Terminal Static (The Echo trail, #2); Hannah Marae

“Terminal Static” is the second book in the Echo Trail series, so if you haven’t read “Resurrection Road” yet, do that before reading this review. I’ll do my best to avoid all spoilers, but you never know what may slip through the veil. In this second book, Laz, Zeke, and Eden are looking to relax after surviving their encounter with the blood mage, each has changed to varying degrees, but none more so than Zeke. This second book focuses more on his emotional journey and I loved seeing him struggle with wanting to remain who he was in the face of all the new changes he’s undergoing, and what that may mean for his family—considering his father got out of the hunting life a long time ago. But of course, the consequences of their showdown with the blood mage continue to follow them in surprising, and really creepy ways!

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I had the honor of beta reading an early copy of “Terminal Static” but I didn’t want to rate or review this story until after the final book hit the wider world. A lot can change between those early versions, but the bones of this Supernatural inspired series are all strong, so of course the final iteration of this book turned out even better than I could have imagined! While I generally knew where this story was going, rereading it still felt like a new experience as there was a new layer of subtly over the story that kept me fully invested in these characters and their adventures all over again.

The second book has a creepy factor to it that is much more intense than its predecessor. It’s a slow burn build of unsettling events mingled with the feeling of constantly being watched… This book would be perfect to read on chilly nights if you’re looking to up that spooky factor! It’s not so much that I’d call it horror, but just like the show Supernatural, you get moments of really fantastic body shivers. I won’t say more than that because I don’t want to spoil the big reveal, but let’s just say that when things escalate in this book, they escalate FAST. It was a treat to watch each of the characters deal with their fears as well, as it really allows Marae to showcase just how well-crafted and different each character is. Everyone felt so distinct and unique from one another! While Eden and Laz are adorable together, I have to say that Zeke and his sunshine demeanor and Mab’s pure bad babe sass make them my favorites hands down.

True to Supernatural form, each of the Echo Trail books focus on one “case”, as it were, with an overarching mystery/monster that the characters are heading toward. In “Terminal Static” who and what they are heading toward becomes a little clearer, and has me so excited for the third book, which is why I am giving this book 5 stars. The slow burn romance is really starting to heat up, and the ghosts and monsters are getting more intense, which has me both excited and worried for the characters! I can’t wait to see how our main group grows and evolves next!