Splintered Souls (Flames of Time)

Every woman, at some point in her life, dreams of finding her soulmate and living happily ever after. It's been said that the physical draw between you and your "other half" is something that you cannot deny... and cannot break. In life, though, nothing is ever perfect, and so often things do not go the way you dream them.

Ava had her life planned out, but after her father's death, she chose to move to Maine with her family and start her life over. She enrolled in a small college and they moved into her grandmother's summer home. Her family seemed to be getting better and she made some friends, even met the man of her dreams (that was a bit of craziness right there), but because of events from the past, Ava's life begins a crazy spiral that she never expected... one she has no idea how to handle.

Anyone who has discussed books with me in any way KNOWS that I am not a fan of romance. I'm not completely opposed to there being romance IN a story, but the novel has to have a compelling storyline that will keep me hooked, something unusual, with a nice balance between romance and the rest of the story.

Not long ago, I had the pleasure (and I say that sincerely) of reading another book by Erica (Ashes of Life), so when I was asked to read this one, and having read the book description, I decided it was one I was willing to give a try to.

I knew halfway through that I had made the right decision. It was almost impossible for me to put this down, and I only did so because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

This story had so much of what I love in a book, including adventure, and the romance, though a major part of the story, was the conflict, which actually made it even more interesting to me.

There's a lot to take in - every bit important. She manages to tell a story that takes place in two different times (the present, which is affected by the past) and does so smoothly. Her use of flashbacks is perfect, and the research that she has done on so many things throughout the book (including Tudor history, Lady Catherine, witches, curses, and spells) is spot on.

She has a way with characters that I find absolutely amazing, and anyone who is looking to improve their characters should take a look at the way she does it. Each one is so real, which is quite refreshing. Her characters have both a good and a bad side, sometimes making it hard to decide whether you like or dislike them... and sometimes you both hate and love them at the same time, but can't figure out why. I get gut feelings about her characters, as if they were real people, which says a lot about her writing ability.

My absolute favorite character is Josh. He is Ava's little brother, and is the perfect representation of an eleven-year-old. He can be such a jerk, and yet turn around and be completely loving, and I was so happy with the fact that he was willing to stand up to his sister when he knew she was wrong, defending the choice he made along with his friend.

My least favorite character was Ava. I just get SO tired of the "perfect female" character. I'm not saying that she was all bad. I just have a hard time relating to the whole "perfect" thing - she's so pretty and has a great body, the popular girls want to hang out with her, she easily fits in, and the guys are all chasing her. Despite her father's death and the grief they are feeling, her life is still pretty perfect, even though there are things going on in the story that rocks her "perfect" world. I think that's all just a personal thing with me, though, so I don't hold it against the author at all.

The ending was pretty amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on book two. It definitely was not the way I was expecting to things - not the direction I had fully expected things to go in as the events unraveled - but it ended perfectly. In fact, I don't think there's any other way it could have ended - and I usually get really ticked off about cliffhangers. It answered quite a few questions, but also left it open to SO many possibilities.

Definitely a book I recommend to others, including people like me who aren't fans of romance, and I can see this being in my top favorite reads of the year.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This new series from the author of the Ivie McKie books is guaranteed to please readers who love YA fantasy. Many popular tropes are present - an engaging, fairly sensible teenager, a bratty little brother, an old house with secrets, antagonistic twins - but these are combined in a plot that is completely original. The book ends neatly, and although it is very clear that this will be a series it did not violate my personal insistence on novels being able to stand alone.

Although my personal preference is for the raucous, side-splitting humour of the Ivie McKie books, Splintered Souls certainly got me in - I do care what happens to Ava, and I'm all agog to learn which twin is really the evil one - if, indeed, either of them is. The situation seems impossible of solution, but then so do the situations in most of Trollope's books, until right at the end, and as with Trollope, one must repose one's confidence in the undoubted skill of the author, that it will eventually turn out alright.

A good, exciting read, with believable characters and great pacing.

Splintered Souls is a self-aware, trope filled Romance Urban Fantasy novel about some wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff I won't spoil in the review.

The book certainly doesn't fall short on embracing the rampant YA Romance tropes rampant in today's literature. But for all its heavy reliance on those tropes, it's also incredibly self-aware of them. The book's protagonist is your "typical teen girl" that gets thrown into a rather precarious set of situations centered around a sudden intense love interest. Heard the story before? Yeah, so have I. But even as the book progresses along the paint-by-numbers plot points, it turns them into tongue-in-cheek jokes that almost seem to say, "Yeah, this has to be here. But I'm gonna have fun with it, damn it." Even still, as most romance goes (especially for young adult romance), so many issues would be solved with the rational conversations of adults. But we've got a teen girl protagonist, so it makes sense (in a horrifying kind of way) why she acts the way she does. In the end, the story's incredibly predictable. But at least I had fun on the ride.

Since the general magic of the book is a little more plot-centric than comparable books, it should be mentioned itself as its own actor at play, rather than just a catalyst to set the plot in motion. It seems Erica has put some real thought into the practical uses of magic in the world she's built, rather than just state it exists in the typical hand-wavey fashion so common in the genre. There seems to be few (and minor) plot holes that could potentially be filled with the use of magic (at least how it's presented), but for the most part the "rules of magic" seem to be fairly well covered. You're not getting Brandon Sanderson levels of magic here, but at the same time, you're not in his genre of fantasy either. As it stands, circumstances considered, the magic here stands out among its peers, and really made the book fun.

As for the writing, I have to say the book is quality. I'd personally love to see Erica branch into genres I'm more familiar with, if only to see another quality author added to the mix there. Her pacing, while a little light at the front and heavy at the back, definitely keeps the story flowing. Her descriptions and imagery make the scenes really pop and come alive. Though I'll say that, once or twice, I was a little unsure of what I was having described to me. I was told it was a man, but I'm pretty sure it could have been some kind of freshly baked pie too. The real key shining part of the writing though, was in the dialogue. Some of the banter and quips had me thoroughly laughing, along with some of the more somber scenes leaving me really feeling the emotion of the moment.

Overall, I enjoyed it. The book loses some points for just *how* predictable and formulaic it feels, but it gets some back for the fun it pokes at itself. And in this particular genre, I'd have liked more time spend doing the special magical stuff, but this is the first book in the series, and we needed the setup, so it gets a pass. In general, I don't think I could have asked for much better than what I got.

This book has so much to love--twists, hot twins, sibling rivalry, midwives! I cared about the characers and it kept me guessing along the way. I'm looking forward to the rest of the story!

I absolutely adored this book. It's got my heart splintered, also. I read this book in one day. The plot was great and so were the characters and I'm ready for a sequel! Read the full review and a book soundtrack at [...]

Dean does an excellent job with her characters - they are believable and have depth and interest. You definitely want to learn more about them. I would have found them very relatable as a teen. The story was unique - I don't believe I've read another book quite like it. This is a nice change from so many of the cookie cutter YA books out there. I'm personally not a big fan of love triangles, but for those who are this book will be perfect. It was well done, regardless of my personal taste.

I received a copy free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Where was this when I was a teenager? I loved the author's way of accurately portraying Ava's internal turmoil as a young adult. The emotions, the confusion, the hormones and the humor made for a fast and fun read. I especially loved the historical aspects and the way I was left questioning everything! What started out as what I thought was going to be a teenage insta-love story became so much more and I was drawn into the mystery.
I absolutely loved all the characters and cannot wait to find out what happens next!

I was provided this book for an honest review.

There is so much that I loved about this book. It is difficult to write secondary characters that are just as interesting and complex as the main characters, but Lucke Dean has no problem creating characters to love at every level. I’m foaming at the mouth for a sequel, and not just to find out what else happens to the main three. I need more Sam, Paige, and for some reason…. Andrew. And ‘boy in a blue windbreaker’ better show up again, my brain is screaming for his back-story.

For me Splintered Souls started out slow, only because I’m not used to reading novels that aren’t contemporary/present day paranormal. The book started off with a look into the past and the events that created the chaos in the future. Splintered Souls then picked up speed at an ‘I-can’t-stop-reading’ pace. I regretted having to put this down for the night, I HAD to know what happened to the main characters. I also loved how well balanced the glimpses into the past were, scattered throughout the book and reconnecting with each other in a way that reminds me of Quentin Tarantino. I mean that in a good way.

I thought I had Ava’s story figured out, especially with a hint in the title. No hints people, you will be wrong. The book ended with an abrupt slap in the face that left me whimpering. The only thing I can do is pray that Lucke Dean finishes the sequel (sequels, please?) as soon as possible. And to avoid any plot spoilers I will only say: Maddox isn’t my favorite.

P.S. Can we throw in a love interest for Mom please, with sugar on top?

I usually take a week or so to finish a book, but I finished this book in two days. Even with two kids and a full time job I sacrificed my sleep. Couldn't put it down! Best book I have read in a long time!! Hands down!!!

I was provided this book for an honest review.

A death, a move, a hot guy, new friends and college! Ava is in for a wild adventure when she moves to Maine. She falls for a hot guy, but isn't sure he's real. Little does she know, there's more to this guy than she could ever guess, and then some.

This story grabs you and pulls you in. I had a hard time putting it down for sure.