Melanie Newton

familiars    fantasy    genetics    magic    merlin    mystery    science fiction    short stories    space    unicorn    unicorns    witch    witches   

• Project ELE on Aug. 01, 2012
  
  This book was given to me by the author for review. Whilst not normally a fan of dystopian style novels, having read the Night Marchers series by the same authors, I was excited to see what they had come up with this time, and I wan't disappointed. Set in the future when disease and global warming have left no option but for the chosen "healthy" ones to enter shelters set up by Project ELE. The story floows a teenage Willow and her amazing journey through an existance we all hope would never happen but wonder how we would survive if it did. With a small group of friends what starts as an adventure looking to releive the boredom that is setting in soon turns into a fight for their lives. What starts as a slight paranormal anomaly in Willow soon escalates and although she has the most variations she is certainly not alone. And those in charge want HER. A fast paced, easy page turner which ends with you screaming for just a couple more pages! I for one can't wait for the next part of the series to be released. A great read for any YA fans. V""V
  
• Night Marchers on Aug. 01, 2012
  
  Night Marchers is a YA book that takes the beautiful island of Hawaii and explores some of the darker paranormal history about it. The story is told through the eyes of the teenage Emma who is ripped from her life in Texas when her father gets a job offer too good to resist. Whilst initially reluctant to leave her home Emma quickly becomes accostomed to the new way of life and as is typical for teenage girls is helped in her transition by a rather good looking teenage boy. I am always interested in things based in some kind of paranormal "truth" and this story didn't fail to impress with the authors obviously having taken a great deal of time to do their research. By the time I got to the end I could not wait to pick up the second one and see where the story went. Overall a well written book definitely deserving of a place in any YA reader's collection. V""V
  
• Redemption on Aug. 01, 2012
  (no rating)
  Redemption is the 2nd book in the Night Marchers series and is a YA book that takes the beautiful island of Hawaii and explores some of the darker paranormal history about it. As with the first book the story continues to be told through the eyes of the teenage Emma and her struggles with dealing with the paranormal as well as trying to balance all the normal things a teenager has to deal with. I felt this book took a much more serious turn than the first, which considering how the first one ended was to be expected, and I will confess to being moved to tears on more than one occassion. I love the attention to detail in what is almost another world and even though it is aimed at a YA audience I couldn't put it down. I have already suggested my own teenage daughter read them! Overall a well written book and like the first it is definitely deserving of a place in any YA reader's collection. V""V
  
• Finding ELE (ELE Series #2) on Oct. 09, 2012
  
  Finding ELE is the second book continuing the story from Project ELE and following the story of Willow, a 16 year old girl having to cope with unimaginable circumstances that are developing around her at the same time as her remarkable powers are evolving. Where Project ELE left us with Willow escaping the facility and ready to see what life on the outside was like, Finding ELE reunites her with her mother and brother and a team of people that have not only survived but created a whole new life. We get to meet Tony, who from the beginning is obviously going to be a rival for Alec on Willows affections. The story is well developed and fast paced with excellent and more importantly believable character development from the first book. After all underneath everything we are dealing with a 16 year old and it is refreshing to see that the inevitable temper tantrums and silliness that comes with that age isn't lost despite the difficult circumstances. Yet again I felt the authors did a great job of building the intensity and I was disappointed to have finished it so soon leaving me with so many answers that I will have to wait for book 3 to receive. Definitely a great addition to any YA lovers collections and suitable for even the younger teenagers whilst not losing appeal for older readers. V""V
  
• Exposing ELE on Dec. 14, 2012
  
  This book was given to me as a pre-edit ARC for review by the authors. Exposing ELE is the third part in the dystopian style young adult series that follows Willow Mosby, a 16 year old girl having to cope with unimaginable circumstances that are developing around her at the same time as her remarkable powers are evolving. At the end of the second book (Finding ELE) things were looking pretty dismal for Willow and everyone with her and this is where Exposing ELE picks up and then just runs off with you. Be prepared for laughter and tears, twists and turns, as Willow tries desperately to make sense and come to terms with everything happening around her. New powers will develop and just as one crisis is dealt with another seems to be waiting just around the corner but in such a way that it never feels that is is being forced in to make up the storyline. For me the thing I love most about this series is that even with everything going on the writers never let you lose track of the fact that at the end of the day Willow is just a teenager, yes she may have all these powers and have been thrown into an unimaginable situation but she never feels "too grown up" which I often find in these style novels. Be warned that you will not want this book to end and whilst I was grateful for the epilogue, know that this book does not end with all the answers. You will need to (and I am sure want to) get your hands on book 4 as soon as possible .... which could be a problem as the writers haven't even started it yet! V""V
  
• Surviving ELE (ELE Series #4) on Feb. 09, 2013
  
  Surviving ELE is the fourth installment in the dystopian style young adult series that follows Willow Mosby, a 16 year old girl having to cope with unimaginable circumstances that are developing around her at the same time as her remarkable powers are evolving. Surviving ELE continues from where we were left during the epilogue in Finding ELE with a story that yet again I read start to finish without a pause. The choices that Willow has to face are almost unbearable to read and the roller coaster ride of emotions that I have come to expect from these books was more at the forefront than ever. Just when I think I have figured out what is going to happen another curve ball is thrown in the way keeping you page turning until the very end. At one point I thought they were actually wrapping the series up and to be honest I wasn't sure if I was relieved that Willow might finally be catching a well deserved break or upset that there wouldn't be a fifth book to look forward to. Well I needn't have worried because just like with the previous three I am now sitting here with more unanswered questions! Whilst dystopian style stories are nothing new, these books continue to have a fresh take on things but then they throw in something like the "white eye" power which reminds me of historical stories of seers (and no that isn't a spoiler ... white is not the power of prophecy). Brilliant! V""V
  
• Captive on May 08, 2013
  
  There are many vampire novels out there both by mainstream and indie authors but Jennifer Leigh manages to bring something a little different in her debut novella "Captive". The opening chapter is intriguing and definitely leaves you wondering what will happen to these characters that seem so sad, so desolate, so different, and yet so the same all at the same time in just a couple of paragraphs. The story continues with a little more familiarity for those versed in the vampire genre with bonded humans, familiars etc but the story itself never feels stale. This writer could definitely use an editor to help with some of the common mistakes often found throughout indie style novels but this in no way detracts from a very compelling read. I am excited to see how this author will develop as her writing matures and she gets more comfortable with her craft but I for one will be definitely looking for her next offering. 4 out of 5 stars, not perfect but a fantastic premier performance that I would recommend to any real vampire lovers. *Note these are proper vampires and there is a fair amount of blood involved in this story, which I for one appreciate but the adult caution is supported* V""V