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Summer Solstice #1
Enchanted
After Katrina "Kat" Summer’s mother dies a mysterious and tragic death, Kat is hurtled into life at Apollo Beach. Her estranged and cryptic grandmother Rose fills Kat with legends of her Ancient Greek Ancestors from which the Summer family descends. Kat’s world begins to unravel as secrets from her heritage are exposed – secrets that her mother purposefully concealed.
Leading to her birthday, the day of the Summer Solstice, Kat becomes frightened when enigmatic visions and disturbing dreams haunt her. When her visions become reality, her fear turns to terror as powerful forces threaten the lives of those around her.
Amidst the turmoil, Kat meets Alec Stone, her gorgeous neighbor, who becomes her sole solace in an evocative world of mythological enchantment and evil prophecies that lurk around every corner…
* * * * * * * * * *
This ebook is no longer available. For updated content, please see Book 1, Cursed, in the Enchanted Gods series.
Leading to her birthday, the day of the Summer Solstice, Kat becomes frightened when enigmatic visions and disturbing dreams haunt her. When her visions become reality, her fear turns to terror as powerful forces threaten the lives of those around her.
Amidst the turmoil, Kat meets Alec Stone, her gorgeous neighbor, who becomes her sole solace in an evocative world of mythological enchantment and evil prophecies that lurk around every corner…
* * * * * * * * * *
This ebook is no longer available. For updated content, please see Book 1, Cursed, in the Enchanted Gods series.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
25 people are currently reading
2302 people want to read
About the author
K.K. Allen
43 books3,055 followersK.K. Allen is the USA TODAY Bestselling and award-winning contemporary romance author of sweet, sexy, and inspiring stories that evoke emotion at every turn.
K.K.'s debut romance novel, Up in the Treehouse, was named the Best New Adult Book of the Year by RT Book Reviews, an honor beyond belief. And she continues to take reader’s emotions on an epic ride every single time with real, layered, coming of age romance stories that will make you fall in love over and over again.
Born in Hawaii, raised in Washington, and currently residing in Florida, K.K. lives for laughs with her little dude, the great outdoors, watching football, dancing the night away, and her eclectic taste in music.
K.K. also loves connecting with her readers and attends signings when she can! You can find upcoming event dates and other information at: www.kkallen.com.
K.K.'s debut romance novel, Up in the Treehouse, was named the Best New Adult Book of the Year by RT Book Reviews, an honor beyond belief. And she continues to take reader’s emotions on an epic ride every single time with real, layered, coming of age romance stories that will make you fall in love over and over again.
Born in Hawaii, raised in Washington, and currently residing in Florida, K.K. lives for laughs with her little dude, the great outdoors, watching football, dancing the night away, and her eclectic taste in music.
K.K. also loves connecting with her readers and attends signings when she can! You can find upcoming event dates and other information at: www.kkallen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
February 18, 2016
Yep, the literary world is full of young adult urban fantasy, yet each author casts their own magic on their work and K.K. Allen must be a master spell caster because her world, her characters and her words are enchanting from start to finish. The Summer Solstice doesn’t follow a straight and narrow path, Ms. Allen has woven link upon link into a tale of fantasy and make believe and finished off by gathering each link together perfectly.
Katrina Summer’s only had her mother, who kept her as isolated as possible. She never knew her father, never knew she had a grandmother, and never really knew anything but life with her mom. Then the most horrific thing happens, her mother mysteriously dies and Katrina’s world will never be the same. Sent to the grandmother she never knew, Kat must try to fit in where she isn’t sure she is wanted or even belongs in Apollo Beach, Florida. Kat is having terrifying visions, are they the result of stress and grief or have her grandmother’s strange tales of Kat’s ancestors seeping into her thoughts as she sleeps. What is her grandmother trying to say? Do Kat’s dreams have a meaning? Are they future visions that could come to pass? On her sixteenth birthday, the day of the Summer Solstice, her visions come to life in a nightmare of epic proportions and Kat must accept who and what she is, as well as her place in a world of enchanters.
When she meets Alec, her life becomes even more complicated, as she must keep her gifts to herself, because who would believe her anyway? One slip of the tongue and the lives and safety of the magical community around her could be in peril, but how can she know what to do or who to trust when no one will tell her the entire story? If she is old enough to carry this power, she is old enough to find out what is going on, one way or another. But is she able to control what she can do without harming others or will anger consume her ability to keep a tight rein on her gifts?
All Kat wants to do is to fit in, to find a new place for herself in this strange and enchanting world, but is it even possible? She now has to contend with being the leader’s granddaughter as well as the angst of high school, thank goodness for Alec, but will he be her rock against the avalanche of change Kat is undergoing, even if she can’t tell him about herself? When a beach party goes up in flames, even Katrina’s “help” turns into a disaster that nearly costs her her life, and all she remembers are a pair of eyes and strong arms. Another vision? A dream? An omen of things to come?
I’m in for however long this series goes! K.K. Allen adds a special spark that ignites her readers’ imaginations as each scene rolls past, colorful and vividly described. You may even feel the sand between your toes, the taste of saltwater and rush of that first kiss as Ms. Allen waves her magic pen across each page. Even her characters come to life, from the distant and seemingly aloof to the charming, Katrina and her cast almost walk off the pages. When you hear the words new, different, magical, or must read, they may be talking about K.K.Allen and The Summer Solstice.
I received this copy from K.K. Allen in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Summer Solstice - Book 1
Publication Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: K.K. Allen
ISBN-13: 9781500160524
Genre: YA Fantasy/Coming of Age
Print Length: 184 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Katrina Summer’s only had her mother, who kept her as isolated as possible. She never knew her father, never knew she had a grandmother, and never really knew anything but life with her mom. Then the most horrific thing happens, her mother mysteriously dies and Katrina’s world will never be the same. Sent to the grandmother she never knew, Kat must try to fit in where she isn’t sure she is wanted or even belongs in Apollo Beach, Florida. Kat is having terrifying visions, are they the result of stress and grief or have her grandmother’s strange tales of Kat’s ancestors seeping into her thoughts as she sleeps. What is her grandmother trying to say? Do Kat’s dreams have a meaning? Are they future visions that could come to pass? On her sixteenth birthday, the day of the Summer Solstice, her visions come to life in a nightmare of epic proportions and Kat must accept who and what she is, as well as her place in a world of enchanters.
When she meets Alec, her life becomes even more complicated, as she must keep her gifts to herself, because who would believe her anyway? One slip of the tongue and the lives and safety of the magical community around her could be in peril, but how can she know what to do or who to trust when no one will tell her the entire story? If she is old enough to carry this power, she is old enough to find out what is going on, one way or another. But is she able to control what she can do without harming others or will anger consume her ability to keep a tight rein on her gifts?
All Kat wants to do is to fit in, to find a new place for herself in this strange and enchanting world, but is it even possible? She now has to contend with being the leader’s granddaughter as well as the angst of high school, thank goodness for Alec, but will he be her rock against the avalanche of change Kat is undergoing, even if she can’t tell him about herself? When a beach party goes up in flames, even Katrina’s “help” turns into a disaster that nearly costs her her life, and all she remembers are a pair of eyes and strong arms. Another vision? A dream? An omen of things to come?
I’m in for however long this series goes! K.K. Allen adds a special spark that ignites her readers’ imaginations as each scene rolls past, colorful and vividly described. You may even feel the sand between your toes, the taste of saltwater and rush of that first kiss as Ms. Allen waves her magic pen across each page. Even her characters come to life, from the distant and seemingly aloof to the charming, Katrina and her cast almost walk off the pages. When you hear the words new, different, magical, or must read, they may be talking about K.K.Allen and The Summer Solstice.
I received this copy from K.K. Allen in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Summer Solstice - Book 1
Publication Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: K.K. Allen
ISBN-13: 9781500160524
Genre: YA Fantasy/Coming of Age
Print Length: 184 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 17, 2019
I don’t know about you, but one of my favourite themesis family secrets and boy what a life-changing secret the protagonist is about to discover in the book I’m going to review today! Enchanted is the first instalment in K.K. Allen’s Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy trilogy entitled The Summer Solstice. In this novel, we follow Katrina Summer’s story, a teenage girl who is unaware of the special bloodline she comes from for almost sixteen years. After her mother’s unexpected death, Kat moves to Apollo Beach, Florida, to live with her estranged grandmother Rose, she has never met before, a respectable yet mysterious lady, who acts cold towards her at first, but things will change as they get accustomed to each other. As Kat’s sixteenth birthday approaches, she experiences strange visions and vivid nightmares whose hidden messages she’s unable to grasp.
At first, Katrina is an insecure teenager and she feels a little awkward in the wealthy neighbourhood she moves in because she used to live a modest life in a bubble her overprotective mother built for her in order to hide the truth from her. Kat was also in foster care for a while and she went to public school, but she was laughed at and considered a weirdo. As time goes by in Apollo Beach, Kat befriends Alec Stone, the cute boy next door who helps her adapt to her new life, but she can’t tell him anything about her visions or her secret powers because it would reveal the true identity of the inhabitants of the community. Encouraged by Rose and her friend Charlotte, Kat learns about the family history of The Summers and she’s trained to control her powers. Of course, like any teenager, Kat makes some mistakes that almost cost her life and her visions and nightmares gradually come to fruition like horrible prophecies or trials she must go through in order to show her ability to right the wrong and to become a better person. Kat will also meet a lot of outlandish people through her wealthy grandmother, who is an important figure in the community and most people admire her for her involvement in keeping the town healthy and safe. Kat basically enters into a period of transition from the quiet and uneventful life she has lived with her mother, to the one that leads to her life-purpose: “there is a circle of life before you and it all begins on the day of your sixteenth birthday.” (Loc. 999)
I know that this review is a bit vague, but you need to discover the book at your own pace and I assure you that you won’t regret a single second that you have read it. However, all I can say is that reading about the stories and legends Grandma Rose told Katrina gave me chills down my spine. To a certain point, I felt confused and my head was full of information which is actually a good thing because I felt that the author did her research well. Though Kat considers her grandmother to be a bit insane when the woman talks about the special powers her granddaughter has inherited from her ancestors, in the end, all makes sense and the only thing Kat has to do is learn to master elemental magic and accept her new identity.
The writing is beautiful, visual and full of colour while the story is suspenseful and a real page-turner that doesn't let you put the book or your reading device down. The characters are well fleshed out, the situations are realistic with the exception of the visions and nightmares that torment Kat, which make your heart skip a beat; Kat and Alec’s relationship is sweet (not excessive like in other books) and you root for them and, you cannot help yourself but love Grandma Rose even when she is stern with Kat. Charlotte is also a lovable character, even more than Rose, because of her kind and affectionate nature that makes me think she is a mother figure to Kat.
In short, the experience I had with his book was amazing and besides a few editing slips, I don't have anything bad to say about it. The parts about magic and the stories about The Summers’ family history and Kat’s ancestors are truly fascinating and I had to pause for a minute or two to take it all in. The descriptions of Apollo Beach and Tampa Bay were so vivid that I was transported there through K.K. Allen's writing. I highly recommend this young adult contemporary fantasy novel to anyone who loves elemental magic, myths and family secrets. There are still some unanswered questions and some fresh ones at the end of this first instalment, but there are two more books to satisfy one’s curiosity. I would really like to pick them up somewhere in the near future.
At first, Katrina is an insecure teenager and she feels a little awkward in the wealthy neighbourhood she moves in because she used to live a modest life in a bubble her overprotective mother built for her in order to hide the truth from her. Kat was also in foster care for a while and she went to public school, but she was laughed at and considered a weirdo. As time goes by in Apollo Beach, Kat befriends Alec Stone, the cute boy next door who helps her adapt to her new life, but she can’t tell him anything about her visions or her secret powers because it would reveal the true identity of the inhabitants of the community. Encouraged by Rose and her friend Charlotte, Kat learns about the family history of The Summers and she’s trained to control her powers. Of course, like any teenager, Kat makes some mistakes that almost cost her life and her visions and nightmares gradually come to fruition like horrible prophecies or trials she must go through in order to show her ability to right the wrong and to become a better person. Kat will also meet a lot of outlandish people through her wealthy grandmother, who is an important figure in the community and most people admire her for her involvement in keeping the town healthy and safe. Kat basically enters into a period of transition from the quiet and uneventful life she has lived with her mother, to the one that leads to her life-purpose: “there is a circle of life before you and it all begins on the day of your sixteenth birthday.” (Loc. 999)
I know that this review is a bit vague, but you need to discover the book at your own pace and I assure you that you won’t regret a single second that you have read it. However, all I can say is that reading about the stories and legends Grandma Rose told Katrina gave me chills down my spine. To a certain point, I felt confused and my head was full of information which is actually a good thing because I felt that the author did her research well. Though Kat considers her grandmother to be a bit insane when the woman talks about the special powers her granddaughter has inherited from her ancestors, in the end, all makes sense and the only thing Kat has to do is learn to master elemental magic and accept her new identity.
The writing is beautiful, visual and full of colour while the story is suspenseful and a real page-turner that doesn't let you put the book or your reading device down. The characters are well fleshed out, the situations are realistic with the exception of the visions and nightmares that torment Kat, which make your heart skip a beat; Kat and Alec’s relationship is sweet (not excessive like in other books) and you root for them and, you cannot help yourself but love Grandma Rose even when she is stern with Kat. Charlotte is also a lovable character, even more than Rose, because of her kind and affectionate nature that makes me think she is a mother figure to Kat.
In short, the experience I had with his book was amazing and besides a few editing slips, I don't have anything bad to say about it. The parts about magic and the stories about The Summers’ family history and Kat’s ancestors are truly fascinating and I had to pause for a minute or two to take it all in. The descriptions of Apollo Beach and Tampa Bay were so vivid that I was transported there through K.K. Allen's writing. I highly recommend this young adult contemporary fantasy novel to anyone who loves elemental magic, myths and family secrets. There are still some unanswered questions and some fresh ones at the end of this first instalment, but there are two more books to satisfy one’s curiosity. I would really like to pick them up somewhere in the near future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2014
K.K. Allen's The Summer Solstice: Enchanted was the perfect 'lazy summer days' read for me this week.
Newly orphaned Kat moves to Florida to live with her grandmother, the affluent and powerful town leader, Rose. The setting is idealic but Kat is curious to know why she was kept away from this branch of her family. Answers are not rapidly forthcoming but as her sixteenth birthday approaches strange things happen which Kat dismisses as a result of grief.
Having been brought up in a protective setting, Kat copes remarkably well with her new life - There's the gorgeous Alec next door, and unfortunately the somewhat hostile girls from the small town. Sharing solstice with her new family is a huge turning point, and from there we get some answers. The story develops at a good pace, allowing the reader to speculate on what might happen next. K.K. Allen's characters are very nicely drawn, and I liked the way the relationships develop, especially between Kat and Charlotte who fills some of the void left by Kat's mother's untimely demise. With enough drama, action and romance to keep me thoroughly entertained throughout, I would recommend this book to all who appreciate a touch of magic and suspense to their reading. I look forward to continuing this adventure to see what becomes of Kat and will be downloading book 2, The Equinox, in preparation for my next set of lazy summer days.
Newly orphaned Kat moves to Florida to live with her grandmother, the affluent and powerful town leader, Rose. The setting is idealic but Kat is curious to know why she was kept away from this branch of her family. Answers are not rapidly forthcoming but as her sixteenth birthday approaches strange things happen which Kat dismisses as a result of grief.
Having been brought up in a protective setting, Kat copes remarkably well with her new life - There's the gorgeous Alec next door, and unfortunately the somewhat hostile girls from the small town. Sharing solstice with her new family is a huge turning point, and from there we get some answers. The story develops at a good pace, allowing the reader to speculate on what might happen next. K.K. Allen's characters are very nicely drawn, and I liked the way the relationships develop, especially between Kat and Charlotte who fills some of the void left by Kat's mother's untimely demise. With enough drama, action and romance to keep me thoroughly entertained throughout, I would recommend this book to all who appreciate a touch of magic and suspense to their reading. I look forward to continuing this adventure to see what becomes of Kat and will be downloading book 2, The Equinox, in preparation for my next set of lazy summer days.
April 11, 2015
This was such a light fun read, I loved it.
Kat, recently orphaned, moves in with her estranged Grandmother and weird things start happening to her. Her sight and hearing senses become impossibly accurate. Disturbing and dangerous dreams haunt her sleep. She’s confused about what’s happening and her Grandmother isn’t giving her much. Plus, she’s lonely, and nervous about being the new kid in school. Then along comes the handsome neighbor boy. He gives her some confidence, but the two girls who feel she’s infringing on their territory give her equal measures of trouble.
Author K.K. Allen has filled this story with all the drama of a young girl in this situation. There’s suspense woven in through the enigmatic Grandmother, the unfolding of the family history, and the magic capabilities Kat is learning to control. Unbeknownst to her, danger is creeping up as she comes to the attention of evil forces. But, Allen keeps it light with the beach town setting and the threads of romance.
I recommend this lovely story. It was quite an enjoyable read.
Kat, recently orphaned, moves in with her estranged Grandmother and weird things start happening to her. Her sight and hearing senses become impossibly accurate. Disturbing and dangerous dreams haunt her sleep. She’s confused about what’s happening and her Grandmother isn’t giving her much. Plus, she’s lonely, and nervous about being the new kid in school. Then along comes the handsome neighbor boy. He gives her some confidence, but the two girls who feel she’s infringing on their territory give her equal measures of trouble.
Author K.K. Allen has filled this story with all the drama of a young girl in this situation. There’s suspense woven in through the enigmatic Grandmother, the unfolding of the family history, and the magic capabilities Kat is learning to control. Unbeknownst to her, danger is creeping up as she comes to the attention of evil forces. But, Allen keeps it light with the beach town setting and the threads of romance.
I recommend this lovely story. It was quite an enjoyable read.
September 11, 2014
From the get-go I found this book as enchanting as the title suggests. The writing is so fluid, descriptive and every line, scene and chapter is perfectly portrayed in your mind, all the traits for a awesome author as you are right their with the characters on every page.
The book, well Kat, the main character, I found to be inquisitive, intelligent and in denial until certain things happen... (I resist the temptation to reveal too much here)
I found Rose powerful and somewhat of a velvet lady with an iron glove and you see their relationship slowly develop over the duration.
I am quite eclectic in my reading tastes, but found this book equally opened up my mind as it does Kats! There is love, twists and fantasy all rolled into fascinating fiction! A lazy hazy read actually does this book an injustice, its so much more than that....
I think this isn't a book to be categorised purely as YA, as every age and genre will appreciate the authors work here.
Well done KK
The book, well Kat, the main character, I found to be inquisitive, intelligent and in denial until certain things happen... (I resist the temptation to reveal too much here)
I found Rose powerful and somewhat of a velvet lady with an iron glove and you see their relationship slowly develop over the duration.
I am quite eclectic in my reading tastes, but found this book equally opened up my mind as it does Kats! There is love, twists and fantasy all rolled into fascinating fiction! A lazy hazy read actually does this book an injustice, its so much more than that....
I think this isn't a book to be categorised purely as YA, as every age and genre will appreciate the authors work here.
Well done KK
August 14, 2014
*I was sent a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is about a girl named Kat who moves to live with her grandmother after the unexpected death of her mother. She experiences these visions and dreams and on the day of her 16th birthday, she learns something about herself that was a secret kept by her mother.
I honestly thought that this book was going to be a contemporary romance book but I'm glad that it wasn't all about the romance because I really really liked the whole supernatural aspect of the story. My only complaint would be that this book was TOO SHORT. I WANT MORE! Things were just getting started when it ended! Nonetheless, it makes me even more excited to read the next book.
Kat was a great character. I was able to connect to her immediately when the book begins. Since Kat is our narrator and she didn't know about her abilities, I liked how readers are finding things out at the same time that Kat is. It was easy to follow and I didn't get confused at all. Charlotte would have to be my favorite secondary character. She is like a motherly figure to Kat. Although Rose was sort of cold and distant from Kat, I still liked her character because she does care for Kat's well being and safety.
I wouldn't say that this book ends in a major cliffhanger but it does leave you wanting to pick up the next book as soon as possible. Overall, this was a quick read that I really enjoyed and would highly recommend.
This book is about a girl named Kat who moves to live with her grandmother after the unexpected death of her mother. She experiences these visions and dreams and on the day of her 16th birthday, she learns something about herself that was a secret kept by her mother.
I honestly thought that this book was going to be a contemporary romance book but I'm glad that it wasn't all about the romance because I really really liked the whole supernatural aspect of the story. My only complaint would be that this book was TOO SHORT. I WANT MORE! Things were just getting started when it ended! Nonetheless, it makes me even more excited to read the next book.
Kat was a great character. I was able to connect to her immediately when the book begins. Since Kat is our narrator and she didn't know about her abilities, I liked how readers are finding things out at the same time that Kat is. It was easy to follow and I didn't get confused at all. Charlotte would have to be my favorite secondary character. She is like a motherly figure to Kat. Although Rose was sort of cold and distant from Kat, I still liked her character because she does care for Kat's well being and safety.
I wouldn't say that this book ends in a major cliffhanger but it does leave you wanting to pick up the next book as soon as possible. Overall, this was a quick read that I really enjoyed and would highly recommend.
August 25, 2014
Kat's life inevitably changes when her mother dies unexpectedly. She goes to live with a grandmother she knows nothing about. It is here that she learns about a world her mother had tried to hide from her - the world of the Solstices.
This book reminded me of the Secret Circle (which is never a bad thing), with the steady pacing and style of writing. I would definitely recommend this as a summer read!
I love a bit of greek mythology, and I think that Allen got the perfect balance of information and entertainment without breaking the flow.
The whole Solstice bloodlines and history is nicely creative and original, gradually building throughout the book.
I like Kat as the main character. She's open-minded and you learn about the Summer family and the Soltices along with her.
The rest of the supporting cast are, for the most part, amiable characters. Iris and Ava were entertaining.
The bad bits:
There was nothing bad exactly.
I thought it was quite formulaic, it ticked all the YA boxes - the new girl, the cute guys smitten with said new girl, the shallow and bitchy girl(s).
That being said, it's better than half the YA stories out there.
It's a very nice read, I felt that it was less an adventure in itself, and more an introduction to the series to follow.
Which I will definitely be reading - only a few months to wait for The Eqiunox!
This book reminded me of the Secret Circle (which is never a bad thing), with the steady pacing and style of writing. I would definitely recommend this as a summer read!
I love a bit of greek mythology, and I think that Allen got the perfect balance of information and entertainment without breaking the flow.
The whole Solstice bloodlines and history is nicely creative and original, gradually building throughout the book.
I like Kat as the main character. She's open-minded and you learn about the Summer family and the Soltices along with her.
The rest of the supporting cast are, for the most part, amiable characters. Iris and Ava were entertaining.
The bad bits:
There was nothing bad exactly.
I thought it was quite formulaic, it ticked all the YA boxes - the new girl, the cute guys smitten with said new girl, the shallow and bitchy girl(s).
That being said, it's better than half the YA stories out there.
It's a very nice read, I felt that it was less an adventure in itself, and more an introduction to the series to follow.
Which I will definitely be reading - only a few months to wait for The Eqiunox!
July 22, 2014
I was guided to this book. It is not my usual kind of reading....but it is really really excellent. The writing is lyrical, fast paced and best of all I cared for the characters especially Kat who is both in the modern world and that of the ancient Greeks. Nothing about the fantasy in the story grates at all and I was there with Kat and enjoying her encounters which also lead to romance....
It's very good to read out of your comfort zone and K.K. Allen enchanted me as did Katrina. It will be a series so get in there quickly.
Unreservedly recommended to teenagers....and adults.
It's very good to read out of your comfort zone and K.K. Allen enchanted me as did Katrina. It will be a series so get in there quickly.
Unreservedly recommended to teenagers....and adults.
June 17, 2014
A surprise and great read from a new author. Well written and quite interesting as you go through Kat's poignant journey to Florida to live with her unusual Grandmother. Had to finish to find out her outcome. Book very original and well written. For a debut novel, well done!!! A perfect read for any age.
February 2, 2015
Hello again, this E.B. Hood the author of Melabeth series. If you haven’t seen my Youtube channel E.B. Hood, you need to check it out and subscribe. I do reviews of books and movies. Once again bring you another review of great book, Summer Solstice, Enchanted by K.K. Allen. You can watch my review at http://youtu.be/fIKSnTzDRTc and then come by and check out my book at www.melabeth.com
October 16, 2015
When asked to review this book, I immediately got excited. I love anything to do with mythology and it was clear that this book was going to rock. This book enchanted me and brought something new to the table that I was eager to devour.
Reflecting back I can’t recall a single moment that the pacing slowed down. Honestly it stay fair evenly paced, minus a couple of scenes where it really picked up. There was a consistent slow stream of information, allowing for easy absorption. This aspect also allowed for excellent character development and world building, although I do feel that there could have been a little more on Kat’s "changes." However, this made for the type of book that you can either devour in one sitting, or slowly enjoy it page by page at your own leisure.
Kat is the type of character I feel everybody can like. She has a fairly common story of loss, but this kind of added to Kat’s character. Kat had an ability to do what many characters do not and that was ask questions but not push the limits more than she had to. This isn't saying that she didn't do things that she shouldn't have, just she did them for a good reason. This trait alone impressed me and made it so much easier to enjoy reading this book.
Romance. Such an important thing in a book I believe. Not so much if it is there, but more if it is there is it done right. Allen nailed the romance portion of this book. She did not kill the book with a boy but more gave it highlights. Kat is a teenage girl after all and Alec is the nice guy next door. There was nothing rushed and merely a couple stolen moments. This being said I was not sure what to think of Alec all of the time. He seems like a good guy but maybe too good? I found myself actually drawn to a male that was not the lead but I anticipate seeing more in the future (hopefully).
For fans of mythology this book is a must have. With an original story and a protagonist that not only has her own mind but knows how to use it, Enchanted is a must read. The only thing I could complain about was that I wanted more when I turned the last page. At 188 pages this book seemed so much shorter due to how fast I turned the pages. Pick this book up if you are looking for the perfect relaxing read, and something that you could finish in one sitting.
Reflecting back I can’t recall a single moment that the pacing slowed down. Honestly it stay fair evenly paced, minus a couple of scenes where it really picked up. There was a consistent slow stream of information, allowing for easy absorption. This aspect also allowed for excellent character development and world building, although I do feel that there could have been a little more on Kat’s "changes." However, this made for the type of book that you can either devour in one sitting, or slowly enjoy it page by page at your own leisure.
Kat is the type of character I feel everybody can like. She has a fairly common story of loss, but this kind of added to Kat’s character. Kat had an ability to do what many characters do not and that was ask questions but not push the limits more than she had to. This isn't saying that she didn't do things that she shouldn't have, just she did them for a good reason. This trait alone impressed me and made it so much easier to enjoy reading this book.
Romance. Such an important thing in a book I believe. Not so much if it is there, but more if it is there is it done right. Allen nailed the romance portion of this book. She did not kill the book with a boy but more gave it highlights. Kat is a teenage girl after all and Alec is the nice guy next door. There was nothing rushed and merely a couple stolen moments. This being said I was not sure what to think of Alec all of the time. He seems like a good guy but maybe too good? I found myself actually drawn to a male that was not the lead but I anticipate seeing more in the future (hopefully).
For fans of mythology this book is a must have. With an original story and a protagonist that not only has her own mind but knows how to use it, Enchanted is a must read. The only thing I could complain about was that I wanted more when I turned the last page. At 188 pages this book seemed so much shorter due to how fast I turned the pages. Pick this book up if you are looking for the perfect relaxing read, and something that you could finish in one sitting.
June 13, 2015
When Kats' mother dies, she is sent to live with her estranged Grandmother. As her birthday approaches, Kat starts experiencing weird things. Her hearing becomes magnified, she is having strange and quite frankly horrid dreams and things start happening around her. It's not till she comes of age that she learns the truth behind her gifts and why she never saw her grandmother.
This was a refreshingly easy read. I really liked everything about it.
Kat was a great heroine. She is thrown into an uncomfortable situation but keeps her spirit raised. Her mum is dead, she is sent to live with a grandmother she doesn't know, she has to deal with being a new student add in her growing powers and it's enough to make anyones head spin. She was an easy character to like.
Plot wise, it moved quite steadily. We learn about everything the same time as Kat so it felt more real. There is magic, mystery, intrigue and a little bit of romance which all adds up to an entertaining read.
In all this was an engaging and enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Caroline Miller did a great job with the narration. She had an easy voice to listen to and made for a great Kat. She brought me into the story and made it more enjoyable.
*I received this for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
This was a refreshingly easy read. I really liked everything about it.
Kat was a great heroine. She is thrown into an uncomfortable situation but keeps her spirit raised. Her mum is dead, she is sent to live with a grandmother she doesn't know, she has to deal with being a new student add in her growing powers and it's enough to make anyones head spin. She was an easy character to like.
Plot wise, it moved quite steadily. We learn about everything the same time as Kat so it felt more real. There is magic, mystery, intrigue and a little bit of romance which all adds up to an entertaining read.
In all this was an engaging and enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Caroline Miller did a great job with the narration. She had an easy voice to listen to and made for a great Kat. She brought me into the story and made it more enjoyable.
*I received this for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
July 27, 2014
I will never look at Apollo Beach the same! Katrina begins life with her distant grandmother after losing her mother unexpectedly. While Rose (her grandmother) appears distant and cold at first, it becomes clear that she loves her and wants nothing more than to protect her as she comes into her solstice powers. While Katrina has a hard time believing, things begin happening around her 16th birthday which forces her to acknowledge and learn. Even if all she'd LIKE to do is get to know the hot neighbor Alec better. Trying to fit in and make friends, Kat attends Alec's 4th of July birthday party and things quickly get out of hand...and she realizes that there are dark powers out there as well. Reality sets in when she realizes that her powers need to be honed and used for good...because something dark lurks around the corner. These characters were so developed and the story felt so "real" that I'm sure the next time I see a small sand wind tunnel, or sudden dark clouds, I'll be looking around wondering if someone nearby did that or was it just nature?
Looking forward to the next installment of "Summer Solstice"!!
Looking forward to the next installment of "Summer Solstice"!!
August 12, 2015
I am an unlikely reader of this genre, I typically stick to non-fiction but K.K. Allen is such an amazing author I had to give this a chance. I don't know what typical books in this category feel like but this one was an unpredictable and "easy" read in such a good way that I was able to get lost in it and not know what was about to happen next, which is exactly the way I like my reads. I am not a reviewer that re-tells the story, you can see what it's about in the description, what I want to tell you is that the author is skilled at crafting a story that unfolds at just the right pace. If you like enchanting, mysterious tales, this will certainly feed your soul.
November 10, 2015
I enjoyed this book as much as I hoped I would! Being a huge Percy Jackson fan, I was excited to read a YA book with more mythological themes. I was not disappointed. This is a very appropriate YA or Middle Grades read, and I didn't feel like it fell into a trap of trying to be too much like Percy Jackson- it reads more like a contemporary swept with a fantasy brush rather than a full-blown fantasy novel. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 5, 2016
I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed reading "The Summer Solstice: Enchanted". (YA is not my usual genre, I downloaded it for free through Amazon Prime.) The story captivated me from the start and I connected with Kat right away. A very well written mix of love, mystery and suspense that has me looking forward to K.K. Allen’s next book.
September 22, 2014
Loved Enchanted from beginning to end! The Florida setting took me back to when I was a boy living in the Ft. Lauderdale area. K.K. has a really smooth writing style in that first person and pulls in the reader like a vacuum. I really enjoyed the read and would highly recommend it to any aged reader.
August 19, 2014
K.K. Allen is a new talent for young adult fiction without a doubt. She paints vivid pictures with her simplistic way of using words to describe each scene, and it puts her readers in the seats of her characters. In Summer Solstice "Kat" finds herself all alone after her mother dies, and she ends up at Apollo Beach living in the estate of her grandmother Rose and housekeeper Catherine. Kat has dreams and visions of the past and the future the leads her to many questions about the present and the past of what happened to her mother and grandfather. At times her visions seem so real it scares her, especially when she meets Alec. The two began to like each other, but during a summer party when jealousy sets in from one of Alec's former friends, Kat begins to understand the mysteries behind her dreams,and the meaning of the Summer Solstice. How does she handle this other girls' jealous? Is Kat just your average teenager or someone more powerful? This story starts off with Kay talking about her thoughts and feelings with Catherine, and the dreams after her mom passed away, but suddenly like the tilt of the planets, readers will be surprised when things take a sudden turn like an eclipse. If you've seen the movie, A Midnight Summer's Dream, than this book has the casting of its shadow, and K.K. Allen nails it!
September 21, 2014
I can't tell you how impressed I am with this debut novel! It's so well-written, so full of rich description, that it places you right there alongside the main character, Kat, in the strange new world of magic she finds herself in.
"The Summer Solstice" has a modern-day fairytale quality to it. On one level, Kat is a typical teen. She's just trying to find her place in the world after her mother dies unexpectedly, and she's forced to live with her mysterious grandmother, Rose, whom she's never met. On the other hand, there are strange dreams, and mysterious powers that the locals whisper about behind closed doors.
There's something here for everyone: mystery, action, fantasy, and even romance. So many Young Adult books seem to concentrate solely on the romantic aspects that the over-all story falls flat. That isn't the case, here. Happily, Ms. Allen made the bold choice to not make the entire book about the budding relationship between Kat and the boy next door, Alec. The connection is there; you certainly feel it along with Kat, but this book is more about a girl discovering herself and her family for the first time. The ending was perfectly timed to leave me wanting more. I congratulate Ms. Allen on a job well done.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book to this series, "The Equinox."
"The Summer Solstice" has a modern-day fairytale quality to it. On one level, Kat is a typical teen. She's just trying to find her place in the world after her mother dies unexpectedly, and she's forced to live with her mysterious grandmother, Rose, whom she's never met. On the other hand, there are strange dreams, and mysterious powers that the locals whisper about behind closed doors.
There's something here for everyone: mystery, action, fantasy, and even romance. So many Young Adult books seem to concentrate solely on the romantic aspects that the over-all story falls flat. That isn't the case, here. Happily, Ms. Allen made the bold choice to not make the entire book about the budding relationship between Kat and the boy next door, Alec. The connection is there; you certainly feel it along with Kat, but this book is more about a girl discovering herself and her family for the first time. The ending was perfectly timed to leave me wanting more. I congratulate Ms. Allen on a job well done.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book to this series, "The Equinox."
April 4, 2015
Summer Solstice is a fast-paced read that pits Kat, a teen with abandonment issues, against her grandma Rose when Kat is forced to move in with her. Kat is transplanted from a life of relative poverty and seclusion to one of immense luxury and publicity in a tight-knit Florida community managed by Rose.
Why is Kat fighting with her grandmother? The generation gap between them is just the tip of the iceberg. Rose is keeping secrets from Kat--a lot of them--and Rose's "You can't handle the truth" attitude really annoys Kat. For me, the highlight of this book was uncovering the truth along with Kat and delving into Rose's past.
If you are expecting to get answers to everything by the end of the book, you may be disappointed. But that's what sequels are for, right?
A fun read. I dare you to not think "unleash your inner goddess" at least once while reading this book.
This is the twenty-sixth book I've featured on my book's (Atomic Aardvark) blog called "Bobbing for Indie eBooks" . A feature where I promote and give away copies of eBooks by Indie authors I've discovered and whose books I have enjoyed.
Why is Kat fighting with her grandmother? The generation gap between them is just the tip of the iceberg. Rose is keeping secrets from Kat--a lot of them--and Rose's "You can't handle the truth" attitude really annoys Kat. For me, the highlight of this book was uncovering the truth along with Kat and delving into Rose's past.
If you are expecting to get answers to everything by the end of the book, you may be disappointed. But that's what sequels are for, right?
A fun read. I dare you to not think "unleash your inner goddess" at least once while reading this book.
This is the twenty-sixth book I've featured on my book's (Atomic Aardvark) blog called "Bobbing for Indie eBooks" . A feature where I promote and give away copies of eBooks by Indie authors I've discovered and whose books I have enjoyed.
April 25, 2016
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In Enchanted, the first book in the Summer Solstice series, Katrina ‘Kat’ Summer moves in with her grandmother, after her mother’s recent and tragic death. Apollo Beach, hometown of her estranged and mysterious grandmother, Rose, is a strange, magical place, filled with legends of Kat’s ancient Greek ancestors. But as the secrets of her heritage are exposed, secrets her mother kept hidden, and the lives of everyone she knows are put in danger, Kat meets Alec Stone, her gorgeous new neighbor, who seems to be her sole solace in this world of myth and legend…
The author did a great job focusing on the Greek mythology, and interweaving it with a contemporary story. Kat is a loveable, engaging character. She’s smart, witty, resourceful and brave, especially considering everything that happened to her. The mystery part worked well, and the romance did too. I loved Alec, and how he tried to be there for Kat.
If you love YA fantasy, you’ll adore this book.
In Enchanted, the first book in the Summer Solstice series, Katrina ‘Kat’ Summer moves in with her grandmother, after her mother’s recent and tragic death. Apollo Beach, hometown of her estranged and mysterious grandmother, Rose, is a strange, magical place, filled with legends of Kat’s ancient Greek ancestors. But as the secrets of her heritage are exposed, secrets her mother kept hidden, and the lives of everyone she knows are put in danger, Kat meets Alec Stone, her gorgeous new neighbor, who seems to be her sole solace in this world of myth and legend…
The author did a great job focusing on the Greek mythology, and interweaving it with a contemporary story. Kat is a loveable, engaging character. She’s smart, witty, resourceful and brave, especially considering everything that happened to her. The mystery part worked well, and the romance did too. I loved Alec, and how he tried to be there for Kat.
If you love YA fantasy, you’ll adore this book.
April 18, 2015
This book is fun. It is too short unfortunately, as it is definitely a page turner. I do like the heroine Kat. Her magical powers are most interesting. Her powers have a serious side as well as they are also part of the Arthurian legend and similarly sourced powers were definitely part of Morgaine's tragic life in The Mists of Avalon. The history of the powers and their connection with The Solstice is interesting. The amethyst crystal is intriguing.
I will be starting the sequel The Equinox today, The Summer Solstice is a fun and interesting read. The writing style is perfect for this story and has the right tempo. The tension and the story keep the reader guessing as to what will happen next.
I will be starting the sequel The Equinox today, The Summer Solstice is a fun and interesting read. The writing style is perfect for this story and has the right tempo. The tension and the story keep the reader guessing as to what will happen next.
April 22, 2015
This book was definitely something else. I couldn't put this book down! Everything that happened in this story had me at the tip of my seat. K.K. Allen is a personal friend of my mom and I thought it was amazing how I got to read her book. She is so inspirational to me, I want to be as good as an other as her someday!
I love how she mixes romance in with fantasy and paranormal activity. When I finished this book I couldn't wait for book two! I'm dying to read book three and see what adventure we go on with Kat and K.K. Allen. "The Summer Solstice Series" is probably the best book I've ever read, and I read a lot! Thank you K.K. Allen for this wonderful experience in the land of Enchanters and the Equinox. Never in my life have I experienced this kind of rush. :)
I love how she mixes romance in with fantasy and paranormal activity. When I finished this book I couldn't wait for book two! I'm dying to read book three and see what adventure we go on with Kat and K.K. Allen. "The Summer Solstice Series" is probably the best book I've ever read, and I read a lot! Thank you K.K. Allen for this wonderful experience in the land of Enchanters and the Equinox. Never in my life have I experienced this kind of rush. :)
August 24, 2014
Katrina Summer's mom has died and she doesn't even remember her dad. When she goes to live with her Grandmother Rose and her helper Charlotte, Kat's life is thrown into a spin. Born on the summer solstice, kat is finding out things she has never heard before, but things that help her to make sense of her strange dreams and feelings. This is a great book which combines mystery, supernatural, mythology and a bit of romance,]. Can't wait for the enchanted to meet the Equinox when the next book comes out.
February 26, 2015
This is a YA paranormal/urban fantasy novel by a first-time author about which begins with a teenager Katrina Summer, grieving over the death of her mother. She moves in with her grandmother whom she doesn’t know all the while having strange dreams and occurrences which she thinks are caused by grief. But there are secrets and answers waiting to be discovered by Katrina. It’s a mixture of magic and mystery for a solid first effort by author K. K. Allen. I would love to read her next novel to find out what happens and how the author is growing with her writing craft.
June 17, 2015
This story is a unique read. It brings in a new kind of paranormal with the Solstice. I loved the way that it explained Wicca and how it was different without making Wicca sound horrible.
The characters are well developed and it left you begging for more at the end. I immediately started on the second book because I had to know what happens next.
It keeps you guessing and it is not predicable on what is going to happen next.
The characters are well developed and it left you begging for more at the end. I immediately started on the second book because I had to know what happens next.
It keeps you guessing and it is not predicable on what is going to happen next.
December 18, 2014
What a great read!!! This book had me guessing clear up till the end and am still guessing! The story was great and the characters were realistic and both likeable and not likeable for a couple characters! The story line though fictional was made believable by great writing skills on the authors part! I can't wait to read book two!!
October 22, 2015
I was gifted with the Instagram friendship of Ms. K. K. Allen a short while ago and I regret nothing. She's the sweetest and very talented. Her series, The Summer Solstice is sure to gain many followers and the book...
Number one, the cover is lovely. All the pieces come together- the mirror, Kat gazing at her alluring and beautiful reflection, like most YA characters.
Number one, the cover is lovely. All the pieces come together- the mirror, Kat gazing at her alluring and beautiful reflection, like most YA characters.
April 12, 2019
I honestly had no clue what this book was about. I needed a book whose author's initials met specific criteria for a GR challenge. This one fit so I grabbed it. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the characters and learning about the Enchanters and the powers that they inherit. Overall, a great start to the series. I am interested in what comes next.
March 9, 2015
I read / listened to this book in audio format via audible.com. I always choose the audios first as the narrators tend to breath life in to the stories thus giving them a heart beat. It is like listening to a movie, but better as the books are always better!
I really learned a lot from reading this book. I never knew what Summer Solstice meant. I also didn't have any knowledge of Enchanters or Wiccans.
Summer Solstice is quite enjoyable with a surprising plot. Katrina Summer (Kat) lost her mother accidentally one day. Having no where else to go , Katrina now has to go live with her grandmother. It's only going to be 2 years she tells herself as Kat is almost 16. Once Kat moves in with Rose (grandmother), kat meets Alec.
Read along as Kat discovers a new life at Apollo Beach and a new friend in Alec. Discover along with Kat what Solstice means and why people keep calling the "SUMMERS" witches!
The author, K K Allen did a great job writing this book. It hold loads of excitement and knowledge! The narrator, Caroline Miller did a great job delivering this story to us too. With all her multiple voices and accents, Caroline makes this very entertaining! Good job ladies!
I really learned a lot from reading this book. I never knew what Summer Solstice meant. I also didn't have any knowledge of Enchanters or Wiccans.
Summer Solstice is quite enjoyable with a surprising plot. Katrina Summer (Kat) lost her mother accidentally one day. Having no where else to go , Katrina now has to go live with her grandmother. It's only going to be 2 years she tells herself as Kat is almost 16. Once Kat moves in with Rose (grandmother), kat meets Alec.
Read along as Kat discovers a new life at Apollo Beach and a new friend in Alec. Discover along with Kat what Solstice means and why people keep calling the "SUMMERS" witches!
The author, K K Allen did a great job writing this book. It hold loads of excitement and knowledge! The narrator, Caroline Miller did a great job delivering this story to us too. With all her multiple voices and accents, Caroline makes this very entertaining! Good job ladies!
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