Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3) by Jennifer Estep

I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.


Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me?


It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.


Review:


This series never seizes to surprise me. Honestly, I find myself chewing off my nails and on the edge of my seat each time I pick one of these lovely books up. I also find myself loving Gwen more and more. She's still the great heroine she surprised us all by being in Touch of Frost and Kiss of Frost, but she is also continuously growing up as a character. Her awkward moments and uncoordination still make me laugh and her strength leaves a lasting impression. One of my favorite parts of reading a series is that you get to see the characters grow up and change, and Gwen is a perfect example of this. 


Gwen's friends, Daphne and Carson, are also incredibly sweet, as well as Grandma Frost and Nikamedes (in his own way). Logan is, of course, still Logan, and the romantic tension between him and Gwen just doesn't get old. There's nothing better than tangible teenage chemistry, especially when it can find away to be strange and yet also charming and impassioned. 


Estep's writing, as always, has distinguishable personality and voice suiting to Gwen, and her developing skills put other authors to shame, both in character and plot development. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!


Grade: A


Dark Frost was released today, so don't forget to make a quick trip to amazon.com or Barnes and Noble to get your copy! Also, check this out.  


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Keep Spreading the News . . .

Happy Thursday!
So something incredibly fantastic happened this week.

But before I get to that incredibly fantastic thing, I just wanted to remind you all that I've also been blogging about my experience here in Italy, so feel free to check it out if you get the chance.

Anyway, in order to receive the ARCs that I've been getting in the mail (you're the best, Kensington!), my darling mother back in the States has been sending each of them over to me in Italy. Of course, being as harebrained as you all know I am, I'm also not always very observant. So this week, as I was reading my lovely advance copy of Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3), I noticed something a bit strange. 

Something like the name of my blog being on the back of the book. And a quote. Of something I wrote. 

Here's where you all start shrieking girly shrieks. Or at least where I did. It is only the ARC copy, but I have to say it was the coolest thing ever. As far as I know, it was a first. Just thought I should let you all know, lovelies!

Don't forget to stop by soon for my review of:


Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3) by Jennifer Estep


And check out my review of:


Storm (The Elemental Series, #1) by Brigid Kemmerer 

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Storm (The Elemental Series, #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.


Review:


If I had to sum this book up in one word, I would say boys. Five beautiful, sexy boys. Four of which are brothers. Hot damn. Major brownie points to Kemmerer for that one. 


But with all of this testosterone in one place, there are bound to be problems--especially when you throw in elemental powers. I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing the idea of the boys' powers turned out to be, and how Kemmerer developed the concept. 


The Merrick brothers are quite the characters. Each one had a unique and thoroughly explored personality, and their imperfections just made them all the more perfect. Their brotherly banter was incredibly amusing, and their behavior and interactions with Becca left a lasting impression. The fourth and equally attractive boy, Hunter, was also memorable, as were most of the other characters, like Becca's family, friends, and classmates. Generally, it's a sizable cast that Kemmerer succeeded outstandingly with.


Becca was not an exception. She was quirky and relatable, and a very unlikely heroine. From the beginning of the novel, she's off saving Chris, and she doesn't back down during the endless twists and turns that are thrown at her. Instead, she behaves in a way that is admirable and that anyone should be able to appreciate.  


The chemistry in this novel was impressive, especially in the way that it was tangible between both of Becca's romantic interests. I don't usually feel so torn about who I'd like our lovely female lead to fall for, but I definitely felt conflicted reading this one. The mess of their relationships is well-written and complex in a way that it doesn't fall into the standard love triangle cliché. 


Storm is a spectacular debut and a great start to a promising new series that you don't want to miss out on. 


Grade: A+


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Socialpunk (Socialpunk, #1) by Monica Leonelle

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

Review:

I was equal parts impressed and disappointed by this novel. It took about one chapter for me to get to the edge of my seat, but after that it was impossible to put it down. Every page was a new twist, each chapter ending with a cliff-hanger. The novel practically turns it's own pages. 


The writing wasn't exceptional--I didn't really like the way that the futuristic world was developed, and the voice of Ima fell sort of flat--but I liked the plot and the concept, and the tension and suspense was palpable. The ideas behind the futuristic world were incredibly interesting, and most of them were ones that I've never come across in the world of dystopian fiction.  


Character development was a bit on the fritz. There were some parts where it was incredibly strong, and others where it just wasn't. I felt like Ima, as the narrator, didn't really resound as a heroine the way she should have, but her friends had distinguishable personalities. 


But the most surprising thing about Socialpunk--no matter what you dislike about it, you can't help but finish it craving for more. 


Grade: B- 

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Socialpunk (Socialpunk, #1) Excerpt

Socialpunk is the first novel in a new trilogy by Monica Leonelle, a well known digital media strategist and the author of three novels. She blogs at Prose on Fire and shares her writing and social media with other bloggers and authors through her Free Writer Toolkit. If you like what you see in this excerpt, don't forget to check back here next week for my interview with Monica and my review of her novel. 


- - - - - - - - - - 

After playing God for six years with the world he created, he couldn’t control any of his subjects, none at all. Over the years, he had watched them evolve and become the sum of their own choices rather than the sum of his; and for that, he regretted ever giving them life.

A small, blinking red light from just inside his eyelid reminded him of the news they sent him earlier that morning. The company had cancelled his funding and would shut down his project within three months. According to them, the project cost too much and took up too much space, and the inconclusive results couldn’t be published reputably, now or in the future.

Six years of his work, tens of thousands of lives at stake—and he could do nothing to save any of it. He bowed his head, letting his chin rest on the rim of his breakfast smoothie. The smoothie reeked of powder—crushed pills—but he supposed he had better get used to it. He wouldn’t be able to afford the luxury of real food after they canned him.

He closed his eyes and called up the camera view of one of his favorites, number 3281. She fascinated him; he couldn’t deny it. When he had designed her, her pre-teen rebelliousness lit fire in her eyes. A survivor, he’d thought. He’d meant for her to have it all—to grow up, to get married to the love of her life, and to have a beautiful family of her own someday.

A Breath of Eyre (Unbound, #1) by Eve Marie Mont

Emma Townsend has always believed in stories—the ones she reads voraciously, and the ones she creates in her head. Perhaps it’s because she feels like an outsider at her exclusive prep school, or because her stepmother doesn’t come close to filling the void left by her mother’s death. And her only romantic prospect—apart from a crush on her English teacher—is Gray Newman, a long-time friend who just adds to Emma’s confusion. But escape soon arrives in an old leather-bound copy of Jane Eyre.

Reading of Jane’s isolation sparks a deep sense of kinship. Then fate takes things a leap further when a lightning storm catapults Emma right into Jane’s body and her nineteenth-century world. As governess at Thornfield, Emma has a sense of belonging she’s never known—and an attraction to the brooding Mr. Rochester. Now, moving between her two realities and uncovering secrets in both, Emma must decide whether her destiny lies in the pages of Jane’s story, or in the unwritten chapters of her own . . .


Review: 


Jane Eyre is my absolute favorite classic novel, and I was inspired to read it after loving another modern retelling of Charlotte Bronte's fantastic story called Jane. So when I received A Breath of Eyre in the mail, I couldn't wait to dive right in. And I wasn't disappointed. Everybody has a novel they wish they could literally escape into--a novel they wish their life was like, a character they wish was their boyfriend, and so on. But when it happens to Emma Townsend, she's completely caught off guard. Her life at home wasn't too great, so being Jane was a nice break.


Character development was pretty much amazing, especially when you consider that Emma had two different roles throughout the novel; Jane and herself. The death of her mother had left Emma feeling empty and alone. Her personal growth during the book is an important aspect of it, as she discovers new things about her family, her friends, and the kind of person she wants to be. Gray Newman was also developed thoroughly, and I have to admit I fell a little in love with him right along with Emma. 


Eve Marie Mont balanced the two "realities" of the novel surprisingly well: Jane's world and Emma's world. And I think that, if I had never read Jane Eyre, I would have been inspired to read it. Which is, of course, a goal you must hope to achieve when writing a novel like this one. I can't wait to see what adventures Emma takes on in the upcoming sequels. 


A Breath of Eyre is scheduled for release on March 27th from Kensington. 



Grade: A+


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Tangled (Torn, #2) by Erica O'Rourke

Constance started to keen as the air around us began to thrash and twist, the caustic scent of ozone burning my nose. As I watched, her dark gold hair began to lift and kink into knots. “I’m here. It’ll be okay.” It was the last thing I said before my best friend’s little sister went supernova in the second-floor girls’ bathroom, taking me with her. 

A month ago, Mo Fitzgerald risked her life to stop an ancient prophecy and avenge her best friend's murder. Now, she only wants to keep her loved ones safe. But the magic—and the Chicago Mob—have other plans. 
Mysterious, green-eyed Luc is back, asking for help—and a second chance. Colin, her strongest protector, is hiding a shocking secret. And inside Constance, the magic is about to go terribly wrong. Tangled in a web of love and betrayal, Mo must choose between the life she's dreamed of and the one she's destined for.

Review: 

Even better than it's predecessor, I was thoroughly absorbed in this novel by the second page. Mo returns with guns blazing (figuratively, of course) in this sequel to Torn, scheduled for release on January 31st, 2012. 

The plot is absolutely captivating, as are Mo's love interests, Colin and Luc. (Although I have to admit I've always been rooting for Colin.) The romance is interwoven with the story in a way that it doesn't take center stage, giving way to the various other conflicts--and trust me, Mo has enough problems to go around. The suspense is unbelievable, and kept me going for the length of the entire novel, and I was continuously surprised by the constant turning of events and I was caught off guard nearly every chapter.

I've yet to be disappointed by O'Rourke or her characters, and I don't see it happening anytime soon. I can't wait for the next addition to this thrilling series.

Grade: A +

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Loving Emily by Anne Pfeffer

 

Ryan Mills is torn with guilt over the death of his best friend, and it's all because of Emily Wintraub. If Ryan hadn't seen those incredible gray-blue eyes, hadn't pegged her as a Potentially Amazing Woman, he would never have gone looking for her at the party that night. He would never have left his wasted friend Michael alone, when Michael needed him and asked him to stay. And if Ryan hadn't left, Michael would never have driven off, totaled his car, and taken the cosmic rocket ride into death. 

As far as Ryan's concerned, when you’ve done something terrible, you don’t deserve to be happy. He tries not to fall for Emily, but he can't help it. Before long, he is "completely, gonzo, out-of-control in love." 

Ryan then learns that Michael died with a secret. Still grieving, he feels compelled to take on his friend's unfinished business. When Emily begins to question where his commitments really lie—with her or with Michael’s memory—Ryan is forced to examine his choices. What does he owe to Michael, to Emily, and to himself? 

Review:

For the most part, I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. The writing was exceptional, the plot was interesting, and the main character was fantastic.

Reading a book from the perspective of a boy doesn't happen very often--I would say about 8 books out of the last 100 I've read were from the perspective of a boy--so that's always something that makes those select books especially interesting to me, since it makes them stand out already.

Ryan is sweet and charming and adorable, and I fell in love with him right along with Emily. But for character development as a whole, I was a little disappointed. Emily herself wasn't developed well enough for me to really decide anything about her; whether I liked her as a person, as a character, as Ryan's person of interest, I was never really sure. On the other hand, Michael was developed stunningly well, especially when you take into account that he's no longer alive in the majority of the novel.

Loving Emily also happens to be one of the only general fiction novels I've read in a while, and one of the best. You won't regret snatching this one off the shelf.



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You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis

It's been a year since Luna's mother, the fashion-model wife of a successful film director, was hit and killed by a taxi in the East Village. Luna, her father, and her little brother, Tile, are still struggling with grief.

When Luna goes to clean out her mother's old studio, she's stunned to find her mom's cell phone there—charged and holding seven unheard messages. As Luna begins to listen to them, she learns more about her mother's life than she ever wanted to know . . . and she comes to realize that the tidy tale she's been told about her mother's death may not be the whole truth.

Review: 

The best way I can describe this novel is painfully, stunningly real. It is absolutely the most down-to-earth, believable novel I have read this year. Luna's struggle with the loss of her mother is equally heart-breaking and relatable, and her raw feelings are perfectly portrayed through Lewis's skilled writing and in-depth character development. 

The novel itself had personality, and Luna's voice (as well as Lewis's writing) was unique and likeable. The truth of the plotline, story, and characters shown strongly throughout, and the romance was sweet. Many young adult novels focus strongly on passionate romances, and I was surprised by how much the sweet, kind romance of Luna and Oliver draws you in. That gentle romance is enough to satiate even the most romantic of readers, and reminiscent of most young love. 

You Have Seven Messages is a fantastic novel, quiet in it's beauty and strengths, but unforgettable and touching. The perfect read for a wide variety of bibliophiles, I would not hesitate to add this novel to my list of favorites or to recommend it to all of you. 

Grade: A+

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The Sleepwalkers by J. Gabriel Gates

Privileged and popular Caleb Mason is celebrating his high school graduation when he receives a mysterious, disturbing letter from his long-lost childhood playmate, Christine. Caleb and his jokester friend Bean decide to travel to his tiny hometown of Hudsonville, Florida, to find her. Upon arrival, they discover the town has taken a horrifying turn for the worse. Caleb's childhood home is abandoned and his father has disappeared. Children are going missing. The old insane asylum has reopened, and Christine is locked inside. Her mother, a witch, is consumed with madness, and Christine's long-dead twin sister whispers clues to Caleb through the static of an a.m. radio.


The terrifying prophesies of the spirits are coming to pass. Sixteen clocks are ticking; sixty-six murdered souls will bring about the end of the world. As Caleb peels back layer after layer of mystery, he uncovers a truth more horrible than anything he had imagined, a truth that could only be uttered by the lips of the dead.

Review:

Going into The Sleepwalkers, you need to be aware of one fact, and one fact only: this book is SCARY. When I read the summary, I thought Oh, well, it sounds kind of creepy, but nothing too intense. And then I read the book.

And then I couldn't sleep.

It's like a horror movie on paper. I'm telling you, don't read it at night. Or, if you read it at night, you should probably leave the lights on. I am a crazy horror film fanatic, but for some reason scary novels get to me a lot more than scary movies do. And, realistically, it takes some serious skill to actually make that happen.

The characters were awesome, espeically Caleb and Bean. Their friendship is easy to relate to; anyone who's ever had a really close friend before can admire that. The writing was fabulous, not a surprise after having read Dark Territory. The plot was outright astounding, as creative as you can get.

I absolutely loved this novel. As much as it freaked me out, I adore the fact that it was able to. As much as it made me crave my night light, I enjoyed every moment of it. Literally everything that could ever possibly be in a novel, is in this one. There's action, there's suspense, there's mystery, there's a surprisingly high amount of blood and gore, and there's romance.

Basically, it rocks.

Grade: A+

The Sleepwalkers is scheduled for release on October 1st from HCI Teens.

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Dark Territory (The Tracks, #1) by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel

In the quaint town of Middleburg, an abandoned train yard and old railroad tracks form the dividing line between two rival gangs—the posh, preppie Toppers and the working-class Flatliners. When Raphael, the leader of the Flatliners, falls in love with Aimee, a Topper girl, the rival gangs prepare to do battle . . . but not with guns and knives. Their martial arts training dictates a strict code of honor, which all of the gang members adhere to. The only hope for peace between the rival gangs lies within the giant X formed where the railroad tracks cross. The awesome power contained in the X sends the Flatliners and the Toppers on a mystical quest to fight against malevolent forces that threaten the existence of Middleburg—and maybe the world.

Review:

Wow, I loved this book. I loved this book. I swear, it has everything; martial arts (action, action, action), romance, school plays, gangs, train tracks . . . Just wow.

First things first: I have never before read a book involving martial arts. I really loved that aspect of the book; I've always thought that martial arts was such an amazing thing to be able to do, and I reading about it was awesome. The descriptions of the fights and moves flowed really well, and all of the action scenes were easy to follow. I've always had some trouble with action books, because it can be really hard to follow full-out fight scenes on paper. For some reason, I've just never been able to do it. But in this book, I loved the action scenes! I looked forward to reading them, and I got really excited during Raphael's and Zhai's lessons with Master Chin. It was just so fun to read.

Character development definitely rocked, too, and I absolutely love Raphael. I swear, I can't get enough of that boy. I think that the bad aspects of his life--his father's death, his mother's job, being on the poorer side--made him really easy to connect to and identify with. And then there are so many characters that I couldn't help but so passionately hate, and I absolutely love that in a book. If there's anything a good book needs to be able to do is make me really, really mad. I could relate to Zhai and Raphael's ruined friendship, like I'm sure most teens could. I think that everyone has that friend that you lost to an outside reason, and really wish things could be better. Nass really made me laugh, and so did Dalton. Aimee was also fantastic, and I couldn't help but feel really terrible for her and her home life, or root for her and Raph.

Which brings me to the romance! Oh, the romance! Once you read this book, you can never go back. Raph and Aimee! I got so caught up in the book, praying for everything to work out. I loved their relationship, and I loved them as a couple. It was one of the most suspenseful parts of the books, actually, when you were so hoping that everything would turn out good for them, but you just don't know.

This book was, really, a summer action flick. It has everything it needs to be amazing, with kick-butt fight scenes, an intense romance, great characters, and awesome dialogue. Basically, it has a little bit of something for everyone. Look out for it on July 1st!

Grade: A+

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Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy, #1) by Jennifer Estep

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Acad­emy — a school of myths, magic and war­rior whiz kids, where even the lowli­est geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spar­tan guy in school, also hap­pens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jas­mine Ash­ton was mur­dered in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties. Then, some­one stole the Bowl of Tears, a mag­i­cal arti­fact that can be used to bring about the sec­ond Chaos War. You know, death, destruc­tion and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m deter­mined to find out who killed Jas­mine and why – espe­cially since I should have been the one who died . . .

Review:

Touch of Frost is another one of those great books to look out for this summer! It's an intriguing cross between Hex Hall, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and every great YA paranormal fiction novel out there. It has literally everything: mystery, romance, mythology, boarding schools . . . What could be better?


Nothing!


I had absolutely no trouble getting sucked into this novel; the moment I picked it up, I couldn't set it down. It's very suspenseful, and there's enough action to keep even the most reluctant reader interested.

I especially loved the characters. Gwen herself was a really awesome character, and I took an immediate liking to her; the emotions she goes through about the loss of her mother, and the difficulty of feeling like you don't fit in are very relateable to many teens' lives everywhere today. Everyone goes through a period of time where they don't really know who they are, or where they belong.

The love interest--because, yes, there is ALWAYS a love interest--is definitely one to talk about, and is--just in case you were having doubts--an important part of the novel. Gwen and Logan have a complicated relationship, but it just adds to the suspsense of the novel.

Touch of Frost is an outstanding start to a very promising series. Look for it in July, (possibly on the 26th) from Kensington Publishing Corp!

Grade: A+

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Torn (Torn, #1) by Erica O'Rourke

Everyone has secrets. Even best friends.

Mo Fitzgerald knows about secrets. But when she witnesses her best friend’s murder, she discovers Verity was hiding things she never could have guessed. To find the answers she needs and the vengeance she craves, Mo—quiet, ordinary, unmagical Mo—will have to enter a world of raw magic and shifting alliances. And she’ll have to choose between two very different, equally dangerous guys—protective, duty-bound Colin and brash, mysterious Luc. One wants to save her, one wants to claim her. Which would you choose?

Review:

Torn is the twentieth book I've read this year (start-to-finish) so far, and definitely one of the best. The plot is very unique, and I couldn't guess the ins-and-outs of the dark, magical world in which the book takes place, like you usually can in most YA paranormal novels, especially those of the vampire-werewolf variety.

The introduction was a little slow for me--it took the first few chapters for me to really get pulled in--but after I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Torn was full of endless plot twists and turns, and I could never guess what was going to happen.

And, of course, a big, fat A+ for characters. Mo was a generally likeable character, and even though I didn't exactly agree with every choice she made, she is my favorite female main character so far this year. And the problem of two love interests created quite the drama. Luc and Colin. While I am definitely Team Colin, there was some serious apeal in the dramatic mystery of Luc, and there was a ton of tension.

Torn hits the shelves this summer (July, 2011) from Kensington Publishing Corp--keep an eye out for it!

Grade: A+

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Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

To be released on October 1st, 2009, Bad Apple is the story of Tola Riley, a misunderstood artist, and the rumored affair between her and her art teacher, Mr. Mymer. Throughout the novel, you follow Tola through troubling circumstances, and learn that there is no living happily ever after—there’s just living happily. Told in a believable voice layered with sarcasm, Bad Apple is your classic tale of a teenager trying to find out where she belongs.

While I did enjoy this book, it definitely was very slow and lacked a certain drive that I personally feel books need to have. It has the sturdy plot, strong characters, and powerful voice that some young adult novels seem to lack—but it just doesn’t have the necessary suspense. I suppose that this is understandable—Ruby didn’t have much to go off of—but it still could have been much better. As I mentioned earlier, Tola’s voice is one of such honesty and sarcasm that she is nearly impossible to hate. And the general character development was just fabulous!

I found the fairy tale aspect of this book very entertaining, as the Grimm fairy tales are my favorite. Tola is a very unique artist, and most of her drawings/paintings are related to fairy tales, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Robber Bridegroom, and The Goose-girl, which are some of my favorites.

But the novel was also pathetically predictable, which was depressing. I mean, just from reading the summary, you know that she’s been accused of having an affair with her art teacher—and from there it’s pretty easy to guess that this is going to be solved somehow (resolution, anyone?). And then the second you meet Seven, it’s really obvious that they’re going to be together. This book didn’t surprise me very much, and that’s something that really ruins the entire point of reading a book.

But, despite this, I honestly did love the novel--and, god, what an awesome cover! Truly, don't hesitate to grab Bad Apple the moment it hits the shelves in October.

Grade: B+

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The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

summary from goodreads.com

This book was suspenseful and unique in many ways, only one of which was the plotline. There were a few instances when I felt myself slipping from Derting's grip--and at the most suspenseful times, which was odd, such as when Violet could sense the echo of the killer, or discovered the murdered girls--but the book definitely kept my interest throughout the whole time I was reading it. I'm not going to lie, I did sneak it under my desk in class for just a few minutes of reading. I loved the subplot of romance because, after all, who doesn't like a book with romance?

I especially enjoyed seeing the story from the killers’ eyes--it drew more attention to the mysterious, dark side of the novel, and gave both of the killers very distinctive qualities. I couldn't help but find myself very intrigued by them and what it was, exactly, that drove them to commit such hideous crimes. Despite its flaws--which, I'm glad to say, there were very few of--I cannot deny that I loved this book, because I loved it so, so much. One thing for sure: Derting has got some definite talent up her sleeve! What an amazing novel!

The characters were all very developed, which, in my opinion, is key to a great book, and there were little to no questions left unanswered by the end, which is the general thing that makes me sad to finish stand alones, and made me especially sad to finish this one. Violet's unique ability definitely increased my interest, because I wanted to know more about it, and Jay is the ideal boyfriend; let's face it, girls, we all want a Jay in our lives.

This book would be a great choice for fans of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi, The Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, and the Wake series by Lisa McMann. What an incredible debut from Kimberly Derting! I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. If I were you, I’d grab this book the second it hits the shelf at your local bookstore.

Grade: A+

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