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Sweet Unrest #1
Sweet Unrest
Lucy Aimes has always been practical. But try as she might, she can’t come up with a logical explanation for the recurring dreams that have always haunted her. Dark dreams. Dreams of a long-ago place filled with people she shouldn’t know…but does.
When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.
As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish.
When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.
As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2014
24 people are currently reading
4856 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Maxwell
13 books2,053 followersLisa Maxwell is the New York Times Best-Selling author of THE LAST MAGICIAN. Also of UNHOOKED, SWEET UNREST, and GATHERING DEEP. When she's not writing books, she teaches English at a local college. She lives near DC with her very patient husband and two not-so patient boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 19, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and Flux for an eARC of this book to read and review.
DNF at 63%. I'm sorry, I just can't with the "Mystic Shaman Character who acts mysterious and like they have all the answers NOT actually giving ANY answers so the MC acts without information, causing people to get hurt and which pushes the story along" trope. I HATE when someone has answers and it's like pulling teeth to get them to say ANYthing helpful or useful. I refer to this as the "Harry Potter" syndrome.
After reading reviews with spoilers, it seems that the ending isn't satisfying at all, at which point I throw in the towel.
I'm not saying this is a bad book, there are a lot of interesting things in it, the MC's interest in photography, developing her own film and prints, the parents being historical reenactors and actually having a meet-cute on a faux battlefield, the handsome love interest and the New Orleans backdrop are all great, but that trope just killed it for me.
2, not my cup but YMMV, stars.
DNF at 63%. I'm sorry, I just can't with the "Mystic Shaman Character who acts mysterious and like they have all the answers NOT actually giving ANY answers so the MC acts without information, causing people to get hurt and which pushes the story along" trope. I HATE when someone has answers and it's like pulling teeth to get them to say ANYthing helpful or useful. I refer to this as the "Harry Potter" syndrome.
After reading reviews with spoilers, it seems that the ending isn't satisfying at all, at which point I throw in the towel.
I'm not saying this is a bad book, there are a lot of interesting things in it, the MC's interest in photography, developing her own film and prints, the parents being historical reenactors and actually having a meet-cute on a faux battlefield, the handsome love interest and the New Orleans backdrop are all great, but that trope just killed it for me.
2, not my cup but YMMV, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2016
3.5 stars
Louisiana in the summer, ghosts, and voodoo? Heck yeah sign me up! Why only 3.5 stars? Good question and truthfully, I can't put my finger on it right now. I didn't love it but it wasn't bad. Felt kind of middle-of-the-road after what I've read recently, and especially compared to other books involving reincarnation. Add to that my phobia of death and the mini-existential crisis this gave me when it started delving into past and future lives, and that's probably where this rating comes from. So, book, in all likelihood this is me and not you. I didn't have that problem with Star-Touched Queen because I was so in love with the Persephone/Hades retelling. I didn't have that problem with Daughter of Smoke and Bone because of the heavy fantasy elements and the fact that a) Madrigal had not been human and b) Karou was created, not born. Yes, she was created as a baby, but she was still built. Lucy started entering territory that my brain is seriously uncomfortable with.
I really liked the characters though, particularly Mama Legba and Chloe, and I'm looking forward to eventually finding out more about them in Gathering Deep! The ending was also extremely satisfying; gotta congratulate Lisa Maxwell for not taking the easy route there.
Louisiana in the summer, ghosts, and voodoo? Heck yeah sign me up! Why only 3.5 stars? Good question and truthfully, I can't put my finger on it right now. I didn't love it but it wasn't bad. Felt kind of middle-of-the-road after what I've read recently, and especially compared to other books involving reincarnation. Add to that my phobia of death and the mini-existential crisis this gave me when it started delving into past and future lives, and that's probably where this rating comes from. So, book, in all likelihood this is me and not you. I didn't have that problem with Star-Touched Queen because I was so in love with the Persephone/Hades retelling. I didn't have that problem with Daughter of Smoke and Bone because of the heavy fantasy elements and the fact that a) Madrigal had not been human and b) Karou was created, not born. Yes, she was created as a baby, but she was still built. Lucy started entering territory that my brain is seriously uncomfortable with.
I really liked the characters though, particularly Mama Legba and Chloe, and I'm looking forward to eventually finding out more about them in Gathering Deep! The ending was also extremely satisfying; gotta congratulate Lisa Maxwell for not taking the easy route there.
February 17, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! I am always fascinated by anything pertaining to New Orleans. I love the history and the culture in that city and this book captured so much of it! I loved the links to the past, all the talk of voodoo and spells. And the overall story was incredibly entertaining and well written. I enjoyed all of the characters and the roles they played. Such a good book. I can't wait to read the second book!
October 2, 2014
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
From what I have heard (actually read) at different blogs, it seems that that there are some issues in books most of us dealt with. One of them is when you get a really interesting idea and storyline (despite it being not perfectly done), but the book lacks any sort of chemistry or emotions, or vice versa. Sadly it happens often to me and Sweet Unrest will have to go into that category.
It starts like a mystical story, where Lucy, our main character in the story, moves with her parents to another city where a lot of town mysteries surround them. Soon enough Lucy gets to see pieces of that mystery and realized that there are some things that need to be solved and her adventure begins. With a nice dose of voodoo and dark and twisted stories you get to enjoy this mystery and to turn pages quickly just to see what happens next.
While that aspect of this story is what I really enjoyed, lack of chemistry or any sort of emotions is what stopped me from enjoying this fully. I never connected with Lucy or actually any other character. Alex was a really mysterious guy, but then again I couldn't feel him. Another thing that slightly bothered me was this ending. I don't want to spoil things to you, but it felt rather forced to me.
This is one of those books that for me seemed to have a really great idea and everything, but somewhere in the process some strings got loose and the plot suffered from it as it felt rather dull at moments. But writing was neatly done, which I'll give the author credit for.
Rating: 2.5 stars.
From what I have heard (actually read) at different blogs, it seems that that there are some issues in books most of us dealt with. One of them is when you get a really interesting idea and storyline (despite it being not perfectly done), but the book lacks any sort of chemistry or emotions, or vice versa. Sadly it happens often to me and Sweet Unrest will have to go into that category.
It starts like a mystical story, where Lucy, our main character in the story, moves with her parents to another city where a lot of town mysteries surround them. Soon enough Lucy gets to see pieces of that mystery and realized that there are some things that need to be solved and her adventure begins. With a nice dose of voodoo and dark and twisted stories you get to enjoy this mystery and to turn pages quickly just to see what happens next.
While that aspect of this story is what I really enjoyed, lack of chemistry or any sort of emotions is what stopped me from enjoying this fully. I never connected with Lucy or actually any other character. Alex was a really mysterious guy, but then again I couldn't feel him. Another thing that slightly bothered me was this ending. I don't want to spoil things to you, but it felt rather forced to me.
This is one of those books that for me seemed to have a really great idea and everything, but somewhere in the process some strings got loose and the plot suffered from it as it felt rather dull at moments. But writing was neatly done, which I'll give the author credit for.
Rating: 2.5 stars.
December 8, 2014
This book was a hot mess. I wish I could say it were original and wonderful and amazing, it was anything but. I don't understand, it had good elements: voodoo, the south, intriguing premise.
What killed me is that this book is stereotypical. It's overused. It's happened before! The beginning was very slow to start. By the time things started to happen, I was looking for my next book to read. I almost DNFd this one.
The characters were uninteresting and dull. There was nothing in them that I could connect to. Fascinating things couldn't be found in any of these characters. I wasn't attached to them at all.
I felt that the author used plot twists because she couldn't figure out where her story was going. The writing was straight forward and fair. It wasn't great, it wasn't bad.
There is instalove. I repeat there is instalove.
The author tries to downplay it by making it seem like it's not. It angers me so much because it cheats us readers out of a developing sweet romance. We're just thrown into the middle of things and frankly we don't care about this romance at all.
This book relies too much on the mystery. Once the mystery is solved, there's nothing else this book has going for it. I forgot the book basically the minute I finished, hence the short review.
November 1, 2014
4.5 stars
Wow, now this was an impressive debut! I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed Sweet Unrest. I always knew I wanted to read this, but I didn't think I'd be this mesmerized by everything this book had to offer.
Lisa Maxwell is a fantastic writer. The storyline has a little bit of everything I crave in a good escape. Voodoo magic, reincarnations, ghost stories, dreams, mystery, suspense and a fierce all consuming love. I also really loved all these characters and felt instantly connected to their stories. Past and present. I was instantly charmed by Maxwell's smooth writing style, absorbing plot and engaging characters. The writing is very smart and sharp and always kept me interested and invested chapter after chapter. To some, the pacing may seem a tad slow, but I rather enjoyed the steady rhythm of intrigue and suspense. I loved the way Maxwell connected us to the past and present by linking us through Lucy while bleeding her dreams into reality. I also really got a kick out of the voodoo element. I can't say that I've read this particular lore in other books before and I've learned that I quite enjoyed the readings, ceremony and dark magical history that comes with it, or at least in Maxwell's world. It was completely fascinating and hands down freak-worthy. Combine all that with the beauty of New Orleans and the mystery of the plantations and you have yourself an irresistible read.
Lucy is an amazing fiery protagonist. She's an ever practical person who doesn't exactly believe in all this voodoo business, but I like that she doesn't flat out reject the idea and keeps an open mind, especially considering what she's been seeing in her dreams and then seeing it re-enact in her own life. I think that was one of my favorite parts, seeing the dreams, nightmares and visions unfold and watch the mystery play out with thrilling anticipation.
Alexandre is a very alluring character, he's definitely intense in that dark almost threatening mysterious way but also has a playful kindness and charm that you can't resist. His story is haunting and heartbreaking and I couldn't seem to get enough. I absolutely adored the love story. It's a beautiful fierce endless love that you just want to squeeze and hold close. It may feel like insta-love to some, but I think given the circumstances between Lucy and Alex and their tortured past lives together, this felt more fated then instant and it definitely goes on the list of swoon-worthy goodness.
I also liked the rest of the character, everyone played their parts well and at one point of the story I wasn't sure who I could trust. One of my favorites though was Mama Legba. She gets a huge round of applause. She's the local Voodoo Queen and written with an otherworldly uniqueness that brought in such a perfect tone and flavor to the entire length of the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book so much. It's been a long time since a story as captivated me in a way that I simply could not put the book down at any given point. It's the kind of story that you can just relax and sink into and let the escape take you way. The ending was pretty bittersweet and apart of me - the hopeless sap part - wished for something more, but in it's own way it was kinda perfect. I'm thinking this is a stand-alone, but you wouldn't hear me complain one bit if we get a sequel. I'm simply not ready to let this world go. An amazing and incredibly entertaining debut novel by Maxwell. I greatly look forward to see what she comes up with next!
Wow, now this was an impressive debut! I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed Sweet Unrest. I always knew I wanted to read this, but I didn't think I'd be this mesmerized by everything this book had to offer.
Lisa Maxwell is a fantastic writer. The storyline has a little bit of everything I crave in a good escape. Voodoo magic, reincarnations, ghost stories, dreams, mystery, suspense and a fierce all consuming love. I also really loved all these characters and felt instantly connected to their stories. Past and present. I was instantly charmed by Maxwell's smooth writing style, absorbing plot and engaging characters. The writing is very smart and sharp and always kept me interested and invested chapter after chapter. To some, the pacing may seem a tad slow, but I rather enjoyed the steady rhythm of intrigue and suspense. I loved the way Maxwell connected us to the past and present by linking us through Lucy while bleeding her dreams into reality. I also really got a kick out of the voodoo element. I can't say that I've read this particular lore in other books before and I've learned that I quite enjoyed the readings, ceremony and dark magical history that comes with it, or at least in Maxwell's world. It was completely fascinating and hands down freak-worthy. Combine all that with the beauty of New Orleans and the mystery of the plantations and you have yourself an irresistible read.
Lucy is an amazing fiery protagonist. She's an ever practical person who doesn't exactly believe in all this voodoo business, but I like that she doesn't flat out reject the idea and keeps an open mind, especially considering what she's been seeing in her dreams and then seeing it re-enact in her own life. I think that was one of my favorite parts, seeing the dreams, nightmares and visions unfold and watch the mystery play out with thrilling anticipation.
Alexandre is a very alluring character, he's definitely intense in that dark almost threatening mysterious way but also has a playful kindness and charm that you can't resist. His story is haunting and heartbreaking and I couldn't seem to get enough. I absolutely adored the love story. It's a beautiful fierce endless love that you just want to squeeze and hold close. It may feel like insta-love to some, but I think given the circumstances between Lucy and Alex and their tortured past lives together, this felt more fated then instant and it definitely goes on the list of swoon-worthy goodness.
I also liked the rest of the character, everyone played their parts well and at one point of the story I wasn't sure who I could trust. One of my favorites though was Mama Legba. She gets a huge round of applause. She's the local Voodoo Queen and written with an otherworldly uniqueness that brought in such a perfect tone and flavor to the entire length of the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book so much. It's been a long time since a story as captivated me in a way that I simply could not put the book down at any given point. It's the kind of story that you can just relax and sink into and let the escape take you way. The ending was pretty bittersweet and apart of me - the hopeless sap part - wished for something more, but in it's own way it was kinda perfect. I'm thinking this is a stand-alone, but you wouldn't hear me complain one bit if we get a sequel. I'm simply not ready to let this world go. An amazing and incredibly entertaining debut novel by Maxwell. I greatly look forward to see what she comes up with next!
February 11, 2015
* * * This review contains SPOILERS * * *
Look, it's not like I need happy endings with unicorns flying over rainbows, puppies playing with kittens, and babies bouncing happily over their mother's laps, but I do need my endings to be at least satisfying and especially to make the time I spent reading worth it somehow, and sadly, this book's ending just made the whole story pointless, and left me feeling like an idiot for wasting precious reading time.
I think I get it though, this story was supposed to be hauntingly beautiful and sad and tragic, with a heroine who is no Bella Swan---jumping from cliffs and whatnot, if she can't have her beau---you go, girl! Moving on with your life, even if you're heartbroken forever, that's great. But why did her story have to be tragic in the past AND in the present? Where's the reward? Where's the hope? Where's the we've-suffered-so-much-and-for-so-long-but-it-was-worth-it?
At some point I thought this story was going to be some kind of gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling with Voodoo, but I was wrong, because according to Sweet Unrest logic it's perfectly okay to have the hero trapped alive inside a blood-soaked thread cocoon for more than a century, beat the evil witch responsible, and even save him, but to have him survive all this pain and misery and be with his ladylove is just not possible, okay? Because life sucks, and happy endings are not plausible, even if witchcraft is, and we should all just give up now. That's the message I got from this book.
I guess I should be happy that at least this is a standalone because, even though I think they're pretty decent, I didn't really get attached to the main characters, which no doubt would have happened on a long term, and I would have been pissed had this been the last book in a trilogy. Pissed. Instead I just felt stupid for about 2 minutes, angry for like 45 seconds, and then nothing. I felt nothing.
I can not recommend Sweet Unrest, and honestly, I would "unread" it if I could.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.)
Look, it's not like I need happy endings with unicorns flying over rainbows, puppies playing with kittens, and babies bouncing happily over their mother's laps, but I do need my endings to be at least satisfying and especially to make the time I spent reading worth it somehow, and sadly, this book's ending just made the whole story pointless, and left me feeling like an idiot for wasting precious reading time.
I think I get it though, this story was supposed to be hauntingly beautiful and sad and tragic, with a heroine who is no Bella Swan---jumping from cliffs and whatnot, if she can't have her beau---you go, girl! Moving on with your life, even if you're heartbroken forever, that's great. But why did her story have to be tragic in the past AND in the present? Where's the reward? Where's the hope? Where's the we've-suffered-so-much-and-for-so-long-but-it-was-worth-it?
At some point I thought this story was going to be some kind of gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling with Voodoo, but I was wrong, because according to Sweet Unrest logic it's perfectly okay to have the hero trapped alive inside a blood-soaked thread cocoon for more than a century, beat the evil witch responsible, and even save him, but to have him survive all this pain and misery and be with his ladylove is just not possible, okay? Because life sucks, and happy endings are not plausible, even if witchcraft is, and we should all just give up now. That's the message I got from this book.
I guess I should be happy that at least this is a standalone because, even though I think they're pretty decent, I didn't really get attached to the main characters, which no doubt would have happened on a long term, and I would have been pissed had this been the last book in a trilogy. Pissed. Instead I just felt stupid for about 2 minutes, angry for like 45 seconds, and then nothing. I felt nothing.
I can not recommend Sweet Unrest, and honestly, I would "unread" it if I could.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.)
July 19, 2014
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
I loved everything about Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell! This is a wonderful, Southern paranormal novel filled with ghosts, secrets, lost love....all those things that go together to make a juicy read.
We start out with Lucy, our main character, moving from Chicago to Louisiana. I absolutely love all things Southern and Cajun so Sweet Unrest satisfied my craving for that genre. Lucy's dad is a college professor moving the family down to a historical plantation in Cajun country to demonstrate living history as well as research.
When Lucy meets Alex, things get scary pretty fast. The story moves along with Lucy being introduced to Chloe and the local Voodoo queen. When old nightmares resurface, it's a race against time to unravel the mystery surrounding how Lucy's past and future ties in with her new acquaintances.
I loved the spook factor in this novel. At times I was afraid to walk down my dark hallway at night for fear a ghost would pop out and get me:)
I loved the way the author did her research in Cajun dialect. It made the story more believable. I loved reading how Lucy came to terms with an age old mistake and did everything she could as her present self to make things right and save the boy she loved.
I would recommend Sweet Unrest to lovers of amazing Southern YA Paranormal Romances. I would absolutely read future works from this author.
I loved everything about Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell! This is a wonderful, Southern paranormal novel filled with ghosts, secrets, lost love....all those things that go together to make a juicy read.
We start out with Lucy, our main character, moving from Chicago to Louisiana. I absolutely love all things Southern and Cajun so Sweet Unrest satisfied my craving for that genre. Lucy's dad is a college professor moving the family down to a historical plantation in Cajun country to demonstrate living history as well as research.
When Lucy meets Alex, things get scary pretty fast. The story moves along with Lucy being introduced to Chloe and the local Voodoo queen. When old nightmares resurface, it's a race against time to unravel the mystery surrounding how Lucy's past and future ties in with her new acquaintances.
I loved the spook factor in this novel. At times I was afraid to walk down my dark hallway at night for fear a ghost would pop out and get me:)
I loved the way the author did her research in Cajun dialect. It made the story more believable. I loved reading how Lucy came to terms with an age old mistake and did everything she could as her present self to make things right and save the boy she loved.
I would recommend Sweet Unrest to lovers of amazing Southern YA Paranormal Romances. I would absolutely read future works from this author.
September 16, 2014
3.5 to 4 Stars
I don't think there is anything I love more than a good atmospheric read, unless of course that read also happens to involve the unworldly.
I knew from the moment I heard about Sweet Unrest that it was something I needed to get my hands on. Who doesn't love a good, well told, creepy story? One filled with voodoo, reincarnation, ghosts and the possibility of the unknown?
What I wasn't expecting is that along with the soft almost subtle creepy vibe that transpires throughout the story as it foreshadows what is to come, there is also one heck of a sweet love story. One that sadly was doomed before it ever began.
One filled with hate and prejudices just as much as it is filled with kindness, understanding and forgiveness.
I really did love this read and I don't want to go into too much detail other than it had everything I look for in a really good ghost story that involves the south, voodoo and all the other strange and mysterious things that can happen when one puts in a little time, effort, a nice gothic background and a whole lot of imagination.
I don't think there is anything I love more than a good atmospheric read, unless of course that read also happens to involve the unworldly.
I knew from the moment I heard about Sweet Unrest that it was something I needed to get my hands on. Who doesn't love a good, well told, creepy story? One filled with voodoo, reincarnation, ghosts and the possibility of the unknown?
What I wasn't expecting is that along with the soft almost subtle creepy vibe that transpires throughout the story as it foreshadows what is to come, there is also one heck of a sweet love story. One that sadly was doomed before it ever began.
One filled with hate and prejudices just as much as it is filled with kindness, understanding and forgiveness.
I really did love this read and I don't want to go into too much detail other than it had everything I look for in a really good ghost story that involves the south, voodoo and all the other strange and mysterious things that can happen when one puts in a little time, effort, a nice gothic background and a whole lot of imagination.
September 29, 2014
Four Stars: A captivating, atmospheric read with ghosts, curses, and Voodoo!
Lucy reluctantly gets out of the car. She and her family have arrived in the Deep South, far away from Chicago, her friends and former life. Lucy's father has landed his dream job researching and restoring an old New Orleans sugar cane plantation. Even though Lucy doesn't want to be here, she pastes on a smile and grabs her camera. She must put her best foot forward so she can go back home for her senior year. In the meantime, perhaps she can get some terrific pictures for her portfolio. As Lucy snaps photos, she catches sight of a mysterious young man in the crowd, but when she develops her pictures, all she sees is a blur where the man should have been. This is just the beginning of the strange activity. Soon Lucy finds herself plagued by old nightmares and plunged into a mystery spanning back a hundred and fifty years. Will Lucy survive ghosts and Voodoo in New Orleans?
What I Liked:
*I am a big fan of creepy, atmospheric novels, especially those set in the Deep South. I wasn't disappointed in the New Orleans setting and the inclusion of ghosts, Voodoo and black curses in Sweet Unrest. This book delivers with its eerie setting and paranormal activity. If you are looking for an exciting, ghostly mystery check out Sweet Unrest.
*I enjoyed the blending of the past and the present. Once Lucy is settled in her new home, she begins having inexplicable dreams. While dreaming, Lucy seems to be reliving a young girl's life. A girl, Armantine, who lived over a century and a half ago. I loved how I got to glimpse back into the past and meeting a young girl of mixed heritage. I liked seeing how Armantine had to fight against all the prejudices and societal restrictions because of her mixed blood. Add in a large sugar cane plantation with a creepy freed slave woman who is rumored to be a witch, and you have the basis for an exciting mystery that blends with the present. I appreciated that the flashbacks to the past were via dreams so there was never any confusion, the dreams allowed the past to fit seamlessly with the future.
*The mystery is well done and it kept me guessing up until the end. The final reveal was shocking and surprising. I love when a book keeps me guessing until the end.
*Mama Legba, the local Voodoo Queen, was one of my favorite characters. I loved her spunky, mysterious flair, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about Voodoo. I only wished that she had a bigger role in the book.
*I appreciated the writing. This book is gorgeously written with plenty of attention to detail. I loved the descriptions and I especially liked the discussions on photography.
*The ending is fast, fierce and shocking, but it thankfully ties up most of the loose ends. I did have few niggling questions, and a first I thought it was a stand alone, but I have since learned that there will be a sequel next year following Chloe and Thisbe, so I will get the answers I am seeking. I appreciated that there wasn't a cliffhanger and that the book ended satisfactorily even though I didn't get the ending I was expecting. Still I appreciated that the ending was on the more realistic side.
And The Not So Much:
*I was disappointed that there wasn't more on Chloe and Thisbe especially after the ending. I felt like I was missing information, but I learned after contacting the author that book two will be Chloe and Thisbe's story so I should get the information I am after.
*I struggled a bit with the romance. I can't go into too many details as I will spoil it, but I never felt a strong connection with Alex. I wanted more sparks and attraction especially with Alex and Armantine. The romance lacked a bit of emotion for me.
*There is a scene where Armantine witnesses something horrifying in the past. I didn't like how the story cut away from this scene and how it was later brushed over. I would think after what she saw, Armantine would have wanted to steer clear of that person, but she didn't seem to have lingering issues, or if she did they weren't really addressed, there was just a brief mention. I was hoping to go back to the scene and see how the men reacted when the saw Armantine there.
*I was a bit confused as to how Piers was clued into everything at the end. How did he know about Alex? I felt like I was missing something as far as Piers was concerned. Piers was a character that drew me in and I was hoping to get to know him better, perhaps in the next book.
*I wished that there was more discussion on the plantation. I would love to know more about how the sugar cane plantation functioned back in the day, and what life was like for the slaves on the plantation.
Sweet Unrest is a perfect read for Fall. It blends ghosts, Voodoo, curses and a solid mystery that spans back into the past. If you love a book that utilizes a creepy atmosphere and plenty of paranormal, this is a good bet. I am excited to continue the story in the next book. I recommend this book for those of you who want a mysterious, atmospheric tale with Voodoo Queens, dark witches and black curses.
Favorite Quotations:
"The past is only as alive as we keep it by remembering."
"Pictures are a record----a testament of a time. They're a way of capturing the moment and holding it forever."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Lucy reluctantly gets out of the car. She and her family have arrived in the Deep South, far away from Chicago, her friends and former life. Lucy's father has landed his dream job researching and restoring an old New Orleans sugar cane plantation. Even though Lucy doesn't want to be here, she pastes on a smile and grabs her camera. She must put her best foot forward so she can go back home for her senior year. In the meantime, perhaps she can get some terrific pictures for her portfolio. As Lucy snaps photos, she catches sight of a mysterious young man in the crowd, but when she develops her pictures, all she sees is a blur where the man should have been. This is just the beginning of the strange activity. Soon Lucy finds herself plagued by old nightmares and plunged into a mystery spanning back a hundred and fifty years. Will Lucy survive ghosts and Voodoo in New Orleans?
What I Liked:
*I am a big fan of creepy, atmospheric novels, especially those set in the Deep South. I wasn't disappointed in the New Orleans setting and the inclusion of ghosts, Voodoo and black curses in Sweet Unrest. This book delivers with its eerie setting and paranormal activity. If you are looking for an exciting, ghostly mystery check out Sweet Unrest.
*I enjoyed the blending of the past and the present. Once Lucy is settled in her new home, she begins having inexplicable dreams. While dreaming, Lucy seems to be reliving a young girl's life. A girl, Armantine, who lived over a century and a half ago. I loved how I got to glimpse back into the past and meeting a young girl of mixed heritage. I liked seeing how Armantine had to fight against all the prejudices and societal restrictions because of her mixed blood. Add in a large sugar cane plantation with a creepy freed slave woman who is rumored to be a witch, and you have the basis for an exciting mystery that blends with the present. I appreciated that the flashbacks to the past were via dreams so there was never any confusion, the dreams allowed the past to fit seamlessly with the future.
*The mystery is well done and it kept me guessing up until the end. The final reveal was shocking and surprising. I love when a book keeps me guessing until the end.
*Mama Legba, the local Voodoo Queen, was one of my favorite characters. I loved her spunky, mysterious flair, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about Voodoo. I only wished that she had a bigger role in the book.
*I appreciated the writing. This book is gorgeously written with plenty of attention to detail. I loved the descriptions and I especially liked the discussions on photography.
*The ending is fast, fierce and shocking, but it thankfully ties up most of the loose ends. I did have few niggling questions, and a first I thought it was a stand alone, but I have since learned that there will be a sequel next year following Chloe and Thisbe, so I will get the answers I am seeking. I appreciated that there wasn't a cliffhanger and that the book ended satisfactorily even though I didn't get the ending I was expecting. Still I appreciated that the ending was on the more realistic side.
And The Not So Much:
*I was disappointed that there wasn't more on Chloe and Thisbe especially after the ending. I felt like I was missing information, but I learned after contacting the author that book two will be Chloe and Thisbe's story so I should get the information I am after.
*I struggled a bit with the romance. I can't go into too many details as I will spoil it, but I never felt a strong connection with Alex. I wanted more sparks and attraction especially with Alex and Armantine. The romance lacked a bit of emotion for me.
*There is a scene where Armantine witnesses something horrifying in the past. I didn't like how the story cut away from this scene and how it was later brushed over. I would think after what she saw, Armantine would have wanted to steer clear of that person, but she didn't seem to have lingering issues, or if she did they weren't really addressed, there was just a brief mention. I was hoping to go back to the scene and see how the men reacted when the saw Armantine there.
*I was a bit confused as to how Piers was clued into everything at the end. How did he know about Alex? I felt like I was missing something as far as Piers was concerned. Piers was a character that drew me in and I was hoping to get to know him better, perhaps in the next book.
*I wished that there was more discussion on the plantation. I would love to know more about how the sugar cane plantation functioned back in the day, and what life was like for the slaves on the plantation.
Sweet Unrest is a perfect read for Fall. It blends ghosts, Voodoo, curses and a solid mystery that spans back into the past. If you love a book that utilizes a creepy atmosphere and plenty of paranormal, this is a good bet. I am excited to continue the story in the next book. I recommend this book for those of you who want a mysterious, atmospheric tale with Voodoo Queens, dark witches and black curses.
Favorite Quotations:
"The past is only as alive as we keep it by remembering."
"Pictures are a record----a testament of a time. They're a way of capturing the moment and holding it forever."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 23, 2024
Wow this was different to what I imagined, voodoo, death, ghosts can’t wait for the sequel
October 17, 2014
I think the lesson to be learned from this story is knowing when to move on which is absolutely a need in real life. Not in this book, though. Pretty disappointing, I must say.
There was insta-love, I think. I mean maybe not really since they knew and loved each other from another life. And they were drawn to each other and yada yada yada. But yeah.. I still don't like it.
The characters are actually kind of okay for me but I didn't feel attach to any of them. I didn't actually care in what will happen to them. I think I was supposed to have goosebumps and stuffs like that but I didn't. I felt nothing.
The ending didn't definitely satisfied me. I was ready to read the ending of the book and be done with it but wow. It went even more downhill. I mean, what?! After all that happenings and struggles, that is what all they get? Look I am not really after endings where all is well and everything is okay in the world. Well, maybe a little. But.. I want an ending that satisfies me and not left me hanging like that. It felt like I waste my time reading this instead of a really good book. (I don't have so much time to read books now and it sucks not to read something good in that short period of time.) This book wasn't really SO bad. It just wasn't so good either. For me, anyway.
**An ARC provided by author and publisher via NetGalley in exchanged of an honest review.**
There was insta-love, I think. I mean maybe not really since they knew and loved each other from another life. And they were drawn to each other and yada yada yada. But yeah.. I still don't like it.
The characters are actually kind of okay for me but I didn't feel attach to any of them. I didn't actually care in what will happen to them. I think I was supposed to have goosebumps and stuffs like that but I didn't. I felt nothing.
The ending didn't definitely satisfied me. I was ready to read the ending of the book and be done with it but wow. It went even more downhill. I mean, what?! After all that happenings and struggles, that is what all they get? Look I am not really after endings where all is well and everything is okay in the world. Well, maybe a little. But.. I want an ending that satisfies me and not left me hanging like that. It felt like I waste my time reading this instead of a really good book. (I don't have so much time to read books now and it sucks not to read something good in that short period of time.) This book wasn't really SO bad. It just wasn't so good either. For me, anyway.
**An ARC provided by author and publisher via NetGalley in exchanged of an honest review.**
dnf
April 4, 2017I've tried to start this book multiple times and unfortunately I've never gotten past 20%
I'm not a huge fan of the main characters, honestly I just find them very bland and uninteresting and the plot is waaaaaaay too slow for me.
Guess this one just wasn't for me...
I'm not a huge fan of the main characters, honestly I just find them very bland and uninteresting and the plot is waaaaaaay too slow for me.
Guess this one just wasn't for me...
January 14, 2018
My 7th book of 2018 and finally five stars!!! l am obsessed with this book!! It is so amazing. The writing is incredible. The story is woven so intricately and with so much detail. Highly recommend and l can’t wait for the next book to come in the mail tomorrow!!
August 17, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Sweet Unrest was a captivating novel, though it could have been better.
Opening Sentence: My parents met during the battle of Clarksville.
The Review:
In this novel, Lucy has uprooted her life and moved to a southern plantation where her dreams begin to become stronger. Dreams of drowning, and dreams that seem to be of the past. And the strange boy appearing both in her dreams and real life, Alex, just adds more spice to the mix. Dangerous murders are beginning, as well. Where voodoo and magic flourish, will Lucy flounder or rise to the occasion?
Sweet Unrest was written so beautifully. The style was almost poetic in its flow, and I loved the way it could make me imagine exactly what was happening at any given time. The pacing was a little slow the whole book through, so for those who like lots of action that might be a problem. For me, I just let the words sink it more. The only time that the pacing sped up, unfortunately, was the ending — and I don’t like it when endings are rushed. Okay, maybe not rushed, exactly, but not with the easy slow cadence the rest of the novel had taken.
The main character loves photography, and so do I. It helped me connect with her during the book, our similar passions, although she was way more advanced at it than I was. She develops all her photos in a darkroom and has a better camera than my cute but amateur point and shoot. Her thoughts are so advanced that sometimes she feels very old for her age, but you know what it reminds me of? Sweet Strange Song. Not in plotline, but in the way the character thought —- very introspective, not all fluff like “does he like me back?” She contemplates higher ideas.
The love interest, Alex, was where my emotions got muddled. He could seem so charming and the next moment there would be a sentence about the gleam in his eye. I kept waiting for the plot to explode when something major was revealed, and though major things were revealed about Alex, they kept him painted in the same charming light. He seemed nice enough, even if their relationship was a tad insta-love.
Sweet Unrest was enjoyable and well-written. The pacing was somewhat slow, but since the book was relatively short it didn’t matter to me. I enjoyed the premise and the creepiness of the Lousiana setting. I’ve read quite a few southern-based novels, and Beautiful Creatures plus Sweet Unrest are probably my favorites as far as setting the southern mood. I also appreciated how connections could be made through the dreams Lucy has been having to real life. One minor complaint I have (really super minor) is that the main character’s name sounds a little too girly. I thought of Lucy as a stronger girl that deserved a name like Tris — original and with a certain flow to it. I wish they had put more emphasis on the murders, as well. If you are looking for tons of action, this probably isn’t the book for you, but a creepy novel with a ghostly twist? You’re in the right place!
Notable Scene:
“But it looks like a voodoo doll.” Piers sounded surprised.
“Maybe so, but Voodoo doesn’t deal in this kind of magic.” She made the disgusted sound again. “Look here, this red thread. That red is for power, but if this is what I think it might be, you’re dealing with something dangerous here. Something dark.”
FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Sweet Unrest. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Sweet Unrest was a captivating novel, though it could have been better.
Opening Sentence: My parents met during the battle of Clarksville.
The Review:
In this novel, Lucy has uprooted her life and moved to a southern plantation where her dreams begin to become stronger. Dreams of drowning, and dreams that seem to be of the past. And the strange boy appearing both in her dreams and real life, Alex, just adds more spice to the mix. Dangerous murders are beginning, as well. Where voodoo and magic flourish, will Lucy flounder or rise to the occasion?
Sweet Unrest was written so beautifully. The style was almost poetic in its flow, and I loved the way it could make me imagine exactly what was happening at any given time. The pacing was a little slow the whole book through, so for those who like lots of action that might be a problem. For me, I just let the words sink it more. The only time that the pacing sped up, unfortunately, was the ending — and I don’t like it when endings are rushed. Okay, maybe not rushed, exactly, but not with the easy slow cadence the rest of the novel had taken.
The main character loves photography, and so do I. It helped me connect with her during the book, our similar passions, although she was way more advanced at it than I was. She develops all her photos in a darkroom and has a better camera than my cute but amateur point and shoot. Her thoughts are so advanced that sometimes she feels very old for her age, but you know what it reminds me of? Sweet Strange Song. Not in plotline, but in the way the character thought —- very introspective, not all fluff like “does he like me back?” She contemplates higher ideas.
The love interest, Alex, was where my emotions got muddled. He could seem so charming and the next moment there would be a sentence about the gleam in his eye. I kept waiting for the plot to explode when something major was revealed, and though major things were revealed about Alex, they kept him painted in the same charming light. He seemed nice enough, even if their relationship was a tad insta-love.
Sweet Unrest was enjoyable and well-written. The pacing was somewhat slow, but since the book was relatively short it didn’t matter to me. I enjoyed the premise and the creepiness of the Lousiana setting. I’ve read quite a few southern-based novels, and Beautiful Creatures plus Sweet Unrest are probably my favorites as far as setting the southern mood. I also appreciated how connections could be made through the dreams Lucy has been having to real life. One minor complaint I have (really super minor) is that the main character’s name sounds a little too girly. I thought of Lucy as a stronger girl that deserved a name like Tris — original and with a certain flow to it. I wish they had put more emphasis on the murders, as well. If you are looking for tons of action, this probably isn’t the book for you, but a creepy novel with a ghostly twist? You’re in the right place!
Notable Scene:
“But it looks like a voodoo doll.” Piers sounded surprised.
“Maybe so, but Voodoo doesn’t deal in this kind of magic.” She made the disgusted sound again. “Look here, this red thread. That red is for power, but if this is what I think it might be, you’re dealing with something dangerous here. Something dark.”
FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Sweet Unrest. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
November 5, 2014
4*s
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Sweet Unrest was a great read filled with mystery and intrigue.
Set in New Orleans, Lucy Aimes life is about to get very strange when she and her family move to an old plantation. For as long as she has remembered she has had recurring dreams of drowning but those dreams take on a different purpose with the move, she starts to dream of people who lived around the area long ago, people who she shouldn’t know but feels connected to. Around the time Lucy also meets the mysterious Alex, who always seems to be around when no one else is, who seems to know her…. But how can he? For they have just met….one thing is for sure, he’s hiding something and she wants to find out. Lucy is also introduced to the voodoo and mysticism that is synonymous of the area and is about to be drawn into a whole lot of danger – can she solve the mystery of the past to save all of their futures?
So, I really enjoyed this story – to me when you put together New Orleans, voodoo, an old plantation house and mystery you’re automatically going to think gothic ghost story and you would be right. I thought Lucy was great character to bring the story to life, she had a sceptical attitude to what was happening and I liked that she questioned it instead of blindly believing everything. I admired her determination to know the truth and of course that she wanted to save those in danger. I also liked the connection she had to Alex, they had some sweet moments and again I liked that she questioned her feelings for him and often.
The storyline as I said was very mysterious and watching it all unfold was great. I liked the way the past blended in with the present and that we got chapters from both eras, I’m not one for any type of historical fiction but when the past is portrayed as this was – I don’t seem to mind it. I also thought the book was very atmospheric and you could feel the growing danger and the mystery of it all, each time we went back and learned a little something new was very important to the plot and kept adding to the ‘feel’ of it knowing that something was going to happen and soon. I loved the setting, I have to say that those big plantation houses are my dream homes and I would love to own one, the splendour and history of all that came before are amazing and I bet those houses do indeed have stories of their own – as this one did – and because of the fact that it’s in New Orleans is even better, a place so rich in culture with its own belief system crafted by many. I don’t read enough books that deal with voodoo, I like what it brings to a story and I’m never disappointed because it always brings its own ambience and sense of mystery – I enjoyed how it was used here and the explanations given, Mama Legba is quite the character as any voodoo priestess should be.
All in all I thought this book was great, it was easy to read, kept me entertained and guessing right up until the bittersweet ending and definitely worth a read.
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Sweet Unrest was a great read filled with mystery and intrigue.
Set in New Orleans, Lucy Aimes life is about to get very strange when she and her family move to an old plantation. For as long as she has remembered she has had recurring dreams of drowning but those dreams take on a different purpose with the move, she starts to dream of people who lived around the area long ago, people who she shouldn’t know but feels connected to. Around the time Lucy also meets the mysterious Alex, who always seems to be around when no one else is, who seems to know her…. But how can he? For they have just met….one thing is for sure, he’s hiding something and she wants to find out. Lucy is also introduced to the voodoo and mysticism that is synonymous of the area and is about to be drawn into a whole lot of danger – can she solve the mystery of the past to save all of their futures?
So, I really enjoyed this story – to me when you put together New Orleans, voodoo, an old plantation house and mystery you’re automatically going to think gothic ghost story and you would be right. I thought Lucy was great character to bring the story to life, she had a sceptical attitude to what was happening and I liked that she questioned it instead of blindly believing everything. I admired her determination to know the truth and of course that she wanted to save those in danger. I also liked the connection she had to Alex, they had some sweet moments and again I liked that she questioned her feelings for him and often.
The storyline as I said was very mysterious and watching it all unfold was great. I liked the way the past blended in with the present and that we got chapters from both eras, I’m not one for any type of historical fiction but when the past is portrayed as this was – I don’t seem to mind it. I also thought the book was very atmospheric and you could feel the growing danger and the mystery of it all, each time we went back and learned a little something new was very important to the plot and kept adding to the ‘feel’ of it knowing that something was going to happen and soon. I loved the setting, I have to say that those big plantation houses are my dream homes and I would love to own one, the splendour and history of all that came before are amazing and I bet those houses do indeed have stories of their own – as this one did – and because of the fact that it’s in New Orleans is even better, a place so rich in culture with its own belief system crafted by many. I don’t read enough books that deal with voodoo, I like what it brings to a story and I’m never disappointed because it always brings its own ambience and sense of mystery – I enjoyed how it was used here and the explanations given, Mama Legba is quite the character as any voodoo priestess should be.
All in all I thought this book was great, it was easy to read, kept me entertained and guessing right up until the bittersweet ending and definitely worth a read.
July 1, 2014
Sweet Unrest is possibly the darkest YA novel I have read with themes of voodoo, sacrifice, possession and ghosts. The geographical setting, New Orleans - known as one of the most haunted places in the world - only compounds the supernatural incidents in the book.
Lucy is unhappy when she arrives at her new plantation home of Le Ciel Doux. Her historian father has been employed there as a curator and she insists that she will only intern there for the summer, before returning to Chicago to live with her aunt. Perhaps it is Lucy's unhappiness which makes her sensitive to the past of the house, or the fact that she is already a powerful dreamer, but it is not long before she meets Alexander Jourdain and feels a sense of de ja vu.
Alexander's appearance coincides with a change in Lucy's dreams in which she is now able to envisage Alex, his past and the woman he loved. It is through Lucy's dreams that Lisa Maxwell arms her reader with the clues to solve the mystery in the present; they immediately transport us to a historical New Orleans where slavery and superstition are very much alive.
When the dreams begin it is easy for us to separate characters we are introduced to in both worlds, but as Lucy becomes more obsessed and her dreaming increases in power, the past and the present blend into each other. I think this allows the reader to feel more connected to Lucy, as her experiences are shared with us.
The english translation of the name of Lucy's new home, 'Le Ciel Doux', is 'Sweet Heaven', but in the title Lisa Maxwell turns this into the oxymoron, 'Sweet Unrest'. This forces the reader to consider not only Lucy's sleep patterns, which are restless, but the spiritual unrest of the plantation, which is not sweet, but unstable. There are other dichotomies within the novel, for example life versus death, good/evil and past vs present.
Lisa Maxwell's intimate story-telling means that the reader feels as if they are part of a secret few people know, and because of that we become totally immersed in the novel. This story has strong paranormal ingredients, but the author approaches them in a unique and mesmerizing manner. This is a book I definitely recommend for young adults and those a little older (like me!) who enjoy the genre.
Lucy is unhappy when she arrives at her new plantation home of Le Ciel Doux. Her historian father has been employed there as a curator and she insists that she will only intern there for the summer, before returning to Chicago to live with her aunt. Perhaps it is Lucy's unhappiness which makes her sensitive to the past of the house, or the fact that she is already a powerful dreamer, but it is not long before she meets Alexander Jourdain and feels a sense of de ja vu.
Alexander's appearance coincides with a change in Lucy's dreams in which she is now able to envisage Alex, his past and the woman he loved. It is through Lucy's dreams that Lisa Maxwell arms her reader with the clues to solve the mystery in the present; they immediately transport us to a historical New Orleans where slavery and superstition are very much alive.
When the dreams begin it is easy for us to separate characters we are introduced to in both worlds, but as Lucy becomes more obsessed and her dreaming increases in power, the past and the present blend into each other. I think this allows the reader to feel more connected to Lucy, as her experiences are shared with us.
The english translation of the name of Lucy's new home, 'Le Ciel Doux', is 'Sweet Heaven', but in the title Lisa Maxwell turns this into the oxymoron, 'Sweet Unrest'. This forces the reader to consider not only Lucy's sleep patterns, which are restless, but the spiritual unrest of the plantation, which is not sweet, but unstable. There are other dichotomies within the novel, for example life versus death, good/evil and past vs present.
Lisa Maxwell's intimate story-telling means that the reader feels as if they are part of a secret few people know, and because of that we become totally immersed in the novel. This story has strong paranormal ingredients, but the author approaches them in a unique and mesmerizing manner. This is a book I definitely recommend for young adults and those a little older (like me!) who enjoy the genre.
August 10, 2014
Sweet Unrest is a heartbreaking beautiful tale of bittersweet love and ghostly mystery. It's enchanting and chilling. Beautifully written with love able characters that made me devour the book in one day.
Lucy Aimes moves to New Orleans with her family. She suffers from dark and disturbing dreams that only get more intense the longer she is in new home. But she just thinks they are strange dreams. Little does she know that she is about to stumble upon a century old vendetta that threatens to hurt the ones she loves and only she can stop it with the help of a mysterious and handsome young man, Alex who is hiding a dark secret that is intertwined with Lucy and her dreams.
I was first drawn to this simply because of the amazing cover. With the wonderful Gothic looking fence I was a goner straight away. I am a sucker for anything that looks Gothic and then once I read the blurb I just knew I needed it. I am been obsessed with anything New Orleans even since a certain author's vampire books ;) I am drawn to the setting and instantly fall in love. Even though I have never actually been there. So you can imagine that my expectations were very high for this book. And boy, it did not disappoint. I found myself completely enthralled by the mystery of this tale. And being fascinated by the added mix of Voodoo and Lucy's dreams that are set around the time of the Civil War.
Lucy is a very believable teenager. She is not perfect. But when push comes to shove she will stop at nothing to protect those she cares for even if it means breaking her own heart. Alex, was a mystery and unravelling his secret was what kept me reading. It was thrilling as we delved deeper into the past to see how it connects in the presents and my god most of it I did not see coming!! My only issue was that I personally thought it felt just a little rushed. It seems like everything happened over the course of a week or so.
Sweet Unrest is sure to be hit! I hope people read it and love as much as I did. With mystery, voodoo and a thrilling story line that sends shivers down your spine. I highly recommend it. Just don't read in public because if you are like me and cry easily you will end up n tears!!
Lucy Aimes moves to New Orleans with her family. She suffers from dark and disturbing dreams that only get more intense the longer she is in new home. But she just thinks they are strange dreams. Little does she know that she is about to stumble upon a century old vendetta that threatens to hurt the ones she loves and only she can stop it with the help of a mysterious and handsome young man, Alex who is hiding a dark secret that is intertwined with Lucy and her dreams.
I was first drawn to this simply because of the amazing cover. With the wonderful Gothic looking fence I was a goner straight away. I am a sucker for anything that looks Gothic and then once I read the blurb I just knew I needed it. I am been obsessed with anything New Orleans even since a certain author's vampire books ;) I am drawn to the setting and instantly fall in love. Even though I have never actually been there. So you can imagine that my expectations were very high for this book. And boy, it did not disappoint. I found myself completely enthralled by the mystery of this tale. And being fascinated by the added mix of Voodoo and Lucy's dreams that are set around the time of the Civil War.
Lucy is a very believable teenager. She is not perfect. But when push comes to shove she will stop at nothing to protect those she cares for even if it means breaking her own heart. Alex, was a mystery and unravelling his secret was what kept me reading. It was thrilling as we delved deeper into the past to see how it connects in the presents and my god most of it I did not see coming!! My only issue was that I personally thought it felt just a little rushed. It seems like everything happened over the course of a week or so.
Sweet Unrest is sure to be hit! I hope people read it and love as much as I did. With mystery, voodoo and a thrilling story line that sends shivers down your spine. I highly recommend it. Just don't read in public because if you are like me and cry easily you will end up n tears!!
September 15, 2014
Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell is a wonderful gothic story that includes magic, a mystery, a bit of romance and a creepy atmosphere that had me wondering what was going to happen.
Lucy’s parents have decided to pick up and move the family to New Orleans to live on a plantation that has a deep history. The history is exactly what has drawn her parents to the plantation and the history is what has made Lucy’s headaches and nightmares come back with a vengeance.
I liked Lucy as a lead character. She was smart and determined to figure things out. She was also protective of her family and cared about the people around her. As she digs into the mysteries surrounding her, she learns quite a bit about herself and what is really going on.
I was immediately drawn into this story due to the way that Maxwell develops not only the characters but the world around Lucy. From day one she is drawn into the Voodoo religion due to her quick friendship with Chloe. Chloe is the outgoing daughter of the woman who invited Lucy’s family to the plantation and as Chloe introduces Lucy to New Orleans, we get to see it through her eyes. As Chloe also introduces Lucy to Mama Legba, a real Voodoo Queen, Lucy is drawn into the magic as she sees it as a way to figure out what the nightmares mean.
Lucy is also drawn toward Alex from her very first day and we slowly find out why. As she finds out more and more about him, she begins to dream about him more often and this leads to her finding out exactly what her nightmares are about. I can’t say much about Alex as I don’t want to give anything away about him and how his story intertwines with Lucy’s.
Maxwell does a great job of developing the secondary characters in this book as well. From Mama Legba to Piers to Thisbe – they all play a critical role in this story and I loved how their stories were tied together.
If you are looking for a story that pulls you in and slowly unravels itself definitely check this one out. I enjoyed the way this one flowed and how the story developed into something I wasn’t expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley and Flux for the review copy.
Lucy’s parents have decided to pick up and move the family to New Orleans to live on a plantation that has a deep history. The history is exactly what has drawn her parents to the plantation and the history is what has made Lucy’s headaches and nightmares come back with a vengeance.
I liked Lucy as a lead character. She was smart and determined to figure things out. She was also protective of her family and cared about the people around her. As she digs into the mysteries surrounding her, she learns quite a bit about herself and what is really going on.
I was immediately drawn into this story due to the way that Maxwell develops not only the characters but the world around Lucy. From day one she is drawn into the Voodoo religion due to her quick friendship with Chloe. Chloe is the outgoing daughter of the woman who invited Lucy’s family to the plantation and as Chloe introduces Lucy to New Orleans, we get to see it through her eyes. As Chloe also introduces Lucy to Mama Legba, a real Voodoo Queen, Lucy is drawn into the magic as she sees it as a way to figure out what the nightmares mean.
Lucy is also drawn toward Alex from her very first day and we slowly find out why. As she finds out more and more about him, she begins to dream about him more often and this leads to her finding out exactly what her nightmares are about. I can’t say much about Alex as I don’t want to give anything away about him and how his story intertwines with Lucy’s.
Maxwell does a great job of developing the secondary characters in this book as well. From Mama Legba to Piers to Thisbe – they all play a critical role in this story and I loved how their stories were tied together.
If you are looking for a story that pulls you in and slowly unravels itself definitely check this one out. I enjoyed the way this one flowed and how the story developed into something I wasn’t expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley and Flux for the review copy.
August 24, 2017
I'm giving this book 4 stars. It was entertaining, but the insta-love was tiresome at times and there were a few editing errors. Normally I don't mind that but it wasn't misspelled words but words that were completely missing from the sentence. It made me stop and ponder what was supposed to be written there.
Sweet Unrest is about a girl named Lucy who has been having a reoccurring dream for as long as she can remember. Her family gets some exciting news that they have been asked to move to New Orleans and fix up an old plantation and turn it into a museum. One day while roaming the grounds of her new place Lucy comes across a boy napping in the sun. This starts the story and the strange things that follow.
I loved the fact that this story was filled with voodoo and ghosts. I loved that the villain was very very evil. I loved the writing for the most part. It was straight forward, but it was beautiful. I really wish there wasn't those few editing errors that brought me out of the story.
As for the insta-love it totally makes sense in the context of the story. But as a modern girl it annoyed me. I shouldn't let that influence my judgement of the book, but it just seemed unrealistic. Again in the context it makes since, but that deep undying love felt by Lucy regardless of the situation doesn't seem genuine. I think she would be concerned and she would really really like this person but love? Then again this is a YA book and at 17 I felt I would just die if my boyfriend broke up with me so I guess it makes sense lol.
Sweet Unrest is about a girl named Lucy who has been having a reoccurring dream for as long as she can remember. Her family gets some exciting news that they have been asked to move to New Orleans and fix up an old plantation and turn it into a museum. One day while roaming the grounds of her new place Lucy comes across a boy napping in the sun. This starts the story and the strange things that follow.
I loved the fact that this story was filled with voodoo and ghosts. I loved that the villain was very very evil. I loved the writing for the most part. It was straight forward, but it was beautiful. I really wish there wasn't those few editing errors that brought me out of the story.
As for the insta-love it totally makes sense in the context of the story. But as a modern girl it annoyed me. I shouldn't let that influence my judgement of the book, but it just seemed unrealistic. Again in the context it makes since, but that deep undying love felt by Lucy regardless of the situation doesn't seem genuine. I think she would be concerned and she would really really like this person but love? Then again this is a YA book and at 17 I felt I would just die if my boyfriend broke up with me so I guess it makes sense lol.
August 6, 2014
Lucy Aimes was not happy about leaving Chicago and all her friends to move to Louisana for her father's work. Her parents promised if she spent the summer really trying to like Louisana and didn't, they would consider letting her go back to Chicago for her senior year of high school. Her father was the new curator of an antebellum sugar plantation outside New Orleans.
Lucy had been plagued by a recurring dream most of her life but it wasn't until she moved to the plantation, Le Ciel Doux that she began having more detailed dreams about the same woman and french fiance. In her dreams, she saw the courtship of Armantine and Alex, in 1851. When she meets Alex on the plantation, she doesn't know what to believe.
This is a fast moving YA novel that had no trouble holding my interest. Murder and Voodoo combined to make for a very enjoyable read.
Lucy had been plagued by a recurring dream most of her life but it wasn't until she moved to the plantation, Le Ciel Doux that she began having more detailed dreams about the same woman and french fiance. In her dreams, she saw the courtship of Armantine and Alex, in 1851. When she meets Alex on the plantation, she doesn't know what to believe.
This is a fast moving YA novel that had no trouble holding my interest. Murder and Voodoo combined to make for a very enjoyable read.
October 5, 2014
Gr. 9 & Up: A romantic ghost story, Voodoo spells, and the humid-drenched southern locale of historical New Orleans all combine for a satisfying mix of contemporary and historical fiction from Maxwell’s first, Sweet Unrest. When Lucy Aimes’s family moves to an old plantation near New Orleans for her history professor father’s work, she becomes plagued with vivid dreams featuring a handsome Alex and surprisingly familiar Armantine. Lucy soon learns that the dreams are much more than they seem with the assistance of a local mystical woman; intertwining a bit of history of Voodoo with an enjoyable mystery, Maxwell produces a well-written, spell-binding, enthralling, and informative story that young readers (and adults) are sure to snap up. Read it for the heady descriptions of New Orleans and mysticism if nothing else.
August 1, 2015
This is a beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric Southern Gothic with creepy characters, a delicious mystery that spans the past and the present, and a haunting and haunted set of characters that will stay with you long after you close the book. I'm beyond ready to dive into the sequel!
January 20, 2015
so beautifully bittersweet. I couldn't put it down.
March 25, 2025
5his book had made me really think of the things that people may or may not go through
August 9, 2014
You can also find this review at http://girlinthewoodsreviews.blogspot...
Detailed Review: *I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I read that first sentence, it didn't prepare me for what was due to come. Even countless re-readings of the synopsis didn't help soften the blows this book dealt me.
One thing was obvious though: this was about reincarnation and Voodoo. I already knew that from my first glimpse of the synopsis.
How these two elements came together though, was a different story. I twisted my mind in every way to see how the pieces fit into the puzzle, but I couldn't figure it out. Not as well as Maxwell, anyway.
Everything is not a coincidence in this book; it is all planned out from the start. This is what a really good book needs: some prior planning before plunging into writing and some significant character development (especially the main characters) throughout the book.
Sweet Unrest had both. That means that it's a really good book.
Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be this good, because there was quite an ordinary first line and first paragraph (I judge books by first lines and paragraphs), not enough to capture someone's fancy for long.
Until you read the end of the prologue. That's when it sparks your interest.
My sole advice when reading this book is to read on-yes, even when you're bored- because you'll always discover something at each turn of the page. You wouldn't want to miss any of it.
I'm talking about the plot twists here. There are a few. Fair warning: they're not light ones; they pack a punch.
The characters had interesting developments throughout the book, but that was one of the plot twists (hopefully that's not considered a spoiler)
This book had a considerable amount of fear factor in it, because it's Voodoo. Yet, the author does mention that it's not all bad, the story itself does highlight that the art can be used for ulterior motives.
The romance between Alex and Lucy was certainly great, but I thought more attention could be given to their relationship in the present, not in the past. This did somehow make the romance seem slightly unnatural, despite the fact that they have met each other in a different life at a different time.
But... Everything other than that was great.
The writing in this book is straight to the point, though Maxwell loves leading you off the safe path to dark places, so beware... She even likes to include some meaningful musings about life (ahhhhhhh).
Another point scorer is the author's inclusion of family. She emphasis throughout the book how important family really is. I just loved Lucy's brother, T.J. He is the absolute cutest. And the prologue even mentioned her parents and how they met (that's actually quite interesting but nothing compared to the rest of the story)
Did I mention that I swooned when I read that Alex had a French accent (OMG THAT IS HOT) and that his full name was Alexandre Jourdain (double OMG)? French guys are seriously the best.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but honestly it was still as heartbreaking as if there was a cliffhanger. You get what I mean. But it was good though, in a way that it gives your imagination full reign of what will happen to the characters in the future. It isn't just restricted by what the author gives you, it's up to you what happens. That's what I liked the most.
Brief Review: Maxwell successfully fits two very different elements together into a well-written book. She gives Voodoo a near insight- she transforms the art into something beautiful and horrifying at the same time. She not only does it with talent; she does it with amazing characters and storytelling on her part. I must say that Sweet Unrest will most definitely clear a path for the author to start of her writing career!!!
Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It!'
Detailed Review: *I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I read that first sentence, it didn't prepare me for what was due to come. Even countless re-readings of the synopsis didn't help soften the blows this book dealt me.
One thing was obvious though: this was about reincarnation and Voodoo. I already knew that from my first glimpse of the synopsis.
How these two elements came together though, was a different story. I twisted my mind in every way to see how the pieces fit into the puzzle, but I couldn't figure it out. Not as well as Maxwell, anyway.
Everything is not a coincidence in this book; it is all planned out from the start. This is what a really good book needs: some prior planning before plunging into writing and some significant character development (especially the main characters) throughout the book.
Sweet Unrest had both. That means that it's a really good book.
Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be this good, because there was quite an ordinary first line and first paragraph (I judge books by first lines and paragraphs), not enough to capture someone's fancy for long.
Until you read the end of the prologue. That's when it sparks your interest.
My sole advice when reading this book is to read on-yes, even when you're bored- because you'll always discover something at each turn of the page. You wouldn't want to miss any of it.
I'm talking about the plot twists here. There are a few. Fair warning: they're not light ones; they pack a punch.
The characters had interesting developments throughout the book, but that was one of the plot twists (hopefully that's not considered a spoiler)
This book had a considerable amount of fear factor in it, because it's Voodoo. Yet, the author does mention that it's not all bad, the story itself does highlight that the art can be used for ulterior motives.
The romance between Alex and Lucy was certainly great, but I thought more attention could be given to their relationship in the present, not in the past. This did somehow make the romance seem slightly unnatural, despite the fact that they have met each other in a different life at a different time.
But... Everything other than that was great.
The writing in this book is straight to the point, though Maxwell loves leading you off the safe path to dark places, so beware... She even likes to include some meaningful musings about life (ahhhhhhh).
Another point scorer is the author's inclusion of family. She emphasis throughout the book how important family really is. I just loved Lucy's brother, T.J. He is the absolute cutest. And the prologue even mentioned her parents and how they met (that's actually quite interesting but nothing compared to the rest of the story)
Did I mention that I swooned when I read that Alex had a French accent (OMG THAT IS HOT) and that his full name was Alexandre Jourdain (double OMG)? French guys are seriously the best.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but honestly it was still as heartbreaking as if there was a cliffhanger. You get what I mean. But it was good though, in a way that it gives your imagination full reign of what will happen to the characters in the future. It isn't just restricted by what the author gives you, it's up to you what happens. That's what I liked the most.
Brief Review: Maxwell successfully fits two very different elements together into a well-written book. She gives Voodoo a near insight- she transforms the art into something beautiful and horrifying at the same time. She not only does it with talent; she does it with amazing characters and storytelling on her part. I must say that Sweet Unrest will most definitely clear a path for the author to start of her writing career!!!
Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It!'
October 28, 2014
My review can also be found @ Bittersweet Enchantment
At first glace, Sweet Unrest looked to be a perfect read for this time of year, Halloween. The cover is definitely creepy and very unique with name of the book beautifully designed to fix into the gate which is the main focus of the cover. Going into reading the book my expectations were at a all time high and after finishing it in a mere two days I am glad they were. I fell head over heal in love with Sweet Unrest. It was everything I wanted and more.
The story begins as Lucy Aimes and her family move to Louisiana because of her Father's job. He was chosen to curate and direct a antebellum sugar plantation outside of New Orleans. Lucy is not thrilled by the move but more so angry at being uprooted. She wanted nothing more than to remain in Chicago and attend an art institute, taking pictures, her one true passion.
As Lucy and her family get settled in their new home, a large estate which looks to have quite a history behind it. Soon Lucy meets a girl her age named, Chloe. Chloe is the daughter of a women who works for the sugar plantation. Lucy comes to find out that Chloe is into or believes in voodoo and knows a old woman who supposable is a voodoo queen. Lucy doesn't believe in such things, and is determined to show Chloe that these things just don't exist. Although after meeting Mama Legba, Lucy starts to wonder is anything this old lady said is true.
Lucy has had a recurring dream for as long as she can remember, although as of late her dream has been kept a bay, until now... While walking the grounds, Lucy sees a boy close to her age. He's breathtakingly beautiful and oh so mysterious but when Lucy tries to follow him into the woods he seeming vanishes. Days later "Fate" decides intervene and Lucy gets to meet this mysterious man. She learns his name is Alexander, he's french, and by the way he speaks it's as if he comes from another time. After meeting Alex, something happens to Lucy. He dreams have gotten worse, and more intense, scarier but what worries Lucy even more is now she is dreaming of Alex. A man she barely knows, a man who holds many secrets...and a woman who surprising looks a lot like Lucy herself. What do these dreams mean and why can't she seem to turn them off.
Lucy now struggles to understand what her dreams mean, who really is Alex and how voodoo and magic play a large part in it all.... The truth, will leave you breathless...
For me one of the biggest things I loved about the book was the romance between Lucy and Alex, and how the subject of past lives plays into the story. I have always been a huge fan of books about reincarnation, and finding your mate in the next life. It's so romantic. Just seeing Alex and Lucy connect during the course of the book was so raw and emotional for me. The ending had me in a full out crying fest, like seriously balling my eyes out. I loved the all of the characters in the story, even the side characters like Chloe and Mama Legba. Everyone played their part perfectly throughout the book.
I also really enjoyed the concept of voodoo and magic playing such a large part in the book. I've never read any books with this topic in it and I really think it gave the story such depth and excitement. Sweet Unrest was totally unlike anything I've read before. My only problem I had with the book was towards the middle the pacing seems to slow down some and drag but it wasn't so off putting that I stopped reading.
I would without a doubt recommend Sweet Unrest to anyone who enjoys stories about past lives, ghosts, magic, and an epic love story which teaches us TRUE LOVE never dies.
At first glace, Sweet Unrest looked to be a perfect read for this time of year, Halloween. The cover is definitely creepy and very unique with name of the book beautifully designed to fix into the gate which is the main focus of the cover. Going into reading the book my expectations were at a all time high and after finishing it in a mere two days I am glad they were. I fell head over heal in love with Sweet Unrest. It was everything I wanted and more.
The story begins as Lucy Aimes and her family move to Louisiana because of her Father's job. He was chosen to curate and direct a antebellum sugar plantation outside of New Orleans. Lucy is not thrilled by the move but more so angry at being uprooted. She wanted nothing more than to remain in Chicago and attend an art institute, taking pictures, her one true passion.
As Lucy and her family get settled in their new home, a large estate which looks to have quite a history behind it. Soon Lucy meets a girl her age named, Chloe. Chloe is the daughter of a women who works for the sugar plantation. Lucy comes to find out that Chloe is into or believes in voodoo and knows a old woman who supposable is a voodoo queen. Lucy doesn't believe in such things, and is determined to show Chloe that these things just don't exist. Although after meeting Mama Legba, Lucy starts to wonder is anything this old lady said is true.
Lucy has had a recurring dream for as long as she can remember, although as of late her dream has been kept a bay, until now... While walking the grounds, Lucy sees a boy close to her age. He's breathtakingly beautiful and oh so mysterious but when Lucy tries to follow him into the woods he seeming vanishes. Days later "Fate" decides intervene and Lucy gets to meet this mysterious man. She learns his name is Alexander, he's french, and by the way he speaks it's as if he comes from another time. After meeting Alex, something happens to Lucy. He dreams have gotten worse, and more intense, scarier but what worries Lucy even more is now she is dreaming of Alex. A man she barely knows, a man who holds many secrets...and a woman who surprising looks a lot like Lucy herself. What do these dreams mean and why can't she seem to turn them off.
Lucy now struggles to understand what her dreams mean, who really is Alex and how voodoo and magic play a large part in it all.... The truth, will leave you breathless...
For me one of the biggest things I loved about the book was the romance between Lucy and Alex, and how the subject of past lives plays into the story. I have always been a huge fan of books about reincarnation, and finding your mate in the next life. It's so romantic. Just seeing Alex and Lucy connect during the course of the book was so raw and emotional for me. The ending had me in a full out crying fest, like seriously balling my eyes out. I loved the all of the characters in the story, even the side characters like Chloe and Mama Legba. Everyone played their part perfectly throughout the book.
I also really enjoyed the concept of voodoo and magic playing such a large part in the book. I've never read any books with this topic in it and I really think it gave the story such depth and excitement. Sweet Unrest was totally unlike anything I've read before. My only problem I had with the book was towards the middle the pacing seems to slow down some and drag but it wasn't so off putting that I stopped reading.
I would without a doubt recommend Sweet Unrest to anyone who enjoys stories about past lives, ghosts, magic, and an epic love story which teaches us TRUE LOVE never dies.
October 2, 2014
'Sweet Unrest' is a gripping and mysterious young adult paranormal novel that finds our main character, Lucy Aimes, stuck in both the present and the past as she attempts to solve two mysteries at once. Lucy was a great main character for the story. She's determined, smart, and logical. She has her flaws and weaker points - not wanting to move away from everything she loves in Chicago to live in Louisiana. All Lucy wants to do is hold up her end of the bargain she made with her parents so she can return to Chicago to live with her aunt for her senior year. Things are going well until Lucy meets the handsome and mysterious Alex. She feels as if she already knows him, although that is impossible. Alex begins to take over Lucy's dreams along with her waking hours, although in a strange way. She dreams of the past - where she is a different girl and is in love with a guy who is unmistakenly Alex. Lucy doesn't understand what's happening to her - Alex couldn't have been alive over a hundred years ago. Did the people in her dreams actually exist - if they did, what happened to them? Lucy must hurry to solve the mysteries of her dreams and Alex before someone she loves is killed.
I thought that using an old sugar plantation in Louisiana as the main setting for the book - along with some scenes in New Orleans - was absolutely perfect. There's a feeling of mysticism associated with New Orleans, so the ties to Voodoo, ghosts, spirits, past lives, and everything else paranormal fit in perfectly. Just being set in that part of the country made the book eerie from the start, which set the mood for the story almost instantly. I loved all the information the author included in the book about Voodoo - its history, beliefs, rituals, and everything else - along with the belief in spirits, ghosts, and magic. I devoured all of it and still wanted more. The plot wasn't wholly unique, but it was definitely original and had great aspects that set it apart from others in the genre. The mystery surrounding Alex was complex and took me a while to understand, which is unusual. There were a lot of different ways the plot could have gone and then a new twist would be thrown into the mix. The use of dreams to "visit" the past instead of something more common - like time travel - was a breath of fresh air to me. I loved how the author took that part of the story and put a whole new twist to it. I have to admit that parts of the story did have me rolling my eyes due to predictability - mostly Lucy loving/hating Alex and not making up her mind - but those sections didn't really deter me from my overall thoughts on the book. The writing was well done - it had a decently fast paced and a natural flow - so it ended up being a quick read. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy paranormal fiction and what to mix things up a bit.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that using an old sugar plantation in Louisiana as the main setting for the book - along with some scenes in New Orleans - was absolutely perfect. There's a feeling of mysticism associated with New Orleans, so the ties to Voodoo, ghosts, spirits, past lives, and everything else paranormal fit in perfectly. Just being set in that part of the country made the book eerie from the start, which set the mood for the story almost instantly. I loved all the information the author included in the book about Voodoo - its history, beliefs, rituals, and everything else - along with the belief in spirits, ghosts, and magic. I devoured all of it and still wanted more. The plot wasn't wholly unique, but it was definitely original and had great aspects that set it apart from others in the genre. The mystery surrounding Alex was complex and took me a while to understand, which is unusual. There were a lot of different ways the plot could have gone and then a new twist would be thrown into the mix. The use of dreams to "visit" the past instead of something more common - like time travel - was a breath of fresh air to me. I loved how the author took that part of the story and put a whole new twist to it. I have to admit that parts of the story did have me rolling my eyes due to predictability - mostly Lucy loving/hating Alex and not making up her mind - but those sections didn't really deter me from my overall thoughts on the book. The writing was well done - it had a decently fast paced and a natural flow - so it ended up being a quick read. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy paranormal fiction and what to mix things up a bit.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2014
Also published in "A Cup of Coffee and a Book"
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sweet Unrest is that type of book that you have no idea where it’s going but you continue reading because you want to find out. When you start reading it, your mind begins to draw different scenarios and endings but in the end it leaves you completely surprised and utterly in shock.
Lucy Aimes has always been assaulted by weird and vivid dreams. She can’t make them out but they terrify her. Her family move to New Orleans and that’s when everything begins to morph. Then she meets Alex, an enigmatic stranger who captures her attention but there’s something odd about him. When she finally begins to dig the truth, she finds herself within a bubble of mysticism, voodoo, curses, past lives and much more she wasn’t expecting and intertwine.
I enjoyed this book so much not only because of Lucy, who was a brilliant main character with a voice that was easy enough to follow, but because of the whole atmosphere surrounding the plot. New Orleans sure is the right setting for a story like this one and that was, also, one of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much.
I’ve been finding myself reading a lot of books set in Louisiana… not sure if that’s good or not but I know I do enjoy it!
Lucy was, as I mentioned, an amazing character. I loved how she was so human and ordinary, such an easy-going and down-to-earth young girl I never got tired of her. I also did like her slow development and how she embraces the truth about her dreams and Alex and everything around her.
As for Alex, I don’t really want to get into much details about him really only because he’s such a complex and unexplained and so-outta-this-world character that if I begin, I’ll spoil the whole of the book. And I’m surely trying to avoid that ;-)
Lucy is thrust into a curse that is 100 years old. A curse that will break her heart, crush her dreams and open her eyes to small wonders in the world. And the end of the book was so shattering I still cannot believe there is a YA book out there that ends abruptly like this. I normally read happy endings and there’s nothing happy about this.
This is not a book to have you all swooning and squealing; this is a heart crushing book. The end will leave you completely in shock and desperate for a sequel because it cannot, but cannot, end like this.
Trust me!
Overall, Sweet Unrest is a hauntingly brave book with a spine-chilling, mystifying atmosphere filled with the wonders and bewilderment that only New Orleans can bring.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sweet Unrest is that type of book that you have no idea where it’s going but you continue reading because you want to find out. When you start reading it, your mind begins to draw different scenarios and endings but in the end it leaves you completely surprised and utterly in shock.
Lucy Aimes has always been assaulted by weird and vivid dreams. She can’t make them out but they terrify her. Her family move to New Orleans and that’s when everything begins to morph. Then she meets Alex, an enigmatic stranger who captures her attention but there’s something odd about him. When she finally begins to dig the truth, she finds herself within a bubble of mysticism, voodoo, curses, past lives and much more she wasn’t expecting and intertwine.
I enjoyed this book so much not only because of Lucy, who was a brilliant main character with a voice that was easy enough to follow, but because of the whole atmosphere surrounding the plot. New Orleans sure is the right setting for a story like this one and that was, also, one of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much.
I’ve been finding myself reading a lot of books set in Louisiana… not sure if that’s good or not but I know I do enjoy it!
Lucy was, as I mentioned, an amazing character. I loved how she was so human and ordinary, such an easy-going and down-to-earth young girl I never got tired of her. I also did like her slow development and how she embraces the truth about her dreams and Alex and everything around her.
As for Alex, I don’t really want to get into much details about him really only because he’s such a complex and unexplained and so-outta-this-world character that if I begin, I’ll spoil the whole of the book. And I’m surely trying to avoid that ;-)
Lucy is thrust into a curse that is 100 years old. A curse that will break her heart, crush her dreams and open her eyes to small wonders in the world. And the end of the book was so shattering I still cannot believe there is a YA book out there that ends abruptly like this. I normally read happy endings and there’s nothing happy about this.
This is not a book to have you all swooning and squealing; this is a heart crushing book. The end will leave you completely in shock and desperate for a sequel because it cannot, but cannot, end like this.
Trust me!
Overall, Sweet Unrest is a hauntingly brave book with a spine-chilling, mystifying atmosphere filled with the wonders and bewilderment that only New Orleans can bring.
October 17, 2014
Lucy had been plagued with recurring dreams and when her father accepts a job in New Orleans she hopes this might help her. When they arrive on the plantation, she is overwhelmed with its beauty and stops to takes some pictures. While doing that she notices a man standing off to one side. She immediately feels drawn to him but when she looks away for a moment, he disappears.
When she stumbles across him again, she learns his name is Alex. He isn't what he seems but Lucy cant help but seek him out. As Lucy becomes accustomed to life in New Orleans, she makes friends with a Voodoo Queen, finds a witchs' house and becomes part of a centuries old vendetta. Can she solve the mystery of her dreams before its too late?
The first thing to grab me about this book was the blurb. It sounded so good and lately Im loving the books that are about voodoo and New Orleans. Its such a fascinating subject and place. Well Lisa Maxwell definitely showed the creepiness and appeal of New Orleans. She gave me chills in parts with her descriptive writing especially when she was showing us the witchs house!!
Character wise, Lucy was wonderful. She was brave, loyal, smart, strong and such a likable character. With her new surroundings and secrets revealed, I thought she handled everything perfectly. Then we have Alex, the mysterious stranger. I really liked his character too. He was such a gentleman and really cares for Lucy. I loved seeing his story unfold slowly and I loved his and Lucys relationship.
New Orleans was the perfect setting for Sweet Unrest. It made the plot that much more believable. When Lucy goes there she is skeptical of voodoo and doesnt believe but when Chloe introduces her to a Voodoo Queen she starts to think that maybe this is real. Then when things start getting out of control and people she loves are in danger, the only one who can help her is the Voodoo Queen and a ghost.
There's a romance that spans centuries and this was another highlight for me. Im not going to say too much about it in case I spoil it but its such a passionate and heartbreaking romance that you feel heartbroken for the characters involved.
Overall Sweet Unrest was such a chilling ghost story and a hauntingly beautiful love story that its a must read. With its beautiful writing and creepy setting, you will fall in love with the world that Lisa Maxwell weaves and you wont want to turn the last page. The ending was a shocker that will leave you breathless but yet its the perfect ending for the book! I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author and look forward to more from her.
When she stumbles across him again, she learns his name is Alex. He isn't what he seems but Lucy cant help but seek him out. As Lucy becomes accustomed to life in New Orleans, she makes friends with a Voodoo Queen, finds a witchs' house and becomes part of a centuries old vendetta. Can she solve the mystery of her dreams before its too late?
The first thing to grab me about this book was the blurb. It sounded so good and lately Im loving the books that are about voodoo and New Orleans. Its such a fascinating subject and place. Well Lisa Maxwell definitely showed the creepiness and appeal of New Orleans. She gave me chills in parts with her descriptive writing especially when she was showing us the witchs house!!
Character wise, Lucy was wonderful. She was brave, loyal, smart, strong and such a likable character. With her new surroundings and secrets revealed, I thought she handled everything perfectly. Then we have Alex, the mysterious stranger. I really liked his character too. He was such a gentleman and really cares for Lucy. I loved seeing his story unfold slowly and I loved his and Lucys relationship.
New Orleans was the perfect setting for Sweet Unrest. It made the plot that much more believable. When Lucy goes there she is skeptical of voodoo and doesnt believe but when Chloe introduces her to a Voodoo Queen she starts to think that maybe this is real. Then when things start getting out of control and people she loves are in danger, the only one who can help her is the Voodoo Queen and a ghost.
There's a romance that spans centuries and this was another highlight for me. Im not going to say too much about it in case I spoil it but its such a passionate and heartbreaking romance that you feel heartbroken for the characters involved.
Overall Sweet Unrest was such a chilling ghost story and a hauntingly beautiful love story that its a must read. With its beautiful writing and creepy setting, you will fall in love with the world that Lisa Maxwell weaves and you wont want to turn the last page. The ending was a shocker that will leave you breathless but yet its the perfect ending for the book! I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author and look forward to more from her.
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