The Shadowing: Hunted by Adam Slater

The Shadowing: Hunted (The Shadowing #1) by Adam Slater

YA Fantasy

Rating: 5 Stars

What would you do if you found out that not only could you see ghosts, but a load of demons were about to cross over into our world, and you were the only person who could stop them? That’s exactly what teenager Callum Scott faces in my new horror series, The Shadowing. His only backup is ghost boy Jacob and his giant spectral dog, Doom. And those demons aren’t going down without a fight. Soon Callum’s being hunted, and by something you wouldn’t want to encounter in your worst nightmares… If you like skin-crawling horror fiction, you’ll love The Shadowing!

First Thoughts: I found this on NetGalley and was completely brought in by the synopsis. I love the cover and when I read the synopsis I had to request it. I was so happy when I got approved (it was my first approval too)!!

Writing Style: Adam got me into this story immediately. I didn't have to force myself to read it and after I finally had time to read the story it went really fast. You could feel the emotions through his writing. I was freaked out and scared at all the right moments.

Characters: I loved Melissa. She is the perfect oddball and she is very smart too. She is good at figuring people out and is clearly a dedicated person. Callum is a boy so I didn't connect with him perfectly but he is a great character. He is down to earth and he may not believe it, but he is very brave. I had no problem falling in love with this character.

Final Thoughts: I loved, LOVED this book! The galley came with a preview of the next book but I'm afraid to read it because I will want to read the next one even more and I have to wait. The only reason it took me so long to read it is because the school year just started and I was super busy, it's like my busiest time of the year. Anyway, when I finally had time I flew right through this. It was a great read.

Back to Books Giveaway! CLOSED

Welcome to the Back to Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Buried in Books!

I'm near the bottom of the list this time because I wasn't going to enter but by a fluke I have an extra copy of a book I reviewed. FreeBookFriday.com gives out books every Friday and most of them have been signed by the authors. When I won and received my book it wasn't signed so they said they would send me a book plate. Well, they decided to send me a whole new book instead. So I have an extra copy to give away.

Prize:

A copy of Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

(review here)

Rules:

~Very simple! Just be a GFC Follower.

~You must fill out the form listed after the rules to enter! No comments will be used as entries.

~US entries only please! Sorry to the international people.

CONTEST CLOSED

Don't forget to enter all the rest of the giveaways included in the hop listed below! Happy Hopping!

Some random babbling and updates :)

Just want to take some time to throw a few things out there. I have been so busy I haven't had time to read or come on here. My father and stepmother have come to visit (they live in a different state) so I have been trying to soak up as much time with them as I can.

Anyway, tomorrow night I will be posting the Back to Books Giveaway which starts on Thursday. I will be gone all day tomorrow at the Mall of America (first time ever!) and hopefully I will be back in time to post it. I live in Wisconsin so it's like a 4-5 hour drive and I have no idea how long we will be out there.

Update on a few things. I have 2 galleys to read (yay) and I just got an ARC of Metamorphosis by Devon Ashley in the mail today (even louder yay!). I can't wait to read all of them. Starting on the pile tomorrow on the long drive to and from the Mall of America.

Don't forget to stop by after Thursday to enter the giveaway!!

Paradox - The Angels are Here by Patti Roberts

Paradox - The Angels are Here (Book 1) by Patti Roberts

Fantasy

Rating: 2 Stars

Nine hundred years ago, under the complete cover of darkness, the Grigorian army rose silently from their underground lair and attacked the Bulguardian Royal Palace. The bloody and violent battle between the two most legendary houses raged on. All but destroying the majestic Royal City of Altair.

It was not the first war that Juliette had endured between good and evil. And it most certainly would not be her last.

Today, a little girl's world is turned upside down by a visitor,the Angel of Death. She finds herself trapped in a nightmare, consumed by her paralyzing loss and overwhelming grief. The haunting visions and untimely deaths of others are a constant reminder that life and death are only a heartbeat away.

First thoughts: I think I won the e-book of this during one of the giveaway hops. I can't remember where but I'm pretty sure I did. Anyway, the cover is kind of neat. It's very pretty and mystical. The synopsis is okay. I don't think I would have picked up the book in the store if I read it though. I'm not a huge war person but the angels got me. I've been liking the angels lately.

Writing Style: Patti doesn't have this awful writing whatsoever. She is good at describing things and makes it easy to connect with how the characters feel. It just feels like she plopped pieces of a great story together without making any sense of it. I felt confused most of the story and a reader shouldn't feel that way. It should flow and the plot should be evident in the story. I just don't get it.

Characters: The evil people are kind of gross to me. I mean I didn't get much background on them whatsoever so it might be normal to have relationships with you siblings in their world. I felt they weren't explained enough and I was confused on what their purpose was. Grace seemed like a normal 12 year old girl. She acted like it and her language definitely fit. The thing that threw me off was the first time her visions were mentioned. The detail of her visions were just thrown in there like it was a last minute decision. Also, I know who the Angel of Death is now that I have read it but they never told you in the book there there even was one. You just knew this person was different not what she was.

Final Thoughts: This is the first book that I have read that I am just not interested into buying the next one. It made no sense and was confusing so why would I buy another one that will probably just be the same. I don't even know what the evil people are after and what the story has to do with Grace. It's probably safe to assume they are after Grace but it just doesn't say it or even lead up to it. From this first book there is no connection between the two worlds this author is presenting as far as I can tell. Everything just kept popping up with no real hook. Like Grace's visions, I didn't read the synopsis before I read this one so I had no idea they were coming and then they were just there. No introduction to them. They just happened and then was like "oh, she had them her entire life" when they didn't even present it in the story. This one definitely felt forced which is lousy because I can tell this could be a great book, if only the readers could figure out what is going on.