Waiting on Wednesday: Enshadowed

Author: Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Synopsis:

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.
Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.
Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent

**I read and reviewed the first book to this series, Nevermore. You can find it here.

**Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share upcomming releases we are eagerly waiting for :)

Falling Under

Title: Falling Under
Author: Gwen Hayes
Release: March 1, 2011
Synopsis:


Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

**small spoiler alert**


Review:

I can honestly say that I didn't get into this book very well. It was a bit out of my taste. I mean, I usually like Paranormal Romances, but this one was over dramatic. I'm not saying it was horrible, because it was anything but that, it was just very repetitive in the plot/theme. The whole book was she likes him, he likes her, he pretends to not be interested while trying to make her jealous. It was a circle without a visible ending other than the back cover. The only parts that were a break from the circle were the "dreams" that Theia had about Haden. Those are creepy and romantic in a run-from-the-demon kind of way. Despite the circling plot line, this author  has good descriptive qualities (I think that's the phrase I'm looking for) anyway, when she explains the dreams, the details are exquisite. That's the only word that really fits. The way she explained the skeletal people dancing and the sound of their bare bones grinding was easy to imagine. The whole settings in the dreams are dark and slightly ominous, at least at first, and it's interesting how well the author captured that. Another thing she was able to capture in her writing was the music. Be it from the dreams or from Theia's violin, it could almost here it in my head. On a totally unrelated note, for some reason, these paranormal romantic tragedies make me cry because of, well, a tragedy happens.
Now, on to characters...
Theia is a seriously sheltered child. And i'm talking seriously sheltered. Her dad pays people to buy her clothing, decorate her room, pack her lunch and cook her food and he decided that she should take violin lessons and only play classical music. I could go on and on, but I was focusing on Theia...Anyway, it's no wonder she was becoming sort of rebel. Theia is shy, very much so, only her close friends and Haden really get her to come out of her shell.
speaking of the almost devil...
Haden is pretty creepy for the majority of the book, by that I really mean the beginning. He pushes back his feelings because where he comes from, there isn't any good emotion. He's a jerk, just so you know, and, in my opinion, he's the reason for the endless circle I keep referring to. That may have something to do with the fact that the's a demon... His more positive characteristics are his determination and courage that shines mostly in the end.
Donny (she's a girl!) is the reckless one out of Theia's trio of besties. She convinces them to try different things (like sneaking out) and she's not afraid to speak her mind. What I noticed about her character is she's afraid of getting hurt so she uses blunt rudeness as a defense mechanism.
The last character I'll talk about is Amelia, mostly because some of  the other major ones come near the end. Amelia is the kind of girl who can't see how pretty she is, even when others tell her so. She is a vegetarian and peace-lover who can kick major butt at Call Of Duty. She's as shy as Theia unless a topic she's passionate about (fortune telling) comes up but she's not sheltered. She's also a rainbow goth...if that makes sense.
Finally, like I said, I wasn't really into the book...at least, not till the end. At the end I was sort of in the middle as far as interest goes. There was a twist after the initial action in the book that caught more of my attention. Up is down. The only way anyone could have saw that coming is if they were a) psychic or b) the author...but even then, I think she might have been surprised at the stories turn. Or, on the other hand, she was probably laughing manically. Anyway, as I continued to the end, I was glued. I needed to know what would happen next. I'm not joking when I say that I couldn't sleep without finding out first. Now that I think about it, it was the characters that kept me, too. I sort of fell in love with them and their story slowly, even if it didn't appeal to me in the beginning. Now, I want to see if the author can make the story thrive more, since the endless I-love-you-now-I-don't circle has subsided. Either way, I'll finish the series because if I don't, I know it'll bug me for the rest of my life, whispering, "What happens next?" in my ear. So, I don't regret picking up this book, and I doubt that a lot of people feel different.
The book deserves a C because all though it was a circle throughout most of the book, I think it has potential. Recommended to those of you who can't get enough of paranormal romances and/or the Twilight kind books (and I don't mean that in a bad way). 

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore
Author: Kelly Creagh (her website)
Release:
Synopsis:
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Review:

Nevermore was a very interesting and dark book. Plus, it is the first I've ever read with Edgar Allan Poe integrated into it as a major part of the plot. Actually, this book has really peeked my interest in Poe (since the only poem I've read of his is Annabel Lee). What I think is the most interesting thing the author has done is mix history with fictional characters. Like the mystery of Poe's death, the Poe Toaster, and his poems (though that's technically not history). 

The only thing that got to me was the length and pace of the book. Nothing really important happened until somewhere in the middle of the book and even then, it wasn't till the end that the actual eye catching paranormal stuff started happening. Mostly it was a lot of Isobel's high school life and her friend issues. 

Which brings me to another thing, as much as I loved the book, the high school part was really... unnatural. I'm speaking from high school experience. Yes, there are some cliques of specific people, but not everyone is categorized into organized groups. Most kids just stick with their friends no matter what group or club they "belong" to. Well, everyone's high school experience is different, right?
Now to characters.
Isobel is, in a way, a strong heroine. She shows her morals and where she stands from the start and I rarely had a doubt about her character (as in the way she acts). Her only weakness and ultimately, her greatest mistake, is trusting to easily. 
Varen is a dark mysterious shadow that comes of as cold and sardonic. But he grows on you from the start. Well, there are some moments where you want scream out in frustration because of his behavior. And despite their sun and rain differences, Isobel and Varen have an odd connection. 
Reynolds is a whole other type of mysterious throughout this book. Popping up at the moments he is needed but disappearing anyother time. I like, though, how his character is based off the Poe Toaster (read the book to know who that is or Google it ;) The thing most infuriating about Reynolds is his way of turning a conversation in circles and leaving more questions left in the open then answered.
Gwen is weird in a good way and her character makes me smile. She's forever being hyper and open to the world, uncaring of what others think. At least that's what I got from what I have read of her.
Her dad, on the other hand, sort of annoyed me in the beginning with his biased opinion  toward Brad. But, later on in the book, he redeems himself in my eyes. I'm being vague, I know, but I'm trying to stay away from spoilers.
Now just to get it out of the way, Brad, is the stereotypical, no-brain jock. I see him as a jerk and rude. He was also Isobel's boyfriend in the beginning of the book. PS. he's the jealous type.
There are other characters I could mention, but it'd take a while, so I'll let you form your own opinion on them and the ones I already mentioned.
Other than my qualms with the high school life in the book this was a very interesting story that had me hooked in the end. I loved the way the book ends in a way that makes me want to speed time till the next one comes out. Major cliffhanger. I highly recommend to all horror fanatics, paranormal lovers, and Poe readers. 
And since I finally figured out a rating system, I give this book a solid B for a fantastic story line, okay pace, legitimate Poe details, and an ending that'll leave you begging for more.


**PS for anyone who has read or is reading this book, I've heard rumors that the sequel will be released next year in August and the title will be Ensadowed.