I'm not sure about this one...overall the story had some potential but I have to say, it didn't wow me.

The main characters Sarah and John were just meh for me. John was such an angry, possessive guy that I found it hard to get on board with him. There were times where I found him to be offensive and I get that the author was trying to lean toward the dominant side and the fact that he had some tough things happen to him in the past but I just couldn't get behind his character.

Sarah seemed to be somewhat of a pushover...again, I get she had a past but I find it hard to believe that she fell for John based on how their first few meetings went. Also, she initially had a purpose for going to John and after their relationship began, she didn't even really push John to consider her proposal. Of course, it all worked out in the end but I just don't buy it.

I rated this "it was ok" because I didn't hate it but I need great characters and these two just didn't do anything for me.

I liked this one...there are zombies, dragons, vampires, hellhounds...I mean just about any paranormal type character you can think of.

This was an interesting story, the main character, Kali isn't quite human...she also isn't quite something else. Every other day, she changes from a human girl to another thing (don't worry - she is still in human form). I won't give away what it is as that is some of the plot line - she is trying to figure it out and along the way, she (finally) makes a friend or two and also some other interesting characters.

The end was pretty open - I'm not clear if this is going to be a series but it absolutely could head that way based on how this wrapped up.

Recommend this for anyone who enjoys paranormal, angst, and a bit of mystery. Overall star rating would be 3.5.

After skimming the ratings on this one I felt like I needed to dive right in...and boy did I. I will warn everyone - I am hiding this review. I feel like some of it gives a bit of the story away so turn away and come back after you read it if you are truly interested.

The story begins with Rachel waiting at the gates of her town (I'm not even going to try to spell it) for her father to return. We find out he is 60 days late and based on the Commander's rules, is to be declared dead. With the declaration and the reading of her father's will, we find he made a decision about who her protector should be that shocks everyone. Instead of putting Rachel in the care of Oliver, her grandfather figure, Logan becomes her protector.

First, let me say - the commander is an a-hole...it is very clear the first time he is introduced and he only reinforces it throughout the entire story. He has too much power and ego...

There is a lot of history between Logan and Rachel but I am happy that it wasn't dragged out and we get to the rest of the story - Their quest to rescue/find Rachel's father and hopefully take down the Commander at the same time.

I really enjoyed the story and the characters in this one. Rachel is tough, smart and acts rashly but knows that is one of her flaws. The other thing I liked about her was the same thing the Commander thought was her fault - loyalty. She would do anything for the people she cares about.

Logan is almost perfect - he is strong, knows how to fight, very smart (I love how he runs through all potential scenarios with decisions - no matter what they are) and truly cares for the people in his life. He has experienced a lot in his 19 years and most of it things he shouldn't have. His mother was executed in front of him and he was made an outcast. He has plenty of reasons to be angry but instead he becomes an apprentice to Jared Adams (Rachel's dad) and makes a plan for the future.

Jared is a character that has an importance despite him not being involved in the actual story. His being missing is the catalyst to everything progressing the way it did but as a reader I was able to understand how important he was to Rachel, Logan and Oliver.

This story has a little bit of everything. There is a lot of action throughout the book, there is definitely a love story here but it doesn't take over the main story which is great. I felt like I got just enough to between them to move their relationship forward and although I am always for a HEA ending, I figured it was too soon. I will say there is also a bit of intrigue here...the biggest question being what the heck is going on with the Cursed One.

I will most definitely be continuing to read this series and look forward to the next book.

This was a quick read and the story kept me interested.

Briar and her roommate are walking home one night and are attacked...by something unexpected - vampires. Briar ends up changed and also in the care of Oliver and Cole.

There are a number of things that Briar is dealing with and they all seem to begin with the disappearance of her sister Ruby a number of years earlier. After thinking she is dead, she finds out that may not be the case. The story is interesting. It introduces the typical paranormal characters (vampires, shape shifters, and witches) but there is a slightly different view in that vampires are more human than not.

The characters are well developed here - I got enough back story on Briar to be interested in her. Same with Oliver who has a tough time connecting with people but is always there when needed. I would have liked to hear more about Cole and his story but despite not having it, he was one of my favorites along with Daniel.

There were some minor editing things throughout the book that caught my attention but nothing hugely distracting. Overall this was an interesting story that has a bit of mystery and a lot of action.

Actual rating 3.5 stars.

Ava always thought she was special...really, she is. After going away for college, Ava finds herself struggling to pass her physics class. Enter tutor, Caleb Foster. He appears to just be a super smart college student but Ava starts to wonder.

I liked the characters in this book...note here - I didn't find myself loving them but I'm not sure why not. Ava was smart (with the exception being physics but who can hold that against her?) and throughout the book stood up for what she felt was right or what she wanted. I appreciated that she didn't do something stupid just to move the story forward. Caleb was great - he was truly acting as a protector and although he held things back based on his role, he eventually came clean and told Ava what she needed to know. Although there were a number of secondary characters, no one really stands out. Lucy, Ava's roommate, is important in the first 1/2 of the book but then doesn't come up again. Tiernan and Katherine are woven throughout but nothing extraordinary. There was some predictability in who Caleb's mother was but it will be interesting to see how their relationship changes based on the ending of this book.

The story is interesting although at first I thought it took a bit too long to get into the answers of who Caleb is and what it all has to do with Ava. Honestly, I finished the book and am still not clear about Ava's background and although some of it is resolved, there were still a number of questions that were unanswered by the time I turned the last page. I appreciated the twist at the end (no spoilers here) but again, it triggered a lot of questions that were not resolved by the end of the book.

Overall this was a solid story. The plot was thought out and there is an interesting twist on the paranormal in that there is a race living among humans that is much more advanced.

5 lovely stars for this one.

This book hooked me from the beginning. Not only was I continually wondering what happened to Echo but the things she has had to face over the last 2 years just made my heart ache. On top of that...Noah. He has also faced some challenges in his life and you just know he is a good guy who has been dealt a crappy hand.

On top of these two characters, there are a number of others that really kept me turning the pages. Echo's group of friends (with the exception of Lila) were ridiculous - I wanted to punch Grace...seriously. I loved the relationship between Noah, Issac and Beth...they truly did look at each other as family and it was what they all needed.

Noah...He was the right mix of everything. He had attitude and tattoos but he was also this caring and sensitive guy. He truly loved his brothers and wanted to do what he promised which was take care of them. I am happy things ended up the way they did (no spoilers here).

Aside from the characters there is an actual story here. On top of finding out about the past, this is about a developing relationship as well as figuring out how to get past the bumps and bruises life gives everyone. Some get more thrown at them than others (as is the case for both Echo and Noah) but this story is about how they handle things and keep living life.

I didn't want this story to end and recommend this to anyone.

I think a 2.5 on this one...review to come.

Quick read about Lev and his time after he left cy-fi. Though brief, it was a glimpse into another world (one where Unwinding should not be a concern). Wil is a wonderful character...this book is entirely too short to get enough time with him but despite the length, Shusterman is able to convey the impact of the decisions made.

Good lead in into UnWholly and a reminder of the state of things.