New beginnings, new conflicts, and new adventures arise in the second installment of the Eden Series, Eden-West. Months after his initial journey to Eden, Aiden is learning to cope with his own transformation. His social status has changed, his friendship with his best friend Ethan is in jeopardy because of it, and worst of all, he has heard absolutely nothing from his new friends in Eden. What has become of the world he fell in love with? Are his friends safe? Is the war over? With no answers, and no hope for contact, Aiden decides to focus on his life in his world. Just as he makes this decision, he encounters a familiar bright light and thinks he knows exactly what it means. Except the light isn’t at all what he expects and neither is the person behind it. When Aiden returns to Eden, it is to a whole new part of that special world, and a whole new set of adventures. Weeks after Aiden was returned to his own world, Elisa is sent to Nysa, the revered Southern city, to retrieve the one thing she’d rather avoid – Wolf. Captain Turk instructed her to get in and get out - but that is easier said than done. When she finds her missing friend, she also stumbles upon a great deal of trouble. This trouble goes by one name – Markus, the leader of the Sun People. Follow all your favourite characters as they ready themselves for battle and fight for a world threatened to be destroyed
Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. Since then she has released an Adult Dystopian Romance series, the New World Series, hitting the best sellers list on Amazon. She has also released a Mature YA/NA novel, Brush Strokes, that stayed on the best sellers list for contemporary romance for sixteen straight weeks. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors and loves to interact with her readers.
Cover: Love it Rating: PG-13 Thumbs Up: 5 Shiny Stars Overall: A book I read start to finish, couldn’t put it down. Characters: Well written Plot: Evil and good, lies and truth, ploys and romance, so much going on. Page Turner: Yes Series Cont.? Absolutely! Recommend: Yes Book Boyfriend: Callum & Wolf
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
This book was just as riveting as the first. Catch up in all the stories that make up this tale. Even when the POV changed, I was left wanting more and grateful to finally get back to POV I was reading. ONE of the BEST BOOKS I’VE READ THIS YEAR!
To see my full review and yummy pic, check out my blog post below.
Aiden has been returned home to his world so that he can heal. He continues to work out over the rest of the summer and decides to join the football team to keep him somewhat in shape in case he is called to Eden again. He misses his friends from Eden terribly, but at the same time is thankful to be back home. As the new school year starts he has changed in appearance and is gaining more attention from his female classmates. Even his crush Melissa is now aware of him. However, joining the football team has put a little bit of distance between him and his best friend. The school has a carnival and Aiden gets stuck going. It's mandatory that the football players are in attendence. At the carnival Aiden runs into Melissa and they go for a ride on the ferris wheel. While stopped at the top Melissa points out a shimmering light in the trees in the immediate area. When Aiden sees it he knows what it is. A means to return to Eden. Looking at the glowing orb he tries to decide if he should stay home or return. In the end he reaches out to the ball.
He's transported to his friend, Wolf's village in the West and greeted by Hawk, Wolf's father, the leader of the tribe. He is led to the quaint village that is protected by a spell to protect it from invaders. Not sure why he has been returned and to the west he is left with the Shaman of the village to gain his answers. But those aren't forth coming with him. He asks if he will have any contact with his old friends and is told emphatically no. Which seems to send warning bells clattering in Aiden's mind.
While Aiden is in the west, Elisa is sent to retrieve Wolf and Logan from the South. Hoping to get in and out of the city without having to make a formal call with Marcus, the ruler of that area. Wolf however, was messing around with the Chancellor's wife. And she tells her husband when Wolf sets her packing, which results in the husband looking for retribution. That leads to Elisa being discovered and then having to make her obligatory appearance. Hoping to get out of there the next day, her plans are squashed and they end up spending close to a week there.
And that is all I am giving you =P
If you have read Eden you so have to read this! OMG! So good! By the end of the book you will be crapping your pants about what happened, what's going on, and what's about to happen. Find out what's developed between Callum and Rose, what's going on between Elisa and Wolf....and someone else, Find out who Aiden meets that he gets very... warm feelings...for, and what that dirty Aziz is up to. Janelle leaves you on the edge of your seat and craving the next book with the last words of the final chapter. I will definitely be on the look out for the next installment to this legend!
Yay for my first 5-star read of the year! *breathes contented sigh* I'm having a difficult time preventing this review from including a bunch of spoilers or (more likely) degenerating into incoherent babble about how much I loved the book and how much I need the next book right now.
The characters are the stars of this series. Ms. Stalder does an excellent job of breathing life into all of the characters - even the villains. I actually think one of my favorite characters is one of the "bad" guys. How did she do that?
Oh dangit! The incoherent babble is going to start... Loved this book!!! I need the next book right now!!! Read this series so I can have someone to discuss it with! :)
(I actually had an early copy of , but I could not put Eden-West down - not even for one of my favorite series.)
Wow .... Just wow. Janelle Stalder is a force to be reckoned with, her writing just keeps better and better. Eden West continues this amazing fantasy world, I really have not seen anyone better than her at world building in a long time. The plot thickens and the second installment in the Eden series leaves you breathless for the next book.
Elisa is a strong female heroine any mother can trust their teen daughters to look up to. Wolfe, the party boy rake, seems to be growing up... a little bit anyway. He is slowly endearing himself to me. Aiden as always has everyone's best interests first and foremost in his heart. The depth we are seeing with Callum foreshadows what is to come, and I think we are all going to be surprised by him (I hope *fingers crossed*).
There are twists and turns I never saw coming and this fantasy novel is one of the best out there. Pick up this series immediately.
My Rating: 5+ smooches
Recommended for: Teens and Adults
Now the really fun stuff. I already had Travis in mind for Wolfe but Diva Terri is really the best for picking our Book Boyfriends so I am stealing her Callum ;-P
"Everyone makes their own paths in life if they want to, you just have to try."
Wow! I have no idea where to even start with this review. I was lucky enough to receive Eden for review from the amazing Janelle last year and I fell in love with this amazing world so to be the first one to read and review the sequel, Eden-West, it's fair to say I was very very excited. I thought nothing would be able to beat the first book in this series but I was so wrong. Eden-West is phenomenal and I cannot gush about it enough.
Aiden is just settling back into his every day life after his trip to Eden but all of a sudden he is pulled from his world back into Eden. But are the reasons for him being there really good reasons? Aiden believes something sinister is at play and with the help of new friend, Moose, he is determined to find out what it is.
Janelle is fast becoming one of my favourite authors of all time. Whenever I start her book I cannot put them down until they are done and end up usually reading them in one sitting. Eden-West was no different. I was completely sucked back into the world of Aiden and his travelling between the normal world and Eden from the very first page. One of the things I love most about this series is that it doesn't just tell one story but you get multiple stories within the one novel. You have Aiden's story and you follow his journey but then you also have the story of Elisa, Wolf and Logan, Aiden's friends from book 1 and then the story of the awesome Callum and Brutus, the other side of the war. I was fully prepared to be completely anamoured by Callum's side of the story as he was my favourite character in book 1, however all the way through the book I wished we could just get back to the store with Elisa and Wolf. To me Eden-West is definitely their story and I loved every second of it.
My favourite character in Eden-West? Wolf without a doubt. I really liked Wolf in book 1 but now he is my new book boyfriend. I totally fell for him, though I do believe he needs a smack in the head to knock some sense into him! Him and Elisa are obviously madly in love with each other but both are too damn stubborn to admit it. I just wanted to reach into the book and push them together... or bang their heads together to knock some sense into them. One of the two, either way they need to be together. Their is one of those epic love stories where they just have to be together as anything else just wouldn't be right. Plus I would probably want to kill Janelle if they don't end up together. I have high hopes for their story in the future books in this series.
One thing Janelle is superb at in this series is getting conflicted emotions from you. I was laughing one minute and heartbroken and crying the next. This book has it all, it is fast-paced and action-packed and will leave you breathless wondering what could possibly happen next. I was just completely shocked by the ending and I just need to know what is going to happen right now! If you loved Eden then you will adore Eden-West. It completely surpassed my expectations, which were already really high, and I cannot wait to see what will happen next.
A heart-stopping and breath-taking sequel that will leave you begging for more. Without a doubt a must-read for any fantasy fan!
"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever met, and the only thing in my life that makes me truly happy."
Omg!! what a book!! Ms. Stadler takes you back into the world of Eden and doesn't disappoint. this had it all, a proposal, betrayal of the worst kind, blood, war, and so much more.
Aiden is back home living the life of a regular teen. trying to fit in and before he knows it he is thrown back into Eden. He finds an unlikely friend in Lilly. I see something blossoming there ;)
oh and Elisa and Wolf, a volcano is about to erupt between those two soon, I hope real soon!
even though Brutus is a bad guy I was sad about what happened to him. honestly I think both Brutus and Callum didn't want all that came with this war. I believe Aziz has way more planned than those two have been informed of. I hope Callum can mend things with his brother and put a stop to all the innocent blood being shed.
I received this book from the author, Janelle Stalder in exchange for a honest review.
This is a great YA fantasy series. Lines of good and evil are blurred, you find yourself rooting for everyone (well maybe not Markus... at least for me).
Genre: YA (but really all ages) Fantasy Publisher Type: Indie
My Review: The hard thing about writing reviews of subsequent books in a series is that you tend to repeat yourself a lot. Just like in book 1, I can tell you that Ms. Stalder has an amazing gift for writing extremely complex characters with complicated relationships. I love that the protagonists and antagonists alike are dimensional and not purely good or evil. One of my favorite characters, Callum, is technically a "bad guy." Rose puts it best, "War was never an easy thing to deal with, and everything about this war appalled her. Yet she considered Brutus one of her most trusted friends. Sometimes the world was so filled with shades of grey, it was hard to believe there was ever such a thing as pure black and white." The lack of a clear black and white is one of the things that make this such an intelligent and engaging novel.
I was also impressed by the way the author was able to weave in "reminder hints" of book 1 throughout the first part of Eden West. There's a temptation for an author to either jump right into the story (which only works if the reader just finished the last book) or to provide an information dump within the first few pages to catch the reader back up. Ms. Stalder was able to gently insert subtle hints throughout the first part of the story that had me remembering details and events without feeling like I had to skim through a synopsis of the previous book.
Eden West differs greatly from the first book as our main characters are separated and very much unaware of what is happening to the others. Story lines are perfectly layered upon one another, taking us from event to event, from perspective to perspective, masterfully building the plot and creating crazy amounts of suspense. I absolutely love the way the story unfolds!!!
As the novel concludes, we have enough closure of the main conflict to feel satisfied, but there's some major cliff hangers, both in the romance and action. My only complaint is how am I supposed to wait to find out what happens?!?! Yikes! I'm not sure I can stand it!!!
Cover Art: I have a thing for cover continuity throughout a series. This is a great example of how to do that right. Much like book 1, I'm torn between loving the simple, crisp design that utilizes an important symbol from the book and being disappointed that the covers don't show off the crazy creativity of the story within. Overall the cover style is growing on me and I, as always, do love the polished look!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. See more of my reviews on my blog, Known to Read.
Our second trip to Eden is filled with more suspence, political plots, action and romance than the first one. Aiden returns back to find himself not in the company of all his old friends, but in the Riders city at the West. There he will live amongst them, meet the Forest People, Wolf's family and try to figure out why he has been summoned to a place that doesn't seem to be in danger. All the while, Elisa is send to the South to find and bring back Wolf and Logan, but even though the three of them meet shortly after her arrival they soon become the guests of South's ruler, Makrus and he seems kind of reluctant to let go of Elisa. While all of them are busy Callum and Brutus gather up their forces again for another attack under the commands of the evil magician, Aziz.
Let me say that even though I loved the first book this one is even better. I don't know how Janelle Stalder does it but Eden-West was impossible to put down. All the characters we learned and loved in the first boook return to keep us on edge with every single action. I was especially looking forward to all the Elisa-Wolf scenes that this book has, these two know how to keep me interested, until the very end, litarally. I can't believe how this book ended. Also we get to meet new characters, like Moose, Wolf's brother, who I adored from the very first time and Lily one of the forest people, who for some weird reason I kept picturing like a ten year old and trust me you don't want to picture her like that or it will be awkward.
Even though this book is called Eden-West my favorite place of Eden was the South. I really enjoyed seeing it through Elisa's eyes. I came to love the world Janelle created in the first book and now I got to discover and see a bigger part of it. A part of it that makes me want to jump inside the book and actually spend the rest of my life there.
Everyone who loves a good epic fantasy book mixed with ya characters will love Eden. With twists and turns, tons of action, politacal intrigues and romance that leaves you begging for more, this is one of the best books of the year.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Not too long ago I read the first book in this series and thought it was great. You can see my 4 Star review HERE. Well, if Eden was great than Eden-West is epic! Janelle has wowed me!
You are almost immediately thrown back into the world of Eden. I really like that it doesn't start off slow at all. I also love Janelle's use of multiple points-of-view. This doesn't work for some but for this series it is amazing to be able to see what is happening from all sides of the war.
In Eden, my favourite characters were Callum and Rose so naturally I couldn't wait to get to those parts in Eden-West. While Janelle has kept my love to Callum strong, she has given him some major competition in Wolf. We are introduced to Wolf in Eden, but I felt he came alive more in this one. I also felt we got to know Elisa better as well. I think they have now become my favourite "couple".
Janelle weaves action, romance and fantasy together so well and keeps you turning page after page. If you haven't read this series yet I highly recommend you drop everything and start it now. It's phenomenal!
All I have to say is WOW. My next words are OMG and then throw in a WTH!! I am absolutely dying to know what comes next for our friends in Eden. I have been waiting for the sequel of Eden to come out and it did NOT disappoint.
In Eden West, Aiden is thrown from is "normal" life back into Eden except this time he is not with Wolf, Elisa, and Logan in the Capital. So Janelle Stalder gives us a few new characters in addition to the old ones to become familiar with. I bought this book this morning and finished it this afternoon, I absolutely could not put it down and now I absolutely cannot wait to find out more! For me the book ended on a complete cliffhanger.
One of the most compelling attributes of this book is that we get to see what is going on with many characters because the author allows the story to be told through multiple counts.
All in all the book was great and I can't wait to see what's in store for the next one. I am so excited to see what happens with Callum and Rose, Markus/Wolf and Elisa and especially Aiden! Praise Praise Praise for this book :)
Janelle Stalder has outdone herself in the sequel to Eden, Janelle’s writing is fantastic and Eden-West will not disappoint anyone who is reading this series. When I picked up Eden-West, I found I couldn’t stop reading it till I reached the very end. It’s an outstanding read!
Aiden once again is back in Eden, though he is not with his friends from Eden, we are introduced to some new characters but of course we do get to see our favorites Elisa, Logan and Wolf. Eden-West is filled with suspense, mystery, action and romance. I really enjoyed how the story is written, and how you get to see what everyone is doing, even though they are not all together. It really shows us readers how excellent Janelle’s writing capabilities are, she out did herself and I loved Eden-West. You the reader gets to experience what is going on with our favorite as its told in their point of view and it is superb story telling.
I have rated Eden-West 5 star rating, the writing; the plot and all the character are written excellent that this book deserves no less then top ratings. I would recommend anyone reading this to go purchase Eden and Eden-West.
Eden West is a YA Fantasy written by Janelle Stalder and the second book in the Eden Series. I read this as a R2R with Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics! As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.
Definitely a winner! Loved going back to Eden!
The Review: I was so excited to return to Eden! I’ve been waiting for this book for a while now and the author did not disappoint! This was a truly excellent read and the adventure was even better the second time around.
Story: The beginning of the book spends time in Aiden’s world. Things have changed for him at home as well as at school since being back. Whereas before, he was picked on and bullied and lacked an appreciation for his family, we find he’s taken the lessons he learned from his trip to Eden and have applied the courage and strength into his everyday life. But soon Eden calls and Aiden is once again transported to the otherworld.
Things are different for Aiden when he goes back. In the first book, Aiden was a part of the Kings Army along with Wolf, Elisa, Logan and Felix. This time, Aiden is set up with The Riders on his own journey while Wolf, Elisa and Logan have their own quests and adventures. Old enemies resurface, new characters are introduced, new friendships are forged as well as new and exciting challenges for all our favorites from book one. And though I missed their connection and friendship, the story never faltered, was no less adventurous and it kept me glued to each page.
There’s even a bit of romance. Aiden meets a mysterious and magical forest girl and Wolf and Elisa are still skirting around one another while a handsome Lord has his sights set on Elisa, creating an interesting triangle.
Characters: Usually there is a unequivocal bad guy in all stories. In this installment of the series, the bad guys aren’t as clear cut as they were in book one. In the first book, you got a sense that Brutus the Red and Callum were these evil men who were bent on destruction and domination. And though they still have that goal in motion even at the expense of Eden’s people, the author gives them their own story and you get to see a loving and familial side to them that softened my resolve. There’s something more to this story that we just haven’t discovered yet. I can’t wait for the next book!!!
Wolf, Elisa and Logan… Oh how I love this threesome! They are fun and exciting to read. I love their exploits and how well they work together. Logan is hilarious and always ready with his comedic relief to ease the tension between the unyielding pair, Wolf and Elisa. Those two want each other and the sooner they admit it, the better off they will be, but for now, I’m totally digging the jealousy and snarky comments. The romance is reluctant but sweet and Im totally rooting for them!
Felix absence was sorely missed but definitely not forgotten!
Aiden’s Story: I adore this character.
I loved that we open with Aiden living with the psychological effects of his first time in Eden. He saw and experienced some horrific things while there and nightmares plagued him about the war, his thoughts were still with his friends and with Eden, worried how they were doing and what was happening with them and their kingdom. These things weren’t overlooked by the author and we as the reader got to see that what happened there had a profound effect on him.
He was such a trooper in the first book, deciding to just go with the flow and help these people from another world which he had no allegiance or connection to at all. He made a brave and heroic choice and stuck with it even when he felt like giving up. In this book we saw those lessons still embedded in Aiden and his allegiance now firmly planted to this world he came to love. Aiden has a mystery shrouded around him and I cant wait for the next book in the series to find out why he’s “the one”.
The Wrap Up: Questions from book one were answered and new questions in this book were posed. The author does an amazing job with the story, the characters and the journey each have to take in order to find their way back to one another. The ending was fantastic! I love that we left off on a pretty significant cliffy. Im definitely ready for the next book! I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here!
I’m going to start with this… Ms. Janelle, I HATE YOU… BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!! First, I hate you because it’s ALL YOUR FAULT THAT I HAVE SUCH STRONG ATTACHMENTS TO FICTIONAL CHARACTERS!!! I am so invested in this series, it’s crazy. And HOW ARE YOU GUNNA LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT!!! I am using lots of caps, because if I had a physical copy of this book, it would probably have gotten damaged hahahaha I do love me a cliff hanger, and you have just pulled off THE MOTHER of all cliff hangers!!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE A WAIT FOR BOOK 3!!!?!
I LOVE YOU because you have literally given me a full fictional family!! It’s emotional, beautiful, heartbreaking, wonderful, spectacular, endearing, sweet, funny, amazing, dreadful, drool-worthy, and completely captivating! I’m officially addicted ! I learned after reading the first book to read this one when I can read the WHOLE BOOK in one sitting! There is no way I could have put this book down! There are so many things floating through my brain right now…. Aiden, Wolf, Elisa, LOGAN– umm could you make me his girlfriend!!- Lily, Moose, Hawk, Sunny Markus, Callum, Rose, Brutus, Diana, Jameson…. Yes Logan is my favorite character because I lust after him, BUT I love them all… Even some that I’m not quite sure about yet. You have taken me on a lifetime of thrill rides here!
I have really grown attached to Aiden. He has grown significantly as a character, person, warrior, and HAWT male piece! Hahaha I know he is destined to give me a wonderful world of magic Elisa is pretty awesome, but the tension between her and Wolf had me literally yelling at them to stop that madness! Pride is not a good asset if you lose what you hold most dear! To both of you, I say BAD DOGS! Lol
Logan makes me drool, and then giggle like a school girl. I know he’s the Wing Man, but I lurve him!!! Like A LOT!!! He has become a serious contender for book boyfriend favorites! Moose is my new acquaintance favorite! His part of this story tells me he’s also meant for great things in the future I appreciate his part in Aiden’s life.
Rose, Callum and Brutus have earned a spot in my heart… They are bringing the war to Eden, but all of a sudden I find myself finding reasons to cheer for them. I guess some bad guys and side choosing isn’t always black and white…
Markus…. Please forgive me, but I feel the need to stake him in his sleep. Hahahahaha no he’s not a vampire, he’s the leader of the Sun people. But I think he puts a really good front up, and I have serious doubts about his actions toward Elise. I do not trust him. I want him to have a not so happy ending- soon… AND YET… He hasn’t done anything BAD… He actually seems to maybe even care for Elise…. I’m going to continue to make scowl-ly faces at this point until he proves me wrong!
I’ve decided to give Ms. Janelle the nickname Leo… As she has become my Leonardo Di Vinci of writing!! Sometimes people are ridiculously talented and gifted- this woman is. Honestly. I never expected to like Eden, the first book. There are NO werewolves hahahaha hell, there’s no shapeshifters at all, but whooda thunk it!!! I am 100% a crazy stalker fan!!! she may write about a world with magic, but in this, she has created her own magic! Or at least she is an awesome illusionist to me
So now that I’ve said all this, I recommend this book to EVERYONE and their sister hahaha go read it to your dog if you don’t have a sister! LOL! Aiden finally returns to Eden, but he’s not with his friends or even where he thought he would be. And his friends are off on their own adventure… So I will leave you with this to ponder… Does Aiden save the day again? Will he finally get to see his friends again? Will everyone come out of this war time alive? If there are bad guys, why do I feel such compassion for them? And lastly, will I get Logan in the end?!! hahahahaha yeah, that’s my most important question! LOL
Now GO READ THIS SERIES- today, right now, this second… I’m going to wait while you get it… You better be going get them! Lol Ok, now off you go to read! like I had any doubts it would less but 5 PAWS… Damn… Maybe I need to change my scale to a 10 PAW…
I have to say I am so excited when I found out the Eden West was coming out. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy Once again I was in love with the world of Eden. We once again meet up with all the old characters we loved and learn more about them. Aiden is back in his own world not feeling like he is apart of it and wondering how his friends are doing. He is living his life as a normal teenager when he is sucked back into the world of Eden but this time he ends up in Eden West.
The world building that Janelle created this time was simply amazing. The descriptions of this world were so vivid and rich and I felt like I could really envision what the world was like. I seemed completely different from Eden. Janelle just ad such a way with words that sucks you in and makes you never want to leave it. I completely understood how Aiden felt because I was having withdrawals from being away from this world for so long. Aiden is introduced to life on the other side and quickly realizes just how different it is. He also learns that things may not be what they seem either. I loved that Aiden has really grown into who he is and has become such a fierce warrior.
In other news Elisa is sent on a mission by her father to bring back Wolf. I loved all the chemistry again between Elisa and Wolf. Elisa's travels introduce her to someone new named Markus. Markus was an interesting character in himself. I actually liked the side of him that he let show when he was around Elisa but didn't too much care for the other side of him. Janelle has a such a way with words and I loved that she could make this story work with all the different points of views but still weave it into one great read. She managed to focus on all the issues that the characters were dealing with but it didn't feel like the story was being pulled into a bunch of different directions.
Overall again I was left wanting more as I never want to leave the Eden world when these books end. I am already waiting on book three. Janelle has done it again in crafting such an amazing read. I have fallen in love with these characters and always want to be immersed in their world. The world building is like nothing I have seen out there. The plot is constructed so well and paced so well that when you look up you realize you have finished the book. It just grabs you and doesn't let go. I highly recommend this book to loves of fantasy reads,lovers of a great romance, and lovers of good books period. I loved having the chance to be bak in Eden and can't wait for the next installment.
I got a copy for review in exchange for an honest review.
I was so looking forward to this book and it certainly loved up to my expectations. This book is full of action, mystery and conflict. I loved every second of it. It was a great book and even better than book 1.
The story is one of the best things of this book. So much is happening and even though there are many point of views it keeps interesting. I wanted to read more of every story and wanted to see how it all connected. This book is so good and the story is really good, it has many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
This book has multiple point of views and I really love seeing different sides of the story. Every point of view is interesting and even though I was a bit sad when that each pov ended the next was just as good. Also the pov switches are done very good and I was never confused about what was happening after a pov switch. I also really like every character, each of them is interesting and has their own personality. There are many characters, but still each has their own distinct personality and I was never confused about who was who.
The world building mainly takes place in the first book, but the author does a great job to let us learn even more about Eden in this book. There is still so much of the world that we didn’t know and I liked learning and seeing more about Eden. Janelle also beautifully describes each place and gives enough details that it almost seems real. Also this book mainly takes place in different parts of Eden than the first book and we get a feel of the customs and habits of the people in these other places.
So many things are happening in this book and the pace feels pretty fast. The fast pace also is due to all the different characters and their stories, so many things are happening at the same time. The multiple pov’s is really one of the things I love about this book. You see both sides of a conflict and it makes the story so much more believable.
The book almost feels too short. So much is happening and I want to read even more about all these characters and Eden. I really like each character and their story and can’t wait to see what happens next.
To conclude: I loved this book. The story is fast paced and interesting. The multiple pov’s are done really good and I love every character. I also liked seeing more of Eden and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Wow. This book is completely amazing! I was anxious to get back to Eden after reading the first in the series, and I must say, the wait for Eden-West was completely worth it!
We start out seeing how Aiden is faring in high school in his world, and although I was itching for him to get back to Eden, I enjoyed seeing how his life had changed in his world since his Eden experience.
But it was when he was back in Eden that the real story started. Aiden is brought back this time a little differently than he expected. He ends up in the West, near the Riders where Wolf is originally from. He meets Wolf's family and helps them with another battle that is arising from Brutus and Callum.
But there is something dark at play there, and he gets help from a most unlikely person.
Then, there is the story of Wolf, Elisa, and Logan who find themselves in the South of Eden, the city Nysa. Here they have some adventures, and well, the tension between Wolf and Elisa can be cut with a knife!
Then, we see the unlikely duo of Callum and Rose. I can't say much without giving it away, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with their story either!
There were so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming that kept me up all night reading! This one is definitely worthy of a 5-star review!
It is rare that YA authors venture into the world of fantasy writing as it is a daunting genre with some real giants to measure up to. Also it is so hit and miss. Many have tried and failed. It can be difficult to create a new world that people can relate to and believe in. But Ms Stalder has pulled it off. And seems to be improving with each book she writes.
In the previous book Calum & Rose were my favorite characters which is such a credit to the author as these are the supposed "bad guys". And I continued to like them in this and struggle along with Rose in justifying the North's actions.
But I have to say the relationship between Elisa and Wolf had me absolutely glued to the pages & reading late into the night.
I have a feeling I have a notion as to what Aziz's master plan is and can't wait to read Eden-South to see if I'm right.
This is a fantasy tale that is going from strength to strength and is definitely one I will keep & re-read :)
I love a well thought out, epic fantasy series and this installment in the Eden series totally delivers. Janelle Stadler does a great job with the necessary plotting, planning, backstabbing, political positioning, heartache, uncertainty, battles of various sizes and the ever present evil sorcerer that has plans he hasn’t shared with anyone yet as her band of characters grows in number as well as individually. The alternate reality she created is imaginative while still enabling the readers to relate to the struggles being faced.
Just as Aiden is finding his place in school and coping with all his changes he is sucked back into Eden with no idea why or how. Stadler skillfully ties the story of Aiden’s return to a different part of Eden to that of his friends. We get to see things from various perspectives, which work really well. And the ending…..perfect.
I look forward to the next installment so we can find out what happens to everyone!
Eden West, the second book in the Eden series does not disappoint. Janelle Stalder delivers an epic tale filled with several stories woven together that keep the reader dying for more. This can be difficult to do, but not once did I feel confused because Stalder has a way of making the reader fall in love with each of her characters. Eden West introduces you to more of them too, and they are as interesting as the ones you loved from Eden. The book is filled with rich descriptions of the different lands and the people that inhabit them and it also includes that touch of mystery that keeps you guessing along the way. My only issue was that it had to come to an end! I can't wait for the next installment in this series to find out what happens with Wolf and Elisa, Aiden and Lily and Callum and Rose. Hurry up Ms. Stalder--don't keep us waiting too long!
This is a great series. Fantasy with what feels like a modern twist. So many questions still unanswered and another layer of evilness revealed!
Aiden gets summoned back to Eden. But not to Central Eden as before but to the West. Home of the Riders. Right away the summoning is a bit off and we get a feeling things aren't as they should.
What I like about this story is the author's ability to make all the characters enjoyable. Even the bad guys. You find yourself wondering if they really are evil and if the good characters are really good. We join Wolf, Elisa and Logan in the south and finally make some progress on the Wolf-Elisa love saga. Sorta...
Overall, a fun quick read full of action, magic and a little love. Can't wait to see what book 3 brings!
Eden West (Book 2 Eden Series) Janelle Stalder Reviewed by Bree High YATR
If I repeat myself, please ignore me. LOL! Eden West, the second book in the Eden series was great.. it picked up and the two books came together perfectly. The second book packs the same punch and it allows us peeks back at book one. She weaves the hints in slowly and they allow the story to flow easier from book one to book two. Perfectly! Eden West introduces even more characters, and I love them just as much as book one. Aiden of course is back and has grown a lot! He has become a warrior and well it has been so great to the see the transition. I really love his character. This book is packed with descriptive writing that allows the characters to come to life on the pages. Wolf and Elisa, Aiden and Lily and Callum and Rose, I miss them. I was totally Callum all the way in book one, now I am finding Wolf and Logan to be well – let’s just say read it and find out. The tension between him (Wolf) and Elisa is so thick it could be cut with a knife- for real! WOW! This book is not black and white and sometimes you are rooting for the “bad” guys, even though they are the “bad” guys. That is what she has done, she has written a book with such great characters, that you really cannot pick a side. I love them all, want to kill them all, strangle them and then love them again. Her imagination is insane and the world she has created just happens to be fabulous. This series is outside my normal reading genre, but I have been pulled into this series and I am so happy to be here. Does Aiden save the day? What happens with the war? So many many questions, and seriously the biggest question is when can I read the third book? I need answers!! Read the series, I think you will enjoy the journey. This book is great for any age group and I think it could be a great read for everyone.
I received a copy through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
Wonderful story, terrific writing, it was great to get back to Eden and see all the old "friends" and meet some new ones. Fast paced, you just want to keep reading until the end.
Although it felt as alot of the book was rehashing Eden, the plot did advance, and I must say that the ending was a nice cliff hanger, and I will eagerly await the third installment!
Thank you for an amazing adventure, look forward to more adventures in Eden!
Yum! Awesome book and perfect addition to the Eden family! And LOVE the new characters! As I said in my review about the first book, I love the world that Janelle has so eloquently provided for us, though I might need to have a chat with her about the ending! I neeeeed mooorrree!
Characters continue grow, the twists and turns embedded into the mystery of the story continues to impress me. I recommend this to everyone!
I wish my review could be longer and it will but for right now just know you must read this!
Kudos to Janelle Stalder who blew me away with this sequel. Many complained over an abrupt cliffhanger on the first book, but I let it slide having that feeling that she was going to improve on the next. Boy, did she not disappoint! Total modern twist to a fantasy world that just plain works. I love underdog heroes and to see Aiden's growth from insecure teen to confident is awesome....