Author: C.C. Hunter
Series: Book One in the Shadow Falls Series
Published By: St. Martin's (January 1, 2011)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 2.5-3 Stars
Book Description:
Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…
One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.
Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…
I am not going to lie, it took me a bit to get into this story, to really get into it and even though by the end, I would say I really enjoyed it, I am still not sure I loved it. I still don't know if I connected to everything like I should have and yet, and yet, I really want to continue with it as well.
Why? Because I think it has huge potential. I think it has potential to capture my complete undivided attention and I want to give it that chance.
I want Kylie to have to chance to steal my heart so I am rooting for her to find love with Derek or Lucas and to figure out what she is and what it all means. I want all that I really do and I am seriously hoping this series can deliver it.
This plot isn't even really a unique one so much as it is a fun one. One filled with all things that go bump in the night. All creatures of the paranormal and most of all, it is an interesting one.
Like I said, it has a lot of potential. I can only hope it gets better from here.
I hope you do get to see that potential in the next book! I've seen this book all the time in my nearest used book store and I never pick it up lol but maybe sometime in the future I'll get to read it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it is a lot better as well. Maybe geared towards those a lot younger than I am. ;)
DeleteIt's just such a bummer when a book is close to being something great, but just isn't. I have experienced this same sort of thing dozens of times. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzi!
DeleteI've stayed away from this series because it sounds like a train-wreck in the romance department! It's sad that this one did not live up to its full potential. I hope it does in the subsequent books.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali!
Thanks Nick, I'm sure eventually I will try book two just not a priority right now. ;)
DeleteHopefully this is one of those series that just gets better as it goes. The Throne of Glass and Kate Daniels series both started out very rocky for me with the first book and now they're two of my favorites. I've got my fingers crossed that's how this one works out for you Ali!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny! Kate Daniels was super rocky for me as well until book three so I guess you never can tell. ;)
DeleteHave a great weekend!
Thanks Ali. Sometimes being book one in a new series is a curse especially when the author has a lot to introduce etc... Here's hoping book two rocks your world!
ReplyDeleteI have respect for potential, but this sounds like something I already read, many times, lol :) But I can't dismiss anything that's fun, so ... maybe :) I love your review though. Have a great weekend! <3
ReplyDeleteI understand and it really wasn't something too stand out, at least not at all like I was hoping it would be. ;) You have a wonderful weekend as well! :D
DeleteIf I remember correctly, I felt the same as you did. I haven't continued the series yet but I think I need to get caught up. Glad you ended up liking it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa!
DeletePotential is good and this sounds like you saw much in it! I hope the next book in the series gives you a better pace and more of what you were hoping for. The paranormal aspect sounds fun and interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat & thoughtful review, Ali!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)
Thanks so much Kim and you too!!
DeleteI have felt this way about a book, hopefully book two will confirm your feelings. The premise does sound interesting so I see what drew you to it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess I'll never know until I try it whether or not it's truly for me. I just need to get the courage to start it. :)
DeleteJust give up now.
ReplyDeleteKidding. Hopefully the next book is way better.
You're so funny. Actually I might not go forward at least not anytime soon, too many other really good books that need my attention. ;)
DeleteYeah I've heard pretty meh things for this book so I'm just not gonna bother with it, honestly. Have you read Hex Hall? It is a much better version of this, in essence.
ReplyDeleteI think I've read the first but not the second one. Maybe I will give it a try instead. ;)
DeleteSorry you didn't really love this one. That's good you see potential and are willing to read the next one though. Sometimes series books DO get better.
ReplyDeleteThey do and I'm really hoping this is one of those.
DeleteOh that's always a weird feeling. I hope the next one keeps up the momentum that the end of this one had for ya :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, me too. :D
DeleteAh, too bad, though surprising since it has such great ratings on Goodreads! I'll read it for sure, since paranormal novels are ones I cannot resist. Plus there seems to be some kind of mystery so yay! Hope your next read is better!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lola, maybe you will like this more than I do. Either way, I can't wait to see what you thought about it. ;)
DeleteI hate when it takes so long to get into a story.
ReplyDeleteIt does make it hard. :(
DeleteI haven't tried this series but I tried the spin off one and it was fun. Maybe one day I'll try this one as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad the spin off was fun for you!
DeleteIt definitely has potential if it has made you curious and engaged enough to want to read the next book! I won't be rushing to read this one though, that's for sure, and will wait for reviews of the next book to see if it's worth my time. Thanks for the review, lovely lady!
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
Thanks so much Faye!
DeleteI really appreciate your honest review. I think I will hold off on this one for now.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping with all the great reviews it was just me more than anything else. ;)
DeleteI'm sorry you didn't really love this one. I've read this authors books as Christie Craig and I really love them. I still want to check this one out but thanks for the review, it's like a heads up!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she had a pen name. Maybe I will check those ones out instead?
DeleteI read this and pretty much felt the same. I enjoyed it but wanted the next books to get better. In my opinion, the sequels just got worse as they went along and I ended up giving up on the series.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Maybe I will just pass all together on it then. Thanks for the heads up.
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