From Goodreads:  Little Hearts Orphanage has always been a safe haven for ‘special’ individuals. Azura, the headmistress, has gone to great lengths to ensure the resident’s true abilities remain secret from those who would exploit them. Her mantra: The secret must be protected at all costs.

That’s where Marlena comes in. Raised in the orphanage, under Azura’s wing, she has committed herself and her ‘gifts’ to Azura’s service – and to wiping out those who seek to expose Marlena and the others for what they truly are.

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Hildenbrand holds nothing back in this short story, jumping directly into the action and never letting up as the story unfolds.  Marlena is “special,” as is everyone in the Orphanage, and if that information became public, their very lives would be endangered.  Yet, not all is what it seems, and the truth may be clouded by lies.

This is a very well written short story!  I was drawn in by the non-stop action and highly enjoyed the story all the way to the conclusion.  My only complaint is that it is in fact  a short story—it would be so enthralling if Hildenbrand fleshed it out further and made it into a full length novel!  Hildenbrand is a very talented writer, which I noted when reading her novel Dirty Blood, and I just love her writing.

“DreamKiller 2: Fight of Flight” is, luckily, already out, and I’m excited to see what happens next for Malena in this “special series.”  Four stars.

I received a copy of this short story from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever?

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I saw a student reading this series last year, in class, and after confiscating the book (Evermore) for the duration of the period, and reading the synopsis, I decided I needed to pick up the series.  It was a Friday, and I went to the school library and borrowed the first two books for a light weekend read.  Well, I ended up reading them both by Saturday and ended up running straight out to Barnes and Nobel to pick up the next three novels in the series, which I also finished that weekend.  Of course, in my hurry to obtain the books and read them all, I didn’t realize that a sixth book in the series was yet to be released, and so I spent the better part of a year waiting to get my hands on Everlasting.  Finally, it was released, and finally, I’ve read it, closing the Ever and Damen chapter of my life forever (or, until I reread the series).

Noel is a great writer and I fell in love with Damen and Ever immediately.  They are great characters and, though they fight a lot, have a deep resounding love for one another (as they should, since they’re soul mates).  I feel like Noel has upped her game in this last novel, creating more fast paced action and “quest” scenarios than in the other novels, and I highly enjoyed this, especially as Ever finally comes to a decision about her life and where she wants it go.  I was captivated throughout the duration of the novel, and it is clear that Noel put much love and care into this imaginative story, ending on the perfect note.

Now, I do have one tiny issue with the series on the whole (heads up, small spoiler about to ensue IF you haven’t read any of the books in the series).  Starting in book three, the focus becomes a bit sexual in that Damen and Ever can never share bodily fluids or Damen will die.  That being said, the rest of the novels are driven behind finding the cure and getting into bed.  Now, that sounds a lot cruder than it actually is in the book, and Noel’s writing is very clean, but, it is obvious to the reader what is happening, even if it isn’t blatant.  That being said, I just personally wasn’t a huge fan of this focus of the novels.  I just don’t think sex should be a driving force for a story, but that’s all personal opinion, I guess.  Yet, this is my only qualm with the story and I do think Noel is a superb writer; I cannot wait to read her Riley Bloom series next.

Overall, Everlasting was a great ending to a great series, and I highly enjoyed it, along with all the books that came before in the series.  As the entire series is very interconnected, I do not recommend reading them out of sequence, so if you haven’t read any of the prequels to Everlasting, I suggest starting with Evermore and not Everlasting itself.  Otherwise, you may find yourself confused and unhappy with the series.  Four stars.

From Goodreads: At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives.

Picking up where Solid left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self-discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

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While I enjoyed this novel, I have to say that I enjoyed Solid much more.  Both stories are very well written, but I felt more kindred with the first book in the series.  I think it has something to do with Clio’s characterization in this second book in the series.  Clio, along with all her camp mates, is struggling as she finds out that there is a killer on the loose.  Understandably, they all have their ways of dealing with things, but Clio’s withdrawal and actions left me feeling perturbed and angry with her.  Yes, she is confused and scared, but a lot of the choices she makes made me livid, whereas I felt that she was a much more rounded character in Solid.  Of course, characters need to change—it is human nature for people to morph as they encounter new situations that ultimately change their disposition, and this is so with storybook characters as well, but I can’t help disliking Clio a lot in this novel.  When I read Solid, I found Clio and I had a lot of similar qualities and I connected to her instantly, but in this sequel, that connection seemed to disappear—which, on a side note, is good, seeing as I don’t like a lot of her choices and wouldn’t want us to be similar in that aspect.  Yet, Clio’s changes, mistakes, and realization are all part of the coming-of-age process, and Workinger did do a great job with creating a character that is coming into herself, even if I don’t feel the same towards her anymore.

Characterization aside, I think this is a good novel, and I do recommend it; the series is turning out to be pretty good, but make sure to read Solid first, as Settling picks up right were Solid left off.  Three stars.

From Goodreads: Fourteen-year-old Durriken Brishen has lost his parents, his grandfather, and though he doesn’t know it, his Gypsy culture’s dangerous gift.

Taken in and raised on the rails by the first woman to pilot a freight train, Durriken has one remaining connection to his Romani roots: a small wooden box that hangs from the hammer loop of his overalls.

The last gift he received from his grandfather, the box contains the world’s first chess set. But a piece is missing: the Red Queen. According to Durriken’s family lore, the complete set awakens the power of Tărie, a mercurial gift that confers unique abilities on each new Master.

When a suspicious fire erupts in the Chicago rail yard, Durriken’s escape produces an uneasy alliance, though not without its silver lining. Dilia is a few inches taller, several degrees cleverer, and oh yes – very pretty. While Durriken is uneasy allying with a girl whose parents were convicted of sedition, there’s no doubt she is a powerful partner. And while it’s not immediately clear to either, her own Guatemalan culture and family history are deeply entwined with the ancient Romani mystery.

Jumping box cars, escaping riverboats, deciphering clues, crossing swords with the brilliant madman Radu Pinch – with great American cities as its backdrop – Gypsy Knights is the page-turning saga of Durriken Brishen and his quest to rediscover his past.

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The Metz brothers have created a wonderful novel entailing family hardships, mystery, suspense, friendship and, of course, chess.  It is extremely well written and held me  captivate from the very first page.  I especially enjoyed the way in which the chapters are set up.  Each chapter title tells the place and time and, as there are multiple stories taking place at once, all leading up to the same event, the narrative jumps back and forth between the early 1960s and 1965.  This tactic keeps the reader on his/her toes and is written in such a way as to promote suspense, especially as not all events are explained between past and present until exactly the right time.

The characters within the story, especially Durriken, are extremely real and well written.  I enjoyed them all, Dilia and Durriken being my favorite, as they embarked on their adventures and grew throughout the story.  This novel is action packed and will captivate those of all ages, especially lovers of chess—though those not familiar with the game will also find it extremely interesting.  Four stars. 

I received a copy of this novel from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

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Wow!  Up until now, this series has been extremely good and, of course, Passion is no different.  I read the first two novels last November, Fallen and Torment, and have been eagerly awaiting the release of the third novel.   I bought it on release day, but haven’t had the time to properly sit down and enjoy it until now, and I was pleased to find that Kate has created yet  another beautiful novel. 

Passion is extremely enlightening in terms of the curse that has followed Luce and Daniel throughout the depths of time.  As Luce journeys through her past lives, readers finally begin to obtain the many answers that Daniel was so keen to keep away from Luce, such as what it feels like to die in her lover’s arms, whether she has a choice to fall in love with Daniel, and much more.  I really enjoyed the narrative style as it follows both Luce and Daniel on their separate journeys through time as Daniel attempts to find Luce in the maze of their past lives, giving the reader important background knowledge about both characters.

Both old and new characters arise within this novel and, though endearing as ever, not all is what it seems.  The ending, a perfect fit for the novel, leaves the reader wondering what will happen in the next, and final segment of the Fallen series as Luce, Daniel, and the other fallen angels must take a stand, choose a side, and battle perhaps their biggest enemy of all time in order to end the curse once and for all.  Four stars.

From Goodreads: Henrietta, the legendary Dragon Slayer of the Kingdom of Bleuve, can’t stomach the thought of one more kill. Yet, in order to save her dying mentor, she must go on one last quest. But will misfit companions, seasickness, and an egomaniacal king derail the quest for the healing stone? And will she be able to cut past her conscience and kill the dragon?

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This is a really cute coming-of-age novel.  Barany has created a wonderful cast of characters, including Henrietta, the haughty, kick-butt heroine, Franc, the heroic, chauvinistic knight, Jaxster, the storytelling jester, and Paulette, the quiet, mischievous witch.  Through fate, these four characters are cast together on a quest to save Henrietta’s mentor by bringing back the healing stone after killing a dragon.  Perhaps my favorite portion of this novel, on the whole, is Barany’s portrayal of Henrietta.  While confused and running from her own personal dragons (no pun intended), Henrietta is a tough female lead, standing up for what she believes in and, behind her hard exterior, possess a caring heart.  She is unlike any other heroine I’ve read about, and watching her work out her own issues, while dealing with choices of right and wrong, was extremely enjoyable. 

This often humorous tale brings together the unlikeliest of foes, forcing them to learn to either work together or face failure.  Barany has created a captivating tale for all ages, complete with sword fights, witchcraft, and friendship. Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Sent away to college in America, Evangeline swore she would never return to England. Anger loses its value when tragedy forces her home to assume ownership of the family’s beloved Greco-Roman museum.

Placing a foolish, drunken kiss on a Greek statue in the museum’s basement, Evangeline unknowingly frees a Spartan prince from an evil oracle’s curse. Suddenly, her lonely life is invaded by the rakish man with knowing emerald green eyes who never eats or sleeps, and seems to know her every thought and feeling.

Falling in love is dangerous, especially when it’s with a man who has already been claimed by the bitter oracle, Demona. From the moment of her kiss, Evangeline is swept into Dorien’s world of mystery, danger, and passion. The oracle’s fury only mounts as they unravel Demona’s darkest secrets, but not before Demona finds out about their unborn half-breed immortal twins.

Demona uses her knowledge of the future to manipulate and destroy, but sometimes love has a will, and a heart, of its own.

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Fast paced and action packed, this novel (novella?) will keep readers turning the pages from start to finish, leaving them yearning for more with its abrupt end, which is perfect as this segment is only the first portion of the story.  Cheney whet’s the reader’s appetite for more to come through her vivid prose and enticing story.  This unique story peaked my interest from the very beginning, with the idea of a statue coming to life, a mortal as his muse, and an evil oracle who will stop at nothing to claim him for herself.  I thoroughly enjoyed this adult novel, and recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, interesting read with a little carnal romance and big surprises.  Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  In a world where werewolves have revealed their existence, a werewolf must track down the werewolf who killed his father before the killer can get to his son.

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Patterson has created an intriguing tale about a world in which werewolves have announced their presence, created their own council, and live side-by-side their human counterparts.  Although “accepted” by the world in which he lives, Ted Grave, a psychologist for young weres, find himself utterly alone—ignored by the council, divorced by his wife, unable to see his son, he is utterly dejected.  Yet, not all is what it seems among the were community, and everything Ted has ever known is about to be jeopardized by an unknown enemy.

I highly enjoyed this new take on werewolves living among humans—Patterson’s characters are real and their struggles are palpable; it’s as if the reader is inside the story themselves, working with Ted to solve the mystery and save the were world.  An amazing writer, Patterson captivates his readers from the very first page as The Werewolf Solution jumps directly into the action, keeping the reader engaged as the story unfolds and the truth is slowly revealed, creating a climax that will leave readers breathless.  I especially enjoyed the excerpts that Patterson includes in his novella, including interviews, rules, regulations, and lore of the complex werewolf world.  These short chapters, interspersed within the story, allow readers to further immerse themselves into the background of the novella, creating understanding in ways that otherwise would not be available, while also giving readers time to analyze all they’ve read.  Any lover of the paranormal will highly enjoy this enticing read!  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Dallas is a Special Forces Lieutenant who is driven by his promise to protect the Colonel’s daughter Abby from an opium drug lord. He is torn between duty and his love for her and when he discovers that the drug lord’s charming—murderous son has befriended Abby, there’s no limit to how far he is willing to go to protect her.

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While overall I liked this novel, I need to admit that I struggled with it as well.  I am not really into military stories, and while I knew that this story dealt with the military, I guess I didn’t realize how much the story would rely on military expeditions and the like.  While Tufel has created a non-stop, action packed novel that many will love, the action, for me, was too fast paced and I struggled to keep up.  I need some down time to process events and I felt that the story moved just a little too quickly from one event to the next, and with the vast amount of characters introduced within the story, I felt overwhelmed at times.  This, of course, is all personal preference, and I do think those interested in military exploits, non-stop action, and kick-butt hero’s will really enjoy this novel—it’s just not my personal forte.  Three stars.

From Goodreads: The late seventies in Dallas and attorney Rich Coleman has made partner in record time. Rich specializes in probate and estate planning and also handles the firm’s marketing. When one of the firm’s client’s asks him to be trustee over his 17-year-old daughter’s trust, Rich reluctantly agrees not expecting her father to die just two week later. Rich and Erica hit it off very well–too well and soon enter into an illicit affair. When Erica’s aunt discovers the affair and threatens to blow the whistle on Rich and Erica, she ends up dead.

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I won a copy of this novel through the Goodreads First Reads program, and while I think I knew, in the back of my mind, that it was an audio disc and not an actual novel, I was still surprised when it arrived in the mail.  Based on the cover next to the giveaway, it obviously looks like a CD cover, but regardless, I would have liked to have known for certain that I was winning an audio disc as opposed to a novel.  Regardless, I was excited to obtain the audio, but then had to wait for an opportune time to listen to the disc since it’s approximately 8 hours in length.  I toyed with the idea of listening to it while I drove back and forth to work, but as that’s only a twenty-minute drive per day, I decided to wait until my upcoming road trip to listen to the audio. 

Well, for my first experience with an audio book, I must admit that I am not impressed.  The voice of the reader, Jeffrey Kafer, lulled me to sleep.  He has an extremely boring voice, and though he does accents and “feminine” voices where appropriate, I really had a hard time listening to him.  Of course, this shouldn’t have any effect on the rating I give a book because I’m technically rating it for the writing and not the reader, but I have to say I would have been much happier reading the novel on my own.  I would have read it much faster as well—Kafer is extremely slow.

All the audio talk aside though, overall I thought the novel was okay.  It didn’t pull me in and captivate me as I’d hoped it would, but it wasn’t absolutely terrible either.  The characters drove me insane, and I’m not sure if that was intended, but their sheer naivety tells me that they were probably created that way on purpose.  I spent most of the novel screaming at the audio as Rich and Erica make stupid decision after stupid decision.  It was almost like watching a horror movie where the characters decide to split up and you begin yelling at them to stay together, if that correlation makes any sense.  I just felt like both Rich and Erica made the worst choices possible, in consecutive order, and so, of course, I had no sympathy for them throughout the novel.  Out of the two characters, I liked Erica the least, but I have to admit that I wasn’t enamored with any of the characters—they seem somewhat flat and static.

It took a while for the novel to become interesting.  The first hour is Rich narrating how he became Erica’s financial trustee, and I could have done without all the background information, since it’s already been stated in the synopsis of the book.  Likewise, the novel drones on for a while prior to the murder.  It wasn’t until the murder and the trial that I actually became interested in what was happening.  It is here that Manchee really begins to captivate the reader through the mystery and suspense behind the death of Erica’s aunt.  I do think Manchee did a great job with the mystery of the novel—it isn’t until the very end that the reader finds out who the real murderer is, and it’s a shocking revelation, one I didn’t see coming.  I think that the murder investigation/trial and big reveal at the end make up for the annoying dispositions of the characters and, if you don’t mind characters that make the wrong decisions repeatedly, then I do suggest picking up this novel—but in novel format, NOT audio.  Two stars.

From Goodreads: $100,000 student loan is murder-but then so is a human head stashed in your pantry.

Anyone who has ever struggled under the weight of a hefty student loan can appreciate the extreme lengths one might be willing to explore in order to shift the burden a bit-even if it means stealing the head of a corpse, or traveling into the past.

Mariah Garrett has two weighty problems-crushing agoraphobia, and a six-figure student loan, the result of locking herself away in a seaside Victorian cottage to complete her PhD-online. While desperately looking for something to sell on eBay one morning, Mariah discovers a staircase in the back of a closet. As she starts down, her foot catches, plummeting her to the bottom-and into the year 1957, where she meets her long-dead relatives and discovers that even the Nifty Fifties can be a dangerous place.

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This was an all around great read!  Russell has created wonderful characters and an exciting time-travel story.  Mariah, suffering from agoraphobia due to a school shooting four years prior, lives alone in her family’s cottage, refusing to attend to daily life outside her home.  When she accidentally discovers a portal back in time, her life takes a turn down “memory” lane as she begins to connect events in 1957 to the newly uncovered skeleton under the pier in the present.  Torn between two lives, two men, and a murder mystery transcending time, Mariah must decide what actions to take in order to do the right thing, including breaking through her agoraphobia and leaving the comforts of her own home.

I really enjoyed this murder mystery.  While the synopsis does state that there is a human head stashed in the pantry, I never expected this novel to take the twists and turns that it did.  I was both shocked and pleased as I read Russell’s wonderful novel.  The characterization and mystery within the story were extremely well written and I really enjoyed Mariah’s complex disposition.  Russell has written a novel for all ages to enjoy, and I highly recommend reading it!  Four and a half stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Time is running out … the Dark that’s been chasing Syd for many lifetimes has finally caught up with her …

Sydney Roberdeau lost her parents as a young girl. Waiting for her life to start and the freedom that will come with her eighteenth birthday, Syd spends much of her time haunting the local cemetery. It is there, stretched out among the dead, that she feels most alive, most at home. Until one rainy night when Beau, Sarah and T.J. crash her ghostly sanctuary, appearing out of nowhere, turning her already inside-out world one degree past upside down.

Syd must now revisit past lives, dressing in the bodies of her previous selves … bone dressing. Her only chance to outrun the evil breathing down her neck is to face her own worst nightmares and her strongest desires. But if she can’t stay out of trouble in this life, how can she possibly fix mistakes from past lives? And just how many lives has she lived, loved and lost? What is Syd exactly, and what will she risk for the life of a man she doesn’t remember, the man she spent a lifetime with, the man she loves? Everything … including her very own life?

Bone Dressing, the first in a series of seven books, will carry Syd and Beau on an adventure that transcends life itself.

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Bone Dressing is the story of Syd, confused and hurting, looking for her place in the world.  Found by unlikely allies in a graveyard, Syd begins to connect the dots of her past and her true identity with their help, while her adversaries comb the world looking to end her life.  This was a very interesting concept for a novel.  I was drawn into the story from the first page as Syd watches her school burn, and the story then backtracks to the events leading up to the opening scene.  This novel packs a lot of information into it, creating a non-stop action novel that will leave readers confused if they don’t pay explicit attention, especially as there is a huge character change within the novel.

This novel doesn’t give away many answers concerning Syd, her background, or the other major characters within the novel, which may frustrate readers looking for a quick explanation.  However, as this is the first novel in a series of seven, I look forward to obtaining the answers to this mysterious and intriguing series as the novels are released over time.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Fate can be unkind. Would you dare to look back and risk her wrath?
When you’re a child of the favela, in the Valley of Steel, you know that Fate comes like a whirlwind, lifting some to great heights and slapping others down with no reason.

Ivan, rescued first from an orphanage in the slums of Rio de Janeiro and then from the bleak streets of Ipatinga in Brazil’s Valley of Steel, has been favored by Fate. When a call from Brazil interrupts his privileged life in America, he learns his best friend has committed suicide in the rugged Valley of Steel and only he knows the real reasons why.

This is the story of one man’s journey home after a self-inflicted exile. The story of a boy who saw more than any child should, and the man he grew into-and how that man came back to the Valley of Steel to avenge his childhood and stare down the demons of his past.

It is a story of survival, redemption, and joy. Of childhood memories that burn in the soul-and what happens when one man has courage enough to fan the flames and face the fire.
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King’s memoir is a very powerful book detailing his life growing up in poverty in Brazil’s Valley of Steel.  Although his childhood was difficult, with a mother who beat him incessantly, a father who was distant, authority figures who brought more terror than protection, and friends who came and went, King adds humor to this retelling of events, inviting the reader into his life to laugh and cry alongside of him.  Perhaps the most riveting aspect of the memoir is that, unlike many memoirs today, King does not dwell on all the bad in his life, harboring hatred or dislike to those that hurt him.  His respect for people, their beliefs, and their experiences is refreshing.

After much time away from the Valley of Steel, King returns to pay his respects to his childhood friend and confront his past.  Told through a series of stories, King’s memoir is a riveting tale that all should read.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this memoir from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: What if you knew the exact date and time the world will end, what would you do? Sam Tucker was faced with that dilemma when he began getting visions of the Earth’s demise. Luckily for him, he was able to save his family and as many people as he could before the tragic event occurred, and he did so with the help of unknown visitors. With Earth now destroyed, Sam, his family and thousands of other lucky survivors must live the rest of their lives on a faraway planet in a Dome that simulates life on Earth. But Sam’s mind can’t seem to rest as a few questions arise. Why did the aliens save them? How did they know about Earth’s sure fate? And exactly what are they hiding?

Emma Tucker begged for an escape from her boring life but never in a million years did she think it would come at the destruction of Earth. Living on a new planet and finding it difficult to get rid of her rebellious habits, Emma finds herself making friends with a member of the alien race and it soon develops into an unexplainable love; a love that is more dangerous than she could ever imagine. While her father is searching for his own truths, she has no idea that she is stumbling on a truth of her own.

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Sparks has created wonderful characters and situations in her debut novel, the Dome, and I found myself unable to put the book down until its completion.  Told from two different viewpoints, the reader follows both Sam and Emma as they journey across the galaxy as the earth is destroyed.  Both father and daughter have many issues that they must work out, the newest of them being placed into the Dome to live freely on an alternate planet, but not all is what it seems.

Having both Sam’s and Emma’s perspectives of the situations surrounding them was refreshing—I really enjoy having multiple narrators within a story.  I also enjoyed that Sam and Emma didn’t rehash the same experiences, but actually had their own stories inside of the novel, creating two stories in one. 

This is a great adult novel (there are some graphic sexual experiences), complete with romance, suspense, and mystery.  I really did enjoy it and cannot wait for the sequel, especially since the end of the Dome left off in medias res.  Four stars.  

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.