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Keeper Witches #1
Keeper of the Lost Souls
Bryn McCaskey is young, naïve, and can talk to ghosts...
Like her mother and grandmother, Bryn comes from a breed of witches called The Keepers of the Lost Souls. Their main purpose is to guard those spirits who are permanently or temporarily grounded in the world of the living. Handling supernatural creatures is something which comes naturally to Bryn, however, dealing with people is a whole different story.
As her 18th birthday approaches it's time for her to take on her first assignment. Bryn is forced to confront her inability to communicate with others in an effort to save the one soul that can mean the difference between life and death for mankind.
Johnny Shaw is a lost soul with a personal vendetta against witches...
A vendetta he has carried on even after death. As much as he hate's them he must join forces with a keeper witch, in order to stop a century old threat. When fate brings them together, not only will they be forced to learn how to work as a team, but they will have to depend on each other to stop an evil witch carrying a six hundred year grudge!
Like her mother and grandmother, Bryn comes from a breed of witches called The Keepers of the Lost Souls. Their main purpose is to guard those spirits who are permanently or temporarily grounded in the world of the living. Handling supernatural creatures is something which comes naturally to Bryn, however, dealing with people is a whole different story.
As her 18th birthday approaches it's time for her to take on her first assignment. Bryn is forced to confront her inability to communicate with others in an effort to save the one soul that can mean the difference between life and death for mankind.
Johnny Shaw is a lost soul with a personal vendetta against witches...
A vendetta he has carried on even after death. As much as he hate's them he must join forces with a keeper witch, in order to stop a century old threat. When fate brings them together, not only will they be forced to learn how to work as a team, but they will have to depend on each other to stop an evil witch carrying a six hundred year grudge!
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2013
33 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Centeno
29 books559 followersKristy Centeno loves to spin tales of creatures that go bump in the night, with a sprinkle of romance to top them off. Her passion for writing stems from a lifelong enjoyment of reading and the pleasure derived from the magical worlds created by authors like her. She prefers her female leads strong, independent, and stubborn who will stop at nothing to save their loved ones and protect those they care for.
Kristy currently resides in Pennsylvania with her five kids, a quartet of noisy parakeets, and a spoiled puppy. When she’s not working or writing, she juggles her free time between raising a handful of minions and pursuing other career goals.
Kristy currently resides in Pennsylvania with her five kids, a quartet of noisy parakeets, and a spoiled puppy. When she’s not working or writing, she juggles her free time between raising a handful of minions and pursuing other career goals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 11, 2013
2.5 Stars
This was by no means a bad book. The MC was nice, the romantic interest was alright after a while and I liked the side characters.
I am a sucker for books about witches. I just love books about magic, and ghosts, and this one had both, so there was no way I was passing it up. Bryn is a Keeper Witch. She is in charge of 'good' lost souls, protects them till their are ready to move on. With this job come certain powers that make it easier. We are told that Bryn is a very strong witch, specially for someone at her age. But I couldn't really see that. I mean they tell you what the norm is, but it seemed to me that if a basic keeper witch couldn't do what Bryn did, then they must suck at the job, cause honestly I just don't see it happening.
One of Bryn's charges is the soul of Johnny Shaw. I didn't like the guy at first because he was a close minded a-hole. Actually he keeps being incredibly suspicious and close minded to the point of it being silly. It got on my nerves. It's always good to have a healthy amount of suspicion, but my god man! That was just ridiculous. Thankfully we only see this side of him 1 more time after the initial introduction. From then on it was mostly smooth sailing.
I found the world-building a bit lacking. If there are Keeper witches there must be other kinds of witches, right? But we are only told of 2 magical beings and the other was simply described as 'evil'. How many kinds are there, what do they do? Do they all communicate between each other? Do they have some kind of formal authority? We simply don't know, because sadly, this aspect was just not explored.
The plot in and of itself was good enough. With plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading the whole time. I won't say anything else since I don't want to spoil it for anyone. But what I really liked about this book was Bryn.
Bryn was both a typical and not typical MC. She was shy, a bit of an antisocial but she was good, but not the perfect goody-two-shoe that would have put me off. She actually came of as sincere. She went through a lot of crap at school but she still helped the people that made her life hell. Why? Because it was the right thing to do. And once she was out of the school zone, she stopped taking crap from anyone and stood up for herself. I really liked her and admired her for that.
I also liked the relationship she had with her mom and grandmother. It felt real and genuine to me. They were pushy and always nagging, but trusting and loving.
So sure this book had it's flaws, but what book doesn't? And even with it's flaws it was still ultimately entertaining.
This was by no means a bad book. The MC was nice, the romantic interest was alright after a while and I liked the side characters.
I am a sucker for books about witches. I just love books about magic, and ghosts, and this one had both, so there was no way I was passing it up. Bryn is a Keeper Witch. She is in charge of 'good' lost souls, protects them till their are ready to move on. With this job come certain powers that make it easier. We are told that Bryn is a very strong witch, specially for someone at her age. But I couldn't really see that. I mean they tell you what the norm is, but it seemed to me that if a basic keeper witch couldn't do what Bryn did, then they must suck at the job, cause honestly I just don't see it happening.
One of Bryn's charges is the soul of Johnny Shaw. I didn't like the guy at first because he was a close minded a-hole. Actually he keeps being incredibly suspicious and close minded to the point of it being silly. It got on my nerves. It's always good to have a healthy amount of suspicion, but my god man! That was just ridiculous. Thankfully we only see this side of him 1 more time after the initial introduction. From then on it was mostly smooth sailing.
I found the world-building a bit lacking. If there are Keeper witches there must be other kinds of witches, right? But we are only told of 2 magical beings and the other was simply described as 'evil'. How many kinds are there, what do they do? Do they all communicate between each other? Do they have some kind of formal authority? We simply don't know, because sadly, this aspect was just not explored.
The plot in and of itself was good enough. With plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading the whole time. I won't say anything else since I don't want to spoil it for anyone. But what I really liked about this book was Bryn.
Bryn was both a typical and not typical MC. She was shy, a bit of an antisocial but she was good, but not the perfect goody-two-shoe that would have put me off. She actually came of as sincere. She went through a lot of crap at school but she still helped the people that made her life hell. Why? Because it was the right thing to do. And once she was out of the school zone, she stopped taking crap from anyone and stood up for herself. I really liked her and admired her for that.
I also liked the relationship she had with her mom and grandmother. It felt real and genuine to me. They were pushy and always nagging, but trusting and loving.
So sure this book had it's flaws, but what book doesn't? And even with it's flaws it was still ultimately entertaining.
July 12, 2013
Keeper Of The Lost Souls is an amazing paranormal read. I hold it right up there with the big wigs because Kristy has done an excellent job writing such a flawless book. I read a lot of paranormal but witches and demons is one of my all time favorites. In KOTLS we get to meet Bryn who comes from a long line of witches and as her 18th birthday approaches she is expected to carry on the family business of keeping watch over the lost souls. She is to watch them until they decide where they are going. What is so weird for her is that she is awkward because she is shy and she really doesn't interact with others. She is ridiculed at school and has no friends except her ghosts. So when she is about to have her first assignment she is very nervous because her first assignment is not exactly what she would call friendly.
Bryn's first assignment is Johnny Shaw. Lord help us with Johnny Shaw because he is an angry soul and he died angry and wants nothing to do with witches. He despise them because when he was alive he was in charge of keeping something very safe and away from evil witches. So now he is dead and he hates witches and he makes Bryn's life and her families lives miserable until he and Bryn get to know each other and Johhny realizes that she is not the enemy but in fact wants to help him and his family out.
This is such a great story about paranormal beings and what happens when you settle down and allow someone into your life. Johhny had to learn to trust Bryn and believe me it was not over night but it did happen and I am glad that I read this story and I need more from Kristy!
Bryn's first assignment is Johnny Shaw. Lord help us with Johnny Shaw because he is an angry soul and he died angry and wants nothing to do with witches. He despise them because when he was alive he was in charge of keeping something very safe and away from evil witches. So now he is dead and he hates witches and he makes Bryn's life and her families lives miserable until he and Bryn get to know each other and Johhny realizes that she is not the enemy but in fact wants to help him and his family out.
This is such a great story about paranormal beings and what happens when you settle down and allow someone into your life. Johhny had to learn to trust Bryn and believe me it was not over night but it did happen and I am glad that I read this story and I need more from Kristy!
October 25, 2014
4*s
Nice introduction to the series, I like the idea of the Keeper witches and I enjoyed the storyline. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
Nice introduction to the series, I like the idea of the Keeper witches and I enjoyed the storyline. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
April 12, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
August 22, 2017
Good book
I loved it it had everything romance intrigue and paranormal. It was a mystery at first and couldn't stop reading. Thank you for having such an amazing imagination and sharing it with the world.
I loved it it had everything romance intrigue and paranormal. It was a mystery at first and couldn't stop reading. Thank you for having such an amazing imagination and sharing it with the world.
July 8, 2013
GENRE: Paranormal
THEME: Romance, Witches, and Magic
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
This is my first introduction to Centeno’s writing and I’m definitely going to be looking up her other titles. This has everything I enjoy about paranormal stories, with magic, mystery, evil magical villains and a female lead that is probably the nicest and most forgiving character I have ever read about.
Keeper of the Lost Souls follows recent high school graduate Bryn, who is also a witch and can see ghost. Bryn is no ordinary witch but one known as a Keeper Witch that helps souls and protects them from evil. When she is assigned her first batch of souls (Charges) there is one in particular who is about to make Bryn’s life very difficult and dangerous.
Bryn is what many would define as an outsider or loner in high school. The students often thought she was strange or talking to herself and made her life difficult. What I liked about her character was that she was so forgiving, putting aside her anger towards those who treated her bad and helped them instead. Even though she doesn’t have friends, she has the strong love of her mother and grandmother, along with her ghostly former classmate and popular girl in school Marianne. Though Marianne is quite annoying for Bryn, she helps her along the way with her Charges. Her one problem is a magical charge named Johnny Shaw who lost his soul and doesn’t like witches one bit. He brings a lot of trouble for Bryn and her family, but his enemy he finds out is her enemy.
Johnny is a complicated guy, he is angered with is passing as well as beging the last in his family. He had the burden of protecting something very powerful against a witch who wants to release a bigger evil. He ends of trusting a witch, which is against everything he ever believed. The banter and connection between Johnny and Bryn was classic, they had a lot to learn from each other about each of their families and magic. The readers get more in depth information about his past and family history, it was actually really interesting to find out how he was connected to the evil witch.
Overall I enjoyed the strong writing by Centeno, I could tell by the development and back-story she really loved creating these characters and their world. The magic was my favorite along with the characters; I loved the differences between each Witch, Elemental, and Demons. There is romance and its sweetly done and not rushed. The secondary characters are strong and added to some humor, suspense and hectic moments for Bryn. I look forward to reading more from Centeno and hopefully get to continue to follow Bryn and Johnny on their next adventure.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a paranormal story meant for reader Young Adult to Adult, who are looking for magic and love. Fans of Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl will love Keeper of the Lost Souls by Kristy Centeno.
THEME: Romance, Witches, and Magic
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
This is my first introduction to Centeno’s writing and I’m definitely going to be looking up her other titles. This has everything I enjoy about paranormal stories, with magic, mystery, evil magical villains and a female lead that is probably the nicest and most forgiving character I have ever read about.
Keeper of the Lost Souls follows recent high school graduate Bryn, who is also a witch and can see ghost. Bryn is no ordinary witch but one known as a Keeper Witch that helps souls and protects them from evil. When she is assigned her first batch of souls (Charges) there is one in particular who is about to make Bryn’s life very difficult and dangerous.
Bryn is what many would define as an outsider or loner in high school. The students often thought she was strange or talking to herself and made her life difficult. What I liked about her character was that she was so forgiving, putting aside her anger towards those who treated her bad and helped them instead. Even though she doesn’t have friends, she has the strong love of her mother and grandmother, along with her ghostly former classmate and popular girl in school Marianne. Though Marianne is quite annoying for Bryn, she helps her along the way with her Charges. Her one problem is a magical charge named Johnny Shaw who lost his soul and doesn’t like witches one bit. He brings a lot of trouble for Bryn and her family, but his enemy he finds out is her enemy.
Johnny is a complicated guy, he is angered with is passing as well as beging the last in his family. He had the burden of protecting something very powerful against a witch who wants to release a bigger evil. He ends of trusting a witch, which is against everything he ever believed. The banter and connection between Johnny and Bryn was classic, they had a lot to learn from each other about each of their families and magic. The readers get more in depth information about his past and family history, it was actually really interesting to find out how he was connected to the evil witch.
Overall I enjoyed the strong writing by Centeno, I could tell by the development and back-story she really loved creating these characters and their world. The magic was my favorite along with the characters; I loved the differences between each Witch, Elemental, and Demons. There is romance and its sweetly done and not rushed. The secondary characters are strong and added to some humor, suspense and hectic moments for Bryn. I look forward to reading more from Centeno and hopefully get to continue to follow Bryn and Johnny on their next adventure.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a paranormal story meant for reader Young Adult to Adult, who are looking for magic and love. Fans of Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl will love Keeper of the Lost Souls by Kristy Centeno.
September 4, 2013
Review to come. Really enjoyed!
This was the first book I've read by Kristy Centeno and I'm totally ready for more! I'm excited that this was book one and that means there is more to come in this series; I'm hoping there is more to come with Bryn and Johnny! Mine is a purchased copy, but it would've been provided by the tour company as well in exchange for an honest review. I have NOT been compensated and will NOT be compensated for my review.
I love the cover and, having read this on a kindle so I didn't flip back and forth often, that is how I pictured Bryn. Beautiful, sweet-faced, but showing some inner strength! Bryn is this brilliant mix of insecure new adult (she just graduated high school) who has been bullied her entire school life and this confident, tough as nails protector Keeper Witch. Bryn's job is to protect the good lost souls who have unfinished business before they cross over. She protects them from demons who would eat their souls to gain power.
Johnny Shaw is #23 of Bryn's list of charges. He is volatile, angry, and abhors witches, and he has POWER although he himself is not a witch. Bryn is frustrated with trying to convince him to believe in her; she perseveres and slowly gains his trust.
And so their story begins. Bryn feels the call to protect one of her charges, Johnny, and flashes to his side to find him being tortured by a very powerful witch with demon companions. Bryn fights them off and asks Johnny to tell her what is going on so she can be better prepared. Johnny scoffs and doesn't, but eventually he does break down and tell her...everything. His family's history, his enemy, what he's protecting, and even what his Uncle Hung cryptically informed him right before he died.
This story was sweet, action packed, full of magic, and the beginnings of a romance. I liked the Chinese myth woven in, the way Bryn has such a loving and wonderful support system in her mother and grandmother, Bryn's attitude towards being a Keeper, how Johnny is firm and proud in his family's history, how Marianne turns from pain in the butt princess to a good friend, and how there was that little twist to make sure that the right choices were made to save the world. Bryn & Johnny's blossoming romance is sweet, too, and I hope to read more of them soon! There were a few grammatical errors that I found as reading, but they do not distract from the story. Wonderful NA paranormal read and one that I would recommend quickly to those who like a clean, fun, action packed paranormal fantasy read!
This was the first book I've read by Kristy Centeno and I'm totally ready for more! I'm excited that this was book one and that means there is more to come in this series; I'm hoping there is more to come with Bryn and Johnny! Mine is a purchased copy, but it would've been provided by the tour company as well in exchange for an honest review. I have NOT been compensated and will NOT be compensated for my review.
I love the cover and, having read this on a kindle so I didn't flip back and forth often, that is how I pictured Bryn. Beautiful, sweet-faced, but showing some inner strength! Bryn is this brilliant mix of insecure new adult (she just graduated high school) who has been bullied her entire school life and this confident, tough as nails protector Keeper Witch. Bryn's job is to protect the good lost souls who have unfinished business before they cross over. She protects them from demons who would eat their souls to gain power.
Johnny Shaw is #23 of Bryn's list of charges. He is volatile, angry, and abhors witches, and he has POWER although he himself is not a witch. Bryn is frustrated with trying to convince him to believe in her; she perseveres and slowly gains his trust.
And so their story begins. Bryn feels the call to protect one of her charges, Johnny, and flashes to his side to find him being tortured by a very powerful witch with demon companions. Bryn fights them off and asks Johnny to tell her what is going on so she can be better prepared. Johnny scoffs and doesn't, but eventually he does break down and tell her...everything. His family's history, his enemy, what he's protecting, and even what his Uncle Hung cryptically informed him right before he died.
This story was sweet, action packed, full of magic, and the beginnings of a romance. I liked the Chinese myth woven in, the way Bryn has such a loving and wonderful support system in her mother and grandmother, Bryn's attitude towards being a Keeper, how Johnny is firm and proud in his family's history, how Marianne turns from pain in the butt princess to a good friend, and how there was that little twist to make sure that the right choices were made to save the world. Bryn & Johnny's blossoming romance is sweet, too, and I hope to read more of them soon! There were a few grammatical errors that I found as reading, but they do not distract from the story. Wonderful NA paranormal read and one that I would recommend quickly to those who like a clean, fun, action packed paranormal fantasy read!
August 13, 2013
8.10.13: Currently Free on Amazon!
Omg, wow! I honestly did not expect the book to be this good, considering the freebies I've gotten recently weren't that great. But, dang. The description blew me away, and I just really like how this turned out.
The Story
Bryn just graduated high school, and now she is finally free from all the bullying and torment she has received over the years. What's the first thing she does when she turns eighteen? Protects and helps the twenty-three ghosts on her list. As a Keeper Witch, Bryn has known about her abilities and her responsibilities throughout her entire life. So, when she meets charge number twenty-three, she's a little confused.
Johnny hates witches. He has his entire life. They killed his family, and they killed him too. So when a witch shows up on his doorstep saying that she's supposed to help him, he doesn't believe her. Johnny protects something very important. Something the evil witch wants. It could destroy the world, or save it. Will Johnny be able to accept Bryn's help? Will Bryn be able to defeat the witch?
My Thoughts
I'm happily surprised. As I said before, I didn't really expect much out of this book. But, holy crap.
From the little synopsis up there, you can tell its a two person perspective. I felt that you got to see inside Johnny's head more than Bryn's but that's okay. The descriptions are still really sick and very amazing. I really enjoyed seeing the way Johnny saw Bryn and how his thoughts changed as he got to know her.
The plot was good! A few twists toward the end, but it wasn't as shocking as you might think. I mean, there was some foreshadowing, a little bit of common sense, and I kind of figured what would happen. That didn't make the story any less awesome for me though. Lots of action, a little bit of romance, some humor...overall, it was really great.
That's all I have to say for now. It's two in the morning, so maybe I'll add more later.
Is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.
I mean, it's free. What have you got to lose?
Omg, wow! I honestly did not expect the book to be this good, considering the freebies I've gotten recently weren't that great. But, dang. The description blew me away, and I just really like how this turned out.
The Story
Bryn just graduated high school, and now she is finally free from all the bullying and torment she has received over the years. What's the first thing she does when she turns eighteen? Protects and helps the twenty-three ghosts on her list. As a Keeper Witch, Bryn has known about her abilities and her responsibilities throughout her entire life. So, when she meets charge number twenty-three, she's a little confused.
Johnny hates witches. He has his entire life. They killed his family, and they killed him too. So when a witch shows up on his doorstep saying that she's supposed to help him, he doesn't believe her. Johnny protects something very important. Something the evil witch wants. It could destroy the world, or save it. Will Johnny be able to accept Bryn's help? Will Bryn be able to defeat the witch?
My Thoughts
I'm happily surprised. As I said before, I didn't really expect much out of this book. But, holy crap.
From the little synopsis up there, you can tell its a two person perspective. I felt that you got to see inside Johnny's head more than Bryn's but that's okay. The descriptions are still really sick and very amazing. I really enjoyed seeing the way Johnny saw Bryn and how his thoughts changed as he got to know her.
The plot was good! A few twists toward the end, but it wasn't as shocking as you might think. I mean, there was some foreshadowing, a little bit of common sense, and I kind of figured what would happen. That didn't make the story any less awesome for me though. Lots of action, a little bit of romance, some humor...overall, it was really great.
That's all I have to say for now. It's two in the morning, so maybe I'll add more later.
Is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.
I mean, it's free. What have you got to lose?
June 13, 2013
I want to start out by saying that reading paranormal isn't really my thing. I've read some here and there, loved some and hated some but overall they aren't my first choice in books. However, when I was offered the chance to review a few I happened to find this one pretty intriguing!
Bryn is a keeper witch and is getting ready to turn 18 which means a lot more responsibility in her keeper witch duties. One of which (no pun intended) is to keep watch over her "charges" - souls that have unfinished business before crossing over to the other side. Charge #23 happens to be Johnny Shaw and he HATES witches - they destroyed his family after all. Wanting nothing to do with Bryn, she has her work cut out for her if she wants to help protect him from the evil witch, Una.
So, I went back and forth with this one. Right in the beginning I was sucked in with Bryn talking to an old classmate who used to bully her but was now a ghost. But then the story kind of dragged for me before picking back up again. At times I felt like I could have not finished but I don't know if that was because paranormal isn't usually my first choice or the story itself, but I'm going to go with it not being my first choice genre. I did enjoy how everything came together with the emblem and the back story between Bryn and Johnny Shaw. The character development was strong - both Bryn and Johnny emerged as great characters and I especially loved that Bryn was strong and confident in terms of her powers as a witch although she struggled with her own personal self-confidence. And I enjoyed the extra characters, especially Marianne, and their stories. The author did a great job of connecting everything together.
Would I recommend this book: If you are into Young Adult paranormal this may be the book for you!
I received an ARC for a full and honest review!
Bryn is a keeper witch and is getting ready to turn 18 which means a lot more responsibility in her keeper witch duties. One of which (no pun intended) is to keep watch over her "charges" - souls that have unfinished business before crossing over to the other side. Charge #23 happens to be Johnny Shaw and he HATES witches - they destroyed his family after all. Wanting nothing to do with Bryn, she has her work cut out for her if she wants to help protect him from the evil witch, Una.
So, I went back and forth with this one. Right in the beginning I was sucked in with Bryn talking to an old classmate who used to bully her but was now a ghost. But then the story kind of dragged for me before picking back up again. At times I felt like I could have not finished but I don't know if that was because paranormal isn't usually my first choice or the story itself, but I'm going to go with it not being my first choice genre. I did enjoy how everything came together with the emblem and the back story between Bryn and Johnny Shaw. The character development was strong - both Bryn and Johnny emerged as great characters and I especially loved that Bryn was strong and confident in terms of her powers as a witch although she struggled with her own personal self-confidence. And I enjoyed the extra characters, especially Marianne, and their stories. The author did a great job of connecting everything together.
Would I recommend this book: If you are into Young Adult paranormal this may be the book for you!
I received an ARC for a full and honest review!
June 6, 2013
So the girl on the cover reminds me of Vanessa Hudgens (loved her in the movie 'Beastly' you know with hottie Alex Pettyfer.) I was so excited to get a copy of this bookie to read because the cover is hot (you all know half naked man on it I'll read the book no matter what it is about) This book was different although it did remind me of another book I've read "Generation Dead' by Daniel Walters although there were no zombies, it just reminded me of the book. Bryn I liked her you can tell right off the bat she works hard, "though my days in school were pure hell, I was proud of myself for graduation with honors - without getting knocked up, mind you." Bryn is different and has a gift and you see her grow more confident with that gift with each problem she's put through, "being a Keeper Witch is an occupational hazard," I retorted. "But I can handle it. Hey, I got my most troublesome charge to trust me in a record breaking two days. If I did that, I can do anything." Johnny that boy was at first a pain in my a** he grew on me and became a sweetheart, "I've kissed a few girls in my lifetime, but compared to what I just experienced with you, those lacked pretty much everything." This book is so worth the read!
June 20, 2013
Keeper of the Lost Souls was a great read from the very first page I was hooked. You have Bryn just graduated from high school and just wanting to relax for the summer till she finds out that once she turns 18 that she will have to start her Keeper Witch duties. Part of her duty is to watch over souls that have unfinished business before crossing over which she gets a list of 23 charges she has to watch over. Well there is one Charge name Johnny Shaw and he can't stand witches. The reason behind that is because they destroyed his family. It seems fate brings these two together to stop the evil witch once and for all but first Johnny has to trust Bryn and work as a team with her to stop her. Can Johnny put his angry away long enough to trust Bryn and work as a team. Looks like you will have to get your own copy to find out.
February 18, 2017
This book has me torn. I cant quite pinpoint why I didn’t really like this book, yet finished it in two days. Did it have an awesome fantasy plot? Sure. Where the characters interesting? Mostly. Did I enjoy the book? I mean I didn’t hate it. Firstly the first few chapters had me very bored. I forced myself to stop procrastinating and continue reading because I hate not finishing a book or at least reading 60% of it. The action and plot tension didn’t start until much later in the book, perhaps too late. I liked the characters, but for the love of me I cant remember either of the protagonist names as I write this review, even though I only finished the book a few hours ago. This sums up exactly what Im feeling. The characters, the plot, the storyline; it just wasn’t memorable for me and I feel like I’ve read better. I pushed through the book more because I wanted to finish it rather than really enjoying it and wanting to know what happens next. Im in no regards dissing the author’s capability or storytelling but for me personally, I just couldn’t make a connection to the story and won't be continuing the series.
February 12, 2018
I like Bryn and she and Johnny were kind of sweet together once he got over his witch issues. I also liked the dual POV. It didn't wow me but i think that had more to do with my mood (im having commitment issues with books at the mo) and having read so many YA PNR of which this was a perfectly solid example.
October 20, 2019
It started off rather slow and took me longer than usual to get into the story. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking or who a particular section or paragraph was about. I had to go back and reread it to determine this or else it just didn't make sense. The storyline was a bit predictable at first, but it did improve towards the second half.
January 17, 2018
I liked it. I think descriptions were to long and the MC needs more self esteem, but she was good. I liked the mythology, is a different perspective on witches, and I'm curious to see what happens next.
June 12, 2018
Good reading.
Loved this book. Plenty of action. Good plot and very convincing characters. First time I've read anything from this author.
Loved this book. Plenty of action. Good plot and very convincing characters. First time I've read anything from this author.
July 9, 2013
“Once a Keeper Witch turns eighteen, she’s assigned her first charge, which means you’ll have a whole clutch of souls to guard and protect.”
THE SETTING AND SUMMARY: Bryn McCaskey has just graduated from High School and is about to celebrated her 18th birthday. She has hopes of enjoying a long summer before heading off to college and joining a very unique family business. You see, Bryn comes from a special breed of witches, and like her mother and grandmother before, she will become “The Keeper of the Lost Souls” on her eighteenth birthday. Her job will be to help lost souls to cross over and to guard them from danger, especially power hungry demons. But when Bryn is assigned 23 souls to guard, she never expected to meet someone like Johnny Shaw, who just happens to be from a secret bloodline, and number 23, her last and most difficult soul to work with. Young,handsome, and with a personal vendetta against witches. Not only does Bryn and Johnny have to learn to work together, but they also must join forces to stop an evil witch, and protect a powerful secret.
MY FIRST THOUGHTS: As soon as I started reading Keeper of the Lost Souls I thought the “voice” of Bryn was great, and it cracked me up when she had to deal with Marianne who just happens to be her ex-teen bully from her high school and a ghost. I also couldn’t wait to see how she was going to deal with the twenty-three souls, especially one named Johnny Shaw, who has some secret family connections himself.
CHARACTERS: I really liked Bryn’s character and felt for her as she struggled to balance a normal social life and school with her power as a witch and the supernatural world. She’s somewhat of an outsider (it doesn’t help that she talks to ghosts) and not too good at dealing with people. I liked how she tried to help others even when they weren’t the kindest to her.
Johnny Shaw is really a bit difficult at first. He’s angry and frustrated that he is the last member of the Shaw family line, and is determined to protect a deadly secret, and it doesn’t matter whether he is alive or dead. I thought the banter between Johnny and Bryn was also great, and sympathized with him as he tried to overcome his distrust of Bryn.
As secondary characters goes, I have to admit that I actually had a soft spot for Marianne even though she was such a pesky ghost, and often annoying, she was an endearing one to me. It was also nice to see the family involvement of her mom and grandmother in Bryns life. I especially got a kick out of her feisty grandma.
RECOMMENDATION: I thought The Keeper of the Lost Souls was a great read and would recommend it to those who are looking for a YA book that has a touch of magic, mystery and romance in it.
My Rating: 4 Stars. I really liked it!
Please Note: I received a copy of the book from the author for a full and honest review!
THE SETTING AND SUMMARY: Bryn McCaskey has just graduated from High School and is about to celebrated her 18th birthday. She has hopes of enjoying a long summer before heading off to college and joining a very unique family business. You see, Bryn comes from a special breed of witches, and like her mother and grandmother before, she will become “The Keeper of the Lost Souls” on her eighteenth birthday. Her job will be to help lost souls to cross over and to guard them from danger, especially power hungry demons. But when Bryn is assigned 23 souls to guard, she never expected to meet someone like Johnny Shaw, who just happens to be from a secret bloodline, and number 23, her last and most difficult soul to work with. Young,handsome, and with a personal vendetta against witches. Not only does Bryn and Johnny have to learn to work together, but they also must join forces to stop an evil witch, and protect a powerful secret.
MY FIRST THOUGHTS: As soon as I started reading Keeper of the Lost Souls I thought the “voice” of Bryn was great, and it cracked me up when she had to deal with Marianne who just happens to be her ex-teen bully from her high school and a ghost. I also couldn’t wait to see how she was going to deal with the twenty-three souls, especially one named Johnny Shaw, who has some secret family connections himself.
CHARACTERS: I really liked Bryn’s character and felt for her as she struggled to balance a normal social life and school with her power as a witch and the supernatural world. She’s somewhat of an outsider (it doesn’t help that she talks to ghosts) and not too good at dealing with people. I liked how she tried to help others even when they weren’t the kindest to her.
Johnny Shaw is really a bit difficult at first. He’s angry and frustrated that he is the last member of the Shaw family line, and is determined to protect a deadly secret, and it doesn’t matter whether he is alive or dead. I thought the banter between Johnny and Bryn was also great, and sympathized with him as he tried to overcome his distrust of Bryn.
As secondary characters goes, I have to admit that I actually had a soft spot for Marianne even though she was such a pesky ghost, and often annoying, she was an endearing one to me. It was also nice to see the family involvement of her mom and grandmother in Bryns life. I especially got a kick out of her feisty grandma.
RECOMMENDATION: I thought The Keeper of the Lost Souls was a great read and would recommend it to those who are looking for a YA book that has a touch of magic, mystery and romance in it.
My Rating: 4 Stars. I really liked it!
Please Note: I received a copy of the book from the author for a full and honest review!
January 21, 2015
Rating: 3.5 stars
The novel is told from the point of view of two characters: 18-year-old Keeper Witch Bryn McCaskey and her too-cute and somewhat intense charge, Johnny Shaw. Bryn has several charges to oversee, but no one gives her trouble like Johnny Shaw, Charge #23, who not only hates witches, but who has powers she’s never seen before—powers that knock her on her butt when they first meet. Bryn is determined to earn Johnny’s trust and help him, whether he wants it or not. And when she saves him from torture by the evil witch Una, she begins to do exactly that.
Overall, I found the idea of the Keeper Witches intriguing, and this novel was a fairly good introduction to the universe Centeno created. I might have wanted a little less telling (there was a lot of interior monologue from each point of view) and a little more showing for a richer immersion into the Keeper Witch culture, but this didn’t keep the plot from moving forward, which was the problem with a few of my DNFs from the YA/NA genre this year.
Perhaps it’s because I haven’t fully immersed myself in YA/NA reads just yet, and perhaps it was Centeno’s intention all along, but I really felt the youth of Johnny’s and Bryn’s characters, the latter’s especially. Of course, this might be because Bryn’s social skills are a bit on the poor side because she was bullied throughout high school and because we pretty much meet her on the day she learns what her job as a Keeper Witch will entail. I’m hoping Centeno will revisit this couple sometime soon, although I’ve read the blurb for the second book in the series (Keeper of the Innocents), and it follows a different Keeper Witch, one who seems to be a little bit better indoctrinated in her witchy responsibilities than Bryn is. I think people will identify with Bryn because she’s at a point where she can let go of her past and grasp her future with both hands, and I think they’ll admire her for picking the high road even when it might be easier and more emotionally satisfying to be less than honorable.
I did enjoy this book—perhaps not so much that I would reread this, but certainly enough that I will probably pick up more books in the series. I think I would like to see how a more experienced Keeper Witch deals with the problems of looking after her charges while maintaining a normal life (this book takes place the summer after Bryn graduates from high school, and she doesn’t have a job and hasn’t started college yet, so she’s pretty much free to pursue her responsibilities full-time).
(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which was originally posted on WillReadForFeels.com)
The novel is told from the point of view of two characters: 18-year-old Keeper Witch Bryn McCaskey and her too-cute and somewhat intense charge, Johnny Shaw. Bryn has several charges to oversee, but no one gives her trouble like Johnny Shaw, Charge #23, who not only hates witches, but who has powers she’s never seen before—powers that knock her on her butt when they first meet. Bryn is determined to earn Johnny’s trust and help him, whether he wants it or not. And when she saves him from torture by the evil witch Una, she begins to do exactly that.
Overall, I found the idea of the Keeper Witches intriguing, and this novel was a fairly good introduction to the universe Centeno created. I might have wanted a little less telling (there was a lot of interior monologue from each point of view) and a little more showing for a richer immersion into the Keeper Witch culture, but this didn’t keep the plot from moving forward, which was the problem with a few of my DNFs from the YA/NA genre this year.
Perhaps it’s because I haven’t fully immersed myself in YA/NA reads just yet, and perhaps it was Centeno’s intention all along, but I really felt the youth of Johnny’s and Bryn’s characters, the latter’s especially. Of course, this might be because Bryn’s social skills are a bit on the poor side because she was bullied throughout high school and because we pretty much meet her on the day she learns what her job as a Keeper Witch will entail. I’m hoping Centeno will revisit this couple sometime soon, although I’ve read the blurb for the second book in the series (Keeper of the Innocents), and it follows a different Keeper Witch, one who seems to be a little bit better indoctrinated in her witchy responsibilities than Bryn is. I think people will identify with Bryn because she’s at a point where she can let go of her past and grasp her future with both hands, and I think they’ll admire her for picking the high road even when it might be easier and more emotionally satisfying to be less than honorable.
I did enjoy this book—perhaps not so much that I would reread this, but certainly enough that I will probably pick up more books in the series. I think I would like to see how a more experienced Keeper Witch deals with the problems of looking after her charges while maintaining a normal life (this book takes place the summer after Bryn graduates from high school, and she doesn’t have a job and hasn’t started college yet, so she’s pretty much free to pursue her responsibilities full-time).
(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which was originally posted on WillReadForFeels.com)
November 26, 2015
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Keeper of the Lost Souls follows the story of Bryn and Johnny. Bryn has always know that she was different. She's shy and doesn't have any friends. To make matters worse, she can see and speak with ghosts and other spirits. Coming from a long line of witches called The Keepers of the Lost Souls., Bryn faces more responsibility than the average teenager. Keeper Witches are tasked with guarding souls that are trapped in the world of the living. Their job is to keep them safe and protect them from demons who wanted nothing more than to consume them to gain more power. Luckily for Bryn, handling demons and supernatural creatures, comes very easy to her........
It's on her 18th birthday, that Bryn is tasked to fulfill her destiny as a keeper witch and is assigned her own charges to look after. For the most part her charges are very easy to deal with, that is until she encounters her last charge, charge #23, Johnny Shaw.......
Johnny Shaw is no ordinary lost soul. He has special powers of his own. But to say that he doesn't like witches, is a total understatement. He will soon find that in order to overcome a serious threat, he will have to team up with an unlikely ally. Not only will Johnny be forced to work alongside Bryn, he will soon find out that Bryn is unlike any girl he has ever met before. Will Johnny be able to get past his hatred of witches and stop evil from winning? Will Bryn be able to fulfill her job and protect Johnny?
I thought Keeper of the Lost Souls was a great idea and wonderful start to this series. For me, it was a little slow in the beginning, but once I got into it, I found it be really enjoyable. A big plus for me, was that it was told from dual pov's. I feel that dual pov's add so much to a story.
I enjoyed the romance between Johnny and Bryn, but would have liked to have seen it develop a little more. Still, there were some cute, swoon worthy moments. I loved the closeness of Bryn and her family. My only issue was that I would have liked to have spent a little more time with them. I thought that Byrn's enemy, Marianne was a good asset to the story. She did annoy me at times, but in the end, she proved to be a great friend and ally as a ghost.
Keeper of the Lost Souls is a unique story with fun paranormal aspects. I haven't read a lot of paranormals that deal with witches, so this was an exciting read for me. I found the Chinese Folklore to be very interesting as well. This book had action, sweet romance and some great surprises along the way. Overall, I found this to be a unique YA read and am looking forward to seeing where this series will take us next!
*An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review*
You can also see my review here at: http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
Keeper of the Lost Souls follows the story of Bryn and Johnny. Bryn has always know that she was different. She's shy and doesn't have any friends. To make matters worse, she can see and speak with ghosts and other spirits. Coming from a long line of witches called The Keepers of the Lost Souls., Bryn faces more responsibility than the average teenager. Keeper Witches are tasked with guarding souls that are trapped in the world of the living. Their job is to keep them safe and protect them from demons who wanted nothing more than to consume them to gain more power. Luckily for Bryn, handling demons and supernatural creatures, comes very easy to her........
It's on her 18th birthday, that Bryn is tasked to fulfill her destiny as a keeper witch and is assigned her own charges to look after. For the most part her charges are very easy to deal with, that is until she encounters her last charge, charge #23, Johnny Shaw.......
Johnny Shaw is no ordinary lost soul. He has special powers of his own. But to say that he doesn't like witches, is a total understatement. He will soon find that in order to overcome a serious threat, he will have to team up with an unlikely ally. Not only will Johnny be forced to work alongside Bryn, he will soon find out that Bryn is unlike any girl he has ever met before. Will Johnny be able to get past his hatred of witches and stop evil from winning? Will Bryn be able to fulfill her job and protect Johnny?
I thought Keeper of the Lost Souls was a great idea and wonderful start to this series. For me, it was a little slow in the beginning, but once I got into it, I found it be really enjoyable. A big plus for me, was that it was told from dual pov's. I feel that dual pov's add so much to a story.
I enjoyed the romance between Johnny and Bryn, but would have liked to have seen it develop a little more. Still, there were some cute, swoon worthy moments. I loved the closeness of Bryn and her family. My only issue was that I would have liked to have spent a little more time with them. I thought that Byrn's enemy, Marianne was a good asset to the story. She did annoy me at times, but in the end, she proved to be a great friend and ally as a ghost.
Keeper of the Lost Souls is a unique story with fun paranormal aspects. I haven't read a lot of paranormals that deal with witches, so this was an exciting read for me. I found the Chinese Folklore to be very interesting as well. This book had action, sweet romance and some great surprises along the way. Overall, I found this to be a unique YA read and am looking forward to seeing where this series will take us next!
*An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review*
You can also see my review here at: http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
August 9, 2014
This book is easily one of my favorite paranormal books, and I have read a lot of paranormal books in my time. Kristy Centeno built a very intriguing world of witches and demons, and I enjoyed every aspect of her world. The book was packed with action, humor, suspense, and (much to my pleasure) romance. I also really enjoyed the dual point of views between Bryn and Johnny. That does not happen a lot in books, so it was definitely a pleasant surprise!
The main character, Bryn, was one awesome witch. She was super sweet and humble, but she was a seriously powerful witch that could send demons cowering. Bryn was a fire-wielding witch, which made her even more powerful than most witches.
"Not every witch out there can manipulate fire, much less summon it without there being a source nearby."
I loved Bryn so much. She was never annoying or immature, which seems common for main characters in YA books. Bryn was the perfect main character, and I think any person that read the book would agree with me.
Now, it's time to talk about Johnny. To put it simply, Johnny was living a complicated life. He was dead, had no other family members alive, and had to keep a secret family item safe. On top of all of that, he had to work with Bryn (even though he hates witches). However, Johnny learns to open up to Bryn and trust her. Their relationship was just so adorable.
"You're special. You're the kind of girl any guy would love to have by their side. You're pretty, smart, and multitalented. What more can a guy ask more?"
I would get butterflies in my stomach and squeal like a little girl while reading some of their scenes. Bryn and Johnny were perfect together, and I hope to see more of them in the future.
"Her fingers toyed with my short locks as out kiss intensified. The world around us was insignificant. The only thing that mattered was us. Although I'd kiss many girls before Bryn, this was the first time the action held such a high degree of importance to me. I wasn't just devouring a girl's lips and making the best of it -no- I was pouring my entire heart and soul into the most unforgettable kiss of my life, and perhaps hers, too."
The plot was interesting and definitely kept me hooked. I predicted part of the ending, but that did not take away from the story at all. I would recommend this book to everyone; it really was a great read. I cannot wait to read the sequel. This is definitely a book every YA Paranormal fan needs to get their hands on.
5/5 fangs
MrsDaemon
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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The main character, Bryn, was one awesome witch. She was super sweet and humble, but she was a seriously powerful witch that could send demons cowering. Bryn was a fire-wielding witch, which made her even more powerful than most witches.
"Not every witch out there can manipulate fire, much less summon it without there being a source nearby."
I loved Bryn so much. She was never annoying or immature, which seems common for main characters in YA books. Bryn was the perfect main character, and I think any person that read the book would agree with me.
Now, it's time to talk about Johnny. To put it simply, Johnny was living a complicated life. He was dead, had no other family members alive, and had to keep a secret family item safe. On top of all of that, he had to work with Bryn (even though he hates witches). However, Johnny learns to open up to Bryn and trust her. Their relationship was just so adorable.
"You're special. You're the kind of girl any guy would love to have by their side. You're pretty, smart, and multitalented. What more can a guy ask more?"
I would get butterflies in my stomach and squeal like a little girl while reading some of their scenes. Bryn and Johnny were perfect together, and I hope to see more of them in the future.
"Her fingers toyed with my short locks as out kiss intensified. The world around us was insignificant. The only thing that mattered was us. Although I'd kiss many girls before Bryn, this was the first time the action held such a high degree of importance to me. I wasn't just devouring a girl's lips and making the best of it -no- I was pouring my entire heart and soul into the most unforgettable kiss of my life, and perhaps hers, too."
The plot was interesting and definitely kept me hooked. I predicted part of the ending, but that did not take away from the story at all. I would recommend this book to everyone; it really was a great read. I cannot wait to read the sequel. This is definitely a book every YA Paranormal fan needs to get their hands on.
5/5 fangs
MrsDaemon
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
July 10, 2013
**3.5 Stars**
Bryn McCaskey is a new high school graduate. She's also a Keeper Witch. As such, she has certain abilities and responsibilities. She's always been able to see and talk to ghosts. But now that she's 18, she gains the true responsibilities of a Keeper Witch. That of keeping watch over lost souls, those who are in danger of demon attacks, before they finally cross over. One of her charges proves to be quite a challenge.
Johnny Shaw is a newly deceased young man whose spirit hasn't yet moved on. He doesn't understand why but it seems fortuitous as he's the sole protector is his family's secret...one that protects mankind from evil. He isn't at all pleased that Bryn has shown up. He doesn't care what she thinks her duties toward him are. All he needs to know is she's a witch and therefore, he wants nothing to do with her.
I enjoyed watching these two characters butt heads as they figure out how to work together. Bryn is very determined to fulfill her duties where Johnny is concerned. Johnny is determined to maintain his life-long hatred of witches no matter how good they may seem or how cute he thinks this one in particular is. But to prevent his family secret from falling into the wrong hands, Johnny needs to figure out a way to let go of his hatred.
Bryn doesn't have a lot of confidence. She's more sure of herself when it comes to her 'special' abilities, but socially, she has almost no self confidence. Bryn also has endured a great deal of bullying due to her 'differences'. (Kids aren't so accepting of someone who talks to things no one else can see.) So watching as Johnny breaks through Bryn's defenses and helps to build her self-esteem is satisfying. As is watching Bryn destroy the preconceived notions and prejudices Johnny has cultivated his entire life. It was heartwarming to see how forgiving Bryn is of everyone, even coming to the aid of people who tormented her during her childhood. This went a long way in swaying Johnny's opinion of her.
The supporting cast of characters is well fleshed out, especially Marianne. She's a ghost of a girl who was one of the worst bullies Bryn met. As she spends time with Bryn before moving on, she learns what a true friend is. I also like that she seems to be offering a lesson on bullying and making better choices, particularly when it comes to choices in friends.
Keeper of the Lost Souls is a unique story, especially as it incorporates elements of Chinese folklore. The writing is simplistic - definitely Young Adult. But I really like the story and the lessons it teaches. It is a pleasant read and I definitely recommend it for YA Paranormal fans.
Bryn McCaskey is a new high school graduate. She's also a Keeper Witch. As such, she has certain abilities and responsibilities. She's always been able to see and talk to ghosts. But now that she's 18, she gains the true responsibilities of a Keeper Witch. That of keeping watch over lost souls, those who are in danger of demon attacks, before they finally cross over. One of her charges proves to be quite a challenge.
Johnny Shaw is a newly deceased young man whose spirit hasn't yet moved on. He doesn't understand why but it seems fortuitous as he's the sole protector is his family's secret...one that protects mankind from evil. He isn't at all pleased that Bryn has shown up. He doesn't care what she thinks her duties toward him are. All he needs to know is she's a witch and therefore, he wants nothing to do with her.
I enjoyed watching these two characters butt heads as they figure out how to work together. Bryn is very determined to fulfill her duties where Johnny is concerned. Johnny is determined to maintain his life-long hatred of witches no matter how good they may seem or how cute he thinks this one in particular is. But to prevent his family secret from falling into the wrong hands, Johnny needs to figure out a way to let go of his hatred.
Bryn doesn't have a lot of confidence. She's more sure of herself when it comes to her 'special' abilities, but socially, she has almost no self confidence. Bryn also has endured a great deal of bullying due to her 'differences'. (Kids aren't so accepting of someone who talks to things no one else can see.) So watching as Johnny breaks through Bryn's defenses and helps to build her self-esteem is satisfying. As is watching Bryn destroy the preconceived notions and prejudices Johnny has cultivated his entire life. It was heartwarming to see how forgiving Bryn is of everyone, even coming to the aid of people who tormented her during her childhood. This went a long way in swaying Johnny's opinion of her.
The supporting cast of characters is well fleshed out, especially Marianne. She's a ghost of a girl who was one of the worst bullies Bryn met. As she spends time with Bryn before moving on, she learns what a true friend is. I also like that she seems to be offering a lesson on bullying and making better choices, particularly when it comes to choices in friends.
Keeper of the Lost Souls is a unique story, especially as it incorporates elements of Chinese folklore. The writing is simplistic - definitely Young Adult. But I really like the story and the lessons it teaches. It is a pleasant read and I definitely recommend it for YA Paranormal fans.
July 13, 2013
I love stories about witches so I jumped at the chance to read Keeper of the Lost Souls. Author Kristy Centeno has created an entertaining paranormal tale that features an honest heroine, Bryn McCaskey, and an intriguing paranormal world. Bryn is a witch hailing from the line of The Keepers of The Lost Souls and as she faces her impending eighteenth birthday, she will become an actual Keeper and have souls to watch over. It was refreshing to see a lead character have such a close relationship with her mother and grandmother. Her family involvement was very important to the story as her relatives help her as she transitions into her new role.
The opening scene grabbed me. At first I thought Bryn would be a typical angst-filled girl complaining about her loner status until we meet Marianne, the ghost of Bryn's high school bully. Interested in the story now? Yep, I checked that box off quickly. Bryn was an interesting character, sarcastic, funny, innocent and honest. I liked her and enjoyed going on her journey as she graduates high school and faces her first job as Keeper of twenty three souls. As someone unaccustomed to dealing with social situations, seeing her interact with the souls she watches kept me glued to the pages. Of course, there's always one hard-nosed, stubborn ghost to contend with and Johnny Shaw is such a problem. He is hard to like at first, like Marianne, but over time both characters wormed their ways into my liking them. Johnny had to learn how to trust a witch, the very type of being he'd learn to detest when he was alive, so this conflict appealed greatly to me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of the witches and their Keeper responsibilities. The pacing was steady, the characters grew, and there was enough action and twists to keep me invested in Bryn's situations. I did begin to wonder about the other types of witches in this world and if this becomes a series, if they will be explored. The world building could have been expanded upon to fully enrich my reading experience. As a stand-alone I really liked Keeper of the Lost Souls and thought the paranormal aspects were well created and written. The concept has not been overdone and I always welcome the opportunity to read more stories about witches. Recommended.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
The opening scene grabbed me. At first I thought Bryn would be a typical angst-filled girl complaining about her loner status until we meet Marianne, the ghost of Bryn's high school bully. Interested in the story now? Yep, I checked that box off quickly. Bryn was an interesting character, sarcastic, funny, innocent and honest. I liked her and enjoyed going on her journey as she graduates high school and faces her first job as Keeper of twenty three souls. As someone unaccustomed to dealing with social situations, seeing her interact with the souls she watches kept me glued to the pages. Of course, there's always one hard-nosed, stubborn ghost to contend with and Johnny Shaw is such a problem. He is hard to like at first, like Marianne, but over time both characters wormed their ways into my liking them. Johnny had to learn how to trust a witch, the very type of being he'd learn to detest when he was alive, so this conflict appealed greatly to me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of the witches and their Keeper responsibilities. The pacing was steady, the characters grew, and there was enough action and twists to keep me invested in Bryn's situations. I did begin to wonder about the other types of witches in this world and if this becomes a series, if they will be explored. The world building could have been expanded upon to fully enrich my reading experience. As a stand-alone I really liked Keeper of the Lost Souls and thought the paranormal aspects were well created and written. The concept has not been overdone and I always welcome the opportunity to read more stories about witches. Recommended.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
June 6, 2020
**3.5 Stars**
I highly recommend reading the novella Crossed before starting Keeper of Lost Souls. It is the perfect introduction into Bryn and her life (and how she got a ghost roommate)- as well as how awesome and formidable she is. Yes, you can read this with out Crossed since this story started a new mission for Bryn, but don't miss out on the chance to see Bryn in action.
This was told in dual narration,alternating at chapters. We have Bryn, the brand new Keeper witch who is trying her best to deal with her real life insecurities as well as her supernatural duties of protecting souls. And then there is Johnny, one of Bryn's charges who is a protector in his own right but just so happens to be dead, but his mission is just as important. It was fun watching them butt heads, both strong personalities and set in their ways, it was fun watching them come together to fight against a bigger evil than could have been predicted.
The world building the author created was really cool, completely unique to any other supernatural series I have encountered before. There are different kinds of witches, all with their own skills and powers, tasked with missions to either battle or protect. And then there are Keeper witches who are basically guardians for souls who have not moved on, and they need to be able to spiritually guide the soul as well as be a fighter to protect the soul. There were all kinds of demons in the book too, enemies that the witches needed to stop. The story had so much action and battles that really helped to keep the plot moving forward as well as fill the story with excitement.
Overall this was an interesting story that I think is perfect for people who like witches, action, all kinds of supernatural and romance. I feel like there will be more books to come because Brynn is just starting her Keeper life so be ready for more!
I highly recommend reading the novella Crossed before starting Keeper of Lost Souls. It is the perfect introduction into Bryn and her life (and how she got a ghost roommate)- as well as how awesome and formidable she is. Yes, you can read this with out Crossed since this story started a new mission for Bryn, but don't miss out on the chance to see Bryn in action.
This was told in dual narration,alternating at chapters. We have Bryn, the brand new Keeper witch who is trying her best to deal with her real life insecurities as well as her supernatural duties of protecting souls. And then there is Johnny, one of Bryn's charges who is a protector in his own right but just so happens to be dead, but his mission is just as important. It was fun watching them butt heads, both strong personalities and set in their ways, it was fun watching them come together to fight against a bigger evil than could have been predicted.
The world building the author created was really cool, completely unique to any other supernatural series I have encountered before. There are different kinds of witches, all with their own skills and powers, tasked with missions to either battle or protect. And then there are Keeper witches who are basically guardians for souls who have not moved on, and they need to be able to spiritually guide the soul as well as be a fighter to protect the soul. There were all kinds of demons in the book too, enemies that the witches needed to stop. The story had so much action and battles that really helped to keep the plot moving forward as well as fill the story with excitement.
Overall this was an interesting story that I think is perfect for people who like witches, action, all kinds of supernatural and romance. I feel like there will be more books to come because Brynn is just starting her Keeper life so be ready for more!
April 9, 2016
Originally posted on the blog: What the Cat Read
I generally do not read YA, that as you know is Sara’s area of expertise, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s an enjoyable read and fans of YA will definitely like it.
Bryn is an interesting character in that she has a great many personal insecurities about herself and her magic, but the minute she needs to get to work she’s all business. It almost seemed like she became an entirely different person when she had to protect her charges. I’m not sure how much of that was instinctual, but I rather liked the no-nonsense side of her during these moments. But I also could relate to her own insecurities and that made her an easy character to connect with. Johnny on the other paw initially drove me crazy. His immediate dislike of Bryn and general haughty attitude ruffled my fur, but I eventually warmed up to him as the story progressed, and at the end liked him a lot. The relationship between both characters is slow to develop and rather sweet once established. The secondary characters are also a lot of fun, but I did want to claw at Marianne a number of times throughout the reading. She’s another character that took me a while to warm up too.
As far as the writing goes, it’s a fast read, though there were times where it felt like the story was dragging. I think most of this was a result of my own mind wandering rather than the book itself. The plot and character development were solid, and I liked that the story was told from both Bryn and Johnny’s points of view.
Overall, this is a promising start to what looks like a good series. I’ll definitely be looking into this author more in the future.
I generally do not read YA, that as you know is Sara’s area of expertise, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s an enjoyable read and fans of YA will definitely like it.
Bryn is an interesting character in that she has a great many personal insecurities about herself and her magic, but the minute she needs to get to work she’s all business. It almost seemed like she became an entirely different person when she had to protect her charges. I’m not sure how much of that was instinctual, but I rather liked the no-nonsense side of her during these moments. But I also could relate to her own insecurities and that made her an easy character to connect with. Johnny on the other paw initially drove me crazy. His immediate dislike of Bryn and general haughty attitude ruffled my fur, but I eventually warmed up to him as the story progressed, and at the end liked him a lot. The relationship between both characters is slow to develop and rather sweet once established. The secondary characters are also a lot of fun, but I did want to claw at Marianne a number of times throughout the reading. She’s another character that took me a while to warm up too.
As far as the writing goes, it’s a fast read, though there were times where it felt like the story was dragging. I think most of this was a result of my own mind wandering rather than the book itself. The plot and character development were solid, and I liked that the story was told from both Bryn and Johnny’s points of view.
Overall, this is a promising start to what looks like a good series. I’ll definitely be looking into this author more in the future.
October 22, 2015
Keeper of the Lost Souls tells the story of a young witch that saves souls. When a person dies and they were good while being alive, their souls roam the Earth because they still feel like they can't leave without fixing a few things. That's where Bryn comes in. Bryn helps these souls find peace so they can move on.
Bryn had been bullied ever since she was found talking to herself and having full conversations with herself. What the humans couldn't see was that Bryn was actually talking to souls, trying to guide them to find peace. One night, Marianne, one of Bryn's bullies dies and her soul finds Bryn. Bryn doesn't have a choice but to help Marianne move on. Asides from taking care of Marianne, Bryn gets a list of 23 charges—souls that need help—and one of her charges is Johnny Shaw, a very stubborn teenager that doesn't want help from a witch because a witch destroyed his family.
I found this story to be so unique. I had never come across a story like Keeper of the Lost Souls. I enjoyed reading it because it shows a side of witches I hadn't read about before. I liked the characters, they were very well portrayed. I loved the relationship between Johnny and Bryn—they really work so well together.
Another thing I loved was that this series doesn't have a cliff-hanger. While it is a series that is set in the same world, the characters and stories change. All of the characters will meet in one of the books to fight a greater evil. In the meantime, each character gets their own story, which I find amazing and strange for a paranormal story but I will not complain because I love this arrangement.
Bryn had been bullied ever since she was found talking to herself and having full conversations with herself. What the humans couldn't see was that Bryn was actually talking to souls, trying to guide them to find peace. One night, Marianne, one of Bryn's bullies dies and her soul finds Bryn. Bryn doesn't have a choice but to help Marianne move on. Asides from taking care of Marianne, Bryn gets a list of 23 charges—souls that need help—and one of her charges is Johnny Shaw, a very stubborn teenager that doesn't want help from a witch because a witch destroyed his family.
I found this story to be so unique. I had never come across a story like Keeper of the Lost Souls. I enjoyed reading it because it shows a side of witches I hadn't read about before. I liked the characters, they were very well portrayed. I loved the relationship between Johnny and Bryn—they really work so well together.
Another thing I loved was that this series doesn't have a cliff-hanger. While it is a series that is set in the same world, the characters and stories change. All of the characters will meet in one of the books to fight a greater evil. In the meantime, each character gets their own story, which I find amazing and strange for a paranormal story but I will not complain because I love this arrangement.
June 6, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Keeper of Lost Souls
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Magic, demons, romance
Publication Date: May 14, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 323
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn has survived high school bullies.
She’s fought demons and won.
She’s even learned to coexist with the permanent haunt of one of her arch enemies.
But she’s never had to contend with a boy she was attracted too.
Much less one that was dead.
When Johnny Zhao’s name pops up in her list of charges Bryn doesn’t think much of him. Until their first meeting ends in near disaster.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize Johnny isn’t a conventional soul in need. He’s much more powerful than any she’s seen before. He’s a coveted target, one that has much to offer demons.
Protecting him becomes a priority, one she takes very seriously.
Now if only she could convince him that he needs her help before his adversaries return to claim what they failed to collect the first time around.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The plot was interesting and the character development was well done. I liked the twists and turns of this book as well.
However I think the pacing is a bit too slow for me and the world building needs to be incorporated a bit more into the story.
Verdict: A fairly well done read.
Book: Keeper of Lost Souls
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Magic, demons, romance
Publication Date: May 14, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 323
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn has survived high school bullies.
She’s fought demons and won.
She’s even learned to coexist with the permanent haunt of one of her arch enemies.
But she’s never had to contend with a boy she was attracted too.
Much less one that was dead.
When Johnny Zhao’s name pops up in her list of charges Bryn doesn’t think much of him. Until their first meeting ends in near disaster.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize Johnny isn’t a conventional soul in need. He’s much more powerful than any she’s seen before. He’s a coveted target, one that has much to offer demons.
Protecting him becomes a priority, one she takes very seriously.
Now if only she could convince him that he needs her help before his adversaries return to claim what they failed to collect the first time around.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The plot was interesting and the character development was well done. I liked the twists and turns of this book as well.
However I think the pacing is a bit too slow for me and the world building needs to be incorporated a bit more into the story.
Verdict: A fairly well done read.
June 6, 2020
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Ok where to start.....I enjoyed this book and it has everything you need for a great paranormal read. It has magic, mystery, demons and a dollop of romance.
Bryn has just graduated high school and is rather glad. She didn't have the best time at school and is relieved to be done with the people there. Bryn is a sweet young girl. She is naive but she is also one of the kindest people in the world. She is also very modest. She is pretty but doesn't view herself as such. Bryn as a keeperwitch has 23 charges. The 23rd charge is Johnny Shaw.
Johnny Shaw is smoking hot but absolutely fuming that awitch would dare to enter his property. He despises witches and thinks that they are all evil. Bryn of course does not give up that easily but I will leave you to read the book to find out what happens....
This book had a great selection of characters and my favourite was Marianne. Although at times she was a spoiled brat she was also rather funny.
This book is a great start to the Keeper Witches series and I look forward to reading Keeper of the Innocents.
Bryn has just graduated high school and is rather glad. She didn't have the best time at school and is relieved to be done with the people there. Bryn is a sweet young girl. She is naive but she is also one of the kindest people in the world. She is also very modest. She is pretty but doesn't view herself as such. Bryn as a keeperwitch has 23 charges. The 23rd charge is Johnny Shaw.
Johnny Shaw is smoking hot but absolutely fuming that awitch would dare to enter his property. He despises witches and thinks that they are all evil. Bryn of course does not give up that easily but I will leave you to read the book to find out what happens....
This book had a great selection of characters and my favourite was Marianne. Although at times she was a spoiled brat she was also rather funny.
This book is a great start to the Keeper Witches series and I look forward to reading Keeper of the Innocents.
August 16, 2013
(3.5 stars)
"Keeper of the Lost Souls " is an interesting tale about Bryn McCaskey who is just graduating from high school. Brynn's has a unique ability that had made her an outcast among her peers and the victim of countless bullying. She is a witch with elemental abilities and most importantly speaks to the dead. Most of the students thinks she id talking to herself.
One of Bryn's former tormentors, Marianne died six months previously and now hangs out at Bryn's since she is the only person who can see her. When Bryn turns eighteen she is given twenty three souls to oversee and protect but the twenty third, Johnny Shaw, hates witches and fights her at every turn.
Soon both Bryn and Johnny will be in a battle of their lives for their lives. If they are to survive it will be necessary for them to learn to trust each other and work together.
I enjoyed the story but at times felt the dialogue between Bryn and Johnny was rather chessy. Also, a little more humor would have this a more memorable read. At this point
I sm unclear as to whether or not I will continue on with this series. Read it for yourself and decide.
"Keeper of the Lost Souls " is an interesting tale about Bryn McCaskey who is just graduating from high school. Brynn's has a unique ability that had made her an outcast among her peers and the victim of countless bullying. She is a witch with elemental abilities and most importantly speaks to the dead. Most of the students thinks she id talking to herself.
One of Bryn's former tormentors, Marianne died six months previously and now hangs out at Bryn's since she is the only person who can see her. When Bryn turns eighteen she is given twenty three souls to oversee and protect but the twenty third, Johnny Shaw, hates witches and fights her at every turn.
Soon both Bryn and Johnny will be in a battle of their lives for their lives. If they are to survive it will be necessary for them to learn to trust each other and work together.
I enjoyed the story but at times felt the dialogue between Bryn and Johnny was rather chessy. Also, a little more humor would have this a more memorable read. At this point
I sm unclear as to whether or not I will continue on with this series. Read it for yourself and decide.
October 29, 2014
4 fangs
Reviewer for paranormal romance and authors that rock.
Bryn Maclaskey wasn't like others her age, she was a witch, who could see and talk to ghosts.
She couldn't wait to graduate high school, to get away from the daily bullying.
On her eighteenth birthday, she would be in charge of twenty three souls. Some, she had to even tell them they were no longer living. She also had Marianne a dead girl, who used to pick on her in school before the accident that killed her, living in her bedroom.
When she visited number twenty three, she met Johnny Shaw, he wasn't like the other ghosts, she had encountered. She had to rescue him from dark forces, but he attacked her also. Dark forces were still after them.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. The characters are well written and will keep you hooked from the start to finish. You will laugh and yell at the book as it twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next book.
Reviewer for paranormal romance and authors that rock.
Bryn Maclaskey wasn't like others her age, she was a witch, who could see and talk to ghosts.
She couldn't wait to graduate high school, to get away from the daily bullying.
On her eighteenth birthday, she would be in charge of twenty three souls. Some, she had to even tell them they were no longer living. She also had Marianne a dead girl, who used to pick on her in school before the accident that killed her, living in her bedroom.
When she visited number twenty three, she met Johnny Shaw, he wasn't like the other ghosts, she had encountered. She had to rescue him from dark forces, but he attacked her also. Dark forces were still after them.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. The characters are well written and will keep you hooked from the start to finish. You will laugh and yell at the book as it twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next book.
September 11, 2013
FIND MY REVIEW HERE:: http://bookwormbridgette.blogspot.com...
Byrn, the main character is a keeper witch, meaning that
she is a witch that is in charge of helping sould cross over
after they have died. I like how they go into a
differentiation of keeper witches and regular witches. The
romance in this book was sweet and I kept fining myself
daydreaming while I was not reading the book. Since Bryn
hasn't even ever had a boyfriend let alone a romance, this
was a really cute story. This book was definitely different
than other books I have read and the new view point on
ghosts and witches is a breath of fresh air for me. I would
recommend this book to anyone that likes YA Paranormal
stories and I look forward to fitting Book Two into my
reading list!!
Byrn, the main character is a keeper witch, meaning that
she is a witch that is in charge of helping sould cross over
after they have died. I like how they go into a
differentiation of keeper witches and regular witches. The
romance in this book was sweet and I kept fining myself
daydreaming while I was not reading the book. Since Bryn
hasn't even ever had a boyfriend let alone a romance, this
was a really cute story. This book was definitely different
than other books I have read and the new view point on
ghosts and witches is a breath of fresh air for me. I would
recommend this book to anyone that likes YA Paranormal
stories and I look forward to fitting Book Two into my
reading list!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews