Review: The Temptation by Alisa Valdes

The Temptation (Kindred #1) 

By Alisa Valdes

Publish: April 24th 2012 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Paperback, 320 pages

His touch was electric.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real? 

After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter.

Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more!--Goodreads

4 Stars

Review:

Ok so the synopsis is extremely cheesy, but this novel really surprised me because it was a really good novel. It was one of those novels that you finish reading and think that's it? Where's the rest of the book? I need to read the second novel! I'm the least patient person that I know, so waiting 6 months for the second novel is basically torture. 

The beginning for me was so slow. It took me a few days to get through the first 40 pages! But after that the story really picks up and it got really interesting.

Travis was kind of creepy in the beginning, but as his story unfolds (BTW: his story was were the problem stems off from) it explained the creepiness of Travis.

Random Thought: I would love to read a story from Randy's  (Travis' older brother who witness and remembered his father's death) POV. 

To me this plot was really unique. The elements that went into this story was extremely interesting. I like the idea of a Kindred and how ghosts can be a solid person.

Purchase this novel at: Amazon / B&N / TBD

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter (Hereafter #1) 

by Tara Hudson 

Published: June 7, 2011 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Paperback, 404 pages

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but "will" him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, "Hereafter" is a sensation you won't want to miss.--Goodreads

3 Stars

Review:

It was extremely frustrating and irritating to read about Amelia regaining her memory. Maybe it was because when I read a book I generally like to finish it as soon as I can, but this book was very detailed, a plus, but it was veryy slow, so slow that I had to put it down and read it at a later time. The novel was really slow for the most part, but there were some interesting parts to it. 

I have definitely read better ghost novels. I mostly stuck around to read about Joshua. Joshua for the most part was more interesting than Amelia, in fact I think I would have enjoyed Hereafter better if it were all in Joshua's point of view.

Every book has the crazy lady, in this novel it was Joshua's grandmother. Is it wrong to say I enjoyed reading about the crazy lady and the troubles she caused the main character?

There's not really much left to say, but the only real complaint I have is that Amelia was boring...

Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / The Book Depository

Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shade (Shade Trilogy #1)

By Jeri Smith- Ready

Released Date: May 4, 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Paperback, 309 Pages

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.-Goodreads

5 Stars

Review

Aura and everyone else that is younger than her can see ghosts, but Aura is the First, which means she was the first person born that is able to see ghosts. Aura is a super kick-butt female protagonist, her choices actually made sense! A lot of times when reading, the protagonist has a few choices to make and when you read what they (finally) decided to do you think/scream What?! You idiot! But Aura's decisions did not make me think that, her decisions were carefully thought out and smart, well most of them anyway, but she is still an awesome protagonist.  

This book has a love triangle between Aura, Zach, and Logan, but it works! I generally do not like love triangles, but they usually don't get on my nerves, but lately tons of YA novels have love triangles and it's so overdone lately. Since the love triangles are so overdone lately, they are really a hit or miss in a book, but I am so glad that it was a hit in Shade!

ZACH: Aura's new friend, who is also the Last, so he was the last person born pre-Shift, and together they are trying to figure out the Shift. Zach is Scottish! Let's talk about Zach's awesomeness shall we, ok he has tons of patience, he is the kindest person ever, he is just every awesome adjective you can think of! He stood up for Aura when people spread lies about her.

The friends(s) of the protagonist: Aura's best friend is Megan and she is just an all-round amazing friend. Megan stood up for Aura(Aura wasn't around) when a group of kids where talking trash about her and Logan. She even took a punch from the mean girl who was talking trash about Aura. After the death of Logan, everyone at school avoided Aura except for Zach and Megan. Those two were the people that stood by her side when the going got tough and that is what true friends do; they have your back no matter what.

The ending, ugh what will happen now?! Must. Read. Sequel, Shift, NOW!

Purchase this book: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / The Book Depository