Evolution: By Kelly Carrero Review

Author: Kelly Carrero

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Age Group: Teen+

Title: Evolution

Blurb: Jade Sommers should be dead, really there is no doubt about it, the impact of the car accident she was in alone should have killed her and if that didn't then the fire that followed would have definitely done the job. However someone needed to tell her body that, because as she watched it in the mirror it healed right before her eyes.
Jade's mind is riddled with thoughts of the impossible things that are suddenly happening to her. There is something wrong with her and she needs to hide it from her friends and family lest they find out she is a freak. Little does she know that she is no freak, no not at all. She is part of a higher race of humanity she has Evolved.

I will be perfectly honest with you, I requested this book from the author because the cover, and the title caught my attention. and wonder of wonders  I truly enjoyed it the story too. It is unique and the concept is fresh and enjoyable. They are a lot of good points and exciting scenes. The romance is good and the characters were fantastic.

The Grammar is spot on, and so is the syntax it is clear to see that the author and the editor(s) put in a great deal of work. A lot of people have had this concept or something similar, however  Kelly's story is unique.I love the way the story is told as well as the depth of feeling I get from our heroine Jade. I thought her reaction to everything was a realistic one unlike some of the books I've read, she deals with learning the things she dose in a way that maybe I would deal with them.

My recommendation: Don't miss out on a really good story. I know personally that the author has put all she can into this book and it is certainly worth reading!

My Rating: 5/5 Roses

Kelly Carrero is The Author of Evolution, a Mom and a blogger! You can find her at:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5830842.Kelly_Carrero

http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B007YX9X18

http://kellycarrero.blogspot.com/

Be Sure to follow her and grab her book the amazon widget at either the top of the post or in the buy the books I've reviewed tab!

The Secret of Ravelston: A mysterious tale

Author: Sergio Silveira
Genre: Mystery, Y.A
Age Group: Everyone
Title: The secret of Ravelston

Jane's life has turned upside down, just because of the pride of an uncouth woman lacking in stature she has been sent away from her home and from her only brother. He has been the only family she's ever known and now she must pick up her life and move to Ravelston to live with an uncle she doesn't even know.


As the story progresses, Ravelston and it's inhabitance turn out to be more than meets the eye and Jane will find herself in places she never thought she would be.


My Thoughts: First of all, I'd like to make it clear to readers that I generally don't read historical mysteries. I love historical Romance a whole lot, I love to hear about times past, but honestly in the setting of a mystery for me it's quite boring.
Silveira must be applauded however as the fantasy element to this book did keep me interested. Unfortunately though I was utterly disappointed by the hint of a Romantic relationship that  turned out with no developement.


If I were to forget my personal preferences however it must be admitted that the book was well written and paced. There is no doubt in my mind that someone somewhere will enjoy this book. 
That person however is not me. It took me a while to get into the story and so I can tell you with all honesty it wasn't my kind of book.


Recommendation: If you are into romance, this book isn't for you. I suggest it for fans of Agatha Christie and the like.

My rating: 3/5 it wasn't for me but someone else may like it!

Sergio Silveria  is the author of this book. If you are interested in purchasing it, please visit Barns & Noble, or Amazon to purchase it to read an excerpt please visit The Student online paper to do so. 

Florence

Author: Ciye Cho
Genre: Fantasy, Y.A
Age Group: teen+
Title: Florence
Expected publication date: July 1st

Blurb: Florence is seventeen and invisible, she has been for most of her life and she likes it that way. She isn't  popular and her clothes aren't in the latest fashions so being unnoticed is ideal. On a field trip to a small neighbouring island the unexpected happens and Florence is kidnapped by of all things a monstrous man with purple skin and yellow eyes. 

She finds herself in a world that differs a great deal from her own. delivered there to become a magical familiar for the heir to the throne. Niemela is this world under the sea and some how Florence must find a way to return to the surface.

My thoughts: First of all, I began to read the book at night while I was very tired. The opening was enough to keep me reading and then the adventure really began. I love books that have anything to do with the sea. As a girl who lives on one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean (Barbados for those of you who don't know) the sea has always been one of my favourite places.

The first thing I noticed was that the author had some knowledge of the sea, Some people attempt to write books about the sea when they have never ever seen it in person. You simply can't write about something you haven't seen no matter how much you've heard about it.

The Fantasy created by Ciye in this book is very different from most books I've read that contained mythical sea creatures. Oh don't get me wrong there pretty, but not in the way portrayed by most authors. All in all I really loved the story and I would recommend that anyone who is a lover of fantasy and adventure get a copy.

My Rating: 5/5

Now for your reading pleasure an Interview with Ciye Cho

Bajan Rosa: When the idea for Florence come to you?


Ciye: Almost a year ago. I thought it would be cool to write a book about merfolk. Something different and possibly unexpected. Something with multicolored merpeople as vivid as the corals in a reef. Something with living architecture and deep-sea volcanoes.


(really loved this concept!)


Bajan Rosa:  How old were you when you started writing the book and how old are you now?


Ciye: I was 25 when I started it. I'm now 26.


(A year wow! that's fast)

Bajan Rosa:  Was it hard to complete Florence?


Ciye: Yes and no. It was hard arranging all the details into a tidy package, but it was also fun taking an imaginary journey below the sea.

Bajan Rosa: What inspired the Characters, the Merpeople especially?


Ciye: I wanted the Niemelans to be a species ruled by purpose, order, and belonging. And with that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to have characters who weren't in sync with the rest of their kind. (For example, Yolee, who doesn't behave like her peers; Rolan, who keeps to himself; and Kiren, who has too many secrets to be an ordinary mer.)
As for Florence, I wanted to tell this story through the eyes of an outsider. I liked the idea that Florence is not only trying to escape... but also trying to discover where she belongs.

Bajan Rosa: Do you live close to the sea? Or did you do research and did this knowledge come in handy while you wrote your book?


Ciye: I live on the Gold Coast (in Australia), so the sea isn't that faraway. When I was a child, my parents brought me to Hamilton Island and I remember snorkeling there. The colors of the reef were dazzling! Like an underwater dream. So I guess those memories came in handy when I wrote "Florence."
However, I also watched a lot of documentaries (stuff like Blue Planet)... and of course, I read a lot of YA fiction.

If you would like to learn more about Cyie Cho you can find him on Goodreads, on his Website on Facebook or on Twitter. Cyie is also the author of  Shiewo: A Fantasy Flight to Adventure (Shiewo's Odyssey, #1)  Florence is Due out July 1st 2012