Jack (Leech) Paperback – December 27, 2013

Two down, one to go. “Jack,” the second of the Leech series, is as compelling as the first book, “Caleo” was. It is also written with the same sort of, um, youthful exuberance and careless disregard for the niceties of grammar and editing.This is to say that the writing can be really good at times, and Crawford surely captures the essentials of what a post-apocalyptic teenager would be—alternating between courageous and jerky. As with the first book of this series, I had to keep reminding myself that this is a Young Adult novel, and the love of killing and mayhem certainly fits in with youth culture today, if video games and movies are any indication. As an old gay man, however, I find it all a little exhausting—the never-ending quest just to be safe, and the nonstop ability of the enemy to find Jack and his companions wherever they go.What Crawford manages to do, however, is to make us give a damn about Jack, Jillian, Caleo and all the rest. I’ve read plenty of YA books in which the handsome jock finally realizes that he feels “that way” about his best friend since childhood. But I’ve never read one where that happens in the middle of a global attack by inhuman creatures bent on world domination. Or something. The whole Leech apocalypse still doesn’t quite hang together for me—and perhaps that negligence is just part of the worldview of a young author. I suspect a lot of the current world doesn’t make sense to Mr. Crawford, either.Whatever is going on here, I found myself riveted to the text, and find myself at the end anxious to pick up the third book of the series, “Nolan.” Dammit. I need Jack and Caleo to be safe, too.

In Crawford's second book of the series, it's time for the audience to go deeper in to the mind and life of Jack Barely. In this episode we follow Jack's journey of self acceptance, self forgiveness and self reliance. We see him mature from a high school kid to a man in love who becomes ready to take on the relationship he has waited his whole life for. With so many twists and turns throughout, there truly is never a dull moment. Crawford does a fantastic development of Jack throughout along with Caleo and Jillian. Personally, there were times I wanted to throw the book across the room because I was so mad at what had just happened on the pages laid out before me. I ran the full spectrum of emotions from times of crying to totally astonishment.Jack (Leech Book 2) really gives to us in the gay community our own love triangle which really built up here. Personally, I wanted to be Team Nolan but it totally came down to Team Jack. Once you read this, there's just no way you won't fall in love with and root for Jack and Caleo!!!!!

I loved this coming of age male to male love story. It is jam packed filled with action, explosions, and quick life saving thinking. There are several sensitive men and homophobic men reacting with typical antagonism, The story is complete with agism, feelings of jealousy, fear and angst because all the men are dealing with a forbidden love during a time of absolute crisis and day to day survival of the fittest. This series will make a wonderful, explosive, fast action, science fiction, love story film that shall be enjoyed by all. I would have given the series 5 stars, but there are lots of grammatical errors such as the use of a wrong verb, adjective, or preposition i.e. "too" when it should have been "to". Please note: my grammar can be just as bad. This is why I hire a good editor when I have to write an important paper.

Actual rating 3.5 stars.With a fantastic premise set up in ‘Caleo,’ even if I had issues with the writing style, I was still excited to continue with this trilogy. ‘Jack’ still brings that level of immaturity in the narrative that bugged me from the first novel – but much less of it, thank goodness. We get a clear case of what is going on with the plot of the trilogy for the most part, but there is still a little confusion of some scenes not making sense. The stakes are definitely higher. There is a lot of action, pummelling, fighting and injuries… it is starting to feel like a bloodbath. So, while not top-tier writing, it is definitely compulsive.On a side note: I did find it comical at the amount of unintentional nudity. The teen girl in me giggled and kicked her legs (no judging me – I already know how lame I am.) In ‘Caleo,’ we did lose a bit of that larrikin humour over the second half of the novel, but it is back and interspersed throughout the narrative in ‘Jack’ and it’s the kind of smart-assery I love to indulge in.This time the story continues from Jack’s P.O.V. and he is more single-minded than in ‘Caleo’ – which was great in driving the plot forward, but it also erased some of his complexity. I would have liked to see much more going on with him emotionally and spiritually to turn up the level of tension.The reading experience felt a lot tighter and more enjoyable. Though personally I’m #TeamNolan and felt like Nolan was pushed aside again for the sake of setting up a love triangle, though, with the third book in the series being from his point of view, I guess I’ll get the fix I’ve been hinkering for since starting this trilogy. *fingers crossed*I did get more surprises than expected, but there still wasn’t a lot of resolution in the plot for me to feel entirely satisfied. Second book syndrome. Even though there is so much action going on in ‘Jack,’ I felt as though something was lacking – whether it be a few sub-plots, or moving the overarching storyline forward more, it still left me in that state of mind after finishing ‘Caleo.’ Yes, I’m dying to find out what happens next, but annoyed that I have to read yet another book to get a payoff.I developed a lot more liking and sympathy for Jack after reading this second installment, but there is still something about Caleo and Jack that doesn’t sit right for me. But let’s see were the journey takes us. Jumping into ‘Nolan’ right now…

After book one (highly recommended) I had to know how the story would continue so swiftly (within 10 minutes of finishing book one) I purchased and moved on to book two. I could not put this down and it held my attention all the way through. Full of fantastic plot twists, raw emotion and great humour it is a definite must read.It ran a little slow in places but this never lasts for long before your right back into the action and rapidly turning those pages (as best as one can on the kindle app) to out what's going to happen next. I love that this was told from Jacks side as he felt like a great character from book one and I was dying to know more of him.Gripping me right until the end it has left me shouting MORE! MORE!!! Can't wait for book 3 James

WOW, Jack was such a good read! From the first page I was not able to put my Kindle down. There is so much action in this story you can not help but go through every emotion possible for the characters you have grown to love from the first book. My head is spinning trying to take in everything I have read and OMG why another cliff hanger. Ok it says at the end of this book that book 3 is coming soon, but how soon? James Crawford, you have a wonderful imagination but can I have the next book now please!!This is a wonder series that will have you in tears and will take you on one he'll of a emotional journey!Highly recommended!!

I gave it a five star rating because I love the characters. I really got to feel for Jack and all his anguish cause he said nothing when he should said all. It makes you want love to conquer all. Each book I think is of a different person pov. However I really enjoyed Jack's pov.

I loved every second of this book. I can not wait for the next one. Jack and Caleo are my favourite characters in both books.

love this book and series