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Summoner
When Allie’s best friend dares their group to play a game in a cemetery—something she calls “witching”—Allie never expects what it might mean for her. When she plays, she doesn’t just find bodies, she summons their souls. But one soul wants more than Allie is willing to give.
And the boy next door could be the key to saving her.
Cody Burkhart. Straight from Montana, cowboy hat wearing, and smoking hot, he’s just the thing to help Allie become “normal” again after the death of her mother. And as her newly appointed Guardian, he’s also just the thing to help Allie ward off the vengeful spirit who’s after her soul. Except Cody has his own demons to slay that keep him closed off. But as the full moon approaches, so does their only chance to break the curse, and Cody will have to make the biggest sacrifice of all.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2017
1 person is currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Grimm
23 books204 followersS. D. Grimm’s first love in writing is young adult fantasy and science fiction, which is to be expected from someone who looks up to heroes like Captain America and Wonder Woman, has been sorted into Gryffindor, identifies as rebel scum, and loves elevensies as much as afternoon tea. Her patronus is a red Voltron lion, her spirit animal is Toothless, and she totally has a superpower. She is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency, her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one large-sized dog, and you can learn more about her upcoming novels at www.sdgrimm.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 26, 2017
Six months ago Allie lost her mother to cancer which caused her to cut herself off from her boyfriend and friends. Now Allie has started to feel more like herself again and wants to repair her relationships that she had ignored however she's told her boyfriend that they should only be friends moving forward. What Allie never expected rejoining the group was to end up in a cemetery taking part in a dare to go "witching" for bodies with divining rods.
When Allie's turn arrives to use the rods she finds that she begins to hear a female voice speaking to her and little does she know she has summoned the ghost with the rods. Allie then finds herself beginning to have nightmares with the voice haunting her and when she's up in the middle of the night she runs into her new neighbor, Cody. Cody has also suffered a loss due to an accident leaving him scarred and missing a hand. As the two grow close Cody helps Allie return to the cemetery to face the voice to see what is going on bringing him into Allie's curse as her guardian.
Summoner by S.D. Grimm really seemed to be a bit of a blend of a young adult contemporary romance with a supernatural fantasy. Allie and Cody were both battling with dealing with their respective loses in their lives which that alone could have brought them together to begin a relationship without the ghostly aspects of the book but adding those in gave the book a whole other layer to the story making this quite the interesting mix.
I rather enjoyed most everything about the story. The characters were extremely likable and the fantasy element was a rather interesting plot to follow and not one that I've seen often. My one complaint really came from a small bit to the story were Allie tries to find out more about summoning by heading to the library to read a few paragraphs then complain of needing to know more. My first thought here was what teen is really heading to the library in this day and age? It would have felt a lot more realistic to hop on the internet.
Overall thought this one was a nice little mix of genres all bundled into one fast paced and enjoyable young adult read. I'd certainly recommend checking this one out if it sounds like one you'd enjoy reading.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
When Allie's turn arrives to use the rods she finds that she begins to hear a female voice speaking to her and little does she know she has summoned the ghost with the rods. Allie then finds herself beginning to have nightmares with the voice haunting her and when she's up in the middle of the night she runs into her new neighbor, Cody. Cody has also suffered a loss due to an accident leaving him scarred and missing a hand. As the two grow close Cody helps Allie return to the cemetery to face the voice to see what is going on bringing him into Allie's curse as her guardian.
Summoner by S.D. Grimm really seemed to be a bit of a blend of a young adult contemporary romance with a supernatural fantasy. Allie and Cody were both battling with dealing with their respective loses in their lives which that alone could have brought them together to begin a relationship without the ghostly aspects of the book but adding those in gave the book a whole other layer to the story making this quite the interesting mix.
I rather enjoyed most everything about the story. The characters were extremely likable and the fantasy element was a rather interesting plot to follow and not one that I've seen often. My one complaint really came from a small bit to the story were Allie tries to find out more about summoning by heading to the library to read a few paragraphs then complain of needing to know more. My first thought here was what teen is really heading to the library in this day and age? It would have felt a lot more realistic to hop on the internet.
Overall thought this one was a nice little mix of genres all bundled into one fast paced and enjoyable young adult read. I'd certainly recommend checking this one out if it sounds like one you'd enjoy reading.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
September 18, 2017
Oh wow, this book was really something. I wast not sure what to expect and I am glad that I did not look into reviews and just dived into it.
I had some minor issues with it, but overall I really did like it and It really did scare me where it had to. I was pretty much like
Yep... not ashamed to admit it!!
Anyway let me tell you about the things that I liked!
GHOSTS OH yeah!! I am all about ghosts and witching and all that stuff so this was a BIG HUGE YES!!
Labradors
The writing style, it was fluent and I did like the voice of Allie
Diverse character!! I always appreciate books more when they have diverse characters and when I found out about Cody I was all hearts and love for him! I won't spoil so you better read and find out about him!!
The scary vibe, ok it wasn't THAT scary but it was well placed and thought and I really did like it, but I would not recommend you reading at night home alone...
The ending!
Things I did not like
There were some parts of the book where Allie did annoy me especially her decisions and the reason behind them... I cannot tell more as of now, but this was one of the biggest issues I had. Like WHY would you do that when you know what is going to happen and you even said it yourself???
The ''romance'' was wayyyy tooo fastttt it struck me light lightning and left me a bit speechless
So yep these are the few things I wanted to say and overall I gave it 3.5 stars rounded to 4 the story was refreshing and I totally liked it!
September 4, 2017
*Thanks so much to Entangled Teen for sending me over a n advanced copy! I really appreciate it!!*
September and October always bring out the need to find books that I can curl up around an imaginary campfire, bring out the fuzzy sweaters, sip some tea I don't even like, and read a ton of ghostie novels. I love me some ghostie novels, and up until Halloween, I try to read as many of them as I can. This book was the absolute perfect way to begin the fall season books, and it was a lot of fun!
First, I loved the premise of this book. It was something slightly different in the ghost story genre. I loved the idea of witching and accidentally summoning a presence that you can't control. It was also super intriguing about the idea of the guardian, which I hadn't seen in a ghost story before. I was super intrigued throughout the whole story as to where this would go next and what would happen.
The romance was really sweet as well. Okay, I will warn you - it is super instalove. However, it was instalove done sort of right? Well, if that makes any sense. I kept going, well, I know this is instalove, but I really like this two together and they're so sweet that I'm just going to say forget about the madness I should be feeling over it and JUST LOVE THE SHIP. And it ended up working out because I really did enjoy the ship, and Cody was just a sweetheart! P.S. The summary sounds like he might be "saving" her from her grief - but really he does help her through it - no "saving" involved.
I also really did like Allie. She was a great heroine, and I understood her motives and liked her for them. She is struggling with her grief, and she really does take a lot of accountability for what she does. She solves her own problems, and I was so rooting for her throughout the story.
Grimm also has a natural writing ability, and the atmosphere she created was wonderful. It felt like I was reading this book on a chilly, fall night on Halloween. The mood and setting was wonderful, and if you're looking for a quick, breezy read to get you into the holiday spirit, this is the book!
The only reason I knocked off a crown is for the clicheness at parts. I could predict quite a few things that happened and while I did enjoy the instalove, it still was instalove. However, this was a really enjoyable novel and I was super invested until the very last moment. This book got the season off right, and I'm so now in the mood for lots of ghosties and Halloween books. Four crowns and an Ariel rating!
September and October always bring out the need to find books that I can curl up around an imaginary campfire, bring out the fuzzy sweaters, sip some tea I don't even like, and read a ton of ghostie novels. I love me some ghostie novels, and up until Halloween, I try to read as many of them as I can. This book was the absolute perfect way to begin the fall season books, and it was a lot of fun!
First, I loved the premise of this book. It was something slightly different in the ghost story genre. I loved the idea of witching and accidentally summoning a presence that you can't control. It was also super intriguing about the idea of the guardian, which I hadn't seen in a ghost story before. I was super intrigued throughout the whole story as to where this would go next and what would happen.
The romance was really sweet as well. Okay, I will warn you - it is super instalove. However, it was instalove done sort of right? Well, if that makes any sense. I kept going, well, I know this is instalove, but I really like this two together and they're so sweet that I'm just going to say forget about the madness I should be feeling over it and JUST LOVE THE SHIP. And it ended up working out because I really did enjoy the ship, and Cody was just a sweetheart! P.S. The summary sounds like he might be "saving" her from her grief - but really he does help her through it - no "saving" involved.
I also really did like Allie. She was a great heroine, and I understood her motives and liked her for them. She is struggling with her grief, and she really does take a lot of accountability for what she does. She solves her own problems, and I was so rooting for her throughout the story.
Grimm also has a natural writing ability, and the atmosphere she created was wonderful. It felt like I was reading this book on a chilly, fall night on Halloween. The mood and setting was wonderful, and if you're looking for a quick, breezy read to get you into the holiday spirit, this is the book!
The only reason I knocked off a crown is for the clicheness at parts. I could predict quite a few things that happened and while I did enjoy the instalove, it still was instalove. However, this was a really enjoyable novel and I was super invested until the very last moment. This book got the season off right, and I'm so now in the mood for lots of ghosties and Halloween books. Four crowns and an Ariel rating!
August 31, 2017
A special thank you goes out to Entangled Teen for allowing me to read this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
Another book that has ripped my heart into shreds. I'm not sure how much more my heart can take these types of books. But damn, if they are addicting.
I think what is one of the best things about this book is it isn't just about the paranormal. It's about healing and the grief process and trying to get over survivor's guilt. I think because this book had those factors, it made it much more powerful. I kept thinking about well this book showed the grief process and how guilt can eat at people who survive.
Allie was a good character. She readily admitted her flaws, which is something I always admire in a character. She was clearly still grieving and still healing from her mom's death but she was slowly coming out of her grief, with the help of her friends and Cody. S.D Grimm shows the ugly side of grief, which is pushing your friends away and withdrawing. Allie also had really good character growth, which is always something I like.
Cody was such a broken character, it made my heart hurt. He carries so much grief and guilt, it was almost unbearable. Plus, I got to give S.D Grimm props for a disabled character. Cody is missing a hand and has scars. Now, I'm not disabled and I can't speak for the disabled community. But I do feel that S.D Grimm represented the feelings that Cody goes through missing his hand. And how others react around him. He had a lot of character growth as well.
I think what I really liked best, besides what I mentioned above, is that this a romance where both characters benefit each other and help each other positively. There is not obession or Cody being some sort of dominant alpha male. Allie isn't a b-word and she respects Cody's wishes and vice versa. It was a very healthy relationship and I can dig that.
Overall, I am impressed. This was a real solid piece of work and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read it. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be but in the end, I'm glad it wasn't. I much preferred what I got instead of what I thought I was going to. I highly suggest that everyone check this book out!
4.5 stars
Another book that has ripped my heart into shreds. I'm not sure how much more my heart can take these types of books. But damn, if they are addicting.
I think what is one of the best things about this book is it isn't just about the paranormal. It's about healing and the grief process and trying to get over survivor's guilt. I think because this book had those factors, it made it much more powerful. I kept thinking about well this book showed the grief process and how guilt can eat at people who survive.
Allie was a good character. She readily admitted her flaws, which is something I always admire in a character. She was clearly still grieving and still healing from her mom's death but she was slowly coming out of her grief, with the help of her friends and Cody. S.D Grimm shows the ugly side of grief, which is pushing your friends away and withdrawing. Allie also had really good character growth, which is always something I like.
Cody was such a broken character, it made my heart hurt. He carries so much grief and guilt, it was almost unbearable. Plus, I got to give S.D Grimm props for a disabled character. Cody is missing a hand and has scars. Now, I'm not disabled and I can't speak for the disabled community. But I do feel that S.D Grimm represented the feelings that Cody goes through missing his hand. And how others react around him. He had a lot of character growth as well.
I think what I really liked best, besides what I mentioned above, is that this a romance where both characters benefit each other and help each other positively. There is not obession or Cody being some sort of dominant alpha male. Allie isn't a b-word and she respects Cody's wishes and vice versa. It was a very healthy relationship and I can dig that.
Overall, I am impressed. This was a real solid piece of work and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read it. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be but in the end, I'm glad it wasn't. I much preferred what I got instead of what I thought I was going to. I highly suggest that everyone check this book out!
September 25, 2017
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book from Entangled Teen Publishing and Netgalley.
Let me start off by saying that I nearly passed this one up because of the title. I have read far too many books with some variation of the same title, and honestly, they are all pretty similar. The main character is able to summon or communicate with the dead and then there are a few variations from one book to another. This story won’t get points from me for being original, but I did happen to enjoy it a lot, so whatever.
I found that I basically tore through this novel in one sitting. There were times where I could set it down, but then the pacing would pick right back up. For a novel of this type, I feel that fast pacing is pretty important. It kind of falls under paranormal thriller, with a romance in there. Honestly though, it really isn’t too often that I read a book without a touch of romance.
The thing I found myself enjoying the most out of this novel, was in fact, the romance. I love when grief and the shared understanding of loss brings two people together. There were some very raw moments in this book where I found myself close to tears. But in my opinion Cody held his walls up just a bit too long.
I enjoyed the writing quite a lot actually. This book had many redeeming qualities even though I found the overall premise very unoriginal. Which is why the rating is a four out of five stars. The romance was really cute and idealistic. I really loved all the dates they went on and the heartfelt gifts that they bought one another.
I would read something else by S.D. Grimm, but I’m glad that there wasn’t an attempt to try and turn this one into a series. It is a good book, but I will continue on my search for the next great fantasy novel.
My review can also be found on my blog:
https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
Let me start off by saying that I nearly passed this one up because of the title. I have read far too many books with some variation of the same title, and honestly, they are all pretty similar. The main character is able to summon or communicate with the dead and then there are a few variations from one book to another. This story won’t get points from me for being original, but I did happen to enjoy it a lot, so whatever.
I found that I basically tore through this novel in one sitting. There were times where I could set it down, but then the pacing would pick right back up. For a novel of this type, I feel that fast pacing is pretty important. It kind of falls under paranormal thriller, with a romance in there. Honestly though, it really isn’t too often that I read a book without a touch of romance.
The thing I found myself enjoying the most out of this novel, was in fact, the romance. I love when grief and the shared understanding of loss brings two people together. There were some very raw moments in this book where I found myself close to tears. But in my opinion Cody held his walls up just a bit too long.
I enjoyed the writing quite a lot actually. This book had many redeeming qualities even though I found the overall premise very unoriginal. Which is why the rating is a four out of five stars. The romance was really cute and idealistic. I really loved all the dates they went on and the heartfelt gifts that they bought one another.
I would read something else by S.D. Grimm, but I’m glad that there wasn’t an attempt to try and turn this one into a series. It is a good book, but I will continue on my search for the next great fantasy novel.
My review can also be found on my blog:
https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
September 4, 2017
Every now and again you read a book that absorbs you and settles in your soul as you read it. The moment you finish, and the first read experience ends, you feel the cold seep into the hollow left by the end. You have to sit, the text heavy in your lap, as you mourn and readjust to the world around you, as you untangle yourself from the characters, world, and words the author wrapped you in.
Grimm’s characters have a raw honesty that pulls you in. Allie and Cody’s pain reverberated within me. It was nuanced. It was aching. It felt so real. Not only that, but hats off to Grimm for providing two characters whose chemistry grew and was founded on an understanding of each other and their boundaries. Their relationship progressed with a natural flourish. Not only that, but the staccato writing mimicked the breathlessness and dizziness of a crush seamlessly.
Summoner revolves around a fascinating and eerie concept that tickled the back of my mind and whispered what ifs that haunted my dreams: divining for dead bodies and accidentally summoning souls with the wit and conniving of fae. As I tried to put the puzzle together, I had fifty different ideas for how things would resolve. Well. It the end had me crying and surprisingly none of those ideas proved quite right.
I enjoyed Grimm’s side characters. Lawson reminded me of Odin: gruff but kind old man who knows more than he lets on. Allie’s best friends, Nell and Mandy, had their own quirks and personality. I do wish that they played a bit more of a prominent role. Allie’s narration made sure that we knew how much they meant to her, and I would like to have them enter more than just at plot crucial moments. Derek and Hunter fell flat after they had entered and served their purpose: barely even to return in dialogue.
Overall, the binge reading of S.D. Grimm’s Summoner, gave a great escape to relax from a long week. Allie and Cody’s building relationship and sweet, slow burn had me smiling and curling around my phone in joy while the eerie paranormal elements kept me on my toes and kept my mind racing. Additionally, anything with awesome dogs immediately has me sold.
*I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Grimm’s characters have a raw honesty that pulls you in. Allie and Cody’s pain reverberated within me. It was nuanced. It was aching. It felt so real. Not only that, but hats off to Grimm for providing two characters whose chemistry grew and was founded on an understanding of each other and their boundaries. Their relationship progressed with a natural flourish. Not only that, but the staccato writing mimicked the breathlessness and dizziness of a crush seamlessly.
Summoner revolves around a fascinating and eerie concept that tickled the back of my mind and whispered what ifs that haunted my dreams: divining for dead bodies and accidentally summoning souls with the wit and conniving of fae. As I tried to put the puzzle together, I had fifty different ideas for how things would resolve. Well. It the end had me crying and surprisingly none of those ideas proved quite right.
I enjoyed Grimm’s side characters. Lawson reminded me of Odin: gruff but kind old man who knows more than he lets on. Allie’s best friends, Nell and Mandy, had their own quirks and personality. I do wish that they played a bit more of a prominent role. Allie’s narration made sure that we knew how much they meant to her, and I would like to have them enter more than just at plot crucial moments. Derek and Hunter fell flat after they had entered and served their purpose: barely even to return in dialogue.
Overall, the binge reading of S.D. Grimm’s Summoner, gave a great escape to relax from a long week. Allie and Cody’s building relationship and sweet, slow burn had me smiling and curling around my phone in joy while the eerie paranormal elements kept me on my toes and kept my mind racing. Additionally, anything with awesome dogs immediately has me sold.
*I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2018
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
September 1, 2017
*3.5*
I don't know about you guys but I love fall, and the one thing I love even more than fall is Halloween. It just has so much potential to be deliciously creepy with the right books, movies, and activities. Therefore, when S.D. Grimm's Summoner landed on my radar with its attention grabbing tagline of "One Night. One dare in a cemetery. One new, hot neighbor," I simply couldn't resist. Dares, a cemetery, AND a hot neighbor. It looked like the creepiness and eeriness of fall & Halloween had shown up early this year!
The result? S.D. Grimm's Summoner did end up being not only eerie but fast paced; however, I will admit, it wasn't nearly as eerie and frightening as I hoped it would be.
Summoner introduces us to Allie, a high school senior who is constantly suckered into sticky and potentially dangerous situations with her best friends. When the book first opens up, Allie is trying her best to be as normal as she can be, as it's been a rough year and it shows openly in the way she acts and talk to the people who are supposed to be her best friends, the people who understand her the most.
I liked Allie from the get-go. It was easy to relate to her feelings over loosing a loved one, and I also admired how she so easily accepted new people into her circle, no matter the "baggage" they may carry. I felt that Cody was a good match for her. Suffering an incredible loss himself, Cody is just as guarded and sheltered as Allie is - if not more. I really enjoyed watching them come together and develop this half playful and half serious relationship. There banter, in particular, had me laughing out loud at times.
The one aspect I didn't like that came from Allie and Cody's friendship and potential romance was the fact that they completely closed themselves off from the rest of the world. Over the course of the book, Allie completely ignores her best friends, choosing to throw them to the side to put all her attention on Cody, and that just rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, you can have friends AND a boyfriend at the same time -it's doable! Additionally, I feel that having more time dedicated to Allie and Cody's friendships with others would've added to the story - I personally would've over to know more about Allie's crew. They seemed like a lot of fun!
I found the plot in this to be interesting. I enjoyed seeing S.D. Grimm dig into what it mean to be a "summoner." I've seen books on the topic before, but S.D. managed to make it fun and interesting. It introduced some fun twists, and while some parts of the story I could see coming, some did manage to surprise me. I especially enjoyed how S.D. used the summoner line to further Allie and Cody's coming to terms with their respective losses. It was an interesting way to go about it. However, as hinted to above, I wish this book was just a tad more creepy. I wanted scare-my-pants-off/can't-sleep-with-the-lights-off-fright, and unfortunately, I didn't get that with this one. Summoner, though, is perfect for the fan who wants a paranormal thriller/mystery read on the tamer side.
While I did have some issues with Summoner, it is still a worthwhile read - perfect for fans of paranormal with an extra helping of romance. Plus I will admit: that epilogue was perfect. I had such a huge smile on my face!!
Grade: B-
I don't know about you guys but I love fall, and the one thing I love even more than fall is Halloween. It just has so much potential to be deliciously creepy with the right books, movies, and activities. Therefore, when S.D. Grimm's Summoner landed on my radar with its attention grabbing tagline of "One Night. One dare in a cemetery. One new, hot neighbor," I simply couldn't resist. Dares, a cemetery, AND a hot neighbor. It looked like the creepiness and eeriness of fall & Halloween had shown up early this year!
The result? S.D. Grimm's Summoner did end up being not only eerie but fast paced; however, I will admit, it wasn't nearly as eerie and frightening as I hoped it would be.
Summoner introduces us to Allie, a high school senior who is constantly suckered into sticky and potentially dangerous situations with her best friends. When the book first opens up, Allie is trying her best to be as normal as she can be, as it's been a rough year and it shows openly in the way she acts and talk to the people who are supposed to be her best friends, the people who understand her the most.
I liked Allie from the get-go. It was easy to relate to her feelings over loosing a loved one, and I also admired how she so easily accepted new people into her circle, no matter the "baggage" they may carry. I felt that Cody was a good match for her. Suffering an incredible loss himself, Cody is just as guarded and sheltered as Allie is - if not more. I really enjoyed watching them come together and develop this half playful and half serious relationship. There banter, in particular, had me laughing out loud at times.
The one aspect I didn't like that came from Allie and Cody's friendship and potential romance was the fact that they completely closed themselves off from the rest of the world. Over the course of the book, Allie completely ignores her best friends, choosing to throw them to the side to put all her attention on Cody, and that just rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, you can have friends AND a boyfriend at the same time -it's doable! Additionally, I feel that having more time dedicated to Allie and Cody's friendships with others would've added to the story - I personally would've over to know more about Allie's crew. They seemed like a lot of fun!
I found the plot in this to be interesting. I enjoyed seeing S.D. Grimm dig into what it mean to be a "summoner." I've seen books on the topic before, but S.D. managed to make it fun and interesting. It introduced some fun twists, and while some parts of the story I could see coming, some did manage to surprise me. I especially enjoyed how S.D. used the summoner line to further Allie and Cody's coming to terms with their respective losses. It was an interesting way to go about it. However, as hinted to above, I wish this book was just a tad more creepy. I wanted scare-my-pants-off/can't-sleep-with-the-lights-off-fright, and unfortunately, I didn't get that with this one. Summoner, though, is perfect for the fan who wants a paranormal thriller/mystery read on the tamer side.
While I did have some issues with Summoner, it is still a worthwhile read - perfect for fans of paranormal with an extra helping of romance. Plus I will admit: that epilogue was perfect. I had such a huge smile on my face!!
Grade: B-
August 22, 2017
“Summoner” follows Allie, 6 months after she lost her mother to cancer, as she rejoins her friends on a crazy dare. Nell seems to find the oddest things to do, and now she has them using a divining rod to locate dead bodies in a cemetery. Although creeped out, not wanting to be a chicken, Allie gives it a try and begins to hear a voice. As we soon learn, Allie has been cursed and can summon the dead- in this case, using a divining rod.
At the same time, Allie is juggling some teenage romantic drama with her recent break-up and the new hottie next door, whom her friend can’t seem to stop hitting on. Cody has just moved from Montana and is haunted by the events of 2 years earlier, where he lost his hand. Allie finds herself drawn to him and luckily, he seems to reciprocate although he is hardly willing to jump into something new himself. To make things even more complicated, he turns out to be her Guardian. When a Summoner is cursed, they get a Guardian to try to protect them from the dead, who are trying to destroy them.
The build-up to the supernatural/horror aspects is very slow, as we know as much as Allie and Cody do (which is to say, nothing). The big reveals come later in the book and we slowly piece together what is happening and how to stop it alongside Allie and Cody. Allie and Cody are both fiercely protective of the other, which may actually stand in their way when it comes to stopping the ghost which is haunting Allie and threatening her existence. Overall, it is more a romance with elements of the supernatural than vice-versa.
The strength of this book is really in the demonstrations of the power of forgiveness and acceptance/overcoming guilt and moving past family death. The supernatural elements were just enough to make the book stand out from the usual contemporary YA romance but overall, it retained a lot of the same feel and personal growth as one without the supernatural. I found the ideas about Summoners/Guardians really unique- here, this isn’t a skill they were born with and didn’t find out about until now- this is a new thing placed on them somewhat at random and they have to figure it out entirely. No special community or anything exists to educate them (though they do get a little help on the way, thankfully), so it really seemed to set itself apart from other, potentially similar books.
Largely for the romance/personal growth, it was difficult to stop reading this one (see if they were too stubborn to let the other one help with their problems), and I enjoyed seeing Allie and Cody’s relationship evolve. The supernatural elements were just the icing on the cake.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
At the same time, Allie is juggling some teenage romantic drama with her recent break-up and the new hottie next door, whom her friend can’t seem to stop hitting on. Cody has just moved from Montana and is haunted by the events of 2 years earlier, where he lost his hand. Allie finds herself drawn to him and luckily, he seems to reciprocate although he is hardly willing to jump into something new himself. To make things even more complicated, he turns out to be her Guardian. When a Summoner is cursed, they get a Guardian to try to protect them from the dead, who are trying to destroy them.
The build-up to the supernatural/horror aspects is very slow, as we know as much as Allie and Cody do (which is to say, nothing). The big reveals come later in the book and we slowly piece together what is happening and how to stop it alongside Allie and Cody. Allie and Cody are both fiercely protective of the other, which may actually stand in their way when it comes to stopping the ghost which is haunting Allie and threatening her existence. Overall, it is more a romance with elements of the supernatural than vice-versa.
The strength of this book is really in the demonstrations of the power of forgiveness and acceptance/overcoming guilt and moving past family death. The supernatural elements were just enough to make the book stand out from the usual contemporary YA romance but overall, it retained a lot of the same feel and personal growth as one without the supernatural. I found the ideas about Summoners/Guardians really unique- here, this isn’t a skill they were born with and didn’t find out about until now- this is a new thing placed on them somewhat at random and they have to figure it out entirely. No special community or anything exists to educate them (though they do get a little help on the way, thankfully), so it really seemed to set itself apart from other, potentially similar books.
Largely for the romance/personal growth, it was difficult to stop reading this one (see if they were too stubborn to let the other one help with their problems), and I enjoyed seeing Allie and Cody’s relationship evolve. The supernatural elements were just the icing on the cake.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2017
Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Our MC is Allie Billings who has avoided her closest friends since the death of her mother, trying to reconnect she joins them on a dare to the local cemetery for a night of witching. Allie doesn’t believe in witching but after this night her opinion changes when she becomes bonded to a evil spirit by summoning her soul.
The plot was engaging as we see Allie do everything she possibly can to learn more about what is happening but she soon finds out her only hope could be from her new neighbour Cody Burkhart, her guardian who is also needing to work out his role between Allie and the spirit, Katerina that has bonded to her. They both end up working against a full moon deadline which could mean a sacrifice by the end of it.
I really liked Allie and Cody as characters, they have both felt loss and were able to bond over this and their slow building romance didn’t feel forced but came naturally which I enjoyed; it also wasn’t at the forefront of the story. The side characters were each written well, the freaky souls included.
I don’t tend to read ghost books, I’ve never enjoyed them but I liked S.D Grimm’s writing style and her entertaining and at time freaky storyline. It was a fast paced read with a few twists that kept things enjoyable.
Overall, Summoner kept me riveted from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen; the characters were written well and the plot was intriguing. I will definitely read more books by this author.
Thank you to Entangled Teen via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Summoner.
Our MC is Allie Billings who has avoided her closest friends since the death of her mother, trying to reconnect she joins them on a dare to the local cemetery for a night of witching. Allie doesn’t believe in witching but after this night her opinion changes when she becomes bonded to a evil spirit by summoning her soul.
The plot was engaging as we see Allie do everything she possibly can to learn more about what is happening but she soon finds out her only hope could be from her new neighbour Cody Burkhart, her guardian who is also needing to work out his role between Allie and the spirit, Katerina that has bonded to her. They both end up working against a full moon deadline which could mean a sacrifice by the end of it.
I really liked Allie and Cody as characters, they have both felt loss and were able to bond over this and their slow building romance didn’t feel forced but came naturally which I enjoyed; it also wasn’t at the forefront of the story. The side characters were each written well, the freaky souls included.
I don’t tend to read ghost books, I’ve never enjoyed them but I liked S.D Grimm’s writing style and her entertaining and at time freaky storyline. It was a fast paced read with a few twists that kept things enjoyable.
Overall, Summoner kept me riveted from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen; the characters were written well and the plot was intriguing. I will definitely read more books by this author.
Thank you to Entangled Teen via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Summoner.
September 27, 2017
First I'll admit that I'm not much of a fan of ghost stories. But this book was recommended to me and I found that it isn't a ghost story so much as it's a story about loss and friendship and what it means to really love someone. It's a great teen romance, actually (if you're into that sort of thing).
Speaking of teens and romance, it's definitely a PG-13 kind of book, desire and kissing (eventually! the almost kisses may drive you a little crazy if you're rooting for the whole Allie / Cody ship to take off) and scenes where teens have to make some choices about how far they'll take their relationship. Overall, I felt it was handled responsibly. As a Christian mom, I cringed at parts, and I applauded at others. But hey, that's real life, right?
Oh, but if you're more into cemeteries, witching, curses and rituals with blood that can bring ghosts to life... there's plenty of that, too. In fact, there's so much danger that Allie decides she cares too much for Cody to let him endanger himself to protect her. So she makes some decisions that put her in a no-win situation. I couldn't figure out how she was going to survive the story. Which is probably why this book did actually keep me up later than usual to finish it. (It's cliche, but if you're wondering whether it's that kind of addictive, just wanted to share my experience. It was for me.)
Speaking of teens and romance, it's definitely a PG-13 kind of book, desire and kissing (eventually! the almost kisses may drive you a little crazy if you're rooting for the whole Allie / Cody ship to take off) and scenes where teens have to make some choices about how far they'll take their relationship. Overall, I felt it was handled responsibly. As a Christian mom, I cringed at parts, and I applauded at others. But hey, that's real life, right?
Oh, but if you're more into cemeteries, witching, curses and rituals with blood that can bring ghosts to life... there's plenty of that, too. In fact, there's so much danger that Allie decides she cares too much for Cody to let him endanger himself to protect her. So she makes some decisions that put her in a no-win situation. I couldn't figure out how she was going to survive the story. Which is probably why this book did actually keep me up later than usual to finish it. (It's cliche, but if you're wondering whether it's that kind of addictive, just wanted to share my experience. It was for me.)
Read
August 28, 2017I didn't have any reading time on Saturday and barely any time on Friday, when I first picked this up, so when I actually got into it yesterday, I couldn't put it down. It's definitely the kind of creepy book I would've loved as a teenager, but at the same time, it has something more than the typical horror novel.
At it's core, it's a story about loss, love, grief, and learning how to move on to live a life without fear. Allie's mother died six months before the story begins, and she's just getting back to herself. She wakes up in the middle of the night when her hot, new neighbor, Cody, is playing basketball next door. She's the MVP on her high school team, so she goes out to challenge him, and doesn't take it easy on him when she realizes that he only has one hand. Instead, she treats him like anyone else she could've run into and suggests he try out for the men's varsity basketball team. He has some secrets, but nevertheless, he's a cute, cowboy type that readers are going to fall for. Seriously.
That said, there are some very creepy aspects...often that take place in a cemetery as a group of teens dare one another to try witching, a means of using dowsing rods to find bodies, rather than water. Unfortunately for Allie, she summons a spirit who seems to want to help her connect with her mother once again, but might have evil intentions.
Highly recommended for fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, The Diviners by Libba Bray, teen or young at heart readers of YA who once played with ouija or tarot cards, or watched scary movies about someone who summons the dead, but at the same time, want something more than a predictable ghost story.
At it's core, it's a story about loss, love, grief, and learning how to move on to live a life without fear. Allie's mother died six months before the story begins, and she's just getting back to herself. She wakes up in the middle of the night when her hot, new neighbor, Cody, is playing basketball next door. She's the MVP on her high school team, so she goes out to challenge him, and doesn't take it easy on him when she realizes that he only has one hand. Instead, she treats him like anyone else she could've run into and suggests he try out for the men's varsity basketball team. He has some secrets, but nevertheless, he's a cute, cowboy type that readers are going to fall for. Seriously.
That said, there are some very creepy aspects...often that take place in a cemetery as a group of teens dare one another to try witching, a means of using dowsing rods to find bodies, rather than water. Unfortunately for Allie, she summons a spirit who seems to want to help her connect with her mother once again, but might have evil intentions.
Highly recommended for fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, The Diviners by Libba Bray, teen or young at heart readers of YA who once played with ouija or tarot cards, or watched scary movies about someone who summons the dead, but at the same time, want something more than a predictable ghost story.
August 20, 2017
Summoner was a read that I hadn't fully expected. It was also a read that gave me topics I'd like to look more into such as witching. I'd like to thank Chapter by Chapter blog tours, Entangled Teen, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this one! You guys can look forward to reading this one in September!
I really enjoyed getting to know Cody and Allie in this story along with their griefs. Allie lost her mother six months before the story began and you get to explore her grief as the story progresses and the holidays come. She's left with a journal full of advice after pushing her friends away until the night she goes into the cemetery on a dare and summons a vengeful ghost.
The way it was written, it made it sound like Cody knew that he was a guardian when he really had no clue. I thought that it was interesting that guardianship could be passed through blood (as seen when Cody's blood mixed with Moose's) so in theory, a person could have multiple guardians.
I actually enjoyed their slow buildup with their romance although it was hinted that it was “love at first sight” neither actually acted on their feelings until after they got to know each other and their boundaries.
For some reason, I kept picturing Allie's dad as being similar to Bella's father, Charlie, in Twilight. I'm not sure if anyone else felt that way or not.
I have to say that while the ending was fairly obvious, I was surprised that one of Allie's friends was a descendant to the spirit that was trying to take Allie's soul. I'm glad that the friend was actually put under a spell and didn't knowingly try to harm anyone.
I really enjoyed getting to know Cody and Allie in this story along with their griefs. Allie lost her mother six months before the story began and you get to explore her grief as the story progresses and the holidays come. She's left with a journal full of advice after pushing her friends away until the night she goes into the cemetery on a dare and summons a vengeful ghost.
The way it was written, it made it sound like Cody knew that he was a guardian when he really had no clue. I thought that it was interesting that guardianship could be passed through blood (as seen when Cody's blood mixed with Moose's) so in theory, a person could have multiple guardians.
I actually enjoyed their slow buildup with their romance although it was hinted that it was “love at first sight” neither actually acted on their feelings until after they got to know each other and their boundaries.
For some reason, I kept picturing Allie's dad as being similar to Bella's father, Charlie, in Twilight. I'm not sure if anyone else felt that way or not.
I have to say that while the ending was fairly obvious, I was surprised that one of Allie's friends was a descendant to the spirit that was trying to take Allie's soul. I'm glad that the friend was actually put under a spell and didn't knowingly try to harm anyone.
August 30, 2017
I have been on the lookout for a great paranormal read that would suck me in and not let me go. I have found that in this book!
The story intrigued me and it was so unique to the genre that I couldn't help but be mesmerized by it. I adored the characters and all of their flaws and loved what the author did with the male character in particular. And how he was introduced with the special part he played in the story line.
This book is one part paranormal, one part mystery and a lot of parts romance. It is the perfect mix of YA romance, nothing too racy but innocent and sweet. Perfect for a younger YA reader!
The ending was perfect but I was not ready to let these characters go! I can only hope that this might be the making of a series...one that I would definitely continue with as I feel that these characters were just getting started in their journey.
The story intrigued me and it was so unique to the genre that I couldn't help but be mesmerized by it. I adored the characters and all of their flaws and loved what the author did with the male character in particular. And how he was introduced with the special part he played in the story line.
This book is one part paranormal, one part mystery and a lot of parts romance. It is the perfect mix of YA romance, nothing too racy but innocent and sweet. Perfect for a younger YA reader!
The ending was perfect but I was not ready to let these characters go! I can only hope that this might be the making of a series...one that I would definitely continue with as I feel that these characters were just getting started in their journey.
September 10, 2017
I'm not usually a fan of ghost stories, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Grimm's writing style is very engaging, and the ghost appearances all gave hints to solving the mystery of how Allie became a Summoner and how the curse could be broken. Cody was a great male lead - sweet, vulnerable, and protective, plus he can cook :) I went back and forth about Allie. She had some really good moments, like the way she challenged Cody to allow himself to move beyond past tragedy. But she also could be too possessive of Cody at times, and seemed way too rushed to be more than friends so soon after they met. Despite my reservations about Allie, their relationship came to a very satisfying conclusion and I loved the overall themes of self-forgiveness and loving and living to the fullest.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
September 5, 2017
I'm very conflicted about this one. 2.5-3.
RTC.
RTC.
November 8, 2017
I don't have much to say about this book.... it was a painfully slow read for me. I thought it was going to get better.... but it never did.
November 27, 2017
I just found this a little strange. The beginning was rather intriguing, about the grave digging and the voice hearing. But eventually it descended into nothing more than just boredom.
Allie was okay initially, I understood her need to want to speak to her mother and everything. But she became rather boring as time went, and naturally a romance developed between her and Cody. Which I thought was rather okay, although boring.
I just felt a sense of disappointment that Allie never tried to test her boundaries, or was really put into situations which really tested her, which really made me care for her. There just wasn’t there in this book.
And well, you can say that there is where that I stopped enjoyed this book from the intriguing beginning.
Allie was okay initially, I understood her need to want to speak to her mother and everything. But she became rather boring as time went, and naturally a romance developed between her and Cody. Which I thought was rather okay, although boring.
I just felt a sense of disappointment that Allie never tried to test her boundaries, or was really put into situations which really tested her, which really made me care for her. There just wasn’t there in this book.
And well, you can say that there is where that I stopped enjoyed this book from the intriguing beginning.
September 5, 2017
3.5 Stars
'Summoner' was a great YA paranormal read with lots of romance mixed in for good measure. I really enjoyed the entire story, although I have to admit that quite a few parts were predictable. Even though I kind of knew what was going to happen, I still had fun getting to know Allie and watching the story unfold from her perspective. I'm a huge fan of paranormal fiction, especially anything having to do with witches or other mystical powers. I really loved learning about witching and summoning - I found it all intriguing. As for the romance aspect of the book, I normally don't care much for it. A lot of the time it seems to overrun the actual plot of the book and take away from the main story line. I didn't feel that way with Allie and Cody though. I liked watching them meet, become friends and confidants, and then seeing their relationship blossom into more. It was a great addition to the plot and only enhanced it, in my opinion. Overall, even though a lot of the book was predictable and had been done before, I liked this book much more than I anticipated. It was spooky with a sweet romance mixed in and made for a quick and fun read.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Summoner' was a great YA paranormal read with lots of romance mixed in for good measure. I really enjoyed the entire story, although I have to admit that quite a few parts were predictable. Even though I kind of knew what was going to happen, I still had fun getting to know Allie and watching the story unfold from her perspective. I'm a huge fan of paranormal fiction, especially anything having to do with witches or other mystical powers. I really loved learning about witching and summoning - I found it all intriguing. As for the romance aspect of the book, I normally don't care much for it. A lot of the time it seems to overrun the actual plot of the book and take away from the main story line. I didn't feel that way with Allie and Cody though. I liked watching them meet, become friends and confidants, and then seeing their relationship blossom into more. It was a great addition to the plot and only enhanced it, in my opinion. Overall, even though a lot of the book was predictable and had been done before, I liked this book much more than I anticipated. It was spooky with a sweet romance mixed in and made for a quick and fun read.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2017
Received from NetGalley
Allie and friends go witching on the cemetery, on a dare. For Allie is more than that, she start to hear and see the ghost.
She is sweet girl, living with her father and her dog. Her mother died few months ago and she is still mourning her death. One night she wakes up by the sound of basketball. A boy moved next door and is playing in the middle of the night. She joins him and they form a friendship. His name is Cody, he moved from Montana, and has a part too.
He will become her guarding, protecting her from the ghost she summoned.
I really like the ghost part, I love paranormal and this was interesting take on it. The romance was nice too, developing slowly over time. I just wish there was more paranormal, more ghosts and summoning.
Allie and friends go witching on the cemetery, on a dare. For Allie is more than that, she start to hear and see the ghost.
She is sweet girl, living with her father and her dog. Her mother died few months ago and she is still mourning her death. One night she wakes up by the sound of basketball. A boy moved next door and is playing in the middle of the night. She joins him and they form a friendship. His name is Cody, he moved from Montana, and has a part too.
He will become her guarding, protecting her from the ghost she summoned.
I really like the ghost part, I love paranormal and this was interesting take on it. The romance was nice too, developing slowly over time. I just wish there was more paranormal, more ghosts and summoning.
September 7, 2017
The newest book by author S.D. Grimm is a combination of the paranormal and a young adult romance. This ain't your mama's scariest ghost tale but it does have some witching, divining, a spirit summoner and a guardian that might catch your interest. Grimm's coming of age story delves into some complex story elements, like inner demons and grief. Readers looking for something different as the fall season gets underway will find this title right up their creepy alley.
What I liked:
S.D. Grimm is a new author for me, so I was, as usual, a bit skeptical going in. There are so many titles in the paranormal and fantasy genres that are repetitive and just run of the mill. Grimm does and excellent job of giving readers a refreshing take on an old staple, the ghost story. Divining for water, I've heard of, divining for bodies? That's a new one!
I liked the whole cemetery scene in the beginning of the book a lot because it started showing the reader the world that Grimm was going to build. It introduced the reader to what a 'summoner' is and how it would effect the story. I thought Grimm did a great job getting the scary vibe going, but also in introducing the lead character, Allie.
Allie is a young girl dealing with the loss of her mother from Cancer. Unfortunately, something that has touched many of our own families. I thought Grimm's take on grief and loss was poignant and compelling. Survivor's guilt is a real thing no matter what type of situation it is. Grimm allows the reader to see inside Allie's struggle and how she eventually made it back to herself. I liked that the author didn't just sweep it under the rug. This is something that stays with you.
Allie finds out that her next door neighbor Cody may hold the key to getting her out of a potentially sticky situation with the spirit she divines completely by accident. Cody is a guardian and a very interesting one at that. He has his own inner demons and is dealing with life with a disability after losing his hand. I loved the fact that Grimm gives the reader an unorthodox hero. Cody may not seem like the perfect demon slayer but he shows that no matter your adversity you can overcome.
What I didn't like:
When I got this title to review I was expecting a spooky tale just in time for the fall season to begin. I tend to read titles that are a bit ghostly this time of year. Though this story started out that way, it became more of romance in the end than a paranormal tale. There was nothing wrong with the romance but I think it would have benefited from having the creepy factor ramped up a bit.
In the beginning Allie is just becoming more active and inclusive with her friends again after the loss of her mother. Obviously grief changes you. She was taking her life back and she had people in it that mattered to her. Unfortunately, that got a little lost as the story went on and we heard nothing about her friends and more and more about just Cody. I wanted some back story on the people she had in her life. I wanted them to play a bigger more important role than just the first scene of the book.
Bottom Line:
This was a good story. The romance is sweet and tender and I liked both the male and female lead. I loved the way the author handled the ideas of grief and inner demons. Her use of an unorthodox and compelling hero was very well done. But I wanted a little more creep for my buck. Ghosts are scary.Don't let me forget about that along the way. Wish the momentum from the first scene in the graveyard had carried throughout the tale. And if you introduce me to someone as a side character, I want them to have a place in the story. I don't want to wonder if they are going to appear anywhere else in the story, I want to know they will.
What I liked:
S.D. Grimm is a new author for me, so I was, as usual, a bit skeptical going in. There are so many titles in the paranormal and fantasy genres that are repetitive and just run of the mill. Grimm does and excellent job of giving readers a refreshing take on an old staple, the ghost story. Divining for water, I've heard of, divining for bodies? That's a new one!
I liked the whole cemetery scene in the beginning of the book a lot because it started showing the reader the world that Grimm was going to build. It introduced the reader to what a 'summoner' is and how it would effect the story. I thought Grimm did a great job getting the scary vibe going, but also in introducing the lead character, Allie.
Allie is a young girl dealing with the loss of her mother from Cancer. Unfortunately, something that has touched many of our own families. I thought Grimm's take on grief and loss was poignant and compelling. Survivor's guilt is a real thing no matter what type of situation it is. Grimm allows the reader to see inside Allie's struggle and how she eventually made it back to herself. I liked that the author didn't just sweep it under the rug. This is something that stays with you.
Allie finds out that her next door neighbor Cody may hold the key to getting her out of a potentially sticky situation with the spirit she divines completely by accident. Cody is a guardian and a very interesting one at that. He has his own inner demons and is dealing with life with a disability after losing his hand. I loved the fact that Grimm gives the reader an unorthodox hero. Cody may not seem like the perfect demon slayer but he shows that no matter your adversity you can overcome.
What I didn't like:
When I got this title to review I was expecting a spooky tale just in time for the fall season to begin. I tend to read titles that are a bit ghostly this time of year. Though this story started out that way, it became more of romance in the end than a paranormal tale. There was nothing wrong with the romance but I think it would have benefited from having the creepy factor ramped up a bit.
In the beginning Allie is just becoming more active and inclusive with her friends again after the loss of her mother. Obviously grief changes you. She was taking her life back and she had people in it that mattered to her. Unfortunately, that got a little lost as the story went on and we heard nothing about her friends and more and more about just Cody. I wanted some back story on the people she had in her life. I wanted them to play a bigger more important role than just the first scene of the book.
Bottom Line:
This was a good story. The romance is sweet and tender and I liked both the male and female lead. I loved the way the author handled the ideas of grief and inner demons. Her use of an unorthodox and compelling hero was very well done. But I wanted a little more creep for my buck. Ghosts are scary.Don't let me forget about that along the way. Wish the momentum from the first scene in the graveyard had carried throughout the tale. And if you introduce me to someone as a side character, I want them to have a place in the story. I don't want to wonder if they are going to appear anywhere else in the story, I want to know they will.
September 4, 2017
This review was originally posted on Spinatale Reviews.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Now that the calendar (if not the weather) is starting to inch toward fall, I've been craving some darker, spookier reads. When I read the summary for Summoner, I wanted to read it as soon as I saw the words "witching" and "summon their souls." Summoner proved to be an interesting read, if not quite as creepy and scary as I was hoping for. It read more as young adult contemporary romance with a hint of paranormal.
The story begins as Allie and her friends go "witching" in a graveyard on a dare. Allie ends up getting more than she bargained for as she accidentally summons the souls of the dead. Unfortunately, one of them wants revenge and needs Allie's assistance, whether or not Allie is willing to help her. Luckily, the new boy next door might just be more than he seems. Cody has just moved from Montana after an accident that cost him his hand and left him with demons of his own to battle.
The part I liked the best about this book was the detail. I loved how much depth the author included in the world-building. The concept of Summoners was explained really well and I liked how the truth was slowly revealed. The conversations with the ghosts were some of my favorite parts of the novel. Additionally, I hadn't expected the novel to delve so deeply into some of the themes that it did, such as loss and grief. I thought that the author did an excellent job of showing Allie and Cody's battles with their own inner demons. The characters were both likeable and I was really rooting for them to conquer their fears.
The graveyard scene at the beginning of the book set my expectations quite high for the creepy factor of the rest of the book. However, this book wasn't as atmospheric or spooky after that scene, which left me a little disappointed. Most of the plot revolved around Allie's day-to-day life and how she slowly grew closer to Cody. Even though it had some aspects that I liked, I didn't like their romance as a whole. The progression from strangers to friends to more seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Most of their interactions were focused around the graveyard and Allie's insistence on going back there, which didn't really allow me to see the chemistry between them. Additionally, while I understand that her grief changed her, I didn't like that Allie's friends essentially disappeared from the story once she met Cody.
While there were a few things that bugged me, Summoner was an intriguing mix of paranormal and contemporary young adult romance. It's a good fall read that has just the right amount of creepy if you're not looking for a truly spooky novel.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Now that the calendar (if not the weather) is starting to inch toward fall, I've been craving some darker, spookier reads. When I read the summary for Summoner, I wanted to read it as soon as I saw the words "witching" and "summon their souls." Summoner proved to be an interesting read, if not quite as creepy and scary as I was hoping for. It read more as young adult contemporary romance with a hint of paranormal.
The story begins as Allie and her friends go "witching" in a graveyard on a dare. Allie ends up getting more than she bargained for as she accidentally summons the souls of the dead. Unfortunately, one of them wants revenge and needs Allie's assistance, whether or not Allie is willing to help her. Luckily, the new boy next door might just be more than he seems. Cody has just moved from Montana after an accident that cost him his hand and left him with demons of his own to battle.
The part I liked the best about this book was the detail. I loved how much depth the author included in the world-building. The concept of Summoners was explained really well and I liked how the truth was slowly revealed. The conversations with the ghosts were some of my favorite parts of the novel. Additionally, I hadn't expected the novel to delve so deeply into some of the themes that it did, such as loss and grief. I thought that the author did an excellent job of showing Allie and Cody's battles with their own inner demons. The characters were both likeable and I was really rooting for them to conquer their fears.
The graveyard scene at the beginning of the book set my expectations quite high for the creepy factor of the rest of the book. However, this book wasn't as atmospheric or spooky after that scene, which left me a little disappointed. Most of the plot revolved around Allie's day-to-day life and how she slowly grew closer to Cody. Even though it had some aspects that I liked, I didn't like their romance as a whole. The progression from strangers to friends to more seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Most of their interactions were focused around the graveyard and Allie's insistence on going back there, which didn't really allow me to see the chemistry between them. Additionally, while I understand that her grief changed her, I didn't like that Allie's friends essentially disappeared from the story once she met Cody.
While there were a few things that bugged me, Summoner was an intriguing mix of paranormal and contemporary young adult romance. It's a good fall read that has just the right amount of creepy if you're not looking for a truly spooky novel.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 21, 2017
After her mother’s death six months ago, Allie Billings pushed everyone away. Finally, one night, she decides to reconnect with her friends, and, on a dare, heads into a cemetery for a night of witching. Allie doesn’t think that anything will come of it, doesn’t even believe that witching is a real thing, but she soon finds herself haunted by a vengeful ghost who has bonded to her.
Allie’s only hope of protection comes in the form of Cody Burkhardt, her cute new neighbor with a tragic past of his own. Cody becomes Allie’s guardian, the one person who can protect her from the evil spirits that wish to harm her. As the full moon draws nearer and the ghost’s power increases, it becomes more and more obvious that this spirit isn’t going down without a fight.
If you’re following my blog, you probably saw my post a couple weeks back that I’d been approved for a boatload of ARCs. What happened was an email from Entangled Teen offering “highly-anticipated contemporary, sci-fi, and paranormal fall ARC’s available... now!” I read the plot summaries and opened the request form, and thinking I’d maybe be approved for one if I was lucky, requested them all. Well, I was approved for every last one. I’m reading in order of release date, so Summoner came first. I picked it up on a lazy Sunday afternoon and finished it Sunday evening. I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what happened next!
I know that the ghosts are the main focus of this book and Katerina totally freaked me out, but can we talk about the romance for a second? I think that the slow burn almost actually killed me. The anticipation of Allie and Cody’s relationship, just waiting for one of them to make the first move -- ugh, it’s one of my favorite things about YA romances. It was so well done here.
The writing was fast-paced with just enough swoony bits in between the action. I loved both Allie and Cody and rooted for them both individually and as a couple. As for the actual paranormal plot, it’s been a really long time since I read paranormal YA on any kind of regular basis, so I wasn’t really expecting the twists. (If you’re someone who reads a lot of paranormal YA, you might not be as surprised.)
All in all, Summoner was just really well done. This was my first book by S.D. Grimm, but it will not be my last. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work.
I received a free copy of Summoner from Entangled Teen in exchange for my honest review.
Allie’s only hope of protection comes in the form of Cody Burkhardt, her cute new neighbor with a tragic past of his own. Cody becomes Allie’s guardian, the one person who can protect her from the evil spirits that wish to harm her. As the full moon draws nearer and the ghost’s power increases, it becomes more and more obvious that this spirit isn’t going down without a fight.
If you’re following my blog, you probably saw my post a couple weeks back that I’d been approved for a boatload of ARCs. What happened was an email from Entangled Teen offering “highly-anticipated contemporary, sci-fi, and paranormal fall ARC’s available... now!” I read the plot summaries and opened the request form, and thinking I’d maybe be approved for one if I was lucky, requested them all. Well, I was approved for every last one. I’m reading in order of release date, so Summoner came first. I picked it up on a lazy Sunday afternoon and finished it Sunday evening. I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what happened next!
I know that the ghosts are the main focus of this book and Katerina totally freaked me out, but can we talk about the romance for a second? I think that the slow burn almost actually killed me. The anticipation of Allie and Cody’s relationship, just waiting for one of them to make the first move -- ugh, it’s one of my favorite things about YA romances. It was so well done here.
The writing was fast-paced with just enough swoony bits in between the action. I loved both Allie and Cody and rooted for them both individually and as a couple. As for the actual paranormal plot, it’s been a really long time since I read paranormal YA on any kind of regular basis, so I wasn’t really expecting the twists. (If you’re someone who reads a lot of paranormal YA, you might not be as surprised.)
All in all, Summoner was just really well done. This was my first book by S.D. Grimm, but it will not be my last. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work.
I received a free copy of Summoner from Entangled Teen in exchange for my honest review.
October 9, 2017
The blurb provided in the original review request (it was a bit different than what’s on Amazon) grabbed my attention, and even though it was YA—something I usually avoid—I decided to give it a chance. Unfortunately, I DNF’d it at about 30% because it didn’t seem to be going anywhere. I wanted to love this book, I really really did, but I just couldn’t get into it.
Summoner exhibited everything I usually hate about YA; the overload of teenage emotions/hormones, the almost crippling character insecurities, wishy-washy/rollercoaster relationships, and all the soulful eye contact. Yes, I understand that these characters ARE teenagers and thus should be going through all the teenager bullshit. However, in this case, it completely overshadowed the paranormal aspects that so intrigued me. While we were constantly reminded that some freaky shenanigans were afoot, they didn’t really seem to be going anywhere coherent. The summoner thing—and the weird abilities that go along with it—felt a bit… slapdash and cropped up at random. There didn’t seem to be any rules about when, how, or where the spirits could contact Allie and the ‘different language’ thing didn’t seem to fit at all. I wish the author had put more thought into this very important aspect of her book.
Despite disliking the book enough to quit before the halfway point, I think I could have liked Allie and her friends (except for Hunter; he was just too cookie-cutter, testosterone-y, jealous ex for my tastes). The problem was that their development was excruciatingly slow and at times, Allie didn’t come across as all that bright. (“Summoned. As in, by a summoner?” Um…yes?) And if I had to read about someone’s eyes/the emotional eye contact One. More. Time. I was going to scream. WE GET IT, THEY HAVE EYES AND THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER! (sorry, I’m better now.) Allie and Cody and the others were age-appropriate characters, though, and seeing them interact with each other at that age level was kind of fun in places. I think I just wanted more paranormal and less high-school-relationship drama.
Bottom line: I usually don’t read YA, but the blurb was intriguing and I decided to take a chance that did not pay off. If YA is your jam, though, you might be able to get into this one.
Review first appeared on Red Hot Books
Summoner exhibited everything I usually hate about YA; the overload of teenage emotions/hormones, the almost crippling character insecurities, wishy-washy/rollercoaster relationships, and all the soulful eye contact. Yes, I understand that these characters ARE teenagers and thus should be going through all the teenager bullshit. However, in this case, it completely overshadowed the paranormal aspects that so intrigued me. While we were constantly reminded that some freaky shenanigans were afoot, they didn’t really seem to be going anywhere coherent. The summoner thing—and the weird abilities that go along with it—felt a bit… slapdash and cropped up at random. There didn’t seem to be any rules about when, how, or where the spirits could contact Allie and the ‘different language’ thing didn’t seem to fit at all. I wish the author had put more thought into this very important aspect of her book.
Despite disliking the book enough to quit before the halfway point, I think I could have liked Allie and her friends (except for Hunter; he was just too cookie-cutter, testosterone-y, jealous ex for my tastes). The problem was that their development was excruciatingly slow and at times, Allie didn’t come across as all that bright. (“Summoned. As in, by a summoner?” Um…yes?) And if I had to read about someone’s eyes/the emotional eye contact One. More. Time. I was going to scream. WE GET IT, THEY HAVE EYES AND THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER! (sorry, I’m better now.) Allie and Cody and the others were age-appropriate characters, though, and seeing them interact with each other at that age level was kind of fun in places. I think I just wanted more paranormal and less high-school-relationship drama.
Bottom line: I usually don’t read YA, but the blurb was intriguing and I decided to take a chance that did not pay off. If YA is your jam, though, you might be able to get into this one.
Review first appeared on Red Hot Books
September 5, 2017
I have fond memories of the short-lived TV show The Secret Circle - I had just moved when it started and used to DM about it after every show with my friend back home. The beginning of Summoner gave me some major Secret Circle vibes, tapping into some of that nostalgic good will. Which is not to say that the kids in Summoner are all witches or form a coven, just that the idea of the girl who just lost her mom and the new guy in town felt familiar. And I could easily picture them on screen.
Summoner is actually a ghost story with some spooky, horrific moments, but it's the romance that really takes center stage. Allie and Cody have both lost someone close to them and are just starting to have a "normal" life again. In Cody's case, he's also dealing with a prosthetic hand and the stigma that carries in high school. I liked the way that was handled and how it played into the paranormal part of the story. And I really enjoyed the romance plot.
However, there were parts of the paranormal story that I wish had been better developed. For example, Allie's history teacher begins a lesson on local history that helps her identify the ghost that's haunting her but we never hear about it after that scene. I think exploring that would have made the ghost story more compelling, as well as enhanced that spooky small town feel which I love.
And (possibly because I started out thinking of The Secret Circle) I wanted Allie's friends to be more involved in the paranormal side, maybe plotting against her or hiding something. Once she gets involved with Cody and the ghost, her friends and school don't come up much.
Still, I enjoyed Summoner and finished it in a single day. If you're looking for a YA romance with a paranormal edge, you might want to give it a try.
3.5 stars
Review originally published at Goldilox and the Three Weres and based on a copy provided by the publisher.
Summoner is actually a ghost story with some spooky, horrific moments, but it's the romance that really takes center stage. Allie and Cody have both lost someone close to them and are just starting to have a "normal" life again. In Cody's case, he's also dealing with a prosthetic hand and the stigma that carries in high school. I liked the way that was handled and how it played into the paranormal part of the story. And I really enjoyed the romance plot.
However, there were parts of the paranormal story that I wish had been better developed. For example, Allie's history teacher begins a lesson on local history that helps her identify the ghost that's haunting her but we never hear about it after that scene. I think exploring that would have made the ghost story more compelling, as well as enhanced that spooky small town feel which I love.
And (possibly because I started out thinking of The Secret Circle) I wanted Allie's friends to be more involved in the paranormal side, maybe plotting against her or hiding something. Once she gets involved with Cody and the ghost, her friends and school don't come up much.
Still, I enjoyed Summoner and finished it in a single day. If you're looking for a YA romance with a paranormal edge, you might want to give it a try.
3.5 stars
Review originally published at Goldilox and the Three Weres and based on a copy provided by the publisher.
September 29, 2017
Allie has a pretty clear understanding of what it feels like to grieve - she recently lost her mother to cancer and isn't feeling very positive about life. She is finding it hard to connect with her friends which is probably why she agrees to go 'witching' with them. A silly prank, playing with dowsing rods, to find souls becomes a little too real when Allie realizes she really can summon ghosts and has awakened a soul that should have been left alone.
Fortunately, she has got someone on her side, her neighbour, Cody, new to town and rather delicious. They begin developing a strong friendship that starts to change into something a little more romantic as the story progresses. Allie also discovers that Cody is her guardian, someone who can help her defeat the soul who would like nothing more than to take Allie's body for herself.
This is a well-developed ghost story that had some really nice moments of 'don't turn out the lights'. The characters were convincing and worked well together. I believed in Allie's friends and thought many of their actions and reactions were fairly natural under the circumstances. I really wanted to yell at them on the way to the graveyard - honestly, did they think this was going to be a good idea.
I really liked the way the background of the summoner history was revealed - the library, the book and Lawson (an old guardian - been there done that - have the t-shirt) gradually shaped the situation for Allie and Cody. It was a little dramatic the who will die for who situation which is probably was stops me from five stars but then again they are teenagers so life is pretty dramatic on a good day.
Great book if you like a bit of romance, a whole lot of ghosts and a side of will they make it out alive.
Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Fortunately, she has got someone on her side, her neighbour, Cody, new to town and rather delicious. They begin developing a strong friendship that starts to change into something a little more romantic as the story progresses. Allie also discovers that Cody is her guardian, someone who can help her defeat the soul who would like nothing more than to take Allie's body for herself.
This is a well-developed ghost story that had some really nice moments of 'don't turn out the lights'. The characters were convincing and worked well together. I believed in Allie's friends and thought many of their actions and reactions were fairly natural under the circumstances. I really wanted to yell at them on the way to the graveyard - honestly, did they think this was going to be a good idea.
I really liked the way the background of the summoner history was revealed - the library, the book and Lawson (an old guardian - been there done that - have the t-shirt) gradually shaped the situation for Allie and Cody. It was a little dramatic the who will die for who situation which is probably was stops me from five stars but then again they are teenagers so life is pretty dramatic on a good day.
Great book if you like a bit of romance, a whole lot of ghosts and a side of will they make it out alive.
Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 13, 2017
This was surprisingly really good! Review to come.
4.5 – A Fantastic Heartwrenching YA Paranormal Romance
Summoner by S.D. Grimm surprised me in so many ways and it was pretty fantastic! To be honest, this book was not what I expected it to be, but that turned out to be a really good thing.
Grimm’s writing is beautiful, evocative, and had a nice flow that made it easy to read. The premise is intriguing and had me hooked from the very first page. I thought the idea of witching and summoning spirits was quite fascinating and I wanted to know more about it. The plot is fast-paced and full of action. The mystery, suspense, and danger had me holding my breath a few times and I absolutely loved it!
The characters are so well written and realistic. I liked Allie from the start and I understood her reasons for doing what she did. Cody is very caring and kind that seeing him so guilt-ridden was distressing. Both Allie and Cody are dealing with their own losses and struggling with grief that my heart completely broke for them. It just seemed so right that they would find comfort in each other. While there was an instant attraction between Allie and Cody, I thought their chemistry felt genuine and real. Watching them help each other heal and develop a playful and sweet relationship was so satisfying. Their bantering and flirting made me smile and swoon so much.... instalove or not, I totally ship Allie and Cody and I rooted for them the entire time.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love that Summoner is not your typical young adult paranormal romance. There’s definitely the supernatural fantasy aspect, the mysterious hard to resist hot guy, and plenty of adorable flirting. BUT more than that, this book deals with difficult real life issues. Grimm does a terrific job portraying the sadness of losing someone you love and the agony of living with guilt. She shows how healing and learning to forgive yourself are not that easy and will take time. I really wasn’t expecting this to be deeply affecting or heartbreaking, but that’s what makes this story brilliant and so powerful. And yes… I absolutely recommend that everyone pick this up!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To read more of my reviews, visit Sincerely Karen Jo
4.5 – A Fantastic Heartwrenching YA Paranormal Romance
Summoner by S.D. Grimm surprised me in so many ways and it was pretty fantastic! To be honest, this book was not what I expected it to be, but that turned out to be a really good thing.
Grimm’s writing is beautiful, evocative, and had a nice flow that made it easy to read. The premise is intriguing and had me hooked from the very first page. I thought the idea of witching and summoning spirits was quite fascinating and I wanted to know more about it. The plot is fast-paced and full of action. The mystery, suspense, and danger had me holding my breath a few times and I absolutely loved it!
The characters are so well written and realistic. I liked Allie from the start and I understood her reasons for doing what she did. Cody is very caring and kind that seeing him so guilt-ridden was distressing. Both Allie and Cody are dealing with their own losses and struggling with grief that my heart completely broke for them. It just seemed so right that they would find comfort in each other. While there was an instant attraction between Allie and Cody, I thought their chemistry felt genuine and real. Watching them help each other heal and develop a playful and sweet relationship was so satisfying. Their bantering and flirting made me smile and swoon so much.... instalove or not, I totally ship Allie and Cody and I rooted for them the entire time.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love that Summoner is not your typical young adult paranormal romance. There’s definitely the supernatural fantasy aspect, the mysterious hard to resist hot guy, and plenty of adorable flirting. BUT more than that, this book deals with difficult real life issues. Grimm does a terrific job portraying the sadness of losing someone you love and the agony of living with guilt. She shows how healing and learning to forgive yourself are not that easy and will take time. I really wasn’t expecting this to be deeply affecting or heartbreaking, but that’s what makes this story brilliant and so powerful. And yes… I absolutely recommend that everyone pick this up!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To read more of my reviews, visit Sincerely Karen Jo
September 4, 2017
This was such an amazing read. Truly, I started it with the honest thought of, "just one chapter tonight, and I'll read more tomorrow, after I finish editing." Ha! The first chapter had me intrigued. The second chapter had me hooked. The third chapter had me wondering how well I could function the next day with no sleep.
Even now, I have no regrets.
It was well worth it.
S.D. has such fascinating characters with well-rounded backstories that reach into the chest and squeeze the heart. Then there's the story itself. The pacing is amazing, constant, riveting, and had just enough breathing room that I wasn't a complete bundle of nerves. (now, once I got the last third of the book, that changed, but it's to be expected when so close to the climax.)
Honest confession: I only skimmed the premise of the story before I picked it up. So I didn't know what to expect beyond Allie had gone witching with friends, something happened that made her regret it, and a guy was involved somehow. *laughing* Oh, is it so much more than that! Which made reading it even better, as I had no idea what to expect.
Yes, Allie had gone witching with friends, and yes, she regretted it when she accidentally summoned a not-so-friendly ghost. And yes, a guy was involved--as her guardian and romantic interest. But these simple descriptions pale in face of the depth of these characters, the depth of how every details is so intricately placed, the depth of the hurt and healing woven in the plot.
I shall be perfectly honest: This is going to be one of my go-to reads when I want a single book to read that will keep me emotionally invested and enthralled the whole way through.
Even now, I have no regrets.
It was well worth it.
S.D. has such fascinating characters with well-rounded backstories that reach into the chest and squeeze the heart. Then there's the story itself. The pacing is amazing, constant, riveting, and had just enough breathing room that I wasn't a complete bundle of nerves. (now, once I got the last third of the book, that changed, but it's to be expected when so close to the climax.)
Honest confession: I only skimmed the premise of the story before I picked it up. So I didn't know what to expect beyond Allie had gone witching with friends, something happened that made her regret it, and a guy was involved somehow. *laughing* Oh, is it so much more than that! Which made reading it even better, as I had no idea what to expect.
Yes, Allie had gone witching with friends, and yes, she regretted it when she accidentally summoned a not-so-friendly ghost. And yes, a guy was involved--as her guardian and romantic interest. But these simple descriptions pale in face of the depth of these characters, the depth of how every details is so intricately placed, the depth of the hurt and healing woven in the plot.
I shall be perfectly honest: This is going to be one of my go-to reads when I want a single book to read that will keep me emotionally invested and enthralled the whole way through.
September 4, 2017
Copy provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for honest review.
I LOVED the plot because seriously, a dare in a cemetery? that’s just how the best stories (or nightmares, if you wish) begin.
The book was great, I love paranormal and anything to do with witches, ghosts and all that fun stuff right there. I also really liked how much more to it there was beside the paranormal aspects, how the characters’ losses and survival where such a fundamental aspect in the evolution of the story and of the characters.
This wasn’t just a silly story about ghosts but something deeper which was what made the story really stand out for me.
I liked both characters, with all their flaws and qualities; at the beginning, I was a bit sceptic and didn’t understand why Allie was putting up with her friends but I just had to keep reading and I really found myself liking her personality more more. Same goes for Cody, I liked his character and his story really broke my heart.
They both have a similar past and in my opinion, that alone would have brought them together but adding to the mix some ghosts really created a great story. I loved how their relationship helped both of them, making them so stronger and capable to deal with their losses.
The book was a good read and I also surprisingly liked the author’s style (this was my first book from this author and I can be very picky). If you love paranormal stories that also handle some deeper contents, this is the right book for you.
I LOVED the plot because seriously, a dare in a cemetery? that’s just how the best stories (or nightmares, if you wish) begin.
The book was great, I love paranormal and anything to do with witches, ghosts and all that fun stuff right there. I also really liked how much more to it there was beside the paranormal aspects, how the characters’ losses and survival where such a fundamental aspect in the evolution of the story and of the characters.
This wasn’t just a silly story about ghosts but something deeper which was what made the story really stand out for me.
I liked both characters, with all their flaws and qualities; at the beginning, I was a bit sceptic and didn’t understand why Allie was putting up with her friends but I just had to keep reading and I really found myself liking her personality more more. Same goes for Cody, I liked his character and his story really broke my heart.
They both have a similar past and in my opinion, that alone would have brought them together but adding to the mix some ghosts really created a great story. I loved how their relationship helped both of them, making them so stronger and capable to deal with their losses.
The book was a good read and I also surprisingly liked the author’s style (this was my first book from this author and I can be very picky). If you love paranormal stories that also handle some deeper contents, this is the right book for you.
September 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Now that it's finally starting to get a bit cooler out, I'm getting in the fall spirit. I want to surround myself in all things pumpkin spice and fall. This also means I'm starting to crave darker and spookier books, which means it was the perfect time to read Summoner. I mean, you open this book in a graveyard. It doesn't get much better than that.
Allie is trying to get into the swing of things again, as she kind of withdrew herself from everyone when her mother died. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the portrayal of grief and how losing someone close to you can drastically change you as a person. This wasn't just a paranormal romance, it was a story of teens dealing with grief and loss, and how that kind of tragedy can affect someone's life.
I ~am~ a sucker for anything paranormal, so that's what initially drew me to this title. The paranormal aspects of this story are so well done. I was actually pretty creeped out at multiple spots in this story. The beginning scene with Allie and her friends "witching" in a graveyard did an awesome job of setting the tone for the entire story.
All in all, the writing was easy to read with a nice flow, and the story was decently fast paced. I highly recommend this title to anyone looking for a little bit of spookiness in their lives now that we're entering the fall season. I give it four out of five stars.
Now that it's finally starting to get a bit cooler out, I'm getting in the fall spirit. I want to surround myself in all things pumpkin spice and fall. This also means I'm starting to crave darker and spookier books, which means it was the perfect time to read Summoner. I mean, you open this book in a graveyard. It doesn't get much better than that.
Allie is trying to get into the swing of things again, as she kind of withdrew herself from everyone when her mother died. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the portrayal of grief and how losing someone close to you can drastically change you as a person. This wasn't just a paranormal romance, it was a story of teens dealing with grief and loss, and how that kind of tragedy can affect someone's life.
I ~am~ a sucker for anything paranormal, so that's what initially drew me to this title. The paranormal aspects of this story are so well done. I was actually pretty creeped out at multiple spots in this story. The beginning scene with Allie and her friends "witching" in a graveyard did an awesome job of setting the tone for the entire story.
All in all, the writing was easy to read with a nice flow, and the story was decently fast paced. I highly recommend this title to anyone looking for a little bit of spookiness in their lives now that we're entering the fall season. I give it four out of five stars.
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