Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Book Review : Lunarmorte by Samantha Young


Product Details
  • Paperback: 298 pages
  • Publisher: Vanguard Press (July 30, 2010)
  • ISBN-10: 1843866560
  • ISBN-13: 978-1843866565
  • Available on: Amazon / The Book Depository

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Amidst the magikal children of the ancient Greek gods, lives a girl destined to bring their ancient war to an end.

Caia Ribeiro has lived a life of isolation and mystery since the death of her parents, and separation from her lykan pack at the age of seven. Returning ten years later under the supervision of the pack's young leader, Lucien, Caia finds herself seduced by pack life and her enigmatic guardian. But when strange happenings lead to near exposure of their world, Caia begins to realize Lucien and the Elders have been keeping unforgivable secrets, leaving Caia to come to terms with her dark and unique heritage.

Scarcely given time to adjust to her new reality, the war she believed stormed only on distant shores, crashes on her doorstep, forcing Caia to put aside her conflict with Lucien, in order to save them all from an old enemy and his relentless pursuit.

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Have you ever felt like you don't want to stop reading a certain book? Well, that happens to me when I read Lunarmorte by Sam Young. It's a story about werewolves, whose origins are said to be related to Greek gods. The characters in this book are well-described, and they really shine with their respective personalities.

I'll get on with the good parts first. Because of the werewolves' relationship to the Gods, I believe, the author inserted a few funny phrases which are, in truth, refreshing and hilarious. Notable examples are "Holy Artemis!", "What the Hades!" and "Goddess knows where". Caia's docile manner and even temper makes her a lovable character, although her emotions may vary depending on the situation and condition.

As Caia is separated from her pack at a tender age, and when she returns 10 years later, she feels out of place and don't belong. That's why the male Alpha, Lucien orders for a pack running which is sort of a symbol that she is accepted and welcomed into the pack. I think the author has written this part brilliantly, and her efforts of making the wolves' movement and temperament life-like paid off.

Caia's ability to control water also intrigues me. I wonder who she actually is, but I know the answers will be revealed, sooner or later, when someone finally decides to tell her about it. And when the truth is uncovered, I was both shocked and surprised. No, I didn't see that coming!

Apart from that, the interactions between Caia and the other lycans are well-written. The scenes are mostly enjoyable and interesting; I don't mind reading about Caia and Lucien all day long. Sebastian, who is secretly in love with Caia also earns my approval. He is kind, warm and supportive of Caia even when the others oppose her. He is willing to do anything for her, and that includes surrendering his own life, even though he knows Caia will never be able to love him like a soulmate. Read this passage:

"Cy,"he whispered and her eyes caught his again. "I love you, Cy."

"Don't," she choked on her tears. "You're going to be OK."

He smirked, "I love you anyway."

"I love you too," she whispered.

"That's good."

A deep silence settled on the truck and Caia began to shake with exhaustion and fear.

"Like a friend, Cy?" Sebastian whispered suddenly and then winced.

"What?"

"Love me like a friend. You?"

She nodded, unable to lie to him even now. But his eyes never dimmed, "That's enough for me."

I almost cried reading this part, you know. He was terribly wounded at that time, and he wanted to make sure of Caia's answer.

I loved the book from the beginning until the end, but I spotted some things that can't be left unsaid. First of all, spelling and punctuation errors. I noticed quite a lot of them throughout the whole book, and to be honest, they really got on my nerves. I can't help questioning the editor's professionalism. This stellar novel has been marred by these imperfections, and I'm unhappy about that.

At the front part of the book, I was quite confused when the author didn't explain who are the characters and kept using third-person pronouns in a certain passage. I kept wondering who 'he' is, who Lars is and what the Hades are they talking about:

“The door was thrown open, his tall, gangly assistant almost falling into the room in his hurry to get to him.

“The spell!” he heaved, as he lunged at him, out of breath.

“You’ve been running?” he asked him incredulously, following the trail of sweat that trickled down his assistant’s forehead.

He nodded, bending over, his hands braced on his knees as he tried to regain composure. “I…I…I still…haven’t haaaa…mastered the communication spell you gave me.” He gulped for air again, wheezing as he flopped down beside him.

“Well obviously you rushed with a purpose. Spit it out, Lars.”

Lars turned to him now, his eyes bright with excitement. “The protection spell is down. She’s unprotected.”

His eyes blazed with the news. “You’re certain?”

“Positive. I’ve been on Marion duty for two years. Her protection spell on the girl has been dropped.”

His smile of triumph was slow and predatory. “Do you know what this means?”

“It’s time?”

“Activate our agent.”

--- page 23, Lunarmorte by Sam Young

There is one more thing. I'm not entirely sure that this book is suitable for younger teens, because there is a mild sex scene between Caia and Lucien from page 219 - 222. I would recommend parental guidance for teens aged 17 and below.

To sum things up, Lunarmorte is an enjoyable debut which will enthrall readers with its stunning plot and unexpected twists. Highly recommend to fans of Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.

Pros: Intriguing premise, action-packed, romantic, excellent storyline
Cons: Spelling errors, confusing passages without an exact character

Rating:
4.500

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Photo on back of Lunarmorte book jacket.
Samantha Young is the author of Lunarmorte, the first in a young adult fantasy trilogy.

Whilst studying classical literature at the University of Edinburgh Sam was struck with the idea of utilising Greek mythology to explain the origin of all manner of supernatural beasties. With so many ideas battling for release, Sam caved to her imagination, and began writing the first novel in the Lunarmorte trilogy during her final year at university.

Sam currently lives in Stirlingshire, Scotland.

You can visit Sam's blog HERE.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Book Review : Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

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Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Product Details
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385737505
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385737500
  • Purchase Token of Darkness on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound

Cooper Blake has everything going for him—until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn’t know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she’s a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her.

No one from Cooper’s old life would understand what he can barely grasp himself. . . . But Delilah, the captain of the cheerleading squad, has secrets of her own, like her ability to see beyond the physical world, and her tangled history with Brent, a loner from a neighboring school who can hear strangers’ most intimate thoughts. Delilah and Brent know that Cooper is in more trouble than he realizes, and that Samantha may not be as innocent as she has led Cooper to believe. But the only way to figure out where Samantha came from will put them all in more danger than they ever dreamed possible.

* Read an EXCERPT of Token of Darkness.

This is my first book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, and I have to say it doesn't really leave a good impression to me. The story lacks action from the beginning until the middle part, and I feel like it was put together without a main point. Yes, I know Cooper's involved in an accident, there's a ghost who's not really a ghost called Samantha accompanying him, and they both met a psychic named Brent, but I don't feel connected to either of the characters. I think the "darkness" and "shadows" are supposed to make the reader feel scared or at least, acknowledge that it has some horrifying effect. But no, I don't feel anything, at all. I think The Complete Horowitz Horror (which is intended for children aged 12+) is so much better than this book.

SPOILERS!

The ending is better, but it still sounds off. Not quite right, I mean. Turns out Samantha the ghost is actually an elemental, which is a raw form of power. It finally resides in Margaret's body (Margaret is her maker) and Cooper promises to take her out for a date. Duh.

Token of Darkness has some paranormal elements, and the writing is quite good, but it is not exciting enough. I can only say that it is slightly entertaining. Maybe I'll try reading something else by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes in the future. Maybe.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Notes: 100% clean read. No kissing or sexual content. Fans of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes might enjoy this book.

Purchase Token of Darkness on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was born in Maryland in 1984 and grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. Her first novel was written when she was thirteen. She currently attends the University of Massachusetts, where she is studying English.