Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.
Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out.
However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Published By: Spencer Hill Press
Review Copy: Hardcover, 288 pages
Trailer
Creepy little hamster!
Review
Okay guys, I think I have sat on this one long enough. Though I am still not sure exactly how I feel. I know most of you are rendered speechless but hear me out. This is a JLA book, it was destined for greatness right? Heck her books are basically a given and I will be the first to admit that I may have not been quite right when I read this one but still I have to tell ya it wasn't all I had expected. It was still a great read but it played on so much I felt has already been done. In fact it very closely reminded me of another book I loved. Once again though when you get down to it this book was bound to be great because of the author. Jennifer is such a natural when it comes to writing and I did enjoy the read I just found that it wasn't as mind blowing as I had hoped it would be.
Ember is such a string character. I mean she takes care of both her sister and her mother. It's not like she just started either, she has been doing this since the accident that claimed her fathers life. This makes it incredibly easy to sympathize with her and her current situation. That fact that her mother had not spoken a single word to her since the accident and seems to be in a constant state of depression was also heartbreaking at times. Despite all this and the little "curse" she inherited when her sister brought her back, Ember pushed on. Though sometimes I found her determination to be the only one taking care of everything a little repetitive. I understood at first when things seemed a little shifty but even when her sister seemed happy and her mother responding a little (though not to her) she refused to believe they may be in a better place.
Hayden was... Looking for the right words... Predictable and unreliable. Though I will admit to start I really was all for him, we just didn't end up clicking. I felt that his support for Ember wasn't unconditional and his actions spoke volumes when he seemed to turn his back on her because of certain circumstances. I also felt it strange that he pried and pried getting her to open up about her gift just to shut her down and refuse to talk about himself. I mean hypocrite much? All of Embers mistakes and there were some bad ones he behaved as if they were nothing but couldn't own up to his own past? Despite all this I do think that he cared for Ember but not in a way I was blown away with.
My other big up and down with this one was Olivia, Embers sister. I thought she was adorable at first but that wore off. Though she meant the world to Ember I found that she just seemed expendable to her. Meaning as long as she got what she wanted she didn't seem too bothered what was going on with Ember. I had really hoped that there would be more to their relationship. Kind of like when Adam is wiped. I had hoped that he would be so much more but he was removed before he had the chance. Which is kind of sad because he honestly cared for Ember, despite all her changes.
Though this book is easy to read because of Jennifer's defined and wonderful writing style it wasn't what I had hoped for. If she wrote a book two I would still pick it up though. Why? Because her writing is just that good and now with a bit of backing and some feedback this standalone could really shine as a series I think. Actually truth be told despite the fact that this was written as a standalone I felt that there is so much more to know. I did enjoy this read but not as much as I had hoped to. I do still recommend that you give it a try because lets face it I'm part of a very large minority when it comes to this book!
Ember is such a string character. I mean she takes care of both her sister and her mother. It's not like she just started either, she has been doing this since the accident that claimed her fathers life. This makes it incredibly easy to sympathize with her and her current situation. That fact that her mother had not spoken a single word to her since the accident and seems to be in a constant state of depression was also heartbreaking at times. Despite all this and the little "curse" she inherited when her sister brought her back, Ember pushed on. Though sometimes I found her determination to be the only one taking care of everything a little repetitive. I understood at first when things seemed a little shifty but even when her sister seemed happy and her mother responding a little (though not to her) she refused to believe they may be in a better place.
Hayden was... Looking for the right words... Predictable and unreliable. Though I will admit to start I really was all for him, we just didn't end up clicking. I felt that his support for Ember wasn't unconditional and his actions spoke volumes when he seemed to turn his back on her because of certain circumstances. I also felt it strange that he pried and pried getting her to open up about her gift just to shut her down and refuse to talk about himself. I mean hypocrite much? All of Embers mistakes and there were some bad ones he behaved as if they were nothing but couldn't own up to his own past? Despite all this I do think that he cared for Ember but not in a way I was blown away with.
My other big up and down with this one was Olivia, Embers sister. I thought she was adorable at first but that wore off. Though she meant the world to Ember I found that she just seemed expendable to her. Meaning as long as she got what she wanted she didn't seem too bothered what was going on with Ember. I had really hoped that there would be more to their relationship. Kind of like when Adam is wiped. I had hoped that he would be so much more but he was removed before he had the chance. Which is kind of sad because he honestly cared for Ember, despite all her changes.
Though this book is easy to read because of Jennifer's defined and wonderful writing style it wasn't what I had hoped for. If she wrote a book two I would still pick it up though. Why? Because her writing is just that good and now with a bit of backing and some feedback this standalone could really shine as a series I think. Actually truth be told despite the fact that this was written as a standalone I felt that there is so much more to know. I did enjoy this read but not as much as I had hoped to. I do still recommend that you give it a try because lets face it I'm part of a very large minority when it comes to this book!
Quotes
I guess it could be worse, I admitted. If I was going to hallucinate, then at least it was some hot dude instead of something gross.
A plant holocaust later, Hayden called it quits.
"You're really here, right? I'm not having a drug induced dream, am I?
His brows furrowed. "No I'm here."
"I... I didn't think you'd want to see me after everything."
Em, sometimes you think the weirdest crap."
It's funny, I haven't read any of JLA's books, and I know I definitely should. I plan on instantly buying all of them as soon as I get a new kindle. I think that after reading the review I feel kind of like you did after reading the book. I'm kind of on the fence about whether I want to read it or not. Just not sure how I feel. I guess in any case I'll prioritize her other books first, but I'll keep an open mind about this one. I'm glad you gave such an honest review despite loving all of her other books.
ReplyDeleteAs positive as the feedback for the Half-Blood and the Obsidian series are, it was almost a given that when Cursed hit shelves (or digital shelves), the reviews would be through the roof. But they have been mediocre at best for the most part, and that is disappointing. I can't say that I will read it, but I can't say that I won't either. It is a tossup, but I do appreciate the review!
ReplyDeleteStill haven't picked it up! I've read a similar review to yours on Asher Knight's blog and I ... I dunno, I didn't pick it up at all. Maybe a I will in the future though. Great review!! :) ;)
ReplyDeleteAww :( I'm sorry to hear that you weren't blown away by this JLA. I really loved it but I think if I had read her other books first (I've only read Obsidian) I probably would feel the same way since thats what everyone has been saying, that this book didn't meet par. But I completely agree that JLA is wonderful writer and I'm glad you enjoyed the book anyway! :) Great review! Very thought-provoking and honest <3
ReplyDeleteMy friends also said it wasn't that good and that's why I didn't pick it up. Hope she does something better for the sequel.
ReplyDelete