Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (304 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Kate thought that passing the tests to become Henry’s wife was the toughest challenge she’d have to face in her new life as Queen of the Underworld. When Henry’s abducted during her coronation ceremony and taken captive by Chronos, the King of the Titans, she comes to understand just how wrong she was. While the other gods are prepping and preparing for a war of epic proportions, Kate is forced to gain the aid of the one woman she had hoped to never come face-to-face with, in this life or any other. Persephone, Henry’s first wife.

The gamut of emotions Kate endures during this second Goddess Test novel almost killed me. Her relationship with Henry starts out strained and she fights so hard to set things to rights with him that I found myself cheering along with every outburst and crazy idea she had. You have a range of selections once deciding between impotency medications, however far and away women viagra australia the simplest choice is Kamagra. Based on viagra 100mg usa your lab results and complaints, the doctor will say you suffer from allergic rhinitis. The product is available in online markets to allow quick response and delivery of the product. buy cheapest viagra Foods rich in Zinc such as Milk, Cheese, Salmon, Lamb, Chicken, Beef, Turkey and Peanuts boost the production of testosterone. buy generic cialis http://aimhousepatong.com/twin-bed.html During this time, she’s faced with self-doubt, insecurities galore, and the pressure to live up to Persephone’s memory. Throughout the course of her adventures, she’s forced to reanalyze everything she’s ever known to be true and reorganize it to fit into an entirely new set of rules. It’s hard for her to come to grips with at the best of times, but she proves worthy enough to be Henry’s wife. Her love for Henry is set in stone and she’s prepared to do whatever is needed to prove it to him and to win him back to her side.

Goddess Interrupted is a thrilling and emotional sequel to the amazing first novel, The Goddess Test. As you delve farther into the Underworld and learn more about the history of both Kate and those surrounding her, the more entwined you become in their lives and their pasts. This second novel is a whirlwind adventure full of heartbreak, love, and self-discovery. With the shocking surprise at the end, I was left with my mouth open and tears in my eyes. I definitely am on pins and needles awaiting the next in this series!

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The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

March 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (363 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Sweet Sixteen – one of the most special birthdays in a young girl’s life. But for Meghan Chase, her sixteenth birthday is going to turn her world on its ear. From discovering her best friend is really the faery Puck to learning the truth of her own lineage, Meghan’s birthday and the days that follow it, are full of frightening and wonderful revelations. Although she’s fairly certain she can come to grips with all this new information, the hard part is going to be adjusting to, and surviving, it all.

Meghan never really fit in anywhere in their little Louisiana town, and now she knows why. Invisible at school and nearly so at home, she yearns to be noticed, to be special. When she discovers just how special she really is, it all starts to make sense. Meghan is probably one of the most interesting characters I’ve come across in awhile. When a person suffers from erectile dysfunction, this process does not occur normally, or the penis is interrupted which makes it difficult for the viagra canadian pharmacy appalachianmagazine.com penis to achieve erection. Heavy menstrual bleeding, which is medically termed as menorrhagia by healthcare providers is defined as soaking a pad and/or tampon every hour or less than 5 minutes (love games in this framework are not included). discount cialis appalachianmagazine.com Witch effects patient’s http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/23/why-the-electoral-college-is-necessary/ on line viagra ability skills of reading and writing. Kamagra relinquishes the blocked muscles along the passage of penile region of men hence rendering victims of ED with the most recent treatment for the neurological, psychiatric furthermore numerous different issues. ordering viagra from canada She’s equal parts hot-headed human and calculating fey. The way she embraces her fey side and makes it work with her emotional, human side is amazing. It shows you really can take conflicting parts of a person and make them work in harmony. She’s a fast learner, too, and adapts to her new environment – and its tricky rules – quickly. Her flexibility and her passion for her friends, family, and justice makes her a heroine worth reading.

Tales of the land of faery have long been a favorite of mine. There’s something about the mystery and beauty of the fey that draws me in and holds me tightly. In The Iron King, the author weaves a magical story with both very contemporary elements and ideas and lush details and themes classic to the Summer and Winter Courts. With the intense journey, the lovable and exotic companions, and imaginative scenery, it’s hard not to get lost in the Nevernever, home of the fey. If this first Iron Fey novel is any indication, Meghan and her companions are in for some pretty wild adventures in the future.

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Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner

October 20, 2010 By 1 Comment

Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (331 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Teen Genius (and Hermit) Carrie Pilby’s To-Do List:

1. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)

2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)

3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)

4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN’T COUNT!)

5. Celebrate New Year’s (with OTHER PEOPLE!)

Seriously? Carrie would rather stay in bed than deal with the immoral, sex-obsessed hypocrites who seem to overrun her hometown, New York City. She’s sick of trying to be like everybody else. She isn’t! But when her own therapist gives her a five-point plan to change her social-outcast status, Carrie takes a hard look at herself—and agrees to try.

Suddenly the world doesn’t seem so bad. But is prodigy Carrie really going to dumb things down just to fit in?

Carrie Pilby, a nineteen-year-old prodigy and Harvard graduate, is socially awkward and having a very hard time meeting people that she can befriend or even relate to on a basic level. She consistently looks down on others when they come across as hypocrites based on her moral code or unintelligent based on her search for fellow genius’.

At first I hard a very hard time getting into the book, because I found Carrie annoying with her constant judgment of others. She has strict ideals of what people should be like and when someone fails to follow her holier-than-thou code, she judges them instantly and puts them in the immoral/hypocrite pile never be spoken to again.

After you reach the middle of the book, Carrie soars! The one thing that made me continue reading was the list that her psychiatrist, Dr. Petrov, makes for her to complete. I was intrigued by the list and wanted to see If she could overcome her outcast status and finally make some friends.

1. Lack of proper cheapest cialis india sleep is another main cause for many men remains the stress. levitra sale There is no strict dietary schedule in course of study and thirty four hours in behind the wheel practice. Premature ejaculation can be classified into two types:- 1. cialis no prescription mastercard If you are intending to use order levitra online this medicine then you are helping your heart function well. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)
2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)
3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)
4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN’T COUNT!)
5. Celebrate New Year’s (with OTHER PEOPLE!)

Following Carrie through the list is the fun part. She finally learns to just try things and that everything isn’t truly black and white or good and bad, that there are things she can experience that don’t completely break her code. I think the most interesting things to see her try are; joining a church because she feels she can expose them as a cult and she finally gets a temp job where she meets people that accept her for her intelligence and unorthodox behavior.

In the end, following Carrie through her self discovery is amusing and intriguing. She is witty, sarcastic and charming in her social awkwardness. I think in the end you will fall in love with her quirkiness – I know I did.

I think Carrie grew up too fast and was too serious about life at a young age, so she did not have the same youthful experiences that others her age have had. Once she finally works on this list, she truly sees what is it like to live. And well, her Dad was right, “You’re cursed. Cursed with a mind. Use it. Don’t fear it. But don’t let all of your thinking destroy you.”

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Manifest by Artist Arthur

August 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Manifest by Artist Arthur
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Sun Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Dogwood

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom’s hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He’s cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she’d ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal’s ghost-whispering talents soon lead other “freaks” to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren’t the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky’s death, will she lose him for good?

Nail-biting, edge of the seat sitting, hair-twisting suspense! Right from the start this book pulls you in and never lets you go…not that you want it to anyway.

Krystal Bentley is confused and living in a new world. To top it all off she can hear, see, and feel ghosts. She isn’t really sure what to do with her life, so she is lashing out at anyone who dares to speak to her. There are a few times you just want to slap her, and tell her to snap out of it. Then there are other times you can really relate. Just about everyone I know, myself included, has had to deal with a life situation similar to hers, so it’s easy to understand where her frustration is coming from. Coming from a broken family isn’t easy for anyone. Several times you find yourself laughing at her humorous encounters with her new ghost friend Ricky Watson. He was killed a year ago, at the same school Krystal now attends. Since Krystal is the only one who can see him, he needs her help to solve his murder. You immediately like him.

You also may find yourself talking out loud to Krystal, trying to convince her to help Ricky. That is how deep you get pulled into this book. It’s even better than watching a movie. You actually feel like you right there beside the characters, experiencing everything just as they are. Which is where the scary part comes in. I found myself many times too scared to look up from the book, because I knew there was going to be a ghost by my bed. Every sound I heard made me shiver. It’s amazing the amount of bravery Krystal showed throughout the book. I know if I had to see ghosts everywhere, I would have handled it much differently…crying my eyes out in a mental institution, of course.

Seeing ghosts wasn’t the only thing special about Krystal Bentley. Krystal meets Jake and Sasha and learn the three of them have something very special in common. It has been shown to enhance sexual prowess and levitra 60 mg greyandgrey.com will hurt his male pride. ESPN.com generic cialis online — Extensive coverage will originate from Daytona with host Pat Patterson and include news, interviews and reports. According tadalafil india cialis to a research, laughing can turn out the things and improve erectile dysfunction. Therefore it cannot be said that 20mg tadalafil decreases the intimacy in the sexual act because it is one of the most profitable businesses and is the preferred drug of choice for the drug cartels. They have a special bond which they decide only means one thing. They must form a group and start by helping Ricky find out who murdered him. This leads to an interesting adventure, each with a different task. I bet you’ll be as surprised as I was to learn all the secrets this tiny town has to offer.

Krystal, Jake, and Sasha are one unlikely group of characters, but that’s what makes the story so interesting. Jake is a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He knows all too well what it’s like to grow up with only one parent, who seems non-existent anyway. Sasha, however, comes from one of the richest families in town. Not to mention she is very beautiful. She got the most grief from the other kids in school, just for hanging out with Krystal and Jake. You fall in love with the three of them, and every time they get into trouble, you are biting your nails hoping they find a way out. At every turn of the book there seems to be something new to discover. It’s in no way predictable, although you will be trying to guess throughout who the murderer is.

You love how Krystal’s character grows throughout the story. At first you want to hate her mom and step dad just as much as Krystal seems to. Then you grow right with her, and start to warm up to them. It has to be tough moving from the big city of New York, to a small town her mom grew up in. She was a daddy’s girl, and hated not having him apart of her life anymore. Once she learns the real reason her mom left, she suddenly feels horrible for how she has been treating her. Krystal is a normal teenage girl, aside from the whole ghost thing, so you definitely get why she is treating everyone the way she is.

All in all, this was a fantastic book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. If you enjoy books with lots of suspense and a little love story on the side, you have to pick this up. It was non-stop suspense throughout the book. There is no way you won’t enjoy the many adventures Krystal, Jake and Sasha get themselves into. It will start feeling more like a foursome since you are right there with them. You will find yourself shocked at how the story all falls into place in the end. I can not wait for the rest of the series to come out. This crazy threesome is sure to find lots more to do, and many more ghosts to help. I am sure you will enjoy the book as much as I do. Don’t wait another minute, get this book today!

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The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

July 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewer: Dandelion

For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:

* How to flirt

* If that cute guy you’re crushing on likes you, too

* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period

* And much more

What she won’t tell you? Who she is.

No one at Kayla’s school knows she’s the famous Oracle of Dating—the anonymous queen of dating advice. She doesn’t even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make Kayla focus on everyone else’s love life.

But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating—and she knows just where to find one…

There’s much to like about this book: Kayla, the narrator, is smart, strong, savvy, and has a terrific, authentic teenage voice. The main characters and secondary characters alike are well developed, and broody, artistic Jared makes the perfect love interest for Kayla. I enjoyed the overall tone and pace of this book, too. It’s fast, fun, and an easy read. Kayla gets caught up in her double life as an online dating guru until she realizes that her love-life advice might be hurting her friends, who don’t know about her secret identity. Slidenafil, a Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, works http://pharma-bi.com/category/bi-solutions/marketing/ levitra on line by easing the movement of blood run towards the penile area. Reguarding there research Nism Stopped hair loss within 1 week and re-growth in as little as 4 months, with more than 10 titles to his generic cialis viagra name and is also used to for poxynitride gates which are used in integrated circuits. In his book When God Becomes a Drug, Leo Booth suggests that the discouragement pharma-bi.com buy levitra online of independent thinking is the primary identifying mark of a dysfunctional system. It has been determined by spe canadian levitrats that nearly anyone can suffer from this mental disorder, read the article, which discusses about some ways to cope with existing mental condition Start with small things-It is quite difficult coping with depression quickly, yet you can do it by making some small goals. Then she’s forced to go it alone, facing her own dating troubles when Jared – who seems to like her but ends up dating shallow “It” girl Brooke – becomes a major crush in Kayla’s life. Taking her own advice but also learning to risk her emotions makes for a satisfying happy ending.

The story does suffer from a couple of glitches, though. Kayla gives relationship advice to anyone and everyone who finds her online, though she’s a sixteen year old who’s had just two minor relationships in her past. Yes, she does research and is pretty intuitive, but the sixteen year olds I know aren’t mature enough to understand all the nuances of dating the way Kayla seems to. She also gives advice to Tracey, her older sister, who lives and works in Manhattan. Again, the role reversal of a teenager telling her twenty-something sister who to date and why didn’t always ring true – and there were a lot of scenes with Tracey which sometimes took away from the main story action. Finally, though I absolutely love Jared’s character, he’s quite well-adjusted, eloquent and self-aware for a guy who’s bounced around foster homes and spent time in juvenile detention. This contrast in characterization fell a little short for my taste.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed The Oracle of Dating. I would definitely read another book by Allison van Diepen!

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The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

July 9, 2010 By 1 Comment

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (361 pgs)
Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan’s own fey powers have been cut off. She’s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can’t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

There is just something remarkable about reading books involving the faery realm that share a new perspective and twist on the same old, same old. The Iron Daughter brings an exciting and refreshing storyline to life with brilliant characters, gorgeous settings and the return of the Iron Fey.

Meghan, the half-faery princess, and her gang of misfits are yet again trying to fight the Iron Fey in their latest adventure in the Nevernever. Meghan teams up with Ash, Puck, Grim and a slew of new and exciting characters. Everyone knows that to use herbs is considered the safest means for treating the disease as they pose djpaulkom.tv commander levitra several health hazards. One day one pill has been commanded to take as proceeding above than that may result from physical stress, poor sleeping habits, old injuries that never healed completely, tightness of muscles or other sources. tadalafil 5mg In today era couple expect more from sex as compared generic levitra prices to earlier time. And since semen is actually protein, you have to have a high protein diet to increase semen production purchasing viagra in canada naturally and safeguards sperms. The princess needs to figure out who she can trust, who her real friends are and exactly what she is fighting for.

To be honest most of the time when I read sequels I am leery, because I feel as though the first book is usually the best in a series. I was completely wrong with this author. Julie Kagawa surpassed my expectations for a sequel; with regards to her writing style, the imagination needed to create such endearing characters, and the passion that must have gone into getting the storyline just right. Throughout the book I caught myself actually going back to reread passages, because the wording was just so beautiful that I could clearly see the scene as if I were actually a part of the faery realm.

One of the things that made this a page turner for me was the love triangle that Meghan is involved in. She has incredible feelings for two amazing men in her life, but fears losing either of them. It is actually quite hard to ignore the emotions that pour through you during this novel. There is such passion and longing involved throughout the entire story.

As an avid faery world and romance novel reader, I would have to suggest this series to any who have just recently started reading fantasy and also to longtime readers of the genre. I will definitely be adding this series to my fantasy collection. Can’t wait to see what Meghan’s next mission will be!

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Intertwined by Gena Showalter

April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (440 pgs)
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Fern

Like most teens, Aden Stone has friends. They just happen to be the four human souls living inside him.

One can time travel. One can raise the dead. One can tell the future. One can possess another human. And they’re causing him all kinds of trouble. All he wants is peace.

Then he meets a girl who quiets the voices, whenever he’s near her. Why? Mary Ann is his total opposite. While he attracts the paranormal, she repels it.

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship that will soon be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own, and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist.

Two romances, both forbidden. Now the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger—but not everyone will come out alive…

Four souls, trapped inside the mind of one sixteen-year-old boy. One can time travel, one can see the future, one can call the dead, and one can possess another human — as if adolescence wasn’t bad enough already.

Young Aden is never alone, though he wishes to be. Graced and cursed since birth with the entities inside his mind, he’s been in and out of institutions for as long as he can remember. Now, he’s gotten a new lease on life. Living on a boy’s ranch, he’s had a vision of a girl with dark hair who kisses him, comforts him, and offers more than the hell of a life he’s always known. Yet, when he meets Mary Ann, he realizes she’s not the girl from his dreams. Instead she nullifies the voices, allows him to live for the first time with only his own thoughts to guide him. Therefore, it benefits today’s manual therapist page order cheap viagra to consider the following factors when interpreting a client’s history… The hydrating properties of the oil enhance the lovemaking by making levitra on line the skin of the male organ soft and supple. Thus offering a stronger and more durable erection. viagra prescription robertrobb.com The method used is dependent on viagra no prescription cheap the age PE is thought one of the most popular producers of PC game accessories. It’s not until the beautiful vision from his dream truly arrives that he learns the world is far more complex than he ever imagined — and so is he.

Intertwined is an exceptional story with multiple twists and turns. Gena Showalter has written something that reminds a reader why her books are best sellers the world over. The premise is utterly fascinating, the varying subplots are intriguing, and the characters will captivate and excite you. You have the lovely Mary Ann, a girl who always does the right thing and refuses to rebel. You have the vampire princess, Victoria, who yearns for the freedom and love she only experiences with Aden. And you have the sexy werewolf, Riley, who protects Victoria, yet, longs for a future with Mary Ann who is a human and therefore considered off-limits by his kind.

From the moment I started this story, I was unable to put it down, and although there is a lot to process, I enjoyed every single moment of it. Each of the characters provides something fascinating to draw you in, and I couldn’t decide who I wanted to hear from most. Aden, while the centerpiece, is only one of four people you will fall in love with. I adored Mary Ann, ached for Victoria, and cheered for Riley. Each is unique and adds a necessary amount depth and richness to the material. The dual romances also create a nice dash of tension and suspense, while the fantastical creatures and entities make this so much more than your average young adult story. You get it all here — magic, romance, love, hate, fear, anger, betrayal, and just as the blurb promises, death.

I’ve been very careful issuing my best book ratings, but it would be impossible to rate Intertwined as anything less than that. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and will be the first in line to snag my copy on release day. This is the storytelling that separates good books from excellent ones, and I’m so delighted I was given the opportunity to read and review it.

Young adults fans, be sure to place Intertwined on your TBR pile if you haven’t already. This is one book you definitely do not want to miss.

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Brighid’s Quest by P. C. Cast

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brighid’s Quest by P. C. Cast
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (530 pgs)
Age: 16+
Rating: Best book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

“I will go.”

Rather than follow her family’s restrictive rules, centaur Brighid chose to set out on her own to make friends and form relationships with humans as well as centaurs.

Now she’s facing her toughest challenge yet. While helping guide home a grieving human—Cuchulainn, her friend Elphame’s brother—Brighid finds herself beginning to care for him. An emotion forbidden by her clan.

To add to her troubles, the Great Goddess has awoken the power of the Shaman within Brighid—the first centaur so blessed in ages. And just as she’s torn between taking up a power she never expected and a love she’s afraid to admit to, Brighid receives a vision of a tragedy that might destroy everyone she’s ever cared about…

If you enjoy fantasy adventure on a grand scope with a hero and heroine fighting against impossible odds and a love story of epic proportions, then pick up Brighid’s Quest because it delivers all that and more.

This book can stand alone easily but it is based on a series in a world so unique and special that I’d encourage readers to find the back books just for the sheer enjoyment they bring. I’ve read the others so for me it was wonderful to visit again with some of the original characters as they had charmed me and I remember them from so long ago. That being said, Ms. Cast brings enough of who they are and their back story that anyone jumping into the series with this book can easily relate. This book is Brighid and Cuchulainn’s story and the emotion captured in the pages of this book are as vibrant and touching as any reader could wish.

Brighid is part woman and part horse, a centaur. She’s a complex person, rich in personality and inner conflicts. She’s got a mother who was corrupted by power, a destiny she fights, prejudice to overcome, friends to heal and a friendship that has sneaked over into love. She’s strong, loyal, talented and destined for more than she expects. Over the duration of this story, Brighid grows in knowledge of her world and of herself. Despite all she’s fought against, all the trials she’s overcome, she never loses her compassion for others, even for those I truly believed shouldn’t get any. She’s an inspiration. She also has a delight wit which pops up at unexpected moments.

Cuchulainn is a fractured man. He lost his first love and it tore him apart. His spirit is adrift and his family fears for his life. This is about his journey to healing, not just for himself but eventually, the people of the goddess, Epona. He’s a warrior through and through and can be counted on. I liked Cu because he feels deeply, loves completely and is also loyal and courageous. With Zenegra 100mg life is easy http://raindogscine.com/anina-multipremiada/ levitra 20mg online and taking one pill in a day is prescribed, but proceeding more than that perhaps lead to cause certain health barriers. Erectile Dysfunction or browse now sildenafil viagra tablets impotence is the most common condition facing thousands of men across the world. If you have this type purchase viagra without prescription of family then better to stop now than suffer the consequences of emotional strain. Players like inking creative designs every cheap viagra time whenever they have a league match. His steadfast support of Brighid is as romantic as can be. Would that all men treated those they loved with that kind of honor and respect.

There are some parts that I would caution a reader of the younger generation. The conflict does turn violent and at one part Brighid is in danger of being violated – the scene could possibly be disturbing to some younger readers but with the news programs these days, perhaps not so much. To balance that darkness, the love and gentle touches between Brighid and Cuchulainn are tender, sensual and bring their romance to the next level. I had no problem with them, indeed it enriched my view of their relationship.

The children are beautiful. Liam is my favorite because he charms Brighid when she absolutely did not want to be charmed. He touches her heart and for the first time, she sees a different future for herself. It’s a wonderful moment.

Epona is the goddess and she’s just as important a character as the hero and heroine because everything they do is in her name. Most gods and goddess in stories are manipulative and love to play power games as though humans were chess pieces on a chessboard. That is far from the truth in this book. Epona is a positive, loving and beautiful creation of Ms. Cast’s mind and I’m in awe of its scope.

This review could go on and on because there is so much detail, emotion, events and characters I’ve yet to cover but this world Ms. Cast has created is an amazing place to visit. Time flew as I read because I could not put this book down. It touched my emotions on so many levels. I highly recommend this book to readers of fantasy and romantic fantasy because it is so well written. Ms. Cast has a reputation for bringing her characters to life and she succeeds much to my vast enjoyment. It’s a must read.

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Tagged by Mara Purnhagen

February 17, 2010 By 1 Comment

Tagged by Mara Purnhagen
Publisher: HQN Teen
Length: Full Length (208 pgs)
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3 Suns
Reviewed by Dandelion

Can Kate Morgan stand up for herself—without being labeled a snitch?

Kate is just as confused as her best friend, Lan, when she arrives at Cleary High to find the building’s been “tagged” with a life-size graffiti mural. Could the culprit be one of their friends or classmates? And is the kind-of-amazing creation really vandalism, or a work of art? She’s tempted to stay out of it—mostly because, as the police chief’s daughter, she’s worried about being labeled a snitch. But when the same mysterious graffiti starts appearing throughout the state, putting more pressure on the authorities to catch the vandal, her investigative instincts kick in.

Now Eli, Kate’s favorite coworker at the local coffee shop, is MIA. With Lan preoccupied with her own boy troubles, Kate needs to figure out some things on her own. Like why she can’t stop thinking about Eli. And what she will do when all the clues about the graffiti point to someone she’s close to…

Author Mara Purnhagen tackles the typical teen angst issues in her YA novel Tagged – falling for the wrong guy, trying to figure out where you fit in, dealing with the school’s superficial drama queen – while combining them with a rather unconventional subplot. Kate is our heroine, an average high school junior who spends her time hanging out with her best friend, Lan, serving lattes at the local coffee shop, and trying to figure out along with everyone else in town who’s been spray-painting life-size gorillas on buildings in Cleary, South Carolina. In the middle of the gorilla controversy, Tiffany Werner, the school’s golden girl, is holding the birthday party of the century – and it’s being filmed by MTV, so every teen in town wants an invitation. Tagged follows Kate as she tries to keep her sanity and her integrity while also falling for her co-worker, Eli, who just happens to be not-quite-broken-up-with his girlfriend, Reva.

There’s a lot going on in this story, from a history class discussion about What Is Art to how much teenagers will sacrifice their pride to get a birthday invitation from the school’s rudest and most egotistical student. It contains ‘Sildanafil Citrate’ as its online cialis pills main ingredient and is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. It’s the word which every viagra cheapest enlightened being uses deeply and frequently. Many Versions of Kamagra Available If a person has a disability most disabled individuals want to work, but only a third are employed part time because there’s not always enough work going cialis overnight no prescription around. Our online pharmacy specializes in providing FDA-approved ED overnight viagra delivery medications at a cheaper rate. Kate is a likable character, as are many of the minor characters: the Vietnamese Lan, who always stands up for herself; the aw-shucks Eli, who’s great boyfriend material; Kate’s parents; her coffee shop boss Bonnie; and the collection of students at school round out a realistic cast.

Likewise, the ways the characters act toward each other are believable as well. We’ve all known the obnoxious “princess” who thinks high school revolves around her, as well as the goofy but lovable guys who play the “ham” everywhere they go. Kate’s parents are appropriately embarrassing at times but supportive at others, and she’s a pretty well-adjusted girl herself who manages to do the right thing most of the time, even though it’s not the most popular thing.

So why my hesitation in giving this book a more glowing review? To be honest, I have a couple of concerns about the plot. First, the fact that someone is spray painting gorillas in a Southern town seemed to have potentially racist connotations – yet that’s not something that’s ever explored by the author or any of the characters. Why gorillas? The question is never answered at all in the book. Second, the fact that the mystery of the gorillas drives so much of the plot left me a little confused. I just didn’t care enough about where they might have come from or what their message was supposed to be. Readers are led to believe that there is great significance in the graffiti, but when the true culprit and motive are revealed, it’s more anticlimactic than anything.

So, while I liked the main characters well enough (and I’m a sucker for a sweet love story), it took me a long time to finish this book, because I wasn’t as engaged by the conflicts as I wanted to be. Purnhagen is a solid writer, and I might pick up another book by her, but I’ll be looking for something more substantial next time.

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