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

Fury’s Fire by Lisa Papademetriou

Series: Siren’s Storm (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Furies, sirens, mermaids, Greek mythology, supernatural, love, New York

Age/Grade Level: Teens

Length: 242 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $16.99

Publisher: Random House

Summary/ product description: “At the end of Siren's Storm, the Sirens were defeated, and now the town of Walfang is once again a peaceful beach community.
Or is it? Gretchen and Will are still haunted by the memories of the night the Sirens were destroyed—Gretchen because she can't remember what happened and Will because he doesn't know how to tell Gretchen what he saw. He doesn't even understand what he saw, but he does know now that Gretchen is more than what she seems, more than a human girl. And at the same time, he is more in love with her than ever.
Gretchen knows there's something wrong, too. She feels like an alien in her own body, but she doesn't know why. And she feels a presence stalking her at every turn. Have the Sirens returned to Walfang? Or has some other force come to claim her?”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: Great sequel. Better and deeper than the first book. The mythology just keeps getting better and better. Gretchen’s becoming the Fury! It reminds me of the Angelfire series mixed with Tricia Rayburn’s Siren series. The book goes a lot faster and is way shorter, but it still leaves an impression. I love the resort town setting, and the mysterious happenings. Sleepy seaside towns full of dark secrets and creatures. Sirens and a Fury. Gretchen is a great character. Will’s okay, but I like Angus better. He’s funny and always looking for a story. Asia’s gone, but the story goes on.

If you’re looking for a mermaid book, this series doesn’t include any sea kingdoms or mer-people. These are sirens. Bad mermaids. If you liked the Siren series, this series is similar.

Cover Art Review: I like the color, and the hair. But it feels boring otherwise. It needs more to say that it’s paranormal. The glow and flames on the title looks cool.

~Haley G

Siren’s Storm by Lisa Papademetriou

Series: (not sure, but the sequel will be Fury’s Fire)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Sirens, mermaids, supernatural, love, New York, Long Island, The Hamptons, Greek mythology, Calypso, Furies, seaside resorts,

Length: 260 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident. Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people. Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to wonder: Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?”

My Rating: ê ê ê 1/2

My Review: Just to clarify, Asia is the siren. No spoiler there. The book seems a bit creepy at the beginnings, but it’s not as mysterious as I hoped it would be. Not like Tricia Rayburn’s Siren. The characters didn’t stand out to me, but the dialog was pretty good. Will’s friend Angus was the funny, gossipy reporter dude. He was probably the most interesting character. Funny name too. As with most siren novels, the setting is a seaside town. I liked how will depicted the whole summer residents vs. residents thing, but it could’ve used some characters that were temporary summer people.

What I really enjoyed about this books was how it connected to Greek mythology. In high school, I had to read some of the Odyssey, so the whole Calypso thing was familiar to me (and also cuz the Percy Jackson series). I’m hoping that the next book will include more mythology. I really want to know what’s up with Gretchen! What is she?

Cover Art Review: I love the photo on this cover! The model’s hair strands look so awesome. The picture is perfectly focus on the mouth area, and the rest is softened and blurred. The eye is so green! I wish the title was a bit bigger, but I love the font. The back cover has a beach dune ocean scene on it. I also like the seashell designs on the side.

~Haley G