Review: Red Fox, by Karina Halle

Red Fox (Experiment in Terror #2)

With Book Two of the Experiment in Terror Series, Perry Palomino and Dex Foray trade in the stormy Oregon coast for the unforgiving deserts of New Mexico.

In the for­got­ten town of Red Fox, a Navajo cou­ple is tor­tured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild ani­mals slink through their house in the dark, a bar­rage of stones pound their roof nightly, and muti­lated sheep car­casses are turn­ing up on their prop­erty. Armed with a cam­era and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the des­o­late locale, hop­ing to film the super­nat­ural occur­rences and add cred­i­bil­ity to their flail­ing web­cast. Only their show has a lot more work­ing against them than just grow­ing pains. Tested by dubi­ous ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshift­ing decep­tion, the ama­teur ghost hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths…or die trying. (From GoodReads)

My Review

I’ve made it abundantly clear that I loved Book 1 in the Experiment in Terror series, Darkhouse.  Because I felt so strongly about that book, I was a little nervous to get started on Book 2, Red Fox. Crises averted, because I loved Red Fox even more (if that’s possible)!

In Red Fox, New Mexico, Perry and Dex, struggling to save their show, search amongst old Navajo traditions and legends to find the truth. Karina Halle did an amazing job giving the visualization for the scenery. The arid desert, the harsh climate, all felt impossible alive.  I felt a part of the story, as if I should be swiping the dust and grime off my own self.  The tension between the characters was palpable. I found myself squirming through the tense moments right along with Perry.

In Red Fox, author Karina Halle expanded beautifully upon the characters she created in Darkhouse. We,the readers, are given more insights into what makes Perry and Dex tick. In this book, Dex becomes a more vulnerable, open character. Through Max, an old friend of Dex’s, Perry learns about his past, the tragic history that made him who he is today. Dex is still the same funny, slightly strange guy who we learned to love in Darkhouse.  He has an alluring quality that draws you in, hoping you can “fix” him. Then in the next moment, says something so bizarre or off-putting, it sends you hurtling straight back to Earth.
Perry, the same self-deprecating, sarcastic, and captivating girl we met in Darkhouse. Besides dealing with her strange new path, she must also contend with her condescending parents, who have little faith (or knowledge) in what she’s doing. But, as a character, she comes more into her own in Red Fox. She becomes more assertive, gaining confidence and assurance in her abilities and decisions. She still has an insane ability to get herself into ridiculous situations. And now she is stuck in the middle of the desert with Dex, hoping he won’t come unhinged.

As suspenseful as the paranormal activity they are dealing with is, that has nothing on the sexual suspense between Dex and Perry. The magnetism between them is bananas. In Red Fox, they are pushed closer than ever before. Sharing a room, sharing a bed. Not only must they fight for the survival of their lives, I’m not so sure their hearts will survive. This couple is driving me insane, in a good way. I am praying for a spectacular payoff in the end! I truly expect them to just literally attack each other one day, hopefully soon.

I don’t think, short of being completely ridiculous, I can encourage you more strongly to read this series. It has quickly moved to the top of my favorites list. This book left me dying. I want to read Book 3, Dead Sky Morning, now. Lucky for me, I get an ARC of Dead Sky morning within the next month.  This blog will also be hosting a giveaway for the first three books in the Experiment in Terror series, courtesy of Karina Halle, the astoundingly cool author of the series. 
You can find my review for Darkhouse (Experiments in Terror #1) here.
You can learn more about the Experiments in Terror series and Karina Halle at the series website.
You can find the book (and add to your TBR list) at GoodReads.

*I received Red Fox from the author, in exchange for an honest review.*