On the Bright Side by S.R. Johannes Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on the On the Bright Side Blog Tour!

S.R. Johannes is the author of Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and On The Bright Side ( a tween paranormal). She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.

On the Bright Side
Publisher: Coleman & Stott

Synopsis:

On the Bright Side is a hilarious road to guardian angeldom paved with so much drama and due-paying that it makes middle school look painless.

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. Until Gabby finds out she has to protect Angela, her school nemesis, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. Problem is, Angela is now hitting on Gabby's should-have-been boyfriend. (awkward!)

Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (like tripping is a sin?) at the hopes of cooling off the new couple. At first, they seem harmless until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, her Celestial Sky Agent, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, puts Gabby on probation, threatening her eternal future.

Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death.

Praises for On The Bright Side

"S.R. Johannes delivers a cute paranormal thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series and soon to be TV show

Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read! -Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” - Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)

Praises for Untraceable

"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!" -Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder series (Harper Teen) and The Pledge series (S&S)

"This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page." - Kirkus Reviews

2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Quarterfinalist (under the original title of Grace Under Fire) - Judges Reviews:

"This story starts out with a bang...it reads like the young woman were narrating it to a friend, and had the ring of a young person's style and intensity. Grace sees authority people, or at least those she knows, as a bit bumbling, which is true to age. Authentic representation of youth in action also. Original in premise and style, and good use of background...Good story!" - Sue Grafton, author of bestselling Kinsey Milhone series

"This murder mystery features a teenaged heroine, but she has the self assurance of a woman twice her age. The prose is very descriptive...and the dialogue is genuine. The setting of small town North Carolina and the surrounding woods is appealing. The story moves along at a brisk clip, and it feels as if we already have some important clues. We look forward to seeing what's in the case file and what Grace and her motorbike, Luci, will be up to next." - Sue Monk Kidd, author of Secret Life of Bees

Purchase Information

ISBNs
ebook: (available jan 31^st)

ISBN 10 – 0984799117

13 - 978-0-9847991-1-4

Paperback (available in Feb)

ISBN-10: 0984799133

ISBN-13: 978-0-9847991-3-8

How to Buy:

Paperback will be available in Feb.

To buy the Kindle ebook - The ebook is $2.99 and can be purchased at amazon

Book Trailer:

http://faeriality.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-bright-side-trailer.html

TO RECEIVE AUTHOR NEWS

If you would like to get periodic author news on my upcoming special edition in Jan or on the release of my future books, please register your email address here. I do not expect to send more than one email a month.

Contact information:

Email: shelli@srjohannes.com

Social Media

Blog: http://faeriality.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/srjohannes

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SRJohannes/249888602550

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes

Untracable Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12731861-untraceable

On The Bright Side Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13251805-on-the-bright-side

In His Eyes Anthology Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13331838-in-his-eyes-anthology

Other Bloggers' Giveaways

(YA)Y! books: WIN THIS BOOK! Savoy (Celia Rees): Welcome to this stop on the Young Adult Giveaway Hop !

ROOTS IN MYTH: Lucky Leprechaun Hop—ASHFALL by Mike Mullin: I'm thrilled to be participating in the LUCKY LEPRECHAUN GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by Inspired Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer . It's simple...

Savoy is a privileged English lady who runs into trouble
head-first when she goes looking for her missing father during the crux of the
French Revolution and just as England is in turmoil trying to avoid a revolution
of their own. She disguises herself both as a highway robber and as a proper
young lady, befriending a notorious but dashing criminal, a studious American,
and a cross-dressing prostitute along the way.
If you like European history and the French Revolution,
you’ll like this book- there’s a lot of history deeply interwoven into the plot.
It’s even a little Sherlock Holmes-y with a dark mystery running through as
well. I enjoyed the strong female character- you have to love a spunky leading
lady in historical fiction where there is more at stake. However, I didn’t think
there was enough personal story to counteract the crazy historical territory the
author covered. With all those male characters, I was hoping for a little more
drama on that front.


5th Year Blogoversary!! From Jessica @ A Great Read

It's my 5th Year Blogoversary!! 5 years ago today I started my blog, back then blogging was still pretty low key and I was still learning. And boy did I learn a lot! Each year I was picking up new things and new followers as well! I remember being ecstatic when I reach 100 followers, now I'm up to 700!!!

So it's time for a giveaway! As I enter many giveaways (and even win a few!), I want to share the love! Hence there will be 2 winners! Since I also reached 700 followers this week that means a contest as well!

http://jessica-agreatread.blogspot.com/2012/01/5th-year-blogoversary.html

Ilike Merey Guest Post, Pictures, and a + e 4ever Giveaway!

http://www.gennasarnak.com/?p=3494

In My Mailbox (Week of January 23, 2012)

In My Mailbox is a weekly memo hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.


Review:
H2O - Austin Boyd and Brannon Hollingsworth

Won:
Spontaneous Happiness - Andrew Weil

Bought:
Talnut - J. H. Wear
Ghost Tigers - D. R. Johnson
Switched - Amanda Hocking
The Dark Elite - Chloe Neill

So what was in your mailbox this week?

Super Butterfly Gif

I made a gif of all the beautiful butterfly related stuff together. I was about to put it in a special blog post but it was too much. So here it is in a whole different blog post because it needed to be its own special thing.  Enjoy!

Click on the picture to see the gif.

In My Mailbox (Week of January 16, 2012)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren to share with everyone the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review.

Won:




Indulge by Megan Duncan and some swag bookmarks from her blog.

The Day is Dark by Yrsa Signurdardottir from Hachette Canada.

 This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel from HCCFrenzy.

Review:

Ecopy of On the Bright Side by Shelli Johannes



Ecopu of Sweet Enemy by Heather Snow

   Ecopy of Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak

What was in your mailbox? :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Sister Edition

Weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine.Spotlighting upcoming releases that readers and review bloggers are eagerly anticipating.

Ok this week's WOW is going to be dedicated to my sister. All the books are basically the books she had been waiting to read for YEARS!

Fear: A Gone Novel #5 By Michael Grant

Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 3, 2012)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

This is a blood-pumping, white-knuckle sci-fi thriller of epic proportions. Night is falling in the FAYZ. Even though it's been nearly a year since everyone over the age of fifteen disappeared, the sun has continued to shine on the kids of Perdido Beach. Now, though, the gaiaphage has blotted out the sun and plunged the FAYZ into perpetual gloom. Divided and dispirited, the survivors face their greatest enemy yet - the darkness of their own minds...

Bitterblue (The Seven Kindom #3) by Kristin Cashore

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Dial (May 1, 2012)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

What is your WOW?

Guest Post: Fun Qs with S.R. Johannes

Welcome authour S.R. Johannes!

S.R. Johannes lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. You can find her hanging out online and visit her at srjohannes.com

Let the fun questions begin!

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

I don’t know the time period – but I would love to go back and experience

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

Oprah, Steve Jobs, Ghandi, Dali Lama, Joan of Ark

Maybe Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves – but that would be for breakfast - ha!!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Besides food and water - books, laptop (with great wireless plan), and picture of family

What is one book everyone should read?

The Prophet by Kahil Gibran

If you were a superhero what would your name be?

SuperScribe (I would be the dorky superhero who beats people with words)

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

To heal

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Magnum chocolate bars – Think ice creame with a layer of caramel with a layer of crunchy chocolate with another layer of caramel with another layer of crunchy chocolate.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

Jesus

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Smoked Salmon everything bagel with garlic creame cheese with one slice of tomato and one ring of red onion (yummy!)– not to be specific or anything. *runs off to make one *

Night owl, or early bird?

Night owl – definitely NOT early bird.

One food you would never eat?

Any kind of organ. Especially liver (though I have nightmares of my parents making me when I was little (shivers)

Pet Peeves?

Hypocricy and dishonesty

Saying you will do something and not honoring it.

Skittles or M&Ms?

Since my husband is from England, I have to say Minstrels (which is like a high end delicious, creamy MMs)

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

A new young adult wilderness thriller with a missing father, a kickbutt heroine, and of course - two hot boys.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

There is a special edition coming in Jan/Feb with a different ending and the first 5 chapters of the next book.I do have a second book planned – Uncontrollable set in the winter.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I love to tell stories. But I never thought about writing until my daughter was born.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Knowing I created something on my own – something that touches people and makes them think in some way.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen? 

Pippy Longstocking. I loved that at that age – she was independent, confident, and creative

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? Grace by REM

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Don’t give up and go with your gut!

If you could be one of the Greek Gods, which would it be and why?

Calliope – so I could be a muse to writers.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

On the beach somewhere. I’m not picky.

What is your favorite Quote?

Do unto others as you would have them do to you. It has always stuck with me.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

John Steinbeck, Kahil Gibran, Ann Rand, James Patterson (in the early years)

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I see pieces of myself in all my characters.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

My dad always says Hero or Zero – I eithe rgo all the way for something or I don’t go at all.

Hidden talent?

I can sing

Favorite Food?

Mexican cheese dip (with a nice strawberry margherita)

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

Hunger Games

How do you react to a bad review?

Of course - it hurts my feelings at first. Especially if I don’t feel it represents my book. But I’d rather have good and bad reviews than no reviews. To me – that shows passion and if I touched someone.

If you were a bird, which one would you be?

Owl so I could stay up all night and watch people without them knowing.

If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?

Critisism

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? Bible. I could only imagine what God’s signature looks like J

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

My parents out of debt.

What do you do in your free time? 

Write or play with kids

What are you the most thankful for?

My family being together, safe, healthy and happy

Book Trade

My friend, @goshmylife, have a brand new Hardcover copy of This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel. She would like to trade it for other YA book[s]. Anyone interested to trade books, leave a comment below with the title and author of the book you want to trade. Of course leave a way for me or her to contact you:)

Thank Goodness It’s Free Books Monday 2012!

The awesome Cindy has started TGIFBM again. :) Click the link and find out more. :)
http://cindypon.com/2012/thank-goodness-its-free-books-monday-2012/#comments

First In My Mailbox (Week of January 9, 2012)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren to share with everyone the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review.

Won:

These beautiful "A Clockwork Christmas" trading cards were won from Manic Readers.

E-copy of Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Ecopy of Tower of Parlen Min by Matt Xell from A Book Vacation












Library:
Fable: Animal Farm, Volume 2













Review:

Ecopy of The Fountain of Eden by Dan Kindman








E-copy of Cycles by Lois D. Brown









So what was in your mail?

Prom Dress: Save $300

Ok, prom season is starting. This year, I'm graduating so a lot of my friends had start preparing. I just start checking out dresses online and found a great deal.
http://www.betseyjohnson.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11960614#.TxBtjiTR-mk.facebook

So this gorgeous beauty is more than $350, but there is a similar dress, costing under $60.
http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-PD761216

Above dress is $59.99.
So if you are trying to find a dress, this is sure a great deal. :)

[Review] When Destiny Knocks (Destiny Saga, #1) By Heather M. White

When Destiny Knocks (Destiny Saga, #1) By Heather M. White

Synopsis via Goodreads:

16 year old Karlie has had a pretty normal life... But when her Mom dies she is force to move over 1,000 miles away to live with her Dad. That's when things start getting weird.

She can't explain the earthquakes that nobody else feels, or why she no longer sleeps. But most of all she doesn't know why she trusts Shane so much, even though his Dad wants her dead.

Suddenly, Karlie's normal life is turned upside down and she enters a world she never dreamed could really exist.

My Thoughts:
The book was a fabulous paced, "short" novel. I love how the author didn't focus that much on school life drama and conversations because I find that conversations can be boring and long. Liked I mentioned, the book was paced marvellously. It wasn't fast for a 200 pages book and it wasn't slow and boring. Some might disagree saying the pace is too fast but I enjoyed it. I blaze through the chapters.
I enjoyed the plot very much. I really like how everyone was acting strange, like her friends and dad, so it was not just the main boy that was "weird". I love how everyone knew something but she didn't. This made me want to know of the secret!
 
I actually didn't hate any of the characters. Karlie wasn't annoying like most YA novels' main characters. Shane and Alex were smoking! ;) Karlie's friends were nice and relate-able. I mean the jealous flirting, mmmmm, yes please! I laughed SOOOOO hard!
 
This is the first book that I think I'm going to say that doesn't have enough descriptions, therefore, goes by a little fast. I wanted more, the story was SOOOO good. The story reminds me of Classandra Clare's series. The writing is not quite not up there, but I see a lot of potential! I want to read more from Heather, brilliant.

I have to say the little tingled that the characters felt when they touch is a little cliché, but I get it. One more thing that is cliché about this book is that the main girl's mom died and she have to move to live with her dad, but in a sense, it was tiny bit different. The dad was gentle and nice and commendable to the girl. The girl actually loves her dad unlike other books where the girl was a "victim" of no love from their dad. Oh boo hoo. Writing a daughter and father relationship is great, it eliminated a lot of the whiny in most YA novels.


PS: I think I spotted some Supernatural references, Heather ;). I think you will love this book if you love the show Supernatural.

Overall, 5 out of 5 stars!

[Review] Locke & Key, Volume 2: Head Games (Locke & Key #2) byJoe Hill

Locke & Key, Volume 2: Head Games (Locke & Key #2) by Joe Hill (author), Gabriel Rodriguez (Illustrator)


Synopsis via Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez, the creators behind the acclaimed Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, return with the next chapter in the ongoing tale, Head Games.
Following a shocking death that dredges up memories of their father's murder, Kinsey and Tyler Locke are thrown into choppy emotional waters, and turn to their new friend, Zack Wells, for support, little suspecting Zack's dark secret. Meanwhile, six-year-old Bode Locke tries to puzzle out the secret of the head key, and Uncle Duncan is jarred into the past by a disturbingly familiar face. Open your mind - the head games are just getting started!

My Thoughts:

Ok, I thought I would give this book a try because I had it at my house. All I can say is that there was a lot of talking that lead basically nowhere. I didn't want to finish it. I finished half of the volume but just couldn't bare it anymore. I read a lot of the new 52 from DC comics and I enjoyed a lot of them. This was just "yawn". I hate that I didn't like it. I really try to love it. Once again, the illustrations were just gorgeous. I really don't know what to say. :/ Sad. 2 out of 5 stars.

[Review] Locke & Key, Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke & Key #1) by Joe Hill

Locke & Key, Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke & Key #1) by Joe Hill (author), Gabriel Rodriguez (Illustrator)

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Old New England mansions have a well-earned reputation for strangeness, but no other abode can match the supernatural weirdness of Keyhouse. From the very first page of Locke & Key, the forbidding old house draws you in and binds you, challenging you to guess what's beyond each ghastly door. Bram Stoker Award–winning writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez have delivered a graphic novel in throat-grasping horror seeps to the surface when you least expect.


My Thoughts:
I had high hopes for the comics. The idea seemed very unique and very interesting. But as I started to read the comics, I was very disappointed. The plot went by slowly. And I thought perhaps it had an awesome cliff hanger that can want me to read more, it failed. The characters are not loveable. I really don't enjoy any of them. And for people who does not like gory, don't read the comics. The images are very graphic. I guess the comics did provoke emotions from me. I think the only good thing was that the illustrations were amazing! The colours and lines were very intense, and strong. It is the other side of the Fables comics. But I will tell you that I did read the second volume, because I just happen to have it at my house, so why not? I am just very disappointed, the idea has so much potential. It just didn't grab me.

2 out of 5 stars.

WOW (3): Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine.Spotlighting upcoming releases that readers and review bloggers are eagerly anticipating.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Release Date: January 13th 2012            
Pages: 384
Publisher: Tor Teen                     
Format: eBook

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

This book just seems so awesome! I can't explain it. Once again, it is a book based on the dystopian trend. I personally don't like following trends but I always love dystopian books so why not follow it. :)

Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Synopsis: (Custody of Goodreads)
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.


Before the book:
Before reading book, I had been fan-girling for a LONG time! I wanted the book like there was no other. And when I finally had the chance to read it, I jumped on it.



First impression:
When the story started, I was captivated. I loved the story! It was very unique. I was disturbed by Celia's father, Hector, who taught Celia in the most gorey way. Poor Celia was abused. I got so angry while reading the story, I just want to read on and hope on the ending. When Marco appeared, I REALLY want a happy ending! Marco is just the perfect young English man. I still remember when I read the first chapter, I immediately thought of this book has a similar feel to Water for Elephant.

I loved how the story is not base on romance, but magic. As I mentioned before Hector's teaching style is like authoritarian while Alexander, Marco's "teacher" was passive. I love the time setting, the turn of 1800 is just a magical time by itself and when you add real magic to it. It is like an explosion! I love the change in POVs. :) But I'm sad to say that I don't like how there are so many characters that you can lose track of them.


Later Into the Book:
The story began to slow. Sometimes it feel like I read for hours but never seems to move anywhere. I think this was because the story is very descriptive so it allows the readers to see and feel what Erin wanted the readers to feel. This got in the way of the plot. The story was just like a boat without its orbs, going no where. I was quite disappointed parts of the book where it lacked in action. There was a lot of description, and talking, never anything happening. I was hoping for some SHAZAM!


I did love the language used by Erin. As the story progress, I saw what more of Erin's writing and felt in love with . It was the kind of fit between sophistication and simple communication. You just can tell Erin is not just a wannabe writer that just had a good idea for a book. She actually know how to write. Her style is complex but not like you have to read the sentence a few times over to understand it. To tell you the truth I really want to write like that.

As I realized how she uses her language, the story became complex. From making the different ways the magicians use their powers to the delicate details of the circus is just so brilliant. I cannot imagine how much planning went into this book! I also really enjoy the conversations between the characters. They were all so witty, serious, and whimsical. I particularly enjoy the conversation between Celia and Marco when they first actually had a full conversation. This is because they seem to converse like two intelligent lawyers arguing in a subtle way, both counter with sassy comments, but you know they were flirting, j'adore! ♥


I love the subtle love story. It was not like a YA novel where it always seems like a forced love; Erin doesn't make the love story appear fast. It was like a slow cooker; it cook at a low temperature but the result was tender food. It was just like the love story, beautiful and exotic in its own way. That said, this love was scattered through the half end because of all the POVs.

When I got more into the book, it reminded be of Howl's Moving Castle because of all the magic and the twisted imagination. Sometimes it gets confusing and amazing at the same time.


Final Thought:
This book was great but it didn't live quite to my expectations. I wanted more actions and "dark magic" feel to it. I want the night to explode with evil clowns and axe killers, but I guess that was not Erin was trying to do. Overall, this book was a 4 out of 5 stars.