Brittle

by Jordan Calher

A diabetic since freshman year, the control Sara Jacobs needs to survive is obliterated when she unleashes Voodoo barons of the afterlife from the dark witch trial history of her hometown -- Andover, Massachusetts. Past and present blend and ignite as her life crumbles beyond recognition, shattered by the same forbidden forces she is drawn to magic, the supernatural, and the demon raging uncontrolled in her veins. Rewired by magic, she revisits and dominates her petty high school world – paybacks to authority, and a little help with that crush from freshman year. But ultimately, will control ever fill the hollows left behind by the lies of her former life?From a gossip-crazed high school to a moonless limbo of tombstone covered hills, BRITTLE is what happens when Sara stops being the victim.

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2012

About the author

Been writing and creating for years. First thrust into the market is BRITTLE now available for Kindle at $1.99 and for the NOOK.

Print version available on Amzon .

Email me at my site:

http://jordancalher.com/contact/

Reviews

[Soma Rostam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate it so much when you read a book by an author you haven't known before, and it turns out to be a bunch of crap! That's exactly the opposite of what I felt when I read this book.
When I received this book, I honestly didn't know what to expect, since it's the first time I read Jordan Calher's work and all. But I wasn't disappointed, not even a little bit! Actually, I fell in love with everything, the cover, the plot, and the characters. I can't possibly believe that it is Jordan Calher's first novel, she is a total pro!
Sarah, a third year diabetic, struggles to keep her life in total control. Whether she's hanging out with friends, or taking Insulin doses, she need to do almost everything at a specific time.
Sarah's control falls apart when she finds a book of spells in her attic. Drawn to the mysterious spells, determined to find the truth amongst the lies from her past life, and to full the void left by her mother, Sarah steps into the game with the help of her best friend and the boy she likes. Sarah has to finally accept who she is and appreciate what she had all along. What she finds out is something you couldn't have expected!
What will Sarah choose: her pre-magic life as a normal high school student or her super fascinating life as a witch? Will she finally be able to fill in the holes left by the lies from her past life? Find out the answers and much more, when you read this tale; full of magic, Voodoo, spells, and time travel, the breathtaking Brittle...
I don't want to repeat it many times, but I can't stop saying how wonderful this book is! I don't want to be a spoiler and give anything away! But Sarah is a character you will instantly fall in love with, she is witty, smart, and has a cute sense of humour, she had me laughing hard sometimes.
Jordan Calher will grab you and take you away to another world, I loved how she put some sensible history into the novel. And the romance wasn't too little or too much, I likes Sarah's crush as much as she did! He is very protective and caring, just my type of guy.
Jordan Calher has my heart pounding so hard, waiting for Book 2 in the series, and trust me, this novel will sure make the top 5 in your list of all-time favorite books. Either that, or you have no sense in reading!

[Stephen Ramey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I largely enjoyed this young adult fantasy. The main character is sympathetic and I liked the sense of history evoked (Salem with trials). The plot did tend to meander a bit, and I did think that it got more complicated than necessary in places.

Still, and enjoyable read and a very interesting concept.

[Rachel V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story surprised me. I really liked it and I am not a big a fan of witch stories. I have never read a story with voodoo but I really enjoyed it.

This story blends past and present together in one book to tell a story of how everything came to be and also to let you see how it can change based off of your decisions. Sara has diabetes bad. She also discovered a spell book. Who knew they would tie in together? With the help of friends and unexpected acquaintances she sets out to try to fix the present and learn more about her heritage. Another thing I liked about this was the history put in the story about the Salem witch trials and how this book seemed more authentic because of it. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it more than I do other witch books.

I also liked the fact that magic comes with a cost. This magic isn’t just the wave your wand and everything you have ever wanted will come true. This is make your choices wisely and always consider the price and question if it is a good choice.

I think the main thing that irritated me about this was some of the decisions Sara made. It was mainly how she was ashamed of her diabetes and tried to hide it. It does suck to have diabetes however it is not worth dying over. This was a more minor problem and I still enjoyed this book. I think Sara has learned from her mistakes and will grow from it.

There was a couple of times while reading this book that I did get a little confused or lost however I either reread it or kept reading and it was cleared up for me. I think the author did a good job writing the characters past and present as well as the general storyline.

I admit this story has me intrigued and I would like to read the next book to see what Sara gets into. I would recommend this book to someone who likes witch stories or someone who is looking for a new and different book.

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

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! The main character, Sara, was so loveable and believable. She's a teenage girl suffering from Type 1 Diabetes who, while searching the attic, uncovers part of her past and all of her future. She accidentally finds a "cookbook" and a medallion. As it turns out, the "cookbook" is actually a book of spells. Sara feels drawn to the book and quickly becomes wrapped up in the magic of it.

Upon finding a hidden page in the book, stating that it belongs to Betty Parris, Sara and her friend Jace decide to do a little history hunting. While finding out just who Betty is, her link to the book and Sara's hometown of Andover, Massachusetts, she unknowingly uncovers some of her own past, some secrets that were well hidden.

It appears as though Sara comes from a long line of magic and her discovery of the cookbook and medallion leads her on a whirlwind detective hunt, some of which will take her back in time, to the Salem witch trials and the life of Betty Parris. With the help of her new, and first, love interest, a few Barons and witches, and her own budding sense of power, Sara might just be able to save her dad, and herself.

I loved the way this book was written. Not only was I caught up in how very "real" the character of Sara was, with her well described episodes with Diabetes, but being a New Englander and lover of all things witchcraft, I really enjoyed the history of the witch trials that the author incorporated. I have to say that this book will join my short list of true 5 star reads!


Congrats to Jordan Calher on joining the list! I was not paid for this review. I was provided a copy of the book, my opinion was in no way swayed. Thank you for taking the time to read! -Melissa
A room without books is like a body without a soul. -Cicero

[Becky Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Brittle. I absolutely loved the history behind the story and I love that it was definitely well researched and included in the story line. I think all the characters were very well done and executed flawlessly, and I think the main character, Sara, was very relatable and likable. I honestly don't know what it was, so I can't put my finger on it, but I just feel like something was missing in the end. It's terrible that I can't name what that missing piece is, but either way I really enjoyed the story and would more than likely continue on with the series =).