Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Shadows Series by Jolene Perry: 'Insight' & 'Manipulation"


Manipulation is the second book in the Shadows series by Jolene Perry. Find out more about both books.

Insight (Shadows #1)
Release Date: 09/03/12
Paperback/e-book
367 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships.

Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy.

With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause…

Micah's story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.

**My thoughts**

I am a fan of Jolene Perry from some of her previous works, so I was excited to take on this series for the book tour. This book did not disappoint me at all. I attached to Micah from the very beginning and was enthralled in her story. Landon is an amazing guy, almost too good to be true! Their relationship is very intense.

Micah's gift is an interesting one. I can't imagine the pain of seeing and feeling what happens to another person, simply by brushing up against him or her. This ability, or curse, can bring Micah some good in her life, but also causes a lot of turmoil. No one else knows about it, which leaves her quite alone.

I admit that I was often thrown up by Micah actually being a girl, only because I have only ever known the name as a male name. I had to stop and think for a moment while I was reading it to remember.

Time quickly passes during the book. Sometimes it was hard to realize that several days or weeks had passed from the previous scenes. That made some of the relationships and events appear to happen too fast. It does span the school year. 

I do like the concept of the series and look forward to finishing it.
     

 

Manipulation (Shadows #2)
Release Date: January 2013
Paperback/e-book

Summary from Goodreads:

Addison Prince has almost always gotten what she wants.

Dean Courser only wants to find his brother, but it's the one thing he’s failed at... Even with his unusual ability.

Dean and Addison share the gift of Manipulation—a brief touch that forces others to do what they wish. But when they meet and realize their connection, they find more questions than answers. Suddenly Dean is seeing shadows move on their own, and Addison is learning her father’s mysterious group may know more about her abilities than he’s ever let on.

As Dean and Addison second-guess every decision about who they are and why they're wanted, time is running out. With shadows following their every move, they're losing hope they’ll ever get to safety—if such a thing exists.


**My thoughts**

This book is more difficult to get into than the first one, because Addison isn't very likeable. As the story continues, she does grow and change into someone you can like. Dean can also be tough at times, as well. But, this book is different. It is told from both points of view with a connection to the first book. I like how each book is telling the same story and evolving, but focusing on different characters. I can't wait to see how it ends!
  



About the Author

Jolene kissed a boy on her high school graduation night. One she’d wanted to kiss for a long time. They got married two years later, have built two homes together, survived military deployments, law school, student loan debt, and two children.

Jolene plays the guitar, takes pictures, and loves to hike. She doesn’t like rivers, but loves the ocean. She loves to fly, but gets motion sick. Her ultimate vacation would be to sail through the deserted islands in The Bahamas. Two years ago, she got that wish when her parents retired on a sailboat.

She taught high school French when she was only a few years older than her students, and then taught middle school math with her degree in political science and French.
She spends grocery money on designer fabric, shoes, and books.

Jolene cannot express how many times she wished she could write a whole novel. And now she has. Several times. Life is good.


1 comment:

  1. Both look VERY interesting.

    Hello fellow A to Zer. I wanted to stop by, say hi, and start following. I look forward to reading more from you.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete