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erinarkin20
3.5 stars
I will start this review by saying I enjoyed the story behind Love & Other Theories. After scanning some of the reviews, I am a bit unsure about how my review will be received but I have to say, just because I disliked the characters (and trust me, I did), I wasn’t willing to give the story a lower star rating because I though Bass did a great job in developing the storyline and yes, the characters – because they all definitely changed over the course of this story.
The book digs into the lives of Aubrey and her best friends who just happen to live by a set of rules that in the end are supposed to help them avoid any type of high school heartbreak. While in theory it was a half-way decent plan, they all tended to take things too far in my opinion. Especially when Aubrey finally connects with a boy who is new to their school and due to the code, Aubrey can’t really admit her feelings to anyone.
My initial impression of the four friends (Aubrey, Shelby, Melissa, and Danica) is that they all care about each other but Shelby definitely runs the clique. She initiated the rules behind the Theories and she is the one that everyone defers to throughout the book. Aubrey is the main character and right away I was led to believe that she was putting on a show for everyone. We are introduced to her in Drama class and I found her to be only slightly better than her friends as far as personality. Underneath her popularity she is smart and hides her feelings about a lot of things. I personally wanted her to stand up to Shelby a lot sooner than she did and because she chose to follow the code versus what she really felt, she hurt herself in the end.
Shelby is Aubrey’s best friend and I admit, I liked Aubrey better when Shelby wasn’t around. She was manipulative and even after what she did to Aubrey (sorry – can’t say as I don’t want to give it away) she didn’t even apologize. As a character, that completely falls into line with who she is and what she believed but if she were truly a best friend to Aubrey, she would have recognized how Aubrey felt and not done what she did.
Trust me, I know how vague that sounds and I hate myself for it too but when you read this book you will completely understand that entire paragraph.
Nathan Diggs is the new boy and he gets a pretty nice welcome his first day to school as he ends up cutting class with Aubrey and they quickly get close. It was interesting to see Nathan change from his first day to when they all graduated because in my mind, he became a completely different person. He seemed to be this sweet boy and I was so hopeful for these two.
While a lot of this story covers the parties, the make out sessions, skipping classes, and things of that sort, it does delve into this idea that relationships in high school are not lasting and there is a pessimistic approach to them from these girls. Ultimately it all came about because Shelby got burned by her feelings for a boy and now they are all detached from developing any sort of lasting relationship with a boy because they have this idea that it will never last. Of course, their proof is the fact that they haven’t had any broken hearts since the rules were implemented but considering none of them had had any “real” feelings for the guys they dated, it isn’t surprising to me that now that Nathan is in the picture, things are changing…at least for Aubrey.
I have to admit, the most likable character in this whole book (for me) was Trip. He was Aubrey’s non-boyfriend when she was a junior and when he left for college he didn’t even look back after saying goodbye. Out of nowhere, he comes back to her for some help and he is the one that ends up being there when she needs someone to lean on.
I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of any of the characters in this book and for someone who typically finds a character to support and cheer on; it was hard for me to adjust. With that said, I do think the story told here was interesting and if you are looking for a book that isn’t a soft, fluffy romance, you might enjoy this one.
Thank you to Harper Teen for the review copy.
I will start this review by saying I enjoyed the story behind Love & Other Theories. After scanning some of the reviews, I am a bit unsure about how my review will be received but I have to say, just because I disliked the characters (and trust me, I did), I wasn’t willing to give the story a lower star rating because I though Bass did a great job in developing the storyline and yes, the characters – because they all definitely changed over the course of this story.
The book digs into the lives of Aubrey and her best friends who just happen to live by a set of rules that in the end are supposed to help them avoid any type of high school heartbreak. While in theory it was a half-way decent plan, they all tended to take things too far in my opinion. Especially when Aubrey finally connects with a boy who is new to their school and due to the code, Aubrey can’t really admit her feelings to anyone.
My initial impression of the four friends (Aubrey, Shelby, Melissa, and Danica) is that they all care about each other but Shelby definitely runs the clique. She initiated the rules behind the Theories and she is the one that everyone defers to throughout the book. Aubrey is the main character and right away I was led to believe that she was putting on a show for everyone. We are introduced to her in Drama class and I found her to be only slightly better than her friends as far as personality. Underneath her popularity she is smart and hides her feelings about a lot of things. I personally wanted her to stand up to Shelby a lot sooner than she did and because she chose to follow the code versus what she really felt, she hurt herself in the end.
Shelby is Aubrey’s best friend and I admit, I liked Aubrey better when Shelby wasn’t around. She was manipulative and even after what she did to Aubrey (sorry – can’t say as I don’t want to give it away) she didn’t even apologize. As a character, that completely falls into line with who she is and what she believed but if she were truly a best friend to Aubrey, she would have recognized how Aubrey felt and not done what she did.
Trust me, I know how vague that sounds and I hate myself for it too but when you read this book you will completely understand that entire paragraph.
Nathan Diggs is the new boy and he gets a pretty nice welcome his first day to school as he ends up cutting class with Aubrey and they quickly get close. It was interesting to see Nathan change from his first day to when they all graduated because in my mind, he became a completely different person. He seemed to be this sweet boy and I was so hopeful for these two.
While a lot of this story covers the parties, the make out sessions, skipping classes, and things of that sort, it does delve into this idea that relationships in high school are not lasting and there is a pessimistic approach to them from these girls. Ultimately it all came about because Shelby got burned by her feelings for a boy and now they are all detached from developing any sort of lasting relationship with a boy because they have this idea that it will never last. Of course, their proof is the fact that they haven’t had any broken hearts since the rules were implemented but considering none of them had had any “real” feelings for the guys they dated, it isn’t surprising to me that now that Nathan is in the picture, things are changing…at least for Aubrey.
I have to admit, the most likable character in this whole book (for me) was Trip. He was Aubrey’s non-boyfriend when she was a junior and when he left for college he didn’t even look back after saying goodbye. Out of nowhere, he comes back to her for some help and he is the one that ends up being there when she needs someone to lean on.
I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of any of the characters in this book and for someone who typically finds a character to support and cheer on; it was hard for me to adjust. With that said, I do think the story told here was interesting and if you are looking for a book that isn’t a soft, fluffy romance, you might enjoy this one.
Thank you to Harper Teen for the review copy.
3.5 stars
No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown was a solid YA Contemporary for me. As anyone who knows my reading preferences knows, Contemporary isn’t always my genre but I saw the cover of this one and was immediately interested.
Amber lives in a small town, sings in her church, and has a close group of friends. The summer leading up to her junior year in high school, Amber and her best friend Devon decide to spend time going to the hikers barn to interact with the hikers who stop there as they go through the Appalachian Trail. Not only does this give her a chance to sing for them, but it also makes Amber think about what is outside of her little hometown.
As Amber begins to think about what she wants to do with her life, she finds out about NC – Arts which is a place she could go to focus more on her singing. As she begins to dig into what she needs to do in order to apply, she also starts to realize she has feelings for Devon’s brother, Will. Unfortunately he has a girlfriend and even though things are changing between these two characters, there are other people they have to take into account.
I liked the characters in this book and although there were situations that had me shaking my head, I had to remind myself that these were teenagers and they do make mistakes…big ones. I do have to say I was a bit angry with Will in the beginning. For reasons I can’t go into, I thought he would be a jackass and for a little while he was. He finally figured out what he needed to do but in the meantime, he was on my list and I was glad that Amber finally got up the nerve to tell him what she was really thinking/feeling.
There are a number of relationships changing here…not just Amber and Will’s. Amber’s friendship with Devon is changing due to his friendship with Kush. With the addition of Kush and Sean to their circle, some of the dynamics of their group have changed and the things that were normal routines are not as consistent and Amber is definitely feeling it. I did feel like I only got glimpses of who the majority of the characters were supposed to be – not that they weren’t solid, well-built characters…just that I didn’t connect with them. With the exception of Amber, I didn’t find myself really connecting to any of the other characters in the story.
Outside of the relationships, we find out that Amber has a lot of other things going on with her family. Her father is (somewhat openly) cheating on her mother, her brother-in-law is selling drugs, and her older sister is messing up her life by standing by him. With all of this going on, Amber makes a choice that eventually puts her in a position that requires her to decide what is important to her.
If you are looking for a quick, contemporary read where music plays a major role, definitely check this one out. I thought the writing was well done and this was a story that I was quickly pulled into and made me want to know how things were going to end up for these characters.
Thank you to Harper Teen for the review copy!
No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown was a solid YA Contemporary for me. As anyone who knows my reading preferences knows, Contemporary isn’t always my genre but I saw the cover of this one and was immediately interested.
Amber lives in a small town, sings in her church, and has a close group of friends. The summer leading up to her junior year in high school, Amber and her best friend Devon decide to spend time going to the hikers barn to interact with the hikers who stop there as they go through the Appalachian Trail. Not only does this give her a chance to sing for them, but it also makes Amber think about what is outside of her little hometown.
As Amber begins to think about what she wants to do with her life, she finds out about NC – Arts which is a place she could go to focus more on her singing. As she begins to dig into what she needs to do in order to apply, she also starts to realize she has feelings for Devon’s brother, Will. Unfortunately he has a girlfriend and even though things are changing between these two characters, there are other people they have to take into account.
I liked the characters in this book and although there were situations that had me shaking my head, I had to remind myself that these were teenagers and they do make mistakes…big ones. I do have to say I was a bit angry with Will in the beginning. For reasons I can’t go into, I thought he would be a jackass and for a little while he was. He finally figured out what he needed to do but in the meantime, he was on my list and I was glad that Amber finally got up the nerve to tell him what she was really thinking/feeling.
There are a number of relationships changing here…not just Amber and Will’s. Amber’s friendship with Devon is changing due to his friendship with Kush. With the addition of Kush and Sean to their circle, some of the dynamics of their group have changed and the things that were normal routines are not as consistent and Amber is definitely feeling it. I did feel like I only got glimpses of who the majority of the characters were supposed to be – not that they weren’t solid, well-built characters…just that I didn’t connect with them. With the exception of Amber, I didn’t find myself really connecting to any of the other characters in the story.
Outside of the relationships, we find out that Amber has a lot of other things going on with her family. Her father is (somewhat openly) cheating on her mother, her brother-in-law is selling drugs, and her older sister is messing up her life by standing by him. With all of this going on, Amber makes a choice that eventually puts her in a position that requires her to decide what is important to her.
If you are looking for a quick, contemporary read where music plays a major role, definitely check this one out. I thought the writing was well done and this was a story that I was quickly pulled into and made me want to know how things were going to end up for these characters.
Thank you to Harper Teen for the review copy!
3.5 stars
Captive by Aimee Carter is the second book in The Blackcoat Rebellion series and I was pretty excited when I got my hands on a copy of this book because it meant I got to dive into the world that these characters live in and learn more about who the Blackcoats are as well as what their plans were.
Jumping back into this story, we find that Kitty has been working with Knox to put up a unified front and show that they love each other to the public while working to figure out what to do about Daxton. Kitty has been keeping things from Knox but she also feels like he has been keeping things from her. It is clear that neither of them really trusts each other and in the end, that is the thing that stands in their way. Kitty wants to be included in more of the conversations and decisions while Knox wants to keep her out of it.
Because of the distrust they have in each other, Kitty ends up doing some things that ultimately get her thrown into Elsewhere where she really finds out how difficult things are. As she struggles to figure out how she is going to survive, we are introduced to some new characters, namely Scotia and Hannah Mercer. I can’t say much about either of them but just know that both play pretty critical roles in the remainder of the story and have a huge impact on Kitty.
I have to admit here that Kitty drove me crazy in this book. Yes, I get it – her lack of trust in others had a lot to do with the things she did but boy, I was hoping she would support just one of the decisions that Knox made and trust that he wasn’t going to do anything bad. Ultimately, Kitty is still the same character as she was in book one, she will do anything for the people she loves and right now that list is pretty short…Benjy. He is the one person that she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect and when she realizes she may not be able to do that, everything changes.
I thought Carter did a great job of moving the story forward as well and bringing in some new characters and integrating them into the plot. Additionally, there were a few twists that I didn’t necessarily see coming and it is always a good thing when that happens. A lot actually happens in this book and it was good to see that this didn’t fall into the second book trap of being filler. We find out just how big a reach Knox and the Rebellion have as well as a bit about their plans to go after the Prime Minister and the government. In the end, we also learn a bit more about Knox and what he feels is his role within the rebellion.
Unfortunately there isn’t a lot I can say about the plot of the book as I really don’t want to ruin the story for you. There is quite a bit of action as well as some twists and turns I hadn’t anticipated. Based on how this book ended, I am definitely looking forward to the final book in this series. Please note: If you are looking for romance you may not be satisfied - I thought (similar to book one) that the relationship between Kitty and Benjy, although clearly important, was somewhat under-developed. For me, this was completely ok but I still didn’t feel the intense love that these two characters are supposed to have for each other. Overall, I think if you liked the first book you will enjoy this one as well so definitely consider checking this one out when you can.
Thank you to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!
Captive by Aimee Carter is the second book in The Blackcoat Rebellion series and I was pretty excited when I got my hands on a copy of this book because it meant I got to dive into the world that these characters live in and learn more about who the Blackcoats are as well as what their plans were.
Jumping back into this story, we find that Kitty has been working with Knox to put up a unified front and show that they love each other to the public while working to figure out what to do about Daxton. Kitty has been keeping things from Knox but she also feels like he has been keeping things from her. It is clear that neither of them really trusts each other and in the end, that is the thing that stands in their way. Kitty wants to be included in more of the conversations and decisions while Knox wants to keep her out of it.
Because of the distrust they have in each other, Kitty ends up doing some things that ultimately get her thrown into Elsewhere where she really finds out how difficult things are. As she struggles to figure out how she is going to survive, we are introduced to some new characters, namely Scotia and Hannah Mercer. I can’t say much about either of them but just know that both play pretty critical roles in the remainder of the story and have a huge impact on Kitty.
I have to admit here that Kitty drove me crazy in this book. Yes, I get it – her lack of trust in others had a lot to do with the things she did but boy, I was hoping she would support just one of the decisions that Knox made and trust that he wasn’t going to do anything bad. Ultimately, Kitty is still the same character as she was in book one, she will do anything for the people she loves and right now that list is pretty short…Benjy. He is the one person that she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect and when she realizes she may not be able to do that, everything changes.
I thought Carter did a great job of moving the story forward as well and bringing in some new characters and integrating them into the plot. Additionally, there were a few twists that I didn’t necessarily see coming and it is always a good thing when that happens. A lot actually happens in this book and it was good to see that this didn’t fall into the second book trap of being filler. We find out just how big a reach Knox and the Rebellion have as well as a bit about their plans to go after the Prime Minister and the government. In the end, we also learn a bit more about Knox and what he feels is his role within the rebellion.
Unfortunately there isn’t a lot I can say about the plot of the book as I really don’t want to ruin the story for you. There is quite a bit of action as well as some twists and turns I hadn’t anticipated. Based on how this book ended, I am definitely looking forward to the final book in this series. Please note: If you are looking for romance you may not be satisfied - I thought (similar to book one) that the relationship between Kitty and Benjy, although clearly important, was somewhat under-developed. For me, this was completely ok but I still didn’t feel the intense love that these two characters are supposed to have for each other. Overall, I think if you liked the first book you will enjoy this one as well so definitely consider checking this one out when you can.
Thank you to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!
3.5 stars
Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker was an interesting read and I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in which I think made me even more interested in the story. If you like a story that pulls you into a creepy, swampy setting, you should probably check this one out.
Sterling is the main character and when she and her brother, Phin, have an argument, he walks off. Unfortunately he walks off in the direction of the swamp that borders their house and when he doesn’t come back, Sterling begins to worry. To make things even more interesting, someone else (Lenora May) replaces Phin and no one even knows that she isn’t really Sterling’s sister.
As Sterling digs into what the swamp did to her brother, she finds out there is more to the story than she thought and this is something that has happened before. She also confirms that there really is something weird about the swamp and Lenora May is somehow connected to it all.
I loved the relationships that Sterling had in her life. She was very close to her brother due to the things they had to deal with growing up and I loved that Sterling was willing to do whatever she needed to in order to bring her brother back. She also had a great support system with her best friend Candy and I would even add Heath to the list due to the recent events. I also liked the fact that yes, we see the relationship build out for Heath and Sterling but it doesn’t become the center of this story. It is one aspect that adds to the overall story.
As Sterling finds out more about Lenora May, she also learns more about her family and the role the swamp has played in all of their lives. I can’t say much here as I don’t want to give anything away…sorry. Just know that I couldn’t put this one down because I continually needed to know what was going to happen next. Parker has created this creepy world where anything can happen and it all centers around the swamp.
If you are looking for a unique story that is fast paced and will have you turning the pages to find out what will happen next, you should definitely check this one out.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the review copy!
Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker was an interesting read and I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in which I think made me even more interested in the story. If you like a story that pulls you into a creepy, swampy setting, you should probably check this one out.
Sterling is the main character and when she and her brother, Phin, have an argument, he walks off. Unfortunately he walks off in the direction of the swamp that borders their house and when he doesn’t come back, Sterling begins to worry. To make things even more interesting, someone else (Lenora May) replaces Phin and no one even knows that she isn’t really Sterling’s sister.
As Sterling digs into what the swamp did to her brother, she finds out there is more to the story than she thought and this is something that has happened before. She also confirms that there really is something weird about the swamp and Lenora May is somehow connected to it all.
I loved the relationships that Sterling had in her life. She was very close to her brother due to the things they had to deal with growing up and I loved that Sterling was willing to do whatever she needed to in order to bring her brother back. She also had a great support system with her best friend Candy and I would even add Heath to the list due to the recent events. I also liked the fact that yes, we see the relationship build out for Heath and Sterling but it doesn’t become the center of this story. It is one aspect that adds to the overall story.
As Sterling finds out more about Lenora May, she also learns more about her family and the role the swamp has played in all of their lives. I can’t say much here as I don’t want to give anything away…sorry. Just know that I couldn’t put this one down because I continually needed to know what was going to happen next. Parker has created this creepy world where anything can happen and it all centers around the swamp.
If you are looking for a unique story that is fast paced and will have you turning the pages to find out what will happen next, you should definitely check this one out.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the review copy!
2.5 stars
Lailah by Nikki Kelly is the first in a paranormal YA fantasy and it was an interesting introduction to the world that Kelly has created as well as the characters. I have to admit, this story didn’t win me over and I felt like I was just reading about Lailah running and fainting all the time but I also have to admit, I am curious to see where Kelly will take this series.
Lailah doesn’t really know anything about herself (including her name – she actually goes by the name Francesca early on) but she does know she is different. She has been drifting through life trying to stay separate from people because she knows after a while they will notice that she doesn’t age. The other thing she can recall is a face and name…Gabriel. She dreams of him often and has no idea why.
On her way home from work, things change drastically for Lailah. She comes across an injured boy (Jonah) and decides to help him even though she knows something isn’t right about him. In her efforts to help him out, she realizes quickly he is a vampire and in some serious trouble. When Jonah’s friends finally show up, we find out that Gabriel isn’t just a dream…he just happens to be an angel.
If you dig deep, you will find an interesting story - good vs. evil and Lailah’s heritage plays a huge role. I liked it but there were parts I found frustrating. It drove me crazy that Lailah was so jealous all the time and then would string Jonah around to make Gabriel react. I also wanted more of the good vs. evil stuff instead of all the relationshippy stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the swoony stuff but I wanted a better understanding of who Lailah was and why everyone wanted a piece of her. Also…why is everyone always so perfect and gorgeous?
Yes, there is a love triangle here and who the heck knows where Kelly will go with this. I also have no idea where the next book will take the reader in regard to Lailah’s heritage and her relationships with those around her. That may be why I find myself adding the next book onto my to read shelf but I’m not absolutely certain what side of the fence I am on with this book. If you enjoy Twilight and books with a similar storyline, you might also enjoy this one.
Thank you to Macmillan for the review copy.
Lailah by Nikki Kelly is the first in a paranormal YA fantasy and it was an interesting introduction to the world that Kelly has created as well as the characters. I have to admit, this story didn’t win me over and I felt like I was just reading about Lailah running and fainting all the time but I also have to admit, I am curious to see where Kelly will take this series.
Lailah doesn’t really know anything about herself (including her name – she actually goes by the name Francesca early on) but she does know she is different. She has been drifting through life trying to stay separate from people because she knows after a while they will notice that she doesn’t age. The other thing she can recall is a face and name…Gabriel. She dreams of him often and has no idea why.
On her way home from work, things change drastically for Lailah. She comes across an injured boy (Jonah) and decides to help him even though she knows something isn’t right about him. In her efforts to help him out, she realizes quickly he is a vampire and in some serious trouble. When Jonah’s friends finally show up, we find out that Gabriel isn’t just a dream…he just happens to be an angel.
If you dig deep, you will find an interesting story - good vs. evil and Lailah’s heritage plays a huge role. I liked it but there were parts I found frustrating. It drove me crazy that Lailah was so jealous all the time and then would string Jonah around to make Gabriel react. I also wanted more of the good vs. evil stuff instead of all the relationshippy stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the swoony stuff but I wanted a better understanding of who Lailah was and why everyone wanted a piece of her. Also…why is everyone always so perfect and gorgeous?
Yes, there is a love triangle here and who the heck knows where Kelly will go with this. I also have no idea where the next book will take the reader in regard to Lailah’s heritage and her relationships with those around her. That may be why I find myself adding the next book onto my to read shelf but I’m not absolutely certain what side of the fence I am on with this book. If you enjoy Twilight and books with a similar storyline, you might also enjoy this one.
Thank you to Macmillan for the review copy.
3.5 stars.
Charlotte has always seen things and when she makes a decision at the age of six, to save her aunt’s life; her parents are the ones that suffer. Her mother is paralyzed and her father is dead. Ever since that day, Charlotte’s aunt Sierra has lived with them and also shares Charlotte’s secret. They both happen to be Oracles and no one can know what they can do.
Charlotte’s visions come and go and her aunt Sierra has trained her to fight them. Charlotte knows better than anyone the consequences of changing the things she sees but soon finds that she doesn't have as much control over the visions as she thought. While at school one day, she is pulled into a vision she stop and sees one of her classmates has been murdered. Thinking she has some time to figure out what to do, Charlotte does nothing. Unfortunately, the next day, she realizes it is now too late as the vision came true and she starts to feel guilty for not acting. This vision is followed up shortly with more.
When Charlotte goes to her aunt, she realizes she won’t get any answers from her. Although Sierra has been training her to resist/fight the visions, she hasn’t been completely forthcoming with information and details about what being an oracle really means for Charlotte and she continues to tell her she won’t share anything until Charlotte turns 18. This is the catalyst to Charlotte looking at other ways to both learn more about being an Oracle as well as figuring out what to do with these visions.
After the second vision and death, Charlotte receives a mysterious text message that essentially calls her out for not helping the students that died. Of course she feels guilty but she is a bit concerned about the message. With nowhere else to turn, she replies back to the message to try to figure out who knows her secret as well as how they can help her.
“Smith” is someone who happens to have a link to an Oracle and that is where he learned everything he knows. He clearly has secrets and although Charlotte feels like he is helping her, he is also putting her in a bad position. Although it wasn't completely obvious what his full story was, he had a plan and was going to use Charlotte to get what he wanted.
There is a little bit of a romance tied to this story but it didn't take over the rest of the story. Linden is the love interest for Charlotte and where she is somewhat unknown at school, he is considered popular and they don’t hang out but he is always nice and talks to her. When Bethany, the first victim, dies, Linden takes it hard as they were close. As he tells Charlotte, he just wants to not have to talk about it anymore and by becoming closer to Charlotte, he finds he doesn't have to.
So quite a bit gets revealed toward the end of this book and I’m not going to tell you any of it as I don’t want to ruin the mystery of what is really going on here. I though Pike did a great job of tying the story together and linking the stories of these characters together. This was a quick read that includes quite a bit of mystery alongside the paranormal aspect. If you like any of those things, definitely check this one out when you can.
Thank you to the Publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy.
Charlotte has always seen things and when she makes a decision at the age of six, to save her aunt’s life; her parents are the ones that suffer. Her mother is paralyzed and her father is dead. Ever since that day, Charlotte’s aunt Sierra has lived with them and also shares Charlotte’s secret. They both happen to be Oracles and no one can know what they can do.
Charlotte’s visions come and go and her aunt Sierra has trained her to fight them. Charlotte knows better than anyone the consequences of changing the things she sees but soon finds that she doesn't have as much control over the visions as she thought. While at school one day, she is pulled into a vision she stop and sees one of her classmates has been murdered. Thinking she has some time to figure out what to do, Charlotte does nothing. Unfortunately, the next day, she realizes it is now too late as the vision came true and she starts to feel guilty for not acting. This vision is followed up shortly with more.
When Charlotte goes to her aunt, she realizes she won’t get any answers from her. Although Sierra has been training her to resist/fight the visions, she hasn’t been completely forthcoming with information and details about what being an oracle really means for Charlotte and she continues to tell her she won’t share anything until Charlotte turns 18. This is the catalyst to Charlotte looking at other ways to both learn more about being an Oracle as well as figuring out what to do with these visions.
After the second vision and death, Charlotte receives a mysterious text message that essentially calls her out for not helping the students that died. Of course she feels guilty but she is a bit concerned about the message. With nowhere else to turn, she replies back to the message to try to figure out who knows her secret as well as how they can help her.
“Smith” is someone who happens to have a link to an Oracle and that is where he learned everything he knows. He clearly has secrets and although Charlotte feels like he is helping her, he is also putting her in a bad position. Although it wasn't completely obvious what his full story was, he had a plan and was going to use Charlotte to get what he wanted.
There is a little bit of a romance tied to this story but it didn't take over the rest of the story. Linden is the love interest for Charlotte and where she is somewhat unknown at school, he is considered popular and they don’t hang out but he is always nice and talks to her. When Bethany, the first victim, dies, Linden takes it hard as they were close. As he tells Charlotte, he just wants to not have to talk about it anymore and by becoming closer to Charlotte, he finds he doesn't have to.
So quite a bit gets revealed toward the end of this book and I’m not going to tell you any of it as I don’t want to ruin the mystery of what is really going on here. I though Pike did a great job of tying the story together and linking the stories of these characters together. This was a quick read that includes quite a bit of mystery alongside the paranormal aspect. If you like any of those things, definitely check this one out when you can.
Thank you to the Publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy.
