Review // Shimmer - Alyson Noel

Riley Bloom is starting to get to grips with being dead. OK, so she'll never turn thirteen, but she can manifest anything she desires. And, after her first success as a Soul Catcher, she's finally got her 'glow' on. Then she meets Rebecca - a furious ghost who is trapped on Earth, desperate to seek revenge for her own death - and Riley's determined to help her, even if it means defying her cute-but-annoying guide, Bodhi, and breaking all the rules...

Shimmer, is the second book in the Riley Bloom series [a sort of spin off of the Immortals series].
The first book, Radiance, wasn't really one of the best books i'd read but as a book lover with slight OCD, I feel obliged to continue the rest of the series anyway (sometimes they get better and become great!)

The first few chapters of Shimmer just didn't interest me at all. It's sad really because whilst reading the Immortals, I *loved* Riley and wanted to know more about her, but this series just doesn't hook me at all. I kept reading though and surprisingly, it got better!

It still isn't brilliant by any standards but a little after the half way point, I actually started caring about what was happening. Shimmer seemed to be full of moral questioning and whilst I usually don't like that, it worked here. The next book in the series, Dreamland, is out now and of course i'll be reading it and hopefully I stay interested in Riley, Bodhi and Buttercup but for me, the Riley Bloom books are nothing in comparison to the ones about Ever.

 

Goodreads Challenge 7/50

Chick Lit Challenge 0/5
Debut Author Challenge 0/5
Dystopian Challenge 0/5
Paranormal Fantasy Challenge 1/5

Everlasting - Alyson Noel

Ever and Damen have loved and lost each other for hundreds of years - facing deadly enemies, dark secrets and a powerful curse. Now their love will be tested to its limit.
Ever and Damen finally have the chance to discover their true destiny. The choice they're about to make will unite them - or tear them apart - forever.

*Contains spoilers*
 
The last book in the Immortals series is very different from the five previous stories. We get to delve deeply into Ever's previous lives and there are so many connections to be made with not just Ever and Damen, but ALL of the characters.

I have a bit of a problem with the middle of the book. When it is revealed that Ever, Damen, Jude, Drina, Roman, Ava, Romy, Rayne, Haven and whoever else I may have missed, have been vital from the *first* life right up until this one, and will continue to be important - things get a bit silly. It's really hard to concentrate on and there is a lot of information to take on board. It just seemed as though Noel had something important to say and never really got there.
As always though, that's purely my opinion.

I DID enjoy the book though. The ending was beautiful and though it played out exactly as I thought it would, it wasn't boring in the slightest. Who doesn't love a visit from Riley? ;)
I'm going to be a little bit lost for a while having no Immortals to keep me company, but i've had fun with Ever's story and it's time to put her away and move on...!


Books Read In 2011: 53

Dark Flame - Alyson Noel

Roman. Damen. Jude. One is Ever's deadly enemy. One her great love. And the third might be the answer to all her problems. But Ever is trapped - bound by secrets, magyck and an uncontrollable passion beating in her veins.


She's being drawn towards someone - something - that risks everything she holds dear. And the one thing that can save her will also drive Damen away forever...

Book 4 in the Immortals series was such a big improvement on the previous 2 books. I was beginning to wonder if Noel had lost her way a little during the series but I am SO glad that i'm hooked again. The relationships that have been made and severed in this book are so big that I simply can't wait to see what becomes of it. Ever is once again becoming a character that I like and am interested in and I think the development of Haven is brilliant. It'll be interesting to see the dynamics between the two of them once Miles is back in town.

To anyone out there, who like me, lost interest over book 2 and 3, then I urge you to keep on reading as it does get much better :)

Unfortunately it's going to be a while until I can read the next in the series but it is definitely on my list of Christmas reading!

Currently Reading: - Yet to be decided.
Books Read In 2011: 48

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom is the sole survivor of a car accident that killed her family. Exiled to sunny California, Ever is haunted by her little sister and by the ability to see people's auras, hear their thoughts and know their entire life story by touching them. She wants to hide from the world, but when a stunningly handsome new guy arrives at school, she can't seem to keep away. Falling in love with Damen is dangerous - but he's not what he seems. But if Damen is her destiny, how can Ever walk away?

Evermore was really easy to read and get into which, for some reason, I wasn't expecting. Before i'd realised, the book was finished. It's always nice to just absorb a book like that. Like Ever, i automatically (wrongly)assumed that Damen and Drina were vampires, so i was pleasantly surprised that this became a completely different story. I don't think i've read a book quite the same as this before and that's definitely a good thing as i've read so many recently.

I found it both funny and sad - I even cried at one part! It's a series and i'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence & Blue Moon - Alyson Noel
Books Read in 2011: 36