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Bloodlines Series #1
Silver and Stone
Welcome to high school high society hell. As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life. But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye. The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured.
- GenresParanormalYoung Adult
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2011
5 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Thompson
4 books43 followersJ.D. Thompson is a YA and women’s fiction writer. She lives in a small town in the chilly northern peak of New-Brunswick with her family, an array tomato plants that annually fail to thrive and a growing number of incomplete knitting projects. Like Broken China is her third completed novel.
If you want to know when J.D.’s next book will come out, please visit https://thechroniclesofjen.wordpress.... or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jdthompson/
If you want to know when J.D.’s next book will come out, please visit https://thechroniclesofjen.wordpress.... or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jdthompson/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 29, 2011
(this review includes fan art by yours truly)
Alexis is sixteen, about to start senior year in gorgeous old Weatherford High School, a building with history all the way back from the beginning of 1800’s. Alexis history is newer she’s had a summer that she wishes had never happened, she had to defend herself which led to the death of her mother – now she is the outcast of her preppy, Chanel and D&G wearing school mates. Her boyfriend joined forces with Alexis past friend and that betrayal still stings. But luckily she still has few friends, but it doesn’t change the fact that is now a heartless monster, even she can see that.
Every night she wakes up to nightmares, knowing they are more than just dreams, but it’s not clear what they are and what they mean. Nonetheless they are terrifying, someone is after her, every night.
The school has a new student and Alexis a new neighbor, the dark, tall and handsome Lucas doesn’t seem too concerned with Alexis past, she worries what getting involved with Lucas might do to her heart as boys are trouble, and her heart cannot take any more pain. But Lucas seems to heal her and she smiles for the first time since her mother passes away.
But destiny has decided it’s not an easily life waiting for Alexis, her dreams get worse and visions begin and it becomes clear something horrible is going on, but is it just in her mind, is she going crazy or are the things she sees real, perhaps a horrible promise of the future to come?
Wonderful world of the old Weatherford Mansion, trees turning color, love blossoming and darkness creeping ever closer.
Thomson’s writing is a joy to read, in my opinion up there with the best YA I’ve read! Engaging, addictive, must-know-what-happens next! Alexis has grown up fast which makes her character interesting, but she still has her 16 year old attitude and embarrassments, sister troubles and eye for one special boy. Lucas is an “old soul” you can feel it right away even though cleverly Alexis makes him younger, Lucas definitely is the kinda boy who draws attention from high school girls and when he grows up the ladies as well.
The story is somewhat short, I wanted it to last longer, but luckily the second book in the Bloodlines Series "Blood and Champagne" is coming out in the near future!
Almost until the end you are kept guessing what is going on, you might know what is coming, how it’s going to turn out but the way she writes she doesn’t giveaway too much and the ending is definitely a surprise! Expect to feel a little sad, happy, blushing and heartbroken while you read Alexi’s story!
Definitely worth reading if you are into paranormal YA!
Alexis is sixteen, about to start senior year in gorgeous old Weatherford High School, a building with history all the way back from the beginning of 1800’s. Alexis history is newer she’s had a summer that she wishes had never happened, she had to defend herself which led to the death of her mother – now she is the outcast of her preppy, Chanel and D&G wearing school mates. Her boyfriend joined forces with Alexis past friend and that betrayal still stings. But luckily she still has few friends, but it doesn’t change the fact that is now a heartless monster, even she can see that.
Every night she wakes up to nightmares, knowing they are more than just dreams, but it’s not clear what they are and what they mean. Nonetheless they are terrifying, someone is after her, every night.
The school has a new student and Alexis a new neighbor, the dark, tall and handsome Lucas doesn’t seem too concerned with Alexis past, she worries what getting involved with Lucas might do to her heart as boys are trouble, and her heart cannot take any more pain. But Lucas seems to heal her and she smiles for the first time since her mother passes away.
But destiny has decided it’s not an easily life waiting for Alexis, her dreams get worse and visions begin and it becomes clear something horrible is going on, but is it just in her mind, is she going crazy or are the things she sees real, perhaps a horrible promise of the future to come?
Wonderful world of the old Weatherford Mansion, trees turning color, love blossoming and darkness creeping ever closer.
Thomson’s writing is a joy to read, in my opinion up there with the best YA I’ve read! Engaging, addictive, must-know-what-happens next! Alexis has grown up fast which makes her character interesting, but she still has her 16 year old attitude and embarrassments, sister troubles and eye for one special boy. Lucas is an “old soul” you can feel it right away even though cleverly Alexis makes him younger, Lucas definitely is the kinda boy who draws attention from high school girls and when he grows up the ladies as well.
The story is somewhat short, I wanted it to last longer, but luckily the second book in the Bloodlines Series "Blood and Champagne" is coming out in the near future!
Almost until the end you are kept guessing what is going on, you might know what is coming, how it’s going to turn out but the way she writes she doesn’t giveaway too much and the ending is definitely a surprise! Expect to feel a little sad, happy, blushing and heartbroken while you read Alexi’s story!
Definitely worth reading if you are into paranormal YA!
November 14, 2011
I found this book to be so enjoyably written. Snarky comments, witty observations. Alexis is a girl in the mires of a whole lot of, shall we say, shit. Right off the bat Alexis is dealing with the fact that she killed her mother, her sister has turned against her, and her father has abandoned her; choosing to practically live at the office rather than interact with his children. Add to all of this the heinous nightmares Alexis is living with and I don’t know how she’s getting through a day! Bless her best friends. They’re a tad shallow but their loyalty and love for their friend runs deep. I loved how they defended Alexis like warriors…well, warriors wearing Gucci and Louboutins, lol.
I have mixed emotions about the start to this book. As I’ve already mentioned I very much enjoyed the characters and the voice of the protagonist. But as much as I was enjoying it, it took me a little while to get into the story. We’re presented with a huge case of insta-love right from the start. Lucas, the mysterious and hot new neighbor, comes on strong. I’m pretty sure they start making out on their second or third meeting! I’m warning you now. There’s not a lot of rationalization for the insta-love…you won’t really understand the reasons until the end of the book. Which is why, in retrospect, I kinda like that I had to wait for all of the info to be revealed.
The driving force of this plot doesn’t come out until the final scenes of the book. Then, all the pieces of the puzzle slam into place with a bang and lots of action scenes. Honestly I was thinking things like “No Way!” and “How did I not see that coming?!” and “Boy was I wrong about that”. The concept for the book is not new, it’s a conglomeration of the Passion books and the Shiver-type books. But instead of feeling stale, or like a repeat. It’s almost as if having done these other novels first only served to confuse my guesses…I was totally expecting a different ending!
After having the blindfold of the first 2/3rds of the book removed I’m itching for the next book in the series! That last third simultaneously opened up lots of knowledge and lots of questions. If you’re looking for a paranormal (minus vampires) you’ve found a very nice option with this book.
http://thelibrarianreads.wordpress.com
I have mixed emotions about the start to this book. As I’ve already mentioned I very much enjoyed the characters and the voice of the protagonist. But as much as I was enjoying it, it took me a little while to get into the story. We’re presented with a huge case of insta-love right from the start. Lucas, the mysterious and hot new neighbor, comes on strong. I’m pretty sure they start making out on their second or third meeting! I’m warning you now. There’s not a lot of rationalization for the insta-love…you won’t really understand the reasons until the end of the book. Which is why, in retrospect, I kinda like that I had to wait for all of the info to be revealed.
The driving force of this plot doesn’t come out until the final scenes of the book. Then, all the pieces of the puzzle slam into place with a bang and lots of action scenes. Honestly I was thinking things like “No Way!” and “How did I not see that coming?!” and “Boy was I wrong about that”. The concept for the book is not new, it’s a conglomeration of the Passion books and the Shiver-type books. But instead of feeling stale, or like a repeat. It’s almost as if having done these other novels first only served to confuse my guesses…I was totally expecting a different ending!
After having the blindfold of the first 2/3rds of the book removed I’m itching for the next book in the series! That last third simultaneously opened up lots of knowledge and lots of questions. If you’re looking for a paranormal (minus vampires) you’ve found a very nice option with this book.
http://thelibrarianreads.wordpress.com
September 17, 2011
I had so much fun reading Silver and Stone. I can only imagine how fun it must have been for J.D. Thompson to write it. This is the type of book that makes me remember why I love paranormal romance. It's impossible to talk about this book without talking about the romance. Lucas is definitely swoon-worthy. When I think of Lucas, I think of his green eyes, and that at point, my thoughts aren't terribly coherent--it becomes something like, "OMGljouwernslujdf." I don't even know what to say about Lucas other than he's my new character crush.
Aside from the romance, which is sexy and cute and amazing all at once, it would also be impossible to talk about Silver and Stone without talking about the mystery aspect of it. I love it that from the beginning to the end, we're taken through an incredible mystery. Are there things I wanted to know more about while I was reading? Absolutely. Am I glad that not everything was revealed right away? Definitely. I like it when the mystery isn't solved halfway through the novel. I like it that Alexis doesn't know about her history, or Lucas's history, until we get close to the end of the novel. It's much more interesting than the girl finding out her crush is a vampire/werewolf/insert other paranormal creature here when we're only a few chapters into the book. That's not to say I don't love the novels that are like that, but it was refreshing to just watch Alexis and Lucas and their romance while watching Alexis go through her nightmares and visions and try to figure out what was going on at the same time she was. I like it that not everything was revealed to Alexis, or to me, right away. Plus, not knowing everything in the first book means there are more books in the series to look forward to. I did feel like this book was too short, but that's just because I want more, and thank goodness I'm going to get more, since this is the first of a series. I can't wait to see how Alexis's and Lucas's story unfolds.
Aside from the romance, which is sexy and cute and amazing all at once, it would also be impossible to talk about Silver and Stone without talking about the mystery aspect of it. I love it that from the beginning to the end, we're taken through an incredible mystery. Are there things I wanted to know more about while I was reading? Absolutely. Am I glad that not everything was revealed right away? Definitely. I like it when the mystery isn't solved halfway through the novel. I like it that Alexis doesn't know about her history, or Lucas's history, until we get close to the end of the novel. It's much more interesting than the girl finding out her crush is a vampire/werewolf/insert other paranormal creature here when we're only a few chapters into the book. That's not to say I don't love the novels that are like that, but it was refreshing to just watch Alexis and Lucas and their romance while watching Alexis go through her nightmares and visions and try to figure out what was going on at the same time she was. I like it that not everything was revealed to Alexis, or to me, right away. Plus, not knowing everything in the first book means there are more books in the series to look forward to. I did feel like this book was too short, but that's just because I want more, and thank goodness I'm going to get more, since this is the first of a series. I can't wait to see how Alexis's and Lucas's story unfolds.
February 8, 2012
I really had no idea what to expect when I went into this story. I’ll tell you a secret. I don’t read blurbs or book summaries. *gasp* I know. I’m strange. But I don’t like to know anything that could spoil the story for me. I’m all about discovery and figuring things out myself, and this was an amazing story for anyone who loves a great mystery that unveils itself gradually and keeps you guessing. First thing that shocked me, Alexis is not your typical teenager with typical problems that she’s all melodramatic about. She. Killed. Her. Mom. Mind you, in self-defense, but this is something that is damn near impossible to live with. I sympathize and understand why her life has changed for the worst. I give the author mad props for not holding back on shocking elements. It’s real, and I found that refreshing.
Alexis’s and Lucas’s relationship, I admit, started off a little hot and heavy with that insta-love quality, but if you hang on till the end, all will be revealed, and I can’t see any other way that they’d respond to each other. It makes sense. I kept trying to figure out the paranormal element. The author does a fantastic job of masking it, but leaves enough hints through tension-packed and romantic scenes that pulls it all together. And the ending was not what I saw coming! Full of romance, mystery, and a cool twist on mythology, Silver and Stone is must for the Paranormal Romance lover looking to devour their next read.
Alexis’s and Lucas’s relationship, I admit, started off a little hot and heavy with that insta-love quality, but if you hang on till the end, all will be revealed, and I can’t see any other way that they’d respond to each other. It makes sense. I kept trying to figure out the paranormal element. The author does a fantastic job of masking it, but leaves enough hints through tension-packed and romantic scenes that pulls it all together. And the ending was not what I saw coming! Full of romance, mystery, and a cool twist on mythology, Silver and Stone is must for the Paranormal Romance lover looking to devour their next read.
October 1, 2011
Silver and Stone by J.D. Thompson is a melancholy tale about a haunted young girl and the skeletons in her closet that are fighting to break down the door. Silver and Stone has many similarities to other books I've read, but Ms. Thompson adds her own small twists into its depths, making it her own surprising plot.
Alexia Bardolph, our sixteen-year-old narrator, has been having a succession of horrendous nightmares every night. In these nightmares, something is chasing her, wanting to kill her before she can reach safety. They appear to be just dreams, but she feels something in them, something that tells her that maybe they are more than they appear, and that if she can escape whatever is chasing her she will be safe. Alexia cannot escape the inevitable, though and she feels that she deserves whatever bad thing is coming for her as recompense for having murdered her own mother. Her mother's death shadows her at every step, harboring within her broken soul and taking with it the life she once knew.
Except for the police, no one seems to care about the circumstances, only that Alexia is a killer and she must face the backlash of her actions. When the article is published on the front page of the city newspaper, all those people she thought were her friends turn on her, mocking and harassing, casting her aside like a used napkin. Everyone that is, except for her two best friends, Logan and Amber who inconsequentially provide a lovely amount of comedic relief to an otherwise serious story and Theo, the boy who has been her friend since childhood.
Alexia has a difficult time pulling herself from her depressive state, even with those who are still behind her. Then, to add insult to injury, her baby sister, the one person she thought would always support her, joins the ranks of those who hate her. Alexis' world has been flipped upside-down,thrown against the wall and dropped off a cliff, but she must fight to survive her emotions and her nightmares.
Ms. Thompson's writing was quite captivating all throughout Silver and Stone, making me glad that I picked it up. Alexia is an interesting character in that sometimes I really liked her and wanted to give her the hug she so needed and other times I wanted to bash her on the head with my stapler for her thoughts and actions. She seemed so weak at times and I wanted her to be more ballsy and tell off her sister and all the people who were there tormenting her. Then again, who am I to judge Alexia, a young girl who not only lost her mother, but is the reason she is dead?
And while I thought she deserved happiness after what she has been through, Alexia didn't agree with me. I cannot quite explain my feelings toward Alexia, only that I wish she could have seen her strengths. Lucas Alexander, her newest neighbor and the love interest in Silver and Stone, sees them and cares for her, but for a lot of the story I didn't trust him. I wanted Alexis to realize that it took more than a boy to fix her; she needed to find her inner strength, but then again at sixteen, I had similar thoughts of love and life. Thoughts of boys helping me fix my pain instead of helping myself. I can hardly blame the girl, Lucas Alexander was sexy and sleek and when you feel like you're drowning in a sea of pain and loneliness, a boy who doesn't think you're a pariah would be heavenly and life-saving.
I had a little trouble with Lucas at first. I think the development of his character in the beginning was not quite fully there and I felt like I was missing a piece of him. It made him feel kind of two-dimensional. I would have loved more beginning dialogue between Alexis and Lucas so that their first kiss felt more real and three-dimensional. All the dialogue that was there, I loved. It provided Lucas with life and love and made my heart pitter-patter.
I do feel though that Ms. Thompson rectifies this problem as the book progresses and I slowly grew to like Lucas and by the end, while I almost hit him with a lead pipe at one point, I actually ended up loving him in the last scene (although, I hope Alexis doesn't let what he did with Olivia go! Not cool, Lucas!).
A book inducing complicated emotions, Silver and Stone is engaging and unusual. The look at the internal makeup of high-school tiers of society was quite typical, but it never failed to make me giggle because I never seem to tire of teen angst. Amber and Logan, Alexis' best friends, were beautiful and mouthy and the perfect backup for Alexis' weak personality traits, giving her the pushes she deserved and having her back at all the right moments. Theo, the boy who has been Alexis' friend since they were kids also rocks the pages with his merciless flirting and brilliant mind. I don't think Alexis appreciated her friends as she should have, but I really hope she sees the goodness in them and realizes that they may understand her more than she realizes. And Lucas, while gorgeous and perfectly muscled was also sweet and kind [mostly] and he was there for Alexis when her own family wasn't. I will definitely give him that.
While Silver and Stone is a story I may have read before, I also felt that Ms. Thompson gave it her own spin making it fresh and enjoyable by the end. And while some of the character development started off lacking, it eventually caught up as the book progressed and I can honestly say I enjoyed the characters and the plot. This is all coming from someone who has not liked the subsequent list of angel books she has read lately. So I can definitely say that I enjoyed Silver and Stone and I'm excited to see what Blood and Champagne, book two in the Bloodlines series by J.D. Thompson, will hold.
[I just want to add that while the secondary characters to the book were in fact, secondary, Theo, the only other person to not snub Alexis is my favorite character. He was barely in the book, but I really wanted him to get the girl. He was sweet and original and in my minds eye, his subtle good looks make him shuper smexy...even if Lucas is *supposedly* more gorgeous. I don't think model good looks make certain personality traits acceptable. *Team Theo*]
Read my full post by clicking this link
Alexia Bardolph, our sixteen-year-old narrator, has been having a succession of horrendous nightmares every night. In these nightmares, something is chasing her, wanting to kill her before she can reach safety. They appear to be just dreams, but she feels something in them, something that tells her that maybe they are more than they appear, and that if she can escape whatever is chasing her she will be safe. Alexia cannot escape the inevitable, though and she feels that she deserves whatever bad thing is coming for her as recompense for having murdered her own mother. Her mother's death shadows her at every step, harboring within her broken soul and taking with it the life she once knew.
Except for the police, no one seems to care about the circumstances, only that Alexia is a killer and she must face the backlash of her actions. When the article is published on the front page of the city newspaper, all those people she thought were her friends turn on her, mocking and harassing, casting her aside like a used napkin. Everyone that is, except for her two best friends, Logan and Amber who inconsequentially provide a lovely amount of comedic relief to an otherwise serious story and Theo, the boy who has been her friend since childhood.
Alexia has a difficult time pulling herself from her depressive state, even with those who are still behind her. Then, to add insult to injury, her baby sister, the one person she thought would always support her, joins the ranks of those who hate her. Alexis' world has been flipped upside-down,thrown against the wall and dropped off a cliff, but she must fight to survive her emotions and her nightmares.
Ms. Thompson's writing was quite captivating all throughout Silver and Stone, making me glad that I picked it up. Alexia is an interesting character in that sometimes I really liked her and wanted to give her the hug she so needed and other times I wanted to bash her on the head with my stapler for her thoughts and actions. She seemed so weak at times and I wanted her to be more ballsy and tell off her sister and all the people who were there tormenting her. Then again, who am I to judge Alexia, a young girl who not only lost her mother, but is the reason she is dead?
And while I thought she deserved happiness after what she has been through, Alexia didn't agree with me. I cannot quite explain my feelings toward Alexia, only that I wish she could have seen her strengths. Lucas Alexander, her newest neighbor and the love interest in Silver and Stone, sees them and cares for her, but for a lot of the story I didn't trust him. I wanted Alexis to realize that it took more than a boy to fix her; she needed to find her inner strength, but then again at sixteen, I had similar thoughts of love and life. Thoughts of boys helping me fix my pain instead of helping myself. I can hardly blame the girl, Lucas Alexander was sexy and sleek and when you feel like you're drowning in a sea of pain and loneliness, a boy who doesn't think you're a pariah would be heavenly and life-saving.
I had a little trouble with Lucas at first. I think the development of his character in the beginning was not quite fully there and I felt like I was missing a piece of him. It made him feel kind of two-dimensional. I would have loved more beginning dialogue between Alexis and Lucas so that their first kiss felt more real and three-dimensional. All the dialogue that was there, I loved. It provided Lucas with life and love and made my heart pitter-patter.
The abrupt hush of conversation as we walk past people is hard to ignore. I'm so embarrassed I feel like crawling under a rock and taking up residency there for life. I strongly consider mimicking Amber's great escape and making a run for it when I feel a smooth hand grab my own. I look down and see Lucas's fingers intertwined in mine. My dark hazel eyes meet his and Lucas smiles wickedly.
"If they're going to talk, let's give them something to talk about shall we?" (Kindle ebook: Location 539)
I do feel though that Ms. Thompson rectifies this problem as the book progresses and I slowly grew to like Lucas and by the end, while I almost hit him with a lead pipe at one point, I actually ended up loving him in the last scene (although, I hope Alexis doesn't let what he did with Olivia go! Not cool, Lucas!).
...Our lines of vision finally meet, sending a jolt of sheer electric energy through my body, a surge of heat expanding from my toes all the way to the top of my head. Our faces grow closer and closer, until our foreheads touch and our lips are mere inches apart. Lucas breaths heavily, each exhalation sending gusts of sweet air onto my cheeks. Having a mind of their own, my hands tentatively touch his exposed torso, shamefully running my fingers up and down his body. I'm like a diabetic in a candy store; I have no will power...
...[Lucas] looks at me with with a fire in his eyes that I have never seen before. I suddenly feel more naked then he with his piercing green stare looking right into my soul.
(Kindle ebook: Location 1526-1536)
A book inducing complicated emotions, Silver and Stone is engaging and unusual. The look at the internal makeup of high-school tiers of society was quite typical, but it never failed to make me giggle because I never seem to tire of teen angst. Amber and Logan, Alexis' best friends, were beautiful and mouthy and the perfect backup for Alexis' weak personality traits, giving her the pushes she deserved and having her back at all the right moments. Theo, the boy who has been Alexis' friend since they were kids also rocks the pages with his merciless flirting and brilliant mind. I don't think Alexis appreciated her friends as she should have, but I really hope she sees the goodness in them and realizes that they may understand her more than she realizes. And Lucas, while gorgeous and perfectly muscled was also sweet and kind [mostly] and he was there for Alexis when her own family wasn't. I will definitely give him that.
While Silver and Stone is a story I may have read before, I also felt that Ms. Thompson gave it her own spin making it fresh and enjoyable by the end. And while some of the character development started off lacking, it eventually caught up as the book progressed and I can honestly say I enjoyed the characters and the plot. This is all coming from someone who has not liked the subsequent list of angel books she has read lately. So I can definitely say that I enjoyed Silver and Stone and I'm excited to see what Blood and Champagne, book two in the Bloodlines series by J.D. Thompson, will hold.
[I just want to add that while the secondary characters to the book were in fact, secondary, Theo, the only other person to not snub Alexis is my favorite character. He was barely in the book, but I really wanted him to get the girl. He was sweet and original and in my minds eye, his subtle good looks make him shuper smexy...even if Lucas is *supposedly* more gorgeous. I don't think model good looks make certain personality traits acceptable. *Team Theo*]
Read my full post by clicking this link
November 15, 2011
Publisher
: Smashwords
Age : Young Adult
Species : Angel/Werewolf/Human
Rating : 3.5/5
Interest : Requested Review
Format : Ebook
Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep.
As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.
A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.
But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.
The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured.
It was very difficult for me to put a rating on this book. I wavered between a 3.5 and 4 for a long time, ultimately deciding to go with the lower grade, as you can see. Silver and Stone is one of those books like many others I keep running across that easily could be published by a reputable publisher. If only, if only, if only the author had put in a little more time and effort. (This is not saying that Thompson did not work hard on her novel, I'm positive she did.) I simply wish more editing and revising had occurred. I ultimately sided on the lower rating because of simple grammatical and spelling errors. The main character's last name was misspelled, then, than and that were sometimes confused, simple words were typed incorrectly, all of these things ultimately annoyed and took me out of the story.
Silver and Stone's beginning almost didn't pull me in since a scene was almost a mirror image of something I had written before. However, once I got more into the story, the general surprises and twists kept me interested. I never expected for Alexis to have had something so scandalous to happen to her. I wanted to go deeper into the issues and heartbreak the tragedy caused for her. It was touched upon at several points and had a lasting impact on her social life. For something so big and so horrible to have occurred though, there wasn't as much pain and nostalgia as I thought there'd be.
Alexis was a pretty solid female character. She had personality and depth, like her love interest Lucas. Both of them were fully developed characters with many layers. The naturally shallow atmosphere at a place like Weatherford could be the culprit for some of the character's pettiness and oblivious attitudes. Still, I wished I had seen more growth or character in Alexis' sister and friends. I got a good grasp of the girl's personalities, but not what they were about. I feel like Marcus and Gwen Alexander are a prime example of underutilized characters. They could have been a huge imposing force brimming with conflict and ulterior motives had they just been featured more.
Thompson certainly knows how to set a scene. I could practically feel the chill of fall walking around Weatherford with Alexis. (Which is a hard feat to accomplish when the current weather is in the 90's.) Her dreams were frightening but realistic. Alexis' hallucinations were gruesome and theatrical. Almost every paragraph was set up to provide the most potent visual impact. As a very visual person, this really appealed to me. At certain points it felt like a movie script was playing out inside my head.
There is one major thing I fault Silver and Stone for, Insta-love. Boy, oh boy, is there insta-love. It can be argued that Thompson tried to make it more of an intense attraction than love at first sight, but I don't think it would be a strong argument. I admit that by the end Lucas and Alexis' love felt genuine and appropriate, but at the beginning it just seemed rushed.
I, cautiously, am getting excited about Silver and Stone's mythology. I love angels and I love werewolves so I am extremely, extremely interested in seeing which way the story will go. I mean, I, a dedicated werewolf fanatic didn't even piece together who was the wolf till the end. I mean the title pretty much gives it away along with a very obvious allergy and I still didn't get it.
Overall Silver and Stone was a very enjoyable read. I can't help thinking of it as Gossip Girl meets the paranormal. It's a wacky description, but fitting in my opinion. I'd recommend this to anyone who's just getting into the paranormal scene who isn't as familiar with traditional myths. Silver and Stone is now available to purchase in ebook form on Smashwords and the sequel Blood and Champagne will be coming out sometime next year.
Teaser Lines: "The nightmare is always the same. I’m running through the woods, certain something is chasing me."
Series Order:
1. Silver and Stone
2. Blood and Champagne
Happy Reading,
My Summer Girl Books
Age : Young Adult
Species : Angel/Werewolf/Human
Rating : 3.5/5
Interest : Requested Review
Format : Ebook
Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep.
As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.
A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.
But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.
The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured.
It was very difficult for me to put a rating on this book. I wavered between a 3.5 and 4 for a long time, ultimately deciding to go with the lower grade, as you can see. Silver and Stone is one of those books like many others I keep running across that easily could be published by a reputable publisher. If only, if only, if only the author had put in a little more time and effort. (This is not saying that Thompson did not work hard on her novel, I'm positive she did.) I simply wish more editing and revising had occurred. I ultimately sided on the lower rating because of simple grammatical and spelling errors. The main character's last name was misspelled, then, than and that were sometimes confused, simple words were typed incorrectly, all of these things ultimately annoyed and took me out of the story.
Silver and Stone's beginning almost didn't pull me in since a scene was almost a mirror image of something I had written before. However, once I got more into the story, the general surprises and twists kept me interested. I never expected for Alexis to have had something so scandalous to happen to her. I wanted to go deeper into the issues and heartbreak the tragedy caused for her. It was touched upon at several points and had a lasting impact on her social life. For something so big and so horrible to have occurred though, there wasn't as much pain and nostalgia as I thought there'd be.
Alexis was a pretty solid female character. She had personality and depth, like her love interest Lucas. Both of them were fully developed characters with many layers. The naturally shallow atmosphere at a place like Weatherford could be the culprit for some of the character's pettiness and oblivious attitudes. Still, I wished I had seen more growth or character in Alexis' sister and friends. I got a good grasp of the girl's personalities, but not what they were about. I feel like Marcus and Gwen Alexander are a prime example of underutilized characters. They could have been a huge imposing force brimming with conflict and ulterior motives had they just been featured more.
Thompson certainly knows how to set a scene. I could practically feel the chill of fall walking around Weatherford with Alexis. (Which is a hard feat to accomplish when the current weather is in the 90's.) Her dreams were frightening but realistic. Alexis' hallucinations were gruesome and theatrical. Almost every paragraph was set up to provide the most potent visual impact. As a very visual person, this really appealed to me. At certain points it felt like a movie script was playing out inside my head.
There is one major thing I fault Silver and Stone for, Insta-love. Boy, oh boy, is there insta-love. It can be argued that Thompson tried to make it more of an intense attraction than love at first sight, but I don't think it would be a strong argument. I admit that by the end Lucas and Alexis' love felt genuine and appropriate, but at the beginning it just seemed rushed.
I, cautiously, am getting excited about Silver and Stone's mythology. I love angels and I love werewolves so I am extremely, extremely interested in seeing which way the story will go. I mean, I, a dedicated werewolf fanatic didn't even piece together who was the wolf till the end. I mean the title pretty much gives it away along with a very obvious allergy and I still didn't get it.
Overall Silver and Stone was a very enjoyable read. I can't help thinking of it as Gossip Girl meets the paranormal. It's a wacky description, but fitting in my opinion. I'd recommend this to anyone who's just getting into the paranormal scene who isn't as familiar with traditional myths. Silver and Stone is now available to purchase in ebook form on Smashwords and the sequel Blood and Champagne will be coming out sometime next year.
Teaser Lines: "The nightmare is always the same. I’m running through the woods, certain something is chasing me."
Series Order:
1. Silver and Stone
2. Blood and Champagne
Happy Reading,
My Summer Girl Books
November 8, 2011
Also posted on http://whatyareading.com
Meet Alexis. She’s a teenage girl with a helluva lot of issues: her younger sister hates her guts, her father is a workaholic, she’s the outcast of her high school… and, oh yeah, she killed her mother (accidentally). Oops.
Meet Lucas. He’s the tall, dark and handsome new kid who decides to ignore Alexis’s questionable past and get to know her. But it’s hard to balance a relationship with disapproving parents and a boatload of secrets.
Meet the first installment of the Bloodlines series. Full of mysterious twists and turns, creepy hallucinations in blood-stained white dresses, and an ending that is exciting and completely unforeseeable, it will have you hooked from the first chapter.
Before I get to the praise, I’m going to talk about the few negatives, just to get them out of the way.
Lucas and Alexis fell in love way to quickly. I felt like one second they were meeting each other, the next they were kissing passionately, and the next they were whispering ‘I love you’ s under the stars. Their sudden attraction is explained during the last bit of the book, but their relationship really bothered me for a while. Well, maybe that’s because Alexis’s whole life was focused solely on that: their relationship. As soon as Lucas came into the picture, he was all Alexis could think about. I understand that he brought her out of her Oops-I-killed-my-mother depression, but Alexis’s obsession with him is kind of overdone.
At some point during their hot relationship, Alexis and Lucas have a… fight. This really upset me. After claiming that they love each other, I was very bothered by what Lucas said to Alexis. It reminds me of when Edward left Bella in New Moon, which placed me permanently on Team Jacob. If Edward had really loved Bella, he would never have left. Same goes for Lucas and Alexis. After reading the ending of Silver and Stone and discovering why Lucas did what he did, I don’t question his love for Alexis, but I thought that this fight was an inconsistency.
Also, it infuriated me that although Alexis’s sister was going through a horrible time as well, Alexis completely forgot about her after a couple of chapters. Sure, Madison hated her older sister’s guts, but… she killed her mother! Did Alexis really expect her to forget about it and volunteer to do Alexis’s chores? I understand that Madison messed some things up for Alexis, but it sounded to me like Madison really needed some TLC. It doesn’t matter if she wanted to freaking hit me on the head with a frying pan, if my sister went from cheerleader to goth over the course of one summer, I would be banging on her door and asking some questions. Or screaming them. Whatever works, really.
Anyway, I’m going to stop complaining now and start gushing dramatically.
I love that Lucas is such a nice guy! He’s not the typical YA bad boy, but an actual smart male character. I’ve read so many teenage books littered with hot cocky assholes, and I am proud to say that Silver and Stone is not one of them. Lucas is hot, what with his chiseled features and sculpted abbs, but he’s a Greek mythology lover and spouts Shakespeare. He takes nerdy classes and talks about the composition of stars. He’s not just some pretty face. Now that, ladies, is swoon-worthy.
Alexis has bad dreams. Okay, try horrible dreams. Horrible, horrible dreams involving her death murder. She’s been having these dreams since she was a child, and she doesn’t think much of them anymore. But paired with hallucinations of a beautiful woman dying a terrible, bloody, death, and the telling of a morbid little history by the owner of a costume shop, these nightmares amount to nothing less than a mystery. Very well thought out, creepy and riveting, this mystery composes a wonderful plot that leads to an action-packed ending.
Don’t even get me started on the ending! The action scenes were well written, and the part that Lucas played was unexpected and lovely. And we finally discover who–what– in the world Alexis really is! I never saw that coming at all! We finally realize what silver and stone have to do with everything and we find out why Alexis and Lucas’s relationship has such serious depth and magnetic attraction. The ending is also jam-packed with mythological history and world-building, which I loved. Especially the past of Alexis’s boodline.
I’m hoping for more answers in the second book of the series, Blood and Champagne, and can’t wait to read it. Silver and Stone merits 3.5/5 stars, and I recommend for lovers of smart guys and paranormal romance.
Meet Alexis. She’s a teenage girl with a helluva lot of issues: her younger sister hates her guts, her father is a workaholic, she’s the outcast of her high school… and, oh yeah, she killed her mother (accidentally). Oops.
Meet Lucas. He’s the tall, dark and handsome new kid who decides to ignore Alexis’s questionable past and get to know her. But it’s hard to balance a relationship with disapproving parents and a boatload of secrets.
Meet the first installment of the Bloodlines series. Full of mysterious twists and turns, creepy hallucinations in blood-stained white dresses, and an ending that is exciting and completely unforeseeable, it will have you hooked from the first chapter.
Before I get to the praise, I’m going to talk about the few negatives, just to get them out of the way.
Lucas and Alexis fell in love way to quickly. I felt like one second they were meeting each other, the next they were kissing passionately, and the next they were whispering ‘I love you’ s under the stars. Their sudden attraction is explained during the last bit of the book, but their relationship really bothered me for a while. Well, maybe that’s because Alexis’s whole life was focused solely on that: their relationship. As soon as Lucas came into the picture, he was all Alexis could think about. I understand that he brought her out of her Oops-I-killed-my-mother depression, but Alexis’s obsession with him is kind of overdone.
At some point during their hot relationship, Alexis and Lucas have a… fight. This really upset me. After claiming that they love each other, I was very bothered by what Lucas said to Alexis. It reminds me of when Edward left Bella in New Moon, which placed me permanently on Team Jacob. If Edward had really loved Bella, he would never have left. Same goes for Lucas and Alexis. After reading the ending of Silver and Stone and discovering why Lucas did what he did, I don’t question his love for Alexis, but I thought that this fight was an inconsistency.
Also, it infuriated me that although Alexis’s sister was going through a horrible time as well, Alexis completely forgot about her after a couple of chapters. Sure, Madison hated her older sister’s guts, but… she killed her mother! Did Alexis really expect her to forget about it and volunteer to do Alexis’s chores? I understand that Madison messed some things up for Alexis, but it sounded to me like Madison really needed some TLC. It doesn’t matter if she wanted to freaking hit me on the head with a frying pan, if my sister went from cheerleader to goth over the course of one summer, I would be banging on her door and asking some questions. Or screaming them. Whatever works, really.
Anyway, I’m going to stop complaining now and start gushing dramatically.
I love that Lucas is such a nice guy! He’s not the typical YA bad boy, but an actual smart male character. I’ve read so many teenage books littered with hot cocky assholes, and I am proud to say that Silver and Stone is not one of them. Lucas is hot, what with his chiseled features and sculpted abbs, but he’s a Greek mythology lover and spouts Shakespeare. He takes nerdy classes and talks about the composition of stars. He’s not just some pretty face. Now that, ladies, is swoon-worthy.
Alexis has bad dreams. Okay, try horrible dreams. Horrible, horrible dreams involving her death murder. She’s been having these dreams since she was a child, and she doesn’t think much of them anymore. But paired with hallucinations of a beautiful woman dying a terrible, bloody, death, and the telling of a morbid little history by the owner of a costume shop, these nightmares amount to nothing less than a mystery. Very well thought out, creepy and riveting, this mystery composes a wonderful plot that leads to an action-packed ending.
Don’t even get me started on the ending! The action scenes were well written, and the part that Lucas played was unexpected and lovely. And we finally discover who–what– in the world Alexis really is! I never saw that coming at all! We finally realize what silver and stone have to do with everything and we find out why Alexis and Lucas’s relationship has such serious depth and magnetic attraction. The ending is also jam-packed with mythological history and world-building, which I loved. Especially the past of Alexis’s boodline.
I’m hoping for more answers in the second book of the series, Blood and Champagne, and can’t wait to read it. Silver and Stone merits 3.5/5 stars, and I recommend for lovers of smart guys and paranormal romance.
October 6, 2011
Read more reviews and extras on my blog:http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...
Starting senior year is tough its even harder when you are known as a murder and your boyfriend ditches you for your former friend, and the entire school treats you like a criminal. 16 year old Alexis Bradolph has had the worst few months of her life, after a tragic incident that led to the death of her mother by her hands Alexis would like nothing more than to fade away and disappear from society. Unfortunately for her she doesn't have that option, but things start to look up when the extremely hot Lucas shows up at her school and actually takes interest in her despite her bad reputation. The only problem is that Lucas is hiding things from Alexis that may affect not just her life but her entire existence.
I am sad to say that I had never heard of this book until the author J.D. Thompson sent me a copy for review, for which I am very grateful because I now have yet another great brand new series to add to my list. I honestly had no idea what kind creatures or mythology would take place in this book and was taken by surprise when I discovered what the book was actually about. The synopsis is very deceiving if you ask me, I mean the whole time I thought the story was about ghosts and haunting's and I was way off. Which is all the better because I love surprises and this book had plenty to go around.
Before I get to all the gushing and praise I must get a few things off my chest, first while I am a true believer in love a t first sight the romance between Alexis and Lucas seemed a little too rushed. Don't get me wrong I still love this couple but I wish that they would have taken a little time to get to know each other and actually go out on a date or something before making out, it just didn't seem all that natural I kept thinking you just met the guy! but their magnetic attraction makes much more sense once you get to the end of the book. Another peeve of mine was Alexis's obsession with Lucas, I get it he is super hot but for gods sake I would like to read one sentence that did not involve the name Lucas in it. Thankfully there is a lot more to the story than a girl falling madly in love with a guy she has know for only 10 seconds.
Which now brings me to the gushing! Can I just say what a breath of fresh air it is to have a male lead that is not self absorbed or a snarky bad boy, while I love them as much as everyone else it's nice to actually have a somewhat shy and sensuous guy come around every now and then. Lucas is a very interesting character there is a lot about him that we have yet to learn despite the revelations at the end of the book, he is still a mystery and I can't wait to uncover all of his secrets and his history. Alexis is also a great female lead, she is sarcastic and realistic all at the same time. She has had to deal with issues that would probably leave most people damaged beyond repair, but she strives on and continues to grow. On the surface Alexis and Lucas look like a regular high school couple, but don't let the appearance fool you these two have some pretty extreme differences that make their relationship all the more interesting.
The story itself is written nicely apart from the occasional misspell, but grammar doesn't bother me and frankly I'm not all that good at it anyway. There is a continuous steady pace throughout the book with only a few parts that were faster than the rest. This was the perfect length for the opening book to a new series, we get just enough information that we are left wanting to know what happens next and I am very curious to see how the story will play out. Bloodlines looks like a very promising series and I recommend it to anyone that loves YA or is looking for something great to read.
Starting senior year is tough its even harder when you are known as a murder and your boyfriend ditches you for your former friend, and the entire school treats you like a criminal. 16 year old Alexis Bradolph has had the worst few months of her life, after a tragic incident that led to the death of her mother by her hands Alexis would like nothing more than to fade away and disappear from society. Unfortunately for her she doesn't have that option, but things start to look up when the extremely hot Lucas shows up at her school and actually takes interest in her despite her bad reputation. The only problem is that Lucas is hiding things from Alexis that may affect not just her life but her entire existence.
I am sad to say that I had never heard of this book until the author J.D. Thompson sent me a copy for review, for which I am very grateful because I now have yet another great brand new series to add to my list. I honestly had no idea what kind creatures or mythology would take place in this book and was taken by surprise when I discovered what the book was actually about. The synopsis is very deceiving if you ask me, I mean the whole time I thought the story was about ghosts and haunting's and I was way off. Which is all the better because I love surprises and this book had plenty to go around.
Before I get to all the gushing and praise I must get a few things off my chest, first while I am a true believer in love a t first sight the romance between Alexis and Lucas seemed a little too rushed. Don't get me wrong I still love this couple but I wish that they would have taken a little time to get to know each other and actually go out on a date or something before making out, it just didn't seem all that natural I kept thinking you just met the guy! but their magnetic attraction makes much more sense once you get to the end of the book. Another peeve of mine was Alexis's obsession with Lucas, I get it he is super hot but for gods sake I would like to read one sentence that did not involve the name Lucas in it. Thankfully there is a lot more to the story than a girl falling madly in love with a guy she has know for only 10 seconds.
Which now brings me to the gushing! Can I just say what a breath of fresh air it is to have a male lead that is not self absorbed or a snarky bad boy, while I love them as much as everyone else it's nice to actually have a somewhat shy and sensuous guy come around every now and then. Lucas is a very interesting character there is a lot about him that we have yet to learn despite the revelations at the end of the book, he is still a mystery and I can't wait to uncover all of his secrets and his history. Alexis is also a great female lead, she is sarcastic and realistic all at the same time. She has had to deal with issues that would probably leave most people damaged beyond repair, but she strives on and continues to grow. On the surface Alexis and Lucas look like a regular high school couple, but don't let the appearance fool you these two have some pretty extreme differences that make their relationship all the more interesting.
The story itself is written nicely apart from the occasional misspell, but grammar doesn't bother me and frankly I'm not all that good at it anyway. There is a continuous steady pace throughout the book with only a few parts that were faster than the rest. This was the perfect length for the opening book to a new series, we get just enough information that we are left wanting to know what happens next and I am very curious to see how the story will play out. Bloodlines looks like a very promising series and I recommend it to anyone that loves YA or is looking for something great to read.
November 1, 2011
Thank you to J D Thompson for the opportunity read and review Silver and Stone!
It’s been awhile since a book made me think about it whenever I was not reading it. The pull to read it came frequently when I was working, trying to go to bed, or out and about. Then a part of me ached knowing that, at that moment, reading was not an option and I would have to wait. As I reached the second half of the book, I began toting it around with me everywhere eager to read it when ever I had a free second.
Silver and Stone keeps you guessing right up until the end. Up front, you know it’s a paranormal romance, but you don’t know what type of paranormal. With young adult paranormal romance being a dime a dozen these days, I had my doubts about whether or not Silver and Stone would be any different from other books I’ve read. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not only unique but far from the others. There are similar romantic themes found in a couple popular titles, but otherwise it is very different from anything else I’ve read.
Despite going through a tough time at the beginning of the book, Alexis is easy to relate to and overall a strong heroine. Her friends, Amber and Logan, are a hoot and add a lot of humor to the story. Together they are a fun trio who are always there for each other. Their friendship made me I wish more books featured such strong bonds among the main female characters. And then there is Lucas, the mysterious new boy. He is handsome, likeable, and all that good stuff but he also hard to figure out. His character is one that will keep you guessing and I’m not going to give anymore away. Alexis has another friend named Theo, who adds a little bit of interest to the story as his role is not very clear and is still vague at the end of the story. Personally, I wanted to see more of his character, but maybe there will be more of him in the next book.
I have a great things to say about Silver and Stone but I did have a few issues with the book that resulted in my three star rating. For one, it didn’t feel completely finished and not in the way a first book in a series leaves things open. There were scenes that moved too quickly and I would have preferred for them to be longer. The ending also felt rushed and I would have preferred the final chapters to be fleshed out more. In addition, there are typos sprinkled through out the book and overall it could use some basic editing. However, the typos are easy to get past and don’t interfere with the flow too much. All those aside,what influenced my three star rating the most were the plot holes. The plot distracted me from the ending that I might have otherwise might have wrapped up nicely.
As side from the issues above, I really enjoyed Silver and Stone and highly recommend it to young adult paranormal romance fans. It pulled me in and never let go and book like this are always the most fun to read. I’m looking forward to Blood and Champagne, the next book in the series, coming out in 2012.
It’s been awhile since a book made me think about it whenever I was not reading it. The pull to read it came frequently when I was working, trying to go to bed, or out and about. Then a part of me ached knowing that, at that moment, reading was not an option and I would have to wait. As I reached the second half of the book, I began toting it around with me everywhere eager to read it when ever I had a free second.
Silver and Stone keeps you guessing right up until the end. Up front, you know it’s a paranormal romance, but you don’t know what type of paranormal. With young adult paranormal romance being a dime a dozen these days, I had my doubts about whether or not Silver and Stone would be any different from other books I’ve read. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not only unique but far from the others. There are similar romantic themes found in a couple popular titles, but otherwise it is very different from anything else I’ve read.
Despite going through a tough time at the beginning of the book, Alexis is easy to relate to and overall a strong heroine. Her friends, Amber and Logan, are a hoot and add a lot of humor to the story. Together they are a fun trio who are always there for each other. Their friendship made me I wish more books featured such strong bonds among the main female characters. And then there is Lucas, the mysterious new boy. He is handsome, likeable, and all that good stuff but he also hard to figure out. His character is one that will keep you guessing and I’m not going to give anymore away. Alexis has another friend named Theo, who adds a little bit of interest to the story as his role is not very clear and is still vague at the end of the story. Personally, I wanted to see more of his character, but maybe there will be more of him in the next book.
I have a great things to say about Silver and Stone but I did have a few issues with the book that resulted in my three star rating. For one, it didn’t feel completely finished and not in the way a first book in a series leaves things open. There were scenes that moved too quickly and I would have preferred for them to be longer. The ending also felt rushed and I would have preferred the final chapters to be fleshed out more. In addition, there are typos sprinkled through out the book and overall it could use some basic editing. However, the typos are easy to get past and don’t interfere with the flow too much. All those aside,what influenced my three star rating the most were the plot holes. The plot distracted me from the ending that I might have otherwise might have wrapped up nicely.
As side from the issues above, I really enjoyed Silver and Stone and highly recommend it to young adult paranormal romance fans. It pulled me in and never let go and book like this are always the most fun to read. I’m looking forward to Blood and Champagne, the next book in the series, coming out in 2012.
November 26, 2011
Plot: This book definitely sucked me in. I was very skeptical of the book because popular girl gone outcast seemed sort of cliche to me. But, Thompson did not take it in the direction I expected, which was awesome! I can't say much without giving away too much, but Alexis definitely has some baggage on her shoulders. She has no friends, no boyfriend, and basically no family. She walks through the hallways of her high school misunderstood and haunted with her past. I couldn't possibly fathom what that past was, but once it came up...I could not believe it. I connected with Alexis immediately and didn't want to really think that what some of the other characters were saying was true. But, her past does come to light over the course of dreams she has and we find out the real truth to what happened. Alexis' past is not the only thing she has to deal with though. A new guy she meets is anything but ordinary, and brings out something Alexis never thought she'd have again: happiness. I love the integration of the paranormal and mudane aspects of life into one story. It definitely worked for this book because you were not just wondering what happened with Alexis but what is up with the mysterious guy, Lucas.
Characters: Alexis - She's definitely a different heroine I usually run into. Alexis is at her wit's end and just wants peace, but can not find it with all the weight she carries. After some time, it was hard to get through how depressed she was. I felt bad for her and wanted to know what it was that made her this way, so I could understand. But, it did take time to come out. Once she meets Lucas, I was finally able to see her real personality and who she really was. During her depression, I did not get to see any of that, but after the first time they meet, it slowly starts to seep through.
Lucas - I love him! I love when guys in books are the Knight and Shining Armor and are okay with everything. But, it was hard to see someone be as accepting as he was. We do get to slowly see his secrets unravel though and what he's hiding from Alexis. He doesn't get by without hurting Alexis at least once though, which was definitely a heartbreaking scene.
Cover: The cover does not do it justice. I like that the girl reflects Alexis, but it doesn't describe the book or it's plot. This is an amazing book and I wish that could ressonate to the cover.
Overall Rating: I'm giving this book a three out of four. This book blew my expectations and engrossed me so much, I'm anxious to know when Thompson will be releasing the second installment. If you like realistic fiction, romance, or paranormal...pick up this book. I love it and can't explain how excited I was when I saw it was part of a series. There are so many secrets revealed and stones left unturned that I need more. This was definitely a great read and I'm glad that Thompson requested this to BNR!
Characters: Alexis - She's definitely a different heroine I usually run into. Alexis is at her wit's end and just wants peace, but can not find it with all the weight she carries. After some time, it was hard to get through how depressed she was. I felt bad for her and wanted to know what it was that made her this way, so I could understand. But, it did take time to come out. Once she meets Lucas, I was finally able to see her real personality and who she really was. During her depression, I did not get to see any of that, but after the first time they meet, it slowly starts to seep through.
Lucas - I love him! I love when guys in books are the Knight and Shining Armor and are okay with everything. But, it was hard to see someone be as accepting as he was. We do get to slowly see his secrets unravel though and what he's hiding from Alexis. He doesn't get by without hurting Alexis at least once though, which was definitely a heartbreaking scene.
Cover: The cover does not do it justice. I like that the girl reflects Alexis, but it doesn't describe the book or it's plot. This is an amazing book and I wish that could ressonate to the cover.
Overall Rating: I'm giving this book a three out of four. This book blew my expectations and engrossed me so much, I'm anxious to know when Thompson will be releasing the second installment. If you like realistic fiction, romance, or paranormal...pick up this book. I love it and can't explain how excited I was when I saw it was part of a series. There are so many secrets revealed and stones left unturned that I need more. This was definitely a great read and I'm glad that Thompson requested this to BNR!
September 19, 2011
Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep.
As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.
A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.
But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.
The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
Wow, reading this book was so much fun! Besides the setting of the book, I loved the characters. This book had me scrolling like a mad woman to find out what happens next, and Theo I loved Theo! During the story I just wanted to give him a big hug!
The story isn't very long, short enough to read in an afternoon even if you are a slower reader. Thompson had my attention from the first page and when the book ended I found myself regretting the fact that I read it so fast instead of reading it more slowly to prolong the enjoyment.
Filled with great well rounded characters Silver and Stone is a must read for anyone who loves paranormal stories. All of the characters worked perfectly for the story and they all fed off of one another wonderfully.
After reading this story, I am very eager to read the next one to find out what happens next!
I do hope that this book will be in print form soon as I would add it to my personal book shelf in a flash! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal or anyone thinking of reading their first paranormal book and at 99 cents on amazon it's a bargain!
* Format: Kindle Edition
* File Size: 203 KB
* Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
* Author: J.D. Thompson
* Cover art: Georgeous it adds a sense of mystery who doesn't love a little mystery?
* Over all rating: **** out of 5 stars
* Obtained: I was sent a PDF copy of the book for review by the author. Thank you.
As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.
A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.
But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.
The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
Wow, reading this book was so much fun! Besides the setting of the book, I loved the characters. This book had me scrolling like a mad woman to find out what happens next, and Theo I loved Theo! During the story I just wanted to give him a big hug!
The story isn't very long, short enough to read in an afternoon even if you are a slower reader. Thompson had my attention from the first page and when the book ended I found myself regretting the fact that I read it so fast instead of reading it more slowly to prolong the enjoyment.
Filled with great well rounded characters Silver and Stone is a must read for anyone who loves paranormal stories. All of the characters worked perfectly for the story and they all fed off of one another wonderfully.
After reading this story, I am very eager to read the next one to find out what happens next!
I do hope that this book will be in print form soon as I would add it to my personal book shelf in a flash! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal or anyone thinking of reading their first paranormal book and at 99 cents on amazon it's a bargain!
* Format: Kindle Edition
* File Size: 203 KB
* Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
* Author: J.D. Thompson
* Cover art: Georgeous it adds a sense of mystery who doesn't love a little mystery?
* Over all rating: **** out of 5 stars
* Obtained: I was sent a PDF copy of the book for review by the author. Thank you.
September 15, 2011
Reviewed for in-Interest
Alexis is privileged enough to go to the exclusive Weatherford Preparatory school. She may be surrounded by wealth, perfection and the latest season of clothes, but life for Alexis holds deep secrets. Unfortunately, the one where she killed her mother is not. Used to being amongst the most popular throughout Weatherford, all the people she thought were her friends have diminished and she is left with the lowest. Alexis can't forget what she's done, neither can anyone else. What makes it worse is that it is a mystery. That is until Lucas Alexander arrives...
This book got me, I had no idea! Okay, I'll rewind. This book incorporates so many different aspects: paranormal, romance, suspense, etc! Admittedly the paranormal aspect only kicks in toward the end which I thought was great. It surprised me; I assure you,it will probably surprise you too. We're told relatively early on in the book that Alexis has killed her mother and that forms the whole mystery of the book. Snippets are given here and there in her thoughts but we, just like Alexis, can't make sense of it until the end when clarity is given. What makes it more chilling is that it was self-defense.
A strong point of this book was the romance. It was actually believable; believable in the twenty-first century type of way. Although the relationship seemed to move a rapid paste, it felt natural. Like any other teen relationship. So the romance takes place between Lucas and Alexis and its sweet. He knows what she's done and he accepts it; or more, he understands. I also really enjoyed the relationship between her and her newly acquired friends. It's just so believable.
The book is well written, in a simple style which compliments the theme. They are school kids, not Shakespeare, and it works perfectly. The pace is fast and it feels light to read-if that's possible. I never found myself being forced to read this book, I wanted too. I wanted to see what would happen next. The only thing that I felt a bit difficult was how fast the ending was. True, it did that the 'bang' effect, but I just thought it a bit fast.
There is so much more to this story, you should read it to find out ;)
Alexis is privileged enough to go to the exclusive Weatherford Preparatory school. She may be surrounded by wealth, perfection and the latest season of clothes, but life for Alexis holds deep secrets. Unfortunately, the one where she killed her mother is not. Used to being amongst the most popular throughout Weatherford, all the people she thought were her friends have diminished and she is left with the lowest. Alexis can't forget what she's done, neither can anyone else. What makes it worse is that it is a mystery. That is until Lucas Alexander arrives...
This book got me, I had no idea! Okay, I'll rewind. This book incorporates so many different aspects: paranormal, romance, suspense, etc! Admittedly the paranormal aspect only kicks in toward the end which I thought was great. It surprised me; I assure you,it will probably surprise you too. We're told relatively early on in the book that Alexis has killed her mother and that forms the whole mystery of the book. Snippets are given here and there in her thoughts but we, just like Alexis, can't make sense of it until the end when clarity is given. What makes it more chilling is that it was self-defense.
A strong point of this book was the romance. It was actually believable; believable in the twenty-first century type of way. Although the relationship seemed to move a rapid paste, it felt natural. Like any other teen relationship. So the romance takes place between Lucas and Alexis and its sweet. He knows what she's done and he accepts it; or more, he understands. I also really enjoyed the relationship between her and her newly acquired friends. It's just so believable.
The book is well written, in a simple style which compliments the theme. They are school kids, not Shakespeare, and it works perfectly. The pace is fast and it feels light to read-if that's possible. I never found myself being forced to read this book, I wanted too. I wanted to see what would happen next. The only thing that I felt a bit difficult was how fast the ending was. True, it did that the 'bang' effect, but I just thought it a bit fast.
There is so much more to this story, you should read it to find out ;)
November 2, 2011
Alexis Batdolph is not a normal teenager, no, she is not. She experienced something traumatic in the last summer that changed her life. Now, logically, she feels miserable and frustrated, she is having those creepy nightmares that have been hunting her since she was a child and everybody is giving her weird glances. Even her sister. But the new guy at school, Lucas, doesn't seem to think in the same way.
Silver and Stone is a really suspenseful book that starts like a normal book for teenagers, but as we go further, the story starts to get more complicated and more dark. I must say that at the beginning when I started reading the book I was wondering all the time what it was about. Some books when you start reading you know immediately the main topic... umm... vampires, werewolves...ghosts, etc... but in this case, no, you don't know anything about the plot, and the best part is that the author keeps all that mystery and that darkness in all the book and that is what it keeps you motivated to continue reading, and that was what it kept me motivated to continue reading. I was jumping to conclusions all the time. Some of them were right, but most of them were so wrong. What I didn't like too much, was the ending. OMG! that was not fair. It finished in the best part! What is going to happen!?
The characters are very well developed. Like I said before Alexis even though is a strong girl, she is feeling really bad, and the author does a great job showing her feelings. Lucas was nice, but I didn't like him too much (Specially the part with Olivia, omg, I hate that girl) and I felt that Lucas was behaving too awful and I just ended not liking him at all. The same thing happened with Alexis' sister, I know why she behaved in the way the did, but I didn't enjoy her. I couldn't stand the way she treated Alexis. Poor girl! At least she had really good friends who really love her (And of course, I loved them, too)
So, what can I say? If you like mysterious book from head to toe, and if you want to know what happened that summer, why her sister is so angry at her, why are people missing and who is that mysterious student.... To find out, you have to read Silver and Stone for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Silver and Stone is a really suspenseful book that starts like a normal book for teenagers, but as we go further, the story starts to get more complicated and more dark. I must say that at the beginning when I started reading the book I was wondering all the time what it was about. Some books when you start reading you know immediately the main topic... umm... vampires, werewolves...ghosts, etc... but in this case, no, you don't know anything about the plot, and the best part is that the author keeps all that mystery and that darkness in all the book and that is what it keeps you motivated to continue reading, and that was what it kept me motivated to continue reading. I was jumping to conclusions all the time. Some of them were right, but most of them were so wrong. What I didn't like too much, was the ending. OMG! that was not fair. It finished in the best part! What is going to happen!?
The characters are very well developed. Like I said before Alexis even though is a strong girl, she is feeling really bad, and the author does a great job showing her feelings. Lucas was nice, but I didn't like him too much (Specially the part with Olivia, omg, I hate that girl) and I felt that Lucas was behaving too awful and I just ended not liking him at all. The same thing happened with Alexis' sister, I know why she behaved in the way the did, but I didn't enjoy her. I couldn't stand the way she treated Alexis. Poor girl! At least she had really good friends who really love her (And of course, I loved them, too)
So, what can I say? If you like mysterious book from head to toe, and if you want to know what happened that summer, why her sister is so angry at her, why are people missing and who is that mysterious student.... To find out, you have to read Silver and Stone for yourself.
Happy Reading!
November 14, 2011
"The truth is I just want to be near him. The hour spent together brought me back to a time when things were simple and I'm not ready for it to end just yet. With Lucas I laughed, out loud, without feeling guilty immediately after. For an hour, I was genuinely happy. The sensation is weightless, like the heavy burden I've been carrying has floated away like a feather in the wind. I'm afraid once he's gone my world will be dark again and now that I've seen the light I don't know if I can bear it. His influence is like a drug to which I've selfishly become an addict."
--p.22
Alexis Bardolph killed her mother. After her mother lost her mind and tried to kill Alexis. Instead of supporting her in her time of need, most of the snobs at Weatherford Prep have chosen to believe the worst--that Alexis is a murderer. With her dad working and sleeping at the office and her little sister refusing to speak to her, Alexis has little left in her life. Until, you guessed it, the hot new guy moves to town and takes an interest in her. The plot becomes a bit cliched after that, but Alexis' flashbacks keep the pacing up and keep you guessing.
Good point about this story:
1. For a self-published book, I've got to give the writer props. Pacing and characterization were well done. Once I got past the first chapter (not a strong point), the story moved quickly.
2. This is the first self-published ARC I've recieved for my YA book reviews blog that I've been able to finish AND liked well enough to review.
What the author could have done differently:
1. We have major emotion telling in the story rather than showing.
2. Needs a thorough copy edit. There were some spelling/grammatical mistakes.
3. We never believed Lucas' character shift so why was it done? Didn't make sense. I also never believed the little sister's dramatic shift to hating Alexis. Again, not believable.
4. WAY TOO MUCH withholding of information. I needed to know a lot more, a lot sooner in the story. Reveals came too late.
Content Warning: Lots of swearing, mention of sex quite a few times, I'd definitely keep the readers to ages 16+. Don't let your pre-teen read it--too much sensuality.
--p.22
Alexis Bardolph killed her mother. After her mother lost her mind and tried to kill Alexis. Instead of supporting her in her time of need, most of the snobs at Weatherford Prep have chosen to believe the worst--that Alexis is a murderer. With her dad working and sleeping at the office and her little sister refusing to speak to her, Alexis has little left in her life. Until, you guessed it, the hot new guy moves to town and takes an interest in her. The plot becomes a bit cliched after that, but Alexis' flashbacks keep the pacing up and keep you guessing.
Good point about this story:
1. For a self-published book, I've got to give the writer props. Pacing and characterization were well done. Once I got past the first chapter (not a strong point), the story moved quickly.
2. This is the first self-published ARC I've recieved for my YA book reviews blog that I've been able to finish AND liked well enough to review.
What the author could have done differently:
1. We have major emotion telling in the story rather than showing.
2. Needs a thorough copy edit. There were some spelling/grammatical mistakes.
3. We never believed Lucas' character shift so why was it done? Didn't make sense. I also never believed the little sister's dramatic shift to hating Alexis. Again, not believable.
4. WAY TOO MUCH withholding of information. I needed to know a lot more, a lot sooner in the story. Reveals came too late.
Content Warning: Lots of swearing, mention of sex quite a few times, I'd definitely keep the readers to ages 16+. Don't let your pre-teen read it--too much sensuality.
October 21, 2011
The first book in the Bloodlines series, by debut author J.D. Thomason, Silver and Bone is told from the first person perspective of Alexis. Following a horrific family tragedy, the former prom queen, has become a social outcast. Her isolation is so complete that even her family avoid spending time with her. Enter Lucas, the mysterious new boy with his own closet full of skeletons.
Despite the gorgeous north Devon scenery and my daughter’s constant demands for swimming to distract me, I managed to devour Silver and Stone over two days of my wet English summer holiday. My attention was caught immediately by the vivid dream sequences and I was gripped by the need to unravel the many mysteries.
For me the best part of a romance follows that initial spark of instant attraction and over whelming connection. I love to savour the getting to know you stage, the flutter in your tummy as you experience the relationship firsts alongside the protagonists, the sparks of electricity at the first touch, the first kiss and the first declarations of love.
I initially felt frustrated at the speed at which the relationship between Alexis and Lucas developed. However as the story progressed and the plot was revealed I found myself immersed in the relationship and accepting the couple.
The start of a new series, JD Thomason manages to conclude the story without the aid of an excruciating cliff hanger to hook you. While all of the big questions are answered in a satisfactory conclusion I was left with the desire further explore Alexis and Lucas’ world and I can’t wait to find out the answers to some of the sub plots.
Sliver and Stone is currently available on kindle for the amazing price of just 86p! and there are plans for release in paperback before Christmas.
Verdict: While the format and content will be familiar to fans of paranormal romance this is an enjoyable and engaging debut. I look forward to the next instalment.
Rating 3.5/5
Caroline
May 6, 2012
I often find it hard to write a review when I give a 3 star rating but with Silver and Stone it's hard because the whole book is a build up to the final chapters when we find out what Alexis really is and what her life truly means. I don't want to give anything away!
Silver and Stone is a roller coaster ride of emotions! Thompson sure knows how to build a story and keep you guessing until the end, every time I turned the page I wanted to find out was happening to Alexis and why her life had gotten the way it had. Within a year Alexis had gone from 'it girl' to total outcast keeping only a handful of friends. It was the 'accidient' that changed everything and since that night strange things have been happening to Alexis.
I rather liked Alexis, she was a strong leading lady despite her past. Even though her sister has turned against her and her father spends all his time at the office Alexis still manages to get through each day. I rather like the reaction that her sister had towards her, I think it gave the story an added depth because after everything the family had been through I was expecting the sister to stand by her side.
I loved Alexis' friends, they were ready to fight for her honour and I think they could have been pretty kick ass if the occasion called for it. And then we have the new guy about town, Lucas, obviously he is mysterious and very handsome! Their relationship becomes very intense very quickly and it's not until the last third of the book we understand why.
As I said the book is a build up to the last few chapters where we really learn about Alexis and Lucas and the connection they share and have always shared. I've got to admit I had a few 'no way moments', which seems to be happening with a few books at the moment, and I loved it! Thompson kept me guessing and I liked that most of my guesses were wrong!
3/5 stars because I feel this series will only get better with time and I'm hoping Thompson will continue to surprise me!
Silver and Stone is a roller coaster ride of emotions! Thompson sure knows how to build a story and keep you guessing until the end, every time I turned the page I wanted to find out was happening to Alexis and why her life had gotten the way it had. Within a year Alexis had gone from 'it girl' to total outcast keeping only a handful of friends. It was the 'accidient' that changed everything and since that night strange things have been happening to Alexis.
I rather liked Alexis, she was a strong leading lady despite her past. Even though her sister has turned against her and her father spends all his time at the office Alexis still manages to get through each day. I rather like the reaction that her sister had towards her, I think it gave the story an added depth because after everything the family had been through I was expecting the sister to stand by her side.
I loved Alexis' friends, they were ready to fight for her honour and I think they could have been pretty kick ass if the occasion called for it. And then we have the new guy about town, Lucas, obviously he is mysterious and very handsome! Their relationship becomes very intense very quickly and it's not until the last third of the book we understand why.
As I said the book is a build up to the last few chapters where we really learn about Alexis and Lucas and the connection they share and have always shared. I've got to admit I had a few 'no way moments', which seems to be happening with a few books at the moment, and I loved it! Thompson kept me guessing and I liked that most of my guesses were wrong!
3/5 stars because I feel this series will only get better with time and I'm hoping Thompson will continue to surprise me!
November 30, 2011
From the first page of this book I knew I was getting something pretty different, it kind of has the same plot points as many para-romances; (mysterious new guy, best friend with a crush, a bit of insta-love), it never really had the predictability because just when I thought that the plot was going in an annoyingly predictable direction is suddenly spun me around so that I was immersed in the mystery again.
I liked that the characters were mature and felt real, Alexis is going through a load of emotions and hasn't been sleeping well and her state of mind is written so well, Lucas doesn't seem too mysterious, he seems like a cute, romantic guy with an edge of mystery, but he isn't as one dimensional as many para-romance guys. The romance developed a little too fast for my liking, but even though it was insta-love it wasn't just "Oooh hot guy, I'm in love", it was more the way that the thing's Lucas said made Alexis feel, making it a bit better, I liked their relationship after they got together and at so many points I was surprised by the direction the relationship turns.
The mystery of the book is something that kept me reading, we are not told what Alexis is and what her dreams are about, or what the mystery around Lucas is until the very end, so I liked reading and guessing. I did find that the paranormal aspect near the end too a popular plot though. The action near the end, where it is all revealed is so well written, it was edge of seat, can't believe this is happening reading and I really enjoyed it.
Overall, Silver and Stone was gripping and pretty original. I was put off by the insta-love and the way that the paranormal aspect manifests, but enjoyed it primarily.
Overall Rating: B
I liked that the characters were mature and felt real, Alexis is going through a load of emotions and hasn't been sleeping well and her state of mind is written so well, Lucas doesn't seem too mysterious, he seems like a cute, romantic guy with an edge of mystery, but he isn't as one dimensional as many para-romance guys. The romance developed a little too fast for my liking, but even though it was insta-love it wasn't just "Oooh hot guy, I'm in love", it was more the way that the thing's Lucas said made Alexis feel, making it a bit better, I liked their relationship after they got together and at so many points I was surprised by the direction the relationship turns.
The mystery of the book is something that kept me reading, we are not told what Alexis is and what her dreams are about, or what the mystery around Lucas is until the very end, so I liked reading and guessing. I did find that the paranormal aspect near the end too a popular plot though. The action near the end, where it is all revealed is so well written, it was edge of seat, can't believe this is happening reading and I really enjoyed it.
Overall, Silver and Stone was gripping and pretty original. I was put off by the insta-love and the way that the paranormal aspect manifests, but enjoyed it primarily.
Overall Rating: B
December 21, 2011
Title: Silver and Stone: The Bloodlines Series
Author: J.D. Thompson
Publisher: Self
Publication Date: 2011
Source: Author (ebook given in exchange for honest review)
Cover: The cover does its job and gives you a definite YA wispy vibe.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance. I can’t be more specific as to what type of paranormal activity is going on since the book spends a lot of time building up to that, but the premise is more original than most.
Plot: This book has a lot going for it. The writing is good, and the beginning to middle of the book keeps you reading and wondering what exactly will happen next. There’s an element of mystery that I think a lot of people would enjoy, and for the majority of the book, Alexis is pretty likeable. The premise that frames the story is really original and was one of my favorite macabre parts about the story.
Romantic Element: You know I’m a sucker for romance in YA, and this book definitely has it. It did feel a bit rushed to me. I tend to like a long lead-in for these things, but that’s personal preference, and other people will find the love interest entertaining. And there’s drama. Oh, how I love drama—in books--just thought I’d clarify.
Overall: This book has its highs and lows, but definitely has more highs than lows. I think my only slight complaint is pacing. J.D. does an amazing job of it for the majority, but when it comes to the romantic bits and the end itself, I felt a little rushed. BUT the end does set up the next book nicely, making you want more, and overall, I enjoyed it. Fans of YA paranormal romance would be pleased overall with this book as the beginning of a series. And for 99 cents? It’d be hard to ask for more.
Author: J.D. Thompson
Publisher: Self
Publication Date: 2011
Source: Author (ebook given in exchange for honest review)
Cover: The cover does its job and gives you a definite YA wispy vibe.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance. I can’t be more specific as to what type of paranormal activity is going on since the book spends a lot of time building up to that, but the premise is more original than most.
Plot: This book has a lot going for it. The writing is good, and the beginning to middle of the book keeps you reading and wondering what exactly will happen next. There’s an element of mystery that I think a lot of people would enjoy, and for the majority of the book, Alexis is pretty likeable. The premise that frames the story is really original and was one of my favorite macabre parts about the story.
Romantic Element: You know I’m a sucker for romance in YA, and this book definitely has it. It did feel a bit rushed to me. I tend to like a long lead-in for these things, but that’s personal preference, and other people will find the love interest entertaining. And there’s drama. Oh, how I love drama—in books--just thought I’d clarify.
Overall: This book has its highs and lows, but definitely has more highs than lows. I think my only slight complaint is pacing. J.D. does an amazing job of it for the majority, but when it comes to the romantic bits and the end itself, I felt a little rushed. BUT the end does set up the next book nicely, making you want more, and overall, I enjoyed it. Fans of YA paranormal romance would be pleased overall with this book as the beginning of a series. And for 99 cents? It’d be hard to ask for more.
December 31, 2011
Last year Alexis had it all , top A-Student , Valedictorian - on her way to any Ivy League college , prom queen and Miss Popular. Then , the incident occured that caused her to lose everything she ever had and more - Alexis went from Prom Queen to accused Killer as her mum was killed in what Alexis claimed as Self-defense. Since that night, Alexis has been experiencing nightmares , hallucinating and hearing things. Ontop of that , all her friends from last year except for Logan, Theo and Amber have abandoned her - even her own sister Madison can't stand to be around her and wishes that it was her that had died and not their mother. Enter in Lucas Alexander , a new student at Weatherford Academy and Alexis's neighbour -from the moment they first meet, their is a chemistry that is beyond normal. He seems to understand her , more than she does herself. However, Lucas is hiding a secret - one that could get Alexis killed . He and his "parents' are Archangels sent to kill Alexis and stop her from being the animal that she is - apparently we discover that Alexis has been around for centuries and is in fact one of Lucifer's Hellhounds . Is this the end for Alexis as she faces a showdown and a close one too with Marcus and Gwen , or will Lucas betray his Archangel status and protect Alexis ?
An awesome start to a new supernatural series by author JD Thompson. One that if you love the Teen/YA Supernatural craze, you will enjoy Silver and Stone.
An awesome start to a new supernatural series by author JD Thompson. One that if you love the Teen/YA Supernatural craze, you will enjoy Silver and Stone.
October 1, 2011
I was greatly excited when J.D. Thompson requested I review her newly released YA. Paranormal romance is not a genre I generally read, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Silver and Stone is an absolute fun book to read, worthy of being praised alongside the best of young-adult fiction. I finished it in less than a day, and surprisingly found it to my liking. The flow of the plot from one moment to the next was superb, and the chapters were divided excellently. You would be hard-pressed to experience boredom while enveloping yourself in this fascinating story.
Of course, without in-depth characters a plot would get nowhere. Luckily, J.D. Thompson's novel seems to be in plentiful abundance of such personae. She cleverly works strands of dialogue to bring the most out of her characters and is most adept at describing the emotions they feel while interacting with their environment. Thompson is definitely an author that knows what she's doing.
Overall, I recommend the beginning of The Bloodlines series to the majority of paranormal romance lovers. This spectacular debut is dark, shocking, and provokingly hot!
Of course, without in-depth characters a plot would get nowhere. Luckily, J.D. Thompson's novel seems to be in plentiful abundance of such personae. She cleverly works strands of dialogue to bring the most out of her characters and is most adept at describing the emotions they feel while interacting with their environment. Thompson is definitely an author that knows what she's doing.
Overall, I recommend the beginning of The Bloodlines series to the majority of paranormal romance lovers. This spectacular debut is dark, shocking, and provokingly hot!
June 23, 2012
Ok, so I am about halfway through this book. I am loving it this far! The author has such a creative way of wording each and every sentence; making every sentence count. There aren't any paragraphs that are unnecessary or superfluous. This book is covering every genre that I adore about YA books. It has a paranormal flare, romance (not over the top I am in love with you the first second I see you kind of romance). It also is funny. Typically, books are either one of two categories. Serious, or funny..this book, however, is a beautifil and unique demonstrating of how the two can be merged. Every sentence is super.creative.. If you are wondering what I mean by this, you will have to read the book! The relationship between the characteristic are eloquently depicted, and the main character is adorable and likeable. I will post a review upon completion of the book. I am thinking I can say, in a joking manner, that this book has a "bipolar" flare. By that, I mean it has a serious and a fun, humorous side. I am a psychologist so I do not make fun of mental illness. I am merely using that term as a way to depict the nature of the content of this book. Happy reading!
October 26, 2011
i read this book for our book blog.
It was probably more like 3 1/2 stars. Silver and Stone was my first Paranormal Romance, unfortunately since I didn't know this going into the book I was a little caught off guard when it became suddenly apparent near the end. This being said; I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Alexis is lovable! I was heartbroken for her many times and felt that she deserved so much more especially considering all she's been through. I found the instant connection between Alexis and Lucas a little unbelievable; however, toward the end of the book it all made sense. I'm hoping that many of the questions that I had will be answered in the next book. Thompson is a very talented writer. I love her descriptions and her ability to grab your attention. While I don't know if I would consider this genre a favorite I definitely have to find out what happens next in the Bloodlines Series.
It was probably more like 3 1/2 stars. Silver and Stone was my first Paranormal Romance, unfortunately since I didn't know this going into the book I was a little caught off guard when it became suddenly apparent near the end. This being said; I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Alexis is lovable! I was heartbroken for her many times and felt that she deserved so much more especially considering all she's been through. I found the instant connection between Alexis and Lucas a little unbelievable; however, toward the end of the book it all made sense. I'm hoping that many of the questions that I had will be answered in the next book. Thompson is a very talented writer. I love her descriptions and her ability to grab your attention. While I don't know if I would consider this genre a favorite I definitely have to find out what happens next in the Bloodlines Series.
February 7, 2012
When Ms. Thompson contacted me to review Silver and Stone I wasn't sure what to think. It sounded interesting! Ms. Thompson and Silver and Stone exceeded all expectations I had.
The characters were definitely believable and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. Alexis is easy to relate to and is a strong girl even though she doesn't think she is. Alexis's friends Amber and Logan are so funny and I love them. You can't forget the handsome and mysterious Lucas.
My favorite part of this novel was the setting. I loved the description of the old castle and it really added and created the mood for the story.
I loved the mystery and the paranormal element. I was not really sure what to expect in regards to the paranormal aspect so the story kept me guessing the whole time. I am looking forward to Blood and Champagne so that I can learn more about Alexis and Lucas!!
The characters were definitely believable and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. Alexis is easy to relate to and is a strong girl even though she doesn't think she is. Alexis's friends Amber and Logan are so funny and I love them. You can't forget the handsome and mysterious Lucas.
My favorite part of this novel was the setting. I loved the description of the old castle and it really added and created the mood for the story.
I loved the mystery and the paranormal element. I was not really sure what to expect in regards to the paranormal aspect so the story kept me guessing the whole time. I am looking forward to Blood and Champagne so that I can learn more about Alexis and Lucas!!
March 21, 2012
Probably more of a 4.5 stars, but heck I stayed up late enough to only get 3 hours of sleep last night just to finish it, so what does that tell you?? Enjoyed the unique take on the mythos (or for me it was unique). Also sincerely enjoyed that the mystery was maintained until the end of the book....not that I didn't have my suspicions, but it was different to have them not revealed within the first few chapters. The chemistry between Lucas and Alexis was sometimes not as convincing...it just seemed to happen so fast, and I wasn't always convinced that that was warranted...hence the docking of half a star. Maybe if I thought about it hard enough I would go down to 4 stars, but I'm going with my gut b/c it's not always about the little things but the overall feel when you finish a book...and I really wish the second book was written, so I call that a job well done.
September 23, 2011
I love always going into a new book not knowing what to expect. This story peaked my interest from the first couple of pages. I found myself continuously guessing what was going to happen next and being constantly surprised. I find that rare these days to jump into a book not at least having an idea of how the ending will happen. I had no clue what all the mystery and the secrets were about until literally the end of the book and was very pleasantly surprised and excited.
I think it is very well written, with a gripping gripping plot. The characters are interesting and the dynamics between Her and Lucas and her and her sister really leaves you wanting more. It was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it.
I think it is very well written, with a gripping gripping plot. The characters are interesting and the dynamics between Her and Lucas and her and her sister really leaves you wanting more. It was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it.
November 21, 2011
This story is like Fallen with a couple extra really cool plot twists! I didn't realize it was a paranormal until many chapters into the story. Then I was like, wait, things are getting strangely weird. There's got to be some other-worldly stuff going on! I know, I'm slow that way!!
I loved the story though, and I totally do NOT like stories written in present tense. They annoy the heck out of me. But this one was well enough written I could look past all the "I walk, I sleep, I currently do this and that"s.
Silver and Stone keeps you reading and needing all your questions answered. And at the end, it answers just enough to satisfy you yet leaves just enough unanswered to make you want to read the next book in the Blooline series.
I loved the story though, and I totally do NOT like stories written in present tense. They annoy the heck out of me. But this one was well enough written I could look past all the "I walk, I sleep, I currently do this and that"s.
Silver and Stone keeps you reading and needing all your questions answered. And at the end, it answers just enough to satisfy you yet leaves just enough unanswered to make you want to read the next book in the Blooline series.
September 19, 2013
I had no issues getting into SILVER AND STONE. I liked the characters, I liked the storyline, I liked the setting and I liked the mystery surrounding everything. Alexis does NOT have it easy. I can not go into why because you don't find out until you get a good bit into the book and I do not want to spoil it but lets just say she is alone and outcast because of a tragedy that is not her fault at all. When Lucas shows up she starts to live again. She regains her confidence and her will to enjoy life. There is a small little problem though. Her nightmares are coming true, her life is about to be turned upside down again and Lucas is not who she thinks he is. Did I leave you hanging? That was my plan *evil grin*
November 24, 2012
3.5 for sures.
I liked the story I did. And even though the reader doesn't get explainations til the very end I think that it's not badly paced but I got to one point and I was almost ready to give up because I thought we'd never find out! Well needless to say, its an interesting read, and if your the type of the reader that doesn't want totally in your face paranormal well that is the beginning of this book, and we get more later on. So keep with it! I will get the second one when it comes out that is for sures. So enjoy your read.
I liked the story I did. And even though the reader doesn't get explainations til the very end I think that it's not badly paced but I got to one point and I was almost ready to give up because I thought we'd never find out! Well needless to say, its an interesting read, and if your the type of the reader that doesn't want totally in your face paranormal well that is the beginning of this book, and we get more later on. So keep with it! I will get the second one when it comes out that is for sures. So enjoy your read.
November 26, 2012
spoilers
I really didn't like this book. It just wasn't for me. Beginning was good and after that I started skipping pages. There were things that didn't make sense to me. Close to the end I thought that book would turn out amazing or I would end up disappointed. Unfortunately it was the latest. As I said my low rating has nothing with writing, the theme is not for me and if from the description I knew there would be fallen angels and reincarnation I would never buy it.
I really didn't like this book. It just wasn't for me. Beginning was good and after that I started skipping pages. There were things that didn't make sense to me. Close to the end I thought that book would turn out amazing or I would end up disappointed. Unfortunately it was the latest. As I said my low rating has nothing with writing, the theme is not for me and if from the description I knew there would be fallen angels and reincarnation I would never buy it.
June 15, 2012
I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
Life has not been kind to Alexis. Losing her mother and then her soulmate has left her devastated and unsure of herself. To top that off she finds herself in the ultimate battle. To try to save her own life - again. The twist - what she really is - was quite unexpected. Made a very interesting ending to this book and a great opening for the next one.
Life has not been kind to Alexis. Losing her mother and then her soulmate has left her devastated and unsure of herself. To top that off she finds herself in the ultimate battle. To try to save her own life - again. The twist - what she really is - was quite unexpected. Made a very interesting ending to this book and a great opening for the next one.
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