I Feel So Unnecessary

The Girl Who Came Back To Life: A Fairytale Author: Craig Staufenberg Genre: YA/ Fantasy 180 pages Publisher: Create Space, 2014 Book Source: Author in exchange for an honest review Twelve year old Sophie is self-possessed, mature orphan who lives with her grandmother. When the weather gets warmer they make their way to the North and The City of the Dead where people go to tell their loved ones Goodbye so they can move on to the next world. But Sophie has other plans- she wants to bring her parents back to life. Along the way Sophie is resourceful and finds out things about her grandmother she never knew. This was a quick, entertaining read. I found the storyline to be original and the characters interesting. I wished Sophie had acted a little more like a kid, though. But she was a very good heroine and she ended up learning a valuable lesson in the City of the Dead. My main quibble is with the cover. I think a more descriptive cover would have represented the story better. ...

Nest By Esther Ehrlich Genre: YA 336 pages Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books September 9, 2014 I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It is 1972 and Naomi "Chirp" Orenstein lives on Cape Cod with her psychiatrist father, her ill mother, and her sister Rachel. When Naomi's mother's illness turns out to be serious she turns to her neighbor Joey. She also finds comfort in watching her much loved birds. Together Chirp and Joey come up with the perfect plan: Escape, Adventure, Discovery. A captivating children's book that is suitable for all ages. It held my attention and the dialogue and characters were believable. I think you, too will sing its' praises. Here's some book links: Goodreads  Amazon Lisa

The Apostle: Destiny Apostle Trilogy # 1 Genre: Fantasy 406 pages Publisher: Createspace , 2014 I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. When the comet of Tiera Cylith destroys the willow tree in the village of Fairwillow the word APOSTLE is found written in the crater. The witch Famora curses Sath and Elle with the prophecy that their firstborn will be the Apostle; the one destined to bring doom to their village.Sath is determined not to let that happen. Can he stop the omen and the witch Famora? It started off slow at first but about halfway through I thought the plot picked up considerably. I found it to be a worthwhile,fun read to the fantasy genre. It has an interesting story and believable characters and dialogue. I think this is going to be a good series.    Kindle edition / Nook edition / Goodreads Lisa

Moonless (Maiden of Time # 1) By: Crystal Collier Genre: YA Historical 323 pages Publisher: Raybourne Publication Date: November 2013 Buy it here: Amazon B&N * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the English society of 1768 where women are bred to marry, unattractive Alexia, just sixteen, believes she will end up alone. But on the county doorstep of a neighbor's estate, she meets a man straight out of her nightmares, one whose blue eyes threaten to consume her whole world-especially later when she discovers him standing over her murdered host in the middle of the night. Among the many things to change for her that evening are: her physical appearance-from ghastly to breathtaking, an epidemic of night terrors predicting the future, and the blue-eyed man's unexpected infusion into her life. Not only do his appearances precede tragedies, but they're echoed by the arrival of ravenous, black-robed...

The Bagman ( Abigail Cobble #1) By: Rachel Rippon 306 pages Genre: Fantasy/YA Publisher: Amazon Publication Date: June 2013 * I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the midst of the Second World War, Abigail is deposited at St Winifred's Orphanage for Willful, Wayward and Wicked Children. As soon as she arrives, Abigail is warned of the Bagman and what will happen if she misbehaves. But Abigail is too busy trying to escape to listen. Her estranged twin, Tabitha, is close by and Abigail has to find her before their 16th birthdays. Besides, she doesn't believe in the Bagman. He believes in her though. Appearing when she least expects it; he asks her to play his Game. He will give her seven wishes to be used in seven days. But the Game is not as easy as Abigail supposes, and the wishes not as nice… Soon, Abigail is getting exactly what she wished for. And the effects are catastrophic. My Thoughts: An exc...

Like Moonlight at Low Tide By: Nicole Quigley 256 pages Genre: YA Christian Fiction Publisher: Zondervan Publication Date:9/23/12 Get it at: Zondervan Amazon B&N Christianbook  * I received this book through BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   In Nicole Quigley's debut YA novel, sixteen-year-old Melissa Keiser returns to her hometown expecting to face the same bullies who called her the ugliest girl in school. Instead her new appearance sparks interest from the popular crowd who made her miserable. When Melissa has a chance to escape her rough home situation and find the life she's dreamed of, she must choose between a longtime crush, a new friend, and the brother who doesn't belong. Melissa's choices may have dire consequences. My Thoughts: This book captured my attention after the first few paragraphs. The plot was paced well and the author captured the voices of teenagers perfectly. She tackled social issues ...

Eternal Dreams: The Curse of Memories Book One By: Christopher Compton Genre: Fantasy 228 pages Publisher: Virtual Bookworm  Publication Date: May 2013 * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Eternal Dreams is a fiction fantasy tale about six teenage friends who escape into a dream world to hide away from the horrors of their own lives, only to find that reality is catching up to them anyway. Drephoria, the name of the stunning dream world created from their collective minds, will test the limits of their friendship, break the balance between good and evil and prove the true value of memories and the imagination. The first book in the trilogy, "The Curse of Memories," focuses on the central character Kail and his dark past, told through memories, while simultaneously introducing the rest of his friends (known as The Inseparable Six) and the other strange and deadly inhabitants of Drephoria. Pitted against the...

* I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. 354 pages Publisher: Itoh Press ( Dec. 2012) Synopsis: Nineteen year old Emylene Stipe is a 2nd generation Goth who, like every teenage girl, is trying to find her place in the world. One night she comes upon an old painting in an antique store and is compelled to purchase it. When she brings it home an image of a young woman appears in the sketch and then magically materializes in her apartment. Emylene nick-names her 'Poinsettia' and they soon become fast friends. But Poinsettia has an ulterior motive for her sudden and strange intrusion into her host's life which causes Emylene to question her whole belief system. My Thoughts: The author writes with vibrant, descriptive language and had the voice of a 19 yr. old down perfectly. I felt as if I was there with Emylene and her parents. It was also a fresh twist on a vampire tale and that kept the book interesting for me. I ...

I was given a copy via the author in exchange for an honest review. Where you can find it: Amazon    Add it on   Goodreads Synopsis: Mother Earth, wounded by the human race and its disregard for her resources, will recruit human souls to serve Her and turn against humanity. A rising force festers; Gemini, a clan of paranormal beings will systematically possess and destroy towns, cities, and states. Amidst the chaos, a forbidden relationship between Onyx, a lead Gemini, and Violette, a human, begins. They will both find themselves in the middle of a revolutionary war that will either save, or destroy our world. My Thoughts:   A fresh perspective for YA paranormal novels that doesn't include vamps or werewolves. The author gives us the Gemini- beings that live in the Earth's core and do Mother Earth's dirty work. She's mad and she's got a plan- using the Gemini to fight back humans who have taken advantage of her resources.I found them ...

* I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Formats: Kindle   Paperback   Nook Published 2013 by AltWit Press 317 pages Synopsis: Nathaniel Taylor was a Christian who thought believers were exempted from "dark times." That was until he entered his own long time in the dark. When he meets Lilly, a young woman in danger, it sends him on a journey to discover the difference between night and day and that during dark times, the light is hidden, not gone. My Thoughts: I thought the book started off slow but towards the middle it picked up and I found myself enjoying it more. Nathaniel was a great character and while I found Lilly to be a little annoying at first she quickly grew on me. I know the theme of the book was light vs. dark but I found it to be a little heavy handed at times- I thought the point the author was trying to get across could have been more subtle. That didn't stop me from enjoying the book though a...

* I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Formats: Paperback Kindle Published in 2011 by CreateSpace 143 pages Synopsis:   High school senior Rhodanthe Watson dreams of a life like any other girl her age; boyfriend, pick a good college, and find the perfect shade of lip gloss. But her reality is an overbearing and overprotective mom, and actually making it to college by surviving the heart condition she's had for years. Meeting and falling in love with Julian, a handsome and mysterious new boy at school, was never on the list, neither was finding out that he's a vampire. Being the girlfriend of a vampire has its dark side; especially when a jealous classmate decides to do something about her relationship; a move that threatens to destroy the dreams within Rhodanthe's grasp. Rhodanthe must choose between her family, the fate that's been struggling to continue beating in her chest for years and a new love that comes w...