In My Mailbox (125)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

 

Pointe by Brandy Colbert (Thanks to Penguin)

 

Theo is better now.

She's eating again, dating guys who are almost appropriate, and well on her way to becoming an elite ballet dancer. But when her oldest friend, Donovan, returns home after spending four long years with his kidnapper, Theo starts reliving memories about his abduction—and his abductor.

Donovan isn't talking about what happened, and even though Theo knows she didn't do anything wrong, telling the truth would put everything she's been living for at risk. But keeping quiet might be worse.

 

The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe (Thanks to Viking Childrens)

 

For sixteen years, Daisy has been good. A good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. A good friend, even when her best friend makes her feel like a third wheel. When her parents announce they’re sending her brother to an institution—without consulting her—Daisy’s furious, and decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, slacks in school, and falls for bad-boy Dave.

But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How can she know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go?

Grimnirs (Runes, #2.5) by Ednah Walters (Thanks to Firetrail Publishing)

Straight out of the psych ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The guy she’s loved from a distance for years moves away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing.The connection defies logic. Even better, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Too bad Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful,and cocky. He is also a soul reaper. A Grimnir.
The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life.

In My Mailbox (115)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

 

Immortals (Runes, #2) by Ednah Walters

 

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something...
Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

So Raine comes up with a plan...
She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again.
But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

Fireblood (Fireblood, #1) by Trisha Wolfe (Thanks to Spencer Hill Press)

To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.

When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father’s capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin.

Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult.

When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart’s twisted world, Zara’s path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara’s hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father’s evil nature, or they will take him out.

But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels’ command and where the prince’s heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she’s truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart.

The Rising (The Painted Maidens Trilogy, #1) by Terra Harmony (Thanks to Patchwork Press)

Fifteen-year-old Serena is the youngest member of a dying race. The increasing acidity of the ocean is destroying her home, slowly eating away at the once thriving underwater landscape. But since the night of Serena’s birth, it is an outside force that most threatens their dwindling population. Werewolves, who once served as protectors for mermaids in the Kingdom of the Undine, now seek to eliminate all who dwell in the ocean — and Serena is about to find herself right in the middle of the deadly conflict.

Given the title of Werewolf Liaison, Serena is determined to make things right for her people. When she ventures to The Dry, she meets Liam, the werewolf with hazel eyes, and her whole world gets turned upside down. As Serena discovers the real history between werewolves and mermaids, she is left wondering who her true enemies are.

 

In My Mailbox (87)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate (Thanks to Point)

Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP meets THE SIXTH SENSE in this spine-tingling, unforgettable debut.

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam--and readers--stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

Mercenary (Little Death Bringer, #1) by Catherine Banks

Being raised by the King and Queen of the Elves has given Marin quite a diverse background. Burdened by her humanity and femininity, she must push herself and train every day just to hold her own against the elves around her. Amadis, Queen of the Elves, continues to try to turn Marin into a lady, but the one thing Marin desperately wants is to be the first girl to graduate Macon Academy to be a mercenary. Just when she thinks the goal is within reach, a kidnapping attempt puts those around her in fear. Why would someone want to kidnap her? And what is this fire building within her that she never noticed before? 

Her worries seem to be compiling as not only the kidnapping attempts make her uneasy, but now her feelings for her best friend, Favian, are changing in a way she does not understand. She must begin to deal with the surmounting issues of her femininity, her ever increasing passion for fighting, her feelings for Favian, and the reason there are people trying to kidnap her.

Blood-Kissed Sky (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy, #2) by J.A. London

There's nowhere left to hide. 

I thought vampires were our enemies - they controlled our lives, isolated our cities, and demanded our blood - until I met Victor. With Victor taking over as the new Lord Valentine, things were supposed to get better. Instead, they're worse than ever. 

Day Walkers, a new breed of vampires who can walk in the sun, are terrorizing the city. Blood supplies are low, and if Victor's vampires don't get enough, they will become infected with the Thirst - a disease that will turn them into mindless killers. 

To stop it, I must journey across the desolate wasteland to the very place where the sickness began. I can only hope that the answers that await me are enough to save us all... before it's too late.

Runes by Ednah Walters (Thanks to Firetrail publishing)

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid (Thanks to Month9Books)

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton (Thanks to Flux)

I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

In My Mailbox (77)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

A Touch of Scarlet (Unbound, #2) by Eve Marie Mont (Thanks to Kensington Teen)

The compelling heroine of Eve Marie Mont’s novel A Breath of Eyre returns to find truth and fiction merging through the pages of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic, The Scarlet Letter…

Emma Townsend is back at prestigious Lockwood Prep, but her world has altered immeasurably since her tumultuous sophomore year. The best change of all: her boyfriend, Gray. And though Gray is leaving for Coast Guard training, Emma feels newly optimistic, even if the pain of her mother’s long-ago death still casts a shadow.

Yet Emma isn’t the only one who’s changed. Her friend and roommate, Michelle, is strangely remote, and old alliances are shifting in disconcerting ways. Soon Emma’s long-distance relationship with Gray is straining under the pressure, and Emma wonders if she’s cracking too. How else to explain the vivid dreams of Hester Prynne she’s been having since she started reading The Scarlet Letter? Or the way she’s found herself waking in the woods? As her life begins to echo events in the novel, Emma will be forced to choose between virtue and love. But can she forge a new future without breaking her heart?

Hunted (The Guardian Legacy, #3) by Ednah Walters (Thanks to Spencer Hill Press)

Bran and Lil may have escaped an attempt to lure Lil to the dark side, and recovered the contracts damned people signed with Bran when he was a soul collector, but someone forgot to tell them that no one switches sides or cancels contracts without consequences. 

Hunted by an unknown but powerful enemy, Lil, Bran and the Guardians must seek help from unlikely sources to avert total annihilation of the Guardians. When they finally face their enemy, one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Review: Betrayed (Guardian Legacy, #2) by Ednah Walters

Lil has come to terms with her life as a Guardian/demon hunter and the wielder of the Nephilim most powerful weapon-the Kris Dagger. She trains everyday to master her growing powers, gets along with her Guardian trainee friends, most of the time, and cherishes the time she spends with her human friends. Just when she feels she belongs, her nature-bender father contacts her and warns her about a betrayal by someone close to her.

Then Bran, the boy she loves, starts to act strange and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability. While Lil struggles find a connection between these three things, she begins to realize that someone is manipulating her and will stop at nothing, including hurting those she loves, to lure her to the dark side.

I've just got to say it...I'm kinda crazy about this series. It's fun, exciting, it's chalk full of great characters, and I'm always wondering what's going to happen next. I'm still not a fan of these covers, but by not judging a book that way I lucked out this time around. Walters had me a little nervous (OK, a lot) throughout this sequel, and once again I'm anxious for the next installment in the series.

Lil and Bran will always have obstacles to overcome (it's in their job description) but this time around I'm worried it may be insurmountable. I can only hope Walters throws another curve ball in book three and proves me wrong. I'd really like to be wrong. And without the new bodyguards that were introduced...love them. They added new dimension and extra layers to our background. Not to mention tossed a wrench into my preconception of their kind.

So all in all I'm looking forward to the next book and I'm crossing my fingers (as always) that the adorable couple pulls through.

I gave Betrayed (Guardian Legacy, #2) 3 shamrocks!!!

Countdown: Series Edition

I've come to realize that when I find a book I've truly enjoyed or characters who have touched my heart, that I don't want to say goodbye just because the book has ended. For these reasons and so many more, I'm a huge fan of a good series. I know there are readers out there who don't think there's a reason to continue the story, they think the novel is good enough as a stand alone and I can understand that. But for me, when there are no quick goodbyes or feelings of disappointment due to a lack of closure, it just gives me something else to look forward to. With a series the story goes on, the characters continue to grow and the fun carries on. Here are just a few of the upcoming releases that are parts of series' that I've come to love and get excited about.

Countdown Pick #1: Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles, #3) by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl (10/18/11)

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.
Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

I was honestly hoping that this time around Lena and Ethan may have things a little easier. Silly I know, but this is the third installment in the Beautiful Creatures series and they've been through so much already. But based on the book's description I'm worried. Not only do their problems seem to be bigger than ever, but the authors have come right out and said there will be no happy ending. Ouch! I may have to psych myself up or harden myself up before starting this installment.

Countdown Pick #2: Fever (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano (February 2012)


Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but they’re still in danger. Outside, they find a world even more disquieting than the one they left behind. Determined to get to Manhattan and to find Rhine’s twin brother Rowan, the two press forward, amidst threats of being captured again . . . or worse.

The road they are on is long and perilous—and in a world where young women only live to age 20 and men die at age 25, time is precious. In this sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price—now that she has more to lose than ever.

After reading Wither, I was convinced that dystopian novels could now be listed under favorites for me. DeStefano had me connecting with her characters almost immediately and I couldn't put her book down. I'm hoping this installment puts readers at ease, at least a little after the cliff hanger the series opener left us with. But Rhine and Gabriel are not out of the woods yet and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next.

Countdown Pick #3: Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (1/10/11)
The highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.

It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

I adore Beth and her writing has always been fun and manages to pique my interest. I don't know many readers who didn't enjoy her series opener, not to mention who didn't want to get their hands on this sequel. I can't wait to see what Jessica and Lucius' lives are like now. It seems that married bliss is not quite attainable for these two quite yet and now Jessica's got to do the protecting, the investigating, and the rescuing all on her own. I'm curious to see how she fares.

Countdown Pick #4: Betrayed (Guardian Legacy, #2) by Ednah Walters
Lil has come to terms with her life as a Guardian/demon hunter and the wielder of the Nephilim most powerful weapon. She trains everyday to master her growing powers, gets along with her Guardian trainee friends (most of the time) and cherishes her moments with her human friends.

Just when she feels she belongs, her nature-bender father contacts her and warns her about a betrayal by someone close to her. Then Bran, the guy she loves, starts to act strange and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability. While Lil struggles find a connection between these three things, she begins to realize that someone is manipulating her and Bran, and will stop at nothing (including hurting those she loves) to lure them to the dark side.
When Ednah contacted me last year and introduced her book Awakened, to me, I figured why not? The cover didn't thrill me but I let that slide. I can't tell you how glad I was that I gave this series a chance because now I'm hooked. Lil and Bran were two characters that I just couldn't get enough of. But what I really liked was that Walters had me wanting to know more about not just the two main characters, but all the surrounding and supporting characters as well. I've heard promising reviews of this sequel and can't wait to read and judge it for myself.

Countdown Pick #5: Charmfall (Dark Elite, #3) by Chloe Neill (1/3/12)
High school can be a battlefield, but for Lily Parker, surviving at St. Sophia’s School for Girls is a matter of life and death…

Protecting Chicago from the dark side can be an exhausting job, especially when you’re a sophomore. So when the girls of St. Sophia’s start gearing up for Sneak, their fall formal, Lily decides to join in on some good, old-fashioned party prep—even if it means not giving demons, vampires and the twisted magic users known as Reapers her undivided attention.

But when a Reaper infiltrates the school, Lily doesn’t forget what she’s sworn to protect. She reaches deep into herself to draw out her magic—and finds that it’s gone. And it turns out she’s not alone. A magical blackout has slammed through paranormal Chicago, and no one knows what—or who—caused it. But Lily knows getting back her magic is worth the risk of going behind enemy lines…

After leaving Hexbound, feeling slightly disappointed with the way things are looking for Lily and her friends, I'm really hoping some luck finds its way to them and soon! I've found Neill's books to be light and fun for the most part and I always hit a point near the end of the summer where a deep read is not what I'm in the mood for. Hopefully with this coming out in January it'll be the perfect opportunity to fill the post-holiday blues with a new installment in this series.

Author Interview: Ednah Walters

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys mysteries, hence Stratemeyer influence, before I graduated to Mills & Boons (starting with Janet Daily's Shutter the Sky) and the rest is history.

I enjoy good love stories, tingly mysteries and wondrous adventures. When I finished my college and decided to be a stay-at-home mother, I devoured books like they were going out of production, until reading just wasn't enough. So I started to write.

I've written picture books, contemporary and romantic suspense, biracial/multicultural books, and finally YA fantasy. Awakened is the first book in The Guardian Legacy series. I'm working on book 2, tentatively named Betrayed. When I'm not writing, I do things with my family, five children or my darling husband of 18 years. I live in a picturesque valley in Utah, the setting for my series, The Guardian Legacy.

I can't tell you how excited I was to get the chance to interview Ednah Walters after reading her debut YA novel, Awakened. I gave you a snippet from her profile on Goodreads above, and now to the good stuff!

Katelyn: With all the different types of paranormal creatures out there and similar plot lines running around, where did you get the idea for the Guardians? What inspired you?

Ednah: I love to read about other cultures, so one day while reading about special weapons around the world, I came across an article on kris dagger (or keris dagger). Wow, the legend of this weapon blew me away. Kris daggers are believed to have been forged from a stone from the heavens and ore from earth. And they are believed to be vessels of spirits, good or bad, and can protect the owner. Soon I asked myself, who could have created such a weapon? From the list of the fallen angels, I chose Azazel, the fallen angel who taught humans the art of weapon-making. The back story fell into place after that. Soon, I was visualizing who could wield such a weapon. Sorry for the long-winded explanation.

As for what inspires me…my children. They love to read books that are unique, so most popular books never reach our house unless a friend buys them for their birthdays (Harry Potter is the exception). They asked me to write something they’d love…something different and Awakened was born.

Katelyn: With Awakened being your YA debut novel, I can only imagine how exciting and chaotic a process it's been for you. What's your favorite and least favorite part so far?

Ednah: Least favorite—I hate plotting though I’m trying to be an in-between-er. You know, plot a little, a rough sketch of the beginning, the middle and the end. Then I write and see where the characters take them. Go back and revisit the sketchy plot and fill in the blanks. Bottom line, I HATE plotting.

Favorite—Once I’m inside my characters’ heads and their voices are telling where to go, what to write. I love that. It’s like reading a book.

Katelyn: Did you or do you have a favorite character in your series? (Mine was Sykes!) If you do can you tell us who it is and why?

Ednah: Everyone loves Sykes. I wish I had favorites. They are all my babies, in a way. The bitchy ones, the sweet, smart, charming, mysterious ones, love them all.

Katelyn: Are you reading anything at the moment? Any favorite books/authors you want to share with us?

Ednah: I like anything by Cassandra Clare in YA genre. I read J.R. Ward in adult and can’t wait for her latest book. To be honest, I try to read as many books as I can in between my own projects and very few when I write. With five kids, I barely have time to sit down and write let alone read, so whenever they’re at school, I’m busy writing. They come home and I’m neck deep in after-school activities, them reading to me, me reading to them, homework, projects…

Katelyn: Are you working on anything at the moment? Has the second installment in the Guardian Legacy series been started? Want to give us any hints or juicy details about what we can look forward to in the future?

Ednah: I’m actually close to finishing book 2. My agent is breathing down my neck, but I have
a deadline I mean to keep, so keep your fingers crossed for me. So much is happening to the Guardians but I dare not put spoilers here. All you need to know is the Guardians are in for a rough time, especially Lil and Bran. In fact, I feel rather sorry for her at the moment.

Katelyn: Anything else you’d like to add?

Ednah: Since you like Sykes so much, I want you to know I plan to write his story down the line.

I did another happy dance...a Syskes spin off, that's awesome! Thanks so much Ednah for visiting the blog and for taking the time to answer a few questions. I can't wait to see what comes next in the Guardian series, and if you guys haven't checked out Awakened, you can take a look at my review here, and be sure to check out all things Ednah at her site. And do yourself a favor and pick up the book a.s.a.p. because it is a series starter that will have you wanting to read more and more!

Review: Awakened (The Guardian Legacy #1) by Ednah Walters

Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware she's a Guardian—a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. But when she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers.

But Bran has a secret that can destroy their growing relationship. He's part demon. But in her heart, Lil knows Bran is not evil. So when her grandfather is kidnapped by a powerful nature-bender and Bran is the only one who knows where he's being kept, Lil convinces the other Guardians to trust him, not knowing her grandfather is just the bait. And the truth that she discovers in the demonic enclave may just destroy everything she believes in, unless she makes the right choice—love and sacrifice.

I've always loved Angels - who doesn't right? So when I saw the cover for this book I thought perfect! As it turns out I was both right and at the same time wrong. The wings apparently fooled me because I was wrong, this was not about Angels but something all together different and unique. Ednah Walters both surprised me and kept me glued to the pages all the way through. I was right in thinking that this was the perfect book for me right now. I had so much fun with this one.

Our heroine, Lil Falcon quickly finds out she's very different from other girls her age. No it's not her gypsy/hippie wardrobe, but instead she discovers her family has been keeping secrets from her. Big secrets, as it turns out she's quickly on her way to becoming a guardian. What...you asked is a guardian? I'm not telling you, where would the fun be in that? She's got major revelations to adjust to and that's only the beginning. She's started to at a new high school, must juggle her new high school, must juggle her new "normal" friends with her not so new "normal" friends and must figure out her feelings for Bran. He's mysterious, possibly dangerous and may not be around for long. The girl's plate is totally full at the moment.

Lil grew up moving from town to town at the drop of a hat and was forced to put up walls if she hoped to withstand the stress and hardship that kind of lifestyle involved. She's brave and smart and is a genuinely kind person. She was raised by her grandfather and I just adored their relationship. Lil is his whole world and it's obvious to anyone around. She's introduced to some people her age who happens to be going through similar revelations, but whom were slightly better prepared. We meet her fellow trainees (and no I'm not going to tell you what they're training for) and above all Sykes was a winner for me. I loved him. He's that guy that everyone wants to be around. He's funny, smooth, keeps the mood light but will stand by you through the heavy stuff too. He's just rocks! Now I would have been rooting for him and Lil if it's hadn't been for Bran being in the picture first. I want to give more details on him but at the same time Walters introduced him to her readers the way Lil was seeing him. I don't want to spoil that for any future readers.

You'd be crazy not to go out and get this book as soon as possible. It was so good and I'm already depressed that the rest of the series isn't available. Walters has my vote and I can't wait to see what happens next for all my favorite characters.

I gave Awakened (The Guardian Legacy #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!