NEW RELEASE: Safer Outside 1/15

Mature YA Romance by Kristina Renee

Safer Outside, Book One of the Outside Series


When Liz moves to a new high school, she hopes for a fresh start. School is her escape from the violence at home and her only hope for breaking the cycle of poverty she was born into. Trying to shield her siblings from her stepfather's fury gets harder each day so when she meets Logan, she thinks it will be a harmless distraction from the fear. 

She's Wrong. 

Logan has the resources to change her life but at what cost? Her relationship is the best thing that ever happened to her but it could also be the worst. If she's not careful, she may lose everyone that's important to her. But it's hard to be careful when you're fifteen and in love. 

For readers 16+

Kristina Renee was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. She married her high school sweetheart after college and they have two sweet and adventurous sons. She spends her time chauffeuring her kids around and doing technical marketing but when she can escape, she loves reading, writing and editing. Learn more at www.KristinaReneeBooks.com follow @authorkristinar like facebook visit goodreads

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Interview with Fang, from the Demon Underground Series.

Picture of Fang
"...I'm part-hellhound, part poodle,
part terrier, and all snark."

The Demon Underground series, by the fabulous Parker Blue, is one of the first series that I read and fell in love with on my Kindle. Ms. Blue does such a wonderful job creating characters with depth; characters that are so much more than the prevalent archetypes that litter the YA genres. Characters that are, in fact, so complete I decided to do an interview with one.

Fang, first I'd like to welcome you to my blog. I'm very excited to get to know you a little more. Why don't you tell our readers who, exactly, you are.

Fang:  Thank you!  Well, I fool a lot of people into thinking I’m a cute and cuddly little doggie.  Not!  My friend Val Shapiro says I’m part-hellhound, part poodle, part terrier, and all snark.  I have no clue where she gets that.

I was assigned to show Val the Demon Underground ropes after her parents kicked her out of the house on her eighteenth birthday.  We kind of became besties and hang out together, kicking evil vamp butt and keeping San Antonio safe for human and demonkind.

One of your abilities is the power to telepathically communicate and read the minds of demons and part-demons. Clearly you know your friends very well because of this, and there have been several times that your ability has been used to the benefit of your friends and allies, but are there any drawbacks to being able to read the mind of those around you? Ever heard anything you wish you hadn't?

Fang: Hoo, boy. You bet! Especially since Val is, you know, a succubus. I wish I could tune out when she turns on any guy who gets within her energy field, but it ain’t easy. Humans make such a deal out of the whole lust thing, but I’m no peeping Fang.

When we last left Val her relationship with Shade, her shadow-demon boyfriend, was in turmoil. We have recently gotten a chance to learn more about his past, but that doesn't really help Val's broken heart. How is our kick-butt heroine doing? The girl hasn't had the best of luck in the love department; will that be changing anytime soon?

Fang: Well, in Dare Me, she’s got two studpuppies drooling over her—both Shade and the sexy cowboy vampire, Austin.  She’s having a hard time deciding between them, but this time, she has to actually get off the pot and make a choice. And when she does, he does something kinda cool for her in the end.

Val has semi-hated her 'Lola' powers since she hit puberty. How does she feel about the fact that they are now rapidly diminishing because of her spell-use?

Fang: She’s kinda missing them, you know? Especially since the rogue vamps all know her as the Slayer and she has a lot of enemies.  Kinda hard to control the bad guys when Lola isn’t able to grab ‘em by the chakras and give ‘em what for.

A lot of readers consider you to be Val's trusty sidekick. What do you feel about that? Do you agree?

Fang: Heck, no. She’s my sidekick! Okay, okay, we’re each others’ sidekicks, I’ll give you that. 

What can we expect next in the story of Fang and Val? Trouble with Vampires? Other demons?

Fang: Well, I can’t say too much, but it starts out with human trouble, of all things, humans hunting shadow demons.  But the humans have super strength and speed, so it takes us awhile to figure out what they really are. And it’s a bigger baddie than we’ve ever fought before.

What do you hope readers take from your and Val's story? Any nuggets of wisdom you'd like to share?

Fang: It’s all about being true to yourself, not selling yourself short, and finding a place to belong. Plus you don’t have to share DNA to be family; true family consists of people who care about you.

How's fatherhood been treating you? Has Princess mellowed out a bit now that she has something to distract her from... herself? Will the pups be following their father’s paw prints in vampire/crime fighting?

Fang:  You’ll see a different side of Princess in this book.  Turns out there’s more to her than most people know.  As for the pups…that remains to be seen.  They’re not even weaned yet! But if I have anything to say about it, they’ll all be clones of their proud papa.

I'd like to thank you for taking time to sit and talk with me. I'm sure you have things to do, people to bite. But first I'd like to ask one last question: if the world were ending and you had any choice of a last meal, what would it be, where would you eat it, and what company would you share it with?

Fang:  That’s an easy one—pizza!  On the Riverwalk in San Antonio with Val and Princess and my kids, natch.

Thanks again! Look forward to seeing more of y'all at the next book release, Dare Me, which is set to come out next month.

Fang:  Thank you! It was fun. You’re pretty cool, for a human.

Thanks Fang!

Fun facts
Some of the following links will take you to Amazon.com, where you can buy these tasty treats... or just read the synopsis.

• The next book in the series is called Dare Me, and is set to release in September 2013
• Her previous books in the Demon Underground series are, in order:Bite Me, Try Me, Fang Me, Make Me, 
• Forget You (Demon Underground Series) is a novella about Shade and is based before the events in the first book. It is currently FREE, and you can absolutely read it before everything else since it can act as a stand alone.... and an addictive introduction to the series that will make you HAVE to read more.
• She also has a story in the anthology Magick Rising, it's about a man trying to rid himself of Lycanthropy (he's a werewolf), which is killing him. There might be a Wiccan woman to help... and love.
• To find out more about Parker Blue, check out her website HERE
• or her Facebook HERE 
• there's also her Twitter (HERE) and her Pinterest page (HERE) that you can follow

Nomad, a review

50 years in the future America is ravaged by a dictator, towns have been reduced to war zones, and the few people brave enough to overthrow the new order are out-manned, out-gunned, and fighting a battle they can never win. If only there were a way to kill the dictator before he comes into power.

Raven. Her name is the only thing she knows about herself. She finds herself walking alone, on a highway, covered in blood that isn't her own, carrying a backpack full of cash and a plasma gun. Her memories of how and why have escaped her mind with everything else.

After piecing clues from the items in her backpack together with the few memories she has regained, Raven knows what she needs to do; she needs to travel to New Haven to assassinate college student Logan Carraway, future Dictator of the United States of America and the man that will one day be responsible for thousands of deaths and the ruin of a nation.

Written by J.L. Bryan, Nomad is a spectacular addition to my book-shelves. I was instantly sucked into this story, the story of this young girl that has been shaped by a war-ravaged country and how she struggles to do the right thing, gambling with her very future in a quest to prevent the near apocalyptic environment that she grew up in.

I don't typically read science-fiction. Not that I dislike the it, but it's not the genre that I naturally gravitate to.

That being said, Nomad is one of those books that I'm glad I didn't pass over. Really glad. J.L.Bryan wrote an approachable time-travel book, one that doesn't make the reader feel stupid for not knowing the theories behind time travel... one for people that might not know what flux capacitors or red phone booths have to do with traveling through time. It adds in a little romance, but nothing that will give you a toothache. 

Fun Facts

• Nomad is due to release this Friday, July 26th
• There are no plans for a sequel, but that doesn't mean there won't be at a future time
• Not appropriate for a very young reader (12-13 and under) because of some sexual content and violence
• J.L. Bryan is a self-published author. Visit is website at http://www.jlbryanbooks.com/
• Buy his books at Amazon

Want a copy of this book? Like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter for a chance to win... or do both for two chances!

Book Review of The Rush, by Rachel Higginson

The first in a new Rachel Higginson series, The Rush certainly lives up to her other works!

Ivy lives a fairy tale life. She's beautiful, has all the best clothes, and can get any guy she wants... Too bad she's doesn't really want any. She is born into a society of sirens, sirens that have adapted to the modern world quite well. No more ship-wrecked sailors for these women, and Ivy is groomed from a young age to be able to attract men. She knows how to talk, walk, and look seductive. She knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants, overkill considering they fall in love with her immediately... it doesn't matter that she's only 16, and it certainly doesn't matter the she is wracked with guilt because of her very existence, hating her effect on the people around her but unable to break away from her family and the role she was born to play.

This book is significantly darker than most others... the heroine isn't some happy-go-lucky girl at the beginning of the book. She's damaged, and exhausted from acting the part. The situations she gets into in this book aren't the 'big battle, good vs. evil'... is the kind of evil that happens in real life. Lusty eyes from an older man that has complete control over her, near-rape, being pimped out by her own mother... It's kind of shattering because this type of thing does happen, though without the Siren part of it. It might be in smaller degrees, but tons of mothers groom their daughters to catch a man (yes, it still happens), encourage flirtations and promiscuity, look the other way at blatant emotional abuse... at blatant emotional damage.

I would NOT recommend this for the very young YA reader. Nothing too 'adult' happens, there is no sex, no drugs, though there is some alcohol... but it is still too mature for the youngest YA readers.

• This book is the first in a series
• Andrew James wrote a song specifically for this book; the lyrics are used in the story. Check it out here.
• It is currently $3.99 on Amazon.... buy it here
• Find out about more upcoming projects at Rachel Higginson's website. http://www.rachelhigginson.com/ and go like her on Facebook! 

Bella Swan vs. Eden Matthews... all about the role models.

VS

I want to tell you about this great series: it has a love triangle between a stubborn girl, her perfect-looking immortal boyfriend, and her (also immortal) male best-friend. The main character is surrounded by people that can turn into animals, or read minds, are virtually indestructible, are super strong and fast, seem to be allergic to death and she didn't even know these people existed at the beginning of the books. She goes through a lot of impossible things throughout the four-book series, and in the end, after discovering her own unique power, wins a battle against the oppressive ruling class...


It's not what you think. It's really really not.

I'm really trying to tell you about the Star-Crossed series, a kick butt series by Indie Author, Rachel Higginson.

Before I go any farther, Twihards... you are about to get really mad at me. Don't get me wrong, I read the series multiple times and will probably read it again; Meyers certainly writes a page turner... Unfortunately after you finally close the last page you realize you just read a bunch dirty, filthy, crazy-person words that makes it seem ok to not only date an abusive pedophile stalker, but that you, as a [female] person, are defined by your romantic relationships.

So, I'm going to do a little character comparison between two series that seem to have similar archetypal characters.

Both girls start their first day of a new school
Eden is immediately an outcast
Bella is immediately popular and sought out by every boy in school

They both start forming an attraction to a beautiful boy but is soon warned away for very good reasons
Eden tries to follow advice but falls in love anyways
Bella immediately ignores advice and pursues relationship

Boyfriend forbids her from going somewhere
Eden steals a passport and credit card to travel across the world to save her friend anyways
Bella gets slightly frustrated but does nothing

Eden finds out that Kiran is engaged, she tries to ignore and stay away from him
Bella finds out that Edward is 100 years old and sneaks into her room at night to watch her sleep... she blushes.

Eventually they both get their heart broken by their boyfriend when he tried to do something 'for her own good'
Eden breaks up with him and becomes the leader of a revolution intent on destroying the monarchy and freeing her people
Bella goes through months in a fog, doesn't speak to anyone, and eventually starts jumping off cliffs so that she can hallucinate her boyfriends voice

While mourning the loss of their relationship, both girls rely heavily on a best friend that is in love with them
Eden eventually gives a relationship with friend a chance, actively trying to move on from the past
Bella uses him as a buffer from other guys and... er... jumps off cliffs!

Boyfriend says sorry
Eden threatens to kill him
Bella forgives him instantly

To earn back her trust/deserve her love:
Kiran becomes an integral part of the the revolution that plans to kill his father, the king, and helps free his people from oppression
Edward looks deeply into her eyes and promises to never leave again


There are clearly a lot of parallels between these two series; even more than I mentioned. And I'm well aware that I'm being a little harsh on Meyers' series. But I hear so many girls saying 'can't wait to find my Edward'. So many girls content to act like a 'Bella' and live happily ever after.

Bella is not a character that any young girl should strive to be like.

She, my friends, is a wimp. She is a pushover. She is in a relationship with a controlling, overbearing, way-to-old-for-her man, and constantly seeks out dangerous behavior for no good reason, trusting completely that someone else will rescue her if things 'go too far'.

Bella starts this series out as a human and wants nothing more than to be something non-human. When she finally is, Meyers' wrote about how much more Bella could feel and see, her human life being almost like a foggy dream.

Likewise, Eden also starts out the series thinking she is a human... it turns out she isn't, but there is always that respect for humanity. Eden is constantly defending her upbringing (raised as a human) against the immortals that think they're better.

It really just seems like Higginson has more respect for humanity, because being human is just as real as being nonhuman in her books. Sure, the Cullins respect humans by not sucking their blood, but Bella's transformation into a Vampire shows that vampires are far superior than human beings; smarter, faster, and can feel a larger depth of emotion... it seems that Vampires are to humans as humans are to animals, which makes the Cullens 'Vegetarianism' almost offensive. Yes, I'm ranting now...

Back to the subject at hand.

Eden is not a wimp. She is stubborn to the point of density, and she barely figures anything out on her own. I'll say that for Bella; she suspects somethings a little wonky with the Cullen clan, and she tries, and succeeds, in figuring it out. Eden literally blows things up and still needs to be told that she is magic.... But no character is without their flaws. She has a love that is just is strong as Bella's, but Edens love story doesn't define her. It's not who she is, not the most important facet of her life. She is connected to Kiran, they 'complete' each other... but that doesn't mean she's half a person without him. She does things, meets people, kidnaps princes and bodyguards, rescues prisoners... she doesn't just mope around.

Because in real life, if your boyfriend breaks your heart... moping around for months is not healthy. It's not ok. Jumping off cliffs is not a good thing either. You might say 'but she loved him so much'... what if your best friend got dumped and started acting like Bella? Would she be justified in her crazy-pants behavior or would you be scheduling an intervention with her family and a very good therapist?

The point of this blog? I forget...

Wait! Go read the Star-Crossed series. Discover an overpowering love story that at least mimics healthy human behavior. Make a Team Kiran shirt and wear it proudly, cuz that boy actually deserves fan adulation.

Book 1 in the Star-Crossed series is Reckless Magic... It's even free, so go ahead and give it a try. You'll thank me.

AotW: Rachel Higginson!

Ok, so I've neglected my blog for entirely too long.

Sorry about that.

To celebrate my return to the blogging world, this week I'll be focusing on one of my favorites, Indie Author: Rachel Higginson.

My personal writing inspiration, Rachel is the mother of FOUR (that's right) children, and is still pumping out books left and right.

I could go into detail and tell you all sorts of things about Ms. Higginson... But I'm not. If you want to know more about her day to day activities with her full house and her high school sweetheart turned husband, then you should visit the blog on her website http://www.rachelhigginson.com/. There you will also find upcoming releases and information about all her delicious books.

Instead I will tell you that when I downloaded the first book in her Star-Crossed series, Reckless Magic (which is free!), I was hooked within a few pages.

Could.not.put.it.down.

In fact, every single one of her books is completely addictive. So, in celebration of this incredible author, I'll be posting a few reviews on her books. Starting with this one right HERE.

Here are a few links to get you started on your fandom:
Her website
Her Facebook
Her Twitter
and last but not least, her Youtube channel

So go and discover her!

Starbright

Starbright is the first (and so far, only) in a great series by... you guessed it, Rachel Higginson. Ms. Higginson has, once again, created a great read for YA readers of all ages; it is so very appropriate for even the younger readers of the genre. 

Stella is a star, the female version of an angel warrior which are on the lowest ring of Angels that heaven has to offer. That doesn't mean that she isn't important; quite the opposite in fact. Stella is destined to be the future protector of Earth, our dear planet being the last one holding life. One day she will be joined with her counterpart, the male star that she will be connected to in heart, body, and soul. Together they will work to protect Earth from the evil darkness that has been destroying life throughout the galaxy. 

In the meantime Stella is looking forward to life staying the same as it has for the past 16 years, like that of any other small town girl and counting down until her 18th birthday which will mark the complete arrival of her powers. She thought the next few years would consist of going to school, hanging out with her best-friend Tristan, and trying not to glow in the middle of class.

Divergent Book Review

click the pic for more
info at Amazon.com

Selflessness, Bravery, Honesty, Knowledge, Peace. After the fall of modern civilization society has  split itself into five factions, each with their own ideology on maintaining peace and preventing war. Upon maturity each person must be tested to find out where they truly belong. But there are some who belong nowhere, or everywhere; they are Divergent and Beatrice has found herself among their secret ranks. When she leaves behind her Selfless faction to become Dauntless, she must hide what she truly is on the threat of death. Tris soon finds herself fighting for a place in her new faction while trying to ignore her confusing feelings for a boy named Four, but when rumors of a faction war reach her ears she must choose who and what she really is, selfless or brave; Beatrice or Tris... and is there really such a difference between the two?

Let me just say that I loved this book. Veronica Roth did an amazing job in creating a new, yet recognizable world. This is a YA dystopian and thanks to The Hunger Games (which I love btw), it's a genre that is producing a LOT of new stuff, but Divergent still manages to stand apart. Yes, the main character does seem to fit into the well used 'small, yet badass girl underdog' archetype, but Roth doesn't make her a super woman that can somehow beat up people twice her size with similar training. Tris manages to be relatable, even though she lives in an imaginary world that's been decimated by war. 

The ending definitely leaves us reaching for the next book, but not in an obnoxious cliffhanger that makes you want to throw the book across the room.... not that I would ever do that... 

Fun Facts

• Divergent is book 1 in a trilogy. Book 2, Insurgent, is already out, and the last book should be released sometime this year.
• A movie is in the works, set to release in 2014, starring Shailene Woodley as Beatrice/Tris
• There is a romantic subplot, but it isn't overwhelming and only adds to the story
• this book IS age appropriate for all YA readers, featuring some graphic violence but not anything age 13+ can't handle
• Divergent is Veronica Roths first novel, and hit the New York Times bestseller list (so did Insurgent)

AoW: Kelley Armstrong

For a #1 New York Times bestseller, Kelley Armstrong is pretty unknown. Let's fix that, shall we?

To date, this Canadian author has 29 books and novellas published (30 in July), and that doesn't include the dozens of anthologies she's featured in, or the online freebies she frequently writes. Her first book was published in 2001, so she is a writing machine. She is from Canada and many of her books take place either there or northern U.S. She also has a degree in psychology, which enables her to write a depth to her characters that other authors seem to lack. Go visit her Facebook or website, there's always a contest going for freebies.

So far she has currently has three series out:

Women of the Otherworld has been her main writing-squeeze for the past eleven years. They are definitely Urban/Contemporary Fantasy and include a wide array of supernatural talent: werewolves, witches, vampires, demons, ghosts, and necromancers to name a few. The main character in each book is a supernatural woman, and most of the plot lines are 'who done it' mysteries and tied up by the end of the book. There is usually a romantic subplot, and as such usually has a steamy 'grownup' scene or two, but it isn't over done or corny, and most importantly DOESN'T detract from the story; it will not read like the novelization of an 'adult feature', rather like that of an action film meets romantic comedy. The fact that her July release will be her last in the series makes me sad and proud at the same time. Instead of continuing a series past its finish time just to make more money, she's going to focus on her other works so she can continue to write creative, high quality, new stories (she is saying that a random book or short story isn't out of the question, but only as the muse strikes, not as a contract does).

The Edison Group actually includes two trilogy's so far: Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising. These books are based in the same world as Women of the Otherworld, but are YA with each trilogy focusing on a different heroine and group of teenage supernaturals that are the results of various supernatural gene experiments. I haven't come across too many authors who are able to switch genre's from adult to YA, but Kelley makes it seem easy. They are definitely appropriate for tweens, while able to remain interesting for her adult fans. She writes from a teenager's perspective really well, they think (supernatural) teenage thoughts, and partake in (supernatural) teenage activities... well, they do when they aren't on the run from evil scientist's and their 'experiments'. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

Nadia Stafford is the series she's published the least of. This is an action packed series with no supernatural/sci-fi leanings, just pure kick-ass killer woman. I really wonder what kind of research Kelley did with these, because the main characters are mostly hit-men (people?) and she writes the roles very convincingly. I've never met a hit-person before, but I can imagine they act, talk, think, and behave pretty closely to what she's written. Fascinating actually, and I couldn't put these books down even though they aren't in my preferred genres. She really shows that deep down she is a mystery writer, and all the paranormal wrappings in her other books are just that: wrappings. Fortunately for Nadia fans out there, with Kelley finishing up her Otherworld series, she plans on spending some time on this one, with a possible book out in late 2013.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, and Kim Harrison should give her books a try. You won't be disappointed. 

AotW: Interview with Marilee Brothers

There are probably a hundred reasons why I love my Kindle and Marilee Brothers is definitely one of them.

She is an author that I probably would never have discovered without it, and an author that I have grown to love these past couple of years. She has several books in The Unbidden Magic series; a YA series about a spunky girl named Allie who discovers her magical talent after a tussle with a satellite dish (she lost). They are great reads, and absolutely appropriate for the young adults, but still fun to read for us older YA readers.

Marilee keeps herself busy; she publishes about a book every year and has a great book blog. As busy as she is though, I've found that she is great about responding to any questions or comments I might write to her on Facebook or twitter. 

So great, in fact, that she agreed to do an interview with me so that you guys can get to know her a bit better.

What kind of jobs did you have before you started writing and when did you

realize you wanted a career change?

I was very young (19) when my husband and I married. Two baby boys quickly

followed. Several years later, we sold all our earthly possessions and moved to a

college town. Through a series of part-time jobs, scholarships, student loans and

juggling baby-sitting duties, we both obtained degrees with teaching certification. We

began teaching. Another baby boy came along. (Gee, how did that happen?) Later, my

husband went into school administration and I became a school counselor. However, I

always loved the world of books. Even though I had very little spare time, I was either

reading or writing. I even managed to sell some poetry. It wasn’t until my kids were

grown and gone that I had the time and energy to attempt a book. My first book was

published in 2008. Since then, I’ve had a book published every year.

What was the most influential book or author you’ve read? Tell us how it

affected or influenced you.

Just one book? You’ve got to be kidding! Here are some that linger in my memory.

Favorite memoirs: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Unbroken by Laura

Hillenbrand. For pure reading enjoyment: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. YA series: Can’t beat The Hunger Games. When I

get stuck in my own writing and want to read beautiful, lyrical prose, I read any book

by James Lee Burke. As you can see, I’m a very eclectic reader.

What are you reading right now?

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey and Roadside Crosses by

Jeffrey Deaver.

Tell us something about yourself that people wouldn’t guess.

I taught physical education and coached a winning volleyball team for a number

of years. I play an ugly game of golf but enjoy hacking my way around the course. I

absolutely love to fish but always give them away because I don’t like eating them.

Out of all your books, is there a character that you relate the most with? Which

one is most like you?

Allie Emerson, my protagonist in the Unbidden Magic series has all the qualities I wish

I’d had when I was her age. She’s brave. (I wasn’t) She doesn’t let her circumstances

hold her back. (I did) I guess you could say Allie is my alter ego. The character I relate

to the most is Allegra Thome, in my adult romantic suspense, The Rock and Roll

Queen of Bedlam. Allegra teaches behavior-disordered teens as I did. Many of the

Book Review, a Report Card for Jenny Pox

Report Card Book Review Title Jenny Pox Book list price $9.99 Author JL Bryan eBook Price $0.00-2.99 Publisher Self-Published Stand alone/Series Series Genre YA Fantasy/horror # in Series 1 of 3 Story- Overall Grade B Everyone knows Jenny Mittens; the social outcast whose daddy is a drunk and who wears gloves year round. She refuses to be affected by her role in the small town s lives in, knowing hat her ‘untouchable’ attitude is actually saving lives. Jenny’s bare touch spreads a plague, Jenny Pox, and she’s spent her life without the comfort of skin-to-skin contact. Her life changes when she discovers two of her classmates share a similar quality, showing her that love can be a pox all it’s own. Plot B Romantic Subplot B Seth could have been better developed, and I would have like more chemistry between the two of them, but still satisfying. Originality B The concept behind the magic is brilliant, but the storyline and characters are reminiscent of many other YA. Magical system A Magic with no purpose but to destroy or kill and activated simply by touch was a welcome change from the norm. ‘Adult Content’ D Too explicit for most YA readers. Some of the scenes seemed to be added for shock value. Drugs were also added, but within context. Ending C I like the direction the ending was going, but feel the author changed it last minute to be able to write sequels. Characters B Most of the characters were completely forgettable. Jenny was great though; she was well developed and atypical.  Protagonist A I love her. She’s not perfect, but she seems real. I’m a sucker for outcasts though. Antagonist B Ashleigh fits too well in a popular yet evil archetype, but her magic was fun and she had well-laid [evil]plans for the future Supporting characters. D They were just stock characters, seemingly interchangeable with each other and fit their stereotypes exactly. Overall Development B POV floated between Jenny and Ashleigh, making them well developed. Other characters came up short by comparison. Character relationships B Author did a decent job, though the relationships were more described than shown; made interactions seem a bit awkward Good role model A- Not a codependent whiner, Jenny knows when to take action and how to think for herself, but marks off for her killing spree Writing B This would be an A if the editing had just been better. I felt there were several scenes that didn't match the otherwise great flow and should have been worked on or cut .* This part has been updated, and I intend no offense to the author** Prose B Author’s Voice A Love his voice. Book really read like a YA, and he really imparted his own sense of style in it. Editing C This book would definitely benefit from better editing. There were pages that seemed superfluous and I found myself skimming a bit. The grammar had room for improvement, though the format, spelling, and punctuation seemed good. Punctuation, spelling and grammar B Additional Notes- Overall a good read. Neat concept, and one I haven’t seen before. The characters fit into the archetypes that are so common in YA fiction, but for the protagonist and antagonist their actions go way beyond the normal and make up for it. I will be reading the other two in this series, and keeping an eye on this author for future releases. There are some graphic scenes that include sex and drugs so this may not be appropriate for younger teens/tweens, though I still consider it a YA book. One of the leading storylines is about the ‘bad-guy’ using Christianity/youth programs as a way to influence others as part of her evil plot. There was no true Christian character, the ones that claim that title in the book are bad, manipulative, or just stupid and I can see how people could find that offensive. I have no idea if this was a reflection of the authors’ own views on organized religion. Some of the scenes have rather grotesque images, ie rotting disease-ridden flesh.