Destiny and Deception: A 13 to Life Novel [Paperback]

Shannon Delany (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 31, 2012 | Series: 13 to Life (Book 4)

The sensational fourth novel in the 13 to Life series sees Jessica and the Rusakovas fighting to overcome their biggest challenge yet.

With the threat of the mafia seemingly gone and the company's headquarters in Junction destroyed, Pietr Rusakova is adjusting to being a normal teen and Jess is realizing normalcy may not be what she wanted after all. But both Jess and Cat know the truth--that normal can't be taken for granted. Their precious cure isn't permanent--and when a new danger stalks into their small town, Alexi decides he must overcome his issues with the mother who abandoned him to be raised by wolves and make a brand new deal to save his adopted family.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Secrets and Shadows:

“[Readers will] appreciate the virginal sexual tension, the snarled das and nyets, the testosterone-fueled feuds and the titillating glimpses of tragic history.”—Kirkus Reviews

“New readers can dive in without reading the first book, and new fans won’t be long in arriving.”—Booklist

“Devoted paranormal romance fans will probably like the series.”—VOYA Magazine

“Shannon Delany’s creations will show you how rich and fulfilling Young Adult Paranormal writing can be.”—Fresh Fiction

“Definitely a smash hit and the must read book of this summer 2010!" —TEEN CHANNEL REVIEWS

About the Author

SHANNON DELANY lives and writes in Upstate New York and enjoys traveling to talk to people about most anything.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312624468
• ISBN-13: 978-0312624460
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #808,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shannon Delany believes there is no one right path to following your dreams. Previously a teacher and now a farmer raising heritage livestock in upstate New York, Shannon Delany has always been fascinated by history, myths, legends and paranormal research.

Shannon's debut series of YA paranormal romance novels, the 13 TO LIFE series, (13 to Life, Secrets and Shadows, Bargains and Betrayals, Destiny and Deception, and Rivals and Retribution) began by winning the first-ever cellphone novel contest in the western world. Her books were so well received by readers (and nominated for a YALSA Teen Top Ten) that her trilogy was expanded to five books.

Shannon has debuted in science fiction in the Leap Books charity anthology SPIRITED: 13 Haunting Tales (with "To Hel and Back" featuring augmented reality work done by Karl Gee) and her high fantasy debut occurred in Month 9 Books' charity anthology TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES (with "Pieces of Eight" co-written with singer and songwriter Max Scialdone).

Shannon's new WEATHER WITCH series (a steampunk series through St. Martin's Press) will begin to release in 2013. Learn more about Shannon at www.ShannonDelany.com, on GoodReads, on Facebook (13 to Life Series by Shannon Delany; and AuthorShannonDelany) and Twitter (@shannon_delany).

Explore 13 to Life's world of Junction at www.13toLifeSeries.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the 13 To Life series! January 31, 2012

By Ashbychick

Format:Paperback

I absolutely love Shannon Delany's 13 To Life series. This is the 4th book in the series and it doesn't disappoint!

Things are really different now for Jessie and Pietr. Now that he and his siblings have taken the cure, he is different - more subdued and seemingly less interested in Jess. They're all still devastated by their mother's death but at least Dmitri is out of the picture. They try to return to a normal life - go to school, get jobs to pay the bills - but normal is not in the cards for them.

There are still strange things going on a Junction High and Jessie is determined to get to the bottom of it. Her friends Sophie and Amy and even Sarah are helping too.

A new wolf pack comes to town led by the rebellious Marlaena. They sniff out the Russakuvas pretty quickly but how can that be if they're all cured? There's plenty of mystery and what's worse is that Marlaena is showing a pretty heavy interest in Pietr.

Alexi is realizing the new danger that his adopted family is in and is making plans to save them.

The best part of this book is the introduction of new characters. Marlaena, the alpha of her pack, Gabriel, who's vying for alpha male, and Gareth who seems to be interested in being more than just a friend to Marlaena, are some of the new werewolves introduced. The book has several parts from Marlaena's point of view and the insight into her attitude about being a wolf is fascinating. She was probably my favorite part of the book!

I also loved all the details about Alexi and hearing more from his point of view. We get insight into his relationship with Nadezdha, his past romance in Russia. Also he finally meets his real mother whom we were introduced to in book 3....

Jessie is struggling in her relationship with Pietr because of how drastically being just human has changed him. I thought that her struggle was really superbly written. Of course she still loves him but she is realizing now more than ever that part of that love was based in him being a werewolf. That was part of him and even though she always wished he could be normal and have more time (werewolves are only given around 13 years to live after the first change) she discovers that Pietr is a very different person now than from when she first fell in love with him.

This one ends on a cliffhanger but don't be too upset! Book 5 comes out in August 2012!
If you haven't started the series, now is the perfect time. You've got plenty of time to read all four books and be ready for book 5 in August. Read more ›

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars depressing February 2, 2012

By astrid

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

i have to be honest and say that this is one of my favorite series. its like out of a hundred books you read, you sometimes have
one book that sticks out? 13 to life was mine. so i was very unhappy with the way this part of the story unfolded. i found it to be rather depressing, honestly. i know it sounds silly cause they are really just book characters , but i honestly thought that jessica deserved better. i felt that after everything she went through, and then literally sticking her neck out, she get left with a boyfriend who has his head in the clouds. also , i hate it when an author writes an addition to a story , and strips it of all the things we love about it. we love peitr, but she completely changes him into something else. thanks:( i hated to see jessica suffering . and amy to for that matter. i really hope the last installment lets things end in a good way. i will feel like iam being given the finger, if it doesn't.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER GREAT ONE!! April 3, 2012

By Kathryn Grimes

Format:Paperback

Well, first let me say that I have been dying to read this book b/c I won a signed copy in January. Of course, life gets in the way and obligations that require you to do something else...But, my wait is now over and I have dived in to Destiny and Deception and LOVED it!! Shannon Delany does not disappoint as usual...
I have been following the 13 to Life series for a while now and with each book you fall more in to the world she has created with Jessie and Pietr, Max, Amy, Cat, and Alexi...and now she has added some new characters to the mix and they have really shaken it up.
We start off exactly where Bargains and Betrayals leaves off and as each page is turned, I find my heart breaking a little. The one thing that I absolutely loved about this series is missing...my alpha!! And wow...he changed so much..I ache for Jessie and just wanted to go and up and knock some sense in to Pietr. But, I know Shannon is taking us on a path that will be grand and grand it is. What is causing the problems for Jessie and Pietr? Are our new players the cause of any disruption? You are going to have to read and find out for yourself.
I truly hope that I am doing this book justice. I am dying for the next one since we are left with a major cliffhanger and all I can do is work on possible outcomes and hope that one of them is true!
With mystery, intrigue, heartache, and intense situations I highly recommend this book...This whole series...

Review also found on my blog
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 13 to Life freaking ROCKS! February 10, 2012

By Jessica S.

Format:Paperback

So I finished Shannon Delany's Destiny and Deception, which I totally loved! As you knew I would! It was freaking epic! So my review is going to be a little weird--since I have yet to really fall into a habit, I'm going to touch on some of the strong features of the book that had me oozing with emotions!

Picking up where we left off, Pietr and his brother and sister have been cured of their lycanthropy. But for how long? As we know from Cat, the cure isn't permanent. But it takes and things seem to be going smoothly. Yet, it is making Jessie's life miserable. She and Pietr no longer have the same spark in their relationship. Pietr has turned into a totally different boy from what he once was. Was Jessie ever in love with Pietr? Was it just the wolf? She has some serious questions going through her head over the course of the book and it was practically tear jerking for me!

There are some really interesting developments in the book, a new pack of wolves has moved into Junction. Marlaena, we learn a lot about her as the book is told through her p.o.v. as well as Jessie and Alexi. And let me tell you, I do not like Marlaena! Sure, she started as an interest character with a troubling past that she has overcome. But once she saw Pietr...oh man...I do not like her! She is the alpha female in her pack, even with two other wolfs vying for her affections--one openly, the other not so--and having some feelings (a variety of them) towards both, she still looks to Pietr! Even though he is cured.

Another part of the novel that was truly moving for me was Max and Amy. We all know now that poor Amy had a creep of a boyfriend--whose now gone--and Max has suddenly turned a new leaf. He isn't the playboy we all knew and loved. Now he's sweet, caring, considerate.... Never fear, for he does still maintain his snarky attitude...anything to get a smile out of Amy. The way he cares for her and treats her as she heals from her ordeal is just so moving! Max is definitely my fave secondary character!

There were definitely some laughs for me throughout the book! As my teasers showed, there were little remarks that kinda of joked at the book itself. Making fun of Twilight and there was also a Scooby-Doo reference! Do I need more reason to totally LOVE this series!! It has everything I could ever hope for all wrapped into a neat little book--soon to be 5!

The pacing was good, I'll admit things were kinda sedate for awhile, the Rusakovas are no longer werewolves, so there's no present danger. Yet it is definitely brewing. The mafia is still there and there's still the threat happening at school with the cafeteria food--so glad I brought my lunch nearly everyday at high school! And Wanda, oh yeah, she's there too still and there are still some startling revelations to be had about that woman!

The mysteries and secrets are still there. Being touched, yet not solved. Like the whole thing with Derek and what may have happened to Jessie and the girls before he died. It wasn't fully explored but touched about 3 times or so. Expecting that to come into play again next time!

And the ending! Oh the ending! FREAKING-KILLED-ME!! Wanted to scream bloody murder! Yes, there is another dreadful cliffhanger! Shannon really knows how to keep her readers hooked! So there's going to be a disastrously looooooooooooooong wait til August when Rivals and Retribution releases, concluding the series. My heart breaks, yet at the same time I do hope for happy endings all around!

Overall rating...seriously? You need to check? ;) 5/5 stars! Read more ›