When I was a kid, I was torn between whether or not I was going to grow up and be the Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman. I flirted with being a Jedi Knight for awhile, but I wasn't up for the intense travel associated with the gig. In my teens, I settled on being a writer -- although I had no idea the effort that would entail. Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
I am really enjoying this series. Its a fun quick read, a little dark, a little sarcastic but still a lot of fun with an entertaining story. I don't always like Zoe that much but she is definitely an entertaining character to read about and I am intrigued to know more about her and her gifts. This instalment was probably the best so far, though all have been enjoyable and I already have book 4 lined up ready to go.
2.5 Stars... This is definitely not my favorite Amanda Lee series, and I am a HUGE Amanda Lee fan... That being said, my biggest problem with this series is that the drama in it reads more at the high school level than what one sees in college... So many eye rolling moments... Now, the paranormal element is intriguing and somewhat captivating... I find myself much more invested in the read when it is focused in the paranormal... My main reason for continuing with this series is because these characters make appearances throughout Amanda Lee's other series and I want to know more about them... I actually really like them as adult characters, but the college level characters are frustrating for sure... My only other annoyance is that there mare many grammatical errors which s not usual for this author... I don't enjoy being sidetracked by grammar issues when I want to simply enjoy a book!
We’ve met werewolves, vampires, a ghost and a sphinx, but a coven of dark witches is more than Zoe can handle. Unfortunately, she has no choice because their nefarious plans seem to be directed at her. She still hasn’t figured out what she is or what powers she may have, but all the supernaturals on campus are focused on Zoe. And one of them wants her dead.
The story is fast and furious, culminating in a ritual that will be the end of either Zoe or her enemy. I was caught up to the very end and, again, I’m raring to read the next book.
I suspect I am a bit older than the demographic for these books. In fact I suspect I am the age of the moms of the demographics for these books, but I am pretty immature so I love them!!
College. I time of learning, self-discovery and expanding your horizons.
In her first semester, the first book in this series, Zoe heads off from Covenant College, where she learns that werewolves & vampires are real and her fellow students. That her high school boyfriend is a werewolf and her favorite teacher runs a monster hunting group. The group is recruiting her because she is a mage.
In the second semester; the second book, she learns she can see ghosts. And that her college is under attack from a sphinx. A sphinx is like Eugene Tooms on Xfiles or the Night Strangler [yeah I am a nerd]
In the latest book Zoe is a sophomore, she has new roommates, she's dating the hottest guy in school and she's successfully avoiding the monster squad. But there is another ill wind blowing across Michigan and it involves Witches. But Zoe still has to go to class, parties and dinner in the caf. She's smart, snarky and fearless.
I hope Zoe will be getting a Master's degree at Covenant because I don't want this series to end!
Zoe returns to college after working in her hometown all Summer and finds that while the roommates have changed, not much else has. The roommate she choose to live with this time turns out to be wack, but one of the other girls end up being pretty cool. She may be dating Aric, but that doesn't mean that every other girl on campus isn't jealous, except of course Brittany who just doesn't learn. The vampires are weird, the werewolves are secretive and the "monster hunters" are still worthless and now we have witches to contend with...which doesn't end well for some.
Zoe is still a smart-ass (I love her for that) and still has a tendency to act first and think later, but she (and all of us) are still confused about what this "power" is that she's supposed to have and sadly, it doesn't get explained (again) in this one. Maybe we'll find out in the next one why she is so "special".
Sent has spent the summer working but her boyfriend has been around. Now it is time to return to college, with some new and some old roomies. What she doesn't expect is that an ex-girlfriend of her boyfriend would wage a staged strike to make her look bad. The worse things get the more Laura and Matilda move to take the ex-girlfriend's side. Now she finds that they have joined the sorority that she belongs too. Betrayals abound and when she finds herself used as bait she cannot forgive and forget. Will they be able to stop what is in the works? Will she and her boyfriend spend the next summer together? What will happen to the two roomies that have taken sides against her. A great read and I must admit I was taken aback by the betrayal and then by the fact that Zoe had been used as bait!
As Zoe starts the new year paired with Laura, after the spat with Paris, and sharing digs with boy crazy Matilda and the quiet and unknown quantity that is Kelsey she's hoping for some peace and quiet.
Unfortunately Laura turns out to be hard work and rather needy and Zoe finds spending time with Kelsey far more enjoyable.
Laura and Matilda pair up and rush the Delta Omicron sorority which is, run by Aric's one-track, Zoe-hating, ex Jessica, suddenly awash with new recruits. Laura and Matilda are returning from pledge meetings drained and with blackened auras but don't appear to be able to see the truth behind Jessica's weird behaviour.
When it comes down to the crunch Zoe will have some hard choices to make, more than one betrayal to deal with and a life changing experience that will break her heart.
Still like these books, but waiting for answers is getting old. It's already basically a paranormal mystery, so it'd be nice to at least have a firm grip on the character. Too much is solved without even understanding what happened.
But I still like the characters and the most of the plot. (I'm a little tired of clichéd college antics that seem more fitting for high school). But this story isn't the worst of that kind. It did graze it in a few spots, though.
I am really surprised at how this book started and ended. The characters are interesting and very dramatic. The storyline kept me obsessing about what would happen next. Zoe is strong willed, defiant and hard headed. She seems to be in denial most of the time and is taking the cowardly way out. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Zoe is back at college, and what a disaster! So much mystery, lies, and half-truths; flowing all around her and keeping her in the dark. We see Zoe fighting regardless of others trying to stop her, sarcasm in full swing.
Protagonist is a little too annoying. The young woman who charges into danger alone has been over done. Find a different way to create suspense than having her do dumb things repeatedly.
I honestly don't know how many words can express my feelings about these books and this author. I downloaded all these 5 books on audiobook and when I saw it was 36 hours I was dubious about it. I started on 26 March 2021 and I can quite happily say that every night and every opportunity I have had, I have listened and got completely hooked on the books, the plots and the characters!!! As soon as I started to get engrossed in this, I started researching and found out there was another trilogy (25 hours) which continues when they leave college. That was downloaded as well. All in all there is over 61 hours of fantastic writing from an extremely talented author. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT. There were not any moments of the plot dragging, I didn't get bored once and that is astonishing when you think of 61 hours!!! Do not hesitate for one second to read/listen to these books. They deliver on every single level.
This series is like a teen soap opera, so much drama. Sophomore year has new roommates with different problems, dating Aric but he has an ex causing problems, and we still don't know what Zoe's power is.
What I enjoyed: * New character Kelsey was great. Also nice to see someone trying to actually learn while in college. * Aric and Zoe are good together * This college town seems to have the Sunnydale affect - people aren't surprised by all the deaths and disappearances *
What could have been better: * Brittany is the worst. At first she just seemed clueless, but now she is purposely trying to cause trouble. I wish Paris would stop sticking up for her. *
Oh man this sucks. Just when Zoe finally uses her power she didn’t know she possessed, things fall apart between her and Aric. I can’t believe he was using her this whole time. No, honestly, I can’t believe it. I think if she gives him a chance to explain himself that she’ll discover it was just a huge misunderstanding. So far, it seems Aric did just use Zoe to catch Jessica and Laura, but I think he had reasons - that when Zoe is away from him for the summer - she’ll understand, especially after having heard him say, “I didn’t choose the pack over you.” It seems that statement is deeper than Zoe knows yet. I just hope everything works out between the two in either book 4 or book 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another crazy year at Covenant College. Zoe and Aric are a couple. Laura, Matilda, and Kelsey are sharing the dorm suite with Zoey. Paris has become friendly with Zoe again. While Brittany is still even more self-centered and clueless than ever. The antics are centered around Jessica, one of Aric's former girlfriends, and the Delta Omicron sorority. Plenty of fun for all, until there isn't. The ending, while spectacular, wasn't particularly satisfying. I hope for better resolutions in the final two books.
This story is a bit slower than the previous instalments. A sorority of evil witches, disharmony between Eric and Zoe, odd living arrangements and Brittany being a pain all give the story colour but the story although was a good read was a slower story.
One thing that was a little annoying was the double page graphics. A whole page for a tragic and a month and then the next page a graphic and a chapter number. Both could be put on one page with one graphic.
Betrayal and heartbreak as things come to ahead between various people in Zoe‘s inner circle. The year is over, and Zoe has figured out who is loyal, and who cannot be trusted. I know a lot about what happens in these books from reading the other series by the same author. It’s a bummer there were so many spoilers in the other books, and I tried to skim over the details. However, even knowing what is going to happen, the series is still interesting and filled with great details.
There are some really good plot twists that made the ending exciting. I really dislike the main character. Since book one. She's horribly sent centered and entitled. She barely goes out of her way to do anything but its a relationship ender if someone doesnt tell her all their secrets because she expects to be the center on the world. If people were calling me a mage for a year I'd try some magic, who wouldn't besides the main character? And she hasn't talked to her parents why??? She's just nasty and yet all of the hot guys liked her why???
When it comes to growth, it is never comfortable. It can be exciting, invigorating, even exhausting, but never comfortable.
The Zoe/Paris train derailed in Whispering, leaving them both with roommates who had… issues. Ride-Will-Brittany, (whose sorority disappeared this book), on the one side, and the Needy Twins on the other.
But, there are also highs to offset the lows - the new girl who is smart but reserved, warms up, and Aric and Zoe are a couple!
Too bad there are so many uncoupling plans in the works…
The birth of Zoe's magic was exciting. I look forward to the next story.
Much of the dialogue in the Covenant College series does not sound like that of 18 & 19 year old students. It sounds like mature adults. However, the story line is fun and exciting. I am already familiar with the adult Zoe, so it's fun following her growth. Aric is not as likeable as a teen as he is as an adult.
These characters and college experiences, roommates and boyfriends, the supernatural, witches, vampires and especially the brooding and hot Aric are definitely growing on me. Like before it’s really entertaining and listening to it is really fun, so I need to increase my rate for this one. Let’s see if the other two will live up to the expectations.