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Shine: The Knowing Ones
We walk among you. Wherever your lives take you within this world, we are there, and we are many. We are not superior, we simply know more... far more... and none of you are safe.
Sam has always had the gift of reading auras and seeing future events. But since beginning college, her gifts are strengthening - becoming more foreboding. Dark visions she can't explain haunt her daily. She senses danger but doesn't know why. Meeting gorgeous Olympic swimming star Trin Kosolov, who shares her extra sensory abilities, only seems to intensify the imminent peril.
Sam soon discovers she was born with an identity she never knew she had and finds herself fighting for her life as she and Trin struggle to save humanity from an evil that could ultimately destroy them all.
Sam has always had the gift of reading auras and seeing future events. But since beginning college, her gifts are strengthening - becoming more foreboding. Dark visions she can't explain haunt her daily. She senses danger but doesn't know why. Meeting gorgeous Olympic swimming star Trin Kosolov, who shares her extra sensory abilities, only seems to intensify the imminent peril.
Sam soon discovers she was born with an identity she never knew she had and finds herself fighting for her life as she and Trin struggle to save humanity from an evil that could ultimately destroy them all.
- GenresParanormal
370 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Amy Freeman
62 books39 followersAmy Freeman grew up in Salt Lake City in a family of five siblings, one of which is an identical twin. She spent most of her time as a child daydreaming and creating stories. She wrote a stellar screen play at ten, her first full length book at age thirteen, and her second and third at age nineteen. She has been published in Meridian magazine, Moab Adventures magazine and has just released her debut novel SHINE the Knowing Ones --the award-winning first edition in the SHINE series. The second book, SHINE Domination will be released spring of 2014. She is active in several writing and critique groups and maintains an online page for writers, as well as her own website http://vedunywriter.com and writing blog http://vedunywriter.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 3, 2013
First thing I have to say is that I really enjoyed Shine. The Venduny are a unique idea – and in this day and age where there are so many authors publishing novels, that’s quite an accomplishment. Second, it’s going to be hard to write a review on this book without including spoilers, so I’ll try my best.
As far as what could have made the story stronger (and take my criticisms with a grain of salt, because my issues are pretty insubstantial compared to how much I liked Shine!). . . there were moments that I found confusing. I really can’t say more on this because it includes some serious spoilers. However, the good thing is that these confusing parts didn’t take away from the story too much – but I did catch myself thinking about it a couple days after I had finished Shine. I think there could have been more backstory to the tale – it might have alleviated some of the confusion – although maybe this was part of the author’s plan – keep the reader confused because the main character, Sam, was confused and stumbling through learning and discovering her powers. I also would have liked to know more about Chernabog. And there was a slight repetition in using “muscular” to describe Trin at the beginning, so maybe this could have been dialed down a little. Lastly, the Russian dialogue (I think it was Russian) was only translated sometimes. It would have been nice if all the dialogue in the foreign tongue had been translated all the time. When I don’t know what something says, it takes away from the flow of the story because I get caught up wondering what so-and-so just said and can’t help but think it’s important.
Like I said initially, I appreciate Freeman’s the ability to create a new supernatural kind of people and power. I’ve been trying to write something original for years, and not just with vampires or werewolves or fairies – you know, the typical supernatural stuff. I’ve been trying to create my own special magical being with original unique magical powers and abilities. It’s a tough thing to do. While the author has a unique legend, the Venduny, control of the elements is not something new. Still, there is enough here to make it an original story. There were definitely parts in the story that made me think, “you know, all of this could be possible!” Oh, and the imagery of the auras Sam sees is pretty amazing, including the differences in the colors and what she can glean from a person’s aura. The powers Sam continued to inherit were pretty neat too, like the transportation and travelling through time thing. And I dug the use of Alexandrite as the Venduny’s stone.
Also, I was so relieved that this book didn’t include a love triangle (well, at least not with the main character, Sam). That alone scores points with me! Not that there wasn’t a romance. No. There was a huge Tease of a romance between Sam and Trin. The spark between Sam and Trin is absolute. And I couldn’t help thinking of Michael Phelps when I read about Trin – guess it’s the whole Olympic swimmer thing. (***spoiler alert*** If there was a part I was disappointed about, it was that Sam and Trin have a lot of intense, sexually charged moments, but they never reach the climax of that. Yeah, Huge Tease. Hopefully Freeman will remedy this in the sequel. Okay, ***end spoiler***).
One of the characters I instantly liked was Vig, Anna’s boyfriend. His character jumped off the pages for me. I can’t put on a finger on why. However, he doesn’t really have a huge part in the book – sadly.
There were a couple of twists at the end that I didn’t see that coming, even though there were times I had an inkling (anytime an author mentions a tidbit here or there, I immediate wonder how that small tidbit is going to be important later on).
Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for ages 16 & up.
***I received a free copy of Shine from the author in exchange for my honest review.***
As far as what could have made the story stronger (and take my criticisms with a grain of salt, because my issues are pretty insubstantial compared to how much I liked Shine!). . . there were moments that I found confusing. I really can’t say more on this because it includes some serious spoilers. However, the good thing is that these confusing parts didn’t take away from the story too much – but I did catch myself thinking about it a couple days after I had finished Shine. I think there could have been more backstory to the tale – it might have alleviated some of the confusion – although maybe this was part of the author’s plan – keep the reader confused because the main character, Sam, was confused and stumbling through learning and discovering her powers. I also would have liked to know more about Chernabog. And there was a slight repetition in using “muscular” to describe Trin at the beginning, so maybe this could have been dialed down a little. Lastly, the Russian dialogue (I think it was Russian) was only translated sometimes. It would have been nice if all the dialogue in the foreign tongue had been translated all the time. When I don’t know what something says, it takes away from the flow of the story because I get caught up wondering what so-and-so just said and can’t help but think it’s important.
Like I said initially, I appreciate Freeman’s the ability to create a new supernatural kind of people and power. I’ve been trying to write something original for years, and not just with vampires or werewolves or fairies – you know, the typical supernatural stuff. I’ve been trying to create my own special magical being with original unique magical powers and abilities. It’s a tough thing to do. While the author has a unique legend, the Venduny, control of the elements is not something new. Still, there is enough here to make it an original story. There were definitely parts in the story that made me think, “you know, all of this could be possible!” Oh, and the imagery of the auras Sam sees is pretty amazing, including the differences in the colors and what she can glean from a person’s aura. The powers Sam continued to inherit were pretty neat too, like the transportation and travelling through time thing. And I dug the use of Alexandrite as the Venduny’s stone.
Also, I was so relieved that this book didn’t include a love triangle (well, at least not with the main character, Sam). That alone scores points with me! Not that there wasn’t a romance. No. There was a huge Tease of a romance between Sam and Trin. The spark between Sam and Trin is absolute. And I couldn’t help thinking of Michael Phelps when I read about Trin – guess it’s the whole Olympic swimmer thing. (***spoiler alert*** If there was a part I was disappointed about, it was that Sam and Trin have a lot of intense, sexually charged moments, but they never reach the climax of that. Yeah, Huge Tease. Hopefully Freeman will remedy this in the sequel. Okay, ***end spoiler***).
One of the characters I instantly liked was Vig, Anna’s boyfriend. His character jumped off the pages for me. I can’t put on a finger on why. However, he doesn’t really have a huge part in the book – sadly.
There were a couple of twists at the end that I didn’t see that coming, even though there were times I had an inkling (anytime an author mentions a tidbit here or there, I immediate wonder how that small tidbit is going to be important later on).
Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for ages 16 & up.
***I received a free copy of Shine from the author in exchange for my honest review.***
November 12, 2013
First of all I'd like to say that I enjoyed reading this book. There were a lot of very clever and wise quotes in the story that can be applied to everyday life and I enjoy reading that kind of books when you have to go back and mark or write down something that's meaningful for you :)
The story is basically about a girl named Sam that has special powers. She can see people's auras and has dreams about the future. She was always that way and she accepted it. Her best friend Anna and Anna's boyfriend know everything about her and they trust her and try to protect her from anyone that wants to harm her.
She's basically clueless about her powers or why she has them in the first place, but when she meets a handsome, tall, famous Olympic swimmer named Trin, who's also her Keeper, things start to make sense. Their romance is instant and Trin starts to teach her about her role in his tribe called Veduny, why she has the power she has and what their purpose in the world is.
Sam is trying to find herself with Trin's help and she is trying to develop and control her powers.
Sam gazed down at the table. Then she looked up at him. “Inse-
curity.”
“Yeah,” he said. “There is no reason for that emotion at all. It’s
pointless and destructive. I know society makes that a hard one to get
past, but everyone is a gift. Everyone brings something to the table and
everyone’s contribution is valuable, even if it may seem insignificant or
destructive, because it creates opportunities for growth. Those emo-
tions make us view learning opportunities as misfortune. They aren’t.
They only have power until we learn to view them properly.”
The story was oftentimes confusing because a lot of things were not revealed until the very end. A lot of things were happening all at once so it kept me guessing about what was really happening in the story but all the Oracle, tribe, Keeper stuff was really cool and I liked that the storyline was unique in a way. Sam and Trin were soulmates and you could feel the affection and love between them. It wasn't hot tempered, explosive kind of love but sweet and caring and I think it fit nicely into the story.
He glanced away in conflict, searching for the right words and
looked back at her. “A lot of women have put their hands on me,” he
said, eyes gleaming. “I paid attention to every one. Not a single one even
came close. You shattered me.” He shook his head, still confounded at
the affect she had on him. “I know,” he said, “and so do you.”
All in all, it was a nice read. With a lot of wise quotes and a positive message at the end about how every single human being has a powerful mind and if a man really believes in himself, he can do great things.
"She mulled over the instructions he had given
her all morning, but most of all she seized the will to stand over and
over believing she could, knowing she could, knowing all it took was
the belief it was possible and she already had all the right tools, there-
fore, nothing could prevent it. "
* Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story is basically about a girl named Sam that has special powers. She can see people's auras and has dreams about the future. She was always that way and she accepted it. Her best friend Anna and Anna's boyfriend know everything about her and they trust her and try to protect her from anyone that wants to harm her.
She's basically clueless about her powers or why she has them in the first place, but when she meets a handsome, tall, famous Olympic swimmer named Trin, who's also her Keeper, things start to make sense. Their romance is instant and Trin starts to teach her about her role in his tribe called Veduny, why she has the power she has and what their purpose in the world is.
Sam is trying to find herself with Trin's help and she is trying to develop and control her powers.
Sam gazed down at the table. Then she looked up at him. “Inse-
curity.”
“Yeah,” he said. “There is no reason for that emotion at all. It’s
pointless and destructive. I know society makes that a hard one to get
past, but everyone is a gift. Everyone brings something to the table and
everyone’s contribution is valuable, even if it may seem insignificant or
destructive, because it creates opportunities for growth. Those emo-
tions make us view learning opportunities as misfortune. They aren’t.
They only have power until we learn to view them properly.”
The story was oftentimes confusing because a lot of things were not revealed until the very end. A lot of things were happening all at once so it kept me guessing about what was really happening in the story but all the Oracle, tribe, Keeper stuff was really cool and I liked that the storyline was unique in a way. Sam and Trin were soulmates and you could feel the affection and love between them. It wasn't hot tempered, explosive kind of love but sweet and caring and I think it fit nicely into the story.
He glanced away in conflict, searching for the right words and
looked back at her. “A lot of women have put their hands on me,” he
said, eyes gleaming. “I paid attention to every one. Not a single one even
came close. You shattered me.” He shook his head, still confounded at
the affect she had on him. “I know,” he said, “and so do you.”
All in all, it was a nice read. With a lot of wise quotes and a positive message at the end about how every single human being has a powerful mind and if a man really believes in himself, he can do great things.
"She mulled over the instructions he had given
her all morning, but most of all she seized the will to stand over and
over believing she could, knowing she could, knowing all it took was
the belief it was possible and she already had all the right tools, there-
fore, nothing could prevent it. "
* Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2013
Just when I thought there couldn’t be another unique take on the paranormal fantasies along comes Shine: The Knowing Ones by Amy Freeman! Do we all have ‘special gifts’ we don’t tap into? What could we be capable of doing if we knew how to use these gifts? Samantha knows she sees things others don’t, but never fully understood what was happening or why. Is it just her? When she meets hot guy, Olympic swimmer Trin, she discovers she is not alone with her extra-sensory perceptions. These two are attracted like magnets to metal, but only Trin knows why and it’s up to him to break the news to Sam about who and what she really is, as well as his role in her life and her destiny. Dark danger lurks in the background and its getting closer, more powerful, more deadly…and it has Samantha in its sights. Why is she so important to the gifted and the entire human race? What powers does she possess that she doesn’t even know about? Who is in danger just by knowing her?
Amy Freeman has done a remarkable job of building an exciting world, full of evil, good, darkness, light, and pure entertainment! She has created characters that are not only likable, but have personalities that feel real! From the main characters to those who support them, each one is colored in with detail and care. The dialogue flows smoothly, the tension runs high and the pace in each scene was perfect for sucking me in and holding me tight! The romance is only a small part of the story, but the pull between Trin and Sam is there, quiet and understated, while the dark side of this tale looms ever-present, ratcheting the tension in a race against time to save the world from pure evil. Ms. Freeman has wasted no words, nor short-changed any part of Shine: The Knowing Ones.For me this is a well-executed, fresh concept in the paranormal/fantasy genre. I’ll think of this book the next time I experience deja vu, trust me!
I received a review copy as part of Shine: the Knowing Ones Virtual Tour and Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 14, 2013.
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Amy Freeman
ISBN: 1481158287
Page Count: 358
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Amy Freeman has done a remarkable job of building an exciting world, full of evil, good, darkness, light, and pure entertainment! She has created characters that are not only likable, but have personalities that feel real! From the main characters to those who support them, each one is colored in with detail and care. The dialogue flows smoothly, the tension runs high and the pace in each scene was perfect for sucking me in and holding me tight! The romance is only a small part of the story, but the pull between Trin and Sam is there, quiet and understated, while the dark side of this tale looms ever-present, ratcheting the tension in a race against time to save the world from pure evil. Ms. Freeman has wasted no words, nor short-changed any part of Shine: The Knowing Ones.For me this is a well-executed, fresh concept in the paranormal/fantasy genre. I’ll think of this book the next time I experience deja vu, trust me!
I received a review copy as part of Shine: the Knowing Ones Virtual Tour and Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 14, 2013.
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Amy Freeman
ISBN: 1481158287
Page Count: 358
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
August 31, 2013
I finished "Shine: The Knowing Ones" at 1:20 a.m. this morning. I pictured myself in a crowd, my hands clapping slowly, then more hands clapping until the whole audience clapped more rapidly until thunderous applause resounded!
Amy Freeman is a genius. I wondered all through the book how the protagonists were ever going to win all their battles. There is tension and trial on every page. As I read, at various times I thought "Star Wars," then "Harry Potter" or "Twilight" until I only thought "Shine."
This is a classic story of good versus evil; dark versus light; happiness versus tragedy. There are many examples of all these forces in this book. The religious overtones were not lost on me. The Veduny are a people of brilliant light and awareness, born to protect and guard those of us on the earth. Their powers come from the Divinity--who has a plan for us. There is definitely a plan, yet we are able to keep our free will without interference. The Veduny are allowed to proceed, come what may.
I loved the time travel, which usually causes problems in books because it's not wrapped up to my liking. However, Amy conquers this by having her characters know that what they do will affect the future, but they are careful. Yet, learning as they go, they realize what they must do, no matter what. The twist at the end blows my mind away. Well done.
The main characters, Samantha Shields (an ideal surname) and Trinton Kosolov, work in perfect harmony as protagonists. The secondary characters, both Veduny and non-Veduny, are likeable, strong and easy to relate to (and not so secondary).
The descriptions and simile in the writing made me feel as if I was shivering in the snow and ice of the Ural Mountains; smelling the toxic energy of the steely antagonist; blinded by the lights and auras--even dancing on the stage. I gasped, I sighed, my heart pounded.
Buy this book as soon as you can! You won't be able to put it down.
And, another thing--I want a screenplay--NOW! This would be a fantastic movie. I could picture it all in my mind the whole time.
Amy Freeman is a genius. I wondered all through the book how the protagonists were ever going to win all their battles. There is tension and trial on every page. As I read, at various times I thought "Star Wars," then "Harry Potter" or "Twilight" until I only thought "Shine."
This is a classic story of good versus evil; dark versus light; happiness versus tragedy. There are many examples of all these forces in this book. The religious overtones were not lost on me. The Veduny are a people of brilliant light and awareness, born to protect and guard those of us on the earth. Their powers come from the Divinity--who has a plan for us. There is definitely a plan, yet we are able to keep our free will without interference. The Veduny are allowed to proceed, come what may.
I loved the time travel, which usually causes problems in books because it's not wrapped up to my liking. However, Amy conquers this by having her characters know that what they do will affect the future, but they are careful. Yet, learning as they go, they realize what they must do, no matter what. The twist at the end blows my mind away. Well done.
The main characters, Samantha Shields (an ideal surname) and Trinton Kosolov, work in perfect harmony as protagonists. The secondary characters, both Veduny and non-Veduny, are likeable, strong and easy to relate to (and not so secondary).
The descriptions and simile in the writing made me feel as if I was shivering in the snow and ice of the Ural Mountains; smelling the toxic energy of the steely antagonist; blinded by the lights and auras--even dancing on the stage. I gasped, I sighed, my heart pounded.
Buy this book as soon as you can! You won't be able to put it down.
And, another thing--I want a screenplay--NOW! This would be a fantastic movie. I could picture it all in my mind the whole time.
January 13, 2015
Action-packed, a little bit of everything, cute romance.
My Summary: Samantha (Sam) has always been a little psychic, but it isn't until she meets hunky Olympic swimmer, Trin, that she realizes she has more than just the ability to see auras and future events. Dark visions interrupt her life as a college student and ballerina. With Trin at her side, Sam has to use her gifts to save herself and the ones she loves from an evil force haunting the campus. In the process, Sam discovers her true roots and a predestined mission only she can fulfill.
My Opinion: I don't think I've ever read a book that had a little bit of everything for all audiences! Fantasy? Check. Paranormal? Check. Swimming, ballet, college life? Check, check, check. Throw in some time travel, lots of romance, witty humor, and a whole new race (the Veduny) and you about cover all the bases.
The action, along with the sweet love story of Trin and Sam, kept my interest all the way to the very end. Freeman's debut novel took me by surprise. I'm excited to hear this story is not yet over and I can look forward to sequels.
My Content Rating: PG-13
SEXUALITY: Moderate/Heavy (lots of kissing, talk of sex, but not too explicit)
LANGUAGE/PROFANITY: Moderate (one or two swear words I remember)
DRUG/ALCOHOL USE: Moderate (use of steroids, party with drunken friends)
INTENSE/SCARY SCENES: Moderate/Heavy (Sam's dark visions)
VIOLENCE: Heavy (lots of fighting, a boyfriend who beats his girlfriend, not gorey)
**Robin Approved for audiences 15+**
My Summary: Samantha (Sam) has always been a little psychic, but it isn't until she meets hunky Olympic swimmer, Trin, that she realizes she has more than just the ability to see auras and future events. Dark visions interrupt her life as a college student and ballerina. With Trin at her side, Sam has to use her gifts to save herself and the ones she loves from an evil force haunting the campus. In the process, Sam discovers her true roots and a predestined mission only she can fulfill.
My Opinion: I don't think I've ever read a book that had a little bit of everything for all audiences! Fantasy? Check. Paranormal? Check. Swimming, ballet, college life? Check, check, check. Throw in some time travel, lots of romance, witty humor, and a whole new race (the Veduny) and you about cover all the bases.
The action, along with the sweet love story of Trin and Sam, kept my interest all the way to the very end. Freeman's debut novel took me by surprise. I'm excited to hear this story is not yet over and I can look forward to sequels.
My Content Rating: PG-13
SEXUALITY: Moderate/Heavy (lots of kissing, talk of sex, but not too explicit)
LANGUAGE/PROFANITY: Moderate (one or two swear words I remember)
DRUG/ALCOHOL USE: Moderate (use of steroids, party with drunken friends)
INTENSE/SCARY SCENES: Moderate/Heavy (Sam's dark visions)
VIOLENCE: Heavy (lots of fighting, a boyfriend who beats his girlfriend, not gorey)
**Robin Approved for audiences 15+**
September 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this book from new author Amy Freeman. The story is unique and not something I've ever read before. I'm always fascinated by the idea that we all have so much untapped power within us, and that the mind/body connection is very real. (ie) "We have limitless power within us that just sits dormant because most people don't realize it's there."
Samantha is an extraordinary young woman with psychic abilities that she doesn't understand. While attending college, she meets Trin who she is inexplicably drawn to and the story begins...
I love a good tale and this one is full of romance, action, suspense and great characters. (I would caution that this is for older teens as some of the romantic scenes are pretty intense.)
Overall, a story about good versus evil, darkness and light, that is well written and the concepts are interesting and beautifully expressed. There are some great lessons woven into the story about our self worth and the fact that we all have been given certain gifts. There's a good twist at the end that I didn't see coming, which was both satisfying and bittersweet.
August 13, 2013
My God, I don't even know where to begin to describe the merits of this book. SHINE comprises every element you could want in a great novel. It has engaging characters that are well described, relatable and easily imagined. It has a superbly rich series of exciting settings and vivid new places to be transported to. The dialogue is fresh, clear and charming, and the plot is a cleverly-woven story that is simple to follow but deep, dark and complex at the same time.
This book was always pleasant to pick up, I was never bored or eager to skip over the pages, and every sentence added value to the tale. Amy Freeman is a prolific writer who deserves every success with this book and in her future endeavours, and she proves that independent writers can produce novels that are of the same discerning standards of professional publishing (if not better, in my opinion). I cannot wait for the sequel to this book to be once again enveloped in the incredible world of Veduny and their paranormal powers.
Keep up the amazing work Amy!
This book is officially rated as HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
This book was always pleasant to pick up, I was never bored or eager to skip over the pages, and every sentence added value to the tale. Amy Freeman is a prolific writer who deserves every success with this book and in her future endeavours, and she proves that independent writers can produce novels that are of the same discerning standards of professional publishing (if not better, in my opinion). I cannot wait for the sequel to this book to be once again enveloped in the incredible world of Veduny and their paranormal powers.
Keep up the amazing work Amy!
This book is officially rated as HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
August 9, 2013
Prepare yourself for the lack of sleep you’ll receive while reading this book. If paranormal is your forte then you’ll love this read. The romance is heart-beatingly insane! I loved how real the characters are. I could connect with them easily and found myself cheering them on. I loved how the author incorporated a bit of time travel into the action. I also loved the twist at the end—I won’t say anything beyond that. I wouldn’t want to spoil any part of this book for you. The Author pushed the boundaries and made them work. However, I’m a ‘clean’ romance reader and I’m a bit of a stickler about what age is appropriate for certain books and movies, so I don’t recommend this for younger teens. I would say the make-out scenes in ‘Shine’ would be too intense for those who are sensitive to it, also the language is more mature. Overall it was written beautifully and flowed well and I can't wait until she writes another.
considering
August 14, 2013recommended to me, it's not usually my type of read, but I'm gonna be open minded and it's going on my TBR list :D
Sam has always had the gift of reading auras and seeing future events. But since beginning college, her gifts are strengthening- becoming more foreboding. Dark visions she can't explain haunt her daily. She senses danger but doesn't know why. Meeting gorgeous Olympic swimming star Trin Kosolov, who shares her extrasensory gifts only seems to intensify the imminent peril. Sam soon discovers she was born with an identity she never knew she had, and finds herself fighting for her life as she and Trin struggle to save humanity from an evil that could ultimately destroy them all
Sam has always had the gift of reading auras and seeing future events. But since beginning college, her gifts are strengthening- becoming more foreboding. Dark visions she can't explain haunt her daily. She senses danger but doesn't know why. Meeting gorgeous Olympic swimming star Trin Kosolov, who shares her extrasensory gifts only seems to intensify the imminent peril. Sam soon discovers she was born with an identity she never knew she had, and finds herself fighting for her life as she and Trin struggle to save humanity from an evil that could ultimately destroy them all
July 28, 2013
This was a page turner.
September 7, 2013
This was a good YA paranormal. Every time I was thinking it was time for something to happen, something would happen.
November 6, 2013
Please note: The review of this book (which was donated to The Magnolia Blossom Review for the sole purpose of a review) was completed by Judy Colella based on the Rubric designed by the owner of The MBR, L. Avery Brown. If you would like to read the entire review which includes an in depth author interview – please visit The Magnolia Blossom Review’s site online today! Judy Colella has given L. Avery Brown permission to post this review onto Goodreads. Thank you
And Now For the Review…
1. Book Title ... 3 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did it grab your attention right away? Was it ho hum? What do you think the author might consider for future book titles?
I thought it was interesting because it immediately made me think of "The Shining," which got me curious about the story line. However, there turned out to be no relation to that, and I also wasn't really certain what the point of the title was, other than that the main characters were very light-defined. I somehow think a book as good as this one deserves a more enigmatic - and subject-related - title.
2. Book Cover ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did it grab your attention? Was it ho hum? What do you think the author might consider for future book covers? Did it help make the title more effective
Like so much of the story, it was stark and cold - and therefore, worked.
3. The First 500 ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Thinking of the first 500 (usually about 2 pages) words of the book, do you think the author provided enough incentive to urge the reader to continue? What stood out to you the most? Were you captivated after a couple of paragraphs? Did the 1st sentence grab you? Did you get to around the 500 word mark and didn't have a clue where the story was going?
The action and mystery began immediately following a brief but engaging introduction of the main character. After that, there was no putting the book own.
4. Age Recommendation/Genre Classification ... 10 of 10For the Reviewer: This one is pretty straight forward - if the book is supposed to be for young teens and 'tweens does it hit the mark? Or is it entirely TOO mature? Is it really a suspense story or is it more of a romance with a few suspenseful moments?
I was pleased to find that despite the suggestion and tension that with another writer would have lead to a lot of graphic sexual interplay, the author allowed none of that. This is most certainly appropriate for young teens and 'tweens in that regard, and a great book for that age group because it doesn't "talk down" to the reader by using simplistic ideas or elementary vocabulary.
5. Presentation/Format ... 7 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did the 'innards' of the book follow a clear, concise, standard format throughout the book? Or did you have a hard time keeping up with paragraphs or dialogue? Were multiple fonts used? Were they distracting?
The overall format was fine. However, there was a pretty consistent problem with the way paragraphs were handled, especially for the dialogue. Too frequently, there were two people speaking in one paragraph, making it very confusing, and occasionally, the proper close-quote or open-quote mark was missing. I found myself having to re-read a large number of these conversations to be sure I understood who was talking. There were also a number of misused words; for instance, one sentence describes a character moving "with the lithe of a large cat."
That's the incorrect usage of the word "lithe," but which is easily corrected by adding "movement" after the word "lithe." Several other instances of this exist - perhaps an editor could scan this and make those corrections. In another place, she uses the word "ambled" which implies a leisurely stroll. However, in the passage where this was placed, the situation was far from leisurely - it was, in fact, describing a frantic escape. Fortunately, there weren't a huge number of these. I also found some common phrases used erroneously. There are two well-known expressions: on purpose and by accident. Here, the author makes the mistake far too many people today make by combining these two and coming up with "on accident." Again, there aren't a large number of these mistakes, but they do detract from the otherwise intelligent and well-written prose.
6. Theme/Originality ... 9 of 10
For the Reviewer: Was this book something you'd never read? Or was it formulaic and a 'rehash' of a popular tale/current 'pop' genre? If it was a retelling - did the author make it feel fresh and just different enough that it kept you involved?
While it used a number of mythological "saws," it was presented in a fresh, unique manner, setting it apart from most of what is popular today. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. That rarely happens to me.
7. Description/Enhancement ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did the author use descriptive language and 'all those extra little things' to make it the best it could be? Did you feel it was too sparse in description? Did the author go OVER board with the description?
One of the things that impressed me the most was the beautiful balance of description - not too much, not to little. I found it easy to envision all that was being described without getting bogged down in a lot of unnecessary details.
8. Intrigue ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did you want to turn the next page because it was SO good? (10) Was it interesting but you didn't quite have an urge to keep reading? (5) Did you think 'I wonder if we have Twinkies in the pantry? Mmmmm, Twinkies' while you read? (1)
Nope. No Twinkies. Lots and lots of coffee, though. The only reason I didn't read this in one sitting is because my family life kept dragging me off to take care of stalled vehicles, rides to work, a hungry Italian husband...oh, and the need to sleep at least a few hours each day. But believe it or not, I actually found myself having dreams about it, and thinking about what might happen next when I wasn't able to read it for all the above reasons.
9. Grammar/Mechanics ... 8 of 10
For the Reviewer: Was the book pretty darn flawless? (10) Did you see more that 5 or 10 'jump out' at you mistakes in grammar or the actual mechanics (verb tense, noun/pronoun agreement, misued words) ? (5) Did you feel it was a chore to read because it was riddled with errors? (1)
Not flawless, but impressive. Certain words jumped out, some misused, others misspelled. For example, she describes something as being "baron," when the context clearly shows she meant "barren." She also makes the common error of using the non-word "alright," instead of "all right." But in a work this large, such things in so small a quantity don't detract from the overall work. They are a bit jarring, and if you know they're wrong, the continuity gets momentarily derailed. Other than that, though, this was written with blessed few errors.
10. Overall Impression ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer:When all is said in done - did you enjoy the book? Would you recommend it to others?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would most certainly recommend it. I liked the characters, the story line, the general feel of the story - and was highly impressed with the writer's imagination and ability to tell a ripping good tale!
Is there anything else about the book that you'd like to mention?
Get someone to do deep edits to eliminate the errors mentioned here, and this will, indeed, be a flawless, reading-list-worthy book for all ages!
The Bestowing of the Blossoms ...
On behalf of Judy Colella, The Magnolia Blossom Review is pleased to say that Amy Freeman's Shine: The Knowing Ones has earned 88 points - just missing the 5 blossom mark but those 4 beautiful blossoms are nothing to sneeze it! We wish Amy the very best as hope her book grows in popularity as it's apparent to us that Judy, who knows a thing or two about writing in the fantasy/adventure/paranormal genre, greatly enjoyed the title!
And Now For the Review…
1. Book Title ... 3 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did it grab your attention right away? Was it ho hum? What do you think the author might consider for future book titles?
I thought it was interesting because it immediately made me think of "The Shining," which got me curious about the story line. However, there turned out to be no relation to that, and I also wasn't really certain what the point of the title was, other than that the main characters were very light-defined. I somehow think a book as good as this one deserves a more enigmatic - and subject-related - title.
2. Book Cover ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did it grab your attention? Was it ho hum? What do you think the author might consider for future book covers? Did it help make the title more effective
Like so much of the story, it was stark and cold - and therefore, worked.
3. The First 500 ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Thinking of the first 500 (usually about 2 pages) words of the book, do you think the author provided enough incentive to urge the reader to continue? What stood out to you the most? Were you captivated after a couple of paragraphs? Did the 1st sentence grab you? Did you get to around the 500 word mark and didn't have a clue where the story was going?
The action and mystery began immediately following a brief but engaging introduction of the main character. After that, there was no putting the book own.
4. Age Recommendation/Genre Classification ... 10 of 10For the Reviewer: This one is pretty straight forward - if the book is supposed to be for young teens and 'tweens does it hit the mark? Or is it entirely TOO mature? Is it really a suspense story or is it more of a romance with a few suspenseful moments?
I was pleased to find that despite the suggestion and tension that with another writer would have lead to a lot of graphic sexual interplay, the author allowed none of that. This is most certainly appropriate for young teens and 'tweens in that regard, and a great book for that age group because it doesn't "talk down" to the reader by using simplistic ideas or elementary vocabulary.
5. Presentation/Format ... 7 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did the 'innards' of the book follow a clear, concise, standard format throughout the book? Or did you have a hard time keeping up with paragraphs or dialogue? Were multiple fonts used? Were they distracting?
The overall format was fine. However, there was a pretty consistent problem with the way paragraphs were handled, especially for the dialogue. Too frequently, there were two people speaking in one paragraph, making it very confusing, and occasionally, the proper close-quote or open-quote mark was missing. I found myself having to re-read a large number of these conversations to be sure I understood who was talking. There were also a number of misused words; for instance, one sentence describes a character moving "with the lithe of a large cat."
That's the incorrect usage of the word "lithe," but which is easily corrected by adding "movement" after the word "lithe." Several other instances of this exist - perhaps an editor could scan this and make those corrections. In another place, she uses the word "ambled" which implies a leisurely stroll. However, in the passage where this was placed, the situation was far from leisurely - it was, in fact, describing a frantic escape. Fortunately, there weren't a huge number of these. I also found some common phrases used erroneously. There are two well-known expressions: on purpose and by accident. Here, the author makes the mistake far too many people today make by combining these two and coming up with "on accident." Again, there aren't a large number of these mistakes, but they do detract from the otherwise intelligent and well-written prose.
6. Theme/Originality ... 9 of 10
For the Reviewer: Was this book something you'd never read? Or was it formulaic and a 'rehash' of a popular tale/current 'pop' genre? If it was a retelling - did the author make it feel fresh and just different enough that it kept you involved?
While it used a number of mythological "saws," it was presented in a fresh, unique manner, setting it apart from most of what is popular today. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. That rarely happens to me.
7. Description/Enhancement ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did the author use descriptive language and 'all those extra little things' to make it the best it could be? Did you feel it was too sparse in description? Did the author go OVER board with the description?
One of the things that impressed me the most was the beautiful balance of description - not too much, not to little. I found it easy to envision all that was being described without getting bogged down in a lot of unnecessary details.
8. Intrigue ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer: Did you want to turn the next page because it was SO good? (10) Was it interesting but you didn't quite have an urge to keep reading? (5) Did you think 'I wonder if we have Twinkies in the pantry? Mmmmm, Twinkies' while you read? (1)
Nope. No Twinkies. Lots and lots of coffee, though. The only reason I didn't read this in one sitting is because my family life kept dragging me off to take care of stalled vehicles, rides to work, a hungry Italian husband...oh, and the need to sleep at least a few hours each day. But believe it or not, I actually found myself having dreams about it, and thinking about what might happen next when I wasn't able to read it for all the above reasons.
9. Grammar/Mechanics ... 8 of 10
For the Reviewer: Was the book pretty darn flawless? (10) Did you see more that 5 or 10 'jump out' at you mistakes in grammar or the actual mechanics (verb tense, noun/pronoun agreement, misued words) ? (5) Did you feel it was a chore to read because it was riddled with errors? (1)
Not flawless, but impressive. Certain words jumped out, some misused, others misspelled. For example, she describes something as being "baron," when the context clearly shows she meant "barren." She also makes the common error of using the non-word "alright," instead of "all right." But in a work this large, such things in so small a quantity don't detract from the overall work. They are a bit jarring, and if you know they're wrong, the continuity gets momentarily derailed. Other than that, though, this was written with blessed few errors.
10. Overall Impression ... 10 of 10
For the Reviewer:When all is said in done - did you enjoy the book? Would you recommend it to others?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would most certainly recommend it. I liked the characters, the story line, the general feel of the story - and was highly impressed with the writer's imagination and ability to tell a ripping good tale!
Is there anything else about the book that you'd like to mention?
Get someone to do deep edits to eliminate the errors mentioned here, and this will, indeed, be a flawless, reading-list-worthy book for all ages!
The Bestowing of the Blossoms ...
On behalf of Judy Colella, The Magnolia Blossom Review is pleased to say that Amy Freeman's Shine: The Knowing Ones has earned 88 points - just missing the 5 blossom mark but those 4 beautiful blossoms are nothing to sneeze it! We wish Amy the very best as hope her book grows in popularity as it's apparent to us that Judy, who knows a thing or two about writing in the fantasy/adventure/paranormal genre, greatly enjoyed the title!
September 20, 2013
4.5 stars
For as long as she can remember, Sam has always been a little different. She can see other people's auras and read their emotions. It is not until she gets to college with her best friend that things start to change. Suddenly she is having powerful, terrifying visions and she is starting to feel like she is going mad.
One night at a bar, she is compelled to approach an Olympic swimmer from school. His aura is different than any other she has ever seen and she is instantly drawn to him.
Trin recognizes Sam the moment that he sees her in the bar and knows he has finally found the one he has been looking for. The more time he spends with her, the more terrifying things become for Sam. He is bound to protect her but Trin feels as though he is failing.
Sam knows Trin has the answers she seeks, but he refuses to share them. At the same time, she is falling in love with him. Can she trust a man who is keeping secrets from her with her heart and when she finally does learn the truth, can her love survive it?
I really, really loved this book! It wasn't exactly what I was expected (there is a lot of love but no passion) but I was so swept up in the characters it didn't bother me the way it does with other stories. There are so many twists and turns in the story I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give anything away. I was hooked from chapter one and stayed up late reading because I just had to know what was going to happen next!
My thoughts:
Character development: 5
Level of Romance between characters: 4.5
Passion/Heat level: 2(This reads like a YA novel. There are a couple of kisses and one scene when you think you are finally going to get them together, but no luck...they never have sex. But, the reason why is an important part of the story so I think once you realize that it all makes sense, even though it would have been great to get some passion by the end)
Angst/Heartbreak: 4.5 (so much for these two to deal with. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the second half of the book)
Cliffhanger?: Well, sort of. Parts of the story are wrapped up but it is by no means over (at least I hope not!). I didn't see another book on the horizon for this author but I really hope there is one...and soon! I need some more Trin and Sam!
Overall, I loved it. It would have been a 5 for me (which I never give) if Trin and Sam had finally gotten their passionate moment that was teased early on. That was the only thing about this book I was disappointed in...I kept waiting for it, and didn't get it. Here's hoping that these two will get another book and there will be a little more passion in it. In the meantime, this is a great read so get ready...this one will suck you in and be difficult to put down.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
For as long as she can remember, Sam has always been a little different. She can see other people's auras and read their emotions. It is not until she gets to college with her best friend that things start to change. Suddenly she is having powerful, terrifying visions and she is starting to feel like she is going mad.
One night at a bar, she is compelled to approach an Olympic swimmer from school. His aura is different than any other she has ever seen and she is instantly drawn to him.
Trin recognizes Sam the moment that he sees her in the bar and knows he has finally found the one he has been looking for. The more time he spends with her, the more terrifying things become for Sam. He is bound to protect her but Trin feels as though he is failing.
Sam knows Trin has the answers she seeks, but he refuses to share them. At the same time, she is falling in love with him. Can she trust a man who is keeping secrets from her with her heart and when she finally does learn the truth, can her love survive it?
I really, really loved this book! It wasn't exactly what I was expected (there is a lot of love but no passion) but I was so swept up in the characters it didn't bother me the way it does with other stories. There are so many twists and turns in the story I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give anything away. I was hooked from chapter one and stayed up late reading because I just had to know what was going to happen next!
My thoughts:
Character development: 5
Level of Romance between characters: 4.5
Passion/Heat level: 2(This reads like a YA novel. There are a couple of kisses and one scene when you think you are finally going to get them together, but no luck...they never have sex. But, the reason why is an important part of the story so I think once you realize that it all makes sense, even though it would have been great to get some passion by the end)
Angst/Heartbreak: 4.5 (so much for these two to deal with. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the second half of the book)
Cliffhanger?: Well, sort of. Parts of the story are wrapped up but it is by no means over (at least I hope not!). I didn't see another book on the horizon for this author but I really hope there is one...and soon! I need some more Trin and Sam!
Overall, I loved it. It would have been a 5 for me (which I never give) if Trin and Sam had finally gotten their passionate moment that was teased early on. That was the only thing about this book I was disappointed in...I kept waiting for it, and didn't get it. Here's hoping that these two will get another book and there will be a little more passion in it. In the meantime, this is a great read so get ready...this one will suck you in and be difficult to put down.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
September 14, 2013
Samantha (Sam) Shields is a ballet major with a difference, she has the ability to see auras, plagued with strange visions and dreams, and under duress she's able to influence objects. Sam however, doesn't understand why or how she's able to do any of it. The book opens with Sam in ballet rehearsal and unable to concentrate due to disturbing images that she's been having all day. After rehearsal she has a terrifying experience and the story is off . Sam's best friends Anna and Vig try to support her and make her feel safe, but they can't give her the help that she is really in need of. Enter Trin Kosolov, the Olympic swimmer and school celebrity with powers no one in their collegiate world knows about. Trin is a Russian born Veduny, a group of people with honed psychic abilities in charge of protecting humanity from evil. The Veduny (the knowing ones) are made up of Keepers and are determined to see their new Oracle protected and brought into the fold to hone and understand the skills needed to fill the role. After sensing Sam in a club Trin recognizes her and her abilities and promises to help her understand and hone them. Shine explores the concept that good and evil are not always being black and white but has varying shades of grey. This read has a little of everything; paranormal, time travel, fight against evil, and a budding romance. Young Adult/New Adult is not a genre that I am usually interested in, but Shine is a good example why you shouldn't close yourself off completely and look in different directions every once in a while. I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. This is a book that I will be recommending to my 18 year old to read, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to a 12 or 13 year old, 15 may be a good starting age for this one. I'm a little on the conservative side when it comes to the kiddos. But if yours have read books like Twilight or Beautiful Creatures then the content in this book is just fine. There are no real sex scenes, just kissing and thoughts of sex, and the subject matter is in the wheel house of paranormal interest. This is definitely a book that I as an adult enjoyed and at $0.99 for the eBook it is definitely worth the trip outside of the adult fiction section.
September 26, 2013
I give Shine: The Knowing Ones a solid four stars. Sam has had some psychic abilities for as long as she remembers and when she meets Trin at college, she learns that she is not alone with her powers. Trin insists that all humans have some powers whether it be intuition into the future or others, but they do not tap into them. He helps Sam develop her powers and explains his history as a part of the Veduny tribe from Russia. They have to work together to restore a balance that has been a bit off for a while. Sam is the Oracle and Trin is her Keeper and together they must overcome forces of darkness in order to survive. This was a pretty adventurous tale. It started out pretty straight-forward: two young adults attending college together fall in love and such. However, the story quickly turns into something more as Sam's new abilities surface and she learns to exercise greater control over them. It was a nice balance of relatable romance and less typical adventure with a touch of fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. In the last quarter of the book a lot of details are described quickly and that confused me a little as I read it. When I was finished with the book, however, I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what had happened. Everything just unfolds so quickly at the end that it was a tad difficult to keep up with, but that same quick succession of events also made the book super difficult to put down near the end!
**I received a copy of this book for an honest review.**
**I received a copy of this book for an honest review.**
September 19, 2013
What to say about this book... I struggled with how many stars to give this because (1) I read this in one sitting. It was so good. It just totally pulled me in and kept me there BUT (2) it needed to be better edited. This book could have been so much better than it was. It felt rushed and there's no way it was edited by a proper editor because grammatical errors were rife. BUT it was such a gripping story that I'm overlooking all that.
I must say I'm not crazy about books that lure you with the promise of, well, shall we say "igniting the oracle" and then expect you to go out and buy book #2 to actually get there, but the other scenes - the 'almost' scenes were hot enough that I'll forgive that as well.
As I read I felt as if it were a bit like the Matrix meets Twilight. Some pretty obvious cliches - big brawny gentleman-y guy, petite slightly bumbling heroine who doesn't realize how special she is - but hey, what isn't a cliche? And it worked.
The only issue, aside from the need for better editing, was I felt there was too much written in cyrillic /Russian characters. I actually studied Russian for a couple of years so I could at least sound out the words and catch a few of the more obvious ones, but most people reading this book wouldn't even have any idea how to pronounce those letters, let alone the meaning of them.
Anyway, I have to say this story really grabbed me and I didn't even want to answer the phone or make dinner because I just wanted to keep reading, so kudos to Ms. Freeman.
I must say I'm not crazy about books that lure you with the promise of, well, shall we say "igniting the oracle" and then expect you to go out and buy book #2 to actually get there, but the other scenes - the 'almost' scenes were hot enough that I'll forgive that as well.
As I read I felt as if it were a bit like the Matrix meets Twilight. Some pretty obvious cliches - big brawny gentleman-y guy, petite slightly bumbling heroine who doesn't realize how special she is - but hey, what isn't a cliche? And it worked.
The only issue, aside from the need for better editing, was I felt there was too much written in cyrillic /Russian characters. I actually studied Russian for a couple of years so I could at least sound out the words and catch a few of the more obvious ones, but most people reading this book wouldn't even have any idea how to pronounce those letters, let alone the meaning of them.
Anyway, I have to say this story really grabbed me and I didn't even want to answer the phone or make dinner because I just wanted to keep reading, so kudos to Ms. Freeman.
October 13, 2013
**Thank You To The Author For Giving Me This Book To Read And Review**
Shine was definitely a refreshing read for me. I don't remember the last time I read something like this.
Sam is a girl with psychic abilities only its a lot more than that. She gets visions of places and people she doesn't know & doesn't understand. But when she meets the gorgeous Trin that's when the story really takes off. Trin is just like her only his knowledge & understanding exceeds far ahead than that of Sam. But who exactly is Trin other than a Olympic swimmer??
Trin is a Russian born Veduny, a group of people with honed psychic abilities in charge of protecting humanity from evil. The Veduny (the knowing ones) are made up of Keepers and are determined to see their new Oracle (Sam) protected and teach her the skills needed to fill the role.
But will Sam accept this part of her nature?? Or will her denial risk the lives of everyone alive??
I really liked the story and its concept. And the way it was executed was really good. It kept me turning the pages eager to know what was gonna happen next. The only complain I have is that sometimes I felt the story to stretch a teeny tiny bit unnecessarily. Apart from that I absolutely adored the characters. I actually became attached to them which doesn't usually happen. Be it Sam , Trin , Anna or Vig. I loved them all. The chemistry between Sam & Trin was perfect.
Overall, a really good book with action, romance, mystery and a lot more all packed into one. What are you waiting for, go grab your copy now! ;)
Shine was definitely a refreshing read for me. I don't remember the last time I read something like this.
Sam is a girl with psychic abilities only its a lot more than that. She gets visions of places and people she doesn't know & doesn't understand. But when she meets the gorgeous Trin that's when the story really takes off. Trin is just like her only his knowledge & understanding exceeds far ahead than that of Sam. But who exactly is Trin other than a Olympic swimmer??
Trin is a Russian born Veduny, a group of people with honed psychic abilities in charge of protecting humanity from evil. The Veduny (the knowing ones) are made up of Keepers and are determined to see their new Oracle (Sam) protected and teach her the skills needed to fill the role.
But will Sam accept this part of her nature?? Or will her denial risk the lives of everyone alive??
I really liked the story and its concept. And the way it was executed was really good. It kept me turning the pages eager to know what was gonna happen next. The only complain I have is that sometimes I felt the story to stretch a teeny tiny bit unnecessarily. Apart from that I absolutely adored the characters. I actually became attached to them which doesn't usually happen. Be it Sam , Trin , Anna or Vig. I loved them all. The chemistry between Sam & Trin was perfect.
Overall, a really good book with action, romance, mystery and a lot more all packed into one. What are you waiting for, go grab your copy now! ;)
October 1, 2013
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I was instantly drawn to this book. The summary and the beginning of the book made it so that when I started, I had a hard time stopping. It did tend to lag in the middle but then it picked right back up.
What I enjoyed:
The characters-Sam and Trin were awesome, separately and together. I didn't feel like there was one weak character in the bunch.
I don't usually like the insta-love thing, I generally like characters to work for it, but it seemed to really work in this book.
The story-this wasn't a normal paranormal book with witches, vampires, and werewolves. This world was different, and it was a nice break from the norm.
What I had trouble with:
I found this book confusing at times due to the different language sometimes used.
Sometimes things were explained very well and detailed while other times they were barely explained at all. This world was a complicated one to understand so I would have liked more help in understanding it.
All in all I found this book to be highly entertaining, adventurous, and fun. I would suggest this to those who enjoy a good paranormal book. :) I'm excited to read more from this author!
I was instantly drawn to this book. The summary and the beginning of the book made it so that when I started, I had a hard time stopping. It did tend to lag in the middle but then it picked right back up.
What I enjoyed:
The characters-Sam and Trin were awesome, separately and together. I didn't feel like there was one weak character in the bunch.
I don't usually like the insta-love thing, I generally like characters to work for it, but it seemed to really work in this book.
The story-this wasn't a normal paranormal book with witches, vampires, and werewolves. This world was different, and it was a nice break from the norm.
What I had trouble with:
I found this book confusing at times due to the different language sometimes used.
Sometimes things were explained very well and detailed while other times they were barely explained at all. This world was a complicated one to understand so I would have liked more help in understanding it.
All in all I found this book to be highly entertaining, adventurous, and fun. I would suggest this to those who enjoy a good paranormal book. :) I'm excited to read more from this author!
October 1, 2013
Take the X-Men comics, a Stephan Kind novel, and Twilight and put them in a blender and you got this book, but in a good way. This book is kind of dark but has enough funny moments sprinkled in to keep it light. One of the problems I had is that right from the start you're thrown right into the supernatural action stuff. Literally by pages 2 and 3 you get action and a flashback. By the second chapter I was ready to put the book down but I'm glad I didn't. The story did pick up and there were always something that gripped me to keep reading. There were some times when there so much going I had to reread to make sure I didn't miss anything because things were happening so quickly. I was pleasantly surprised at the minimum amount of romance in this book. There were a few kissing sessions that were just enough but it wasn't the main focus of the book. I was also shocked at the ending. It is in no way predictable. Overall the flow of the book felt a bit rushed. I think with a few touch ups it could be even better but I do recommended giving it a read.
I was given a free copy for a honest review.
I was given a free copy for a honest review.
April 30, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for a honest review
I found this one quite a challenge to read, I just couldn't really get into it.
I was really interested when I first saw the book, I really like supernatural people with abilities type books so this one looked perfect. However, a few pages in and I was already kind of stumped. It literally throws you straight in to this world with these new rules that you don't yet understand.
At times it was extremely descriptive, and at times not enough. I tended to find myself skimming through a lot of it, trying to find the next interesting bit that I actually understood.
In saying that, it was a really good idea, and I did really like the characters of Sam and Trin. Their relationship was one of those "we are destined to be together so will fall in love immediately after laying eyes on each other", which I usually find annoying but wasn't as bad with this one.
I don't see myself reading this one again, as I said at the beginning, I found it a struggle. However maybe that's just me, it has gotten some really good reviews off other people.
I found this one quite a challenge to read, I just couldn't really get into it.
I was really interested when I first saw the book, I really like supernatural people with abilities type books so this one looked perfect. However, a few pages in and I was already kind of stumped. It literally throws you straight in to this world with these new rules that you don't yet understand.
At times it was extremely descriptive, and at times not enough. I tended to find myself skimming through a lot of it, trying to find the next interesting bit that I actually understood.
In saying that, it was a really good idea, and I did really like the characters of Sam and Trin. Their relationship was one of those "we are destined to be together so will fall in love immediately after laying eyes on each other", which I usually find annoying but wasn't as bad with this one.
I don't see myself reading this one again, as I said at the beginning, I found it a struggle. However maybe that's just me, it has gotten some really good reviews off other people.
December 14, 2013
Sam knew she was different, being able to read auras and see the future. While going out to a club she meets, Olympic swimming champion, Trin Kosolos. He is the first person Sam ever meets that shares her gift of reading auras and other abilities. She finds herself drawn to him hoping he can teach her how to strengthen her powers.
Discovering she is part of a race called the Veduny or Knowing Ones, Sam and Trin need to help defend the human race from a malevolent-being that is seeking to cross a portal to Earth.
I really enjoyed Shine: The Knowing Ones. This book is unique and mesmerizing. It flows well and is thought-provoking.
The characters are well-defined and believable. I really appreciated the chemistry between Sam and Trin. They complement each other well.
Amy Freeman proved to be a gifted writer of great talent. I look forward to reading her future books.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Discovering she is part of a race called the Veduny or Knowing Ones, Sam and Trin need to help defend the human race from a malevolent-being that is seeking to cross a portal to Earth.
I really enjoyed Shine: The Knowing Ones. This book is unique and mesmerizing. It flows well and is thought-provoking.
The characters are well-defined and believable. I really appreciated the chemistry between Sam and Trin. They complement each other well.
Amy Freeman proved to be a gifted writer of great talent. I look forward to reading her future books.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2013
I was given this book by the author for my honest review
This was one of those books that was slow at the beginning and had me wondering if I even wanted to finish it, but I did and I enjoyed it. Sam was a girl that had abilities and she never knew anything about them or how to use them. Trin comes into the picture and shows her what she is capable of. As time goes on she never really believes in herself enough until the time comes that she has no other choice but to. She discovers that she is more powerful than even Trin. This book had me going and I didn't want it to end by the end. I look forward to reading more by this author
This was one of those books that was slow at the beginning and had me wondering if I even wanted to finish it, but I did and I enjoyed it. Sam was a girl that had abilities and she never knew anything about them or how to use them. Trin comes into the picture and shows her what she is capable of. As time goes on she never really believes in herself enough until the time comes that she has no other choice but to. She discovers that she is more powerful than even Trin. This book had me going and I didn't want it to end by the end. I look forward to reading more by this author
October 1, 2013
*** I received a copy in exchange for a honest review.***
3.5 out of 5 stars
First off, I really enjoyed the concept of this story. I liked reading a paranormal romance that did not include the over used vampire/shifter/witch theme. I also think the romance between Sam and Trin was believable in the whole "love at first sight, soulmate" sense. I was extremely confused at times, there was a lot going on. That is why I didn't rate the story higher. I would have also liked the romance between Trin and Sam to have progressed a bit more. Perhaps in a sequel? Overall I very much enjoyed this book.
3.5 out of 5 stars
First off, I really enjoyed the concept of this story. I liked reading a paranormal romance that did not include the over used vampire/shifter/witch theme. I also think the romance between Sam and Trin was believable in the whole "love at first sight, soulmate" sense. I was extremely confused at times, there was a lot going on. That is why I didn't rate the story higher. I would have also liked the romance between Trin and Sam to have progressed a bit more. Perhaps in a sequel? Overall I very much enjoyed this book.
September 20, 2013
An enjoyable quick read. A Paranormal book without vampires, werewolves or sex . A tribe of people with supernatural powers who are protectors of the human race led by a council of elders and a Keeper and an Oracle. The Keeper is a male warrior who protects the female Oracle and together their power in invincible. However, the Oracle had been killed by a demon and the new Keeper had to find the new Oracle before the Winter Solstice and she is being pursued by the demon and a corrupt warrior.
September 22, 2013
This book was wonderfully written. I was captivated trying to understand the auras and how the Keeper / Oracle relationship worked. It was full of great characters and some awesome what if, moments.
I really love how they are able to use their powers yet at times surprise themselves with how much power Sam has.
The ending is so unexpected it was great, and twisted, and perfect.
I really love how they are able to use their powers yet at times surprise themselves with how much power Sam has.
The ending is so unexpected it was great, and twisted, and perfect.
September 4, 2013
From a new author I think I was perhaps overly critical. It started a bit slow, but I enjoyed it!
June 18, 2017
Samantha has a unique ability to read auras and foretell events that had not occurred yet. Her ability, enhances when she starts living in the dorm. She always feels a dark presence looming around her. The story starts with her encounter with this dark presence and the emergence of few mysterious characters. Romance enters her life when she meets the Olympic swimming star, Trin Kosolov who possesses similar paranormal qualities like her. While, she didn’t know much about him - he seems to know all about her, for he is her assigned Keeper.
Together, they start battling the dark forces -with lots of help from the Elders of Knowledgeable Ones. Sam could not understand how she was related to this group, but they definitely seem to need her. But, apparently did the Evil Ones. Day by day, as her power grew, she encountered a lot of pain and bewilderment of why all these were happening to her. She found her soul mate in Trin, and it was their profound love for each other that kept on saving them from all dangers.
I could not put this book down once I started reading this book. It took me a long time, to give my rating as a reader. The story is very gripping and as a reader I wanted to reach the end. But, it was equally frustrating with the fast pace at which all the characters were moving and the number of characters interacting with each other was very daunting and difficult to keep up with. There were times I was confused as to who belong to the enemy camp and who were the good ones. Specially between the twins Anvil and Ashbel. Till the last pages of this book new characters have been introduced to the story that kept my head spinning. But if I go only with the storyline, it is very gripping. I was not disappointed by the ending, the author kept the movement going till the very last page - very rare in these kind of stories. When, in the ending a reader should be able to slowly let go of her breath (sort of like cooling down after an an aerobic session) here I was huffing and puffing till I did not put my e-reader off. I would surely wait for the sequel to follow this fast paced novel.
The setting of the story is very unique, not something you would find in a paranormal genre. But, I could not understand whether I would call it a paranormal thriller or a paranormal romance. The romance between the two protagonists, though was the antidote to the conflict, was not given much importance. If I take it as a thriller, then I would call the ending disappointing, because the character on which I was banking on, made a sudden turnover, which I was not expecting. I cannot say that I wasn't surprised by the ending, but it took away the evil which I was expecting at the end. But if you want to keep genre aside, this roller coaster ride is something each paranormal lover should go through.
http://www.rubinaramesh.com
Together, they start battling the dark forces -with lots of help from the Elders of Knowledgeable Ones. Sam could not understand how she was related to this group, but they definitely seem to need her. But, apparently did the Evil Ones. Day by day, as her power grew, she encountered a lot of pain and bewilderment of why all these were happening to her. She found her soul mate in Trin, and it was their profound love for each other that kept on saving them from all dangers.
I could not put this book down once I started reading this book. It took me a long time, to give my rating as a reader. The story is very gripping and as a reader I wanted to reach the end. But, it was equally frustrating with the fast pace at which all the characters were moving and the number of characters interacting with each other was very daunting and difficult to keep up with. There were times I was confused as to who belong to the enemy camp and who were the good ones. Specially between the twins Anvil and Ashbel. Till the last pages of this book new characters have been introduced to the story that kept my head spinning. But if I go only with the storyline, it is very gripping. I was not disappointed by the ending, the author kept the movement going till the very last page - very rare in these kind of stories. When, in the ending a reader should be able to slowly let go of her breath (sort of like cooling down after an an aerobic session) here I was huffing and puffing till I did not put my e-reader off. I would surely wait for the sequel to follow this fast paced novel.
The setting of the story is very unique, not something you would find in a paranormal genre. But, I could not understand whether I would call it a paranormal thriller or a paranormal romance. The romance between the two protagonists, though was the antidote to the conflict, was not given much importance. If I take it as a thriller, then I would call the ending disappointing, because the character on which I was banking on, made a sudden turnover, which I was not expecting. I cannot say that I wasn't surprised by the ending, but it took away the evil which I was expecting at the end. But if you want to keep genre aside, this roller coaster ride is something each paranormal lover should go through.
http://www.rubinaramesh.com
April 15, 2014
Author Amy Freeman's debut novel is a wonderful read that takes you on a journey to a world were Light and dark battle for the Oracle and in the middle are Sam and Trin two young college students who are drawn towards each other but don't know why. Follow them as their story unfolds and sheds light on this battle and the parts they play in it! Awesome awesome read and can't wait till sequel! Rich imagery and wonderful story and character development! ENJOY!!!
July 30, 2015
What an incredible ride! This book has a lot of great layers of adventure and I enjoyed the characters. I also really like how it incorporates foreign elements. Amy does a fabulous job at making the reader visualize the story and I can't wait to read the next book!
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