Divergent by Veronica Roth Book Review

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth   

ISBN: 0062024027 (ISBN13: 9780062024022)

Release Date:  May 3rd 2011
Format : paperback
Pages: 487

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance,
Science Fiction, Fantasy
Series: Divergent #1

Summary
Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts on the Book
The first thing I must mention is that there is no written summer on the back cover of the paperback book. i had to find the summery online. I think that the cover designer dropped the ball on this one. Even if the book is popular, it should still include a summary for new readers. That being said, this book was amazing! I loved every minute of this adventure. I couldn't stop reading this book, and when I finally did it left me wanting more. I can see myself doing things in this book, such as facing my fears of heights and needles. However, since the Dauntless fortress is mostly of heights I would probably get kicked out. You see, part of the initiation is facing your fears. It shows how strong Tris is though, as she's able to face her fears.

You can tell right away with our main girl Beatrice that she doesn't belong to the fraction she lived with for 16 years of her life. She always is curious, which isn't allowed in the Abnegation fraction. Nor is she suppose to speak unless spoken too. She wants to learn things, and that's one of the reasons she chose to be in a new fraction. She knew she didn't belong and that she would be better off in another fraction.  When she goes to a simulation to learn of the other options to pick for the ceremony, something wrong happens that changes everything for her life. It's only in the end of these problems that she chooses Dauntless, a fraction based on fighting you fears and being brave. As you read through the books you see her go through some hard times, making her look weak on the outside, but inside she's strong. She wants to get back and show everyone who she really is. It's because of this reason that she changes her name to Tris. This strong side is seen by Four, a member of the Dauntless assign to teach the students for initiation. Four is a strong character and drawn to Tris. He starts to look after her, though he doesn't show much kindness towards her. You know he's worried for her and wants to care for her in his own way. It's cute seeing how this strange pair react to one another and I love the moments they are together.

The Romance in this book is slow, but it's really cute how Tris and Four act towards each other. You see small hints from Four towards Tris and you know he has a thing for her. Tris doesn't realized her own feelings towards Four until later in the book. They have to be strong, supporting each other and covering one another's weaknesses. When they do start to relax and teach and kiss each other, I just couldn't help but celebrate. You know they love each other, but Tris doesn't seem to realize it yet. I hope she does soon.

As I mentioned before, the book centers around Beatrice (Tris), an Abnegation fraction child, and her life as she goes in for her testing to see what fraction she belongs to. From they day you turn 16 you take a test to give you options of what fraction you could choose to be in. On the main choosing day, you pick the fraction you most want to be in, either your own fraction or a different one. Beatrice picks the Dauntless as the fraction she would be staying with from now on, which makes her abandon her family. She changes her name and she can be who she wants to be, not someone she's not. The Erudite dislike the Abnegation because they are in charge of the government. Throughout the book there has been lots of made up stories about the Abnegation and soon it gets worse then the stories when the Erudite come up with something that is worse then anyone could have imagine and it involves the Dauntless. While not quite so serious, young readers can identify with this. From the moment they start high school, they're forced to pick their subjects to allow them to go to college or university.  It forces them to go down a certain path, shutting the door for other options if they change their minds. You may start high school thinking you want to be an actor, but change your mind to be a biologist. By grade 11, most biology options may be locked out for students, forcing them to retake classes.


Design


The book cover is rather plain, but they work with it to make it very eye catching. I love how the flames in the center of the book reflect when you tilt the book to the side. As I said above, I don't like the fact that the paperback version has no summary anywhere on the book cover, but besides that it's nicely done. The title and the placement of the author's name is very lovely and I can see the connection there is from this book to the next book. As the symbol changes when the placement of the characters change.




Overall
Great dystopian novel I loved everything about this book, from the facing your fears to the main plot line that will surprise you. I really recommend reading this book if your a big Dystopian fan.

Rating

5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Tsuki ni Hoero Manga Review

Author: Sei Takenaka
Artist: Sei Takenaka

Genra: Yaoi

Year: 2009

Original Publisher:

Shinkousha  

Volumes: 

1 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No

English Publisher

Summary
1-2) Howl at the Moon
Miki is the bodyguard of the super-model, Ran. He’s also the only person who knows that the golden-eyed Ran is in fact a werewolf. Not only does Ran have an animalistic sex-drive, he’s also inhumanly strong. “Then, why does he need me as his bodyguard?” Miki wondered… And then, Ran was stabbed by a fan while protecting Miki...

3) Intoxicated by the Moon - A different werewolf this time.

4) LOST

5) Secret

6-10) Start with a Kiss
Super popular high school student Nishimura Jun has a beautiful face, a great body and women lining up to have sex with him! So why is Jun still a virgin? The romantic Jun wants nothing more that a sweet and pure love. Hiding his virginity is becoming tiring, especially since kouhai Machida seems to be onto his ruse...

My Thoughts on the Manga
To say this manga is hot is a understatement, it's so damn sexy!!! It's my first time reading a manga with gay werewolves in it. I've read a straight one before which I should do a review for in the future since I love it so damn much. I will show you below in the design area why I love this manga so much.

I will talk about the first story since it's the main story of the whole manga. Miki is a shy kind man who finds a wolf one day, it attacks him and later finds out that it's actually a werewolf. The wolf/Ran asks Miki to be his body guard just to keep Miki around him. On nights of the full moon Ran goes into heat and can't control himself around Miki. Ren works as a model and that's also why he needs Miki as a body guard. The first two stories of this manga is with working as a model and about werewolves the other stories are random.

The romance is fast but needed for this two chapter story, the same with the other manga story's in this manga. It's all very cute and sexy how they get together and I'm sure you will love every moment of it.

I do hope it gets license soon, the author's other manga series is already license to Digital Media so this should hopefully be licensee soon. Then you will be able to see why I love this manga so damn much.

Design




















As I was saying, Look at how damn hot this manga is with the way it's design. The characters have a lot of detail put into them and the eyes just draw you in so damn much. It captures your attention from the start to the finish. The mangka puts detail in the background as well and on how she does her wolves. Just to tell you the werewolf Ren is the guy with black hair and Miki is the light hair guy.

Overall
Great stories great design you will love this Yaoi manga as much as I do.

Rating

5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Birth House by Ami McKay Review

The Birth House

Author: Ami McKay  

ISBN: 0676977731 (ISBN13: 9780676977738)

Release Date:  March 6th 2007
Format : paperback
Pages: 408

Genre: Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature,
Adult Fiction

Summary
The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of the Rare family. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing and a kitchen filled with herbs and folk remedies. During the turbulent years of World War I, Dora becomes the midwife's apprentice. Together, they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives.

When Gilbert Thomas, a brash medical doctor, comes to Scots Bay with promises of fast, painless childbirth, some of the women begin to question Miss Babineau's methods - and after Miss Babineau's death, Dora is left to carry on alone. In the face of fierce opposition, she must summon all of her strength to protect the birthing traditions and wisdom that have been passed down to her.

Filled with details that are as compelling as they are surprising-childbirth in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the prescribing of vibratory treatments to cure hysteria and a mysterious elixir called Beaver Brew- The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to maintain control over their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.

My Thoughts On the Book

'The Birth House' follows the life of Dora Rare, the first girl born in five generations of Rares. Dora is the fourth of seven children (Albert, Borden, Charlie, Dora, Ezekiel, Forest and Gord) and often struggles with being a lady around six brothers. Dora's often called a witch, or changling, due to being the only Rare girl. The book mainly follows Dora between 1916-1918, between her being 17 and 19 but does touch on her childhood and her adult life. She and her family live in an isolated Nova Scotia village, leaving her both naive in life, but wiser and stronger than a city girl would be.

The book opens with Dora being recruited by the local midwife, Miss Babineau (Miss B.) into helping her with a premature birth. Miss B. sees that Dora has a talent with helping in childbirth, and begins to informally teach her traditional medicine and midwifery. This is important, as a new doctor, Dr. Gilbert Thomas, has moved into the village. Straight from the start, Miss B. and Dora clash with him over traditional and modern medicine.

While Dora does grow in the book, she remains herself. Given that the book takes place in a time when women were expected to cook, clean and have babies, the biggest growth that Dora sees if that she grows wiser and learns to use her voice. She faces a traditional family, an abusive husband, and Dr. Thomas. While she has no problems in questioning and confronting them, it's her realization of her role in the world that's most important.

Some readers may have trouble with reading how causally women are abused and raped by their husbands in this book. While it doesn't happen to every woman, it is clear that everyone knows it happens yet does nothing to stop it. It usually takes the woman running away or dying that it causes it to end, then her eldest daughter takes the abuse. If she runs away, she's shunned as being unable to take care of her husband's needs, or painted as having provoked her husband into snapping. (Tragically, this happened in my own family, with my great-grandmother and grandmother when my great-grandmother fled the abuse of my great-grandfather, then with emotional abuse between my mother and myself, showing that it still happens today and does run in families.) While the violence isn't directly shown, descriptions of the aftermath is shown. In the case of Dora, she accepts the rape as her chance to have a child, which she desperately wants.

Other hard ideas are brought up in the book, mainly the idea of stopping an unwanted pregnancy from happening, and naturally ending it if it does happen. Moral ideas, like if revealing affairs is best or not, are also brought up. The characters seem to fear conflict, and just accept things as they are. The decline of traditional medicine over modern medicine is one that's still in debate today, although readers may find some practices (such as using a doctor using a vibrator on a woman to help 'balance' her blood and emotions) odd in today's modern world, while it was acceptable then.

Readers will be satisfied with the ending. Everything comes together in a way that shows the beginning of woman's rights, within the proper historical context. The book is written in a mix of first-person, diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings and ads, which can be confusing at the change, but make sense as read. Major events such as World War I and the Halifax Explosion take place. Some events, such as the Halifax Explosion, are best understood by a Canadian audience as part of Canadian history. Writer Ami McKay's journalism background really shone through, researching real details as the wrote the book. The book itself includes a recipe for a Groaning Cake (which is mentioned in the book), interviews with Kelly Hill, who designed the book's cover, background history of the real birthing house that inspired the book, and notes on the herbs and medicines mentioned in it.

Design



The artwork for the book is simple, but powerful. It shows the belly and legs of a barefoot pregnant woman, cradling her belly and the baby inside. It really captures the idea that a woman is kept 'barefoot pregnant' by her husband, but also the hope that each new generation can change and bring freedom from unneeded pregnancy and abuse.





Overall
This book really hit home for me. I usually avoided historical fiction, cringing at the mistakes. McKay nailed it though. It's clear why 'The Birthing House' is a #1 best seller.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves


Review By: Cassandra Halikas

Boku wa Ookami Manga Review

Author: Yuuki Nachi
Artist: Yuuki Nachi

Genra: Shojo, Comdy,
Romance, School Life

Year: 2010

Original Publisher:

Shueisha 

Volumes: 

4 Volume (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

No

English Publisher

Summary
Rina hates perverted guys. She mixes up her new classmate, Ookami-kun with someone else...
But the truth is, he is a real wolf! Is this sensation of the beginning of love!? Or is it a story of licking bunnies!? Only time will reveal the answer.

My Thoughts on the Manga
This manga is so funny and so sweet at the same time. It's a new twist on the term raised by wolves because the boy in this manga really was raised by a wolf and how he comes to terms with things like releationships because he doesn't know anything and so it's the girl Rina who has to teach him things, though she's afride of boys.

Rina is a fun girl who really doesn't like boys. She's afide of them thinking that they are all perverts and all they want is sex. She doesn't trust any of the boys even one of her friends who had a crush on her for a long time but Rina still calls him a pervert even though he's trying hard not to be one around her but she doesn't see that. The new boy Ookami comes and acts not like normal guys. Rina's first incounter with him, was that he was nice and didn't know much about anything, he doesn't even know what a pervert is. So Rina thinks she's found her perfect man but then things didn't go so well when Ookami comes and sniffs her butt. She freaks out but soon learns that Ookami was raised by a wolf for the first seven years of his life then put away to learn how to be human again in a room. It's quite funny to see how their releationship progresses through the manga.

The romance between the two is long and hard because Ookami knows nothing on releationships and Rina being scared of boys has to somehow show him the right away to treat her without being a pervert. Though she soon comes to relaised that most of the things that are perverted (like kissing) she has to teach him. She even had to ask him out on a date herself which surprised everyone and had to show him the meaning of dating too.

The plotline was great seeing the way she becomes more and more less afride of Ookami was cute. Also to see Ookami acting more and more like a real boy but still having a few moments of where he doesn't understand some stuff was cute as well. You will laugh and be sad at a few parts in the manga but in the end this plotline will draw you in and you will love reading it.

Design



The style of drawing as you can see is the normal shojo style look. The characters are all unique and all cutely drawn. There is also a lot of chibi moments in this book but the overall design of the characters was really well done. The mangka loves to put designs in the background or detail depending on the emotions running through each pannel. She puts detail into the hair and eyes and you know exactly how they are feeling by the expressions on their faces. Not to mention Ookami is a cutie isn't he!!!








Overall
I recommend finding this manga and reading it, it's really cute and you will love the storyline!

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Fear (Gone 5) by Micheal Grant

Fear
(Book Five of a Six Book Series)

Author: Michael Grant

ISBN: 0061449156

Release Date:  April 3rd 2012
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 509

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction,
Fantasy, Horror, Post Apocalyptic

Series: Gone #5

Summary
It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

Fear, Michael Grant's fifth book in the bestselling dystopian Gone series, will thrill readers . . . even as it terrifies them.

My Thoughts on the Book
Just to make it clear this book is the fifth book of a series!

Just when you thought this story was about to get better, it just got worse. In Plague, you see Sam lead a group to Lake Tramonto where there was fresh water and food. While Caine was king of Perdido Beach after saving the kids there from the massive bugs.  It was fine for a while, but things just got a crazier and crazier as I read the book. Strange things start to happen to people, the barrier starts to go black, and something is happening to Diana's baby.  I can't believe how scary this book has become, and it makes me want to hope that the last book puts an end to the freakness of it all. 

The main threat is how the giant barrier starts to turn black. No one knows why this is happening, only that it keeps getting larger and larger ,blocking out all light. Sam and Astrid are all trying to figure out how fast the darkness is spreading, since they don't know of anyway to stop it. They even try to have a plan for Sam to go to Perdido beach to help put lights up, but with the darkness closing in and the threat of Drake, it's hard to get the message across in time. Everything is connected though, from the darkness of the barrier to Diana's baby. It all goes to that slimy green monster that we've met in the pervious books. Sam is a little less uncerten of himself in this book. He tries to take charge again, but he mostly lets his friend Ebilio handle most of the issues up at the lake. He does what he can to make the children be safe while Ebilio takes it upon himself to handle the everyday issues, like toilets or safe drinking water. 

The problems are mirrored at Peridio Beach, where Caine is King and hands out the punishments. Albert is the one to take care of the real issues like food and safe drinking water. Quinn even steps up in this book, trying to take charge and be a leader. In the last few books he was a more background character, lacking courage. In this book he takes a stand and tries to help everyone, despite the disaster that is occurring when the Darkness finally blocks out the sun. You get to see more of Penny and her powers in this book then the last, especially how her powers effect people.

A character named Cigar is a primary focus of her powers, after an incident left him stuck with Penny for a full day. Won't tell you what happen ,but lets just say the end result will freak you out at the thought of it. Then there is Dekka and Brianna. After what Dekka said in the forth book, Brianna has been staying away from Dekka.  She doesn't know what to say or do, so she keeps her distance. Dekka stays brave and helps Sam with the Lake and keeping everyone safe. Yes, more people die in this book, and each death is more strange then the last. 

When Astrid returns to Lake Tramonto, she finally wants to be with Sam. Their relationship finally deepens in this book after stalling in the past. She sleeps with Sam, but it's unclear if it's out of her own love for him or guilt of what she did to Little Pete. I'd like to believe it was love, but she just can't forgive herself.

The plot in this book was just great. Conflicts range from trying to figure out how to stop to finding out what Gaia wants with Diana and her baby. The author wrote the book as a modern 'Lord of the Flies', but with more death and mutant powers. This book will leave you wanting more. You want to see what the children will do when the barrier changes. I just can't wait for the next (and final) book of the series.

Design

If you've seen the other four covers, you've seen the connection between them. I usually don't read books like this, but the artwork on the first book's cover drew me in. The cover has a great main image with the models, and the simple title font matches the over all look and feel of the book. Add the small notation on the top of the book, it creates a simple yet eye-catching design. I love this series, I can't wait for the last book to find out what happens to the kids. This book will leave you wanting to know what's coming next. I do recommend this series if you love SciFi. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that there are plans on making a Gone movie. Warning though, this book is just as scary as the last four.


Overall
I love this series, I can't wait for the last book to read what happens to the kids. This book will leave you wanting to know whats coming next. I do recommend this series if you love SciFi because you will love it so damn much. Not to mention that there is plans on making a Gone movie!!! Warning though this book is just as scary as the last four.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Howl by Annalise Grey Review

Howl

Author: Annalise Grey 

ASIN: 2940032873

Release Date:  2012
Format : ebook
Pages: (amazon 207)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy,
Romance, Werewolves

Series: Kane Wolves #1

Summery
Nineteen year old Sophie Matthews is a line-walker between two worlds - human and werewolf. She lives around humans but is never truly part of their world. That is, until she is spotted by a hiker.

What should have been a passing glance becomes so much more as Sophie falls for the one thing she is forbidden from ever having: a human mate.

Adding to her stress is newcomer Daniel, the arrogant wolf on Sophie's tail.

Then several humans are killed by a mysterious and dangerous beast within the pack's hunting grounds. The humans begin whispering of wolf-men roaming the forest and the threat of discovery looms heavy around the pack.

Everything is falling apart and Sophie realizes just how little control she has over her future.

Will she risk everything - her heart, her family, and her safety - for a chance to control her own fate?

My Thoughts on the Book

I just love how this book was written. It's a whole new take on werewolf lore. In other werewolf stories, when the werewolf is injured, it heals almost right away. In this story, a werewolf heals slowly, as a normal human would. It's more identifiable. In this story, the werewolves are huge. They're described as being the size of a human man, not the size of a normal wolf. I love how the author describes her wolves, I can see them as real creatures, not just creatures of legend. It's so beautifully written I just couldn't stop reading 'Howl' once I started. 

Most of the main characters in this book members of a werewolf family. The primary main character is Sophie. She is a shy girl who follows everything her family tells her to do. Since she's not an Alpha nor Beta she can't disobey orders from her brother Gavin, who is Alpha. Despite the rules though she breaks one important rule; never fall in love with a human. The human she falls in love with is named Jaime, and he works for her brother Thomas in a research center. She felt a connection to him right away. (It should be noted that 'bonding' is a common theme with most modern werewolf stories.) Right when she touched him she felt like she wanted to be with him, despite the rules. Jaime felt the same way, even when he knew nothing of who she really was, and he asks her out on a date. Her family knew nothing of this relationship until her twin brother Tristain starts to suspect something was wrong with his sister. It wasn't long before more people found out about the relationship.  Sophie was told that she either she picked to be with Jaime or she picked he family because Sophie was told that she either she has to pick to be with Jaime or her family. She can not have both. Jamie is a great human, as he loves nature and wants to protect it. He even stayed by Sophie's side when she told him that her family can't know about them, despite his own hurt. He did everything he could to make her happy and he still wants to be with her even if they were forbidden to see each other. (Can anyone else say 'Werewolf Romeo and Juliet'?) All he cared about was being with Sophie.

In this book you also meet the rest of Sophie's large family. They all have the same views on how they see humans as threats and they can't be with them or date them.  As for Daniel, the werewolf love interest, I actually really loved how his character was in the story. He cared for Sophie, but has that passiveness that werewolves have when they want someone. He's described as being very sexy and hot. Sophie see's this, but she loves Jamie. It's sad when he was sent away, but I hope he comes back soon. 

The romance in this is really fast, but there is a lot of gaps between happenings in this book. Sophie has (non-graphic) sex with Jamie very quickly into the book. I don't mind the fast intimacy, but as I read 'Howl' I find myself wanting them to be together. Her family forbids it, but I want it! It really is a werewolf Romeo and Juliet.

The plot of this book is great. You learn a lot about Sophie's family and how her pack works. For example, the women always give birth to more then one baby at a time. The twin bond that the babies have in turn strengthens the bonds between the pack members. When there is only one baby, it makes the pack slowly fall apart. Then you have Sophie falling in love with a human while another werewolf want to take her as a mate. The real plot line starts up in the middle of the book when people start dying in the forests around Sophie's pack.  The pack is trying to figure out who is killing these people, and but an accident ends up tearing it apart. Just an overall great plot to a great story! It really shows how important family bonds are, but how sometimes you have to break away from family values to find your own path.

Design

The design to this book is a bit boring. The stock image is pretty, but the overall feel and look of the cover inspires the idea of a passionate, gothic romance. I wouldn't look at this cover in the book store if I came across it. What I would do though is find a better title font for the book and make it stretch across the whole book cover. The author's name would then go under the title of the book, and have a closer look at the model then have her far away. This way it will capture more people's attention. Right now, it looks more like an art book that artists like Victoria Frances would release.



Overall
I do love this book, especially the ending I can't wait to read more of this series. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves to read werewolf books.

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Light Tamer by Devyn Dawson Review

The Light Tamer

Author: Devyn Dawson  

Release Date: April 10th 2012 
Format : ebook
Pages: PDF 144

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Myths,
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor,
Paranormal

Summary

Jessie moved from New York to North Carolina one week after school let out for summer break. Her newly single mother and Jessie move in with grandma Gayle. Being a teen in a retirement area, is one more thing to add to her 'this sucks' list. It's bad enough to have to move, but even worse her alcoholic father left them as he went on a quest to be an artist in Greece.

Things begin to look up when she is reintroduced to Caleb, the dorky boy that saved her life one summer at the beach. Caleb is no longer scrawny and nerdy, he is now tall, dark and handsome. Caleb is a Light Tamer.

Jessie and Amber become fast friends. Amber is a no frills girl, her snarky comments and sassy attitude will raise a few eyebrows and have you laughing out loud. Amber is rough around the edges, a light tamer with only two years left to find the one she is bound to. Her father's surfing accident left her dad paralyzed and her brother dead.

This paranormal romance will keep you on the edge of your seat with humor, romance, and determination. Fall head over heels for Caleb and Jessie.

My Thoughts on the Book
I went into the book thinking that I would enjoy it. It's an original concept within a genre I normally read. However, I feel that the writer didn't give enough credit for the readers and wrote it in a juvenile style, typical with tween readers audience. It was as if they couldn't decide to make this a tween or young adult book. 

I will say this I do like the concept of Light Tamers. I never heard of it before, and I love the idea that they need light to survive. However, the villains of the  book, Shadows (?) steal the light from them. When this happens, then they too become a bad guy. It was interesting to see a twist on traditional myths, as the fates love to change the lives of humans. In traditional myths, they create the path and leave it alone.

However, this book has many serious flaws.. I've never read a book where a girl talks to herself so often. To make it more confusing, her thoughts are heard by Calab (her boyfriend), and yet she still thinks her thoughts while hoping he doesn't hear. It becomes difficult to follow. It's made more difficult with the juvenile writing style. It seems to be written for ages 10-12, but it's not aimed for that audience. It took me a very long time to finish reading this book, as I had to force myself to read straight to the end. It seems that in a realistic situation, someone would be a bit more freaked out if they realized someone could read their thoughts. She barely reacted when she found out that he could read her thoughts. She just brushes it off and goes straight into wanting to kiss him. It didn't seem to phase her when she started to hear his thoughts.

At one point, she begins to think to herself about if he knew how much she loves his kisses. Because he can read her thoughts, now he does! And despite being told by her grandmother (who acts like a teenager throughout the book) that a few Tamers can heal people, she sees herself as a freak because she has this ability. She comes across as a strong character, but she takes everything that happens to her seriously. She wants to grow into her newfound role quickly, and not enjoy the journey.

The character of Amber seems a bit two-faced in her personality. She's not the type of person I would associate with if I ever met her. She talks badly about her diseased brother, and is a bit thoughtless. I can see why she doesn't have any friends when she treats people who try to be her friend badly.

The romance moved a bit to fast for me, and not one that's appropriate for a tween audience. After meeting for the second time in three years, they decide to become a couple. There's a lot of talk about breasts and how the main character wants Calab to touch her. But, because they're bonded, she can feel him touching her skin, despite touching through clothed. She even thinks, "I’m oddly aware that my breast are about to be smashed against his chest.... My breast pressed against him, my hands in his hair... My heart reminding me I’m alive." It's due to this writing, and others like it, that a 10-12-year-old shouldn't read it, although the writing seems to be catered for them

Unfortunately, I found this book to be predictable. The villain is obvious from the start, and when they mention healing powers in the start of the book, it's clear that the main character will have this ability. The only real surprise is with a key scene with the father, although the ending of the scene is sad.

Design


I will give credit for the book's cover artist. They combined the perfect balance of light and beauty to suggest the powers found within the book. The use of the purple to make the title stand out is lovely. The Title fits nicely with the way it's placed at the bottom. The author's name doesn't stand out to much to take away from the over all feel of the image but enough so that you know who wrote the book.





Overall
I think that the base work for a true bestseller is here, but there's internal weaknesses that the author and their editor should have been able to flesh out and strengthen. It was like they couldn't decide what audience to go for, so they combined styles for a multiple audience range.

Rating
  2 out of 5 Howling Wolves