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The Gifted Teens #1
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Kassia is a 16-year-old girl just trying to have a normal life. This is somewhat difficult because she has the ability to inflict pain on others with her mind, which is why she was sent to a special institute for kids with various gifts. It is here Kassia met her best friend Mira. Their lives will change forever after Mira is attacked and Kassia finds out her talent is much more powerful when she saves her. Little did she know that this act would attract the attention of demons. Suddenly, she is on the run from them with her boyfriend, Mira, and a few of their close friends. Realizing she can't outrun the demons, she seeks the guidance of a shaman. The shaman tells her the heart breaking news that the only way to protect her friends and the institute is through her own death. Join Kassia on her journey of friendship, love, and the conflicts she must face to protect those around her. The Ultimate Sacrifice is recommended for grade 9 and up. The Ultimate Sacrifice is the FIRST book in The Gifted Teens Series. Roots and Wings is the SECOND book in The Gifted Teens Series. Unbreakable is the THIRD book in The Gifted Teens Series.
173 pages, Nook
First published May 18, 2011
175 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 5, 2020
This is an Amazing Book!!I Highly recommend this book to those teens who love Teen emotions, Drama and Adventure.
This book is set in an institute located in California,where the kids with powers or gifts go to learn and control their powers. This book revolves around a sixteen year old Kassia who is gifted with a deadly power to cause pain or even kill a person with her"death stare".
She has friends named Mira, Noe, Auralee, Daxton and Zane. One day an incident with her best friend Mira turns her life upside down.It reveals some secrets about her parents and her power.
She makes sacrifices for her loved ones.
Noe has the power to see future. Auralee has the power to read people's future. Zane has the ability to talk to animals without knowing language Mira was a compeller and Daxton was the one who could take anyone to a dreamland just by touching them.
It gives a strong message about friendship..........
I loved the book's idea.The title fits perfect to the book.
This book is set in an institute located in California,where the kids with powers or gifts go to learn and control their powers. This book revolves around a sixteen year old Kassia who is gifted with a deadly power to cause pain or even kill a person with her"death stare".
She has friends named Mira, Noe, Auralee, Daxton and Zane. One day an incident with her best friend Mira turns her life upside down.It reveals some secrets about her parents and her power.
She makes sacrifices for her loved ones.
Noe has the power to see future. Auralee has the power to read people's future. Zane has the ability to talk to animals without knowing language Mira was a compeller and Daxton was the one who could take anyone to a dreamland just by touching them.
It gives a strong message about friendship..........
I loved the book's idea.The title fits perfect to the book.
March 6, 2012
It started so well that I thought it would be a wonderful story, but the more advanced in it more seemed like they had put in a blender every paranormal argument and seasoned with lots of people who did nothing but mourn and cry all the time. However, the idea is great.
September 29, 2016
I really did not like this book. It had a lot of issues, mainly from the writing itself. The idea was pretty good - a bunch of kids who have different powers, like mind-reading or telepathy, and one of them whose power is too dangerous and must die to protect her friends because otherwise, they will always be chased by demons. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, it would've been, if the writing was a lot better.
The problem was mainly the choppines of the book. Most scenes are very short when they could've been a lot longer to give depth to the book. This was a main reason for the choppiness. It was weird to read scenes that seemed like they were really important, but had almost no content. This also made it hard to get to know the characters or anything that was going on. Because I didn't have any details to fill in the events, the book was boring.
Admittedly, this is a free kindle book, so it's not bad for it's category. I couldn't read it though because of the writing style and simplicity. It was obvious where the plot was going from the start and I wished there had been more difficulty. I gave it two stars for the realistic implications of their powers, something I usually don't see in urban fantasy.
The problem was mainly the choppines of the book. Most scenes are very short when they could've been a lot longer to give depth to the book. This was a main reason for the choppiness. It was weird to read scenes that seemed like they were really important, but had almost no content. This also made it hard to get to know the characters or anything that was going on. Because I didn't have any details to fill in the events, the book was boring.
Admittedly, this is a free kindle book, so it's not bad for it's category. I couldn't read it though because of the writing style and simplicity. It was obvious where the plot was going from the start and I wished there had been more difficulty. I gave it two stars for the realistic implications of their powers, something I usually don't see in urban fantasy.
May 4, 2020
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't a favorite either. Keeping in mind the characters are around 16 years old, the way they acted and interacted was still too... shallow? Their personalities lacked depth.
Added to that is the way adults have almost no use or authority during the rising conflict in the story, which was treated as normal; other than providing shelter and financial support, the adults are barely tokens in this world.
Lastly, this whole story has a distinct fanfic flavor, imitating something like a Harry Potter/X-Men crossover. That's not necessarily good or bad, just a fact.
Added to that is the way adults have almost no use or authority during the rising conflict in the story, which was treated as normal; other than providing shelter and financial support, the adults are barely tokens in this world.
Lastly, this whole story has a distinct fanfic flavor, imitating something like a Harry Potter/X-Men crossover. That's not necessarily good or bad, just a fact.
March 17, 2012
I wanted to like this book, but I had to force myself to keep reading. Honestly, I thought I was reading something written by a teenager. I was very surprised to find she is grown with children! I'd read some of the other reviews, so I thought it would be at least an emotionally engaging book, but not for me. I wasn't even tempted to cry. Sorry. It was just too cheesy, and again, sounded like the stories my girlfriends and I would write back in high school.
January 28, 2016
The Ultimate Sacrifice by Talia Jager is now one of my favorite books because it has all of my favorite things that I like in a book. The Ultimate Sacrifice has Action, Romances, Drama. The book is about these kids named Kassia, Mira, Zane, Auralee, Daxton, and Noe who all had some type of power that helped keep Kassia from using her powers for the wrong things, but one day Kassia best friend Mira had got in to a little trouble with these two guys that was trying to do somethings to her. Two of Kassia friend that can tell the future and the other can read minds told Kassia that her best friend Mira is in trouble. Kassia went to go help her and when she got to Mira she was late. The two guys was attacking Mira. Kassia had to use her powers but she didn't know that her powers was so strong that she can kill them, which she did. The head of the school find out that Kassia had killed the two guys and made a group of six kids that was Kassia friends he told them they all had to leave to keep Kassia safe from the master of the demons that was going to start looking for her so they can turn he evil just like them. They was not trying to let that happen to Kassia so the had went all around the city t0 get away from the demons. I think you should read these book i think you might like it if you like action, romances, and drama.
September 22, 2014
I am not sure of the intended target audience of this book. It contains sexual tension, kissing, fairly graphic rape and violence so it's clearly aimed at the higher-end of the teen scale, but the dialog, scene setting and segues were superficial and immature, not to mention unrealistic.
For example, there is a girl who wears a new t-shirt with a fitting slogan for every situation, even when they are on the run and living out of a backpack each. They need to find a reclusive oracle on a mountain somewhere in America and get lucky at the second attempt. Teachers provide teens with cars, money and weapons and tell them to run around the country and stay hidden by themselves. The same teachers "clean up" a rape and double murder in the local town, the police are never involved.
There is little realistic depth or cohesion to this story.
For example, there is a girl who wears a new t-shirt with a fitting slogan for every situation, even when they are on the run and living out of a backpack each. They need to find a reclusive oracle on a mountain somewhere in America and get lucky at the second attempt. Teachers provide teens with cars, money and weapons and tell them to run around the country and stay hidden by themselves. The same teachers "clean up" a rape and double murder in the local town, the police are never involved.
There is little realistic depth or cohesion to this story.
April 1, 2016
Would you kill yourself to save the ones you love? The Ultimate Sacrifice by Talia Jager is, surprising. Control is the name of the game for a girl with deadly powers. This is no ordinary powerful girl, this is a girl who can hurt, and even kill, someone when needed, or by accident. Her best friend is a very good help to her and she is very thankful for everyone in her life, their friendship is very important to her. Talia Jager took an ordinary world and turned it into a world of danger and excitement.
310 pages
310 pages
October 30, 2015
Chapter 9 & out
April 18, 2018
Cover/Title: The series name is what made me pick up the book. However, the cover is pretty and the title fits well.
Characters: I enjoyed reading about this group of friends. I wish the author had done a bit more background for the characters. The reader doesn't really learn much about them until towards the end of the book.
Plot: Teens with abilities attend a special school. Kassia has more trouble controlling her abilities than most of them. Then her friend is attacked and Kassia is forced to use her abilities against the attackers. This lets the demons know that she exists. Now her friends are helping her try to hide from them.
Overall: I enjoyed this story immensely. My only real issue is the lack of depth of the characters. The reader doesn't really connect with them that well. However, this seems to be the case in a lot of series. Book 1 ends up being the background of the series. I will be looking forward to more in book 2.
Characters: I enjoyed reading about this group of friends. I wish the author had done a bit more background for the characters. The reader doesn't really learn much about them until towards the end of the book.
Plot: Teens with abilities attend a special school. Kassia has more trouble controlling her abilities than most of them. Then her friend is attacked and Kassia is forced to use her abilities against the attackers. This lets the demons know that she exists. Now her friends are helping her try to hide from them.
Overall: I enjoyed this story immensely. My only real issue is the lack of depth of the characters. The reader doesn't really connect with them that well. However, this seems to be the case in a lot of series. Book 1 ends up being the background of the series. I will be looking forward to more in book 2.
February 9, 2019
Nice reading material
Kassia is a sixteen year old girl in a school for the supernatural gifted. She can kill simply with her mind. Her best friend Mira is the only one immune to her. She hadn't killed anyone, until two men attacked her best friend. Some new kids were transferred to the school, one named Daxton who quickly became her boyfriend.
But things get ugly when demons come for Kessia. Along with her friends, she goes on the run to protect the school. One of her friends can see the future, one can read minds. Together they traverse the state's looking for a shaman. And they find her with the help of the other one who can talk to animals. Daxton can transport a person to another reality mentally, not physically.
Join them as they find the true mission they are to undertake. It's a heartwarming story even with the kids of one of them. I enjoyed reading this book.
Read on my friends
Kassia is a sixteen year old girl in a school for the supernatural gifted. She can kill simply with her mind. Her best friend Mira is the only one immune to her. She hadn't killed anyone, until two men attacked her best friend. Some new kids were transferred to the school, one named Daxton who quickly became her boyfriend.
But things get ugly when demons come for Kessia. Along with her friends, she goes on the run to protect the school. One of her friends can see the future, one can read minds. Together they traverse the state's looking for a shaman. And they find her with the help of the other one who can talk to animals. Daxton can transport a person to another reality mentally, not physically.
Join them as they find the true mission they are to undertake. It's a heartwarming story even with the kids of one of them. I enjoyed reading this book.
Read on my friends
January 26, 2021
THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE tells a fast-paced story about what it is like to be born special, even amongst the different. Kassia had problems keeping her emotions under control. This is a bad thing because she is able to cause pain, and even death, just by thinking about it. She has her own little support group in her BFF Mira, Noe, Auralee, Zane, and her love, Daxton.
The title of the book sort of gives away the main part of the story, but like most good books, the fun is getting to that part. This IS fast-paced so you need to read it carefully and not skim, otherwise a month has passed and you missed the reference that told you so.
I found this to be a gripping story that engaged my emotions. It was incredibly well-written and I loved every word. This book is concluded nicely with a small teaser that will definitely leave you wanting more. Absolutely recommended by me.
The title of the book sort of gives away the main part of the story, but like most good books, the fun is getting to that part. This IS fast-paced so you need to read it carefully and not skim, otherwise a month has passed and you missed the reference that told you so.
I found this to be a gripping story that engaged my emotions. It was incredibly well-written and I loved every word. This book is concluded nicely with a small teaser that will definitely leave you wanting more. Absolutely recommended by me.
July 22, 2023
Book One of the Gifted Teens series
Kassia and her friends attend the Glendale Institute, where they are trained in their various unusual gifts, taught discipline, and ultimately as they find out, are protected from someone who wants to either control them or destroy them.
Kassia has a dangerous gift, and has a difficult time controlling it. When she resorts to violence to defend her friend who has been cruelly attacked, the two of them need to flee the institute to protect their fellow students. Kassia's actions have opened the door to danger, alerting their enemies to where they are.
Several friends join the girls on their quest for a hiding place and ultimately for help. They all are forced to grow up quickly, and in the end, learn to not just work together, but make sacrifices for each other.
Kassia and her friends attend the Glendale Institute, where they are trained in their various unusual gifts, taught discipline, and ultimately as they find out, are protected from someone who wants to either control them or destroy them.
Kassia has a dangerous gift, and has a difficult time controlling it. When she resorts to violence to defend her friend who has been cruelly attacked, the two of them need to flee the institute to protect their fellow students. Kassia's actions have opened the door to danger, alerting their enemies to where they are.
Several friends join the girls on their quest for a hiding place and ultimately for help. They all are forced to grow up quickly, and in the end, learn to not just work together, but make sacrifices for each other.
August 6, 2025
In a world where schools reside in America for kids with powers, Kassia, our main character, was abandoned at one of them as a kid. She has the power known as mind blowing, and she can kill or inflict pain on people without causing wounds, and without having to touch them. The problem with this is, when mixed with her anger issues, her best friend is the only person who can calm her down. That is, until she meets a boy with the power to take her away to a dream world.
Check out my full review here!
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Check out my full review here!
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
November 25, 2025
Gifted teens
Very elementary. Kassia is the center character in this paranormal story about an academy, and good v. Evil. Kassia has a rare power to mentally cause pain and has trouble controlling her emotions and her powers. She basically acts like a cruel bully that people are afraid of, while bemoaning her lack of control. She has a small group of powerful girlfriends and her sweet love interest. Suddenly demons appear and she must make the ultimate sacrifice, which turns out not to be so ultimate after all. Most of the book describes her training to learn her powers, and her friends back at the Academy mourning her as they train to defeat the demons.
Very elementary. Kassia is the center character in this paranormal story about an academy, and good v. Evil. Kassia has a rare power to mentally cause pain and has trouble controlling her emotions and her powers. She basically acts like a cruel bully that people are afraid of, while bemoaning her lack of control. She has a small group of powerful girlfriends and her sweet love interest. Suddenly demons appear and she must make the ultimate sacrifice, which turns out not to be so ultimate after all. Most of the book describes her training to learn her powers, and her friends back at the Academy mourning her as they train to defeat the demons.
September 13, 2025
"The Ultimate Sacrifice" is a fast-paced YA paranormal adventure that blends supernatural powers, strong friendships, and heart-wrenching choices. Kassia is a relatable and brave heroine whose journey from self-discovery to sacrifice pulls you in from the start. With danger, demons, and a powerful bond between gifted teens, this is a gripping start to The Gifted Teens Series. Perfect for fans of emotional stakes and supernatural suspense.
July 9, 2018
The ultimate sacrifice
I like how there was so much love in the book and how they never really got in fights with each other and all the team work. I didn't like how at the end they didn't see the red in the forest because I don't think there is supposed to be red in a forest besides the trees but that was the only problem.
I like how there was so much love in the book and how they never really got in fights with each other and all the team work. I didn't like how at the end they didn't see the red in the forest because I don't think there is supposed to be red in a forest besides the trees but that was the only problem.
June 10, 2024
read this when i was really really young bc my mom didn’t let me read so i found free books on apple ibook. i loved it then sm, tried to reread it now and was shocked by how wattpad-esque it is. almost rated it 5 stars for nostalgia but i gotta be real
the characters were kinda annnoying and quirky, romance was so weird.
the characters were kinda annnoying and quirky, romance was so weird.
March 11, 2019
Great first book
Look forward to reading more in this series. I have a hard time reading some teen books because of all the teen emotions that the books have. I was happy that this one did not have an over load of teen problems.
Look forward to reading more in this series. I have a hard time reading some teen books because of all the teen emotions that the books have. I was happy that this one did not have an over load of teen problems.
April 12, 2021
Honestly one of the best books I have ever read. I must have read it at least 15 times and it still manages to make me laugh and cry it is so well written and makes you want to read the rest of the trilogy.
June 18, 2017
Pretty good but overall kinda short and a obvious ending.
August 25, 2021
Amazing🤩🤩
March 5, 2022
Nice tween novel
A good read. Decent character development. Lots of kissing and emotions offset by physic powers. Good start of a series.
A good read. Decent character development. Lots of kissing and emotions offset by physic powers. Good start of a series.
November 3, 2023
A heart-breaking story where Kassia must make the right choice: live a dangerous life with her best friends (and boyfriend) or sacrifice her life to save her loved ones?
June 5, 2025
Surprisingly this was a really good read.
August 30, 2011
This book is totally something I would read. I read lots of paranormal romance. The storyline was exciting and highly enjoyable. I love the giftings of the characters and the direction the author went with this novel. It started out a little slow, but the anticipation of what was to come kept me reading. Overall it was thrilling and gripping, even to the last page.
But there was something missing (for me) that at first I couldn’t put my finger on. I nailed down two things. First… the author’s writing is very basic and straightforward. I’m not really sure yet if that is a bad thing but it really could have been more descriptive and “felt” through the eyes of the characters. Book characters are supposed to caricatures.
The Second…. The fact that this story was self-published I think made it subpar. There’s just something about the process of going through a publishing house and they pick your manuscript apart and force you to make it the absolute best it can be. Sure, some books suck that come out of publishing houses, but some just blow your mind. This one probably could have been one of those mind blowers for me (pun intended!) But it was self-published and it was under edited. Editors don’t just check for writing errors, they push you to develop the characters so that they are so distinct and don’t flat line.
My main issue is with the character development in this story. The main character was just kind of blah. She was moody, flawed and just kind of bland in her reasons for being that way. For that reason I think it should not have been in first person point of view from her.
The love interest was so generic. Why does he love her? Why would he pursue her besides the fact that she’s hot? There has to be a reason. But in this story, nothing comes to mind. He was just there because the author put him there. There was no relationship building to give us a sense of closeness. His gift was totally cool and played into the storyline well which made it better for their relationship, but the foundation of it is just not there for me.
The best friend is a lovely character. I’d say the best in the bunch. She has such real feelings and the stuff that happens to her is heart breaking and her “loss” made me nearly cry. No qualms with her. But sharing the first person point of view with her was difficult for me. Another option would have been third person point of view. (This is something I think an editor would have changed.) I don’t like having to change gears myself. (Maybe I’m just a lazy reader! lol)
Secondary characters: Auralee and Noe. I still don’t know the difference between these two. They blended together too much. Again, an editor would have forced a deep rift between these two so that there is no mixing them up because their gifts really seem essential to the group. Every time one came to the forefront, I’d wonder which one it was, the mind reader or the one that sees the future. One should have been a comic relief character, or have an attitude, or sassy, or something to make her extremely different than the other.
RATING:
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this story. It’s the kind of story I like: supernatural powers, creepy bad guy, action, and romance. There’s just something about this book that felt… held back. Like it really could have been better. I’d rate it at a 3. Good. It really should have been called "Mind Blower", that would have been way cooler.
RECOMMENDATIONS: **SPOILER**
I’d recommend this to late teens and adults because of rape scene about a third of the way into the book. I still find scenes like this disturbing (and I’m a grown up.)
But there was something missing (for me) that at first I couldn’t put my finger on. I nailed down two things. First… the author’s writing is very basic and straightforward. I’m not really sure yet if that is a bad thing but it really could have been more descriptive and “felt” through the eyes of the characters. Book characters are supposed to caricatures.
The Second…. The fact that this story was self-published I think made it subpar. There’s just something about the process of going through a publishing house and they pick your manuscript apart and force you to make it the absolute best it can be. Sure, some books suck that come out of publishing houses, but some just blow your mind. This one probably could have been one of those mind blowers for me (pun intended!) But it was self-published and it was under edited. Editors don’t just check for writing errors, they push you to develop the characters so that they are so distinct and don’t flat line.
My main issue is with the character development in this story. The main character was just kind of blah. She was moody, flawed and just kind of bland in her reasons for being that way. For that reason I think it should not have been in first person point of view from her.
The love interest was so generic. Why does he love her? Why would he pursue her besides the fact that she’s hot? There has to be a reason. But in this story, nothing comes to mind. He was just there because the author put him there. There was no relationship building to give us a sense of closeness. His gift was totally cool and played into the storyline well which made it better for their relationship, but the foundation of it is just not there for me.
The best friend is a lovely character. I’d say the best in the bunch. She has such real feelings and the stuff that happens to her is heart breaking and her “loss” made me nearly cry. No qualms with her. But sharing the first person point of view with her was difficult for me. Another option would have been third person point of view. (This is something I think an editor would have changed.) I don’t like having to change gears myself. (Maybe I’m just a lazy reader! lol)
Secondary characters: Auralee and Noe. I still don’t know the difference between these two. They blended together too much. Again, an editor would have forced a deep rift between these two so that there is no mixing them up because their gifts really seem essential to the group. Every time one came to the forefront, I’d wonder which one it was, the mind reader or the one that sees the future. One should have been a comic relief character, or have an attitude, or sassy, or something to make her extremely different than the other.
RATING:
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this story. It’s the kind of story I like: supernatural powers, creepy bad guy, action, and romance. There’s just something about this book that felt… held back. Like it really could have been better. I’d rate it at a 3. Good. It really should have been called "Mind Blower", that would have been way cooler.
RECOMMENDATIONS: **SPOILER**
I’d recommend this to late teens and adults because of rape scene about a third of the way into the book. I still find scenes like this disturbing (and I’m a grown up.)
June 28, 2011
New authors everyday and its was pleasure to read them giving new meaning to used concepts and even adding new points to the ever increasing and fantasizing young adult fiction bases. Read on about
The Ultimate Sacrifice by Talia Jager
.
Here is the summary :
Within our world exists a much darker world only known to a select few. Some are identified as "gifted" and brought to a special institute where they develop their own unique talent and understanding of this world within our world. It is here Kassia finds out her talent is both dangerous and difficult to control. She has the ability to inflict pain on an individual within her sight. It is only after a friend is being attacked that she realizes her talent is much more powerful when she brings death to the attackers. Little did she know that use of such a powerful talent alerted demons to her existence. Suddenly she is on the run with her best friend, who ironically is immune to her power, and a new kid at school she was falling for. Realizing she can't outrun the demons, she seeks the guidance of a local shaman. The shaman explains the only escape is through her own death. In order to protect her friends and institute, she sets out to do just that.
Think would you be able to give the ultimate sacrifice to protect your loved ones, your friends?
The Glendale Institute students are "gifted." This story focuses on Kassia, a mind-blower, one who delivers pain with her mind and can even cause death. Her friends, Mira, Daxton, Noe, Auralee, and Zane all play equally important roles as they come together to stop an army of demons, disgustingly rotten creatures of darkness - of hell; from taking over and everyone being destroyed by them and their evil leader, Kern.
The plot was pretty easy to follow, there’s absolutely nothing complicated about it. Still, at the same time, I was longing for more details and challenges because it was such a good story with added twists. Nonetheless, I’m giving the author some kudos because after a few chapters, I was fixed to the book. I wanted to read more of it, but before I knew it, it’s over. The story took off a bit slow, revolving around school and romance, but as it progressed, everything started to go wild and quite thrilling. On top of that, the first person perspective worked well in bringing both Kassia and Mira to life. The voice was very teenage-like, matches their characters and their emotions were portrayed in convincing manners. All in all, the language used was simple yet flawless.
Although we don't have enough details about all the character but Daxton was interesting. Anybody would love a guy who can whisk you out of your troubles to fantasyland, literally without breaking a sweat. I'm sure every girl out there wants a Daxton too!
The author has a great why of capturing the readers attention. I almost felt like I was there with the characters in the action scenes. I just hope there is a squeal to this one. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Here is the summary :
Within our world exists a much darker world only known to a select few. Some are identified as "gifted" and brought to a special institute where they develop their own unique talent and understanding of this world within our world. It is here Kassia finds out her talent is both dangerous and difficult to control. She has the ability to inflict pain on an individual within her sight. It is only after a friend is being attacked that she realizes her talent is much more powerful when she brings death to the attackers. Little did she know that use of such a powerful talent alerted demons to her existence. Suddenly she is on the run with her best friend, who ironically is immune to her power, and a new kid at school she was falling for. Realizing she can't outrun the demons, she seeks the guidance of a local shaman. The shaman explains the only escape is through her own death. In order to protect her friends and institute, she sets out to do just that.
Think would you be able to give the ultimate sacrifice to protect your loved ones, your friends?
The Glendale Institute students are "gifted." This story focuses on Kassia, a mind-blower, one who delivers pain with her mind and can even cause death. Her friends, Mira, Daxton, Noe, Auralee, and Zane all play equally important roles as they come together to stop an army of demons, disgustingly rotten creatures of darkness - of hell; from taking over and everyone being destroyed by them and their evil leader, Kern.
The plot was pretty easy to follow, there’s absolutely nothing complicated about it. Still, at the same time, I was longing for more details and challenges because it was such a good story with added twists. Nonetheless, I’m giving the author some kudos because after a few chapters, I was fixed to the book. I wanted to read more of it, but before I knew it, it’s over. The story took off a bit slow, revolving around school and romance, but as it progressed, everything started to go wild and quite thrilling. On top of that, the first person perspective worked well in bringing both Kassia and Mira to life. The voice was very teenage-like, matches their characters and their emotions were portrayed in convincing manners. All in all, the language used was simple yet flawless.
Although we don't have enough details about all the character but Daxton was interesting. Anybody would love a guy who can whisk you out of your troubles to fantasyland, literally without breaking a sweat. I'm sure every girl out there wants a Daxton too!
The author has a great why of capturing the readers attention. I almost felt like I was there with the characters in the action scenes. I just hope there is a squeal to this one. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
October 6, 2011
The Ultimate Sacrifice (The Gifted Teens Series 1)
By: Talia Jager
ISBN: 2940012446725
Published May 19, 2011
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★☆
It’s pretty cool being a teen with a supernatural gift—that is unless you have the power to inflict pain with your mind and you can’t control it. That’s exactly the situation in which sixteen-year-old Kassia finds herself. Kassia enrolls in a special school for gifted teens and subsequently meets her new best friend, Mira, and a pretty awesome love interest, Daxton. When Mira is brutally attacked off campus, Kassia rescues her but finds that her power is much more dangerous than anyone knew. And, she’s caught the interest of some truly devious demons in the process. Now, she and her friends must leave the institute and try to stop the demon forces before they get out of hand. Will Kassia be able to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all, or will she succumb to the evil that seeks her out?
I really enjoyed The Ultimate Sacrifice a bit more than Talia’s other books I have read so far (I have one more which I’m working on right now!). I think that’s because it is fantasy and has less to do with real life, which I find I like to avoid at all cost whenever possible. Ha!
I love the way this story is structured. I love the characters and the fact they each have these special abilities and work together so well. They complement each other not only in their powers but their individual personalities as well. There was such honest and interesting chemistry between them, especially Kassia and Daxton. (I think his gift was my favorite!)
There were bits and pieces of the writing that I felt could have been cleaned up a little. Sometimes the characters thoughts go off on a little tangent or at least wander off enough to be distracting from the action. I do think Jager did a better job of building up to a more definite climax in this story, and I am sure that the fantasy element played a huge role in that. I think writing from first-person point of view actually limits a story sometimes, so it really helped that she switched up who we heard from (Kassia, Mira, etc.) so we got a more rounded story. I’d love to see Talia write something from a different point of view in the future.
Overall, this book was a lot of fun, well thought out, and fresh and interesting in the world of SO much YA paranormal romance! Jager is a fantastic and talented storyteller, and I look forward to following her work for years to come…
By: Talia Jager
ISBN: 2940012446725
Published May 19, 2011
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★☆
It’s pretty cool being a teen with a supernatural gift—that is unless you have the power to inflict pain with your mind and you can’t control it. That’s exactly the situation in which sixteen-year-old Kassia finds herself. Kassia enrolls in a special school for gifted teens and subsequently meets her new best friend, Mira, and a pretty awesome love interest, Daxton. When Mira is brutally attacked off campus, Kassia rescues her but finds that her power is much more dangerous than anyone knew. And, she’s caught the interest of some truly devious demons in the process. Now, she and her friends must leave the institute and try to stop the demon forces before they get out of hand. Will Kassia be able to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all, or will she succumb to the evil that seeks her out?
I really enjoyed The Ultimate Sacrifice a bit more than Talia’s other books I have read so far (I have one more which I’m working on right now!). I think that’s because it is fantasy and has less to do with real life, which I find I like to avoid at all cost whenever possible. Ha!
I love the way this story is structured. I love the characters and the fact they each have these special abilities and work together so well. They complement each other not only in their powers but their individual personalities as well. There was such honest and interesting chemistry between them, especially Kassia and Daxton. (I think his gift was my favorite!)
There were bits and pieces of the writing that I felt could have been cleaned up a little. Sometimes the characters thoughts go off on a little tangent or at least wander off enough to be distracting from the action. I do think Jager did a better job of building up to a more definite climax in this story, and I am sure that the fantasy element played a huge role in that. I think writing from first-person point of view actually limits a story sometimes, so it really helped that she switched up who we heard from (Kassia, Mira, etc.) so we got a more rounded story. I’d love to see Talia write something from a different point of view in the future.
Overall, this book was a lot of fun, well thought out, and fresh and interesting in the world of SO much YA paranormal romance! Jager is a fantastic and talented storyteller, and I look forward to following her work for years to come…
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August 8, 2011I have to say that I probably never would have found this AMAZING book had the author not requested a review for it! I'm so glad that she did! I absolutely LOVED this book. It took me two days to finish this book when it usually takes me a week to finish one. That's not to say that this is a short book because it isn't! It's just SO GOOD that I couldn't put it down! I was completely enthralled from beginning to end and I can't wait to read book 2!
Thank you so much Talia Jager for giving me to opportunity to read your book. It is truly a remarkable piece of work!
Kassie can't figure out how to control her gift. Mira is immune to it and she seems to be the only one that can calm Kassia down when her gift is getting the best o her. That is until Daxton got transferred to their school. Daxton is drawn to Kassia and he is a dreamer. He can taker her away in her mind to calm her down when her gift is surging inside her.
When Mira, Kassia's best friend, is attacked and raped in a dark alley, Kassia looses control of her gift and kills her riends' attackers. She mean to kill anyone, she didn't even know she could. Yeah, she wanted them dead for what they did to her best friend but she never meant to kill them.
Since Kassia has killed the demons know she exists. They are coming or her. They want to brainwash her and use her as a weapon to control the world. Mr. Eaton, the headmaster, sends Kassia and her friends away to hide and try to keep each other safe. Daxton went to help keep Kassia from using her gift. Noe went because she can see things before they happen. Auralee went because she can hear the thoughts of others. Zane could speak to other creatures and Mira not only helped keep Kassia from using her gift, she could also compel others to do what she wanted or to forget things she wanted forgotten.
Kassia worries that the only way to keep her friends safe from the demons is for her to die. She doesn't want to die but she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe. After all they are the only family she has...
I won't tell what happens in the end :) you have to read the book to find out for yourself! You won't be sorry! Trust me, this book is THAT good!
~Christy
Thank you so much Talia Jager for giving me to opportunity to read your book. It is truly a remarkable piece of work!
Kassie can't figure out how to control her gift. Mira is immune to it and she seems to be the only one that can calm Kassia down when her gift is getting the best o her. That is until Daxton got transferred to their school. Daxton is drawn to Kassia and he is a dreamer. He can taker her away in her mind to calm her down when her gift is surging inside her.
When Mira, Kassia's best friend, is attacked and raped in a dark alley, Kassia looses control of her gift and kills her riends' attackers. She mean to kill anyone, she didn't even know she could. Yeah, she wanted them dead for what they did to her best friend but she never meant to kill them.
Since Kassia has killed the demons know she exists. They are coming or her. They want to brainwash her and use her as a weapon to control the world. Mr. Eaton, the headmaster, sends Kassia and her friends away to hide and try to keep each other safe. Daxton went to help keep Kassia from using her gift. Noe went because she can see things before they happen. Auralee went because she can hear the thoughts of others. Zane could speak to other creatures and Mira not only helped keep Kassia from using her gift, she could also compel others to do what she wanted or to forget things she wanted forgotten.
Kassia worries that the only way to keep her friends safe from the demons is for her to die. She doesn't want to die but she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe. After all they are the only family she has...
I won't tell what happens in the end :) you have to read the book to find out for yourself! You won't be sorry! Trust me, this book is THAT good!
~Christy
August 21, 2011
I have to say that I probably never would have found this AMAZING book had the author not requested a review for it! I'm so glad that she did! I absolutely LOVED this book. It took me two days to finish this book when it usually takes me a week to finish one. That's not to say that this is a short book because it isn't! It's just SO GOOD that I couldn't put it down! I was completely enthralled from beginning to end and I can't wait to read book 2!
Thank you so much Talia Jager for giving me to opportunity to read your book. It is truly a remarkable piece of work!
Kassie can't figure out how to control her gift. Mira is immune to it and she seems to be the only one that can calm Kassia down when her gift is getting the best of her. That is until Daxton got transferred to their school. Daxton is drawn to Kassia and he is a dreamer. He can take her away in her mind to calm her down when her gift is surging inside her.
When Mira, Kassia's best friend, is attacked and raped in a dark alley, Kassia looses control of her gift and kills her friends' attackers. She never meant to kill anyone, she didn't even know she could. Yeah, she wanted them dead for what they did to her best friend but she never meant to kill them.
Since Kassia has killed, the demons know she exists. They are coming for her. They want to brainwash her and use her as a weapon to control the world. Mr. Eaton, the headmaster, sends Kassia and her friends away to hide and try to keep each other safe. Daxton went to help keep Kassia from using her gift. Noe went because she can see things before they happen. Auralee went because she can hear the thoughts of others. Zane could speak to other creatures and Mira not only helped keep Kassia from using her gift, she could also compel others to do what she wanted or to forget things she wanted forgotten.
Kassia worries that the only way to keep her friends safe from the demons is for her to die. She doesn't want to die but she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe. After all they are the only family she has...
I won't tell what happens in the end :) you have to read the book to find out for yourself! You won't be sorry! Trust me, this book is THAT good!
Thank you so much Talia Jager for giving me to opportunity to read your book. It is truly a remarkable piece of work!
Kassie can't figure out how to control her gift. Mira is immune to it and she seems to be the only one that can calm Kassia down when her gift is getting the best of her. That is until Daxton got transferred to their school. Daxton is drawn to Kassia and he is a dreamer. He can take her away in her mind to calm her down when her gift is surging inside her.
When Mira, Kassia's best friend, is attacked and raped in a dark alley, Kassia looses control of her gift and kills her friends' attackers. She never meant to kill anyone, she didn't even know she could. Yeah, she wanted them dead for what they did to her best friend but she never meant to kill them.
Since Kassia has killed, the demons know she exists. They are coming for her. They want to brainwash her and use her as a weapon to control the world. Mr. Eaton, the headmaster, sends Kassia and her friends away to hide and try to keep each other safe. Daxton went to help keep Kassia from using her gift. Noe went because she can see things before they happen. Auralee went because she can hear the thoughts of others. Zane could speak to other creatures and Mira not only helped keep Kassia from using her gift, she could also compel others to do what she wanted or to forget things she wanted forgotten.
Kassia worries that the only way to keep her friends safe from the demons is for her to die. She doesn't want to die but she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe. After all they are the only family she has...
I won't tell what happens in the end :) you have to read the book to find out for yourself! You won't be sorry! Trust me, this book is THAT good!
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