{Review} of The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Science Fiction, Space, Romance
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

The first in a four book new adult science fiction series, The Apollo Academy, is an action packed story of love, discovery, and survival.

REVIEW: 

I’m a huge fan of science fiction and it’s rare for me to get lucky and randomly come across a findlike this one, but this one called out my name. I loved the cover and it was obvious that this had to do with space and a futuristic storyline, but it’s characters and their back-stories really brought this book to the next level and it’s a new favorite of mine.

The Apollo Academy follows eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon, who is very excited to get away from the spotlight that is her family name. Her father being the very wealthy and powerful man of Titon Technologies, it makes her want get away from the pampered life and do what she has always dreamed, become an astronaut. Now that she has been accepted to The Apollo Academy it seems her dreams are becoming true, but someone is sabotaging her training and making her life in the academy anything but a dream. Luckily with the help of her best friend and two boys that seem to be vying for her heart, she will stop at nothing to get some answers.

Aurora is not your normal rich girl. Having the pampered life and all glitz and glamour, it’s more of a pain. She hates being in the spot light and her father seems too always be putting her there. Luckily she ‘s a smart girl who is determined to be the first female pilot to train at the famous Apollo Academy. I really connected to her character, she enjoys school and the challenges, her dreams are big and not matter what she wants to make a difference. Her life as an heiress makes it difficult for the other students to accept her so she really tries to prove that she is there for the same reason they are. I give her lots of kudos for taking the harsh comments from others and holding her own.

The boys, Aurora may be concentrating on being a pilot but two boys are making it difficult for her for many reasons. Zane is a boy who has an unknown past, his life hasn’t been easy and the academy is his one chance to prove himself. Meeting Aurora one night he was captivated by her, but after finding out she is a Titon, he knows hell never be good enough. The tension between the two is hot and cold and the chemistry seems to always be there. I love the connection that they both have and Zane seems to truly have his heart in the right spot but says the wrong things. I’m rooting for these two to figure things out but there is another who seems to have Aurora in his sights. Sky is an instructor and star pilot and he doesn’t help make Aurors life at school much easier, but he has many secrets that begin to connect them together. I loved his character too; I’m not sure who I like her with better but Sky is really an interesting and important piece of a bigger puzzle.

Overall I love the plot, there is a mix of politics, sabotage, business rivalries, and romance that add suspenseful moments to what is suppose to be school training for young learners. Aurora and her best friend Kaylana take on school together, which new college students will connect to their experiences and challenges. There are a ton of twists and secrets that each character is trying to unfold. I can’t wait to see what they uncover next, the ending left me definitely asking questions but also satisfying some that I had through out the story. I look forward to reading more from Chase who brought to life an exciting and suspenseful futuristic world.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel that will have the readers reaching for the stars. Fans of Jennifer Armentrout’s Lux series and Melissa De La Cruzs’ Frozen will enjoy The Apollo Academy by Kimberly Chase.

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{Review + Giveaway} of One by Leigh Ann Kopans

One by LeighAnn Kopans
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Superhero, Romance
RECEIVED: Tour
AUTHORS BLOG: Leigh Ann Kopans' Blog

BLURB:

When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak.

It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover.

If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

REVIEW:

As a die-hard comic book nerd I couldn’t wait to start reading One by Kopans. One is a fantastic story about a world with superheroes, it has romance, family drama, school life and teens that are coming of age and deciding what is best for them. It did have a mix of Sky High and the Incredibles, but in the end it’s all about the characters and how it is to be someone who is not normal.

One follows Merrin a young teen who is a ONE, meaning she is gifted with one part of her super ability and not the second half. Thus making her a ONE and not super enough to attend her high school Superior High. She transfers to Nelson High aka “Normal” High for ONE’s and normal kids. But once she meets three students that are just like her, the four of them start to discover their powers may be SUPER after all, but their may be a risk that could cost them?

Merrin is a shy and quiet girl, always known for being small and thin. Which of course goes with her ability to float and sadly not to fly as she would of hoped. But she is a determined girl and has her eyes set on working at the Hub, a place where supers work and hopefully she can find a way there too. This girl rocks, not only does she discover she can be happy just being herself but also has a kick butt ability. Once Merrin meets Elias a fellow One, they soon discover together their powers combine into something more powerful. But she starts to unfold a very unpleasant mystery in her town that will change her life and those closest to her forever. I felt for Merrin, she goes through a lot of emotional changes in her family life, her parents are put in a tough situation and her brothers are in danger. It’s a lot for one girl to handle but she does what I would of done or hoped to do.

Elias is a well-liked guy at Nelson High who immediately connects to Merrin when they first meet. I liked their sweet chemistry and that they are defiantly two peas in a pod. Elias is a One, as well as his two twin sisters who are Supers and have the ability to teleport. Their bond with their brother is strong; the readers get to see that through his point of view. Elias’ story is a tough one to explain without giving too much away. But he and Merrin are important to each other and for the first time ever didn’t mind the insta-love moment. I also loved Rosie, it’s the name of Elias’ house, which I would love to have one just like it. What I liked was the trust and friendship with each other and their two friends Leni and Daniel who are going through the same situation.

Overall I loved every bit of this story, the mystery, suspense, action, romance, and friendship, it was like reading a comic book without the pictures. I was immersed into what was happening two these four special teens and what dangers were awaiting for them so close to home. The villains and people involved with the threat were shocking in a way and also fitting for this type of storyline. Thank goodness there is going to be a second book because I’m ready for more ONE’s and to see what their next journey takes them too.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel that will have all the comic book fans asking for more! Fans of Dark Star by Bethany Frenette and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi will love One by Leigh Ann Kopans.
LINKS: Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Book Goodreads | Goodreads

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{Blog Tour} Review + Character Post of Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Imitation blog tour for Heather Hildenbrand. I'm so very excited to spread the word about this new series, I loved it! I hope you all enjoy this awesome character post with Heather and every girls dream bodyguard Linc and my Review.

Would you rather is a game that gives two less-than-desirable scenarios and you have to choose which one you’d prefer. Obviously, the ideal answer is always NEITHER. But that’s not an option in this game. You have to choose one or the other. And because I know you all want to get inside his head, today we’re playing with Linc Crawford from Imitation.

Linc, if you were cornered and there was no escape, would you rather…

Go suicide and have a 50/50 chance of going to Heaven OR Get eaten alive and have a 100% chance of going to Heaven?
I’d go suicide. Especially if it means that I go down swinging. There’s honor in fighting even when you know the odds are against you. And I’m not sure, after some of the things I’ve done, Heaven would let me in anyway. Heaven’s for the peacemakers, like Ven. *smiles*

Go way back in time to meet your ancestors OR go way into the future and meet your great-grandchildren?
*lowers eyes* Huh. *clears throat* I can’t imagine who … I don’t think I’ll ever have kids. Not with the state of things…
I’d choose to go back. Maybe to a time the world isn’t so devastated by people who want power more than they want a future. I don’t want to see any more of that.

Have everlasting fame and fortune but be alone OR be with the one you love and have nothing?
I’d choose to be with the one I love. I don’t want fame and fortune. In this world, the only way you get either is by stabbing someone in the back. I won’t do that.

Hear the good news first OR the bad news first?
Good news isn’t something I get often. I guess I’d want the bad first. Get it out of the way, know what I’m facing.

--------------------------------------------------

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Dystopian
THEME: Future/Romance/Science Fiction
RECEIVED: Book Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

BLURB:

Everyone is exactly like me.
There is no one like me.
The rough fabric of my cotton nightgown chafes so I lie very still. They say my discomfort comes from being built like one accustomed to niceties. How is that fair when I myself have never experienced anything but copies of the real thing?
My entire life is an imitation.
I am an Imitation.
I’ve been here five years. Training. Preparing. Waiting.
And now I have a letter.
My assignment has begun.
I am a prisoner.
I am not Raven Rogen.
I am here to die.

REVIEW:
I haven’t read that many dystopian novels that have kept my attention, but Imitation had me turning the pages and finishing this book all in one sitting. I can’t get enough of Hildenbrands excellent character building; she knows how to make you feel for each character, good or bad and brings to life a scary concept of cloning.

“Everyone is exactly like me. There is no one like me.”

Imitation follows Ven, she was created for one reason as was everyone else around her in Twig City. She is an Imitation of her authentic (meaning the non clone), she one day receives a letter that will forever change her life. She must take the place of her authentic to find out who is trying to hurt her. She is now bait and her “father” only wants to find out who is after his real daughter and will put Ven in danger without care. Luckily she has her guard Linc to keep her safe, but when things start getting really dangerous the truth behind what’s really happening starts to unfold.

Ven is a complex character; she is put into the real world without really being prepared. She is pretty much thrown into danger right from the start and she begins to see that life in the real world is very complicated. Her authentic is Raven a very rich and media attention girl. Ravens father is one of the few who know about Ven and makes sure that Ven knows if she doesn’t do what he tells her, she’ll be terminated without a thought. I felt so bad for Ven, I can’t imagine being put in such a terrible situation with know one to turn to for help. Her “father” Titus is a jerk and a cruel man that is the obvious villain. I was really hoping for Ven to stick up for herself and try to put the pieces together.

Linc is the only person who seems to want to protect Ven (Raven), though it’s his job, he soon sees a change in her but doesn’t understand why. He doesn’t know Ven is not the real Raven and begins to questions what is really going on. I loved Linc and Ven together; they had great chemistry that didn’t seem forced into an insta love. They slowly start working together to find out what’s Raven’s father Titus is up too and who is behind trying to hurt Raven and why.

Overall Imitation is a wonderfully well throughout story, I loved the idea of a secret city of clones just waiting for the day to find out if they would be needed and why. The tone is a bit dark with lots of mystery, action, and romance. It gives a unique futuristic outlook that will hook the reader right away. Each character has significance to the mystery behind the Twig City and who is after Raven. What I loved most was that nothing was predictable; I was surprised as small things began to unfold and cant wait to find out what happens next. This is a must read and I put it at the top of my highly recommended list.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that will keep you guessing. Fans of The Chemical Garden series by Lauren DeStefano and Article 5 by Kristen Simmons will love Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand.

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{Review} of The Guardians Wildchild by Feather Stone

The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Magic/Romance
RECEIVED: Received for Review for Tour
AUTHORS BLOG: Feather Stones Site

BLURB:

Sidney Davenport is known as Wildchild to her Guardian mentor, Greystone. She rebels against rules. Wildchild is gifted in the paranormal, but carefully conceals her powers from the world. Even in the crises that threaten her life, she refuses to use her powers of telepathy, telekinesis, space/time travel. If her enemies discovered the truth of who she is, her Guardian people would be destroyed. She calls upon her spirit guides, Seamus and Celeste, to guide her through a mine field of the insane - Madame and Captain Butchart.

Sidney leaves her home on Hawk's Island to help the underground stop two people who are about to cause worldwide madness. Unskilled in esponage, she is arrested and sentanced to death. But, God help Sidney, she can't deny her attraction to the man who has orders to perform her execution - the tall, dark eyed Captain Waterhouse. He's meticulous, disciplined and lives by the strict rules expected of an officer of the American navy.

Captain Waterhouse is about to scrap his higher morals to bust out of his hell. When a female prisoner is delivered to his ship, he has no idea she is capable of turning his disciplined life into a storm of unimaginable experiences. His prisoner's enemies, he discovers, are also the ones who hold his life in the palm of their hands.

Through stunning imagery, an intricate and adventurous plot, and a strong cast of characters, Feather Stone gives readers a fast paced story woven with murder and magic.

REVIEW:
The Guardian’s Witchchild was a fast paced read with a very interesting premise of power guardians who are trying to protect the earth from dangerous people. The concept was very original and the writing really kept me interested from beginning to end.

The story follows Sidney Davenport whom at a young age was prophesized as being the hope for helping earth from its dark future. She is gifted and strong willed with the abilities to manipulate objects among other things. She is captured while on a mission and is now on a path of execution, her only hope lies on the shoulders of the ships captain whom is damaged from the loss of his wife. Together they try and help each other towards the freedom they want.

Sidney is a young girl who seems to be far more mature than others at her age. She is able to connect with people around her and her kind personality helps her form friendships among the people keeping her captive on the ship. I really loved her connection with Sam (the captain) who was very closed off at the beginning, but really he needed someone like Sidney to help break down the walls he put up.

Sam lost his wife in a conspiracy; he tries to uncover the truth but ends up the Captain of the USS Nonnah while his sons are being watch by a man he doesn’t trust. His son will be safe as long as he does what the Admiral says, which is be the captain of a ship that takes prisoners out to sea and executes them. I feel bad for Sam; he seems like a good guy but is pretty much trapped on his own ship. That is until he meets Sidney.

Sidney and Sam’s relationship builds at a good pace, though the beginning was a bit hard to get through, I felt like it dragged on a little too long. But the second half of the book had some intense build up and really got me hooked. I did enjoy the secondary character and friend to Sidney Lieutenant Lorna, whom has a snarky but fun personality.

Overall the writing was great, the ending was interesting but not something I liked for a stand alone, it was what I would call bittersweet. The characters were what really pulled me into the story not so much the conspiracy that was going on but this is definitely a book that is a great and refreshing change from all the vampire, werewolves and fae. If you like magic, romance and strong characterization then this is the book for you.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a mature young adult/adult book. Fans of authors Maria V. Snyder of the Poison series and Elizabeth Norris of Unraveling will enjoy this The Guardian’s Witchchild by Feather Stone.

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{Early Review} of Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Dystopian
THEME: Futuristic/Romance
RECEIVED: Received for Balzer + Bray
AUTHORS BLOG: Elizabeth Norris' Blog


BLURB:

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. 

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process. 

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

REVIEW:
Dystopian novels are all the talk these days, Unraveling hit the list as one of the most interesting and best I’ve read in a while. I was trying to connect and solve all the mysteries along with Janelle, the protagonist and loved how everything was just so intense.

Janelle is an ordinary teenage girl, with a boyfriend, great friends, a close bond with her brother and a busy but awesome father. But then something happened that will change her life forever, she was hit and killed by a pickup truck. The she woke up seeing the face of Ben Michael, a loner at her high school. Soon after that she discovers her accident is connect to her fathers cause with the FBI and a countdown has begin and the possibility of the end of the world in coming.

Janelle reminded me a lot of myself, which was kind of creepy and I also live in San Diego where this whole book takes place. It kind of tripped me out but I was excited to know where the characters were by the location. She’s a smart character and even though her dad is super busy all the time, there is that unmistakable bond and as well as both are protective over her brother. There is a lot of family drama that she deals with and some parts just broke my heart. Elizabeth Norris really knows how to hit the emotion mark and connect you to her characters. My key favorite part was the x-files television show connection with the family and how they quoted it; my dad and I always did that!

Ben is an interesting guy and super mysterious, but of course there is a major reason behind it. I was trying to find his connection to how he saved Janelle to the mysterious murders that were occurring around the city. The twist and turns were what made this a thriller; I was on the edge of my seat and hoped that everything would turn out well. Also the chemistry with Ben and Janelle was undeniable, I wanted them together but also knew that a lot of things would keep them apart.

Overall I was kind of an emotional wreck over this book, but in a good way. I loved the characters and how nothing was predicable, even in the end I was shocked. There are bad guys, but I had no clue who there were until the last minute. The only thing I don’t like is that I have to wait a very long time now for the next book; I can’t wait for Norris’ next chapter in this fantastic thriller.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel with a unique story line that gets the heart pumping. Fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin’s by and Lauren DeStefano’s The Chemical Garden will want to get there hands on Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris.

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{Review} of HERE by Denise Grover Swank

Here by Denise Grover Swank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Dystopian, Futuristic, Romance
RECEIVED: For Review from The Teen Book Scene
AUTHORS BLOG: Denise Grover Swanks' Site


BLURB:

Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before.

Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can't ignore that his new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing for months. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he’s really from.

REVIEW:
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got this book, I thought it was going to be focused on horror. But I was definitely wrong; Here is a creatively written dystopian themed story. Denise Swanks really pulled the story along emotionally and the big twist of mystery behind what’s going on was fantastically original.

Julia Phillips is lost, her life as hit an extremely low point after losing her best friend in a car accident. Strangely enough she doesn’t remember what happened and begins to do things she’s never been able to do before. But the oddest part of all as that the most popular guy in school is now paying attention to her. For a girl whose lost everything and turned into an outcast at school and her family, she has no idea her life is about to change in a huge way.

Julia has it really rough. After the accident not only did her friend die, but she was accused of it being her fault. She doesn’t remember anything and they way people are treating her is down right horrible. She is very distant with everyone at school and her parents. But I felt horrible that know one really understood what she was going through. Julia luckily finds salvation in the only person who is trying to connect to her, Evan her tutor. But something is strange about him as he completely did a 180 of who he used to be now that he’s with Julia.

Evan is a mystery; I really liked how he wanted to help Julia through dealing with the loss of her friend. But then everything changes with the Evan, whom Julia was beginning to trust and like. The police show up and Evan comes to her claiming her best friend is still alive. The crazy part is that Evan is about to bring Julia into a world she could never imagine.

There are some great secondary character including Monica whom is everything I thought she wouldn’t be. Then of Course Reece, oh how I loved Reece. Both Evan and Reece really care for Julia, so be prepared for a love triangle and that both boys are hard to resist.

Overall this was a great thrill with a science fiction end and some interesting history with the Cuban Missile Crisis. The whole novel is well written with fantastic characters and the twist of two universes. Get ready for slight cliffhanger that with having you begging for the sequel THERE.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that has a very original storyline. Fans of P.T. Michelle’s Brightest Kind of Darkness and S.R. Johannes Untraceable will be captivated by Denise Grover Swanks novel Here.

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{Review} Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest by Julie Cross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Future, Adventure, Romance
THEME: Time Travel
RECEIVED: For Review from St. Martins Griffin
AUTHORS BLOG: Julie Cross' Site


BLURB:

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.


Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.


But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.


Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

REVIEW:
This was not only rare for me but it was such a breath of fresh air to read. It’s been a long time since I read and enjoyed a novel where the protagonist is male. Not only were the lead characters compelling but the time travel story line was so wonderfully original and exciting.

Tempest follows Jackson, a nineteen-year-old boy in 2009 who carries the unique ability to jump back in time. But he can only go as far as about thirty minutes and he has his best friend Adam, who helps him keep track of his travel.  Jackson is trying to figure out how he can jump back in time and if he can even go to the future. But something horrible happens when waking up one morning with his girlfriend Holly; mysterious people come barging in and shoot her while Jackson is detracted. In a moment of panic Jackson jumps back in time only to go back to 2007. The major problem is he can’t jump back to 2009 and now his only way of fixing the future is starting in the past.

Jackson is your average college boy except for the fact he can jump back in time. He’s had a tough upbringing with no mother, an absent father and the loss of his younger sister. I loved how Jackson’s family was a major focus in the novel, there were so many heart pulling moments with his sister that I got teary eyed a couple of times.  Jackson father really grew on me as his story unraveled and his past in raising two children alone was not a planned. The time travel ability is not just in Jackson but many others who want to do more harm than good with the future.

Holly was such a fun and very understanding girl. A lot happens where she has to take in the fact of what Jackson can do and what danger his in. I liked her in 2007 and how she was just a nervous 17 year old girl with a crush, while in 2009 she was more up front and bold. It was almost like watching each character grown up as the reader follows Jackson jumping even farther back in time.

Overall this story is about family, love conquering all and one boy determined to make things right. Jackson has to face a lot of his past fears, see what the future dangerous are that are lurking and fight an enemy that can travel faster than he can.  The ending was killer for me but I understand what needed to be done, I thought it was the right thing to do. I’m interested to see what happens next with Jackson, especially with his new knowledge of time travel.


RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel with never ending action! Fans of writers Veronica Roth of Divergent and James Dashner of Maze Runner will love Tempest by Julie Cross.

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{Review} of Brightest Kind of Darkness

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Paranormal Romance
THEME: Dreams/Future
RECEIVED: Received for Review from Author
AUTHORS BLOG: P.T. Michelle's Site

PURCHASE Brightest Kind of Darkness:

BLURB:

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore. 

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate. 

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

REVIEW:
P.T. Michelle’s Brightest Kind of Darkness is a book that kept me guessing, the plot and characters were so original and beautifully written its taken a top spot in one of my favorite Young Adult story for this year.  To live everyday and know exactly how each detail is going to happen,  but what happens when you see something that you know needs to change?

Everyday since Nara was little has known how her days were going to pan out. Why? Because each night she dreams about how the next day is going to be for her.  But past consequences made her choose wisely what to change; until a bombing occurs at her school she feels she had no choice but to change it. Then everything changes, and not for the better, no dreams, people getting injured, the mysterious Ethan becomes her closest friend and something dark is after Nara.

Nara has to make some quick choices; she’s a tough girl that has to deal with some pretty harsh students at her school. I really felt bad for her, with her dreams gone Nara has to learn how to study, play soccer and be herself without the help of her dream. She has many girls who are definitely the mean girls of the school treating her horribly; I wanted to punch half of them for Nara. Michelle’s details in portraying the bullies in her school hit an emotional cord. But in a good way, I can’t imagine what some kids go through with bullies these day but you really get an understanding in this novel.

Ethan is the cute, dark and mysterious new guy in the school. People stay far from him but Nara feels a connection and a need to be near him. He’s very closed off about himself but opens up to Nara and the secrets of his past. I loved their chemistry and the way that they give each other strength. There is so much to Ethan that I loved, but I feel if I talked about it, it would spoil the story so I’ll just say he’s pretty awesome and I can’t wait to learn more about him and the mysterious tattoos.

Overall this was such a joy to read, it was dark, mysterious, romantic, and most important it made you think. With each turn of the page I was surprised and really taken with this story. The ending left me hanging a little but I’m happy that the mystery is just starting to unfold. I highly recommend The Brightest Kind of Darkness.


RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult book with intense situations and lots of twist and turns that will leave young on the edge of your seat. Fans of Jennifer Echols and Ally Condie will love this series.

View all my reviews

{Teen Book Scene Tour} Review of The Predicteds by Christine Seifert

The Predicteds by Christine Seifert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Fiction/Drama

THEME: The Future

RECEIVED: Received for Review for Teen Scene Book Tour

AUTHORS BLOG: Christine Seiferts Site

PURCHASE The Predicteds:

BLURB:

Our future is not your own...
"We wanted to know what makes a good kid good and a bad kid bad. Can you blame us for that? We found an astoundingly, marvelously simple answer: The brain isn't so much a complicated machine as it is a crystal ball. If you look into it, you will see everything you want to know."
-Dr. Mark Miliken, senior researcher at Utopia Laboratories

Who will it be?
Will the head cheerleader get pregnant?
Is the student council president a secret drug addict?
The whole school is freaking out about PROFILE, an experimental program that can predict students' future behavior.

The only question Daphne wants answered is whether Jesse will ask her out...but he's a Predicted, and there's something about his future he's not telling her.

REVIEW:

Can you imagine knowing your future? Knowing that you will be a criminal in the future? The Predicteds is a story that reminds me a lot of the movie Minority report; I wouldn’t know how to handle to situation that the teens in this book have to deal with. Seifert writes a story that really makes you think, especially with technology growing, who knows if something like this could happen for the future.

The Predicted’s is a story about a program called Profile that is created to test individuals to see if they are meant to be a criminal in the future.  The company that runs the program uses Quiet High as their starting group, after a school incident. In the middle of it all is Daphne, daughter of the creator of the program and a girl who falls for the boy who has been predicted. 

Daphne enters Quiet High as the new girl, but is put in a pretty tough situation after a school incident that shakes the town. Now with students being predicted for crime, people are being divided and prejudice is brought out in full force. Daphne I felt was almost like a young detective, she really tried to sort out everything and wanted to discover the truth about everything. She falls for a guy that pretty much saved her life and he feels the same, except for when the Profiles of the student are handed out their lives take a massive turn.

Jesses is a Predicted, a student that has been predicted to do crime in the future. Everyone starts treating him like a outcast, a violent criminal and even wont let him in the same class as the “good” students. I felt he was a strong character, but his secrets put him in a lot of really bad situations. 

Overall I really enjoyed The Predicteds, it had some crazy twist and I kept getting caught off guard with every page.  I really connect with Daphne, I felt that she did a lot of what I would do being put in such a hard situation with friends, family and the one you care about all taking different sides. I loved  the characters that are definitely there to hate, they made me frustrated and angry, but most important pulled the story into such a dramatic and great story. I highly recommend this book, it makes you think of the future in a different way and makes you question what you would do if this program really existed. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

This is a young adult book with intense situations and lots of twist and turns that will leave young on the edge of your seat. Fans of Jennifer Echols and Ally Condie will love this novel.

View all my reviews