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Death Collectors #1
Ember X
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover for ASIN B00CF6MN84
(New adult paranormal version of my young adult book, Ember (Death Collectors, #1). It contains more violence and more sexual content.)
**Mature Content Advisory**
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language.
For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets from her.
When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's death and what it is he’s hiding from her.
(New adult paranormal version of my young adult book, Ember (Death Collectors, #1). It contains more violence and more sexual content.)
**Mature Content Advisory**
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language.
For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets from her.
When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's death and what it is he’s hiding from her.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2012
407 people are currently reading
11321 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Sorensen
419 books20.1k followersJessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
http://www.jessicasorensen.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica...
http://www.jessicasorensen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 834 reviews
March 17, 2016
2 stars
I've had this one on my kindle for a while and now I know why. lol
This book just didn't work for me. Maybe I should of read the YA version instead. But I can't make myself try that version or even try to go any further. I didn't care for or connect to any of the characters in the book.
I've had this one on my kindle for a while and now I know why. lol
This book just didn't work for me. Maybe I should of read the YA version instead. But I can't make myself try that version or even try to go any further. I didn't care for or connect to any of the characters in the book.
April 18, 2013
wow. This book is Terrible.
Hate the main character. Are all teens ADD now? Her life is too messed up to believe, she sees people's deaths, and yet she is mainly concerned with whether or not she should go on a date with either of the two new boys in her class. Oh, not to mention her car gets run off the road into a lake and she doesn't even seem to mind. Plus her best friend seems to be losing her mind recently, but yeah sure let's go to another party. or wait, let me write terrible poetry on my wall instead. How about I just read terrible poetry on my boyfriend's tattooed body?
The angel & grim reaper great war and constant battle was confusing and scattered. Her best friend just happened to read something in a book that sounds remarkably like Ember's life, and then conveniently finds passages at all the right times...Because you don't see where that is headed at all. But wait, there's another party and dead teen to angst about, who has time to worry about angels and reapers?
Actually "scattered" pretty well sums up this paranormal nightmare. teens are missing or dead all over town, and nobody cares. The main girls flit from horror situation to school to parties and back to horror like it's supposed to make sense. all the while we are supposed to believe that in 12 years of seeing death Ember still hasn't figured out a way to either get used to it, or found a way to better avoid touching anyone. Gag.
and finally, the major inaccuracies with ravens seriously irritated me. if you are going to have black feather shedding omens of death on every page, at least get their characteristics right.
Just... Don't read it. I found nothing redeeming in this story, which hasn't happened to me in a long time.
Hate the main character. Are all teens ADD now? Her life is too messed up to believe, she sees people's deaths, and yet she is mainly concerned with whether or not she should go on a date with either of the two new boys in her class. Oh, not to mention her car gets run off the road into a lake and she doesn't even seem to mind. Plus her best friend seems to be losing her mind recently, but yeah sure let's go to another party. or wait, let me write terrible poetry on my wall instead. How about I just read terrible poetry on my boyfriend's tattooed body?
The angel & grim reaper great war and constant battle was confusing and scattered. Her best friend just happened to read something in a book that sounds remarkably like Ember's life, and then conveniently finds passages at all the right times...Because you don't see where that is headed at all. But wait, there's another party and dead teen to angst about, who has time to worry about angels and reapers?
Actually "scattered" pretty well sums up this paranormal nightmare. teens are missing or dead all over town, and nobody cares. The main girls flit from horror situation to school to parties and back to horror like it's supposed to make sense. all the while we are supposed to believe that in 12 years of seeing death Ember still hasn't figured out a way to either get used to it, or found a way to better avoid touching anyone. Gag.
and finally, the major inaccuracies with ravens seriously irritated me. if you are going to have black feather shedding omens of death on every page, at least get their characteristics right.
Just... Don't read it. I found nothing redeeming in this story, which hasn't happened to me in a long time.
July 5, 2016
I promise that I'm not being dramatic or trying to be mean, but this is what I imagine would happen if an author were to trip on a shit ton of pharmaceutical substances while watching something like...
That said, I did keep reading. While the plot twists are glaringly obvious, there's still this WTF element to it that's hard to look away from.
What's What
The blurb doesn't really tell you what you're getting here.
Girl sees people's deaths through touch. It's a burden, a curse. She has one friend, who's a bitch. Enter two hot dudes different as *clears throat* day and night. While she favors one over the other and only has sex with one, this is still A TRIANGLE!!
What follows is 80% YA fluff - panty dropping swoon, dates, making out, parties. Some artsy shit & poetry is thrown in. And the whole thing is sprinkled with mofos dying every five minutes minutes.
It's overwritten.
Subject shifts are jarring, but I'll say the author at least gives that a purpose by the end.
The last 20% is the best part of the book. All is pretty much expected, but the pacing speeds up and provides some action at least.
However, it does feel like we've circled the globe here just for the FMC to figure out what she should've known all along and end up in pretty much the same spot she starts the book.
And, there are a shit ton of plot questions that should've been answered here but aren't.
Mild Cliffhanger ending.
Rewrite
This book was rewritten from a YA novel. Yes, it includes some graphic sexual scenes, language, and murder. BUT, aside from the subject matter, this STILL READS LIKE YA. The dialogue, actions, and setting all have a juvenile tone.
Bottom Line
Pacing is slow.
Lots of useless, fluffy info.
Not a fan of the author 's writing and storytelling style.
The frequency of the artsy, poetry prose became annoying.
I did like the premise and bones of the story.
The characters came across as YA high school kids, not 19 + year-olds.
The FMC's stupidity and disbelief over what she is and what the guys are is unbelievable.
Overall, 2 unimpressed stars:/
That said, I did keep reading. While the plot twists are glaringly obvious, there's still this WTF element to it that's hard to look away from.
What's What
The blurb doesn't really tell you what you're getting here.
Girl sees people's deaths through touch. It's a burden, a curse. She has one friend, who's a bitch. Enter two hot dudes different as *clears throat* day and night. While she favors one over the other and only has sex with one, this is still A TRIANGLE!!
What follows is 80% YA fluff - panty dropping swoon, dates, making out, parties. Some artsy shit & poetry is thrown in. And the whole thing is sprinkled with mofos dying every five minutes minutes.
It's overwritten.
Subject shifts are jarring, but I'll say the author at least gives that a purpose by the end.
The last 20% is the best part of the book. All is pretty much expected, but the pacing speeds up and provides some action at least.
However, it does feel like we've circled the globe here just for the FMC to figure out what she should've known all along and end up in pretty much the same spot she starts the book.
And, there are a shit ton of plot questions that should've been answered here but aren't.
Mild Cliffhanger ending.
Rewrite
This book was rewritten from a YA novel. Yes, it includes some graphic sexual scenes, language, and murder. BUT, aside from the subject matter, this STILL READS LIKE YA. The dialogue, actions, and setting all have a juvenile tone.
Bottom Line
Pacing is slow.
Lots of useless, fluffy info.
Not a fan of the author 's writing and storytelling style.
The frequency of the artsy, poetry prose became annoying.
I did like the premise and bones of the story.
The characters came across as YA high school kids, not 19 + year-olds.
The FMC's stupidity and disbelief over what she is and what the guys are is unbelievable.
Overall, 2 unimpressed stars:/
April 3, 2013
Coming soon :)
September 18, 2012
This review is also at my blog, with added pictures too Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books
WOW, this book was amazing; Jessica has done it again, created a great story, which puts you on the edge of your seat! I stayed up half the night to finish this, I could not stop. I had to know what happened next. This book has a broken family, betrayal, impossible love triangle, (but not really in the way you think) and trying to guess who or what anyone is, is hard, you will be wrong!
In this book, Ember is faced with death daily. Anyone she touches, she sees their death omen, and she sees how they are going to die. And some die young and brutally. She has had to face a broken family; her mother called her crazy, and sent her to live with her dad when she was 4 or so. Then had to get back with her mom when something happened with her dad. Basically, she lives with a mother who is out of it most days. Ember is a Goth girl, who is described with long silky black hair, and grey/light blue eyes, pale skin. I pictured her looking like Ksena Solo from Lost Girl on Sci Fi channel, (she plays Kenzi the human, goth girl)Ksena Solo Photos Here
She is a very strong character, and she deals with things daily that I would cringe at if it was me. Not all is what it seems. We have 2 new boys come into the picture, and I love how we do not really know for sure, which is the bad evil one, and which is not. I do not want to say much to spoil anything, this will remain spoiler free. I will add a few good teasers for you.
“Open your eyes,” a deep voice asserts. “Come on, not yet. Open your eyes, God damn it.” The whisper alters to a desperate plea. “Please Ember… please wake up… you have to be one of them—I know you are.”
I didn’t feel like I liked Raven, her best friend a lot, I did some, but I do not trust her, and feel bad for Ember that she basically has no one to talk to. I really liked Asher, he has black hair and grey eyes, pale skin, very goodlooking, he is a sweet guy, and right away was drawn to him (I pictured him looking like a young Garrett Hedlum, like he looked in the Eragon movie, with the longer black hair, he was in Tron too, but with blond hair). Cameron, I also liked some, but didn’t trust him, he has blond hair, described as dark eyes, not sure color, may have been blue, but something about him seemed too perfect. (I pictured him as a young Cam Gigandet, like he was in the movie Never Back Down, or Roommate movie, not like when James in Twilight) I feel all the characters were developed very nicely.
I was happy with the ending, it was left open, as I know it’s a series, but not on a huge cliffhanger to where you want to scream, we don’t have that, but it still does leave us wanting more, like it should.
Overall, Amazing story, I am honored I was able to read an ARC for Jessica. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Jessica, OR anyone who likes a great paranormal story. You won’t be disappointed!
I only have one negative thing to say, I don't like the book cover. The girl on cover looks nothing like the description, she has dark eyes and not even pretty, where Ember is describes as very pretty with the light grey/light blue eyes, and that combo with black hair is very attractive, like the the example I said above, she would look more like Ksolo than the cover. I am sure a computer generated girl with the proper look would be better, if the right model isn't found. Just my opinion. The cover actually turns me away, if I would not have known Jessica's work, and it was a book I just seen, I would have passed it up. I am guilty of the whole judging books by the covers. Sorry, but so many people are.
I was provided and ARC of this book for my honest review from the author.
Summary:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding.
WOW, this book was amazing; Jessica has done it again, created a great story, which puts you on the edge of your seat! I stayed up half the night to finish this, I could not stop. I had to know what happened next. This book has a broken family, betrayal, impossible love triangle, (but not really in the way you think) and trying to guess who or what anyone is, is hard, you will be wrong!
In this book, Ember is faced with death daily. Anyone she touches, she sees their death omen, and she sees how they are going to die. And some die young and brutally. She has had to face a broken family; her mother called her crazy, and sent her to live with her dad when she was 4 or so. Then had to get back with her mom when something happened with her dad. Basically, she lives with a mother who is out of it most days. Ember is a Goth girl, who is described with long silky black hair, and grey/light blue eyes, pale skin. I pictured her looking like Ksena Solo from Lost Girl on Sci Fi channel, (she plays Kenzi the human, goth girl)Ksena Solo Photos Here
She is a very strong character, and she deals with things daily that I would cringe at if it was me. Not all is what it seems. We have 2 new boys come into the picture, and I love how we do not really know for sure, which is the bad evil one, and which is not. I do not want to say much to spoil anything, this will remain spoiler free. I will add a few good teasers for you.
“Open your eyes,” a deep voice asserts. “Come on, not yet. Open your eyes, God damn it.” The whisper alters to a desperate plea. “Please Ember… please wake up… you have to be one of them—I know you are.”
I didn’t feel like I liked Raven, her best friend a lot, I did some, but I do not trust her, and feel bad for Ember that she basically has no one to talk to. I really liked Asher, he has black hair and grey eyes, pale skin, very goodlooking, he is a sweet guy, and right away was drawn to him (I pictured him looking like a young Garrett Hedlum, like he looked in the Eragon movie, with the longer black hair, he was in Tron too, but with blond hair). Cameron, I also liked some, but didn’t trust him, he has blond hair, described as dark eyes, not sure color, may have been blue, but something about him seemed too perfect. (I pictured him as a young Cam Gigandet, like he was in the movie Never Back Down, or Roommate movie, not like when James in Twilight) I feel all the characters were developed very nicely.
I was happy with the ending, it was left open, as I know it’s a series, but not on a huge cliffhanger to where you want to scream, we don’t have that, but it still does leave us wanting more, like it should.
Overall, Amazing story, I am honored I was able to read an ARC for Jessica. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Jessica, OR anyone who likes a great paranormal story. You won’t be disappointed!
I only have one negative thing to say, I don't like the book cover. The girl on cover looks nothing like the description, she has dark eyes and not even pretty, where Ember is describes as very pretty with the light grey/light blue eyes, and that combo with black hair is very attractive, like the the example I said above, she would look more like Ksolo than the cover. I am sure a computer generated girl with the proper look would be better, if the right model isn't found. Just my opinion. The cover actually turns me away, if I would not have known Jessica's work, and it was a book I just seen, I would have passed it up. I am guilty of the whole judging books by the covers. Sorry, but so many people are.
I was provided and ARC of this book for my honest review from the author.
Summary:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding.
May 2, 2013
Couldn't finish this one. I thought it was badly written almost as if the author had rushed through it. It had a very overdone, melodramatic, and juvenile feel to it. Not something I was looking for.
A lot of the language and dialogue was extremely fanciful. Not to mention, it was all about the raven. Ravens abounded. They were everywhere. Not only as a reference to the actual bird, but as the name of Ember's friend; it was also used as a descriptor. There were a lot of raven feathers, too.
Moreover, there were aspects that bothered me. For example, the story makes it seem like ritualistic murder was an everyday thing. There wasn't any real lead up to this story arc. Also, Ember doesn't tell Raven how she will die--at least not in the portion I read. She justifies this by saying death is written in stone; nobody can change it. How did she arrive at this conclusion? Why not tell Raven she's supposed to die a horrible painful death? The reason she gives for not trying to stop this wasn't adequate for me.
I don't know. I just didn't like it. The sex scenes weren't that good either. No real heat. Almost awkward. I expected more from this author.
A lot of the language and dialogue was extremely fanciful. Not to mention, it was all about the raven. Ravens abounded. They were everywhere. Not only as a reference to the actual bird, but as the name of Ember's friend; it was also used as a descriptor. There were a lot of raven feathers, too.
Moreover, there were aspects that bothered me. For example, the story makes it seem like ritualistic murder was an everyday thing. There wasn't any real lead up to this story arc. Also, Ember doesn't tell Raven how she will die--at least not in the portion I read. She justifies this by saying death is written in stone; nobody can change it. How did she arrive at this conclusion? Why not tell Raven she's supposed to die a horrible painful death? The reason she gives for not trying to stop this wasn't adequate for me.
I don't know. I just didn't like it. The sex scenes weren't that good either. No real heat. Almost awkward. I expected more from this author.
January 9, 2013
I see a lot of 3-5 star reviews for this book...and I'm confused. Did we all read the same book, here?
This was awful. Shockingly bad. I hate to abandon any book so I forced myself to finish it. I'm surprised my eyes didn't bleed out of my skull.
Everything felt ridiculously contrived and a lot of the supposed angst was just laughable. I love a depressing or 'angsty' read, but the image of a teenage girl wandering around a graveyard and spouting really bad poetry made me chuckle. And not in a good way.
The author's habit of making her say incredibly annoying things to get across how alone she feels just made me even more irritated.
The whole book is very bad, but here are some quotes from the first chapter:
My gaze travels upward to a statuesque carving of a hooded figure. Its head is tucked down and in its hand is a scythe.
“The Grim Reaper, huh?” I rise to my feet, stretching out my long legs, and tilt my head up. “I bet you know what it’s like, don’t you? To be surrounded by death all the time? I bet you understand me.”
A black raven swoops down from one of the trees and circles in front of me.
"Why are you always following me?” I whisper to the raven. “Is it because you know what I am—a symbol of death like you?”
I really would not recommend this to anyone. Sorry. It's just not my cup of tea.
This was awful. Shockingly bad. I hate to abandon any book so I forced myself to finish it. I'm surprised my eyes didn't bleed out of my skull.
Everything felt ridiculously contrived and a lot of the supposed angst was just laughable. I love a depressing or 'angsty' read, but the image of a teenage girl wandering around a graveyard and spouting really bad poetry made me chuckle. And not in a good way.
The author's habit of making her say incredibly annoying things to get across how alone she feels just made me even more irritated.
The whole book is very bad, but here are some quotes from the first chapter:
My gaze travels upward to a statuesque carving of a hooded figure. Its head is tucked down and in its hand is a scythe.
“The Grim Reaper, huh?” I rise to my feet, stretching out my long legs, and tilt my head up. “I bet you know what it’s like, don’t you? To be surrounded by death all the time? I bet you understand me.”
A black raven swoops down from one of the trees and circles in front of me.
"Why are you always following me?” I whisper to the raven. “Is it because you know what I am—a symbol of death like you?”
I really would not recommend this to anyone. Sorry. It's just not my cup of tea.
September 13, 2013
I found this on amazon for free and said "Hey! Another book by Jessica!" So I got it.
I really don't know what to say because I am just soooo mind blown.
I really liked Ember. Although there were a few times where I thought she could give Raven a piece of her mind. She's quiet, and sometimes her quietness got a little annoying. At certain parts of the book I was screaming at her to say something. She's way too nice for her own good, something I can relate to.
Raven was a little on the wild side. She reminded me a lot of Vee from Hush, Hush. I liked her. She was bubbly and damn was she persistent. I did want to punch her a few times though.
Asher. Mmm. Another name to add to the list. I was worried the whole time that he would turn out to be the bad guy. That's my luck. If he doesn't die, then he's the bad guy. This time, though he was the good guy and he lived. I'm jumping for joy, actually.
Cameron. I hated this guy. I want him to die I hate him so much. He's too cocky and really annoying. He's too...territorial. Especially over things...or people, that don't belong to him. I wanted to punch him.
This book was hard to put down because there were so many things that caught my attention. Like Raven's bitchy attitude towards Ember. And I just really really wanted to know what was up with the X on Raven's shoulder. And why Ember was seeing people hanging from trees one minute and then they'd just disappear. And mostly because I wanted to know why Ember could tell how someone would die.
The only reason this book got 4 stars is because of the goddamn cliffhanger. But despite the cliffhanger, this was an amazing book and I'm recommending this to everyone.
Enjoy! :)
I really don't know what to say because I am just soooo mind blown.
I really liked Ember. Although there were a few times where I thought she could give Raven a piece of her mind. She's quiet, and sometimes her quietness got a little annoying. At certain parts of the book I was screaming at her to say something. She's way too nice for her own good, something I can relate to.
Raven was a little on the wild side. She reminded me a lot of Vee from Hush, Hush. I liked her. She was bubbly and damn was she persistent. I did want to punch her a few times though.
Asher. Mmm. Another name to add to the list. I was worried the whole time that he would turn out to be the bad guy. That's my luck. If he doesn't die, then he's the bad guy. This time, though he was the good guy and he lived. I'm jumping for joy, actually.
Cameron. I hated this guy. I want him to die I hate him so much. He's too cocky and really annoying. He's too...territorial. Especially over things...or people, that don't belong to him. I wanted to punch him.
This book was hard to put down because there were so many things that caught my attention. Like Raven's bitchy attitude towards Ember. And I just really really wanted to know what was up with the X on Raven's shoulder. And why Ember was seeing people hanging from trees one minute and then they'd just disappear. And mostly because I wanted to know why Ember could tell how someone would die.
The only reason this book got 4 stars is because of the goddamn cliffhanger. But despite the cliffhanger, this was an amazing book and I'm recommending this to everyone.
Enjoy! :)
July 24, 2016
2.5 stars
I think I'm in the minority when I say I didn't really like this book. It was okay, but it certainly didn't blow me out of the water. One big red flag is that I had to push myself to finish each chapter. I really wanted to stop reading after the first 10% but I hate DNF books, and I wanted to give it an honest shot.
And it honestly underwhelmed me.
I thought the concept was so fresh and interesting but I didn't love the execution. It felt garbled and very YA-y in a bad way. It picked up a bit towards the end but I still never became engulfed in the story. I didn't hate it, and I'm sure some people will like it, but it didn't resonate with me. Maybe I don't really like angel stories? Hmm....
I think I'm in the minority when I say I didn't really like this book. It was okay, but it certainly didn't blow me out of the water. One big red flag is that I had to push myself to finish each chapter. I really wanted to stop reading after the first 10% but I hate DNF books, and I wanted to give it an honest shot.
And it honestly underwhelmed me.
I thought the concept was so fresh and interesting but I didn't love the execution. It felt garbled and very YA-y in a bad way. It picked up a bit towards the end but I still never became engulfed in the story. I didn't hate it, and I'm sure some people will like it, but it didn't resonate with me. Maybe I don't really like angel stories? Hmm....
November 30, 2012
Actual rating 2.5 stars.
Blegh. Meh.
This was really, really average. Like, precisely average.
I remember liking Sorensen's earlier work, The Fallen Star. I thought it was entertaining albeit the writing sounded like a paranormal chick lit.
So, of course, a year later, I expected more from Sorensen. Much more. She wrote a bunch of other books in between The Fallen Star and Ember.
*sigh*
Very well, it came to this anyway. I don't think I'll ever finish The Fallen Star series.
Ember. At first glance, it has a complete package. Gorgeous cover, interesting blurb, original mythology, reapers, Edgar Allan Poe,
death,
more EDGAR ALLAN POE,
more DEATH.
In short, this book has the potential to be the perfect gothic book for me but sadly, the execution was so average, it left me disappointed. So, so disappointed.
First, there's the duality of Ember and Raven. Contrary to the names, it's Ember who always wear black and it's Raven who has bubblegum pink hair. Anyway, I don't understand to why there's a need to create this unpopular, awkward or probably nerdy main female protagonist who is best friends with this popular, stylish girl. I believe there are more facades of high school teenagers than these stereotypes.
The male characters were really uninspiring. Sure, they do have interesting backgrounds but blegh, I don't get the romance at all. I find it really hormone-driven.
The plot is choppy. It was really hard to keep track of everything. Things just move from one scene to another in the next line.
To wrap it up, this was definitely a fast read but sadly, it failed to trigger even the tiniest bit of emotions out of me.
Oh well.
Blegh. Meh.
This was really, really average. Like, precisely average.
I remember liking Sorensen's earlier work, The Fallen Star. I thought it was entertaining albeit the writing sounded like a paranormal chick lit.
So, of course, a year later, I expected more from Sorensen. Much more. She wrote a bunch of other books in between The Fallen Star and Ember.
*sigh*
Very well, it came to this anyway. I don't think I'll ever finish The Fallen Star series.
Ember. At first glance, it has a complete package. Gorgeous cover, interesting blurb, original mythology, reapers, Edgar Allan Poe,
death,
more EDGAR ALLAN POE,
more DEATH.
In short, this book has the potential to be the perfect gothic book for me but sadly, the execution was so average, it left me disappointed. So, so disappointed.
First, there's the duality of Ember and Raven. Contrary to the names, it's Ember who always wear black and it's Raven who has bubblegum pink hair. Anyway, I don't understand to why there's a need to create this unpopular, awkward or probably nerdy main female protagonist who is best friends with this popular, stylish girl. I believe there are more facades of high school teenagers than these stereotypes.
The male characters were really uninspiring. Sure, they do have interesting backgrounds but blegh, I don't get the romance at all. I find it really hormone-driven.
The plot is choppy. It was really hard to keep track of everything. Things just move from one scene to another in the next line.
To wrap it up, this was definitely a fast read but sadly, it failed to trigger even the tiniest bit of emotions out of me.
Oh well.
March 12, 2013
When I picked this book up on a recommendation I was not sure I will like it, because it involves elements I am not drawn to in a book: it is YA, which means it is light on the romance and it is about a girl who is in high-school. Those 2 things usually are a no for me, because since I left high-school I do not think I want to revisit all the messed up adolescent drama.
Another drawback was the cover - it looks very amateurish and it looks like a porcelain doll some high school students drew with black on. I am glad to see that book #2 in the series is coming out with more appropriate cover
Despite all those things however I am so happy I picked it up. I started reading this book and it was read in one sitting, I was so engulfed in the story I could not stop until it ended, then I was craving for more.
Ember is a high school student with a very unusual curse of seeing how people will die when she touches them, so it makes for a very lonely and painful existence, until the night she meets a guy that does not have a death omen when she touches him.
The whole story is about angels/grim reapers battle good vs evil and she is in the middle, I don't want to give more spoilers. The romance was very sweet and the characters draw you in and you have to keep reading to discover what happens next.
I highly recommend this book for people who like the supernatural and young adult genre.
Another drawback was the cover - it looks very amateurish and it looks like a porcelain doll some high school students drew with black on. I am glad to see that book #2 in the series is coming out with more appropriate cover
Despite all those things however I am so happy I picked it up. I started reading this book and it was read in one sitting, I was so engulfed in the story I could not stop until it ended, then I was craving for more.
Ember is a high school student with a very unusual curse of seeing how people will die when she touches them, so it makes for a very lonely and painful existence, until the night she meets a guy that does not have a death omen when she touches him.
The whole story is about angels/grim reapers battle good vs evil and she is in the middle, I don't want to give more spoilers. The romance was very sweet and the characters draw you in and you have to keep reading to discover what happens next.
I highly recommend this book for people who like the supernatural and young adult genre.
top-tbr
April 11, 2013A Jessica Sorensen book! Yes please!
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding
September 24, 2014
I received an ARC ecopy of this book for participating in the blog tour this month. I will give an honest review which is in now way influenced by receiving a free copy of this book. I want to than Jessica and SupaGurl Tours for providing me with a copy.
I will be honest and say that I actually read the blurb for this one when I first added it to my TBR (which was way before I was asked to participate in the blog tour). I rarely read the blurb, but the cover just looked to good to pass up and I needed to know if it would be worth the read. It sounded really interesting, right up my ally actually with having loved Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and this having a similar theme, so I could not wait to read it once I found out I had a spot on the tour!
Blurb from Goodreads:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding
Let me start by saying that the cover of this book is just totally awesome. It is the perfect picture of how I felt Ember would look! And the color scheme is just beautiful. So who would not be immediately drawn to this book just by looking at the cover?
Next I need to discuss the characters.
First there's Ember. She is not at all what I would have thought she would be. As a Goth girl, I thought she would be a bit more morbid, a bit more depressed, but what do I know of Goth. She actually struck me as a very typical teenage girl who just liked to dress a bit funky. She's a longer for sure, although she does have one good friend who has seemed to stand by her side. Since she's "cursed" with "experiencing" anyone's death who touches her, it makes sense that she is a bit withdrawn from others and likes to kind of keep to herself. At the same time, she's this beautiful creature, who doesn't have a clue that she's pretty or that she might attract the attention of others for more reasons than her just being a little out of the ordinary. I love that Ember is strong and able to take care of herself, and her family when needed.
Next there's Raven, I don't get much from her. To me she certainly seems a bit self-centered, but you can see that she does care for Ember in her own way. Besides trying to figure out how she looks in my mind, I felt she was actually a bit flat. But I also realize that she's not a huge part of the story, so the focus certainly was not meant to be on her. I did feel like I couldn't trust Raven, like there was something she was holding back throughout the entire story. She even kind of mentions it at one point, but she never lets Ember know exactly what it is.
Then we meet Asher. Not your typical "hunky" teenage YA guy for sure. He's also this Goth kind of guy, with piercings and tattoos, dark hair and clothing to match. not normally my type of attraction, and yet I felt my self completely and totally pulled to him. He's very mysterious, keeping secrets from Ember and telling her that in time she will get to know him, when she's ready for that information. And the fact that he and Ember can touch makes their relationship that much more tantalizing as she finally gets to fell what it's like to not have someone's death omen thrown in her face every time she touches them.
And all of a sudden there is a love triangle thrown in in the form of Cameron. He's totally not Ember's type: blond, tanned, handsome, cocky, dresses like he's walked out of GQ magazine. And she certainly doesn't think he would be attracted to her, yet he is. But, like Asher, he exudes this mysteriousness that has her confused. And, lo and behold, like Asher, Cameron can also touch Ember, although we don't find this out until later as he seems to specifically avoid touching her directly for a long while.
The supporting characters give us a look into Ember's life, which is by no means perfect. Actually, it's so far from perfect you certainly feel total empathy for her and her "curse."
The storyline is like nothing I have ever read. Sure, you feel that there will be some kind of paranormal element, seeing as Ember sees death omens from people. But I certainly did not expect it to take the turn it took. I thought for sure anyone she would meet would just have the same power as her, more like Xmen than creatures you only read about in books. But it didn't take that turn, it took a turn to angels and grim reapers and things that I have not read about before. It has such a great creaptastic appeal, I was captivated.
Jessica's writing is outstanding. It flows so easily, without breaking anywhere at all. Each chapters seamlessly fits with the next, keeping you wanting more. I had a hard time finding a place to stop as I really did want to know what was going to happen next! Probably the reason it took me only one day to read it! Sorensen adequately lays out the dark life that is Ember's with her use of poetry and art. Her writing is gripping and fast paced, keeping you on the edge of your seat for sure.
I am excited this is series. The ending left things open, but wasn't enough of a cliffhanger to annoy me. I am really looking forward to reading what comes next for Ember.
5 out of 5 stars!
I will be honest and say that I actually read the blurb for this one when I first added it to my TBR (which was way before I was asked to participate in the blog tour). I rarely read the blurb, but the cover just looked to good to pass up and I needed to know if it would be worth the read. It sounded really interesting, right up my ally actually with having loved Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and this having a similar theme, so I could not wait to read it once I found out I had a spot on the tour!
Blurb from Goodreads:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding
Let me start by saying that the cover of this book is just totally awesome. It is the perfect picture of how I felt Ember would look! And the color scheme is just beautiful. So who would not be immediately drawn to this book just by looking at the cover?
Next I need to discuss the characters.
First there's Ember. She is not at all what I would have thought she would be. As a Goth girl, I thought she would be a bit more morbid, a bit more depressed, but what do I know of Goth. She actually struck me as a very typical teenage girl who just liked to dress a bit funky. She's a longer for sure, although she does have one good friend who has seemed to stand by her side. Since she's "cursed" with "experiencing" anyone's death who touches her, it makes sense that she is a bit withdrawn from others and likes to kind of keep to herself. At the same time, she's this beautiful creature, who doesn't have a clue that she's pretty or that she might attract the attention of others for more reasons than her just being a little out of the ordinary. I love that Ember is strong and able to take care of herself, and her family when needed.
Next there's Raven, I don't get much from her. To me she certainly seems a bit self-centered, but you can see that she does care for Ember in her own way. Besides trying to figure out how she looks in my mind, I felt she was actually a bit flat. But I also realize that she's not a huge part of the story, so the focus certainly was not meant to be on her. I did feel like I couldn't trust Raven, like there was something she was holding back throughout the entire story. She even kind of mentions it at one point, but she never lets Ember know exactly what it is.
Then we meet Asher. Not your typical "hunky" teenage YA guy for sure. He's also this Goth kind of guy, with piercings and tattoos, dark hair and clothing to match. not normally my type of attraction, and yet I felt my self completely and totally pulled to him. He's very mysterious, keeping secrets from Ember and telling her that in time she will get to know him, when she's ready for that information. And the fact that he and Ember can touch makes their relationship that much more tantalizing as she finally gets to fell what it's like to not have someone's death omen thrown in her face every time she touches them.
And all of a sudden there is a love triangle thrown in in the form of Cameron. He's totally not Ember's type: blond, tanned, handsome, cocky, dresses like he's walked out of GQ magazine. And she certainly doesn't think he would be attracted to her, yet he is. But, like Asher, he exudes this mysteriousness that has her confused. And, lo and behold, like Asher, Cameron can also touch Ember, although we don't find this out until later as he seems to specifically avoid touching her directly for a long while.
The supporting characters give us a look into Ember's life, which is by no means perfect. Actually, it's so far from perfect you certainly feel total empathy for her and her "curse."
The storyline is like nothing I have ever read. Sure, you feel that there will be some kind of paranormal element, seeing as Ember sees death omens from people. But I certainly did not expect it to take the turn it took. I thought for sure anyone she would meet would just have the same power as her, more like Xmen than creatures you only read about in books. But it didn't take that turn, it took a turn to angels and grim reapers and things that I have not read about before. It has such a great creaptastic appeal, I was captivated.
Jessica's writing is outstanding. It flows so easily, without breaking anywhere at all. Each chapters seamlessly fits with the next, keeping you wanting more. I had a hard time finding a place to stop as I really did want to know what was going to happen next! Probably the reason it took me only one day to read it! Sorensen adequately lays out the dark life that is Ember's with her use of poetry and art. Her writing is gripping and fast paced, keeping you on the edge of your seat for sure.
I am excited this is series. The ending left things open, but wasn't enough of a cliffhanger to annoy me. I am really looking forward to reading what comes next for Ember.
5 out of 5 stars!
September 4, 2012
OH DEAR, MY MINDS SCREWED AGAIN.
MY BRAINS INCOHERENT. THOUGHTS SWIRLING ROUND MY HEAD. SO MANY I CAN BARELY THINK.
IM TOO MIND BOGGLED TO WRITE A DECENT REVIEW RIGHT NOW... BUT THIS WAS NUTS! ABSOLOUTLEY CRAZY. EVERYONE WAS CRAZY. SOMEONE SAID 'HANGING OUT WITH REAPERS MAKE ANY HUMANS CLOSE TO THEM GO CRAZY, WHAT THEY FAILED TO MENTION WAS ANY READERS READING THIS BOOK ALSO GO CRAZY,
WHAT A BOOK THOUGH. DAMN JESSICA YOU OUTDID YOURSELF WITH THIS ONE GIRL
I'VE LOVED EVERY BOOK YOU'VE WRITTEN. THE FALLEN STAR SERIES IS AWESOME BUT THIS SERIES.. WELL IT'S DIFFERENT. AND MUCH BETTER, I LOVE THEM BOTH BUT THIS ONE IS CREEPY, DARK, MYSTERIOUS, CRAZY, AWESOME, KICK-ASS, ROMANTIC, WELL EVERYTHING.
I LOVED ASHER FROM THE START AND I LOVE ASHER AT THE END. TO PUT IT LIGHTLEY I LOVE ASHER. LOL.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2.
SORRY FOR RAMBLING PEOPLE I WILL POST A DECENT AND SLIGHTLY LESS ERATIC REVIEW WHEN MY HEADS NOT POUNDING AND I AM ABLE TO THINK STRAIGHT.
P.S I DIDN'T MEAN TO WRITE IN CAPS LOCK, FORGOT TO TURN IT OFF, LOL.
MY BRAINS INCOHERENT. THOUGHTS SWIRLING ROUND MY HEAD. SO MANY I CAN BARELY THINK.
IM TOO MIND BOGGLED TO WRITE A DECENT REVIEW RIGHT NOW... BUT THIS WAS NUTS! ABSOLOUTLEY CRAZY. EVERYONE WAS CRAZY. SOMEONE SAID 'HANGING OUT WITH REAPERS MAKE ANY HUMANS CLOSE TO THEM GO CRAZY, WHAT THEY FAILED TO MENTION WAS ANY READERS READING THIS BOOK ALSO GO CRAZY,
WHAT A BOOK THOUGH. DAMN JESSICA YOU OUTDID YOURSELF WITH THIS ONE GIRL
I'VE LOVED EVERY BOOK YOU'VE WRITTEN. THE FALLEN STAR SERIES IS AWESOME BUT THIS SERIES.. WELL IT'S DIFFERENT. AND MUCH BETTER, I LOVE THEM BOTH BUT THIS ONE IS CREEPY, DARK, MYSTERIOUS, CRAZY, AWESOME, KICK-ASS, ROMANTIC, WELL EVERYTHING.
I LOVED ASHER FROM THE START AND I LOVE ASHER AT THE END. TO PUT IT LIGHTLEY I LOVE ASHER. LOL.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2.
SORRY FOR RAMBLING PEOPLE I WILL POST A DECENT AND SLIGHTLY LESS ERATIC REVIEW WHEN MY HEADS NOT POUNDING AND I AM ABLE TO THINK STRAIGHT.
P.S I DIDN'T MEAN TO WRITE IN CAPS LOCK, FORGOT TO TURN IT OFF, LOL.
October 15, 2016
Ah, what can I say about Ember X.
Well, for starters, it was bloody amazing; even though technically this is my second time to read the first book in the death collectors series. I'm not usually a "re-reader" because there are so many different books out there yet to be discovered, but I needed to read book two and three finally, and since I was buddy reading this with a friend and she had not read book one, I choose to give the adult version a go.
Let me start by saying I equally love "Ember" the YA version, as this version (Ember X) was not out when I stumbled upon Jessica Sorensen's books with "The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden", but holy hotness batman was this book so much better than the YA version. It had the juice that we all secretly wanted to come of Ember and Asher in the YA version -- at least to me. To my memory, there wasn't a single sexy scene in the other version (but it has been several years between readings, so my memory is a little rusty) Quite honestly, I'm not sure I've ever read this kind of heat in any of Jessica's books, but I tell you, she doesn't disappoint. As she still holds the top spot in "my favorite author" category, I've read almost all of her older books. (I've fallen far behind to date). But in all of those, at least the paranormal, the single only thing that was missing for me was I wanted more romance between the H/h. (Fallen stars/ souls series--I'm totally reading the adult versions of these next--and then Ember) But this -- Ember X was absolutely and utterly perfect. There wasn't a single thing that I longed for when reading, and even being the second time around, I was completely engrossed.
Originally, I remember it being difficult to choose between Cameron and Asher, because they both brought totally different aspects to the table. There's Cameron, the twisted bad boy that we all know and love that is utterly obsessed with her and has been around for the long haul. But then there's Asher, the sexy sweetheart that steals your heart and never gives it back. This time around was quite different however. I was torn with Cameron several times. At first he brought the lighthearted laughter that really makes you love him, but his constant flirting with the well-known Mackenzie Baker drove me mad, and for me, he lost mega points at the Lake scene and the night the cops arrived. (Cameron, you really had it going for you prior to this, even given your background) His powers go far beyond the book and even reach the reader. This, I know to be true, because as I finished this epilogue, reading what he wrote for the second time around, I find myself being torn again. Even in his twisted existence I believe he truly loves her, and that's what makes it hard to hate him. His persistence is what saves him.
Asher, my beautiful broken man, comes in with a number one in consistency. You have been a sweetheart throughout, yet totally hot nonetheless, and this is what gives you winning points with me. The ending hurt me as much as it did years ago when I read it, but at least this time I don't have to wait to read book two. Ah, the pull. Which will she choose? I can only guess a certain calmness in nature will be her ending path, but still, it won't be easy, because a certain someone has ways of pulling you to him, even in the middle of a hell storm.
This book is a solid 5 star for me. It has originality, it has heat, it has humor, and it has the brokenness that I love so much in my characters. Where will death take them next? I'm about to find out.
Well, for starters, it was bloody amazing; even though technically this is my second time to read the first book in the death collectors series. I'm not usually a "re-reader" because there are so many different books out there yet to be discovered, but I needed to read book two and three finally, and since I was buddy reading this with a friend and she had not read book one, I choose to give the adult version a go.
Let me start by saying I equally love "Ember" the YA version, as this version (Ember X) was not out when I stumbled upon Jessica Sorensen's books with "The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden", but holy hotness batman was this book so much better than the YA version. It had the juice that we all secretly wanted to come of Ember and Asher in the YA version -- at least to me. To my memory, there wasn't a single sexy scene in the other version (but it has been several years between readings, so my memory is a little rusty) Quite honestly, I'm not sure I've ever read this kind of heat in any of Jessica's books, but I tell you, she doesn't disappoint. As she still holds the top spot in "my favorite author" category, I've read almost all of her older books. (I've fallen far behind to date). But in all of those, at least the paranormal, the single only thing that was missing for me was I wanted more romance between the H/h. (Fallen stars/ souls series--I'm totally reading the adult versions of these next--and then Ember) But this -- Ember X was absolutely and utterly perfect. There wasn't a single thing that I longed for when reading, and even being the second time around, I was completely engrossed.
Originally, I remember it being difficult to choose between Cameron and Asher, because they both brought totally different aspects to the table. There's Cameron, the twisted bad boy that we all know and love that is utterly obsessed with her and has been around for the long haul. But then there's Asher, the sexy sweetheart that steals your heart and never gives it back. This time around was quite different however. I was torn with Cameron several times. At first he brought the lighthearted laughter that really makes you love him, but his constant flirting with the well-known Mackenzie Baker drove me mad, and for me, he lost mega points at the Lake scene and the night the cops arrived. (Cameron, you really had it going for you prior to this, even given your background) His powers go far beyond the book and even reach the reader. This, I know to be true, because as I finished this epilogue, reading what he wrote for the second time around, I find myself being torn again. Even in his twisted existence I believe he truly loves her, and that's what makes it hard to hate him. His persistence is what saves him.
Asher, my beautiful broken man, comes in with a number one in consistency. You have been a sweetheart throughout, yet totally hot nonetheless, and this is what gives you winning points with me. The ending hurt me as much as it did years ago when I read it, but at least this time I don't have to wait to read book two. Ah, the pull. Which will she choose? I can only guess a certain calmness in nature will be her ending path, but still, it won't be easy, because a certain someone has ways of pulling you to him, even in the middle of a hell storm.
This book is a solid 5 star for me. It has originality, it has heat, it has humor, and it has the brokenness that I love so much in my characters. Where will death take them next? I'm about to find out.
May 20, 2013
Ember X is a new adult version of young adult paranormal novel Ember by Jessica Sorensen. Ember, our narrator, has an unorthodox ability. Whenever she touches or is touched someone, Ember has a death omen: premonition how and when that person is going to die. Tortured by these painful and horrific visions (since in her town obviously no one never dies peacefully or from old age) Ember shuns away from human contact. With dead father, alcoholic mother and crazy-artistic brother, Ember's only confidant is her best friend who is outgoing, slutty, questionably loyal and party-loving'.
To make it a little bit more cliche (like this was not enough) enters a romance part of a story. Of course it's a love triangle and it has something for everyone's taste: one blond and one dark hot guy both new to town and both attracted to our heroine. There will be a lot of smoldering glances and Ember's insides will be 'curving and cultivating with so much sweltering heat'. I personally could not feel any heat, but maybe it's better, that thing that happens to her insides does not sound comfortable. But Ember obviously liked it, because she sometimes nearly has an orgasm just from heated glares exchange.
Ember was tough heroine to relate to. She was usually mopping around either because of her love dilemma, family problems or because she can not deal with her ability. With constant complains and dramatic self-pity through the whole book, Ember sounded more like a teenager/young adult then like a grown up. Although adding more sexual content pushed Ember X into new adult genre, the psychology of characters needed more change and work too, because some behaviour that can be tolerated for ya book feels out of place and immature in novel targeted for older audience.
The one part of Ember X I liked was the (surprise surprise) paranormal part. The lore about angels and grim reapers that Jessica Sorensen made up was interesting and we got introduced to the whole history gradually. Ember X is easy to read because proverbial carrot on a stick, aka new info about something, is always dangling just a little bit out of reach, so you trod along hoping to catch it and finally figure out what is really happening. As always, since this is a series, a some things are left unanswered for the sequel but I think we had good back story for the start.
Although I liked the paranormal elements of the story, the characters were too immature and dramatic, so I doubt that I will be continuing Death Collectors series. Fans of ya paranormal books who want to increase the heat to new adult level and who like angels, love triangles and tortured heroines will probably like Ember X by Jessica Sorensen but I recommend that you check an excerpt either via Amazon or some other website before buying. Or grab a Kindle ebook while it is still free. ;)
My rating: 2.5 stars
This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
To make it a little bit more cliche (like this was not enough) enters a romance part of a story. Of course it's a love triangle and it has something for everyone's taste: one blond and one dark hot guy both new to town and both attracted to our heroine. There will be a lot of smoldering glances and Ember's insides will be 'curving and cultivating with so much sweltering heat'. I personally could not feel any heat, but maybe it's better, that thing that happens to her insides does not sound comfortable. But Ember obviously liked it, because she sometimes nearly has an orgasm just from heated glares exchange.
Ember was tough heroine to relate to. She was usually mopping around either because of her love dilemma, family problems or because she can not deal with her ability. With constant complains and dramatic self-pity through the whole book, Ember sounded more like a teenager/young adult then like a grown up. Although adding more sexual content pushed Ember X into new adult genre, the psychology of characters needed more change and work too, because some behaviour that can be tolerated for ya book feels out of place and immature in novel targeted for older audience.
The one part of Ember X I liked was the (surprise surprise) paranormal part. The lore about angels and grim reapers that Jessica Sorensen made up was interesting and we got introduced to the whole history gradually. Ember X is easy to read because proverbial carrot on a stick, aka new info about something, is always dangling just a little bit out of reach, so you trod along hoping to catch it and finally figure out what is really happening. As always, since this is a series, a some things are left unanswered for the sequel but I think we had good back story for the start.
Although I liked the paranormal elements of the story, the characters were too immature and dramatic, so I doubt that I will be continuing Death Collectors series. Fans of ya paranormal books who want to increase the heat to new adult level and who like angels, love triangles and tortured heroines will probably like Ember X by Jessica Sorensen but I recommend that you check an excerpt either via Amazon or some other website before buying. Or grab a Kindle ebook while it is still free. ;)
My rating: 2.5 stars
This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
August 25, 2012
Holy Biscuits and gravy!!!!!!
This book was fantastic! I certainly would give it the maximin stars!!! I will not go into the story, because truly I feel as though, I would not be able to explain the full depth of it. Plus, you need to read it. I am certain you would love this book! I personally Loved IT!!!!!!
Have you ever had your toes press to the ground making your knee jump up and down. But not realizing it, until you happen to look down and see it! Well that is what was happening to me, through out most of this book. Talk about building tension and making me apprehensive. Hello thats me, a bundle of nerves. This was such a well written book. One thing that kept escaping my lips was, What kind of mind does this Author have??!! Seriously, I find it mystifying, how someone can create such a magnificent story!
Here is a fast description of this book by Jessica Sorensen:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding: Jessica Sorensen
I was literally talking to my kindle throughout this book. No dont go there, wait dont do that....eeep run.....not him.....omg....wooozer...dont trust her.....dont trust him....wait maybe trust her....Oooo you can trust him.....holy smokes dunk....hide.....phew that was close. Not too mention wanting to run my fingers across a certain someone’s tattoo (drool)
There is a love triangle going on in this book. But not your omg another love triangle (yawn). But a holy smokes, kind of way. It’s complicate....so I say again....READ this book!
I am so excited about this book here is what I am going to do. Come to http://www.facebook.com/YaTeenReaders, when this book is release and I will have a contest and the winners will recieved a ecopy of it!
Jessica Sorensen you are now officially on the “You Rock” list!!!!
This book was fantastic! I certainly would give it the maximin stars!!! I will not go into the story, because truly I feel as though, I would not be able to explain the full depth of it. Plus, you need to read it. I am certain you would love this book! I personally Loved IT!!!!!!
Have you ever had your toes press to the ground making your knee jump up and down. But not realizing it, until you happen to look down and see it! Well that is what was happening to me, through out most of this book. Talk about building tension and making me apprehensive. Hello thats me, a bundle of nerves. This was such a well written book. One thing that kept escaping my lips was, What kind of mind does this Author have??!! Seriously, I find it mystifying, how someone can create such a magnificent story!
Here is a fast description of this book by Jessica Sorensen:
What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding: Jessica Sorensen
I was literally talking to my kindle throughout this book. No dont go there, wait dont do that....eeep run.....not him.....omg....wooozer...dont trust her.....dont trust him....wait maybe trust her....Oooo you can trust him.....holy smokes dunk....hide.....phew that was close. Not too mention wanting to run my fingers across a certain someone’s tattoo (drool)
There is a love triangle going on in this book. But not your omg another love triangle (yawn). But a holy smokes, kind of way. It’s complicate....so I say again....READ this book!
I am so excited about this book here is what I am going to do. Come to http://www.facebook.com/YaTeenReaders, when this book is release and I will have a contest and the winners will recieved a ecopy of it!
Jessica Sorensen you are now officially on the “You Rock” list!!!!
May 5, 2013
I made it about halfway through this thing.
I think where I went wrong here is that I downloaded Ember X, which is the adult version of this story. I think it probably does work as YA, but it was a complete and utter fail as an adult story, and the reason why is the author put absolutely NO EFFORT into making this an adult story. She simply changed a word here, a word there, a few details and then BLAMMO! Adult story.
Did. Not. Work.
Let me give you an example.
When Ember first meets Asher, their interaction goes like this:
Ember: Did you just move to Hollows Grove? I've never seen you around before.
Asher: Monday will be my first day. I just moved here from New York.
First day? First day of what? Living in Hollow's Grove? But obviously if he's there with her now, his first day has come and gone. So what? Obviously, in the YA version, Monday will be his first day of school, but as an adult, this interaction makes no sense.
Other things that allude to the author putting in no effort: the characters still live at home, they treat college exactly like high school, they go to house parties like high school kids. I mean, it was just really, really poorly done.
And the romance! HAH, the romance! It came at completely inappropriate times and again, just made no sense.
It would've taken a complete rewrite to make this an adult story and I guess Sorensen was just completely unwilling to put in the time to do that.
I would not recommend this version of the story to ANYONE. If you must read this book, read the YA version. If you're looking for a good adult read, stay far, far away.
I think where I went wrong here is that I downloaded Ember X, which is the adult version of this story. I think it probably does work as YA, but it was a complete and utter fail as an adult story, and the reason why is the author put absolutely NO EFFORT into making this an adult story. She simply changed a word here, a word there, a few details and then BLAMMO! Adult story.
Did. Not. Work.
Let me give you an example.
When Ember first meets Asher, their interaction goes like this:
Ember: Did you just move to Hollows Grove? I've never seen you around before.
Asher: Monday will be my first day. I just moved here from New York.
First day? First day of what? Living in Hollow's Grove? But obviously if he's there with her now, his first day has come and gone. So what? Obviously, in the YA version, Monday will be his first day of school, but as an adult, this interaction makes no sense.
Other things that allude to the author putting in no effort: the characters still live at home, they treat college exactly like high school, they go to house parties like high school kids. I mean, it was just really, really poorly done.
And the romance! HAH, the romance! It came at completely inappropriate times and again, just made no sense.
It would've taken a complete rewrite to make this an adult story and I guess Sorensen was just completely unwilling to put in the time to do that.
I would not recommend this version of the story to ANYONE. If you must read this book, read the YA version. If you're looking for a good adult read, stay far, far away.
December 4, 2013
WARNING: an annoying amount of use of the word "ridiculous".
Great concept, awful execution. The result: ridiculous characters, ridiculous plot (with plot holes and all), ridiculous execution of a great concept, ridiculous romance, ridiculous EVERYTHING.
This book didn't make me angry and hate it with a fiery passion but it annoyed me. I do have to say that it entertained me with its ridiculousness for a while but there's only so much of it you can laugh about until it annoys you.
Ridiculous. The only thing I can say about Ember. I already had things planned I wanted to mention and discuss in my review but I just don't feel like putting effort into writing a coherent review for a book that annoyed me as much as this one did.
I'm like the only person in a sea of 4 and 5 star ratings to rate this book 1 star, so there's that. Maybe everything about this book wasn't as ridiculous for other people as it was for me.
(After using the word "ridiculous" so many times in thisreview uncoherent little rambling of mine I feel like I don't know how to write it anymore, ha.)
Great concept, awful execution. The result: ridiculous characters, ridiculous plot (with plot holes and all), ridiculous execution of a great concept, ridiculous romance, ridiculous EVERYTHING.
This book didn't make me angry and hate it with a fiery passion but it annoyed me. I do have to say that it entertained me with its ridiculousness for a while but there's only so much of it you can laugh about until it annoys you.
Ridiculous. The only thing I can say about Ember. I already had things planned I wanted to mention and discuss in my review but I just don't feel like putting effort into writing a coherent review for a book that annoyed me as much as this one did.
I'm like the only person in a sea of 4 and 5 star ratings to rate this book 1 star, so there's that. Maybe everything about this book wasn't as ridiculous for other people as it was for me.
(After using the word "ridiculous" so many times in this
September 17, 2012
I was captivated by the dark undercurrent of the book. It literally had me hanging off the edge of my seat (and possibly a little talking...erm...I mean screaming at my Kindle) I'm a HUGE fan of Jessica's other series (Fallen Star, Fallen Souls, Darkness Falls; Let's face it I'm a JESSICA JUNKIE) however, this series takes the cake. (and the ice cream- yeah, it's THAT GOOD) 'Ember' had me so twisted, I couldn't decide who to trust or who the 'bad or good guy' was because well, Asher and Cameron both were amazing characters, not to mention swoon worthy! This isn't an easy thing to do as I usually can guess what will happen and tend to be right...not this time though. I highly recommend this book!(seriously worth the .99 I paid!) In fact, I plan on reading it again very soon!
September 14, 2012
i didn't expect this to be short >.<
but yeah I LOVE iT
i am So looking forward to the next one .
i love this poem in the book :)
" The ember dies slowly in a mound of ash .
darkness and mourning, it longs to burn fire . but the
smoke and sorrow let it die .
the need for a spark asserts fiercely. but
a spark won't surrender. So the ember continues
to smother. Into ash,into dust, into nothing.
And that's how it will stay forever. "
for me it sounds like a prophecy
directing to ember herself :)
but yeah I LOVE iT
i am So looking forward to the next one .
i love this poem in the book :)
" The ember dies slowly in a mound of ash .
darkness and mourning, it longs to burn fire . but the
smoke and sorrow let it die .
the need for a spark asserts fiercely. but
a spark won't surrender. So the ember continues
to smother. Into ash,into dust, into nothing.
And that's how it will stay forever. "
for me it sounds like a prophecy
directing to ember herself :)
July 19, 2015
Another winner from Jessica Sorenson! This book is deep, dark and smoldering. I've never read a more original plot that had me on the edge of my seat. I simply could not put this book down, nor could I put the rest of the series down!
It's titled Ember-X for a reason; it's deliciously X rated! Jessica took this paranormal to a whole new level that hasn't been done before, and added a whole new type of smokin' to the book. I loved every minute! ~ Kelly, 4.5 stars
It's titled Ember-X for a reason; it's deliciously X rated! Jessica took this paranormal to a whole new level that hasn't been done before, and added a whole new type of smokin' to the book. I loved every minute! ~ Kelly, 4.5 stars
April 17, 2013
Much like the original story with the review... but, the "hot" scenes... oh wow!
I really enjoyed re-reading this book with its minor changes. Everyone is more grown up in this story, but not much else has changed. I will say that it has grown the flame that makes me desperate for the next book! When? When is it coming out!?!
I really enjoyed re-reading this book with its minor changes. Everyone is more grown up in this story, but not much else has changed. I will say that it has grown the flame that makes me desperate for the next book! When? When is it coming out!?!
May 20, 2013
This was so bad! Just horrible, horrible, horrible. This is what you shouldn't do when you write a book. And the character's habit of not taking a shower was disgusting! Did anyone else notice? Gah!!!!
April 3, 2013
With enough raven's-wing feathers to keep even Edgar Allen Poe content, Ember will have you seeing death like never before.
January 10, 2016
No me esperaba que me fuera a gustar tanto.
Read
May 4, 2013Finished reading Ember by Jessica Sorensen. Being confused is an understatement
I do not dare to rate this one.
I will just say 'I read it'
Synopsis from goodreads *not sure if I have the ‘right’ synopsis version?*
(New adult paranormal version of my young adult book, Ember (Death Collectors, #1). It contains more violence and more sexual content.)
**Mature Content Advisory**
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language.
For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets from her.
When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's death and what it is he’s hiding from her
--
Just realized there are two versions of the book…The YA version wherein Ember is 17 years old and a NA version wherein Ember is 19 years old. I think I messed up with the synopsis but I couldn’t find the ‘17 years old version’. I am not sure which version I read but if I remember correctly Ember was 17 in the one I read…which means that I bought the wrong version because I was thinking about reading the NA version, lol.
Anyways, I am confused. My head. My brain.
OK to be honest I was not really tempted to read Ember… because yes ol’ lame me was scared of the cover. Dude have you seen the cover? It is frigging scary! I hate dolls…with scary make-up.
But then I saw the other cover
and was getting slightly interested again.
But well, at the end I am not sure what happened in Ember actually. I don’t remember a thing. Even though it was just a few minutes ago that I finished reading it. I thought I’d love it but I didn’t ‘enjoy’ it at all because half of the time I was asking myself what I was reading. It is a shame… that it eventually did not work out because she really blew my mind away in the coincidence of Callie and Kayden. I shouldn’t compare the two books with each other because they are really different in genre –I know-. The idea of the story and synopsis sounded good, really… though the cover scared me off once or twice… But it did not work for me... because I could hardly find half of the synopsis back in the story (?) but that might be because I just couldn’t focus. Besides that, the characters were just confusing. Glad it was only around 270 pages because it was short enough to finish it in 4 hours.
I do not dare to rate this one.
I will just say 'I read it'
Synopsis from goodreads *not sure if I have the ‘right’ synopsis version?*
(New adult paranormal version of my young adult book, Ember (Death Collectors, #1). It contains more violence and more sexual content.)
**Mature Content Advisory**
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language.
For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets from her.
When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's death and what it is he’s hiding from her
--
Just realized there are two versions of the book…The YA version wherein Ember is 17 years old and a NA version wherein Ember is 19 years old. I think I messed up with the synopsis but I couldn’t find the ‘17 years old version’. I am not sure which version I read but if I remember correctly Ember was 17 in the one I read…which means that I bought the wrong version because I was thinking about reading the NA version, lol.
Anyways, I am confused. My head. My brain.
OK to be honest I was not really tempted to read Ember… because yes ol’ lame me was scared of the cover. Dude have you seen the cover? It is frigging scary! I hate dolls…with scary make-up.
But then I saw the other cover
and was getting slightly interested again.
But well, at the end I am not sure what happened in Ember actually. I don’t remember a thing. Even though it was just a few minutes ago that I finished reading it. I thought I’d love it but I didn’t ‘enjoy’ it at all because half of the time I was asking myself what I was reading. It is a shame… that it eventually did not work out because she really blew my mind away in the coincidence of Callie and Kayden. I shouldn’t compare the two books with each other because they are really different in genre –I know-. The idea of the story and synopsis sounded good, really… though the cover scared me off once or twice… But it did not work for me... because I could hardly find half of the synopsis back in the story (?) but that might be because I just couldn’t focus. Besides that, the characters were just confusing. Glad it was only around 270 pages because it was short enough to finish it in 4 hours.
January 9, 2013
3.5 stars
This books gets extra points just for making me doubt myself more than once! I thought I had everyone figured out pretty soon, but I was always reserved, afraid that someone might surprise me. Especially when it came to Cameron I hadn't made up my mind completely until the very end.
Honestly this wasn't the best book I read this year, or the most original one, but it flowed easily and with a little more work it could go somewhere.
As far as main characters go Ember wasn't half bad. She was sad and scared, but she handled herself well and she wasn't the whining little girl that most YA books feature. She's adaptable, has a good head on her shoulders and she is not all pessimistic and pining over the guys.
Asher was a shoo-in from the very beginning. He's sweet and he can kick some serious butt if he wants to. Between him and Cameron I pick him every day! I didn't have that many doubts about him, I had a pretty clear idea about where he stood, with one little exception at the end, which was more of a passing thought than anything else.
Cameron was your friendly neighbor stalker. He moved in town about the same time as Asher did and he was the only character that had me rethinking his position from beginning to end. I made scenario after scenario in my head. "He is a Grimm Reaper.", "No, he is an Angel of Death.", I even though "He might be human" at some point but it was more of a passing thought. Seriously though the guy did seem to be a jerk and I was so proud of Ember when she didn't go all "gaga" over how hot he was. I was practically cheer leading for her when she damped him and went home after he started being a douche! So there are probably some that will swoon over the insistent, bad boy, poet, but I'm team Asher on this one!
Raven I felt really sorry for in the end! She might have been a bit of a ho but she was a good friend to Ember most of the time.
So to sum this up, I want to see what happens next so I'll look for the second book, but I want to see more of the boys this time and I'd prefer them talking and not making out all the time if possible. Maybe even see Michael a little. We've seen the Reapers already why not the angels too? Oh I also want the family and friends to stop being so depressing and start cheering up a bit. Especially the mom! Ok we saw the crazy now I want to see her better.
Oh and I 'd love to see what Ember's powers are gonna be! Everyone was going on and on about her being all powerful and stuff, but lets see something happening! :)
This books gets extra points just for making me doubt myself more than once! I thought I had everyone figured out pretty soon, but I was always reserved, afraid that someone might surprise me. Especially when it came to Cameron I hadn't made up my mind completely until the very end.
Honestly this wasn't the best book I read this year, or the most original one, but it flowed easily and with a little more work it could go somewhere.
As far as main characters go Ember wasn't half bad. She was sad and scared, but she handled herself well and she wasn't the whining little girl that most YA books feature. She's adaptable, has a good head on her shoulders and she is not all pessimistic and pining over the guys.
Asher was a shoo-in from the very beginning. He's sweet and he can kick some serious butt if he wants to. Between him and Cameron I pick him every day! I didn't have that many doubts about him, I had a pretty clear idea about where he stood, with one little exception at the end, which was more of a passing thought than anything else.
Cameron was your friendly neighbor stalker. He moved in town about the same time as Asher did and he was the only character that had me rethinking his position from beginning to end. I made scenario after scenario in my head. "He is a Grimm Reaper.", "No, he is an Angel of Death.", I even though "He might be human" at some point but it was more of a passing thought. Seriously though the guy did seem to be a jerk and I was so proud of Ember when she didn't go all "gaga" over how hot he was. I was practically cheer leading for her when she damped him and went home after he started being a douche! So there are probably some that will swoon over the insistent, bad boy, poet, but I'm team Asher on this one!
Raven I felt really sorry for in the end! She might have been a bit of a ho but she was a good friend to Ember most of the time.
So to sum this up, I want to see what happens next so I'll look for the second book, but I want to see more of the boys this time and I'd prefer them talking and not making out all the time if possible. Maybe even see Michael a little. We've seen the Reapers already why not the angels too? Oh I also want the family and friends to stop being so depressing and start cheering up a bit. Especially the mom! Ok we saw the crazy now I want to see her better.
Oh and I 'd love to see what Ember's powers are gonna be! Everyone was going on and on about her being all powerful and stuff, but lets see something happening! :)
June 14, 2013
This version the book is an extended new adult edition of the YA release Ember, but I found the new parts clumsy and ultimately unnecessary. Which is not to say that I think I would have enjoyed the original YA version much better - this book has a premise that has been executed better elsewhere.
Ember can see your death just by touching you. So she doesn't have many friends and has a hard time going out in public. Parties, in particular, are hard for her, and forget about a boyfriend! The she meets Asher, and lo-and-behold, she can't see his death. She begins to crave the silence as their encounters become increasingly bizarre, full of heat filled eye contact and orgasm-inducing touches to shoulder, stomach and thighs.
The characterisation is hum-drum at best, I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and they all behaved irrationally and unpredictably. I think I could have really liked Ember's brother, but unfortunately he was kept in the background of the story and only pulled out when the author needed to prove that Ember is a family-oriented person despite her horrific home life.
The plot-line feels very formulaic, and I can't really say I was surprised at any time. Nor was I particularly excited or thrilled. Extending the novel to include a bloody bar fight didn't increase my enjoyment at all, but left me highly sceptical of that situation ever developing naturally in the real world. I felt similarly about the added sexual content in the novel.
There's an exasperating love triangle that really didn't turn out to be a love triangle (which I guess is a point for the book), some paranormal blah-blah about angels, a very four-base oriented physical aspect that made me gag in its ridiculousness (smexy times right after a bar fight, next to the back entrance of the bar? Seriously??), and no characters I can claim to like.
If you like your stories with love triangles featuring sexy boys and heroines with dark, difficult lives peppered with angel feathers, this book might be for you. If you're interested in this concept of a girl who can see death omens by touch, I strongly recommend Chuck Wendig's adult series about Miriam Black, starting with Blackbirds, which tackles this premise with a lot more finesse.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
Ember can see your death just by touching you. So she doesn't have many friends and has a hard time going out in public. Parties, in particular, are hard for her, and forget about a boyfriend! The she meets Asher, and lo-and-behold, she can't see his death. She begins to crave the silence as their encounters become increasingly bizarre, full of heat filled eye contact and orgasm-inducing touches to shoulder, stomach and thighs.
The characterisation is hum-drum at best, I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and they all behaved irrationally and unpredictably. I think I could have really liked Ember's brother, but unfortunately he was kept in the background of the story and only pulled out when the author needed to prove that Ember is a family-oriented person despite her horrific home life.
The plot-line feels very formulaic, and I can't really say I was surprised at any time. Nor was I particularly excited or thrilled. Extending the novel to include a bloody bar fight didn't increase my enjoyment at all, but left me highly sceptical of that situation ever developing naturally in the real world. I felt similarly about the added sexual content in the novel.
There's an exasperating love triangle that really didn't turn out to be a love triangle (which I guess is a point for the book), some paranormal blah-blah about angels, a very four-base oriented physical aspect that made me gag in its ridiculousness (smexy times right after a bar fight, next to the back entrance of the bar? Seriously??), and no characters I can claim to like.
If you like your stories with love triangles featuring sexy boys and heroines with dark, difficult lives peppered with angel feathers, this book might be for you. If you're interested in this concept of a girl who can see death omens by touch, I strongly recommend Chuck Wendig's adult series about Miriam Black, starting with Blackbirds, which tackles this premise with a lot more finesse.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
September 29, 2024
Currently putting up past reviews from my Blog on GR because I forgot at the time oops 😅
This novel didn't capture me the way a few other books by this author has. This is also the second time I read this novel and I can't really say it was all that memorable the first time around. The paranormal mythology that was created for the story was awesome though. I don't think I've read a book on angels with this twist.
Another qualm I had with this story was the pacing. The first 60% of this novel is Ember being freaked out, confused and scared. Sure there's the murder mystery going around but it wasn't all that intriguing after the third body dropped because there wasn't even a sprinkling of some semblance of answers.
Ember is an outcast and has been one ever since she was four. People blame her for things she had no hand in and she's just gotten accustomed to being a sad human being. I hated how meek and apologetic she was in situations that weren't her fault. I also hated how she put herself in situations where she clearly should've put her foot down and just said 'no' to.
I'm not a fan of either of the guys in this love triangle. Asher is alright, I guess, but Cameron is a psychopath and should be locked up. I don't understand the appeal to Cameron. All his scenes just made me feel like my skin was crawling.
When the story was finally answering some questions and picking up the pace it ended. It ended in an end-for-now but still kind of cliffhanger-ish. It was creepy I'll tell you that much. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next novel in this trilogy.
My Favorite Quotes:
"It hurts to be around life. People don't understand how close death is, right over their shoulders, around the block, at the end of a street. It's everywhere and I'm the only one who knows where it is."
"My whole life doesn't make sense. It's like I'm always one step away from walking off a cliff."
"Everyone fears death, Ember. Even death itself."
This novel didn't capture me the way a few other books by this author has. This is also the second time I read this novel and I can't really say it was all that memorable the first time around. The paranormal mythology that was created for the story was awesome though. I don't think I've read a book on angels with this twist.
Another qualm I had with this story was the pacing. The first 60% of this novel is Ember being freaked out, confused and scared. Sure there's the murder mystery going around but it wasn't all that intriguing after the third body dropped because there wasn't even a sprinkling of some semblance of answers.
Ember is an outcast and has been one ever since she was four. People blame her for things she had no hand in and she's just gotten accustomed to being a sad human being. I hated how meek and apologetic she was in situations that weren't her fault. I also hated how she put herself in situations where she clearly should've put her foot down and just said 'no' to.
I'm not a fan of either of the guys in this love triangle. Asher is alright, I guess, but Cameron is a psychopath and should be locked up. I don't understand the appeal to Cameron. All his scenes just made me feel like my skin was crawling.
When the story was finally answering some questions and picking up the pace it ended. It ended in an end-for-now but still kind of cliffhanger-ish. It was creepy I'll tell you that much. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next novel in this trilogy.
My Favorite Quotes:
"It hurts to be around life. People don't understand how close death is, right over their shoulders, around the block, at the end of a street. It's everywhere and I'm the only one who knows where it is."
"My whole life doesn't make sense. It's like I'm always one step away from walking off a cliff."
"Everyone fears death, Ember. Even death itself."
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