the most engaging story line but also superb character building.
As I said, I didn't like Ethan. Well, actually I couldn't stand him. The two reasons I was going to read Fury, well the cover for one (sorry it's shallow I know... but I mean I can't help it, that I am a coverslut) the other reason Amelie's fabulous writing. Now about 10% into Fury, I couldn't recall why I disliked Ethan. Because suddenly everything fell into place. He was to a degree a total douche, but I got him. I got his anger, I got why he did act the way he did in Greed. AND more importantly I just adore him. I totally fell for Ethan. Finley was really cool and quirky and kind- so well, she had me from page 1.
The amazing thing about Fury though is not only did I like the MCs, the support cast is really well written as well. We talking well rounded characters. We talking layers of different sides revealed as you go on reading. Right until the last page, I feel like I get and understand this group of people. I saw where the villains were coming from. There is not a single black and white character in here. Simply and utterly fabulous character building.

When I was pondering on this, really great novel, I realised a few things:
FIRST: I suddenly understood the previous novels better. Which kinda surprised me. Cause, well, each novel could be read as a standalone. But I saw where the titles came from. I understood, why Greed was called Greed. It's like something fell into place. Which is kinda amazing. I actually realised, that neither Vain nor Greed are really my vices- but Fury. Well, I am well acquainted with that vice, not that I am much proud of it. But I got why Ethan did what he did. Because at times I wish I could have just done the same. The helplessness that drove him there, is well know to me. He's desire for vengeance, well, thankfully I am older and wiser, but something I have felt personally when I was his age... All of this left me amazed. I am totally awed by Amelie's clever use of the vices and how she has looked at them in a different, way less obvious way and used them in her stories. Really it's brilliant.

SECOND: Fury tackles a rather heavy subject. And it left me pondering over the injustice of the world we currently live in. The cruelty and devastation the greed of people can bring over the innocent. But more so, the fact that there are people that are willing to pay for those things, and that in fact their prosecution not harsh enough in my opinion. I mean if no one buys the goods, their would be no sellers left. I am not justifying the sellers exist, and I am absolutely for their persecution ( in fact I wish there were loads of Ethans in this world, it might make the Khanhs of this world think twice?), but I am saying that the consumers should be forced to take responsibility and be punished for it.
There is so much to say about this subject. The sad truth is Amelie has not exaggerate the situation. And ok, while I said there should be more Ethans, I do not suggest we all go vigilante, the truth is, this is still a novel. And in real life the outcome would have been very different for Ethan.
But frankly I needed that ending, I need to think that there a people like Finley, who end up the way she did. Which is why Fury struck so close to my heart. Though I know sadly, that this subject is based on the horrific truth, I also know that there are people out there who do their best to help and prevent- and I need to believe that they make a difference.

THIRD: I need the next book! When is coming out? And who is it about?

A surprisingly deep and touching action packed novel. Oh and let me warn you- no smut. Absolutely no smut in here. Which surprised me considering that Greed was quite sizzling... it's quite bloody and though provoking instead. In my opinion the best of Amelie's books so far! An absolute must read of 2015!!