Review: The Barrier Between (Collector #2) by Stacey Marie Brown

The Barrier Between

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Series: Collector 2

Pages: 418

Publisher/Source: Twisted Fairy Publishing

Release date: 4^th June 2015

Synopsis: (Goodreads) Zoey’s life has taken a dramatic turn. Only a few months ago she was a Collector working for the a secret part of the government called the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), tracking and collecting fae. Her life had been changing and improving with a partner she loved and a sister she adored.

Now all that is gone—Daniel murdered by a fae, and Lexi killed when the Seattle area is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm. Zoey herself is altered by her association with the Wanderer, Ryker, in life-changing way.

Zoey discovered she was an experiment from the very company she worked for. She could die at any moment of a threatening defect—taking Ryker’s magic with her.

In a race against time, Ryker and Zoey set out to find a way to transfer his powers back before it’s too late. Their journey takes them to the rainforests of South America, dealing with those who are after something Ryker possesses and who will stop at nothing to obtain it for themselves.

What Zoey and Ryker discover can destroy them or tear them a part for good. 

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

** Contains possible spoilers from the first book **

The Barrier Between is the second book in the Collector series by Stacey Marie Brown and begins in Peru where City of Embers left off.

As a bit of background, our MC Zoey was recruited into the Department of Molecular Genetics and trained as a Collector, she hunted and collected the Fae because of her unique Seer abilities. When the Seattle area is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm she ended up ostracized from the people she has known and trusted and she is more or less forced to spend her days travelling alongside Ryker, a merciless Fae Wanderer.

I loved the amount of character progression that we see from both Zoey and Ryker, they are complete opposites and initially detested each other’s race so to see the romance begin to grow and them become allies was great – I loved the tension between them and their witty banter is done very well. I also love Sprig the sprite! He brings some great comic relief to the story; he’s a lot of fun. We also get to know a few characters a little more from the first book and I never quite knew where their loyalties lay.

The plot was fast paced and exciting! Stacey Marie Brown takes us on a thrilling adventure as the characters set out to find a way to transfer Ryker’s powers back from Zoey before it’s too late. I enjoyed their journey through the rainforests of South America, dealing with those who were after something Ryker possessed – this was something that I was quite eager to know more about from the first book.

Stacey Marie Brown’s writing is wonderful, the dialogue is done really well and I enjoyed the imaginative world-building which isn’t over the top but kept me engrossed and wanting to know more. I am definitely excited to read the next book in the Collector series.

Overall, The Barrier Between is a book filled with adventure and twists and turns aplenty, I was riveted from the very first page and I am excited to see where the story goes – it does end on a big cliff-hanger so thankfully book 3, Across the Divide has been released (phew). 

 
About the author: Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.

She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly.