Sarah's Review of Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Rising is a paranormal teen romance novel written by Tracy Deebs. It is about a young girl, sixteen, named Tempest Maguire. On land she loves living along the coastline of California and loves surfing even more. She takes care of her brothers and her dad, ever since her mom left. She also loves her long time boyfriend, Mark. Yet she holds a secret. One that has been pulling at her, pulling her under, towards the ocean. Among the water her secret hides. She is half mermaid, inherited from her mother who returned to the ocean years ago and left her to take care of her family. But now with her seventeenth birthday looming, Tempest is left with her own decisions to make. Decisions that are being made even more complicated due to a handsome newcomer named Kona, who's whole existence hints at something otherworldly. Tempest's heart is at stake, but danger also lurks threatening her life. The water's hold a world full of mystery and secrets, romance and adventure, but is it safe for Tempest?

This was the first paranormal romance book that I have read involving mermaids and I found it quite intriguing. I especially liked Tempest's character and how determined she was. Even though everything in her existence was pulling her towards the ocean's calling, she was determined to live a human life, unlike that of her mother, whom she felt abandoned them. Tempest felt a duty to her family and her friends. She had her brothers to take care of, and her father. And she was determined not to make the same mistakes her mother had. But we find Tempest's character growing even more during throughout the novel. She learns from what comes her way and takes it all in stride while trying to figure out the best possible life for her and for her family. She doesn't come across as a materialistic, egotistical, selfish person at all. You can tell from the writing that Tempest's character feels with her whole heart and wants to do the right thing, not only for herself but for everyone who is in her life. Tempest feels a whole range of emotions, including guilt, which plagues her throughout the story. The rest of the characters are just as strong even as secondary characters. It's easy to get wrapped up in all of the feelings they are experiencing through Deebs' phenomenal words.

 

The author, Tracy Deebs, does a fantastic job of pulling you into a world you could hardly imagine. Even before we enter the mysterious world of the ocean and the dangers and secrets that await there, her writing weaves a magical tale of romance and friendship that spans the times.

 

There are some realistic and thought provoking themes throughout Tempest Rising. Even though it is based in a paranormal world, we still see the struggles between right and wrong, good and evil. We see the struggle not only internally with Tempest as she struggles to understand her feelings and obligations, but also externally between Tempest and the danger lurking in the ocean. Another prevalent theme is of course love. It couldn't be a paranormal romance without it. We see Tempest struggle with the desires of her heart, but above all else, we see that love can conquer.

 

This book made you dive in and get lost in the pages. The characters are strong, well developed people whom one could easily relate to, aspire to be, or dream about. Tracy Deebs weaves a fantastical world of magic, romance, mystery and suspense. I am glad I picked up this book.

 

Sarah's Review of The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins is a psychological thriller like no other. It is written using only certain times of the day, the morning and the evening, with recall like no other. We meet our main character, Rachel, right away. We see life through her eyes and every day is basically the same. She takes the same train commuting in the morning as in the evening. Each day she travels the same stretch of track, passing by the same homes, stopping at the same stops. At one of these stops she has been watching a couple going about their ways on their terrace. She sees them every day and feels like she knows them. She even refers to them as Jess and Jason and believes they have the perfect life. Just like the life she recently lost. But one day she sees something shocking at their place and in that instant, everything changes. She comes forward to the police with what she has seen, but they view her as unreliable. Is she really unreliable? Wanting to be taken seriously, she quickly finds herself entangled up in the investigation and the personal lives of all of those involved.

The novel begins slowly, introducing the main character as mundane and boring, but an alcoholic. It took a while to get into the book, but once things start happening I found it hard to put down.
Hawkins writes through varying viewpoints, but never strays from her morning and evening structure of the book. It's imperative to have these other viewpoints in order to gain valuable information into the case and the lives of those involved. Rachel is an alcoholic who has trouble remembering things due to her blacking out, which in turn sets her up for a lot of self doubt and mystery. It lets us into the life of an alcoholic and how she feels regarding her struggles with dependency and her life as a whole. I found that all of the women took on roles of the battered woman or of being weak. I didn't feel as though there was a strong role model or anything of the sort throughout the book. It was more a case of who had it worse.

As a psychological thriller, it is really disturbing to find out that every single character has something to hide and nobody can be trusted. As their lives unravel and truths become told, it is unsettling to say the least. It really makes you view other people a little bit differently after reading this. However, this is quite the work of fiction. The lies the characters in this book reveal are shocking and huge and everyone seems to be hiding something.

The book is an absolute page-turner once you get past the beginning. But, you have to get past that part. I know a lot of people who put the book down part way in. I stuck it out and am glad I did. While it wasn't my favourite thriller, it was entertaining.

Sarah's Review of Unrivaled by Alyson Noel

Unrivaled is the first book in Alyson Noel's newest series, Beautiful Idols. It follows the lives of a few people, who are just trying to make it in Hollywood. Everyone wants to be known for something.
The book centers around the hottest new starlet, Madison Brooks. Who wouldn't think twice of doing anything to get to the top.
Layla Harrison wants to be become a top writer behind a desk in New York. Aster Amirpour is getting tired of being told by directors that she's not the right kind of ethnic for the role. Tommy Phillips is dying to get his hands on a twelve string guitar and rocket to stardom, all while making his way back into his absent father's life.
Layla, Aster and Tommy find themselves, along with a few others, invited VIP into the glamorous and not so glamorous nightlife where they are dragged into a high stakes competition to target the famous Madison Brooks. Just as the competition starts to look promising, Madison Brooks disappears. And the others find themselves at the heart of the investigation.

This young adult novel carries such a sense of drama, suspense and intrigue. It takes a closer look into the world of the young Hollywood and the not so nice aspects of a star-studded town.

I love the way this book is set up. It actually begins with the disappearance of Madison Brooks and then backtracks about a month to where we meet the main characters and they begin what will eventually lead to her disappearance. In the beginning it was a little hard to keep track of all of the characters, but I quickly caught on and I found the story to just flow perfectly from one chapter to the next, even with the changing of viewpoints.

All of Noel's characters are strongly written with very distinct personalities. Each story is captivating and you are left wondering where the lies and deceit are. I found myself looking back after I finished the book to see if I missed any clues only to find that they were hidden for a reason. Quite the mystery.

The way Alyson Noel describes the situations and settings leaves your mind open to picture things accurately and completely, leaving nothing to chance unless it is supposed to be withheld. A good mystery always leave open-ended questions and clues throughout the storyline, delivering information only as it is needed and Alyson Noel handles this perfectly. I think this will series will be on the #1 list for years to come. Personally I can't wait to sink into the second novel in Beautiful Idols.

If you are a fan of Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars then you will instantly love this new series!

Sarah's Review of EVO by L.J. Sealey

Wow! Just Wow! I absolutely loved this book!

Evo is Book #2.5 in the Divine Hunter Series by L.J. Sealey.

In this installment of the Divine Hunter Series, we really get a look at the main character, Evan O'Reilly, better known as Evo. He was a man who was used to fighting demons and considered himself a bounty hunter and was utterly ruthless, always efficient. But then he had to battle his own demon.
Evo's friend, Alethia, is the Goddess of wind and shadows, and was silently watching over Evo, completely undetected. But when he begins to warrant a wrong kind of attention, she has no choice but to step in.
We quickly learn that Evo is being hunted by people just like him and a demon who wants nothing but revenge. So Alethia and Evo begin to run together. While on the run we see a lot of passion and tension and find that they are fighting something far worse than Evo's soul. Alethia is left fighting for him and comes to the heartbreaking truth that in order to save him she may have to lose him forever.

I love both of these characters in the Divine Hunter Series and am so glad that we got to really get a look into their lives with this book. Evo and Alethia's characters are so vulnerable and real. The love they have for each other is so strong and overpowers all other themes in the book. Just how we have come to realize in our own lives that love can help us overcome all obstacles, the love they have for one another keeps them going and neither Alethia nor Evo will give up until the very last breath. It shows us that we don't really choose who we fall in love with, but that love can be unconditional and test all barriers. If we are so lucky to find someone like that, then we should hold onto them.

One of the other major themes is good verses evil. Right from the start we know there are demons fighting to keep Evo from living his life and fighting to keep him from the love of his life. I found myself rooting against all evil for Evo to overpower his own demon.

L.J. Sealey has such a knack for writing. She has delivered yet another page turner. Her writing captures just the right amount of suspense and intrigue and her descriptions leave you so sure of everything you can picture it perfectly in your mind. She really knows how to pull you right into the story from start to finish.  Her story flows with such ease and switches from Evo's point of view to Alethia's so effortlessly.

Evo is so far my favourite book in her Divine Hunter series and I can't wait to read more! Thank you L. J. Sealey for writing such captivating characters and creating such an amazing world for us to escape to.

This book contains mature content, so the readership is for 17+. It is a paranormal romance after all.

Sarah's Review of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Wow! I don't know why I hadn't read this book before now, but I sure am glad I did! I was hooked right from the start! Gillian Flynn has just the right amount of suspense and intrigue to keep you turning page after page, wondering if your instincts are right.

Gone Girl is a page turning masterpiece! It takes place in a small town in Missouri, North Carthage. We first meet Nick on the morning of his and his wife's five year wedding anniversary. Nick and Amy Dunne are preparing for their celebrations when Nick finds out that Amy has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. From Nick's inner ramblings and daydreams we learn he isn't always the picture perfect husband. And then we are shown Amy's own musing from her diary where we learn how she is a perfectionistic alpha-girl. Nick quickly finds himself under intense pressure from the townspeople, Amy's parents, and the police, and with suspicion mounting against him, he finds himself drawn into his own set of lies and deceit. We find Nick behaving rather inappropriately for a husband who's wife is currently missing, which leads to him being the prime suspect. But even though he is acting weird and is definitely bitter at his wife, Amy, we are left wondering if he really could be a killer.

Flynn takes us on a ride through varying viewpoints, looking through the eyes of Amy's diary, and then back and forth through the eyes of Nick. I love having varying viewpoints on one story. And as you go on through the book you also find it broken into three parts. All with a drastic twist to the story. Gone Girl really makes you look at the minute details in our everyday lives and behaviours. It makes us question our own basic instincts and what drives different people to behave in such drastic ways.

There isn't a whole lot I can say about the book without giving away some of the major twists and turns it takes, but it definitely captures the intrigue and suspense. Gillian Flynn has so many layers twisted throughout her very believable characters. Things are written in such a precise way that it all unravels dramatically. There are so many clues that I'm left wondering, after reading it, what I could pick up on if I were to read it again.

I have never read a book like this before. Flynn has such an original and suspense thrilled storyline that is utterly flawless. Flynn explores such dark depths found in psychology and explores the inner makings of a sociopath. It makes you wonder if you can ever truly know somebody, inside and out.

If you haven't yet read this book or seen the movie, I'd suggest giving it a read first. I always find books more interesting than the movie and prefer to read before watching. As for me, now that I have read Gone Girl, I look forward to the movie and hope it lives up to the book.

Sarah's Review of The Crown by Kiera Cass

I just finished The Crown by Kiera Cass and once again I love it! The Crown is book #5 in The Selection Series and the writing was so exceptional. Not a single book let me down. Cass has such an exquisite way with words that simply draws you in and keeps you turning page after page.
In this last book, The Crown, we find Princess Eadlyn nearing the end of her very own Selection while also taking on so much more responsibility with being crowned Queen. Princess Eadlyn is realizing that even though initially she hated the idea of having a Selection and being forced to choose a partner, that maybe it won't be so bad after all. She is finding great friendships among the remaining boys and is realizing how wonderful having someone by her side could truly be. Having her whole life in the spotlight could be a little less invasive if she were not doing it alone. Even though Princess Eadlyn is still weary that she will find a true love like her parents, she is still hopeful. And as the Selection nears the end she finds herself falling more in love than she ever could have imagined but with these new feelings she must face one of her biggest and most challenging decisions she will ever have to make.

I am very happy with how Eadlyn has evolved and grown up over the short span of these novels. She is finally looking out of her people and the lives of those around her, instead of her own happiness. Her maturity at the end of the book is truly admirable considering where she was when she started the Selection. Sometimes being forced into something you are not quite sure you want can have very noteworthy opportunities and life changing experiences one could never have dreamed. Eadlyn's character development did happen quickly, but being in her situation sometimes you have to grow quickly in order to keep up and achieve what you are destined to do. The petty, egotistical, selfish Princess we met in The Heir has suddenly transformed to a selfless, caring, moral young woman who shows empathy, love, ambition and intelligence in her decision making. She is putting the lives of those around her first and is ruling the country, or trying to, like a real queen.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed were the blossoming friendships not only amongst the Princess and the boys, but amongst the boys themselves. I was glad to see Eadlyn finally opening up and allowing people to penetrate the walls she had built around herself. We also see how being open and honest is really the only way to be. I admire all of the qualities that the boys possess and how unique each of their relationships are with the Princess. The love that wins out in the end is somewhat predictable part way through but it did feel a little bit rushed. I wished we could have seen their interaction and relationship blossom a little bit slower and get more of a look into it before becoming an all encompassing love for each other. I am thrilled, however, that Princess Eadlyn truly got to follow her heart in the end even though it may have been an unconventional choice. I also admired the Princess's friendships with Neena. One can only hope and dream of having such a great friendship in our own lives. The utmost heartfelt respect and genuine affection they have for one another is inspiring.

The Crown is a perfect ending to a typical YA novel full of teen drama and romance. A very light read that will keep you engaged and it may even sweep you off your feet if you give it a chance.

Sarah's Review of The Heir by Kiera Cass

I love it when I pick up a book and can get lost in their world, and that is exactly what happens with these books. Kiera Cass does an excellent job of allowing you to escape into the world she has created. I originally had read the first three books in the Selection series one after another and I wasn't sure if I would pick up the other two, but I am so glad that I did. I loved reading about America Singer and Prince Maxon, so it only made sense to continue on with their story of their daughter, Princess Eadlyn, entering into her own Selection. I love how we now get to see the process from the perspective of the royal family, instead of from the outside.

The Heir is book four in The Selection Series and it is where we first meet Eadlyn Schreave, the first born child of Prince Maxon and America Singer, now King and Queen of Illea. Eadlyn is actually a twin, but since she was the first of the two she is next in line for the throne.
Princess Eadlyn always loved the story of how her parents met, fell in love and then lived happily ever after, but she didn't think she would want anything like that. She was content being by herself and felt she was more powerful that way. Unfortunately, as she sees it, she has to enter into her own Selection because some things you just can't escape. Eadlyn is very skeptical about love in general and even more so about the prospect of finding love in such a random way, but things begin to happen to change her opinion. Her Selection begins with thirty-five eligible bachelors and after meeting a few of them and getting to know them better she starts to wonder if her own happily ever after could be possible.

Cass does another magnificent job of describing just the right amount of detail to place you right into the palace walls. You can easily picture where they live and walk the halls along with Princess Eadlyn throughout the whole book. Her characters come alive from the pages, all of them revealing just enough as you go through the Selection with the Princess. In the beginning I found Eadlyn's characteristics to be rather predictable and stereotypical, but then she digs deeper and we get to know the real Princess. She has so many levels and is easily relatable to no matter where you come from. Eadlyn's emotional side begins to break through and we see behind the mask that she wears so well. We see beneath all of the walls she has placed around her, right into the heart of her soul and we realize that she too is vulnerable. 

I love how her friendships with the boys develop and how necessary they all are. Eadlyn had grown up believing she was so powerful and was hesitant to let anyone in. But upon opening up and getting to know a select few, she is realizing just how important friendships and relationships are to her existence. We all need a few close people in our lives to lean on and having a best friend is so important. Just one special person with whom we can open up and be ourselves with makes a world of difference and Eadlyn is quickly discovering that.

I just love these books and I can't wait to see how Eadlyn's Selection ends! What a fun, quick read.