Touched by Cyn Balog

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Supernatural, psychic ability, magic, curses

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 307 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Summary/ product description: “Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.
But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?
In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . .”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This is probably Cyn Balog’s best yet. The story seems deeper and darker and very well thought out. Her first 3 books were just short and light. This one leaves a deeper impression. The romance is more believable, even if Nick can see what’s coming. The depiction of Nick’s ability to see his own future is interesting and overwhelming. The possibilities are endless, the decisions are hard, and if he veers of scripts, the changes can be drastic and even deadly. It kind of reminds me of the movies Next (with Nicolas Cage) and The Butterfly Effect, and towards the end, Final Destination. And then the ending (last 20 pages or so) was happy and less exciting. I figured Nan would do that. I really did like the characters though. Taryn was funny and sassy, always saying “Duh.” Nick was very self-deprecating, and had low-self-esteem. He was relatable, but in an extreme situation. As far as stand-alones go, it wrapped up pretty nicely, but the climax was rushed, and the after-the-fact dragged on a bit too long. I really enjoyed this. And I also like the Seaside setting with the carnival. I think it might be the same area that Starstruck was set in. This makes it a great end-of summer-read

Note: This book was titled Living Backwards, but the author changed it to Touched before it was published.

Cover Art Review: Really nice and mysterious. That carnival looks really creepy. I love Cliff Nielson’s illustrations! He also did the Mortal Instruments covers. He’s awesome.

~Haley G

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Publisher: Macmillan: Feiwel & Friends

Series: Of Poseidon (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Mermaids, supernatural, magic, fish, New Jersey

Length: 324 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .
Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.”

My Rating: êêêê1/2

My Review: Another great mermaid book! Yay! Loving the merfolk stories this summer…of course Galen does not appreciate being called a mermaid. They’re called Syrena. I love this very unique take on the mermaid folklore. The Poseidon and Triton were brother Syrena generals rather than a God and his son. That all Triton descendants have dark hair, olive skin and violet eyes, while the Poseidons have lighter coloring. I’m not really spoiling anything, just clarifying any info dumps about appearances (it’s better to know how the characters look ahead time).

I thought that Emma’s ability to talk to fish and sea creatures/swimming creatures was pretty funny at times. It doesn’t seem like a very useful ability (Aquaman…ehhem….). But apparently it comes in handy if your drowning, being attacked by a shark or in need of sea food….yeah, I’d say the holding your breath for a very long time seems much more useful. But how cool would it be to talk to dolphins and penguins, and have them understand you? I’d be able to take some amazing photos…

I really did like Galen. He sounded very hot, even though he had a lot to learn about how to act human. He wasn’t up with the lingo we use. It was pretty funny. And Rayna, the feisty, girly Syrena sis of Galen. Her and Emma hated each other so much at the beginning. The relationship really changed later on. And Toraf, Rayna’s mate, he seemed like a nice guy.

I recommend this book if you enjoy mermaid books, or even paranormal romance. This book has a great (forbidden) romance. Also good if you liked Josephine Angelini’s Starcrossed series.

Cover Art Review: The cover looks greener in person. It looks blue on the computer screen. I love the image of the girl floating upwards, and the title typeface. The typeface looks art-deco, but a more modern, girly kind. I really like the cover. Teal and pink always look amazing together, because they’re almost complementary (but really would be a triad if yellow was added. Very well done cover.

~Haley G