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Unrequited relays the continuing saga of Talia Jacob and her search for finding the "person whose vibration matches the tune" her soul sings. Talia is financially secure for life as a result of being the sole recipient of her deceased parent's estate. Yet this fiscal stability offers no comfort to the unresolved conflicts of her past and a longing to be loved. Now approaching her thirties, Talia seeks a clairvoyant who confirms, "You have been hiding from the world yet it seeks you out." The rejuvenated experience not only pushes Talia further onto the path of self-discovery, but also catapults her into a direction of giving back to the world. While her exploration takes her to wonderfully amazing encounters in India and to the establishment of Solution Manifestation, a successful charitable organization, Talia has to face the dark areas of her past before inner healing can take place.
The second book in a fascinating romantic trilogy, Truth Devour's narrative is a testimony to Devour's storytelling skills. As in her first book, Wantin, Devour keeps her next narrative flowing with numerous scene changes, but this time she incorporates another varied set of literary tools. Devour offers plenty of contrast. While Wantin unfolds Talia's earlier yet promiscuous years, Unrequited zeroes in on Talia's self-confidence as she ages. Talia is most definitely a dynamic character, which is apparent in her maturation process and as she becomes more spiritually cognizant of her world. An interesting aspect of her spiritual growth is Talia's ability to sense past and future spirits (such as a young child and an old gypsy woman), which is not evident in Wantin. As a result of Talia's spiritual perception, people are drawn to her. And in the most astounding of circumstances, Talia is seen as a deity. Talia's encounters with a leprous Indian woman and a Sadhu are good examples.
Yet what really sets the aforementioned spiritual events apart is Devour's deliberate inclusion of witnesses who utter the same comments. Devour lightly laces an effective literary tool, known as leitwortstil—a recurring phrase that expresses a story theme—to capture her readers' attention. Amid Talia's incredible situations, her witnesses always respond with, "I've never seen anything like this." While the phrasal repetition accentuates Talia's mystic connections with the world, it also offers a bit of comedic relief.
Character growth is not limited just to Talia. While Devour includes a handful of new characters in Unrequited, the characters that she carries over from Wantin are now aging. Devour's cast slowly transitions from youthful frivolity (reflective of Wantin) to becoming more set in their ways, which evokes an overarching theme of stability—another literary tool. This sense of stability is especially noticeable in Talia's sensual relationships, which are now few and far between. Ironically, while other characters are finding soul mates, Talia is not. Devour portrays Talia as a woman who finally comes to terms with the fact that the selfish and impassive actions of her youth (in Wantin) did nothing but break men's hearts. Aside of her Indian lover, Talia learns that it is best to quickly nip relational developments in the bud that are not mutually felt before they get blown out of proportion.
Absolutely enthralling from beginning to end, the story's unhackneyed twists and turns, including another cliffhanger, will keep readers longing for the end sequel to Devour's unforgettable trilogy.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review