Book Review: Spellweaver by Tamara Grantham

Spellweaver by Tamara Grantham

Crimson Tree Publishing © 2015

Kindle Edition

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Spellweaver on Amazon

Okay, first of all: let the drooling commence over that absolutely gorgeous cover!  It is a worthy successor to the cover of Dreamthief.

Summary:

As if Olive Kennedy didn't have enough problems, now she is required to save Faythander.  Again.  From goblins.  Again.  So much for the peaceful fairy world of her childhood.

Tracking goblins would have been easier if Olive wasn't surrounded by a bunch of Wult warriors, she imagined.  Yet, she stuck with them for one Wult in particular: Kull.  Having proven himself a remarkably lucky companion during her Dreamthief escapades, Olive has committed herself to helping track the goblins in order to rescue Kull's sister.  Except, his sister is in love with the goblin leader, Geth, who is on a mission to destroy magic in Faythander.

When Geth succeeds in destroying the Everblossom–a tree containing the last vestiges of pure magic in either world–it is Olive's job to restore the magic to the fairy realm, or watch every magical creature die a slow and painful death.  A point that is driven home the moment she returns to the dragons and seeks her stepfather's advice and finds the Sky King in mortal peril.

Relying more heavily on her Earth Kingdom magic, Olive must locate the Everblossom's last bloom and find where it belongs before all of Faythander's magic is extinguished.  Each step of the way, she fights against Geth's interference, and a few personal obstacles that involve a boyfriend that needs to be slapped with an 'ex' label, and a mother whose mind is clearing by the day now that the spells on her memories are losing their hold.

Perhaps worst of all, however, is the decree that the Wult King has made: that Kull and Olive can never be.  For the Wult Prince's marriage must have political significance, and he does not consider Olive worthy.  And she can't decide if it is better or worse that Kull is eager to discount threats of his inheritance in order to be with Olive.

Being a savior is a tough gig.

Initial Thoughts:

I love Olive.  Kull is hilarious.  The plot is never ridiculous or tests my patience.  And the writing is superb.  This is a series I very much want more of.

Characters:

Olive Kennedy is a desperate woman who doesn't get paid enough to do what she does.  After saving Faythander once before from the threat of the return of the Goddess Theht, she was kind of hoping for some down time.  That didn't happen.  A simple rescue mission turns into another save the world escapade.  And does she flinch from that responsibility?  Hell no!  This woman rolls her shoulders back, gives a sigh that sounds like a muttered 'not this shit again,' and does her job.

She's snarky and realistic.  My love for Olive is unnatural and a bit pathetic.  But it's true: I am in love with Olive's character as a whole.  This is one woman you can count on to do the right thing, no matter the cost.  And sometimes the costs are high, but she does what she needs to anyway.  I really love this aspect to her.

Kull is still his cocky, arrogant, brash, bold self, and damn is it a treat reading about him.  Loyal to the point of stupidity, sometimes, while pushing boundaries he shouldn't at others, Kull is a warrior through and through.  Most compelling is his passion when on a mission.  He has no qualms about charging into danger because danger is where the fun is at.  And his luck often works to counteract Olive's ability to court catastrophe.  They're a perfect pair.

Again, other characters could be discussed at length, but when you have these two, there's really no need.  This is a 'you'll have to read it to understand … so go read it already!' kind of deal.

Plot & Setting:

Magical fairy realm mixed with a little Texan flare.  That's our setting, as Olive moves between the worlds and gives us a very detailed explanation of just what the hell is going on.  It's neither overdone to the point you choke on the details, but nor is it a blank canvas that you have to provide all the details for.  A perfect balance, in my opinion.

As far as the plot…  How do I describe this without spoilers?  This is difficult…

Okay, so the plot is packed with a lot of questions, sporadic answers which induce more questions, and a double dosage of 'don't trust anyone.'  There's intrigue and life-threatening adventure.  Each step makes sense and each plot point drives home the reality of their situation should the magic not be restored.  It's fast-paced and addictive.  And I loved every minute of it.

Writing Style:

If you're not sick of this word yet, I'm going to make you sick of it, because I LOVED the narration and storytelling ability put into this book.  Olive's voice is engaging and serves to cement her character in your mind.  The mark of a damn good writer, in my opinion.  Again, this book was as fun as its predecessor, without losing any of the seriousness that the situation calls for.  At times it was also just plain heartbreaking.

My biggest compliment to this author is her ability to create separate story lines for each novel, while maintaining that single strand of 'underlying cause' that connects the books.  To me, this is how every series should be, though I know they are often not.  I truly enjoy books that seem as if they are a standalone, when really you're given the opportunity to continue the journey with these characters.  Which is why this is easily becoming one of my favorite series to date.

Overall Opinion:

I loved it.  Do I really need to say more?

Book Review: Crushed by Kasi Blake

Crushed by Kasi Blake

Clean Teen Publishing © 2015

Kindle Edition

Urban Fiction

Reviewed by Leah

Crushed on Amazon

A standard love story between the stereotypical popular genius and the bad boy with secrets.  This book didn't irritate or anger me as much as it could have, but only because I found it incredibly boring.  On a positive note, however, that cover is freaking gorgeous!

Summary:

Every year of high school, the Noah triplets have played a game: Crushed.  Born witches, it took help from their grandmother to learn what they should know about their powers, since neither of their parents were magically gifted.  However, the girls have their own idea that what Grandma Noah doesn't know won't hurt.  Which is why they keep the love spell game Top Secret.

The other reason they have to keep their game a secret is because the revelation that they are witches would mean the instantaneous loss of their powers.  Yet, that doesn't stop the game.

When Kristin Noah is dared to crush Zach Bevian, however, she's going to get a whole new taste of what dangers the game presents.

Initial Thoughts:

I would love a book about witches that was about the magic more than the love story.  Sadly, I am unable to find said book.

Characters:

I'm just going to say one word and it will cover everyone: Stereotypical.

Kristin Noah was the popular girl who cared only about her reputation, grades, and future.  She was irritatingly organized and had never been on a date in her life.  Poor, poor Kristin.

Her sisters, Brittany and Cyndi are referred to as 'the twins' because they're identical out of the triplets, where Kristin is not.  Britt is the typical bad girl who wears baggy band shirts and pajama bottoms to school.  Cyndi is the sister that likes peace and calm and wears identical clothing to Brittany's so that she can pretend to be her whenever she needs to cover her twin's ass.

Zach is typical bad boy with a heart of gold.  He's a loner at school who can't stand the Noah sisters and their misuse of magic.  Until, OF COURSE, he realizes there's something "different" about Kristin.  *Gag me.*  He is also a bit of a naive idiot.

Morgan is the only interesting character out of the whole book and I can't even say why because it's a massive spoiler.  Just … be prepared.

Plot & Setting:

No real setting here other than mansions and school.  No details really given or needed there.

As for the plot, it was decent but predictable.  There's a realism in Kristin not understanding what is gong on, and also a realism in Zach's determination to keep it that way.  They're both harboring secrets, and those lead to some disastrous results.

Writing Style:

I'm not sure what to say here.  This is a run-of-the mill paranormal romance.  There was nothing spectacular about this book or anything that stood out as unique or different.

Overall:

This was a boring read.  Nothing engaged me and so I slogged through it the best I could.  For a predictable, easy read that is a stand alone novel (though it's part of a series, each character group is different per book) then I say go for it.  But if you wanted more, then this book didn't deliver.

Book Review: Reluctant Guardian by Melissa J. Cunningham

Reluctant Guardian by Melissa J. Cunningham

Clean Teen Publishing © 2013

Kindle Edition

Urban Fiction

Reviewed by Leah

Reluctant Guardian on Amazon

***SPOILERS AND SWEARING BE HERE***

When I first read the prologue, I thought I was going to love this book.  For one brief moment, I thought this book was going to show everyone what it felt like to be suicidal.  To explore exactly how much you didn't want to feel anything anymore, while at the same time harboring the inability to feel anything at all.  That prologue gave me hope … which the rest of the book stole from me.

Summary:

Alisa Callahan is a sixteen-year-old girl who has survived a horrific childhood, only to be left alone.  Despite having a family that loves her, nothing can compare to the lives that were already lost.  With her grandmother gone and her best friend and fellow victim having died recently, she feels that she has nothing else to live for.  The pain caused by her past is as fresh and painful as if it happened yesterday.  Left without a comforting voice to guide her, Alisa decides it isn't worth it to live anymore.

She takes her own life.

An action that comes with a price.

The only way to atone for this sin is to help someone in a way that she couldn't help herself.  Assigned to Brecken Shaefer as a Guardian, Alisa naively believes that a few days will earn her an after-lifetime of peace and happiness with her grandmother and best friend in a place she cannot go.  That is until she actually meets Brecken.

Born with gifts of his own and a life that isn't all that great, Brecken wants nothing to do with another Guardian.  Least of all the smart-mouthed, irritating, goody-two-shoes Alisa.  He doesn't want anymore lectures or interference on how he does things.  The way he sees it, he's taking care of his family and anyone else who thinks differently can bite him.

Yet, despite their initial reactions to one another, the two are drawn together.  The relationship that forms causes far more complications than either of them anticipated.  There are consequences for every action, and they're about to figure that out the hard way.

Initial Reaction:

This is the kind of book that pisses off everyone who is/has ever been suicidal.  The feeling of hopelessness and disgust with yourself and everyone around you completely vanishes after the prologue.  This is not a book about a girl who committed suicide.  It is a love story about some stupid dead girl and an even stupider 'bad boy with a heart of gold.'  I regret ever picking up this book.

Characters:

Alisa is a spoiled, arrogant, ignorant little twat.  I would try to tone this down for a review, normally, but I can't.  This girl is the very definition of a naive moron.

Let me fill you in on depression a little bit, and thus what Alisa should probably be feeling at some fucking point throughout this story: you hate everything.  Yet, you loathe nothing like you loathe yourself.  Your lack and failure light up behind your eyes like neon signs and you're forced to see each mistake you've ever made with glaring clarity every single day.  You feel hopeless and useless in ways you didn't think a human being was capable of.  You look at the world around you and all of the obstacles standing in your way and you realize that you were never capable of changing a damn thing.  Your world is the way it is and you are powerless to do anything about it.  There is no hope.  Nothing to live for.  You're stuck between a rock and a hard place and there's nowhere to go.  It is the knowledge that your life is meaningless and nothing you do will have an affect on anyone or anything, so why should you bother?  At the same time, you want to be useful.  You want to prove you're not a waste of space so desperately that you become a nuisance to your family, friends, and anyone else who cares about you.  Yet, you can't make yourself get off that computer, or go out and have fun, or even drag yourself out of bed when no other obligation throws you into a panic attack over what must be done.  Depression is knowing that you mean nothing, and the world wouldn't care that you're gone.

Do you think, for one solitary second, that Alisa felt this way at all?

If you said no, you would be correct.  This girl is naive and stupid in all the worst of ways.  When she commits suicide, she has expectations of what death is going to be.  She pretty much demands that she be allowed to float around with her grandma and friend in chapter one.  When she learns that she can read minds, she is excited.  Death, apparently, has resolved all those years of psychological self-mutilation for her.

Yeah, I'm calling bullshit.  Especially when the world she arrives in is more conducive to making her depression stronger rather than weaker.  I mean, if you're expecting nothing but relief from all of the fucking pain, and you wind up with assignments and classwork, all within the realm of purgatory … yeah that's going to cure you all right.

Also, the reason for her so-called depression: she was molested as a child.  A fact that is literally dropped on us in a passing fashion.  No build up.  No lingering horror to plague the pretty little ghost.  Only one tiny hint in the prologue before we're ten chapters in and are hit with that fact like a brick to the face.

Alisa is a jackass to everyone around her, and especially to her charge.  Not that he's anything special … oh wait…

Brecken Shaefer is a special snowflake.  In the cosmic, angels hath no fury, kind of way.  He has gifts that allow him to hear and sometimes see his Guardians.  He's also got a healthy dose of 'I have to do everything myself, which is why I don't take my sisters to my aunt's, even though she could take much better care of them than I can' along with 'must steal to survive, even though I feel guilty about it every single time I break into someone's house.'  He was such a worthless character to read about.  I felt nothing for him, almost as if he were a cut and paste trope.  Actually, having read this months ago, I don't even remember him that well…  So we'll be moving on now.

Plot & Setting:

Otherwise known as: ridiculous & non-existent.

I know this was trying to make a new spin on the whole 'life after death' scenario, but damn did it fail.  Especially where the suicide came in.  If you want to read a decent book with a suicide-city type of portrayal, then read Sanctum by Sarah Fine instead.  It has a more realistic view of what depression can do to a person, and a grittier version of what suicide gets you in the afterlife.

The plot according to this book was a love story.  That's it.  Anything else happening around it was just fodder.  Everything that occurred within this novel was for the specific contrivance of having Alisa and Brecken fall in love.  Again: ridiculous.

The setting here failed at doing anything.  There are brief glimpses of a place Alisa isn't allowed to go to, a half-assed description of the place she's stuck in, a better description of the place she could wind up if she fails, and that's about it.  I don't even care enough to attempt remembering it.

Writing Style:

All telling, no showing.  Immature characters, especially for the themes touched upon.  Inability to decently handle the themes brought into the novel.  This author is not for me and I will not be reading any further works.

Overall Opinion:

I regret reading this book.  As someone intimately familiar with depression, suicidal thoughts, and the knowledge of what sexual abuse can do to a person, I am pissed off with the portrayals of any of these throughout this novel.  Everything was handled with such a cavalier attitude and none of it actually affected the characters who were supposedly consumed by it.  So no thanks.  Fuck this.  I'm done.

*Note to Authors*

If you are going to touch on any of these sensitive subjects, do them justice.  They are not a plot device or an excuse for why your character acts the way they do.  These are real conditions that do have real life damaging results.  Talk to anyone you know, and you will find out, because they are far more common than you think.  Then ask them what damage these conditions have done.

Now try and write a stupid love story where these are merely plot points.

Book Review: Wolves of the Northern Rift by Jon Messenger

Wolves of the Northern Rift by Jon Messenger

Crimson Tree Publishing © 2015

Kindle Edition

Steampunk Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Wolves of the Northern Rift on Amazon

On GoodReads, they have a rating system involving stars.  One star means 'did not like' while two stars means 'it was okay.'  For me, this is a two star book.  Because of me.

This was pretty much my first foray into the steampunk genre, but it wasn't a memorable journey and so I must say that this genre is not for me.  That is not a criticism on the book, just the fact that it is a personal preference.

Summary:

In a kingdom that fears magic above everything else, the Royal Inquisitors are on the hunt for anything that may have drifted in from the Rift.  Devoted to science and innovation, Inquisitor Simon Whitlock lives in a kingdom that has no patience for what they cannot understand.  Knowing full well his duty and obligations, Simon travels from place to place looking for magical abominations, dragging along his friend, Luthor Strong, the apothecary.

When the town of Haversham reports werewolves haunting its tundra homeland, Simon is skeptical.  Experience has taught him that reports are typically exaggerated, and humans often prove to be behind the monsters people see.  Yet, a strange mystery awaits Simon and Luthor on the frozen wastelands.  It seems that the werewolves are very much real, and have a very decided grudge against one man in particular.  All too soon, Haversham proves to Inquisitor Whitlock that not all is as it seems, and some monsters are more dangerous than others.

Initial Thoughts:

I'd never gotten into steampunk, but when this book kept getting talked about around me, I knew I would have to find out for myself what was going on.  It is a decision I do not regret, as it was a learning experience.  One in which I learned that I do not enjoy steampunk settings much and the balance of the fantasy and the mechanical aspects of this world did not interest me much.

Characters:

Simon Whitlock is cunning, confident, and a bit of an idiot sometimes.  At times, Simon was a condescending prat.  If there is a fault to be given to any character, that would be his.  The most frustrating part of this was that he had every right to be condescending.  He was surrounded by people who were inferior to him in ability and wit.  At times, Simon made the book.  Other times, he was the reason I can't rate it above 'it was okay.'  I think he's a very hit-or-miss kind of character for that reason.

Don't get me wrong, he's intelligent and witty which made him a smart, cohesive main character.  There were very few things you wanted to yell at him for during the course of the novel.  Yet, he also reminded me too much of Sherlock Holmes.  (The forever-calm, less passionate novel/short story version, not the fun Robert Downey Jr. version.)  In that way, whatever Simon is working on is always the focal point of the story, and any personal characteristics are left by the wayside.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no feeling of having the 'whole' story as opposed to having the 'conflict resolved' … if that makes any sense.

Also much like a character in Sherlock Holmes, we are given Luthor Strong.  Except, his character more closely resembles the Dr. Watson played by Jude Law instead of the very placid portrayal given by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  He's responsive, useful, and has a few tricks of his own up his sleeves.  Luthor, in my opinion, was a far more worthy character than his counterpart.  Where Simon acts out of his need to solve the case, Luthor acts with a much greater motive: to help.  Luthor wants to help the werewolves, he wants to help Haversham, and he most especially wants to help Simon.  All the while, he has to do his best to help himself.  The dynamics of Luthor's character were much more intriguing than what Simon offered, I think.

Of course there are more characters, but I feel to expand on any of them would sort of spoil the book.  As I am unwilling to do that, we'll just move on…

Plot & Setting:

Okay, so here's the thing about Steampunk: you HAVE to get the setting right.  Habits, mannerism, dress, technology, etc.  And Wolves delivered on that front.

Given that we get one city and a frozen tundra as our setting, one wouldn't expect that a lot could be done with that.  Wolves sees your skepticism and raises you frozen hell!  Keeping in mind the things that would be most likely to occur in a city stuck in a frozen wasteland, the author produced a realistic, practical way in which the people survived the obstacle known as the elements.  Whether it be convenient tunnels beneath the city that were far more alive than the upper streets, or the need to unthaw the doors that led out of the city, it was everything you expected to happen in a city that sees more snow than sun.

The setting here was very properly portrayed and led to a realistic view of the city of Haversham.

Now let's talk plot.  It was intriguing and full of potential.  Without giving away spoilers, there's not much I can say.  Yet, the way in which Simon and Luthor work to uncover all of the mysteries Haversham has to offer is a journey in itself.  There were elements of the plot I enjoyed a great deal, but they were spread out so far that the momentum of one point was often diluted before it met up with its brethren.  Though the plot in itself had a solid foundation, the pacing for it could have used some work.

Writing Style:

Other than the setting of a Steampunk, there's one other element that must be represented: writing in the style of the era.  Jon Messenger also accomplishes this, but not in a way that induced me to want to continue.  Honestly, this is my real barb as far as Steampunk goes.  I do not like books that prattle on and on about details that hold no use to the plot.  Unfortunately, in the Victorian Era, where Steampunk derives its roots, novels were often written with an excess amount of detail.  They didn't trust their readers to use such nuisance things like imaginations, so the writers of that time gave them every detail so that they might see it as the author envisioned and in no other way.  While the author does not pay us that great a disservice, to keep with the era, there were excessive, useless details shared with the readers.  And while I appreciate that he kept to his genre and expressed it well enough, I know that it is not to my taste.  So this is a case of: it's me, not the author.

Overall Opinion/Rant Column:

As far as the book itself goes, it just wasn't for me.  While I love my paranormal, I couldn't get past the excessive detail enough to like the book itself.  That simply means that this genre is not for me, and is not a reflection on the quality of the book in itself.

However …

And this is a BIG one …

What IS a reflection on this book is the very poor editing job that it received.  Personally, I am tired of having to point this out every time I read a CTP book.  When I read a book from either Clean Teen or Crimson Tree Publishing, my first thought upon noticing SEVERAL errors should not be that 'this is standard fare from this company.'  That is unacceptable.  And while it has no bearing on this book, the fact that I found so many simple problems is enough for me to want to scream.

At this point, I am just going to point it out at the end of every review where I find issues such as these and hope that this company realizes that it needs a few more editors on staff before they publish.  Or they need to give the books more time before their signing date and release date in order to do a proper job of it.  This is no reflection on the people devoting their lives to giving their readers stories, but quality must come before quantity or speed.  As a business, this needs to be a requirement. *End of Rant*

Friends At First Sight

Okay, so I made this comment to my friend and the conversation just kind of continued from there, so I decided to make a post about it.

Original message:

You know what, writing a decently paced, relatable, believable love story is challenging.

It is even more difficult doing this with a legitimate friendship.

What it then turned into was something along these lines:

We, as a society, have made it acceptable to be friends at first sight. All of us watch as kids enter a classroom, decide they like the color someone else is wearing and are instant best friends. Not even just friends or acquaintances. From that moment, those two will be seen as best friends until something 'dramatic' shifts the balance.

It is okay to be friends with someone without even really knowing them. We claim them, right away. Give it only ten minutes of conversation, and you could know in those few moments that this is someone you connect with on a level few others understand. This person is your friend.

So why is that acceptable, but love at first sight isn't?

Mind you, I'm a skeptic as far as love at first sight goes. I do fall more towards the lust at first sight crowd. But who is to say that in the same twenty minutes it takes you or I to make a new friend, it wouldn't take someone else the same amount of time to fall in love? Especially if you're one of those rare individuals who loves like a puppy: always giving, never mind about that receiving bit.

Why have we made it okay to call each other friends when we barely know each other, but we discount anyone's claim that they have fallen in love in the same frame of time?

This is especially true in novels, I've found. It is amazing the amount of times the first instinct about a person is all that is needed for a character to decide whether another will be a friend or an enemy. Maybe it takes a character one day, or maybe it takes them thirty seconds. The point being, we can accept that in a novel.

If the same main character meets another character and strikes up a conversation that leaves an impression, however, it's not possible that they're in love. It's unacceptable, unless you want to get battered with the 'instalove' card.

And I get it. I wouldn't read some banal love story where the girl meets a guy and decides that it is love within her first twenty minutes of speaking to him. Especially when said story often involves unnecessary drama that is there just to form the semblance of a plot.

Yet, I'm not sure I want to read a book about two friends risking their lives for each other when they've only met three days ago, either.

The point I'm trying to make, is that friendships may be easier to come by, but they are built with all of the same things as romantic love.

*Trust

*Respect

*Honesty

*Laughter

*Memories

If you are going to make a book, film, song, whatever about friendships, then I feel like you should treat it like romantic love. Give it the same patience and organic growth that you would experience if you were falling in love with someone. Because, essentially, you are.

I love my best friend. She is more my soul mate than the man I am in love with. That didn't happen in the blink of an eye. It didn't just occur one day, with one conversation, over one shared interest. It was a bond that began with a spark that we built into a wildfire over years of laughter and video chats and TMI late night conversations. Ours is a legitimate love story in every way that counts.

The difference? If I wrote a book about it, I could skip all of those important character building, life saving, soulmate finding details. As a reader, you wouldn't demand anything more from me than 'She's my best friend. I'd do anything for her.'

For a while, I thought that was enough, too. I thought: what more needs to be said?

And yet, if someone says 'That's my soulmate. I'd die for them.' we demand a better reason. We demand an explanation.

What if they're the same person? Best friend/soulmate/lover? What then? Do we still have the right to demand an explanation behind why this person would put themselves at risk for someone they love? How is that okay?

And if you think it is, then do me a favor: Don't accept the excuse of 'best friend' anymore.

If you think a love story between two individuals needs to be more fully explained, like I do, then also demand that stories that revolve around a friendship hold themselves to the same standard.

Of course, I am thinking of one book in particular, though I won't name it. Yet, it was my own NaNo novel which sparked this pre-bedtime tirade. Because, in the first 1/3 of the book, I'm trying to build a friendship for these two girls that is the basis for the rest of the novel. Being as it is NaNo and I'm rushing, obviously I did not do this well.

A fact I have been brooding about all month long. So it bred this whole curfluffle.

I'm trying to write a friendship how I would write a romance. Because I am now putting them on equal footing, I think I have a better idea how I am going to accomplish this.

Thus the post and my sharing of my ideas with all you lovelies. Thank you for reading my ranting.

"Ivy" Releases October 31

Ivy by Hollow Ryan

Prideful Magick Collection

Book One

© 2015

Cover Design: Jordyn Nehmsmann

Cover Pictures: Leah Alvord

Interior Design: Christiana Nehmsmann

Ivy Graphics: Kyla Andersen

Editing: Leah Alvord and Elizabeth Aguilar

That is a lot of names.  It's only a fraction of the many people involved with making a book go from dream to reality.  Several people have offered aid, time, and advice into bringing this novel into the world, and I am grateful to each one of them.

This is the third book I have published, the first under this pseudonym, the first in this series, and the first I have been so involved with.  When I self-published my previous novels, it was through a company that did it all for me.  I never had to buckle down and work this hard to put a book into my readers' hands.  I have been a part of this process before, however, when the time came for my friend to publish.  Which is why I knew we could do this.

We.  It's such an innocuous thing, until you realize there's something you can't do by yourself.  Then there's this instant flood of relief when you realize that you don't have to.  When you're assured beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have help.  It's a remarkable feeling, and one I'm pleased to have experienced several times now.  Because most of these talented women are with me constantly, ready and willing to offer aid on a moment's notice.  And they're damn good under pressure.

Anyway, I have plenty of people whom I've thanked in my Acknowledgements, but these women really deserved some credit, here.

So onto the book:

Ivy is the first book in my five book series the Prideful Magick Collection.  Each of the five books covers a period in the life of Alexandria 'Lex' Ryder, a powerful young witch.  In Ivy you're given the chance to experience Lex's first brushes with ghosts and magick at the age of nine.  And you get your first heavy doses of 'Ryder Pride.'

The full blurb is:

This is how a house in New England should look.

It is the first thought nine-year-old Alexandria Ryder has when she sees her new home.  Covered with lush ivy, she can't help but feel as if it is concealing something beneath the thick foliage.  A mystery that will sink its claws into her that very first night.

A spirit from 1922 still trails the halls of the aging house, and she has enlisted Alexandria's aid in setting her free.  Yet, it will take far more nerve and skill than even Lex's "Ryder Pride" can conjure.  For that, she seeks out Morgan, the Witch of Old Grove Road.  With her help, she may finally discover the secrets beneath the ivy.

This is the first step in experiencing Lex's journey.  It is far from the last.

Book Review: Dreamthief by Tamara Grantham

Dreamthief by Tamara Grantham

Crimson Tree Publishing © 2015

Kindle Edition ARC

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Dreamthief on Amazon

To put it simply, Dreamthief is fun.  The voice of the narrator and exchanges between characters were snarky, sarcastic, and full of wit.  I absolutely adored it.


Summary:

Olive Kennedy doesn't make a lot of money as the only Fairy Wold psychiatrist, but she helps people.  Repressed memories of Faythander are her specialty, and she takes pride in helping those who were failed by everything else.

Yet, it is a painful truth that she cannot help everyone.  Kids, in particular, are not yet ready to face what has been repressed.  But what if the problem isn't repressed, but ongoing?

Olive faces this very reality when dark magic steals the soul of her godson, leaving his body as a withering shell.  And he's not the only one.  Now, Olive will team up with a viking-esque Wult named Kull to save her godson … in exchange for a dinosaur's skeleton.  No one said this was going to be easy.

Initial Thoughts:

I had no idea what I was getting into with Dreamthief but it was worth all the hours of neglecting everything else.  And for the record: reviewing something you liked is infinitely harder and takes twice as long to do because you're trying trying to put into words everything that made you like something that much.  That is what I'm attempting to do here, and it's why it has taken me so long to put it into words.

Characters:

I loved Olive.  She was hands-down the most real character in the entire book.  Her emotions and thought process (okay, we're exempting Bill Clinton and Albert Einstein's voices, because that was just weird) were on par with what a woman in her situation would be feeling/thinking.  For the most part, her goals were in the forefront of her mind and very rarely were there situations where you felt like shouting 'really?' at her.

Kull was also a bit of a treat.  His traits are nailed down in the terms: proud, cocky, and snarky.  In that order.  He doesn't see a threat as anything more than an obstacle.  There's a determination in him that makes getting a job done a little bit easier, as long as there's compensation to go with the risk-taking he's doing.  Again, he really helped make this book the fun it was.

There were several other characters that added to the dynamics of all of this, but these two are truly memorable.


Plot & Setting:

Faythander was amazing!  Not overly detailed to the point it got boring; none of the description took away from the action in the moment, and it felt like a completely different world.  As far as setting goes, I don't think you could ask for a better balance of the right elements.  It was thought out and it was an experience to be there.

As far as the plot goes, it was--in its own way--believable.  Everything Olive goes through is in direct relation to the overall arch of the story, so you never forget what is at stake and what needs to be done in response.  There were times where it seemed a little scattered, what with all of the traveling and different locations it takes us to, but it all wrapped up in a neat way at the end.

And I have to say this to the author: Thank you so much for a real ending!  I know that this is part of a series, but I'm grateful to have one part of the story wrap up at the end of a book, instead of hitting us with a cliffhanger that is really just the end of 'part one'.  So thank you for that.


Writing Style:

The book is told in first person perspective, so everything was focused on the narrator.  That was a good choice.  Because it's told with Olive's snarky humor and brass-tacks directness, we're given a fuller image than we might otherwise have gotten.  So for being a character oriented FPP novel, the writing style is spot on.  You really have to be in tune with your MC in order to pull this off, and Tamara Grantham did.


Overall Opinion:

Dreamthief isn't a heavy-hitter.  There's no big agenda to make you think.  It's a story about a woman who has all sorts of personal issues as well as the responsibility to change the world.  She also gets to meet a hulking cute guy along the way who is just as snarky as she is.  Again, this novel is very fun and very enjoyable.  A reread is definitely in its future for me.

Book Review: Descendant by Nichole Giles

Descendant by Nichole Giles

Jelly Bean Press © 2013

Kindle Edition

YA Romance

Reviewed by Leah

Descendant on Amazon

I remember downloading this on a day when it was free.  Thought: you know what, it looks decent so I'll give it a shot.

I wanted to like this.  Really, I did.  Alas, it was not meant to be.

Summary:

Abigail Johnson is considered Gifted, but it's more like a curse.  A Healer who has never healed another person who also has visions of the past that somehow passes for Sight, she's a bit of a mess.  That doesn't change when she moves to Jackson, Wyoming.  Suddenly, it seems as if destiny has led her directly to this place and time, where Gifted wander around in groups, and the local heartthrob has eyes only for her.

But Jackson isn't safe for everyone, and Abby especially has a few new problems to work out.  Along with Kye--the boy she feels she's known forever, yet only a day--she must take on a mission from the Fairy Queen.  A mission that reveals the past, layer by layer, and threatens the future with each passing second.


Initial Thoughts:

I really had no initial thoughts for this one.  I got it for free without doing more than skimming the blurb--or maybe that instalove wouldn't have hit me so hard--and just decided that it was time to read it. For the beginning, I got through it without too much eye-rolling, but then it declined and by the end, I was swearing a lot more than I should have been.


Writing Style:

I have to start with this one, because I feel it will set the premise for the rest of the not-so-good review.  In a single word: immature.  None of the characters were fleshed out, at all.  Everyone was a one dimensional caricature of something that existed before.  Though nothing was worse than the absolute lack of detail concerning the villains.  They were there because they needed to be, but they had no motives or thoughts or codes of their own beyond the basest forms of depravity that the author could give them.  More or less, they are the shadows in the night that your mind forms into a bogey man … but is still a shadow; meaning it lacks any substantiality.  This, for me, was the most unforgivable aspect of the book.  It was bad enough having walk-in secondary characters, but to have shadows for villains was unacceptable.


Plot & Setting:

I liked the general idea of the plot.  Where Abby slowly discovers what the visions mean and has to deal with those as they come while revealing the past to herself and others.  That aspect of it was cool and intriguing.

Yet, it had no bearing on the actual plot.  In fact, the story itself was all over the place.  I understand that these two teenagers are out to save the world … but they need several distractions from that very thing.  And instead of making sure they lay low and stay safe after getting the things they need, they expose themselves at every opportunity to danger.  It was maddening.  While, at other times, we waste pages and pages on their lackluster (more obsessive than endearing) love story while they flounce around NYC like a couple of dumb tourists.  It was maddening.

As far as the setting goes, I don't even feel like going into it.  Suffice it to say: lack of descriptions.  Though I'm usually okay with this--and it didn't really bother me this time--I still have to chalk this up to my less-than-acceptable reading experience.


Characters:

Oi vey.  I hated them all.  (Here there be SPOILERS.  You are FOREWARNED.)

Abby was the innocent.  She was naive, ignorant, and an emotionally stunted pain in the ass.  She is very much the definition of TSTL (Too Stupid To Live).  There were so many times in which I was praying for the villains to kill her.  (Except they would have to be competent in order to do anything at all.  More on them later.)  Abby was the number one reason I began to loathe this book.

Kye wasn't much better.  Like Abby, he is nothing more than a caricature of his role.  He's made out to be the gorgeous, noble princeling-type who happens to have a heart of gold that allows him to communicate with animals.  Gag me.  Mister Perfect meets I Wish I Had A Brain.  For some reason, he has skills and equipment that no teenager would normally have and he works for the Fairy Queen.  He saves the world constantly and knows that nobody will ever know about it.  But he's okay with that because he's good for the sake of being good.  Again: gag me.  He was unrealistic, ridiculous, and almost as innocent as Abby--though there were some innuendoes dropped by other characters to make him seem like a "player".  (Please, this baby boy doesn't know the meaning of the word.)

All Side Characters were walk-ins only.  They served their purposes to very minimal degrees and were asked to exit the stage immediately so that the main leads could have more time to make kissy faces, disturbingly quick declarations, and realize all their potential as true loves.  Nothing else mattered in this book at all.  Especially other characters.

All the Villains were in the same boat.  As previously stated, they were stick figures and place holders.  Meant to do and say despicable things to Abby, but without ever actually succeeding in doing anything at all.  They were incompetent, ignorant, and useless.  And the main bad guy was just so ridiculous that reading his dialogue made me want to gouge my eyes out.  It was truly horrendous at the end there.


Overall Opinion:

I can't even.  I'm so happy to be done with this and moving on to another book.  Either the books in YA are getting worse and worse, or I'm just outgrowing them more and more.  One way or the other, I still don't think this book would make anyone's cut.  But that's just my opinion.  You know, the only one that matters to me.

Book Review: Cage of Deceit by Jennifer Anne Davis

Cage of Deceit by Jennifer Anne Davis

Clean Teen Publishing © 2015

*I received an Advanced Copy from the Author*

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Cage of Deceit on Amazon

We have flawed, judgmental characters who feel truly human.  There's political intrigue and deceit so thick you can disappear inside of it.  And threats that gleam like a blade in the night.  Welcome to the Cage of Deceit, where even a princess isn't all she's cracked up to be.

Summary:

When you're born to rule, you must learn to have two faces.  One for your subjects, who seek to adore you.  The other for yourself, so you remember that you are not perfect.

This is a lesson Allyssa has not only learned well, but taken to a whole new level.  Active and restless like her father, Emperor Darmik, Allyssa takes her duty of ensuring her people's safety more to heart than her own.  And she escapes her gilded cage as often as night descends to pull on yet another mask: Lilly of the streets and thief wrangler alongside her best friend, Grevik.

Of course, all of her masks are put to the test when Prince Odar and his squire, Jarvik, appear.  Marriage negotiations are under way and she's got to please one or the other of them, because this alliance is necessary to defeat a looming threat.  It's time for Allyssa to learn what sacrifice really is.


Review That Deviates From Formula, Because All of Jennifer's Books Do:

If you want a book with flawed characters who are quick to judge, easily offended, and act like real human beings, then Cage of Deceit is for you.

Darmik and Rema are overprotective and secretive.  Allyssa is a restless rebel.  Grevik is ambitious.  Prince Odar is vain.  Jarvik is arrogant.  Everyone is flawed, but with good intentions.  They feel like real people and I enjoyed that aspect immensely.  (And if you're anything like me, you'll yell at all of them.  Often.)

As far as the plot goes, an arranged marriage to forge a necessary alliance is clearly within the realm of possibility.  It also leads to a very interesting character dynamic.  The relationships forged and maintained are very interesting to witness.

Unlike the series which is its predecessor, Cage of Deceit does not thrive off the plot alone.  This is very much character oriented.  But that is not to say that there isn't a very real danger here.  Rather, Allyssa's reaction to danger is the focus.  And the amount of aid she is willing to accept is admirable … for such a stubborn individual.

I'm not going to lie here: the beginning didn't pull me in.  It was slow going at firs and the vigilante princess didn't appeal to me right off the bat.  However, once we made some headway, I was hooked.  I read whenever I had a free moment--and sometimes when I didn't.  The characters were engaging and the plot made several revelations at a good pace.

This being part of a series, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment and am fairly certain I will enjoy it even more than CoD.

Overall, I'd have to say that this is an enjoyable read filled with characters who are given no easy decisions and who rise to the challenges set for them.  There are equally strong male and females and their relationships were well worth reading about.  Definitely recommended.

Book Review: Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

*I received an Advanced Copy due to pre-publication.*

Kindle Edition

Historical Fiction
Reviewed by Leah

Nora and Kettle on GoodReads

This post is going to be different.  And it's going to contain a lot of emotional experiences I've been through and a really personal look into my life.  If you're not willing to be confronted with those facts, or you at all feel uncomfortable with that idea, please don't hesitate to go read a more upbeat, less emotional review.

Because the truth of it is, this book handled very hard issues in a way that was so realistic that it just about destroyed me.

Summary:

Nora Deere was raised to be the classical upper class girl.  Her father is a respected Civil Rights Attorney.  Her mother a beautiful and wealthy lady.  And a little sister who, despite her deafness, is all wildness and enthusiasm for whatever little things life throws her way.

It is all a lie.

Her father is a monster.  And somehow she has to find the strength to be the shield for her sister when her mother's life slips away.  But when things reach their breaking point, there's nothing left but the hysteria.

Kettle is a King.  Co-founder of a band of kids known to be "Lost" who are really just unwanted, forgotten, or left to the streets.  Between him and his brother, Kin, they created the Kings of the subway, and they keep the kids alive as much as possible.  They don't steal and they don't cause problems, and they are free.  Working hard to maintain that freedom, Kettle still has his own personal demons to overcome.

When Kettle chooses to sleep in the alley beneath Nora's window, it will pull the tethers of their lives ever closer until they're faced with challenges and hopes they never knew could exist.

Review:

I've heard that smell is the stronger sense.  The one that can coax memories from a hazy brain.  For me, it's sounds.  Sounds wrap around my throat and strangle me.  Sounds warn like a foghorn in the night.

~ Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor ~

I know this feeling.  All too well.  The terror that chokes you every time he enters the room.  The tension straightening your back and tightening every muscle in your body, because you know that for whatever order he gives, you'll have to react fast.  The absolute awareness of your surroundings even during something so innocent as a night of watching TV.  Every sound is catalogued and identified.  From the creaks in the floor with every heavy step he takes, to the groaning of his chair as he gets settled.  The snap of his fingers as he demands a refill, ordering about whichever kid is closest.  His voice as he speaks above us to the only person he considers on his level, my mom.  The rest of us keeping our eyes trained on the television, except for those few furtive glances we make excuses for in order to gauge his mood.

I know this terror.  I lived with it for nearly fifteen years.  The hatred, I know better.  And my father wasn't nearly as bad as Nora's.

You see, I was hit, but never beaten.  And it was always as a result of what he'd decided was an actual transgression.  My dad didn't just decide that he needed to take out his anger on someone.  He didn't just decide that his children were walking punching bags, best suited for expelling his rage.  And he definitely never hated any one of us.

Many people tell me that my dad was a great man.  Most days, I just shrug it off because it's not worth it to puncture that perfect image they have left of the man.  But I knew the asshole and I knew his anger issues and I knew his flaws better than any other being.  I knew what it was to have no room left in my soul to fear anything else, because I lived in a constant state of terror of him.  And before I was above the age of six, I knew what it was to hate.

I know Nora's terror.  And despite the fact that our circumstances are nowhere near similar, that emotion is still as raw and real for me as it is for her.

I also know her confusion.  Why can't she just let him go?  Why does she make everything about him?  How could she let him have so much control over her life, even when he's not around?  How was it fair to see the good in him and know it exists, but have every interaction with him confirm why she hates him?

I've also never gotten any of these answers.  Maybe it has something to do with the damage inflicted.  When you're exposed to something like that for so long, it's scarring upon scarring upon scarring.  Until your body feels more like it's made of scar tissue than muscle.  Well, that's what happens to our minds.  We fixate on why they can't be better.  Why they can't control their anger and rage.  And why we had to be the targets.  Why did we have to suffer for it?

People like to say that every girl has daddy issues.  Well, in my case, it's true.  And those are issues that will remain unresolved because, at fifteen, my darkest wish was finally answered: he died.

I thought I hated him before…  Leaving my mother like that, at a time when things were finally turning for the better ... nothing could make me hate him more.

As I said in the beginning of this review, this was very emotional for me as I read through Nora's narrative.  I also often describe it as "destroying me."  And it was at that point that I quoted above that I almost burst into tears at work, because it so accurately described how I'd lived my entire childhood.

This, my friends, is the mark of a truly skillful author.  One who evokes the emotions necessary to the situation.  If you're lucky to have never experienced anything like this firsthand, you will once you read this.  And if you have … consider this review your trigger warning.

I've read several of Ms. Taylor's books before, and always knew that I had to be emotionally prepared before going in.  This … I needed to prepare better for this.  I've read other books that feature some abuse in several forms.  Never have I read anything that brings back that many memories.

Despite what this sounds like, this is actually a very positive review.  When a writer has that power to evoke so many emotions and memories from me, I have to give them every praise the situation demands.  Heart-wrenching as this was to read, I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to read Nora and Kettle.

And, to be honest, Kettle hasn't had it easy either.  In fact, he's been in Nora's situation--but with a lot less money--and he's been in a Japanese American internment camp.  And while I also connected with Kettle, and actually liked him better as a narrator, it was my emotional solidarity with Nora that really hit me.

But Kettle is such a great character to get to know.  His realism stands as a stark contrast to Nora's daydreaming.  Though his memories have a tendency to swallow him whole, he uses them as a reminder of what he's been through, and how much things have grown better for him.  Truthfully, without Kettle's mindset, I don't know how much of Nora I could have taken.  Because as much as I identified with her situation, I could still see that she sounded nowhere near an eighteen year old girl.  Especially when it came to her spacing out in a daydream instead of being focused on the very critical present.

All in all, this is the story of two broken people who are trying to learn how to stitch themselves back together while looking after the ones they care about.  And maybe learning to let someone else in long enough to help with the healing.

Book Review: The Awakener by Amanda Strong

The Awakener by Amanda Strong

Clean Teen Publishing © 2014

Kindle Edition

Paranormal Romance

Reviewed by Leah

The Awakener on Amazon

*Reviewer's Note: This review going to go in reverse order, at some points.  This won't be like my usual reviews.*

Summary:

When Eden returns to the town of her childhood, she's looking forward to very few things.  One of those things, however, is seeing Micah again.  However, when she spots him on her first day of school, she can't bring herself to face him.  That is, until her body acts of its own accord and she throws her arms around him in a moment of utter embarrassment.  Neither of them realized just how much one hug could mean to the future of everything.

With the reality of angels, demons, and destruction revealed to him, Micah fully accepts his responsibilities as the Seer--called by the Captain to save the world from a fiery purge.  Meanwhile, Eden cluelessly traverses High School, awakening the gifts of others as she goes.  Which is more than a source of ire for the demons sent to destroy her.  With her guardian angel on duty, however, she has the luxury of feeling safe … for the most part.

With the demons growing bolder and crossing the barriers between the worlds, Micah needs all of those Eden has awakened, and the Awakener herself.  In ways they both know go beyond their duty.  To rebuild the City of Enoch, no price is too high.  And self-sacrifice is not off the table.

Initial Thoughts:

I avoid angels and demons books like the plague.  Why?  Because I love angels--grew up watching Christopher Walken in The Prophecy--so I'm a little obstinate when faced with such creatures.  And, let's face it, when you're passionate about anything, you're always wary about books that portray them.

Well, I wasn't too disappointed with the portrayal of angels in this book.  Probably because the author had done some research on the hierarchies and integrated the angels in a way that was acceptable.

Now if only the rest of the book had been as agreeable.

Plot & Setting:

The setting here wasn't too detailed, but it was believable.  It was easy to imagine and it wasn't bogged down with a lot of details, which I appreciated.

As far as the plot, this isn't anything you have to use brain power on.  It's very simplistic, unfolds at a decent pace, and sticks to the main conflict for the most part.  (There are some HS drama type of moments, but they're used more often than not to showcase the changes someone has made due to being Awakened, so I can't fault it for that.)  There is a fairly early reveal about the stakes, the main players, and the mission which Micah is responsible for completing.  For the reader, it makes it very easy to follow along and know everything.

To discuss the actual mission: the world is going to be burnt to cinders this time, instead of drowned.  Fair enough.  Can't say we haven't earned that form of retribution.  Only, we need a few cities to survive this during this round of purging.  A fact Micah is significantly aware of, and working to prevent.

As a plot, it's compelling.  The premise of the story is intriguing and I was expecting a lot of tension.  On that count, it failed.  While the story is filled with Micah/Eden tensions, it fails to deliver on Micah/Eden vs. demons tension.  Despite this constantly circulating in Micah's head, it fails to deliver the compulsion the reader needs to want to keep going with him.  In fact, the only character that does push the significance of these events onto the reader is a secondary character, Trent.

To give it in the simplest terms: it was a lackluster production.

Writing Style:

Simple.  It's really all I can say.  The faith of the author is apparent, which I completely understand.  Despite the stance many people take on angels, this one feels pretty much authentic with angelic history within Christianity, while giving off its own modern vibes.  This, of course, means that this book is very clean.  Not "never have to dust it on your shelf" clean, but no use of swear words were permitted in the making of this novel.  The writing also follows a no-mystery-here type of style, which means this book would be most suitable for young teenagers around the ages thirteen or fourteen.  I'm not sure older, more mature individuals would have the patience that this book requires.  (I know I didn't.)

Characters:

Oi vey.  Actually, for the most part, I liked everyone.  Or, liked some, others were barely on the page long enough to form an opinion about, and others were downright unbearable.  So let's go in order, shall we?  Let's just say, from most liked to most hated.  This ought to be fun…  (Warning: Possible Rant on the Horizon!)

Trent was the most likable.  He had a very direct personality without any side-stepping going on.  What Trent thought about, you knew.  Whether it be his definition of a hot guardian angel or just what he thinks of his cousin's visions.  I liked Trent the most because he was as close as we got to a teenage boy.  His focus was on all of the things he liked, and he couldn't care about anything else.  Which, when you got past the fact that he was one horny little bugger (though this book only mentions kissing and not what he would get into given the right amount of time), he was actually very intelligent as far as history and languages.  And none could ever doubt the loyalty this boy has to his cousin.  Ever.

Micah's determination was the most defining factor of his characterization.  And it was admirable.  As soon as he discovers his role, his mind is locked in on his mission.  He knows what he has to do, and what he has to give up in order to do it.  The fact that he is so willing to give up his own desires in order to get the job done is what makes him a believable and respectable character.  Though his pining over Eden did grate the nerves quite a bit…

Damon is also an incredibly loyal person and I enjoyed when his character was brought to the fore.  Like a cross between Micah and Trent, he has this fierceness in him that is very endearing.  Much like Micah, he's determined to see through his part of the mission, and protect everyone as well as he possibly can.  I actually really liked Damon, but he didn't get enough page time to get to know him, which was a crying shame.

Willow was an interesting character in the fact that she started off as this bitchy, petty, stereotypical Mean Girl … and performed a complete one-eighty.  When she was Awakened, Willow became the greatest female character in the book.  She was confident, intelligent, empathic, instinctive, kind, and generous.  Which was refreshing as far as this book was concerned.  And it's really her bold, energetic personality that gives the group some life.

Now we're going to get to know some less fleshed-out characters as we get into the mere mediocre cast…

Caitlyn was quiet, but powerful.  Her gift is the most unassuming, just like she is.  Quiet, but with a voice that speaks of wisdom and sincerity.  Too bad she got only a few pages to nail down her personality, but she would be worth getting to know.

In my opinion, Andrew existed merely for the drama he could cause.  The romantic element was his main purpose, hands down.  That he was there as a buffer between Eden and Micah is what created the central conflict.  (Note: I labeled this as a Paranormal Romance for a reason.  The romance was the conflict.)  Which, of course, in fulfilling his role, Andrew had to be perfect.  And that's all we got.  Was this hot, nice guy who has a penchant for healing people who happens to love Eden.  That's it.  Nothing else.  He pretty much was just a stand-in to make kissy faces and awkward times with Eden.

And now we unveil my hit list (or cut list, because it would have helped the book in the end just as much as if I murdered these characters.  Warning: Rant Mode Engaged.)

Jessie was irritating as all hell.  This is a girl who's never even heard of the Bechdel test, let alone could pass it.  Her only thoughts all pertained to the male anatomy.  And heaven forbid she talk about something other than a boy.  And while she served as a decent female friend who was supportive, she failed in doing anything worthwhile.  At all.  Honestly, her character could have been cut from the start and no one would have noticed or cared.

Then there's Eden.  Yes, if I could, I would cut Eden out of the entire story.  Because she contributes nothing at all.  I mean that.  As the Awakener, all she does is hug people.  The rest of the time she serves as nothing more than a romantic stand-in.  It's like it was required for Micah to be in love with someone, and Eden got the role.  All she does is serve as a Damsel In Distress the entire book.  She can't save herself and she makes stupid decisions that threaten her safety and the safety of others.  Not to mention she is a shallow, judgmental bitch.  Oh, and I have quotes for this…

At only 15% we get this little thought process concerning Damon from Eden's outlook:

'She knew he belonged to the skater crowd and assumed he did drugs because of the dark bags under his eyes.'

I'm not even kidding.  This is a literal quote from the book.  I … I don't even know how to handle that amount of utter stupidity.  Does she even know what drugs do to a human body?  Or the type of effects a being would suffer due to certain types of drugs.  Clearly not.  Oh, and bags under the eyes?  That could be a sign of sleeping an average of four hours and reading an average of 8 a day.  I would know, since that's how I spent all of my HS years.  You, Eden, are a judgmental bitch.

Of course, that's not the end of her degrading thoughts about Damon.  Of all the people in this whole book, he's the one she consistently looks down upon and I just want to slap her because he is clearly more intelligent than she is and far more useful.  Eden = liability.  Damon = superhero.  But here's another quote for you to enjoy from the mind of a moron:

'But I doubt he's ever had a girlfriend as gorgeous as she is.'

Backstory: she's discussing how Damon finds Willow a little intimidating.  She thinks the reason he's wary around her is because Willow is hot.  Yes, Eden is that dumb.

Not that she would know it, but looks are not everything.  Even to guys.  (I have enough brothers to know this one is a fact.)  Rather, perhaps Damon is intimidated by Willow because, I don't know … she's intimidating.  Damon is a quiet, loner kind of individual as we've seen him.  So someone as bold, energetic, and confident as Willow is outside of his comfort zone.  And when she doesn't respect personal boundaries, it can be unnerving.  So, really, I doubt her looks had anything to do with this.  Her personality had all those bases covered and Damon has every right to be a little suspicious of her.  She's creepy.

If only my issues with eden ended with her being a standard Mary-Sue.  Really, I've read enough of them to just brush it off.  And I even had some hope for her after she realized she can't walk alone at night in case demons are out to get her.  There are a lot of YA females (can't even call them heroines) that don't have that much common sense.  Yet again, there are degrees of common sense that Eden just does not possess.

For one, not realizing that Gabriel, her guardian angel, was the Gabriel.  As in: the Archangel.  You know … a Holy.

You know, even Bella Swan sought an internet connection when Jacob Black dropped the vampire bomb.  Six months of literally talking aloud to her guardian angel and fearing demons, and does this girl once touch a laptop?  Yes, actually.  But only to email Micah about the demon encounter and her date with Andrew.  This girl was such a waste of pages.  Hands down.

Of course, my biggest issue with Eden is her insecurity.

Note to authors: Insecurity is NOT endearing.  It's not even relatable.

I've been to public school.  I've encountered several different levels of insecure teenagers.  Never in my life have I met someone so utterly self-conscious that s/he is reduced to the point of pathetic.  In YA fiction, however, they abound with so much frequency I could puke.  Eden, of course, falls right in line with her trope siblings--if she isn't crowned their idiot queen.

Now, I understand why authors try to do this whole insecure teenager bit.  Because a lot of teenagers actually are scared, frightened, shy creatures with anxiety issues.  Too many, in fact.  But with role models like these, how can we expect them to be any better?  Any stronger, mentally?

I don't want to read about weak children.  Male or female.  I want to read about strong, smart, endearing young men and women.  People teenagers can look up to and emulate.

Let me tell you a little story here: when I was in MS and HS, I read nothing but fantasy.  I raised myself on fantasy.  On wild adventures full of magic, dragons, wizards, brothers, warriors, and love.  I grew up reading about adults.  Not children.  The only books even considered "YA" that I read in those years were Harry Potter and Eragon.  (And I've never finished that last series because it was clearly juvenile.)

You know what I learned from those fantasy books?  I learned about honor; about keeping your word and the value of making and keeping promises.  (Now, I don't make promises; for the simply reason that I don't know if I can keep them.)  I learned not to lie; if only because the truth can be far more entertaining.  From those books, I grew my pride and my self-confidence.  My friends are chosen with care, because I abide by the old adage 'fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me'.  I'm not a fool, and I won't be played for one.  In a fantasy novel, that shit gets you killed.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I raised myself with books.  I didn't learn a damn bit of that from any real person in my life.  Not my parents, grandparents, family friends, or relatives.  I raised myself on books.

Now, what kind of person would I have been if I didn't read about people who have the confidence and courage to pursue their goals and ambitions?  What if I had chosen to read YA and had only Mary-Sues who lacked self-confidence, strong opinions, and strength of mind to do what needs to be done for themselves?  I am relieved to say: I don't know.

What I am not relieved to say is: what other people out there are raising themselves to the standards of these types of females in YA books?

So here ends my PSA for Authors: Stop Making Insecure Female Leads

Girls don't actually relate to them, and they could be setting a far worse example than you can imagine.

Overall Opinion:

The premise was spectacular: a girl awakening abilities in others so they can save the world from a fiery purge.  The execution was a flop.  Instead of revolving around the mission, this book got caught in the murky romance and all of the drama it entailed.  Though some of the characters were great, the female lead absolutely ruined this book.  When one of your narrators is that bad, there is no saving a story like this.

Personally, I don't recommend this to anyone.  But that's for you to judge.  I'm done.