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Saturday 7 January 2012

***Review*** Shattered Dreams by Ellie James



Released : 6th December 2011
Publisher: Macmillan
Series :Yes - Midnight Dragonfly #1
Format :Kindle
Source : Digital ARC Netgalley
Author Site: Ellie James
 
Goodreads Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.
Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.
But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.
Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her. 


My Review:

I was given a digital ARC of this book to review from Netgalley.


This was a bit of a slow burner for me and really never got going until right at the end.  I don’t say I dislike the book, but it isn’t one that goes wow.  I like books that grip me from the start, there were lots of twist and turns and it did leave me wondering what was going to happen next. With all that said I have to say that I am satisfied with the ending, it did pick up to a good pace.


The content of this book is suitable for anyone really; there are no graphic scenes or bad language.  A good mix of teen characters and I think teens especially would really enjoy it.  I liked the fact that there was an element of mystery and intrigue.  At times I found the story very haunting.

The description of a post-Katrina New Orleans was realistic.  I could certainly visualise the wake of the destruction and the devastating effect it had on people even after the event.  I liked that this was tied to some of the characters in the book.  I’ve never actually been to New Orleans but the author’s descriptions were very realistic.


Would I pick up another book by this author?  Yes I would.  I think it would be interesting to read another book in the series as I would like to see more of the main character Trinity.  She was by far my favourite character in the story.  


It did feel a bit spooky in places; I was quite intrigued to find out who the dark mystery man was.  I do think there could have just been a little bit more detail to the plot.  At times I did feel it was a little flat in places.


Cover rating: 5/5 – I think this is a really gorgeous cover and I really like 
the dragonfly necklace as it is relevant to the story.  The colour scheme is really nice.


My rating: 3/5 – Not a bad book, but just could have been a bit more detailed and I wish it had gripped me from the start.

About the Author:

Most people who know Ellie think she’s your nice, ordinary average wife and mom of two little kids. They see someone who does all that ordinary stuff, like grocery shopping, walking the dogs, going to baseball games, and somehow always forgetting to get the house cleaned and laundry done.
 What they don't know is that more often than, this LSU J-School alum is somewhere far, far away, in an extraordinary world, deeply embroiled in solving a riddle or puzzle or crime, testing the limits of possibility, exploring the unexplained, and holding her breath while two people fall in love.
Those who DO know have learned to go easy on her. They know what her blank stare means, and they know when she politely nods, she hasn’t heard a word. She even has a few special neighbors who’ve learned to call with gentle reminders about things like the first day of school and block parties! 
All that aside, regardless of which world Ellie’s in, she loves rain and wind and thunder and lightning; the first warm kiss of spring and the first cool whisper of fall; family, friends, and animals; dreams and happy endings; Lost and Fringe; Arcade Fire and Dave Matthews, and last but not least…warm gooey chocolate chip cookies. 


20 comments:

Dani Cotton said...

A bit of an average one then! At least it did pick up towards the end, and as you say, you're interested enough to want to read on.
I think I may have to try this one to see what I think - when the TBR mountain has been chipped away at a little bit more!

xxxx

roro said...

tnx 4 reviewing
think reading it soon
see what i think of it

Cricket said...

I felt the same way when I was reading it, not enough detail...but I'm curious how the next book will be.

Cricket@Little Library Muse

WorldChangers said...

I'll have to read this soon... looks pretty good!

TayteH said...

I like the trailer. It's...........different. But in a good way. :D Thanks for the reivew.

Unknown said...

Love the trailer! The book seems awesome. I'd love to read it someday. Great review! :)

druidgirl said...

Like the trailer, would give it a go. Review was good and honest

Anonymous said...

Reading your comments and the book review i can only want to read more, as it sounds apsolutely fantastic and a genre that i love! xx
I would also love to find out more about Ellie and her works, as it seems of much interest. xxx
From: Miss. Lucinda Fountain

primrose said...

I love a book with a New Orleans setting. Something about them being all mysterious and vodoo like.

Holly Hennessy Swint said...

I have been seeing this book around alot and was wondering about how good it was. TY for the review!

Linda Henderson said...

I've been wondering about this book. I keep seeing it around and the subject matter is something that interests me. Now I'm kind of up in the air. I'll have to check it out.

mimz said...

I've been meaning to read this for some time now! Great interview!

IdentitySeeker said...

I'm always fascinated by books set in New Orleans, so the spookiness on this book certainly appeals to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts:)

Sarah Bibi Setar

Cayce said...

Thank you for the great review. Sounds like an interesting read and I like New Orleans as a setting, as well.
I want a dragonfly necklace like Trinity has on the cover. *sigh*

Rebecca said...

I really liked this book too. I loved that it seemed really creepy at times. Awesome review :)

Krista said...

I love spooky books. This sounds great!

Rose said...

Great review and book trailor. This book sounds pretty interesting. :)

Unknown said...

Love the cover!
Great review, glad the book got better towards the end =)

Steph said...

I just got this book and the next one in the series for review. They sound really interesting - I'm hoping I'll really like them both!

Denise Z said...

I was curious about this one and I thank you for sharing. There are a ton that I am itching to read this will be in the maybe pile :) although I do think I will make that leap sometime as I do like the premise.

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