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Beyond
Beyond
Sixteen-year-old Raven desperately wants to fit in, but after using a Ouija Board, her already overwhelming hallucinations take a turn for the worse. A ghostly figure named Sam begins to haunt Raven and seems eager to kill her.
She’s saved by a reclusive biker named Damian who goes to the same school and appears to have an interest in her. Raven can’t help but feel drawn to him. Determined to uncover Damian’s connection to the ghost, Raven sets out to discover his secret and the reason Sam started haunting her. However, there’s more at stake than just her reputation. Raven’s choice between unveiling Damian’s true intentions, and living a normal life will put everyone she cares about at risk. To save them, she'll have to go beyond.
Lives are ruined.
Hearts are shattered.
Death lurks at every corner.
She’s saved by a reclusive biker named Damian who goes to the same school and appears to have an interest in her. Raven can’t help but feel drawn to him. Determined to uncover Damian’s connection to the ghost, Raven sets out to discover his secret and the reason Sam started haunting her. However, there’s more at stake than just her reputation. Raven’s choice between unveiling Damian’s true intentions, and living a normal life will put everyone she cares about at risk. To save them, she'll have to go beyond.
Lives are ruined.
Hearts are shattered.
Death lurks at every corner.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2013
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November 25, 2013AVAILABLE NOW!
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AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G...
AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-1-YA-P...
Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyon...
KOBO: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id73...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
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** FEEL FREE TO GRAB THE BANNERS **
July 26, 2016
ღ ❤ ♡ LOVED IT ❤ ♡ ღ
Finally this ends my dry spell of unsatisfying fantasy novels! I loved the plot! I can't help but get hooked into it as the story unfolds. I especially liked the revelation near the end, the bit concerning Raven's recurring nightmare.
The YA romance part was quite sweet. The attraction between Damian and Raven was very palpable but not so much that it overtook the story. I didn't quite like how it ended with Simon, relationship wise. Why do people always have to end up with someone?
Character wise, each and every one had his/her own imperfection. Out of them all, I think I only liked Damian (it could be that I'm partial to character with name starting with "Da..." being a VD fan and all LOL). Raven's friends were down right mean and rude. Raven herself was far from perfect. Why did she think she had the right to be mad at Simon? Raven's mom was weird. Why didn't she come clean right from the start? Why did she let Raven to go to the party if she's so paranoid?
It didn't exactly end with a cliffhanger but there were many things still unanswered, eg. why did Sam fixate on Raven? Looking forward to the next book!
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review
Review also appears on http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2014/0...
Finally this ends my dry spell of unsatisfying fantasy novels! I loved the plot! I can't help but get hooked into it as the story unfolds. I especially liked the revelation near the end, the bit concerning Raven's recurring nightmare.
The YA romance part was quite sweet. The attraction between Damian and Raven was very palpable but not so much that it overtook the story. I didn't quite like how it ended with Simon, relationship wise. Why do people always have to end up with someone?
Character wise, each and every one had his/her own imperfection. Out of them all, I think I only liked Damian (it could be that I'm partial to character with name starting with "Da..." being a VD fan and all LOL). Raven's friends were down right mean and rude. Raven herself was far from perfect. Why did she think she had the right to be mad at Simon? Raven's mom was weird. Why didn't she come clean right from the start? Why did she let Raven to go to the party if she's so paranoid?
It didn't exactly end with a cliffhanger but there were many things still unanswered, eg. why did Sam fixate on Raven? Looking forward to the next book!
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review
Review also appears on http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2014/0...
December 6, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I hated it. The book sounded promising and had a promising plot that was ruined by bad writing choices.
First, the dialogue was awkward and forced. At the beginning, it seemed like the background of the story was told through dialogue, which is okay if it's her telling a new friend she just met where she's from and such. But it was not that, instead it was the main character's mother telling her daughter, who is fully aware of their past, that they had just moved to Piney Hollow. It was awkward.
The story moved way too fast. Instant love between Raven and Damien. The oh-so-surprising (I mean predictable) reveal that Damien was the blue ghost was rushed. The whole story was rushed.
Also there were moments of confusion. During the beginning of the book, Damien's house is depicted as right across the street and then later on, Raven rides her bike for a few miles to get to Damien's house.
Raven was not a likable character at all. She was kind of a moron. Plus the blushing every time anyone says anything remotely nice to you is unrealistic.
I didn't finish this book but I did skip to the last chapter to see what happens. The ending wasn't surprising.
Overall, the whole book was rushed and awkward.
I hated it. The book sounded promising and had a promising plot that was ruined by bad writing choices.
First, the dialogue was awkward and forced. At the beginning, it seemed like the background of the story was told through dialogue, which is okay if it's her telling a new friend she just met where she's from and such. But it was not that, instead it was the main character's mother telling her daughter, who is fully aware of their past, that they had just moved to Piney Hollow. It was awkward.
The story moved way too fast. Instant love between Raven and Damien. The oh-so-surprising (I mean predictable) reveal that Damien was the blue ghost was rushed. The whole story was rushed.
Also there were moments of confusion. During the beginning of the book, Damien's house is depicted as right across the street and then later on, Raven rides her bike for a few miles to get to Damien's house.
Raven was not a likable character at all. She was kind of a moron. Plus the blushing every time anyone says anything remotely nice to you is unrealistic.
I didn't finish this book but I did skip to the last chapter to see what happens. The ending wasn't surprising.
Overall, the whole book was rushed and awkward.
November 24, 2013
I had such high hopes for this book. The synopsis was awesome. It had the potential to be a great story and at first I loved it. By the middle I was ready to give it up.
First there's the inconsistencies. In the beginning of the book it says Damian lives across the street, towards the middle of the end Joey takes Raven to get her bike from Damian's and she's grateful because otherwise she doesn't know how she would get to school without it. If his house was across the street she shouldn't have been worried about it. One night Raven is locked out of her home because her mother is babysitting and she's tells Simon she doesn't know when her mom will be home. The next morning they fight over Raven being late and she's asks her mom why she was home at 8 when she wasn't supposed to be back until 10. I thought she didn't know?
Theres a couple of other times this happens but I do have an arc so it may be fixed before getting published.
I liked Damian's character but Raven's drove me crazy after awhile. She's so needy and whiny. Most of the book is the thoughts in her head and it seems like she just repeats the same thing over and over just worded differently. She's complains about Damian to herself a lot, wondering why he's mean to her but at the same time thinking she's going to make him tell her his secrets.
She kind of leads Simon on but then turns him down. He then for some reason asks her to the dance and she suggests he go with Emma and the next day while she's at the dance with Damian she sees Simon and Emma kiss and it makes her angry. Really?? She told him to go with Emma.
Sometimes the actions and langage of these characters come off as fake. Raven and her mom appeared to be close and then one day its like she suddenly decides she's going to fight with her mom everytime she sees her and break all the rules.
The plot was awesome though, I just really didn't like Raven by the end. Don't let my review sway you though, this is just my opinion.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
First there's the inconsistencies. In the beginning of the book it says Damian lives across the street, towards the middle of the end Joey takes Raven to get her bike from Damian's and she's grateful because otherwise she doesn't know how she would get to school without it. If his house was across the street she shouldn't have been worried about it. One night Raven is locked out of her home because her mother is babysitting and she's tells Simon she doesn't know when her mom will be home. The next morning they fight over Raven being late and she's asks her mom why she was home at 8 when she wasn't supposed to be back until 10. I thought she didn't know?
Theres a couple of other times this happens but I do have an arc so it may be fixed before getting published.
I liked Damian's character but Raven's drove me crazy after awhile. She's so needy and whiny. Most of the book is the thoughts in her head and it seems like she just repeats the same thing over and over just worded differently. She's complains about Damian to herself a lot, wondering why he's mean to her but at the same time thinking she's going to make him tell her his secrets.
She kind of leads Simon on but then turns him down. He then for some reason asks her to the dance and she suggests he go with Emma and the next day while she's at the dance with Damian she sees Simon and Emma kiss and it makes her angry. Really?? She told him to go with Emma.
Sometimes the actions and langage of these characters come off as fake. Raven and her mom appeared to be close and then one day its like she suddenly decides she's going to fight with her mom everytime she sees her and break all the rules.
The plot was awesome though, I just really didn't like Raven by the end. Don't let my review sway you though, this is just my opinion.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
November 14, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of a girl who has faced hallucinations her entire life. It's not until she goes to a party and uses an Ouija board that she really notices ghosts following her. Her hallucinations just seem to get worse. After freaking out, she rides her bike only to come face to face with the ghost, which makes her pass out. This really hot, aggressive guy comes and saves her (obviously). His name is Damien and he somehow has a connection with that ghost.
Beyond is an interesting concept with a poor execution. The idea of ghosts following her and good vs. bad ghosts is really something I was excited to read about. The only problem is that there was so much repeated and annoying thoughts in Raven's head.
My goodness, I don't think I have ever rolled my eyes this much when reading a book. I swear the words "Why is he/she being so mean?" were in there more times than needed. Not to mention, that's not the only thing that would be repeated. Raven was EXTREMELY nosy and so entitled that I couldn't even stand her. I have no idea what Damien saw in her. Sure he said they have a connection, but what about her does he actually like? She only showed her annoying side.
Her friends Emma and Lillian...oh man. They were what you call mean girls. I couldn't stand them. They were extremely catty and judgmental.
This should not have been the final draft of this book. Half of the book could be removed from all the repeated lines and thoughts. Some of the sentences were also choppy and the book needed to flow way better.
I had to force myself to finish this. The upside about it though, is that the main story was pretty interesting and I did want to know what would happen at the end. But it was just getting through Raven's annoying thoughts.
I thank the author for giving me the chance to read this, but for me the book was just ok. It could've been a lot better.
This is the story of a girl who has faced hallucinations her entire life. It's not until she goes to a party and uses an Ouija board that she really notices ghosts following her. Her hallucinations just seem to get worse. After freaking out, she rides her bike only to come face to face with the ghost, which makes her pass out. This really hot, aggressive guy comes and saves her (obviously). His name is Damien and he somehow has a connection with that ghost.
Beyond is an interesting concept with a poor execution. The idea of ghosts following her and good vs. bad ghosts is really something I was excited to read about. The only problem is that there was so much repeated and annoying thoughts in Raven's head.
My goodness, I don't think I have ever rolled my eyes this much when reading a book. I swear the words "Why is he/she being so mean?" were in there more times than needed. Not to mention, that's not the only thing that would be repeated. Raven was EXTREMELY nosy and so entitled that I couldn't even stand her. I have no idea what Damien saw in her. Sure he said they have a connection, but what about her does he actually like? She only showed her annoying side.
Her friends Emma and Lillian...oh man. They were what you call mean girls. I couldn't stand them. They were extremely catty and judgmental.
This should not have been the final draft of this book. Half of the book could be removed from all the repeated lines and thoughts. Some of the sentences were also choppy and the book needed to flow way better.
I had to force myself to finish this. The upside about it though, is that the main story was pretty interesting and I did want to know what would happen at the end. But it was just getting through Raven's annoying thoughts.
I thank the author for giving me the chance to read this, but for me the book was just ok. It could've been a lot better.
November 22, 2013
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
Well, to be honest I didn’t like the book at all. The characters were sketchy and I just couldn’t stand the main character. The plot is good and I liked the storyline but as the others mentioned, the concept is poorly executed and the writing style is not at all comfortable to connect to. I don’t know about the others who loved the story but I just couldn’t finish the whole book, after reading one-third of the book, I gave up.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset the author and if my words are rude then please don’t take any offense. As I promised an honest review so I’m voicing my thoughts which are purely mine and as viewpoints differ so may be many of the others will love it but this book isn’t for me, at least.
Firstly I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
Well, to be honest I didn’t like the book at all. The characters were sketchy and I just couldn’t stand the main character. The plot is good and I liked the storyline but as the others mentioned, the concept is poorly executed and the writing style is not at all comfortable to connect to. I don’t know about the others who loved the story but I just couldn’t finish the whole book, after reading one-third of the book, I gave up.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset the author and if my words are rude then please don’t take any offense. As I promised an honest review so I’m voicing my thoughts which are purely mine and as viewpoints differ so may be many of the others will love it but this book isn’t for me, at least.
December 8, 2013
*This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book but I didn’t. The plot is good but I think it could have been done better and I had a problem with the writing style.
This book follows the point of view of Raven. Raven is sixteen years old and has moved from house to house, constantly trying to fit in. She has been told her whole life that she is having hallucinations that just seem to be getting worse. Her mother insists she take medications to keep her hallucinations to a minimum. However one night when her and her friends decide to use a Ouija and she starts seeing things worse than ever. Then a very mysterious boy comes to her rescue and this of course becomes the love interest. You could tell that from like the first five pages though.
Just Raven and her mom are the ones that move from house to house. When I first started reading the book the mother seemed so fake and almost over the top that I thought there was no way that I am going to get through this book. I don’t know if I just got used to it or if it calmed down some but it bothered me a little less as I read more. At the beginning of the story her and her mother seem to be close but then something just snaps and she decides to constantly fight with her and break all the rules. Thankfully there weren’t a ton of interactions with the mother anyway.
Raven seemed so nosey, whiney, and vain that I could barely stand her. I felt no connections to the characters, which made me really not care about the book. The love triangle, which is sort of one sided is weird. I was sort of rooting for Simon’s character but he seems like he has something to hide. Damien is a bad boy that treats her like crap through most of the story but she is almost obsessed with him and she has no reason to be. Her friends, Lillian and Emma, are pretty much the definition of mean girls. I see no reason why she would want to be friends with them.
There are some inconsistencies with the book and with some editing I think this could be better. However, I had to force myself to finish the book. There was one part towards the end of the book that had me intrigued to see what happens next. I always like to give the second book in the series a try, just to see if it gets better. So if there is a second book released then I will probably be reading it.
Oh but I do like the cover...
I really wanted to like this book but I didn’t. The plot is good but I think it could have been done better and I had a problem with the writing style.
This book follows the point of view of Raven. Raven is sixteen years old and has moved from house to house, constantly trying to fit in. She has been told her whole life that she is having hallucinations that just seem to be getting worse. Her mother insists she take medications to keep her hallucinations to a minimum. However one night when her and her friends decide to use a Ouija and she starts seeing things worse than ever. Then a very mysterious boy comes to her rescue and this of course becomes the love interest. You could tell that from like the first five pages though.
Just Raven and her mom are the ones that move from house to house. When I first started reading the book the mother seemed so fake and almost over the top that I thought there was no way that I am going to get through this book. I don’t know if I just got used to it or if it calmed down some but it bothered me a little less as I read more. At the beginning of the story her and her mother seem to be close but then something just snaps and she decides to constantly fight with her and break all the rules. Thankfully there weren’t a ton of interactions with the mother anyway.
Raven seemed so nosey, whiney, and vain that I could barely stand her. I felt no connections to the characters, which made me really not care about the book. The love triangle, which is sort of one sided is weird. I was sort of rooting for Simon’s character but he seems like he has something to hide. Damien is a bad boy that treats her like crap through most of the story but she is almost obsessed with him and she has no reason to be. Her friends, Lillian and Emma, are pretty much the definition of mean girls. I see no reason why she would want to be friends with them.
There are some inconsistencies with the book and with some editing I think this could be better. However, I had to force myself to finish the book. There was one part towards the end of the book that had me intrigued to see what happens next. I always like to give the second book in the series a try, just to see if it gets better. So if there is a second book released then I will probably be reading it.
Oh but I do like the cover...
February 15, 2014
I was given this book by the author, via Lovers of Paranormal, in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I have to ask 'what do editors DO?' Over time I have, shamefully, got used to the poor editing and typos that are let through as finished products but usually the characters and plot are consistent with their main faults being spelling and poor sentence constuction. Beyond did not suffer the usual faults. This book could have easily been a 4 stars + with better editing. I gave it three stars because the idea behind the book was so good but on the book as a whole it very nearly only got 2. Such a shame. There were so many inconsistencies some within just a couple of pages of each other, almost as though the author stopped writing, went away and when continued had totally lost the plot. The character of Raven seemed almost undecided; it was great at times and then suddenly veered off and almost became a different character. Raven's relationship with her mother seemed two different stories, it started well but seemed to shift completely to suit the plot at that moment only to shift back somewhat later on.
Most of the other characters, particularly Damian, were more consistent and likable or at least understandable. The idea of the book was very good and the plot line ran well. There were some interesting ideas developed within the story and it kept my interest. I enjoyed following the plot and will read the next book in the trilogy with the real hope that somebody edits it properly.
Firstly I have to ask 'what do editors DO?' Over time I have, shamefully, got used to the poor editing and typos that are let through as finished products but usually the characters and plot are consistent with their main faults being spelling and poor sentence constuction. Beyond did not suffer the usual faults. This book could have easily been a 4 stars + with better editing. I gave it three stars because the idea behind the book was so good but on the book as a whole it very nearly only got 2. Such a shame. There were so many inconsistencies some within just a couple of pages of each other, almost as though the author stopped writing, went away and when continued had totally lost the plot. The character of Raven seemed almost undecided; it was great at times and then suddenly veered off and almost became a different character. Raven's relationship with her mother seemed two different stories, it started well but seemed to shift completely to suit the plot at that moment only to shift back somewhat later on.
Most of the other characters, particularly Damian, were more consistent and likable or at least understandable. The idea of the book was very good and the plot line ran well. There were some interesting ideas developed within the story and it kept my interest. I enjoyed following the plot and will read the next book in the trilogy with the real hope that somebody edits it properly.
December 7, 2013
I was given this book for an honest review. If I could give this book 3.5 stars I would.
There is a lot of hit and miss with this book for me. I think that the concept is fascinating and original. One thing that really bothers me about the YA or New Adult genre is that many times, the main female character is so whiny with that "woe is me" attitude. You know the one right? Where only her issues are the most important? Where if any other person in her life has any similar issues, she mistreats them, or gets angry or just flat out whines? Well, Raven Stone is just like that. The entire book I felt Raven was constantly nagging or whining because she "just didn't understand..." and "why aren't these pills helping the hallucinations?" etc. For the first third of this book, I was genuinely confused. I felt that some concepts could have been explained a bit more, rather than Raven and the reader figure it out together. Even at the end, I was left with a "wtf" look on my face....because, seriously, WTF?
I don't want to give a book report. Anyone can read a book and give a synopsis. I think the synopsis given with the book, suits it well enough. What I will give you is this:
Damian is WOW....I would take some of that any day of the week! The tension written into the book between Raven and Damian is spot on if you love romance in your reading. It was that hot tension that you feel when you watch Bones, between Bones and Booth...or Dr. House and Dr. Cuddy...you know the tension right? Where you are ready for them to just give into their primal urges and knock boots already? (Yeah, yeah...I know...this is a 16 yr old girl and a 17 yr old boy...but let's face it, we have all been there at that age...it doesn't make it any less real!). The entire time I read Beyond, I was waiting patiently to see what would happen between these two. I was so caught up in them, that my confusion didn't matter. I read this book rather quickly, simply because I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I didn't necessarily love the book enough to give it a 4th star, but I believe that a lot of YA/Paranormal Romance readers will enjoy this book.
I enjoyed this book, but I have a hard time with Raven's character type. I just wish, for once, that the female characters would be stronger, and more take charge, and not this damsel in distress. I would devour any book that gave me that (Like the Graceling Realm series...). I think too many books these days are writing weak female leads, it is atrocious! Girls that age should be reading about strong female characters, that yeah life might suck sometimes and 'shit might get real,' but we can do this! That age is confusing for girls, it is difficult...so why not have a character faced with the same adversity, that has a stronger character structure? That is why I gave it 3 stars.
I also feel that the story line itself could use just a bit more fine tuning. It is a little rough around the edges, but it was still enjoyable, and as I said before, I think that a lot of readers of this genre will enjoy it. It was nice to read a different kind of YA/Paranormal romance other than wolves, vamps, and even though I love me a good fallen angel read, it is nice to implement something that is more real, like ghosts (I live in Ghost Capital...so yeah, I believe...). It makes you think, can these ghosts really hurt us?
Happy reading! And based on that ending, I will be moving on in the series because I want to know what happens between Damian and Raven! (yum!)
There is a lot of hit and miss with this book for me. I think that the concept is fascinating and original. One thing that really bothers me about the YA or New Adult genre is that many times, the main female character is so whiny with that "woe is me" attitude. You know the one right? Where only her issues are the most important? Where if any other person in her life has any similar issues, she mistreats them, or gets angry or just flat out whines? Well, Raven Stone is just like that. The entire book I felt Raven was constantly nagging or whining because she "just didn't understand..." and "why aren't these pills helping the hallucinations?" etc. For the first third of this book, I was genuinely confused. I felt that some concepts could have been explained a bit more, rather than Raven and the reader figure it out together. Even at the end, I was left with a "wtf" look on my face....because, seriously, WTF?
I don't want to give a book report. Anyone can read a book and give a synopsis. I think the synopsis given with the book, suits it well enough. What I will give you is this:
Damian is WOW....I would take some of that any day of the week! The tension written into the book between Raven and Damian is spot on if you love romance in your reading. It was that hot tension that you feel when you watch Bones, between Bones and Booth...or Dr. House and Dr. Cuddy...you know the tension right? Where you are ready for them to just give into their primal urges and knock boots already? (Yeah, yeah...I know...this is a 16 yr old girl and a 17 yr old boy...but let's face it, we have all been there at that age...it doesn't make it any less real!). The entire time I read Beyond, I was waiting patiently to see what would happen between these two. I was so caught up in them, that my confusion didn't matter. I read this book rather quickly, simply because I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I didn't necessarily love the book enough to give it a 4th star, but I believe that a lot of YA/Paranormal Romance readers will enjoy this book.
I enjoyed this book, but I have a hard time with Raven's character type. I just wish, for once, that the female characters would be stronger, and more take charge, and not this damsel in distress. I would devour any book that gave me that (Like the Graceling Realm series...). I think too many books these days are writing weak female leads, it is atrocious! Girls that age should be reading about strong female characters, that yeah life might suck sometimes and 'shit might get real,' but we can do this! That age is confusing for girls, it is difficult...so why not have a character faced with the same adversity, that has a stronger character structure? That is why I gave it 3 stars.
I also feel that the story line itself could use just a bit more fine tuning. It is a little rough around the edges, but it was still enjoyable, and as I said before, I think that a lot of readers of this genre will enjoy it. It was nice to read a different kind of YA/Paranormal romance other than wolves, vamps, and even though I love me a good fallen angel read, it is nice to implement something that is more real, like ghosts (I live in Ghost Capital...so yeah, I believe...). It makes you think, can these ghosts really hurt us?
Happy reading! And based on that ending, I will be moving on in the series because I want to know what happens between Damian and Raven! (yum!)
November 25, 2013
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Raven has hallucinations which she believes are from a mental illness until she realises she is actually seeing real ghosts. Now a ghost called Sam wants to kill her and a misfit group of friends who can also see ghosts are the only ones who can save her.
I liked the plot for this book. It was nice to see a different twist on the ghost stories we normally see in YA paranormal novels. Raven is a girl who wants a normal life and believes that her hallucinations are psychotic episodes, something she tries to hide from her new friends. It was also nice to see that the new kid at the new school fits in and makes friends quickly, instead of this cliche in YA where the new girl gets on the wrong side of a bullying cheerleader on day one! So yea to the author for not following the crowd on that one! I liked the story of Sam stalking her and the methods used by her friends to stop them, which was inventive and different.
For the most part I liked the characters. I had sympathy for Raven's situation, and her friends were less annoying than usual. I liked Simon in particular. I did have a bit of an issue with Damien's moodswings which got a bit annoying after a while but it wasn't a major issue for me overall, and there was a good reason for his behaviour which we discover later. Another little niggle was that the book was a little slow in places for my personal taste but again, it wasn't a major issue.
The one thing that did bug me a bit was the repetition. Every second page, Raven was questioning how she could love Damien so quickly. She was constantly repeating how confused and upset she was every time he was mean to her. She was forever going on about her mixed feelings for him and Simon. It did start to grate on the nerves every time these subjects were brought up again. I think the author could have cut back on that a bit. We get how she feels when told the first two or three times but we don't need to be beaten around the head with it every chapter. There wasn't enough detail for me about Sam's past and what Raven's mum was doing all these years but that is probably going to be revealed in a later book so I can live with that.
I noticed that other readers had an issue with the author's style of writing but I can't say that I personally had any major problems with it. I'm not a professional critic by any means but as a reader, I liked that the story was simple and it flowed well enough for me to stay with it to the end. Maybe the last few chapters could have been a bit tighter as I felt the big confrontation and reveals were a little bit rushed, and suddenly the book was finished with you wanting a few more details. Again, some of this will probably come in book 2. I certainly wouldn't say that it was badly written in my opinion. If a book holds my interest and I finish it thinking that it was a decent or good read, minor issues and errors can be overlooked.
Overall I think that this was a promising debut novel with enough new ideas and strong enough plot to deliver over another couple of books. I do want to see less repetition and a slightly tighter plot as this series does have promise. I would certainly be interested enough to read book 2 and see what happens next. Recommended for fans of YA paranormal romance/fantasy.
Raven has hallucinations which she believes are from a mental illness until she realises she is actually seeing real ghosts. Now a ghost called Sam wants to kill her and a misfit group of friends who can also see ghosts are the only ones who can save her.
I liked the plot for this book. It was nice to see a different twist on the ghost stories we normally see in YA paranormal novels. Raven is a girl who wants a normal life and believes that her hallucinations are psychotic episodes, something she tries to hide from her new friends. It was also nice to see that the new kid at the new school fits in and makes friends quickly, instead of this cliche in YA where the new girl gets on the wrong side of a bullying cheerleader on day one! So yea to the author for not following the crowd on that one! I liked the story of Sam stalking her and the methods used by her friends to stop them, which was inventive and different.
For the most part I liked the characters. I had sympathy for Raven's situation, and her friends were less annoying than usual. I liked Simon in particular. I did have a bit of an issue with Damien's moodswings which got a bit annoying after a while but it wasn't a major issue for me overall, and there was a good reason for his behaviour which we discover later. Another little niggle was that the book was a little slow in places for my personal taste but again, it wasn't a major issue.
The one thing that did bug me a bit was the repetition. Every second page, Raven was questioning how she could love Damien so quickly. She was constantly repeating how confused and upset she was every time he was mean to her. She was forever going on about her mixed feelings for him and Simon. It did start to grate on the nerves every time these subjects were brought up again. I think the author could have cut back on that a bit. We get how she feels when told the first two or three times but we don't need to be beaten around the head with it every chapter. There wasn't enough detail for me about Sam's past and what Raven's mum was doing all these years but that is probably going to be revealed in a later book so I can live with that.
I noticed that other readers had an issue with the author's style of writing but I can't say that I personally had any major problems with it. I'm not a professional critic by any means but as a reader, I liked that the story was simple and it flowed well enough for me to stay with it to the end. Maybe the last few chapters could have been a bit tighter as I felt the big confrontation and reveals were a little bit rushed, and suddenly the book was finished with you wanting a few more details. Again, some of this will probably come in book 2. I certainly wouldn't say that it was badly written in my opinion. If a book holds my interest and I finish it thinking that it was a decent or good read, minor issues and errors can be overlooked.
Overall I think that this was a promising debut novel with enough new ideas and strong enough plot to deliver over another couple of books. I do want to see less repetition and a slightly tighter plot as this series does have promise. I would certainly be interested enough to read book 2 and see what happens next. Recommended for fans of YA paranormal romance/fantasy.
November 22, 2013
see this review and more at http://crasyabout.blogspot.com/
Well, it’s not a secret that I have books where the couple is one ghost one human, why? Well, no matter how good the author is, or how great he/she tries to make the ghost appear normal, it’s futile for me. While I am not a big fan of happy endings and would enjoy that everything ends like life does. But with ghost it’s not normal and doomed from the beginning, the relationship I mean. And I mean while you can have a figuratively normal life with other supernatural beings, with ghosts it’s doomed. So when I got the request to review this book, and I read the word ghosts, I was already writing: no thank you, when I noticed that the romance is between two humans or I should rather say one has an ability. What is it? Read on and find out.
Life was never easy for Raven. She moved a lot with her mother, because of her crazy paranoia. And the best thing, well Raven sees ghosts, but she has believed all her life they are all but crazy hallucinations. Moving to new town, doesn’t need to be hard after all, but what to do when your hallucinations are more vivid , when there is a gorgeous boy next door, who has rescued you, and now doesn’t want to say that’s it’s true? What would you do if you find that the boy you love has a secret and that your mother has lied to you all your life, and made you believe you were crazy? Grab your copy of Beyond now to read this and much more.
The book is very good. It has a really good mystery in it and cliffhanger in the end that leaves you screaming for the second book. Well. That’s what I did. While Raven is great and you like her from the beginning, Damian her love interest is so frustrating you would want to strangle him. Who the hell kissed the girl in the ghost form, knowing that she will know him as soon as he kisses her in flesh and then keeps his distance from her accusing her of everything??? And saying: sorry it was a mistake??? Bastard! But in the end I did get a hang on him, and liked him. And my favourite person as always the villain – Sam aka the bad guy, could have been written a little bit better, I still have so many questions about him, guess everything will be revealed in the upcoming books.
And well, I can agree with Raven, I would have shouted and even strangled my own mother if she made me believe that I was crazy. Really how twisted is that? And don’t anyone dare compare her to Jocelyn Fraichild (Clary’s mom from TMI series) she at least didn’t make her own daughter take drugs and tell her that she was crazy.
I think you will like the nook very much. I hope you will. It has its own uniqueness in it which got me hooked. And if I got you interested grab or preorder your copy now. Happy reading!!!! Don’t forget to leave comments! Enjoy the book!!! J J
Well, it’s not a secret that I have books where the couple is one ghost one human, why? Well, no matter how good the author is, or how great he/she tries to make the ghost appear normal, it’s futile for me. While I am not a big fan of happy endings and would enjoy that everything ends like life does. But with ghost it’s not normal and doomed from the beginning, the relationship I mean. And I mean while you can have a figuratively normal life with other supernatural beings, with ghosts it’s doomed. So when I got the request to review this book, and I read the word ghosts, I was already writing: no thank you, when I noticed that the romance is between two humans or I should rather say one has an ability. What is it? Read on and find out.
Life was never easy for Raven. She moved a lot with her mother, because of her crazy paranoia. And the best thing, well Raven sees ghosts, but she has believed all her life they are all but crazy hallucinations. Moving to new town, doesn’t need to be hard after all, but what to do when your hallucinations are more vivid , when there is a gorgeous boy next door, who has rescued you, and now doesn’t want to say that’s it’s true? What would you do if you find that the boy you love has a secret and that your mother has lied to you all your life, and made you believe you were crazy? Grab your copy of Beyond now to read this and much more.
The book is very good. It has a really good mystery in it and cliffhanger in the end that leaves you screaming for the second book. Well. That’s what I did. While Raven is great and you like her from the beginning, Damian her love interest is so frustrating you would want to strangle him. Who the hell kissed the girl in the ghost form, knowing that she will know him as soon as he kisses her in flesh and then keeps his distance from her accusing her of everything??? And saying: sorry it was a mistake??? Bastard! But in the end I did get a hang on him, and liked him. And my favourite person as always the villain – Sam aka the bad guy, could have been written a little bit better, I still have so many questions about him, guess everything will be revealed in the upcoming books.
And well, I can agree with Raven, I would have shouted and even strangled my own mother if she made me believe that I was crazy. Really how twisted is that? And don’t anyone dare compare her to Jocelyn Fraichild (Clary’s mom from TMI series) she at least didn’t make her own daughter take drugs and tell her that she was crazy.
I think you will like the nook very much. I hope you will. It has its own uniqueness in it which got me hooked. And if I got you interested grab or preorder your copy now. Happy reading!!!! Don’t forget to leave comments! Enjoy the book!!! J J
March 3, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Beyond tells the story of Raven who is deperate to fit in. Her friend, Lillian, organises a party and pulls out an Ouijabord. Raven actually doesn't want to use it in fear of her hallucinations but she doesn't dare to say no. Her hallucinations take a turn for the worst, so she runs away from Lillians home in a panic attack. A mysterieus biker, Damian, helps her along the way. Raven has to find out what is real and what isn't.
Beyond has a very original view on ghosts. That gave it a special kind of magical feeling. Also this book has a touch of medical science which brought it closer to the real world. And ofcourse using this magic has extreme consequences...
Additionally the storyline of Beyond is very intriguing. It raises a lot of questions. What do the ghost want from Raven and what is Damians connection to them? That's why you can't stop reading. Also the descriptions of the ghosts are very well done – they really creep you out. I especially like this one:
“I look out the window, and suddenly there's a woman in a shiny gray dress, just standing there. Smoke covers her feet. Her head is hidden under a metal construction that's bolted thight onto her head. Wires run down the construction and into her skull. A blue substance flows through it.”
What I disliked about Beyond is the main narrator, Raven. She is so arrogant and asks herself “Why is he (Damian) being so mean? He must have a good reason for it.” while Damian is very clear about the fact that he doesn't want to talk to her and yet she won’t leave him alone. I had a hard time understanding why she behaved like she did and I couldn’t really sympathize with her.
The most amazing characters are Jianyu and Joey, Damian’s friends. Joey makes a lot of sarcastic remarks, which I really liked. Jianyu is very smart and kind. When Damian had asked Jianyu to join Raven and her friends to the cinema, he did in spite of the bad treatment he got from Ravens friends when he asked if he could join. This is an example of his selflessness and how deeply he cares for his friends which made him a very admirable and likable character.
To sum up: I really liked the storyline, the magical element and Damian's friends but I couldn’t sympathize with the main character.
Beyond tells the story of Raven who is deperate to fit in. Her friend, Lillian, organises a party and pulls out an Ouijabord. Raven actually doesn't want to use it in fear of her hallucinations but she doesn't dare to say no. Her hallucinations take a turn for the worst, so she runs away from Lillians home in a panic attack. A mysterieus biker, Damian, helps her along the way. Raven has to find out what is real and what isn't.
Beyond has a very original view on ghosts. That gave it a special kind of magical feeling. Also this book has a touch of medical science which brought it closer to the real world. And ofcourse using this magic has extreme consequences...
Additionally the storyline of Beyond is very intriguing. It raises a lot of questions. What do the ghost want from Raven and what is Damians connection to them? That's why you can't stop reading. Also the descriptions of the ghosts are very well done – they really creep you out. I especially like this one:
“I look out the window, and suddenly there's a woman in a shiny gray dress, just standing there. Smoke covers her feet. Her head is hidden under a metal construction that's bolted thight onto her head. Wires run down the construction and into her skull. A blue substance flows through it.”
What I disliked about Beyond is the main narrator, Raven. She is so arrogant and asks herself “Why is he (Damian) being so mean? He must have a good reason for it.” while Damian is very clear about the fact that he doesn't want to talk to her and yet she won’t leave him alone. I had a hard time understanding why she behaved like she did and I couldn’t really sympathize with her.
The most amazing characters are Jianyu and Joey, Damian’s friends. Joey makes a lot of sarcastic remarks, which I really liked. Jianyu is very smart and kind. When Damian had asked Jianyu to join Raven and her friends to the cinema, he did in spite of the bad treatment he got from Ravens friends when he asked if he could join. This is an example of his selflessness and how deeply he cares for his friends which made him a very admirable and likable character.
To sum up: I really liked the storyline, the magical element and Damian's friends but I couldn’t sympathize with the main character.
November 21, 2013
OK, so I'm going to be completely honest here and let you guys know that I struggled with this book. The bones of the story are here and there is truly an interesting plot line, I just don't think I connected the way the author was hoping for.
Beyond follows Raven, a 16 year old girl who is new to town and burdened by debilitating hallucinations. Raven's mom keeps her hopped up on anti psychotics, but Raven's mom should probably be taking them too, I got the impression she was a little bi polar. There is a motley crew of secondary characters that aren't always helpful to Raven. The story kicks off with Raven playing around with her new friends and ends up by the end being stalked by a black ghost she is convinced is a hallucination. The story picks up pace quickly after that and we follow Raven as she tries to figure out what is real and what isn't all while trying to seem like a normal 16 year old girl.
I honestly think a major reason I struggled with this book is the tense it is written in. As the reader you follow Raven's story as Raven basically in real time. So for readers that really want to be "in" the story this is your kind of book. For me though it was a little bit harder to follow. I enjoyed the characters for the most part but there were a few scenes when I was distracted by the contradictions in their personalities. Raven's mother is the perfect example, gossiping like a mom that wants to be friends with her daughter one second and two pages later acting like a complete wing nut about going out and having friends. I personally found these contradictions distracting but another reader might not even notice.
This book is seriously fast paced! Raven and her mom seem to have just moved in to town but Raven already has a part time job and friends before she starts her first day of school. Raven meets Damien and almost instantly form a relationship, sometimes to the detriment of other friendships Raven has formed. One thing I absolutely have to point out is the fantastic plot twist about 75% of the way into the book. I didn't see it coming and it clicks so many things into place plot wise.
Over all this was an ok read for me personally. Maybe I just wasn't used to S.P.'s writing style. If you are looking for a New Adult Para-romance this might be the book for you! Just beware that this is the first book in a series so there are definitely some loose ends.
~Notte
Beyond follows Raven, a 16 year old girl who is new to town and burdened by debilitating hallucinations. Raven's mom keeps her hopped up on anti psychotics, but Raven's mom should probably be taking them too, I got the impression she was a little bi polar. There is a motley crew of secondary characters that aren't always helpful to Raven. The story kicks off with Raven playing around with her new friends and ends up by the end being stalked by a black ghost she is convinced is a hallucination. The story picks up pace quickly after that and we follow Raven as she tries to figure out what is real and what isn't all while trying to seem like a normal 16 year old girl.
I honestly think a major reason I struggled with this book is the tense it is written in. As the reader you follow Raven's story as Raven basically in real time. So for readers that really want to be "in" the story this is your kind of book. For me though it was a little bit harder to follow. I enjoyed the characters for the most part but there were a few scenes when I was distracted by the contradictions in their personalities. Raven's mother is the perfect example, gossiping like a mom that wants to be friends with her daughter one second and two pages later acting like a complete wing nut about going out and having friends. I personally found these contradictions distracting but another reader might not even notice.
This book is seriously fast paced! Raven and her mom seem to have just moved in to town but Raven already has a part time job and friends before she starts her first day of school. Raven meets Damien and almost instantly form a relationship, sometimes to the detriment of other friendships Raven has formed. One thing I absolutely have to point out is the fantastic plot twist about 75% of the way into the book. I didn't see it coming and it clicks so many things into place plot wise.
Over all this was an ok read for me personally. Maybe I just wasn't used to S.P.'s writing style. If you are looking for a New Adult Para-romance this might be the book for you! Just beware that this is the first book in a series so there are definitely some loose ends.
~Notte
October 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This deserves from 2.5 to 3 stars.
*sigh* I don’t even know where to begin. The review from the author was appealing to me; there was a ghost that was haunting Raven, a boy that one day save her and the weird connection between them, I really wanted to read this book and find out what may happen to Raven and to them with that connection they felt. I’m kind of disappointed.
You have Raven a girl that has always seen ghost, but all her life she had though there were just hallucinations, until she meets Damian and discover he can see them too. The connection they have is almost instantly, and to be honest I didn't understand it completely, sometimes for me it was just kind of weird. .I hated Damian most of the time, seriously!! That guy can be a douche bag and one of the things I found really annoying is that sometime he took all his anger with everyone around him. Another two characters that annoyed me were Raven’s friends; they were noisy and it seems to me that they always criticized everything that Raven did.
The story, in general, was good and at the end of the book the twist it has is really interesting because the ghost that haunted her knows Raven and Damian. But the writing was poor, there were part were I read the same thing she has already said like three time before (it was annoying) and there were some parts of the book that, for me, didn't make sense. Like a scene where she forgot her keys in the store where she works and when she gets to her house she tries to open the door with a pin instead of looking if her mother is in the house or trying to wait for her, but nooo it was easier to try to break into your house with a pin. And then she star yelling at her mother because she wasn't supposed to be there! At this moment I was yelling WTH!? I didn't get that part.
Another thing I didn't like was that I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters; I didn't understand Raven or felt what she felt. Most of the time I can understand the characters of a book or feel what they feel, but in this occasion none of that happened.
Now all I have to say is that beside all the bad stuff in this book, the story, the plot in the end was good and interesting and it lives you with the curiosity of how the ghost Sam knows Ravens.
This deserves from 2.5 to 3 stars.
*sigh* I don’t even know where to begin. The review from the author was appealing to me; there was a ghost that was haunting Raven, a boy that one day save her and the weird connection between them, I really wanted to read this book and find out what may happen to Raven and to them with that connection they felt. I’m kind of disappointed.
You have Raven a girl that has always seen ghost, but all her life she had though there were just hallucinations, until she meets Damian and discover he can see them too. The connection they have is almost instantly, and to be honest I didn't understand it completely, sometimes for me it was just kind of weird. .I hated Damian most of the time, seriously!! That guy can be a douche bag and one of the things I found really annoying is that sometime he took all his anger with everyone around him. Another two characters that annoyed me were Raven’s friends; they were noisy and it seems to me that they always criticized everything that Raven did.
The story, in general, was good and at the end of the book the twist it has is really interesting because the ghost that haunted her knows Raven and Damian. But the writing was poor, there were part were I read the same thing she has already said like three time before (it was annoying) and there were some parts of the book that, for me, didn't make sense. Like a scene where she forgot her keys in the store where she works and when she gets to her house she tries to open the door with a pin instead of looking if her mother is in the house or trying to wait for her, but nooo it was easier to try to break into your house with a pin. And then she star yelling at her mother because she wasn't supposed to be there! At this moment I was yelling WTH!? I didn't get that part.
Another thing I didn't like was that I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters; I didn't understand Raven or felt what she felt. Most of the time I can understand the characters of a book or feel what they feel, but in this occasion none of that happened.
Now all I have to say is that beside all the bad stuff in this book, the story, the plot in the end was good and interesting and it lives you with the curiosity of how the ghost Sam knows Ravens.
November 15, 2013
i received an ARC from the author in exchange for an Honest review.
i want to like this book but I just can't. I liked the story enough. It should have been promising but the writing style bothered me. It was kind of awkward and it gives the impression that the heroine was vain and overlydramatic who thinks of herself as a very attractive girl.
"i wouldn't know what to say anyway. All i know is that I ripped his heart from his chest, thrust it onto the ground and crushed it with my feet." - when a guy tried to kiss her and she left him
I did enjoy some parts but there were a lot of inconsistencies in some scenes. I was like, wth??! One minute she was trying to pick the lock on their door because she forgot the keys and her mom won't be back soon. And when she opened it she saw her mom waiting for her and they talked like the lock picking didn't happen. Maybe she could have just checked if her mom's car was there so she could have just knocked. And there was damian's home where she rode her bike to get there when it was mentioned that their house practically faced each other.
Anyways.... I really wish this was written better. I'm kind of sad that I didn't enjoy this fully. And i could have. A lot of things in the book just bothered me.
I'm not a fan of both the H&h. They are so weird and the heroine needs psychological help, even without the ghosts. Since the story was in her pov, we can see glimpses of how bothered her brain is. At least the other characters were ok enough, specially simon and the cheng boy.
My rating; 3.4 stars. I might read the sequel when it goes live. I like the story. It's the writing that bothered me.
i want to like this book but I just can't. I liked the story enough. It should have been promising but the writing style bothered me. It was kind of awkward and it gives the impression that the heroine was vain and overlydramatic who thinks of herself as a very attractive girl.
"i wouldn't know what to say anyway. All i know is that I ripped his heart from his chest, thrust it onto the ground and crushed it with my feet." - when a guy tried to kiss her and she left him
I did enjoy some parts but there were a lot of inconsistencies in some scenes. I was like, wth??! One minute she was trying to pick the lock on their door because she forgot the keys and her mom won't be back soon. And when she opened it she saw her mom waiting for her and they talked like the lock picking didn't happen. Maybe she could have just checked if her mom's car was there so she could have just knocked. And there was damian's home where she rode her bike to get there when it was mentioned that their house practically faced each other.
Anyways.... I really wish this was written better. I'm kind of sad that I didn't enjoy this fully. And i could have. A lot of things in the book just bothered me.
I'm not a fan of both the H&h. They are so weird and the heroine needs psychological help, even without the ghosts. Since the story was in her pov, we can see glimpses of how bothered her brain is. At least the other characters were ok enough, specially simon and the cheng boy.
My rating; 3.4 stars. I might read the sequel when it goes live. I like the story. It's the writing that bothered me.
December 31, 2013
I was so excited to receive this book. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I've had my eye on it for awhile. Boy, was I disappointed.
Every pet peeve of mine was pretty much covered in this book. The plot itself is a good (and refreshingly new) idea. The way the book was built around it? Not so much. As an unabashed lover of all things paranormal, I thought the ghost aspect would be an interesting new way to delve into the genre. And it was, except this book fell flat.
My main dig with this book is the dialogue. None of it sounds like how I would imagine real people talking. And there was too much information being dumped with the dialogue. I come to dread seeing " as I got farther into the book.
Absolutely none of the characters reached out to me. Lillian and Emma? Catty mean girls. Damian? Douchebag bad boy with a motorcycle. Raven? Annoying, special snowflake teenager. The inner dialogue for Raven was so drawn out and repetitive. And there were numerous times were the story had mistakes. The biggest that stands out is the location of Damian's house to Raven's. Is it across the street or down the block?
Overall, this plot has so much potential. But everything surrounding it makes it get lost. I would be hard pressed to recommend this book to anyone.
**I was gifted this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author and/or publisher.
Every pet peeve of mine was pretty much covered in this book. The plot itself is a good (and refreshingly new) idea. The way the book was built around it? Not so much. As an unabashed lover of all things paranormal, I thought the ghost aspect would be an interesting new way to delve into the genre. And it was, except this book fell flat.
My main dig with this book is the dialogue. None of it sounds like how I would imagine real people talking. And there was too much information being dumped with the dialogue. I come to dread seeing " as I got farther into the book.
Absolutely none of the characters reached out to me. Lillian and Emma? Catty mean girls. Damian? Douchebag bad boy with a motorcycle. Raven? Annoying, special snowflake teenager. The inner dialogue for Raven was so drawn out and repetitive. And there were numerous times were the story had mistakes. The biggest that stands out is the location of Damian's house to Raven's. Is it across the street or down the block?
Overall, this plot has so much potential. But everything surrounding it makes it get lost. I would be hard pressed to recommend this book to anyone.
**I was gifted this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author and/or publisher.
November 25, 2013
I was given this book as an ARC for free by the author and the Lovers of Paranormal goodreads group in exchange for an honest review
I will start off by saying that I’ve never written a bad review and I really hate to. I understand that the author has put a lot of time and hard work into this book, which I appreciate, and you should read it for yourself to decide if you like it or not.
I had many issues with Beyond. I really wanted to enjoy it as the premise is a very good one. However, it was unfortunately poorly written. I found it to be choppy, rushed and forced. The main female character, Raven, had no likable qualities in my opinion but I kept hoping they would come to light. I found her to be whiny, bratty and shallow and for me she stayed that way throughout the entire book.
I also found the story lacking in substance and very repetitive with not many answers given. I really did want to like this book and was very excited to read it. Maybe I’ll revisit it later if it gets more editing done to it.
Like I said, I hate to give a book a bad review but my honesty was asked for, so I’m giving it. I do want to thank the author for putting her time into this and for giving me the opportunity to read it.
I will start off by saying that I’ve never written a bad review and I really hate to. I understand that the author has put a lot of time and hard work into this book, which I appreciate, and you should read it for yourself to decide if you like it or not.
I had many issues with Beyond. I really wanted to enjoy it as the premise is a very good one. However, it was unfortunately poorly written. I found it to be choppy, rushed and forced. The main female character, Raven, had no likable qualities in my opinion but I kept hoping they would come to light. I found her to be whiny, bratty and shallow and for me she stayed that way throughout the entire book.
I also found the story lacking in substance and very repetitive with not many answers given. I really did want to like this book and was very excited to read it. Maybe I’ll revisit it later if it gets more editing done to it.
Like I said, I hate to give a book a bad review but my honesty was asked for, so I’m giving it. I do want to thank the author for putting her time into this and for giving me the opportunity to read it.
December 10, 2013
Beyond, that’s what I call an old fashion YA book: romance, drama, adventure, mystery, good guy, bad guy, good friends, jealousy all mixted in one book and you have a successful one add to that it’s a sequel , now I have to wait the second part, can’t wait to that.
Raven a typical teenager with a typical problem, she sees dead people and almost dead people and that’s what exactly Damian is a “temporarily ghost” and that’s how they knew each other because from the start his trying to protect her. And that’s what is called love from the first site and I just adore those kind of stories.
So anyone there is also Joey whose a good friend of Damien and a womanizer of course and the supposedly friends of Raven Lillian and Emma . And of course the villain which is Sam .
Ok so book is like an introduction to the nexts and I insist on the S f nexts because it can be a reallyyyyy good sequel with the right spices and also still there is a lot a tell about the main characters “Raven and Damian” and even “Sam”.
So now we wait and we wait and we wait and I have to confess I m not a patient person specially for a good book like that.
November 29, 2013
http://amberleannbookreviews.blogspot...
I Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has look so interesting to me for a while now. I just wanted to read it so much so when I was able to get a copy of it I was so happy to read it.
I really liked this book, it's kind of short but it has some mystery to it.
I liked the characters, I sometimes felt the characters where over the top but it was still pretty good.
It's a paranormal book which I liked because I'm trying to get away from dystopian. It was pretty good the only thing I didn't really like is this book leaves you with just TONS of questions. Like nothing really fits together all that well so you have to really wonder about everything and try to piece it together. I'm guessing the second book will probably help all the questions and make things better the only problem is this book just came out so it will be a while tell the next one does. *Sigh* never the less I liked this book and want to read the second one.
I Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has look so interesting to me for a while now. I just wanted to read it so much so when I was able to get a copy of it I was so happy to read it.
I really liked this book, it's kind of short but it has some mystery to it.
I liked the characters, I sometimes felt the characters where over the top but it was still pretty good.
It's a paranormal book which I liked because I'm trying to get away from dystopian. It was pretty good the only thing I didn't really like is this book leaves you with just TONS of questions. Like nothing really fits together all that well so you have to really wonder about everything and try to piece it together. I'm guessing the second book will probably help all the questions and make things better the only problem is this book just came out so it will be a while tell the next one does. *Sigh* never the less I liked this book and want to read the second one.
December 24, 2013
Heather's Review:
I’ll start by saying that I don’t generally read young adult genre but I do love the supernatural/paranormal genre. I found at times it was difficult to really connect with some of the characters but it was just the opposite with the plot line.
I don’t give spoilers so there isn’t much I can say about details but in general, there are some inconsistencies that can be a bit frustrating but overall they really didn’t upset the plot for me but others might find them more disruptive.
Even though I didn’t really connect with Raven, I did feel for her and the lies she was led to believe from her mother. Personally, I kept expecting that “something” to happen but it was about two thirds through the book before I truly felt rewarded.
Overall, there was potential for more, so in those lines I was left wanting. That being said, I am really excited for the next installment. I have a strong feeling that the characters, especially Raven and Damien, will develop a stronger connection not only to each other but the reader as well.
Rating:
3 out of 5
I’ll start by saying that I don’t generally read young adult genre but I do love the supernatural/paranormal genre. I found at times it was difficult to really connect with some of the characters but it was just the opposite with the plot line.
I don’t give spoilers so there isn’t much I can say about details but in general, there are some inconsistencies that can be a bit frustrating but overall they really didn’t upset the plot for me but others might find them more disruptive.
Even though I didn’t really connect with Raven, I did feel for her and the lies she was led to believe from her mother. Personally, I kept expecting that “something” to happen but it was about two thirds through the book before I truly felt rewarded.
Overall, there was potential for more, so in those lines I was left wanting. That being said, I am really excited for the next installment. I have a strong feeling that the characters, especially Raven and Damien, will develop a stronger connection not only to each other but the reader as well.
Rating:
3 out of 5
February 25, 2014
After reading the synopsis, I have to say I was very intrigued. I loved the plot and the whole concept of the book I just think it needs a little work.
I was a little disappointed at some of the errors, eg repetitions throughout the story, where Damian lived, was a little confusing and just in general the characters which I have to say I didn't connect to any of them.
Damian he was all over the place really nice guy one minute then totally weird psycho type the next. Raven hmm, didn't really get her, she was ok one minute and strange the next especially towards her mother, their relationship was strange also it seemed like they had a really good relationship at first then that went out the window and they were basically shouting at each other all the time.
Overall I think it was a good book, it could be a great book I with a few changes I will definitely read the next one as I am intrigued to find out where the story goes.
Thanks to the author and (LOP) for this one in return for an honest review.
I was a little disappointed at some of the errors, eg repetitions throughout the story, where Damian lived, was a little confusing and just in general the characters which I have to say I didn't connect to any of them.
Damian he was all over the place really nice guy one minute then totally weird psycho type the next. Raven hmm, didn't really get her, she was ok one minute and strange the next especially towards her mother, their relationship was strange also it seemed like they had a really good relationship at first then that went out the window and they were basically shouting at each other all the time.
Overall I think it was a good book, it could be a great book I with a few changes I will definitely read the next one as I am intrigued to find out where the story goes.
Thanks to the author and (LOP) for this one in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I thank the author for my copy.
Now, I did not like this book. At all. Usually when I dislike a book, it's more me than the book, but this time I think it's all on the book. The writing needed some serious work. And that really got to me because the author has potential. There was an interesting story line, just very poor execution. It felt a little like reading bad fanfiction. I don't know if maybe I should blame the editors or something, but the writing could use some major development. I also thought that there were certain aspects of the story that were far to cliche, mainly the love interest. He was just so typical, in my opinion. And the main character was very irritating.
Anyway, obviously, I didn't enjoy this book. I couldn't even finish it. This was all mainly because of the writing, if that were better I might have enjoyed this novel.
Now, I did not like this book. At all. Usually when I dislike a book, it's more me than the book, but this time I think it's all on the book. The writing needed some serious work. And that really got to me because the author has potential. There was an interesting story line, just very poor execution. It felt a little like reading bad fanfiction. I don't know if maybe I should blame the editors or something, but the writing could use some major development. I also thought that there were certain aspects of the story that were far to cliche, mainly the love interest. He was just so typical, in my opinion. And the main character was very irritating.
Anyway, obviously, I didn't enjoy this book. I couldn't even finish it. This was all mainly because of the writing, if that were better I might have enjoyed this novel.
December 6, 2013
I received a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me a chance to read the book and review it. The book was ok. The plot was good and different from the books I've read but like others said that it is poorly written. The book is about Raven, a girl who is haunted by ghosts. One day a mysterious guy-Damien saves her life and from that day onwards they have a connection. Together they uncovered why the ghosts were haunting her.
There were parts I liked but there were some parts where the main characters were very frustrating. Throughout the book I felt that Damien had a lot of mood swings which I just didn't like. But the book was good and I enjoyed it.
There were parts I liked but there were some parts where the main characters were very frustrating. Throughout the book I felt that Damien had a lot of mood swings which I just didn't like. But the book was good and I enjoyed it.
July 26, 2016
I won this in a giveaway, so I have an urge to be generous with the rating, but I truly had a difficult time finishing this book. It had an interesting story line, but it grew more outlandish as the book progressed (not only the plot, but the character relationships, especially with her mom). I am also a mature reader (over 50) and I couldn't connect to the high school angst/clique/drama and simple conversation. This is an appropriate book for 14-18 year olds that like paranormal, ghost-type stories, but readers with a complex palette may find this offering a bit bland, and possibly annoying with the teen emotions. I give it a medium rating (2.5), even though it wasn't for me, because it may appeal to some high schoolers who can relate to it better than I.
February 20, 2014
This book started very off¸, I didn't like beginning much but it turns out that I was sitting on the edge of my chair until the end and waiting to found what will be happened next.Story line between Raven friendship with Lillian and Emma was strange ,the way Damian act forward Raven was also off sometimes and I was wondering why this girl stick with guy like that , esp. since she just meet him, Simon is character which I found completely necessary in this book but well I like idea where this story might go. This isn't the best book I have ever read but it was fun, easy read and it was just what I excepted that YA paranormal book will be. I'm sure that I will read 2nd part too as soon as I get a chance.
-I got this book from author and LoP for honest review.-
-I got this book from author and LoP for honest review.-
January 22, 2014
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ---> http://bookerlikeahooker.blogspot.com.tr Giveaway will end, end of January 2014
This book is pretty good for a debut novel. Honestly I have this book's ARC so many weeks ago but I haven't got a chance to read..until yesterday. I wish I read this after getting an ARC from Author.
For a long time I haven't read paranormal novels and like I said first,it was pretty good.
I almost every feeling on the earth. I was mad,I was happy,I was curious and I was really excited.
I love it when I found my some parts in a book. My friends can say I'm a 'little bit'' paranoiac but I'm fine with lol.
This book is pretty good for a debut novel. Honestly I have this book's ARC so many weeks ago but I haven't got a chance to read..until yesterday. I wish I read this after getting an ARC from Author.
For a long time I haven't read paranormal novels and like I said first,it was pretty good.
I almost every feeling on the earth. I was mad,I was happy,I was curious and I was really excited.
I love it when I found my some parts in a book. My friends can say I'm a 'little bit'' paranoiac but I'm fine with lol.
November 24, 2013
I received an ARC and asked to give an honest review. and let me say, it wasn't have bad.
I liked the whole plot, and I'm not a fan of ghost stories, so that says something. it was good, the way the story unfolded and how the characters and different ghost came together, but there were small problems.
Damian is said to be this all badass hot character, and where he wins in hotness he kind of lacks in badassness. he gets red and uncomfortable and shy. And thats the totally opposite of what I would aspect or kind of like.
But overall die boek was lekker and I enjoyed it..
I liked the whole plot, and I'm not a fan of ghost stories, so that says something. it was good, the way the story unfolded and how the characters and different ghost came together, but there were small problems.
Damian is said to be this all badass hot character, and where he wins in hotness he kind of lacks in badassness. he gets red and uncomfortable and shy. And thats the totally opposite of what I would aspect or kind of like.
But overall die boek was lekker and I enjoyed it..
February 27, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review for the group Lovers of Paranormal.
This was my first ghost book and i thought it was ok.
I really liked the main character Raven in this book and i also think Simon is a cutie!
But the trouble is that it's a story right away.
There was no fundamental base for the story and i missed that. Although i liked the way the story moved, the whole time i was feeling like i was missing something.
I am not sure i want to continue with the series, although i would like to know what happens to Raven, her mom and Simon.
This was my first ghost book and i thought it was ok.
I really liked the main character Raven in this book and i also think Simon is a cutie!
But the trouble is that it's a story right away.
There was no fundamental base for the story and i missed that. Although i liked the way the story moved, the whole time i was feeling like i was missing something.
I am not sure i want to continue with the series, although i would like to know what happens to Raven, her mom and Simon.
November 25, 2013
I found the characters hard to connect to but I loved the plot. I don't generally read YA but I do love reading paranormal/supernatural plots. I do think that the next installment will be better I read an ARC copy so the inconsistencies that were in the plot may not be in the finished published version. I know for some those kinds of inconsistencies can detract from the story, they really didn't bother me too much.
December 5, 2013
A beautiful cover! This novel has plenty of potential: a great plot, an interesting take on ghosts and the people who can see them, and there are some suspenseful scenes. The main characters do have some likeable qualities, but need a little more development before the reader will really cheer for them. However, I think Jianyu is great. The second book in the series will hopefully have a more detailed storyline.
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