Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Title: Intangible
Author: J. Meyers
Author Info: Website / Twitter / Facebook
Pub Date: January 31, 2012
Format: ebook (kindle)
Pages: 265
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Goodreads

"Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it"

I really enjoyed this story. I think J. Meyers did a wonderful job taking something that we see a lot of (vampires, fey, elves, etc.) and giving it a unique spin. I loved having twins as the main characters for the story. Sera and Luke were the story. I don’t think it would have mattered what they encountered I would have enjoyed it as long as they were in it. The plot was fast paced and action packed. There was never a dull moment or something going on that wasn’t pivotal to the story.

Sera is able to use healing powers and Luke has visions of the future. They keep their powers mostly due to previous bad experience with how people handle it. With the power to heal Sera is less subtle about using her gifts being that even a touch from her can calm your mind.

I really liked the twins. Sera is head strong and stubborn but she also has a heart of gold. If someone asks her to help them she will not turn them away. She also doesn’t think twice about helping a person in need, even if it could mean her doom. Luke on the other hand is more cautious and protective of Sera. He is thoughtful but is not going to do anything that would even have the inkling of putting his family life in danger. Luke is almost burdened with his gift, being able to see the future but not being able to stop it. I feel like it gives his character a maturity that we don’t see as much in Sera.

Jonas, Fey and Marc were some of the main side characters. Each one unique in their own way and each one dealing with their own set of issues. Fey is Sera and Luke’s best friend. Well Sera’s best friend, I think Luke has his eye on her in a different way. She is supportive and wise beyond her years….hmm. She helps to keep things in perspective for Luke and Sera, especially when Sera has a tendency to get herself into sticky situations. Jonas is the dark brooding handsome type. I liked him as I do all handsome brooding types but there was something a little different about him. He isn’t necessarily cold to anyone but he is also not out to make friends. He has a little more of a leave me alone and I’ll leave you alone type of attitude. Of course poor Jonas a book cannot be made out of that. Marc was okay. I wasn’t particularly fond of him but he did have a good relationship with Sera. They have a lustful relationship going on but not too lusty.

Hooray for a love story with a twist! I did not expect things to turn out the way they did but I’m glad that they did. It was different but I don’t want to give it away. It’s one of those things where you might be sad, or you might happy, or maybe just reflective.

I like the writing, the lure, the characters and the unique way it’s all put together in this book. Plus it has one of those alluring covers I love so much. Add it to your TBR list especially if you like paranormal fantasy book. I look forward to future installments of this book.

I've downloaded Intuition which is a bonus story but I haven't read it yet.

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi (website)
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Pub Date: 1/3/2012
Pages: 374 (hardcover)
Publisher: Harper Collins
Indie / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Goodreads


"Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky."

I absolutely loved this book and I think a big reason was the characters. Veronica Rossi does an amazing job writing from two different perspectives in Under the Never Sky. I never felt lost or confused as to which character it was. They were very individual. It also lets get to know the two main characters more intimately and it was THEIR story. When I attended a recent book signing with her she mentioned that her original intention was four books, each showcasing perspectives of different characters. I know she decided on three books instead but not sure how they will be written.

We have Aria the heroine. She is stubborn but also a little naive. She’s grown up in this protected environment and it’s the only thing she’s known. When she’s thrown out and forced into the Death Shop, even though she thinks she going to die, she’s also fueled by survival instinct. We see her go from this sheltered girl to someone strong and fierce. She makes her own decisions with confidence.

Perry the hero (and my new book boyfriend) is strong and confident. He's a little too confident where it makes him arrogant and immature. He is also a hot head and just as stubborn as Aria. He also has a soft heart which is easy to see with his interactions with his nephew.

What I love most is when the two of them come together. It’s a hate to love relationship which is my favorite kind. I don’t mind instant love but it was nice to see their relationship change and build as they spend time together. We also see the two of them mature and change for the better because of it. It had all the important aspects the….I definitely hate you….wait I might not hate you….oh no I might be the complete opposite of hating you.

There were terrific side characters too. Roar especially, he sometimes steals the show. I loved that you could tell how he is a true friend to Perry and isn’t afraid to point out the obvious. “Fall of your own roof Perry!"

This story is magic and I found myself completely wrapped up in their world. At the book signing Veronica mentioned that she got the idea from her kids excessive video game playing. Our world turning into a society where everything is virtual is believable, my two year old son can easily use a laptop, computer and cell phone. There is great world building, twist and of course a love story. I highly recommend reading it, if you haven't already.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #1
Pub Date: 1-24-2012
Pages: 370
"Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..."

First of all the cover art for this book is amazing, and even more so in person. I felt like I wanted to blow it up and hang it on my wall. With this amazing cover came an amazing book. I adore the way Brodi Ashton has written Everneath.  Starting in the core of the conflict then kind of spreading out both backwards and forward from there. It made the characters a little more endearing I felt by being able to pick and choose the flashbacks. You didn't have to waste time with the filler. It also kept my attention, not only did I want to know what was going to happen, I wanted that glimpse of what did.

Normally I'm all about the bad boy, but I loved Jack's dedication to Nikki. I felt like Cole couldn't hold a candle in that respect. He was interesting and mysterious but I'm not sure I really ever got a grasp on him. Is he really in love with her or does he just want power. He kind of seems confused on the subject himself. While Jack, even though he gets mad at times, even though he was hurt by Nikki, he wants to help her anyway. He cares enough about her to see through all the nonsense. Jules the conflicted best friend fell a little flat for me, but I didn't think she was pivotal to the story so I don't think she was supposed to stand out.

When I was a kid, I read book after book of mythology so I loved how this incorporated some of the myths. I found it was unique and well done, giving them that slightly modern twist but still preserving some of the romanticism myths are known for. It actually made me want to pick up a couple of my mythology books and reread some of the stories.

Honestly I couldn't get enough of this book, I can hardly wait for book two.

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

"It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven. 
    As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.
    Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life."~goodreads

Wow I'm so glad they changed the cover to do this book justice. I was immediately engrossed in the world Trisha Wolfe created in Destiny's Fire. I found it to be unique and interesting as the city grew out of the ground in my mind. All the pieces of the world fit together and made sense. The story was fast paced and action filled and I honestly can't think of one slow spot. There was enough twist to keep me interested. I felt like the book had a perfect balance of love and conflict.

The characters were great and easy to connect to and I loved the love triangle. That hardly happens, usually I find myself angry at one of the characters. Instead I could see why Dez was torn, I was torn. I thought I loved Jace, then Reese, the Jace, wait no no I love Reese. I also liked how her character would rather not be either boy then lose either. Dez was strong and loyal and I loved how her friends stand by her, it doesn't matter what she does. Which is how real friends are.