I now blog over at The Eyre Guide! This blog is an archive of my past posts.


Showing posts with label stacey rourke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stacey rourke. Show all posts
Friday, November 9, 2012

Review: Embrace

Posted by Charlene // Tags: , , ,
Embrace
by Stacey Rourke

Plot Summary:

Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her.

Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.

Review:

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I don’t usually like second novels more than the first, but I must say I loved Embrace more than The Conduit. The author further develops the consequences the Garret kids and especially Celeste must accept as part of the job being the force fighting against the Dark Army. With the same humor and wit, Celeste tries to make the right decisions and accept her role as leader while the Dark Army gather their troops and send unusual demons to fight them. It becomes unclear who exactly she can trust, and I was wrong about a few people I thought were trustworthy. It’s a surprising story with more kick-butt battles that kept me turning pages as fast as possible.

The romance with Caleb was sweet and slowly built, although there is that annoying insta-love element to it. There is more suspense and action in this novel, and more questions raised then answered which makes me very eager to read the next book in the series.  This is another great read with fun characters and a well-paced plot!

review copy kindly provided by the author in connection with Young Adult Novel Reader Book Tours


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Review: The Conduit

Posted by Charlene // Tags: , ,
The Conduit
by Stacey Rourke

Plot Summary:

All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

Review:

This book is really delightful! The characters and the writing is very strong, with a story that is complex, witty, and engaging. Celeste and her siblings, Gabe and Kendall were written with very realistic and grounded details that made them easy to get to know, and sympathize with. I enjoyed the rivalry, teasing and competition between the three, and the way they worked together to fight against the common enemy. Grams is a fabulous character as well, and she gives hope to those people who think age is just a number! Seriously though I loved that she was such a non-stereotypical grandmother!

This is a fast-paced story as well - with an interesting new mythology and world-building that makes it necessary for the Garrett kids to develop new powers that are made for them to work together. It’s a cute spin on superhero stories, with a great fantasy background. The ending was also very well-crafted - suspenseful and action-packed, it kept pushing me to read faster and faster. I really enjoyed this story, and I have already started reading the second book in the series!

review copy kindly provided by the author
Check back tomorrow for my review of the second book in the series!