Teen Hormones Meet Supernatural
938666
Good book with some fun characters, I like the emotional intimacy the reader builds with the characters and the humor and love they show us with each other. Kinda a lot of overused phrases and words though that got a bit repetitive, I started skimming them halfway through. Good story line though. *Spoiler* Rough cliff hanger though, did cutie actually die or nah? Wish we woulda gotten closure on that and still been excited about the upcoming Part 2 of the battle.
3736111
There ought to be a special sub-genre of YA Fantasy called, Teenager Discovers Unknown Powers. I make no claim to originality; so many stories use this basic plot device, there probably already is one. With a catchier name to boot.

In any case, The Gifted Ones is a great example of this genre. The book is exactly what the title suggests: the story of a girl who discovers that she is a member of a secret society of genetically gifted people, with enemies who want to steal her and use her powers for their own nefarious deeds. No need to describe the plotline to those familiar with the genre: the original close call, the flight, the rescue, the idyllic hidden base, the wonderful characters with their individual gifts; we love them all.

There is an acceptable level of stereotyping  it is YA and Fantasy, after all  but the main character, Elodie, is fully developed, empathetic and realistic. All her female fans want to be like her, all her male readers want to fall in love with her. Part of the enjoyment of the story is watching her develop, and learning about the interesting people close to her, who do some developing on their own. I was particularly struck by the level of character development in the antagonists.
The plot moves quickly and there is tight suspense, relieved by quick and well-detailed action sequences. Except for some rather disorienting point-of-view changes, the writing flows smoothly.

Recommended for fans of the  Teenager Discovers Unknown Powers genre.

PS: I confess I find the title rather confusing. The Gifted Ones: a Novel would be a pretty standard subtitle, but a Reader, in my experience, is an elementary school literature text. Of course, it means something completely different, as you will find out when you read the book. Why confuse us?
805833
Dazzle is a fresh new twist on teens with supernatural powers. Author Amber Garza creates a world unlike we have seen in any YA books recently. Delaney and Micah live in the city of Edenly protected by  Zerach, but not everyone in Edenly follows Zerach. Some chose not to follow anyone yet, Zerach allows them to still live there. They aren't really a threat unless they succumb to the ways of the Sarafites. The Sarafites aren't allowed in Edenly,so no worries, right? Well there is a legend about Ekloge Warriors that say one day there will be another war against the Sarafites, but no one knows when it will accur. So those ten train until they day they are called to fight to protect their people. Could it be sooner than  they think? Could it be possible that the ground work is being laid down by the Sarafites to invoke a war?
Delaney is suspicious when Micah and she meet Ariel one night. Ariel becomes part of their lives but she may be holding on to a dangerous secret. Meanwhile Sam finally convinces Delaney to date him. As their relationship heats up and both realize they may be falling for each other, Sam also holds a dangerous secret. Can Delanely and Micah find the truth before it is too late? Will their new found relationships survive?
2420984
Bitten is a great start to the series. I really love how the focus is on Elena and the insight the reader gets into her life before becoming a werewolf. I think Elena's character is relatable and the situations she is confronted with are believable in not just a supernatural sense but realistically for any woman. There is just the right mix of sex, romance and violence to make this book a good read for anyone 16 and up. It's not too graphic or descriptive to be offensive.
2200776
Title: Being Human
Author: Patricia Lynne
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal
Length: around 284

Tommy and Dan are twins that are connected in a level only twins would understand. Patricia Lynne does a heck of a job in describing such a connection. I would have loved a twin to feel such connection.  Tommy will forever be a teenager and will have to watch others change, grow old and die.  Dan will always be there for him and Tommy will be there for Dan when they need each other.  Dan will have to teach Tommy how to remember to be human and never gives up on him.  Even after Tommy does the unthinkable.

Tommy reminds me of an innocent child always asking why.  He will have to learn how to survive and act like a human if he wants to survive.  Once he is a vampire he only does thing for surviving and is confused with the complicated humans and their lives.  When he's hungry; he eats, when its time to rest; he finds a cool dark underground place and settles in and awaits the night.  They say that vampires have no feelings but Tommy will prove that is wrong.

It's so hard not to give the story away.  I found it slow in the beginning however I see the necessity of it.  I like books with romance and love, this story had some but it was toward the end.  Being Human had another type of love, a unique love a twin shares with the other. Without it he would be no different than any of the other vampires in the story.  The story starts to pick up at the half way mark and I couldn't put it down after that.  I enjoyed the book once Rissa, Mackenzie and Jamie came into the picture. I would have loved to see Fallen get what she wanted but I think Tommy knew that it was not a life.  The ending is sad but good and I will have to go back and re-read it just to make sure I read correctly and if I did then I loved the ending.
4923900
Daisy lives in the town of Nightshade, where there is a paranormal aspect of the community- some of it's residents are werewolves, psychics, shapeshifters, etc... When a new good looking guy starts attending her highschool, and his fortune-telling predictions begin to come true, Daisy sets out to try and solve a murder mystery.

I thought this book was charming and very easy to read. The characters are well written and the story, if a bit predictable, moves along nicely. I think any pre-teen would love this series, though it may be a little young for actual teens.

It's fun and flirty and interesting. The characters are likable and mostly well drawn out. I can see this being a very popular series for young adults.
As another reviewer mentioned, check out the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher for teens, but I think pre-teens will love this, and though the jacket says 12 and up, I think 10 plus would love this!
4434459
This was a really good coming-of-age book, made more interesting by the paranormal challenges the heroine faces.
2677031
The Celedon Circle is a secret society of human demon slayers. Jordan is a seeker, born and raised to fight demons along with her family. Being a seeker makes her rare and highly valued for her visions of demon activity. The story starts with one of Jordan's visions of an unusually horrific monster which has been summoned in a small Tennessee town. Ms. Storey paints graphic pictures of the carnage this monster wreaks and the reader is grabbed by the throat and dragged into the story.

Other than her unique ability and special family circumstances, Jordan is more or less a typical teenager and her humanity is demonstrated throughout the book. With the story being told through Jordan's eyes we get to know her well along with her perspective of some not so good angels and not so bad demons. The lines between good and evil are blurred and the twists in this character-driven plot are startling. I also found all of the characters realistic and well developed, their dialogue was believable, and the relationships authentic.

I have to confess I was held captive through the entire story. The Tennessee story thread is tied up nicely at the end so there is not a cliffhanger ending. However, I can't wait to see how things develop as Jordan's world is turned upside down by an unexpected twist at the end. This could turn into a stellar series. If you are looking for a different sort of urban fantasy this may be a book you would enjoy.

Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant issues.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.**  February 9, 2014
2981804
Freshmen is the first book in new urban fantasy series The Felix Chronicles, which combines magic and mystery with American teen culture and modern devices such as phones and tablets. Evil sourcerers called Drestianites typically hunt and test teenagers for magical ability. If they pass then the teenagers will join them, and if they don't theyll be brutally killed. However, there is hope for mankind in the form of the Belus, the one whose special purpose resembles unity and a defence against the cynical ideology of the Drestianites. RT Lowe provides an invaluable background to his magical world early and told in a letter within Freshmen, which reminded me a bit about how the Knights Templar were defeated and hunted down and also because this conflict is linked to the present through family name.

RT Lowe has an exceptional professional writing ability to craft characters, backgrounds, and environments, and I wouldnt be surprised if the author has been writing for a long time. He delivers captivating dialogue between Felix and his peers, which made for exciting chapters. Reading it was a guilty pleasure because I wouldnt usually be interested in the subject matter of teenagers and their social lives. Freshmen is well-presented with a good book cover and blurb, flawless interior formatting, editing, and proofreading. RT Lowe and Freshmen certainly leave a great impression on prospective readers. Freshmen improves from CH.45/P346 (70%), at a point where I became much more immersed in the plot and the action and the final fifty pages (10%) did make for an enthralling conclusion.

Criticism: My main criticism was the often uncomfortable similarities between Freshmen and the Harry Potter series. When the main characters were introduced, each had likenesses. Felix was like Harry in that he lost his parents, is innocent, and tries to lock his grief away. Felixs distorted nightmares, which he believed were real to some extent, and his subsequent actions seemed to make him secretly crave attention-seeking and some form of celebrity attention. From p168 (34%) Felix develops a set of experiences that are unique to him.  Allison strongly reminded me of Hermione Granger. The Groundskeeper, whose demeanour reminded me of Filch, uses knowledge of Felixs parents as an excuse to invite him into a magical world fought between Sourcerers and Drestianties; the latter who wish to enslave non-Sourcerers (muggles?). Secret rooms acted like doorways into more mysterious truths or dimensions.

Sometimes the description was a bit lengthy, taking up two whole pages at a time. New characters, scenes and situations kept arising but the existing ones developed at a tedious speed, and distracted from the progression of the novel with what I saw as pointless antics. From Ch. 45/p346 (70%) the Felix/Faceman plot overlaps and becomes the main plot at a late but vital stage. Most of the Faceman chapters are put into context at this stage and the broken sub-plots resemble something coherent and whole. There wasn't much build up regarding the threat posed by the Drestianites besides the Faceman, and this seemed an inadequate explanation for the action-filled encounters in the last fifty pages (10%).

Overall, Freshmen was a great read with exceptional writing, captivating dialogue, and quality presentation. It was easy to get lost into the magical world, and I would strongly recommend it to teenagers, young adults, and fans of the urban fantasy genre because I think they will be impressed.
2471925
Natural Selection was a quick and refreshing paranormal book. Amelia, also known as Lia, is a delightful and seemingly normal teenager, who just wants to hang with her best friends and survive biology. All seems good and well, until shortly after starting high school she begins to run a bit of a fever. After overhearing her parents talk about sending her away for her own good and because she doesn't realize that "she isn't even human," Lia starts to ask a lot of questions. Questions that, for the most part, are dodged.

If I was put in Lia's place, I'd be furious at my mother for not telling me I was special or what to expect. Teen years are hard enough as a human, without the assistance of latent supernatural powers developing. All in all, however, Lia deals with her changing life and body fairly well- at any rate better than can be expected.

The humor in Natural Selection was very much "my type" of humor. I ended up laughing out loud at least once a chapter.

There's not much to complain about with this book- especially if you like young adult and paranormal books. You've got a succubus, a djinn demon, sprites, ghouls, and earth spirits all living and interacting with humans. You've got a cute love story that unfolds beautifully, and a blushing young lady growing into the woman she's meant to be. Lia deals with a lot, but only after everything she has considered her life gets taken away does she really lose it, and even then her brother and sister pull her back together fairly quickly. The story has a great pace, and I was easily able to finish it in a single day. I'm very excited to read the second book after reading this one.

Disclaimer:

This book was provided for me at no charge, nor was I given compensation
of any kind for this review. This review only reflects my personal opinion.
1602031
Vivian is a typical teenager, rebelling against her mother and family, falling in love for the first time, and trying to understand her changing identity. Only, Vivian is a werewolf, loupgaroux. And she has fallen in love with a human boy, Aiden, who is a Romantic, a poet, a gentle soul. This is a dangerous time for her pack, her newly-widowed mother, and the Five boys she's grown up with. They have moved from the wilderness to the city and have become more savage and angry. Savagely murdered victims keep showing up, and Vivian can't keep her secret from Aiden much longer. Vivian is trapped between the two worlds, the human and the wolf, but soon she must find her place among her pack. The parallels between werewolf and teenager (both trapped in an ever-changing world of the threshold), between the packs of wolves and those of family and teenage cliques, the universal theme of discovering your identity and place, all make this an extraordinary teenage supernatural novel. Unfortunately, it is a book for teenagers, not for anyone younger, nor anyone older. Grade: B+
1223005
Aimed at the young adult market, this contemporary paranormal tale is well written and pitched perfectly for the intended reader group.
Teenager, Allison has more than the usual teenage problems of bullying and boys, she is a succubus.  Allison is a likeable, realistic character, who tells her story in a typical teenage way, full of drama and angst. Twin sister, Jade is her complete opposite. Her reckless actions put herself and her more circumspect sister in danger. Living with her maternal aunt, Allison is an unwilling peacemaker between her aunt and twin.
This easy to read story is well paced and has an interesting plot. An unexpected traumatic event makes Allison's life even darker. Mystery and suspense and the forbidden love between Allison and Ren, make this story worth reading. The last third of the story is the best and had me turning pages, unable to put it down.
The ending leaves the way open, for another chapter in Allison's life, perhaps to explore her supernatural curse a little more?
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
1861517
The Teen Wytche Saga is a gripping series of books that combine otherworldly magick with the everyday struggles of growing up a teenager in America. Ariella Moon draws on her own high school experiences to make Spell Check and Spell Struck ultimately believable even as they venture into the realm of the extraordinary, and Moons own experience as a shaman is evident in the well-researched descriptions of Wiccan rites and spell-casting.

Spell Check, with its realistic depiction of high school life and complicated love triangle as the backdrop for Evies unexpected exploration of the realm of magick, is an enjoyable if slightly predictable read that appeals to the long-lost angst-filled teenaged Goth inside me.
3200009
In one tragic moment, troubled teen Landon's hidden psychokinetic powers burst forth, destroying his home and turning him into an orphaned fugitive. He is rescued from the streets by agents of a secret scientific organization that brings gifted teens like Landon to a hidden massive structure called the Gymnasium in order to train them on how to control and use their powers. However, Landon will find nothing is simple in making new friends, working through his guilt and sifting through the secrets. This is a well-written first novel in a young adult sci-fi series that deftly balances teen angst issues and government conspiracies.
4085225
Fifteen-year-old Gala Rhyce is an illustrator for comic books, touched by one ghost, and has this fantastic paranormal power. She sees ghosts and their auras. She also see human auras. All this makes her different, and she wants to be normal as she approaches her first day of a brand new school, in her new hometown of Flagler Beach, FL. But the spirits are determined Gala won't be normal. She has a job to do, and a boyfriend, Cy, to break up with now that he's in college. Her latest adventure doesn't start off great, what with a ghost dog causing her tremendous physical damage, but Gala meets a "Ghost Boy" she names Jaylen. Things really heat up when a prank crazy ghost, Roy, attaches himself to her. Just when she thinks she has things figured out, life throws Gala a curve ball she never saw coming.
Becky Pourchot weaves a paranormal tale of one teen's calling to help clear ghosts from the human plane with ease. To Kiss a Ghost is a fun easy read for any and all teens. The action is believable, and hysterically funny as Gala's ten-year-old brother gets into the act by "enchanting" food for the ghosts. There is heartbreak when Gala must give up a ghost she's come to love, with a sweet, enduring kiss, but there is also hope for the future when she discovers her ghost is actually a teen not much older than her recovering from a fire that destroyed his home. To Kiss a Ghost garners five stars for it's entertainment value, it's realism, and for being good enough to hope the sequel comes out soon.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
579454
4.5 stars - Really enjoyed this YA paranormal romance featuring witches and vampires.  All thoughts of similarities to Twilight should be abandoned.

When we meet Tori, she is a young witch just coming into her powers.  Far removed from the rest of the magic world and with no mentor to guide her, she struggles to understand her abilities and is blissfully unaware of the centuries-old mistrust and disgust between witches and vampires.  When she transfers to a new high school to complete her senior year, she is quickly mesmerized by the handsome and skilled violin player she keeps bumping into.

Christian is a refreshingly non-brooding vampire, though he does despise the death and destruction that comes with being undead.  By his own choice, he moved away from Paris and the Council of Vampires and settled into a quieter life in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Maine.  He spends time doing what he loves; learning, playing music, and conversing with humans at a combination high school/college campus.

Inexplicably drawn to Tori on account of her special blood (and its curse), Christian soon realizes she is the witch written about in a vampire prophecy, the very witch his brother, Lucian, is searching for.

Most of Bloodspell is narrated by Tori, but every so often Christian takes over the narration and we get to see inside his head, and details of his past.  Their forbidden romance plays out differently than most YA paranormal romances, which was also refreshing.  Diving into the second book of this series now, Bloodcraft.
731359
Alex Kosmitoras is an abnormal guy in a depressingly normal situation: his parents are struggling financially, and there's a bully who seems to have it out for him no matter what. On top of that, he's blind--and, apparently, able to "see" the future. Simmi is the new girl from India, who is not only the friendliest, most accepting person Alex has ever met, but also has powers of her own. Alex is starting to think that this is actually going to be okay--that he has a shot of being friends with Simmi (and maybe more)--when he starts having visions of Simmi dying in various terrible ways and vows to stop it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It paints a lovely tableau of multiculturalism against a small-town background; as someone who lives in a truly tiny town, I can appreciate this. Chand also manages to twine the paranormal element neatly into Alex's everyday issues with school, parents, etc while drawing on mythological elements that made the 13-year-old-me-who-read-Edith-Wharton's-Mythology-obsessively-for-about-a-year incredibly happy. There were points where the pacing seemed a little slow, but there were also times when I literally couldn't put it down. It's definitely a book that I'd recommend to people who are tired of the vampire/werewolves/angels that tend to overpopulate YA paranormals.