Cover Art: ENSHADOWED

ENSHADOWED by Kelly Creagh

AHHH!!  I'm so so so excited to see the release of this cover!  I absolutely loved NEVERMORE.  It's a fantastically dark romance between a goth and a cheerleader and--bonus--it revolves around this dark dream world of Edgar Allen Poe.  I blew me away.  I don't think NEVERMORE gets nearly enough credit.  I checked it out from the library, read it, then immediately went out and bought it.  If that isn't book love then I don't know what is.  ---The truth---  I'm not crazy about this cover.  NEVERMORE's was better.  And I'm not crazy about the title either.  Whatever.  I will still be purchasing this on January 17th of 2012!  Can't wait.  Oh, I'm going to make it be January's pick for the 'Reading Circle' too. 

Here's the summary for ENSHADOWED:  While Varen remains a prisoner in the dream-world, Isobel is haunted by his memory. He appears to her in her dreams and soon, even in her waking life. But is she just imagining it? Isobel knows she must find a way back to Varen. She makes plans to go to Baltimore. There, she confronts the figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster—the same dark man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams, calling himself “Reynolds.”  Isobel succeeds in interrupting the Toaster’s ritual and, in doing so, discovers a way to return to the dream-world. Soon, she finds herself swept up in a realm which not only holds remnants of Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world comprised of fear, terror, and anger.  When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. With his mind poisoned by the dream world, he becomes a malevolent force, bent on destroying all—even himself. Now Isobel must face a new adversary, one who also happens to be her greatest love.

And, of course, I think you should defiantly check out my review for NEVERMORE and Kelly Creagh's website: www.kellycreagh.com/

Book Review: NEVERMORE

Title: NEVERMORE

Author: Kelly Creagh

Release Date: August 2010

Rating: 5/5--Incredible! Loved it!

One Word Plot: Paranormal

Good if...you like the whole dark and doomed romance thing

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.

My thoughts...Okay. F'ing A Scott! (Sorry, that line probably only makes sense in my own mind.)

Here's the deal. This book was insanely good, insanely addictive and then insanely infuriating. I can probably best describe it as a dark romance. The greatest part of this novel was the relationship between Varen and Isobel and how it developed. There relationship starts off jarry and then slowly grows to love over time. And never before have I read something that felt more real. It was insane. And the pacing of it all had me turning the pages--almost greedily--desperately wanting to know what would happen next.

The first 2/3rd's of the novel had relatively little-to-no paranormal involvement and then as the book nears closer to the end--bam!--you're flung into this strange dream world. In other reviews some people complained of this, saying that perhaps the whole paranormal element of this novel could have been left out. A cheerleader and a goth falling for each other probably would have sufficient, but I say no. The paranormal element to this story kind of made it for me. It was a bit creepy--kind of like Poe himself probably was--but I loved that about this one. Yeah, some things there at the end didn't quite make all that much sense, but I think that was the point. Now, I must warn you. This book totally ends on a cliff-hanger and that's why I called it infuriating before. But according to Kelly Creagh's website she is currently working on sequel (thank God! or I probably wouldn't be rating this one 5/5 right now!) and I will anxiously be awaiting a happy ending for Varen and Isobel. :)

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Isn't the cover on this one incredible!  It's so pretty and it sounds like it could be a good one...

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.  Is love a great enough power against evil?
Release Date: August 31st

And I just recently discovered this next one, but I'm so excited about it...

Nevermore by Kelly Creigh

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.  Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.  As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.  His life depends on it.

Release Date: August 31st