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Spellbound Prodigies #1
Witchy Wickedness
*2019 BRAND-NEW UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION*
Perfect for fans of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer!
One soul-sucking demon. One haunty mansion. And one witch-tastic destiny…
Ravenwood, California isn’t like other coastal towns. It’s a mystical place, where the teenagers inexplicably disappear and shadows prowl the forest. And Shiloh Saintcrow isn’t like other girls—she’s a teen witch who can sense the things that go bump in the night.
After Shiloh gets a visit from a shadowy demon, threatening to steal her family’s spellbooks, her life quickly spirals into one of unending weirdness and danger. As if life isn’t complicated enough, she takes a job at the local haunted house, where she meets the sinfully hot Trent Donovan and his ghost-hunting uncle, Mr. Evans.
When another teen vanishes, Shiloh’s forced to team up with Evans to solve the mystery, but their investigation only uncovers a shocking truth about Ravenwood’s founding families. But before she can expose the town’s ominous secret, Shiloh has to evade a kooky ghost on a revenge haunt, contain the scary dark power tainting her magick, and survive attacks by a pack of creeptastic demons first.
For poor Shiloh, life’s a real witch.
Will she gain the courage to face all the monsters in Ravenwood, and become the hero she was destined to be?
Please scroll up and buy a copy now to find out!
*The Charmed Chronicles is a complete series that unfolds over three volumes and this book ends with a cliffhanger. It cannot be read as a standalone.
Perfect for fans of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer!
One soul-sucking demon. One haunty mansion. And one witch-tastic destiny…
Ravenwood, California isn’t like other coastal towns. It’s a mystical place, where the teenagers inexplicably disappear and shadows prowl the forest. And Shiloh Saintcrow isn’t like other girls—she’s a teen witch who can sense the things that go bump in the night.
After Shiloh gets a visit from a shadowy demon, threatening to steal her family’s spellbooks, her life quickly spirals into one of unending weirdness and danger. As if life isn’t complicated enough, she takes a job at the local haunted house, where she meets the sinfully hot Trent Donovan and his ghost-hunting uncle, Mr. Evans.
When another teen vanishes, Shiloh’s forced to team up with Evans to solve the mystery, but their investigation only uncovers a shocking truth about Ravenwood’s founding families. But before she can expose the town’s ominous secret, Shiloh has to evade a kooky ghost on a revenge haunt, contain the scary dark power tainting her magick, and survive attacks by a pack of creeptastic demons first.
For poor Shiloh, life’s a real witch.
Will she gain the courage to face all the monsters in Ravenwood, and become the hero she was destined to be?
Please scroll up and buy a copy now to find out!
*The Charmed Chronicles is a complete series that unfolds over three volumes and this book ends with a cliffhanger. It cannot be read as a standalone.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2011
71 people are currently reading
2308 people want to read
About the author
Sherry J. Soule
35 books375 followersI am Sherry J. Soule and I was a writer of romantic horror. Please do not confuse me with another author with a similar name that writes fiction, too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 7, 2013
Wow! OMG!!!
What a fantastic read! Beautifully Broken is the first novel in Sherry Soule's Spellbound series.
The author has created a mystery immersed in history and heritage. The story follows Shiloh (main character), a 16 year-old witch who has just started learning about her powers. Not only is she dealing with that, but she also has the unfortunate ability to see ghosts and demons. She is brave, selfless, and snarky. She's a character that I think a lot of teens, like myself can look up to. She lives in the town of Whispering Pines, where people just mysteriously vanish.
The characters are fantastic, creative, very realistic and well-constructed. The plot twists and turns, by the end of the book I was hanging on to my seat unable to read fast enough to find out more! Now, I can't wait for the next novel in the series!! A must read for sure! This is one of those Young Adult books that I would highly recommend to anyone that loves reading, even those that don't normally pick up a paranormal.
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
Review can also be fond on My Blog
What a fantastic read! Beautifully Broken is the first novel in Sherry Soule's Spellbound series.
The author has created a mystery immersed in history and heritage. The story follows Shiloh (main character), a 16 year-old witch who has just started learning about her powers. Not only is she dealing with that, but she also has the unfortunate ability to see ghosts and demons. She is brave, selfless, and snarky. She's a character that I think a lot of teens, like myself can look up to. She lives in the town of Whispering Pines, where people just mysteriously vanish.
The characters are fantastic, creative, very realistic and well-constructed. The plot twists and turns, by the end of the book I was hanging on to my seat unable to read fast enough to find out more! Now, I can't wait for the next novel in the series!! A must read for sure! This is one of those Young Adult books that I would highly recommend to anyone that loves reading, even those that don't normally pick up a paranormal.
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
Review can also be fond on My Blog
August 15, 2011
www.obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com
REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Broken is the first book in the Spellbound series by author Sherry Soule and the beautiful cover and detailed and intriguing synopsis is what originally drew me to this novel.
Shiloh Ravenwolf is 16 years-old and starting to understand the powers she holds as a heritage witch, she can see auras, echoes of souls which reveal a person or demons true nature. She lives in the small town of Whispering Pines where she is unfortunately known as a ‘weirdo’.
When Trent Donovan arrives in town, they have an instant attraction and when a job comes up at Ravenhurst Manor, Trent’s home, Shiloh sees it as an opportunity to gain experience for her chosen career choice in architecture as well as get to know the gorgeous town bad boy with an interesting family history of his own.
I enjoyed the detailed plot; when Shiloh starts to see a demon ‘Shadow Man’ and receive cryptic messages from a wraith who appears to be everywhere, she begins to understand the mark she has branded on her wrist and how an old legend foretold the coming of a girl who could break the town curse – Shiloh being this girl.
When a few teens begin to go missing and thinking Trent may be next, Shiloh believes she may be the person able to help, but uncovering the secrets of Ravenhurst may also reveal the hidden secrets of those within the gloomy town.
I enjoyed watching Shiloh grow as a person and learn to accept her gifts, she has no real support system and is learning as she goes; I felt sorry for the distance her mother has placed between them, her abrasive attitude towards Shiloh was at times hurtful.
I enjoyed the secondary characters and especially the relationship Shiloh shared with each of her friends; they had a supportive and close bond that was missing from her home life. The connection Trent and Shiloh shared was sweet and realistic and even though there were a few problems to come between them they were quickly resolved.
What I didn’t like: Just a minor gripe, the voice of Shiloh came across as quite immature at times, even in her job interview she was using slang like ‘yep, nope and no prob’; I know she is only 16 years-old and maybe I am just showing my age but I found this at times to be annoying.
I liked Ms Soule’s descriptive writing and attention to detail, especially of the wicca, the apparitions and of hauntingly eerie Ravenhurst Manor. I enjoyed the suspense, mystery and intrigue in Beautifully Broken; it had a spooky element to it that I enjoyed.
All in all, Ms Soule has written a wonderful story. The world-building and character developments were enjoyable and the relationship between Trent and Shiloh believable.
I look forward to reading book 2 in this series, Beautifully Haunted.
REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Broken is the first book in the Spellbound series by author Sherry Soule and the beautiful cover and detailed and intriguing synopsis is what originally drew me to this novel.
Shiloh Ravenwolf is 16 years-old and starting to understand the powers she holds as a heritage witch, she can see auras, echoes of souls which reveal a person or demons true nature. She lives in the small town of Whispering Pines where she is unfortunately known as a ‘weirdo’.
When Trent Donovan arrives in town, they have an instant attraction and when a job comes up at Ravenhurst Manor, Trent’s home, Shiloh sees it as an opportunity to gain experience for her chosen career choice in architecture as well as get to know the gorgeous town bad boy with an interesting family history of his own.
I enjoyed the detailed plot; when Shiloh starts to see a demon ‘Shadow Man’ and receive cryptic messages from a wraith who appears to be everywhere, she begins to understand the mark she has branded on her wrist and how an old legend foretold the coming of a girl who could break the town curse – Shiloh being this girl.
When a few teens begin to go missing and thinking Trent may be next, Shiloh believes she may be the person able to help, but uncovering the secrets of Ravenhurst may also reveal the hidden secrets of those within the gloomy town.
I enjoyed watching Shiloh grow as a person and learn to accept her gifts, she has no real support system and is learning as she goes; I felt sorry for the distance her mother has placed between them, her abrasive attitude towards Shiloh was at times hurtful.
I enjoyed the secondary characters and especially the relationship Shiloh shared with each of her friends; they had a supportive and close bond that was missing from her home life. The connection Trent and Shiloh shared was sweet and realistic and even though there were a few problems to come between them they were quickly resolved.
What I didn’t like: Just a minor gripe, the voice of Shiloh came across as quite immature at times, even in her job interview she was using slang like ‘yep, nope and no prob’; I know she is only 16 years-old and maybe I am just showing my age but I found this at times to be annoying.
I liked Ms Soule’s descriptive writing and attention to detail, especially of the wicca, the apparitions and of hauntingly eerie Ravenhurst Manor. I enjoyed the suspense, mystery and intrigue in Beautifully Broken; it had a spooky element to it that I enjoyed.
All in all, Ms Soule has written a wonderful story. The world-building and character developments were enjoyable and the relationship between Trent and Shiloh believable.
I look forward to reading book 2 in this series, Beautifully Haunted.
October 25, 2012
Shiloh Ravenwolf is different. She can see things that no-one else can see, shadows that shun the sunlight and feed on her fear. Demons that stalk the night and whisper her of debts unpaid. And she has powers and abilities she cannot fully explain, but increasingly sees as part of a family legacy that has been kept carefully hidden from her – even when she needs those tools the most
And she does need them – with the town being even more spooky than usual, labouring under a curse and with an increasing number of young people disappearing – including people she cares about. She has to dig into the history of the town’s most haunted house and her own family history – as well as learning to master her powers and her potential.
And then there’s Trent, the gorgeous and intriguing new guy in town who seems very interested in her.
We have a town cursed and demons lurking about leading to the disappearance of children. We have magic and mystical beings and demons and ghosts, which is a nice shift from the more corporeal monsters we normally see. We have a young woman coming into her legacy of magic, with two heritages to draw upon. We have her learning and growing as a person, in magic, in personality and in relationships. We have a family torn and turning against itself between morals and magical practices. We have a chosen one who has the power and the legacy without being so typically annoying with it. We have a decently racially diverse cast and mystical founding families which isn’t a sloppy code for “more white folks!” We have a teenager with minimal high school drama and even a love interest who isn’t abusive (though he is repeatedly described as cocky or giving mixed signals despite not doing either). And while the protagonist starts as a Bella-style klutz, she quickly forgets to be.
We have a lot of elements that could have made this book very very good.
Like many books, however, this concept is just utter derailed by the writing that I found really hard to get into. It’s overwrought, it’s grossly melodramatic and I strongly suspect the word “anthracite” has appeared on the author’s word-a-day calendar lately. In fact, it’d help if the characters just used to word “black” to describe something that is black. I felt like burning a thesaurus by the end of the first few chapters. And there’s a lot of really excess description – do we really need to know what Shiloh’s best friend’s hair smells like? Really? The dialogue is often long winded and I think it’s meant to contain humorous banter but it just falls really flat. The conversations feels convoluted, long winded, repetitive and generally aren’t particularly interesting and are covered with far too much of Shiloh’s personal exposition and often repeated feelings.
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And she does need them – with the town being even more spooky than usual, labouring under a curse and with an increasing number of young people disappearing – including people she cares about. She has to dig into the history of the town’s most haunted house and her own family history – as well as learning to master her powers and her potential.
And then there’s Trent, the gorgeous and intriguing new guy in town who seems very interested in her.
We have a town cursed and demons lurking about leading to the disappearance of children. We have magic and mystical beings and demons and ghosts, which is a nice shift from the more corporeal monsters we normally see. We have a young woman coming into her legacy of magic, with two heritages to draw upon. We have her learning and growing as a person, in magic, in personality and in relationships. We have a family torn and turning against itself between morals and magical practices. We have a chosen one who has the power and the legacy without being so typically annoying with it. We have a decently racially diverse cast and mystical founding families which isn’t a sloppy code for “more white folks!” We have a teenager with minimal high school drama and even a love interest who isn’t abusive (though he is repeatedly described as cocky or giving mixed signals despite not doing either). And while the protagonist starts as a Bella-style klutz, she quickly forgets to be.
We have a lot of elements that could have made this book very very good.
Like many books, however, this concept is just utter derailed by the writing that I found really hard to get into. It’s overwrought, it’s grossly melodramatic and I strongly suspect the word “anthracite” has appeared on the author’s word-a-day calendar lately. In fact, it’d help if the characters just used to word “black” to describe something that is black. I felt like burning a thesaurus by the end of the first few chapters. And there’s a lot of really excess description – do we really need to know what Shiloh’s best friend’s hair smells like? Really? The dialogue is often long winded and I think it’s meant to contain humorous banter but it just falls really flat. The conversations feels convoluted, long winded, repetitive and generally aren’t particularly interesting and are covered with far too much of Shiloh’s personal exposition and often repeated feelings.
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July 11, 2011
Meet Shiloh Ravenwolf. She sees things in the shadows. She lives in Whispering Pines, which is rumored to be cursed. Children have been disappearing in the town. Sometimes close together and sometimes not. This has plagued this small town and caused law enforcement to enforce a curfew to ward off the “serial killings” that have been happening. Only one problem with that theory is that there have been no bodies of the missing found.
Shiloh is almost sixteen and is almost done with school for the summer. When she searches for a summer job at the board at school, she sees a position for an assistant to help with the reconstruction of Ravenhurst Manor. This would help Shiloh get closer to her dream of being an architect. She is kind of leery of accepting the job at first because of Trent Donovan.
She first sees Trent at church and instantly has a crush on him. He has recently moved back to Ravenhurst Manor with his father. Trent is described as being the “mysterious new guy in town” and “scandalous.” Throughout this book, Shiloh is trying to figure out what the curse is on Whispering Pines and how to remove it before more kids end up disappearing. Trent’s uncle, who is also her boss, Evans, becomes her mentor in the paranormal. On top of all the magick, demons, curses and ghosts, there are the normal teenage experiences like arguments with the popular girl at school and romance.
This book reminds me of a scary movie that you are watching and you are shouting at the main character “DON’T LOOK BEHIND THAT DOOR!!!” It is thrilling and intense. Soule envelops you in the plot and made this book a real page turner. There are so many emotions that are happening between the characters, it is hard not to be immersed in this story. You never know what is going to happen next. I love that it is so unpredictable. The Spellbound Series is one series that I am anxiously awaiting the next book, Beautifully Haunted.
Shiloh is almost sixteen and is almost done with school for the summer. When she searches for a summer job at the board at school, she sees a position for an assistant to help with the reconstruction of Ravenhurst Manor. This would help Shiloh get closer to her dream of being an architect. She is kind of leery of accepting the job at first because of Trent Donovan.
She first sees Trent at church and instantly has a crush on him. He has recently moved back to Ravenhurst Manor with his father. Trent is described as being the “mysterious new guy in town” and “scandalous.” Throughout this book, Shiloh is trying to figure out what the curse is on Whispering Pines and how to remove it before more kids end up disappearing. Trent’s uncle, who is also her boss, Evans, becomes her mentor in the paranormal. On top of all the magick, demons, curses and ghosts, there are the normal teenage experiences like arguments with the popular girl at school and romance.
This book reminds me of a scary movie that you are watching and you are shouting at the main character “DON’T LOOK BEHIND THAT DOOR!!!” It is thrilling and intense. Soule envelops you in the plot and made this book a real page turner. There are so many emotions that are happening between the characters, it is hard not to be immersed in this story. You never know what is going to happen next. I love that it is so unpredictable. The Spellbound Series is one series that I am anxiously awaiting the next book, Beautifully Haunted.
November 8, 2013
This review appears on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews and a giveaway!
Actual Rating: 2.5
Having read and loved another book by Sherry Soule, Immortal Eclipse, Spellbound sort of felt like a poor follow up in comparison. There were a lot of similar elements, such as a mystery involving a haunted house and name dropping of fashion brands, but this one had a few elements that annoyed me.
Shiloh is far from perfect, she’s young, immature and sees spirits following a near death experience in the past. Those shadowy visions lurking in her life were creepy and haunting, resembling a better version of Pretty Dark Nothing. I found these segments to be delightfully creepy, but was kind of sad when it didn’t really amount to anything. Like Immortal Eclipse, a bulk of the story revolves around a haunted manor. With the addition of witchcraft, it seemed like the book tried to explore a few too many different things with very little follow through or focus.
There was something about the dialogue and mannerisms in this book that felt a little off, the teenagers in it were a little too teeny boppy but yet the romance in it was sizzling hot. It contains lots of gossiping and swooning over guys, with a lot of juvenile speech like jeez, lame, OMGs and shut ups. Not to mention the swoony, sexy bad boy Trent Donovan, who at one point goes “missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me”. After that, I just couldn’t take him seriously.
Now let’s talk about the romance. Trent Donovan is sizzling hot and oh so attracted to Shiloh, being that she’s a bit unusual and quirky. Throughout the whole novel, the couple get close yet there’s rumours of him dating someone else. It seemed like they just kept getting close and then pulling away for a weak excuse, which was pretty typical and frustrating. The romance was sizzling and for a novel with such juvenile writing and dialogue, it just felt like the whole journey was really inconsistent.
Overall, with a bit of editing, I think Spellbound could be a much stronger novel. I’ve read another book from Sherry Soule and gave that one 5 stars, so she’s definitely a great story teller. I think this one has potential but still needs a bit of work, because the scary shadowy parts were fantastic.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 2.5
Having read and loved another book by Sherry Soule, Immortal Eclipse, Spellbound sort of felt like a poor follow up in comparison. There were a lot of similar elements, such as a mystery involving a haunted house and name dropping of fashion brands, but this one had a few elements that annoyed me.
Shiloh is far from perfect, she’s young, immature and sees spirits following a near death experience in the past. Those shadowy visions lurking in her life were creepy and haunting, resembling a better version of Pretty Dark Nothing. I found these segments to be delightfully creepy, but was kind of sad when it didn’t really amount to anything. Like Immortal Eclipse, a bulk of the story revolves around a haunted manor. With the addition of witchcraft, it seemed like the book tried to explore a few too many different things with very little follow through or focus.
There was something about the dialogue and mannerisms in this book that felt a little off, the teenagers in it were a little too teeny boppy but yet the romance in it was sizzling hot. It contains lots of gossiping and swooning over guys, with a lot of juvenile speech like jeez, lame, OMGs and shut ups. Not to mention the swoony, sexy bad boy Trent Donovan, who at one point goes “missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me”. After that, I just couldn’t take him seriously.
Now let’s talk about the romance. Trent Donovan is sizzling hot and oh so attracted to Shiloh, being that she’s a bit unusual and quirky. Throughout the whole novel, the couple get close yet there’s rumours of him dating someone else. It seemed like they just kept getting close and then pulling away for a weak excuse, which was pretty typical and frustrating. The romance was sizzling and for a novel with such juvenile writing and dialogue, it just felt like the whole journey was really inconsistent.
Overall, with a bit of editing, I think Spellbound could be a much stronger novel. I’ve read another book from Sherry Soule and gave that one 5 stars, so she’s definitely a great story teller. I think this one has potential but still needs a bit of work, because the scary shadowy parts were fantastic.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2012
Beneath the Moon and Stars review
This book is intense in the most amazing way. I could not put this down. When I did it was all I could think about. I can honestly say I wasn't sure if I was going to like this. Throughout the first half my feelings were kinda mixed. The second half made me wonder what in the world I was thinking. This book is so amazing. It left me dying for more.
This has AMAZING characters. I understand why it's called Beautifully Broken. Shiloh and Trent are both broken in their own ways. Both have very bad family issues. I think they are both using each other to feel better. They really needed each other. I'm sure some would say they were insta love. I don't agree with that at all. They were flirty friends then they were a couple.
I adore Shiloh. She's an incredibly heroine. I love her snarky geek personality. She is a very unique character. I like how she doesn't care what people think about her. She really came into her own throughout the book. She grew into herself and her magic.There is two sides to Trent. The pushy cocky annoying side and the sweet adorable side. Personally I like the sweet side. I found myself screaming at him all the time. I was always wondering what he was thinking. He finally found someone who made him feel alive I guess you could say. Then he pushed her away and shut down. There were two things that bothered me about Trent. One he's very pushy and two he thinks a kiss can fix everything. Sometimes a kiss doesn't fix everything and you actually have to talk to each other. This book had some great secondary characters. I loved Mr. Evans and Ari.
The storyline is hard to describe. Suspenseful isn't the word even though it had its fair share of suspense. I felt like I knew something was going to happen and I just had to wait for it. I found myself waiting a lot. There would be action and some major twist and then nothing for a long time. It was kinda back and forth. It worked for this story but it took some getting used too. Overall I am so glad I got the chance to read this. I loved it with all my heart even though I had my doubts. I can't wait for the sequel so I can see where this story is going to go. I'm curious to see what other people thought. I highly recommend.
This book is intense in the most amazing way. I could not put this down. When I did it was all I could think about. I can honestly say I wasn't sure if I was going to like this. Throughout the first half my feelings were kinda mixed. The second half made me wonder what in the world I was thinking. This book is so amazing. It left me dying for more.
This has AMAZING characters. I understand why it's called Beautifully Broken. Shiloh and Trent are both broken in their own ways. Both have very bad family issues. I think they are both using each other to feel better. They really needed each other. I'm sure some would say they were insta love. I don't agree with that at all. They were flirty friends then they were a couple.
I adore Shiloh. She's an incredibly heroine. I love her snarky geek personality. She is a very unique character. I like how she doesn't care what people think about her. She really came into her own throughout the book. She grew into herself and her magic.There is two sides to Trent. The pushy cocky annoying side and the sweet adorable side. Personally I like the sweet side. I found myself screaming at him all the time. I was always wondering what he was thinking. He finally found someone who made him feel alive I guess you could say. Then he pushed her away and shut down. There were two things that bothered me about Trent. One he's very pushy and two he thinks a kiss can fix everything. Sometimes a kiss doesn't fix everything and you actually have to talk to each other. This book had some great secondary characters. I loved Mr. Evans and Ari.
The storyline is hard to describe. Suspenseful isn't the word even though it had its fair share of suspense. I felt like I knew something was going to happen and I just had to wait for it. I found myself waiting a lot. There would be action and some major twist and then nothing for a long time. It was kinda back and forth. It worked for this story but it took some getting used too. Overall I am so glad I got the chance to read this. I loved it with all my heart even though I had my doubts. I can't wait for the sequel so I can see where this story is going to go. I'm curious to see what other people thought. I highly recommend.
July 22, 2011
This is a wonderful YA book! Beautifully Broken is the first book in Sherry Soule's Spellbound series. The story follows Shiloh, a 16 year-old witch who is just learning about her powers. Not only is she dealing with that, but she also has the unfortunate ability to see ghosts and demons. She lives in the very creepy town of Whispering Pines, where people just mysteriously vanish.
My favorite thing about this book was the romance that develops between Shiloh and Trent. They just have this connection, and they were instantly attracted to each other. That passion was definitely sizzling. I think the relationship was realistic though. There were awkward moments, sweet moments, passionate moments, and there were also times where they would argue. Their relationship felt very natural and not forced at all.
I really liked Shiloh, she's had a hard life. A lot of things happen in this book that most teenagers wouldn't be able to handle. She troops through it all though. She is brave, selfless, and snarky. She's a character that I think a lot of teens can look up to.
I thought the writing in this book was great. The book kept me hooked, I didn't want to put it down. There were so many events and emotions going on. The book was very mysterious, and definitely had a creepy factor going on. It might be something you won't want to read right before bed if you have an overactive imagination when the lights go out like I do. There were some very sad moments as well, but the sweet romance gave the book good balance. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in ghosts, witchcraft, paranormal, etc... Sherry Soule has an enthusiastic new fan and I'm dying to read the next book in this series!
My favorite thing about this book was the romance that develops between Shiloh and Trent. They just have this connection, and they were instantly attracted to each other. That passion was definitely sizzling. I think the relationship was realistic though. There were awkward moments, sweet moments, passionate moments, and there were also times where they would argue. Their relationship felt very natural and not forced at all.
I really liked Shiloh, she's had a hard life. A lot of things happen in this book that most teenagers wouldn't be able to handle. She troops through it all though. She is brave, selfless, and snarky. She's a character that I think a lot of teens can look up to.
I thought the writing in this book was great. The book kept me hooked, I didn't want to put it down. There were so many events and emotions going on. The book was very mysterious, and definitely had a creepy factor going on. It might be something you won't want to read right before bed if you have an overactive imagination when the lights go out like I do. There were some very sad moments as well, but the sweet romance gave the book good balance. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in ghosts, witchcraft, paranormal, etc... Sherry Soule has an enthusiastic new fan and I'm dying to read the next book in this series!
August 23, 2011
My Thoughts:
Wow! This is a fantastic read! It is captivating! Brilliantly written. This alluring tale is original and yet classic at the same time. It is more than just your average story of good (light) versus evil (dark). This is a story of jealousy, greed, betrayal, sacrifice, desire, and love. It is a story of what happens when what a person wants corrupts them into doing the unthinkable, and the results of that corruption. I was left wondering...what price is too high?
The characters are fantastic. They are creatively and carefully constructed. Their lives, relationships, interactions, and emotions are so realistic that I was instantly invested in their lives. Each of the characters is living through trauma and/or some kind of personal drama that they are forced to struggle with every day. The characters are given strong personalities and I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster with them as the story progressed.
Sherry Soule has created a mystery steeped in history and heritage, and hidden by fear, lies, deception and secrecy. I was thrilled with the witchcraft/Wiccan/Native American Shaman combination of magic.
The plot twists and turns, by the end of the book I was hanging on to my seat unable to read fast enough to find out more! Now, I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Wow! This is a fantastic read! It is captivating! Brilliantly written. This alluring tale is original and yet classic at the same time. It is more than just your average story of good (light) versus evil (dark). This is a story of jealousy, greed, betrayal, sacrifice, desire, and love. It is a story of what happens when what a person wants corrupts them into doing the unthinkable, and the results of that corruption. I was left wondering...what price is too high?
The characters are fantastic. They are creatively and carefully constructed. Their lives, relationships, interactions, and emotions are so realistic that I was instantly invested in their lives. Each of the characters is living through trauma and/or some kind of personal drama that they are forced to struggle with every day. The characters are given strong personalities and I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster with them as the story progressed.
Sherry Soule has created a mystery steeped in history and heritage, and hidden by fear, lies, deception and secrecy. I was thrilled with the witchcraft/Wiccan/Native American Shaman combination of magic.
The plot twists and turns, by the end of the book I was hanging on to my seat unable to read fast enough to find out more! Now, I can't wait for the next book in the series!
July 18, 2011
GENRE: YA Paranormal Romance/Horror
THEME: Witch/Ghost/Demons
RECEIVED: Review Request from Author
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Talk about the not wanting to read a book in the dark, I love it when a story give you the creeps but adds some humor with some romance. Beautifully Broken has it all and wrapped in a haunted house. Soule creates a creatively haunted story for young adults with a strong lead female character.
Shiloh has gone through her whole life known as the Freak or Witch in her town. She has a few friends, a father who is clueless about everything and a mother who is not only full of herself but has some deep dark secret that Shiloh can’t figure out. When a new guy comes to town she can’t help but feel her heart start racing every time she see’s him. Luckily she lands the perfect job working for his unusual uncle at the “haunted” Ravenhurst Manor. When teens in the town go missing around the manor Shiloh is determined to find out what’s happening and protect her friends and her the new guy Trent from disappearing too.
Beautifully Broken started off with a bang having Shiloh be introduced in a really not so fun situation with a very haunting creature. She has pretty dysfunctional parents; her mother really was out there with her bipolar type attitude. Shiloh discovers more and more about her families’ history with witches and her connection to them and it might be the reason why demonic forces are following her.
Trent, the new guy in town was a bundle of quirky, sweet and hot all rolled into one. He along with his home the Ravenhurst Manor are major keys to the towns haunting secrets and possibly a link to Shiloh herself. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Trent and Shiloh, though it was quite a rocky ride all the way through, I loved the development and the interesting circumstance that went along with them.
I felt the best part and what made the story extremely exciting was Ravenhurst Manor. So much happens in this house with freak accidents., ghostly siting’s and demon like being showing up it really gave Beautifully Broken that fantastic supernatural vibe. Who doesn’t love a good haunted house? Plus I liked the backstory of a ghost haunting the manor; I loved the twist with the ghost who haunts the manor.
Overall a thrilling read that is a whirlwind of haunting mystery and romance. Be ready for lots of twist and turns and shocking moments that will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next Spellbound chapter and highly recommend this new series.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult book with lots of horror, romance and mystery mixed with paranormal elements. I recommend this to fans of Courtney Moulton and Tessa Gratton will enjoy Beautifully Broken.
Merged review:
GENRE: YA Paranormal Romance/Horror
THEME: Witch/Ghost/Demons
RECEIVED: Review Request from Author
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Talk about the not wanting to read a book in the dark, I love it when a story give you the creeps but adds some humor with some romance. Beautifully Broken has it all and wrapped in a haunted house. Soule creates a creatively haunted story for young adults with a strong lead female character.
Shiloh has gone through her whole life known as the Freak or Witch in her town. She has a few friends, a father who is clueless about everything and a mother who is not only full of herself but has some deep dark secret that Shiloh can’t figure out. When a new guy comes to town she can’t help but feel her heart start racing every time she see’s him. Luckily she lands the perfect job working for his unusual uncle at the “haunted” Ravenhurst Manor. When teens in the town go missing around the manor Shiloh is determined to find out what’s happening and protect her friends and her the new guy Trent from disappearing too.
Beautifully Broken started off with a bang having Shiloh be introduced in a really not so fun situation with a very haunting creature. She has pretty dysfunctional parents; her mother really was out there with her bipolar type attitude. Shiloh discovers more and more about her families’ history with witches and her connection to them and it might be the reason why demonic forces are following her.
Trent, the new guy in town was a bundle of quirky, sweet and hot all rolled into one. He along with his home the Ravenhurst Manor are major keys to the towns haunting secrets and possibly a link to Shiloh herself. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Trent and Shiloh, though it was quite a rocky ride all the way through, I loved the development and the interesting circumstance that went along with them.
I felt the best part and what made the story extremely exciting was Ravenhurst Manor. So much happens in this house with freak accidents., ghostly siting’s and demon like being showing up it really gave Beautifully Broken that fantastic supernatural vibe. Who doesn’t love a good haunted house? Plus I liked the backstory of a ghost haunting the manor; I loved the twist with the ghost who haunts the manor.
Overall a thrilling read that is a whirlwind of haunting mystery and romance. Be ready for lots of twist and turns and shocking moments that will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next Spellbound chapter and highly recommend this new series.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult book with lots of horror, romance and mystery mixed with paranormal elements. I recommend this to fans of Courtney Moulton and Tessa Gratton will enjoy Beautifully Broken.
THEME: Witch/Ghost/Demons
RECEIVED: Review Request from Author
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Talk about the not wanting to read a book in the dark, I love it when a story give you the creeps but adds some humor with some romance. Beautifully Broken has it all and wrapped in a haunted house. Soule creates a creatively haunted story for young adults with a strong lead female character.
Shiloh has gone through her whole life known as the Freak or Witch in her town. She has a few friends, a father who is clueless about everything and a mother who is not only full of herself but has some deep dark secret that Shiloh can’t figure out. When a new guy comes to town she can’t help but feel her heart start racing every time she see’s him. Luckily she lands the perfect job working for his unusual uncle at the “haunted” Ravenhurst Manor. When teens in the town go missing around the manor Shiloh is determined to find out what’s happening and protect her friends and her the new guy Trent from disappearing too.
Beautifully Broken started off with a bang having Shiloh be introduced in a really not so fun situation with a very haunting creature. She has pretty dysfunctional parents; her mother really was out there with her bipolar type attitude. Shiloh discovers more and more about her families’ history with witches and her connection to them and it might be the reason why demonic forces are following her.
Trent, the new guy in town was a bundle of quirky, sweet and hot all rolled into one. He along with his home the Ravenhurst Manor are major keys to the towns haunting secrets and possibly a link to Shiloh herself. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Trent and Shiloh, though it was quite a rocky ride all the way through, I loved the development and the interesting circumstance that went along with them.
I felt the best part and what made the story extremely exciting was Ravenhurst Manor. So much happens in this house with freak accidents., ghostly siting’s and demon like being showing up it really gave Beautifully Broken that fantastic supernatural vibe. Who doesn’t love a good haunted house? Plus I liked the backstory of a ghost haunting the manor; I loved the twist with the ghost who haunts the manor.
Overall a thrilling read that is a whirlwind of haunting mystery and romance. Be ready for lots of twist and turns and shocking moments that will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next Spellbound chapter and highly recommend this new series.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult book with lots of horror, romance and mystery mixed with paranormal elements. I recommend this to fans of Courtney Moulton and Tessa Gratton will enjoy Beautifully Broken.
Merged review:
GENRE: YA Paranormal Romance/Horror
THEME: Witch/Ghost/Demons
RECEIVED: Review Request from Author
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Talk about the not wanting to read a book in the dark, I love it when a story give you the creeps but adds some humor with some romance. Beautifully Broken has it all and wrapped in a haunted house. Soule creates a creatively haunted story for young adults with a strong lead female character.
Shiloh has gone through her whole life known as the Freak or Witch in her town. She has a few friends, a father who is clueless about everything and a mother who is not only full of herself but has some deep dark secret that Shiloh can’t figure out. When a new guy comes to town she can’t help but feel her heart start racing every time she see’s him. Luckily she lands the perfect job working for his unusual uncle at the “haunted” Ravenhurst Manor. When teens in the town go missing around the manor Shiloh is determined to find out what’s happening and protect her friends and her the new guy Trent from disappearing too.
Beautifully Broken started off with a bang having Shiloh be introduced in a really not so fun situation with a very haunting creature. She has pretty dysfunctional parents; her mother really was out there with her bipolar type attitude. Shiloh discovers more and more about her families’ history with witches and her connection to them and it might be the reason why demonic forces are following her.
Trent, the new guy in town was a bundle of quirky, sweet and hot all rolled into one. He along with his home the Ravenhurst Manor are major keys to the towns haunting secrets and possibly a link to Shiloh herself. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Trent and Shiloh, though it was quite a rocky ride all the way through, I loved the development and the interesting circumstance that went along with them.
I felt the best part and what made the story extremely exciting was Ravenhurst Manor. So much happens in this house with freak accidents., ghostly siting’s and demon like being showing up it really gave Beautifully Broken that fantastic supernatural vibe. Who doesn’t love a good haunted house? Plus I liked the backstory of a ghost haunting the manor; I loved the twist with the ghost who haunts the manor.
Overall a thrilling read that is a whirlwind of haunting mystery and romance. Be ready for lots of twist and turns and shocking moments that will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next Spellbound chapter and highly recommend this new series.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult book with lots of horror, romance and mystery mixed with paranormal elements. I recommend this to fans of Courtney Moulton and Tessa Gratton will enjoy Beautifully Broken.
July 30, 2012
This review can also be found on The Book Hookup
**This book was given to Celeste, but that did not influence the review**
Celeste’s review:
Initial Thoughts: As soon as I read the first page I wanted to know what was happening! Shiloh Ravenwolf is a seemingly normal teen just hanging out in her bedroom when the scary and threatening Shadow Man crept in, and he wasn’t alone. Shiloh is able to get rid of him, although she isn’t quite sure how she pulled it off. I loved that the story jumped right into the magic, or in this case I should be saying magick, as it is referred to in this book. ;)
The Setting: Very cool! Shiloh lives in Whispering Pines, a community that has dealt with way too many disappearances to be considered coincidences. It also seems to be foggy all the time, which fits in perfectly since the reader quickly learns Shiloh can see wraiths (ghosts, with one in particular being especially persistent) and demons (like Shadow Man). All the shadows, wraiths and demons keep trying to give her messages, but she can’t understand what they mean. At the same time Shiloh doesn’t want to understand what the messages mean because it seems like something wants to kill her, and she’d rather be oblivious to the supernatural and just be a normal teen. In keeping up with being normal Shiloh takes on a summer job at the supposedly haunted Ravenhurst Manor. This mansion is also the new home to ridiculously smoking hot Trent, who has just come into town with his father and uncle. (more about Trent in a minute ;) )
The Heroine: Shiloh is young, vibrant and beautiful. While I really liked her I didn’t totally connect with her. Quite possibly because she was so young, although I’m pretty sure I had thoughts just like hers when I was that age so I didn’t hold it against her. While her sense of fashion style wasn’t mine, I could totally appreciate it because she wore it so confidently. I loved that she was snarky and had a great sense of humor. I also think that while she was selfless, she never acted foolishly and always seemed to think everything through. I honestly liked her and was entertained by her the entire book.
The Romance: Can’t have a romance without a hero. Beautifully Broken has one of my favorite types of heroes: the brooding, sexy, muscles rippling, hands running through his hair, leather jacket wearing bad boy. Trent Donovan = RAWR. I know this is YA novel, but……unf, he is walking sex. No, nothing that isn’t YA appropriate! But he certainly goes “there” and pushes the limits. I would love to make hang out with him. Please oh please, Ms. Soule, let there be lots of Trent in the next book!
The Secondary Characters: Her friends are typical high school friends. Lots of giggles and they love each other. They all kind of blended together a bit for me, but not in a bad way. I liked Evans, Trent’s uncle, who was her boss and mentor. I think he has a lot to offer as far as support and answers go. On the opposite end is Jillian, Shiloh’s mother, who is bizarre. There’s a whole lot of secrets there!!
The Ending: While I knew Shiloh was critical to fighting against the evil I wasn’t quite sure of the whys. It did seem to tie up at the end, and the story definitely ended with a bang. It felt a little resolved, but was definitely not over. Shiloh has a lot to process: betrayals, love, death(s)!!!, and learning about herself. I’m very anxious to start Moonlight Mayhem to see how she handles things and what happens next.
Rec it? Absolutely. If you love romance, magick, and mystery this is a great novel that will have you turning the pages into the night. And, the 2nd book, Moonlight Mayhem is already out so you don’t have to wait for the next installment. Make sure you stop by for the blog tour July 24 for a sneak peak at an excerpt!
**This book was given to Celeste, but that did not influence the review**
Celeste’s review:
Initial Thoughts: As soon as I read the first page I wanted to know what was happening! Shiloh Ravenwolf is a seemingly normal teen just hanging out in her bedroom when the scary and threatening Shadow Man crept in, and he wasn’t alone. Shiloh is able to get rid of him, although she isn’t quite sure how she pulled it off. I loved that the story jumped right into the magic, or in this case I should be saying magick, as it is referred to in this book. ;)
The Setting: Very cool! Shiloh lives in Whispering Pines, a community that has dealt with way too many disappearances to be considered coincidences. It also seems to be foggy all the time, which fits in perfectly since the reader quickly learns Shiloh can see wraiths (ghosts, with one in particular being especially persistent) and demons (like Shadow Man). All the shadows, wraiths and demons keep trying to give her messages, but she can’t understand what they mean. At the same time Shiloh doesn’t want to understand what the messages mean because it seems like something wants to kill her, and she’d rather be oblivious to the supernatural and just be a normal teen. In keeping up with being normal Shiloh takes on a summer job at the supposedly haunted Ravenhurst Manor. This mansion is also the new home to ridiculously smoking hot Trent, who has just come into town with his father and uncle. (more about Trent in a minute ;) )
The Heroine: Shiloh is young, vibrant and beautiful. While I really liked her I didn’t totally connect with her. Quite possibly because she was so young, although I’m pretty sure I had thoughts just like hers when I was that age so I didn’t hold it against her. While her sense of fashion style wasn’t mine, I could totally appreciate it because she wore it so confidently. I loved that she was snarky and had a great sense of humor. I also think that while she was selfless, she never acted foolishly and always seemed to think everything through. I honestly liked her and was entertained by her the entire book.
The Romance: Can’t have a romance without a hero. Beautifully Broken has one of my favorite types of heroes: the brooding, sexy, muscles rippling, hands running through his hair, leather jacket wearing bad boy. Trent Donovan = RAWR. I know this is YA novel, but……unf, he is walking sex. No, nothing that isn’t YA appropriate! But he certainly goes “there” and pushes the limits. I would love to make hang out with him. Please oh please, Ms. Soule, let there be lots of Trent in the next book!
The Secondary Characters: Her friends are typical high school friends. Lots of giggles and they love each other. They all kind of blended together a bit for me, but not in a bad way. I liked Evans, Trent’s uncle, who was her boss and mentor. I think he has a lot to offer as far as support and answers go. On the opposite end is Jillian, Shiloh’s mother, who is bizarre. There’s a whole lot of secrets there!!
The Ending: While I knew Shiloh was critical to fighting against the evil I wasn’t quite sure of the whys. It did seem to tie up at the end, and the story definitely ended with a bang. It felt a little resolved, but was definitely not over. Shiloh has a lot to process: betrayals, love, death(s)!!!, and learning about herself. I’m very anxious to start Moonlight Mayhem to see how she handles things and what happens next.
Rec it? Absolutely. If you love romance, magick, and mystery this is a great novel that will have you turning the pages into the night. And, the 2nd book, Moonlight Mayhem is already out so you don’t have to wait for the next installment. Make sure you stop by for the blog tour July 24 for a sneak peak at an excerpt!
September 18, 2011
Shiloh Ravenwolf is a young girl involved in a past she doesn’t quite know everything about. Her father and mother are a bit “odd” and her family has been split down the middle over things she doesn’t really understand. Shiloh has the ability to see and hear the “shadows, wraiths, and spirits” that appear in her room and all around her; including a large “Shadow Man” who tells her that, “Debts Must Be Paid.” Being the owner of a strange scar that goes from her wrist to her elbow, Shiloh seems to be marked by the spirits, hearing and seeing images from the past as they gather around her: Some wish Shiloh to help them, others are simply there to destroy Shiloh once and for all.
Living on the dismal northern shores of California in a place called Whispering Pines, Shiloh is trying desperately to get used to the paranormal figures watching, talking, and following her around - including Easel, the huge ‘Shadow Man’ who is a spirit that wishes nothing more than for Shiloh to make a deal with the Devil.
In Whispering Pines, there are teens disappearing - teens who were all a part of the original Thirteen families who settled the town of Whispering Pines back in the 17th Century. In this original group were witches who built and ran the town - a town that is lovely during the day but, when twilight settles, is covered with a thick layer of fog that makes the town seem as if it is far away from any location in the country.
One day, at church, Shiloh sits in the pew beside her best friend Ariana - a strong, tough girl who goes to her school. When Trent Donovan appears - a handsome ‘rebel without a cause’ type, he can barely keep his eyes off Shiloh as the rumors begin to abound about he and his family. Long ago, Trent’s mother had been found dead, and his father caught up in a murder investigation of which he was cleared and freed. Where they live is the old Ravenhurst Manor that was once home to disturbed teenagers, murders, and creepy experiences. Now, the Donovan family is restoring Ravenhurst and Shiloh lands a job as an intern to help with the architectural renovations…or so she thinks.
Soon the story unfolds as Shiloh teams up with a “ghost hunter” to try and get the spirits to calm themselves and leave the mansion once and for all. Inside the ghostly building there are shadowy spirits after Shiloh, who try their best to kill her with everything from falling chandeliers to windows smashing down. Shiloh soon learns a variety of historical information including the fact that she must discover and “hone” her ‘gifts’ in order to save Trent Donovan from being the next victim of the “Shadow Man.” And with this war comes a prophecy of the 13th Daughter - a girl who was born to save Whispering Pines and banish the dark souls forever.
A truly interesting story that involves a deep mystery and powerful Wiccan magic. The first in a truly adventurous series of Spellbound novels, for readers to find their way through the darkness as they stand beside Shiloh Ravenwolf and watch her fight for her life, home, family, and true love.
A great horror, thriller, and paranormal book that is a good, solid beginning to a series of fiction that YA’s and adults will love.
**Does Need Editorial Work.
Living on the dismal northern shores of California in a place called Whispering Pines, Shiloh is trying desperately to get used to the paranormal figures watching, talking, and following her around - including Easel, the huge ‘Shadow Man’ who is a spirit that wishes nothing more than for Shiloh to make a deal with the Devil.
In Whispering Pines, there are teens disappearing - teens who were all a part of the original Thirteen families who settled the town of Whispering Pines back in the 17th Century. In this original group were witches who built and ran the town - a town that is lovely during the day but, when twilight settles, is covered with a thick layer of fog that makes the town seem as if it is far away from any location in the country.
One day, at church, Shiloh sits in the pew beside her best friend Ariana - a strong, tough girl who goes to her school. When Trent Donovan appears - a handsome ‘rebel without a cause’ type, he can barely keep his eyes off Shiloh as the rumors begin to abound about he and his family. Long ago, Trent’s mother had been found dead, and his father caught up in a murder investigation of which he was cleared and freed. Where they live is the old Ravenhurst Manor that was once home to disturbed teenagers, murders, and creepy experiences. Now, the Donovan family is restoring Ravenhurst and Shiloh lands a job as an intern to help with the architectural renovations…or so she thinks.
Soon the story unfolds as Shiloh teams up with a “ghost hunter” to try and get the spirits to calm themselves and leave the mansion once and for all. Inside the ghostly building there are shadowy spirits after Shiloh, who try their best to kill her with everything from falling chandeliers to windows smashing down. Shiloh soon learns a variety of historical information including the fact that she must discover and “hone” her ‘gifts’ in order to save Trent Donovan from being the next victim of the “Shadow Man.” And with this war comes a prophecy of the 13th Daughter - a girl who was born to save Whispering Pines and banish the dark souls forever.
A truly interesting story that involves a deep mystery and powerful Wiccan magic. The first in a truly adventurous series of Spellbound novels, for readers to find their way through the darkness as they stand beside Shiloh Ravenwolf and watch her fight for her life, home, family, and true love.
A great horror, thriller, and paranormal book that is a good, solid beginning to a series of fiction that YA’s and adults will love.
**Does Need Editorial Work.
July 24, 2012
Cover Thoughts-
Exotic and beautiful! It's perfect! The girl is obviously Shiloh and the cover gives me a better vision of her in my head. I'm also guessing the house under her is Ravenhurst Manor. The whole cover ties together nicely in a beautiful dark kind of way.
First Thought-
Thirteenth Daughter. Heritage Witch. Demon Slayer. With those 6 words you totally have my attention! Way to pull me in! This is diffidently a book I need to get started on!
What I liked-
The beginning totally caught my attention. I felt so bad for her not having a good home life or social life being the weirdest kid in town. It's not her fault she comes from a line of strong witches and rumors spread around like fire in a small town. The are more rumors too but mostly about the town being cursed and that might be why 1 child from the original 13 families are disappearing. Pore Shiloh is pushed into the middle of it though. She is constantly being followed by the whispering shadows. She believes in something that nobody else does but her new boss at Ravenhurst Manor. Together they hope to stop an evil demon before Earth becomes Hell. My favorite scene in the old thing was towards the end when Shiloh *falls* down the stairs. It is then that she knows who is on her side. She has so much to go through practically by herself. I wanted to cry a few times. At times I felt chilled to the bone because the detailing was so vivid. It was like I was feeling Shiloh's fear, her determination, and her tears. Beautifully broken is diffidently a book worth reading twice.
Here is a quote I found:
"From an early age, I'd heard the rumors about the town curse. To others, the rumors were an urban legend. To me, reality. Because I saw what others only gossiped about."
What I disliked-
I wish I her home life would have been described more. I want to know so much more about what lead to Shiloh's betrayal. oops I let it slip. :p I also wished there was more romance. If she is so in love with Trent superhot badboy then why does like nothing happen? I would have thought Trent wouldn't hold back but he did. I noticed sometimes I had white knuckles clutching my kindle anticipating something killer to happen but I was just kinda left in the dust. The end did not let me down. It was explosively awesome compared to the rest of the story.
Overall Readability-
Chilling, beautiful, and mystical. I got goosebumps at times reading the amazing details and rocking adjectives. I believe once you read Beautifully Broken that you will be forever part of Whispering Pines. I am 100% sure that if I ever go into a dark mansion I will think of this book. It was enjoyable and not one I will soon forget.
My Final Thought-
Dang she is DETERMINED. I believe she will totally succeed.
5 out of 5 Haunted Roses
Exotic and beautiful! It's perfect! The girl is obviously Shiloh and the cover gives me a better vision of her in my head. I'm also guessing the house under her is Ravenhurst Manor. The whole cover ties together nicely in a beautiful dark kind of way.
First Thought-
Thirteenth Daughter. Heritage Witch. Demon Slayer. With those 6 words you totally have my attention! Way to pull me in! This is diffidently a book I need to get started on!
What I liked-
The beginning totally caught my attention. I felt so bad for her not having a good home life or social life being the weirdest kid in town. It's not her fault she comes from a line of strong witches and rumors spread around like fire in a small town. The are more rumors too but mostly about the town being cursed and that might be why 1 child from the original 13 families are disappearing. Pore Shiloh is pushed into the middle of it though. She is constantly being followed by the whispering shadows. She believes in something that nobody else does but her new boss at Ravenhurst Manor. Together they hope to stop an evil demon before Earth becomes Hell. My favorite scene in the old thing was towards the end when Shiloh *falls* down the stairs. It is then that she knows who is on her side. She has so much to go through practically by herself. I wanted to cry a few times. At times I felt chilled to the bone because the detailing was so vivid. It was like I was feeling Shiloh's fear, her determination, and her tears. Beautifully broken is diffidently a book worth reading twice.
Here is a quote I found:
"From an early age, I'd heard the rumors about the town curse. To others, the rumors were an urban legend. To me, reality. Because I saw what others only gossiped about."
What I disliked-
I wish I her home life would have been described more. I want to know so much more about what lead to Shiloh's betrayal. oops I let it slip. :p I also wished there was more romance. If she is so in love with Trent superhot badboy then why does like nothing happen? I would have thought Trent wouldn't hold back but he did. I noticed sometimes I had white knuckles clutching my kindle anticipating something killer to happen but I was just kinda left in the dust. The end did not let me down. It was explosively awesome compared to the rest of the story.
Overall Readability-
Chilling, beautiful, and mystical. I got goosebumps at times reading the amazing details and rocking adjectives. I believe once you read Beautifully Broken that you will be forever part of Whispering Pines. I am 100% sure that if I ever go into a dark mansion I will think of this book. It was enjoyable and not one I will soon forget.
My Final Thought-
Dang she is DETERMINED. I believe she will totally succeed.
5 out of 5 Haunted Roses
August 26, 2012
Note: A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Eerie, humorous and romantic, Beautifully Broken is a potent story about young witch Shiloh and the curse that threatens her town. Highly entertaining, I would definitely recommend this to any fan of YA paranormal romance!
The plot was definitely one of my favourite things about this novel, I almost always find that most YA books have strayed away from the creepy stuff; but not Soule. She added just the right amount of eeriness to accentuate the supernatural aspects of the book and get your heart pumping, though not so much as to subtract from the other light-hearted themes. The concept of the curse was one in particular that fascinated me, and as Shiloh navigated her way through the secrets and lies about her heritage I found myself just as captivated as she was.
Shiloh surprised me at every turn; her powers, her personality, her relationship with other characters – everything was well written and believably conveyed. She was so strong and determined that I really felt sympathetic towards her when it came to her lack of support in this scary new world of magic and demons, and the distance between her and her mother was something that can hopefully be mended in future books. However, Shiloh certainly doesn’t lack closeness in her relationship with her friends, and their interactions were one of many things that kept the book realistic and identifiable.
To touch up quickly on the romance; it was sweet, swoon-worthy and unhurried. Though there was the cliché insta-attraction at the beginning this was quickly forgotten as they actually attempted to establish a bond, rather than immediately being overwhelmed by crazy animal lust. True, Trent had the some of the stereotypical bad boy traits, but other facets of his personality thankfully set him apart from other YA alpha males. Together they definitely seemed to bring out the best of each other, and I’m sure that in future books they will be a force to be reckoned with.
The writing was another positive in favour of this book, and overall I found it to be highly descriptive and polished. I always had a clear image in my head of what was going on at that particular moment, and there was minimal ‘purple prose’ (I think that’s what it’s called), meaning that the writer uses lots of pretty, complicated words but it comes across as complete gibberish. That is a real pet peeve of mine, and I’m so glad that Soule has managed to stay away from that annoyingly common practice.
Beautifully Broken is an intriguing new YA release with a unique twist of the theme of witches and curses. Great for reading when you have a few hours of spare time, I look forward to seeing how the story continues in the next book of the Spellbound series
Eerie, humorous and romantic, Beautifully Broken is a potent story about young witch Shiloh and the curse that threatens her town. Highly entertaining, I would definitely recommend this to any fan of YA paranormal romance!
The plot was definitely one of my favourite things about this novel, I almost always find that most YA books have strayed away from the creepy stuff; but not Soule. She added just the right amount of eeriness to accentuate the supernatural aspects of the book and get your heart pumping, though not so much as to subtract from the other light-hearted themes. The concept of the curse was one in particular that fascinated me, and as Shiloh navigated her way through the secrets and lies about her heritage I found myself just as captivated as she was.
Shiloh surprised me at every turn; her powers, her personality, her relationship with other characters – everything was well written and believably conveyed. She was so strong and determined that I really felt sympathetic towards her when it came to her lack of support in this scary new world of magic and demons, and the distance between her and her mother was something that can hopefully be mended in future books. However, Shiloh certainly doesn’t lack closeness in her relationship with her friends, and their interactions were one of many things that kept the book realistic and identifiable.
To touch up quickly on the romance; it was sweet, swoon-worthy and unhurried. Though there was the cliché insta-attraction at the beginning this was quickly forgotten as they actually attempted to establish a bond, rather than immediately being overwhelmed by crazy animal lust. True, Trent had the some of the stereotypical bad boy traits, but other facets of his personality thankfully set him apart from other YA alpha males. Together they definitely seemed to bring out the best of each other, and I’m sure that in future books they will be a force to be reckoned with.
The writing was another positive in favour of this book, and overall I found it to be highly descriptive and polished. I always had a clear image in my head of what was going on at that particular moment, and there was minimal ‘purple prose’ (I think that’s what it’s called), meaning that the writer uses lots of pretty, complicated words but it comes across as complete gibberish. That is a real pet peeve of mine, and I’m so glad that Soule has managed to stay away from that annoyingly common practice.
Beautifully Broken is an intriguing new YA release with a unique twist of the theme of witches and curses. Great for reading when you have a few hours of spare time, I look forward to seeing how the story continues in the next book of the Spellbound series
July 25, 2011
Beautifully Broken is a YA Paranormal/Horror Romance.
Shiloh Ravenhurst is sixteen and is the town's "freak", especially with the weird "birthmark" on her wrist which she takes great consideration to keep covered and hidden. Her families past has haunted her most of her life with the townsfolk snickering and bullying. She has few friends and her parents seemingly uncaring and aloofness make them unapproachable.
Shiloh gets thru each day the best she can and from the moment she accepts the job at Ravenhurst Manor by her eccentric Uncle, her life begins to change. There she runs into many strange and unusual characters, some are helpful and some are quite vengeful, wishing to destroy Shiloh to keep the secrets hidden.
After meeting Trent, her heart begins racing every time she is near him, and the two begin a somewhat bumpy romance together. When the town's teens begin to go missing, Shiloh believes she can help, and in order to save her new found love, she begins to uncover the secrets of Ravenhurst, her family and all the townsfolk who have their own skeletons in the closet.
This was a really good YA paranormal read, witches are always great to read about. Magic can be used in some very interesting applications and Sherry Soule didn't fail to impress me. It had enough mystery and innuendos to keep reading and turning the pages, the secrets that everyone seems to be a part of was interesting and the overall outcome was exactly as it should have turned out.
I did find Trent and Shiloh's back and forth attitude with one another a bit annoying, but it was well played out even if you were screaming in frustration at their lack understanding about how the other truly felt. I was also annoyed that everyone in town seemed to know what was going on but Shiloh remained clueless until she decided to investigate. These two aspects are minor in the overall of the book though and you will find enjoyment within these pages.
However, the most enjoyment you will find will be reading about the Ravenhurst Manor itself. With all its haunted appeal, quirky ghosts and a great backstory that you cannot help hoping you will get to read more. I think the author could probably do a whole series about this Manor and make a lot of folks happy with the works. If some of you are easy to scare, you may find some creepiness within the pages, all done in a tasteful and readable manner, which will also bring you much delight.
Shiloh Ravenhurst is sixteen and is the town's "freak", especially with the weird "birthmark" on her wrist which she takes great consideration to keep covered and hidden. Her families past has haunted her most of her life with the townsfolk snickering and bullying. She has few friends and her parents seemingly uncaring and aloofness make them unapproachable.
Shiloh gets thru each day the best she can and from the moment she accepts the job at Ravenhurst Manor by her eccentric Uncle, her life begins to change. There she runs into many strange and unusual characters, some are helpful and some are quite vengeful, wishing to destroy Shiloh to keep the secrets hidden.
After meeting Trent, her heart begins racing every time she is near him, and the two begin a somewhat bumpy romance together. When the town's teens begin to go missing, Shiloh believes she can help, and in order to save her new found love, she begins to uncover the secrets of Ravenhurst, her family and all the townsfolk who have their own skeletons in the closet.
This was a really good YA paranormal read, witches are always great to read about. Magic can be used in some very interesting applications and Sherry Soule didn't fail to impress me. It had enough mystery and innuendos to keep reading and turning the pages, the secrets that everyone seems to be a part of was interesting and the overall outcome was exactly as it should have turned out.
I did find Trent and Shiloh's back and forth attitude with one another a bit annoying, but it was well played out even if you were screaming in frustration at their lack understanding about how the other truly felt. I was also annoyed that everyone in town seemed to know what was going on but Shiloh remained clueless until she decided to investigate. These two aspects are minor in the overall of the book though and you will find enjoyment within these pages.
However, the most enjoyment you will find will be reading about the Ravenhurst Manor itself. With all its haunted appeal, quirky ghosts and a great backstory that you cannot help hoping you will get to read more. I think the author could probably do a whole series about this Manor and make a lot of folks happy with the works. If some of you are easy to scare, you may find some creepiness within the pages, all done in a tasteful and readable manner, which will also bring you much delight.
July 24, 2011
Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
Shiloh Ravenwolf is a powerful witch, as the thirteenth daughter of the Broussard family. The daughter who the prophecy says will be able to lift the dark curse blanketing the town of Whispering Pines. Before Shiloh learns of her powers, she finds that she can see supernatural beings, evil shadows in the dark that seek to harm her. It is revealed that this all began the day she tried to commit suicide, leaving a scar along her forearm in the shape of a knife. Shiloh can see auras, a person's true nature in the form of colours, and soon learns that she is harbouring more talents than she initially thought. Why has her mother ignored her since she turned thirteen? Something shady's going on……
Beautifully Broken catapults us into Shiloh's everyday life, showing us the stiff interaction between her mother and herself, before the family is whisked away to church. There, she sets her sights on a gorgeous boy around her age, someone she is unfamiliar with. The two immediately form a connection from across the Chapel, unable to stop seeking peeks at the other. I honestly believe that Trent Donovan has one of the best "love interest entrances" I've ever read. Stunningly gorgeous with hypnotic green eyes, a leather jacket and sexy Mustang… *faints* Though I was a bit unsure about their lightning quick forming of a relationship, you can't deny the smoking moments between them. Sometimes I would be all for their teasing and playful relationship, but then Shiloh would act a little crazily, argue with Trent, leave, and then Trent would text the next day asking if she wanted to hang out. That was a little strange...
This novel is filled with mystery, whether about the Ravenhurst Manor (where Trent lives), Shiloh's powers, her parents' suspicious behaviour or the frightening murders. I would've liked to see more focus on this part of the story but overall there was a nice blend of supernatural and romance. The only criticism I have about the novel is the characterisation, but all in all, Beautifully Broken is an interesting read which will entertain those who enjoy this genre.
Shiloh Ravenwolf is a powerful witch, as the thirteenth daughter of the Broussard family. The daughter who the prophecy says will be able to lift the dark curse blanketing the town of Whispering Pines. Before Shiloh learns of her powers, she finds that she can see supernatural beings, evil shadows in the dark that seek to harm her. It is revealed that this all began the day she tried to commit suicide, leaving a scar along her forearm in the shape of a knife. Shiloh can see auras, a person's true nature in the form of colours, and soon learns that she is harbouring more talents than she initially thought. Why has her mother ignored her since she turned thirteen? Something shady's going on……
Beautifully Broken catapults us into Shiloh's everyday life, showing us the stiff interaction between her mother and herself, before the family is whisked away to church. There, she sets her sights on a gorgeous boy around her age, someone she is unfamiliar with. The two immediately form a connection from across the Chapel, unable to stop seeking peeks at the other. I honestly believe that Trent Donovan has one of the best "love interest entrances" I've ever read. Stunningly gorgeous with hypnotic green eyes, a leather jacket and sexy Mustang… *faints* Though I was a bit unsure about their lightning quick forming of a relationship, you can't deny the smoking moments between them. Sometimes I would be all for their teasing and playful relationship, but then Shiloh would act a little crazily, argue with Trent, leave, and then Trent would text the next day asking if she wanted to hang out. That was a little strange...
This novel is filled with mystery, whether about the Ravenhurst Manor (where Trent lives), Shiloh's powers, her parents' suspicious behaviour or the frightening murders. I would've liked to see more focus on this part of the story but overall there was a nice blend of supernatural and romance. The only criticism I have about the novel is the characterisation, but all in all, Beautifully Broken is an interesting read which will entertain those who enjoy this genre.
August 6, 2012
I received a copy for review
Shiloh Ravenwolf has been able to see shades and demons since she was seven. She tried to talk to her dad about it, but there’s no one she can talk to about this. In Whispering Pines, people have gone missing.
At school, she’s treated like an outcast because she is descended from one of the thirteen founding families and traces her heritage to witches. She does have friends, Jada, Ariana, and Paige and one marred by tragedy. Ariana’s sister was killed and her parents left Ariana soon after.
After a visit from a demon, Shiloh is more determined to find out what really happened to the missing people. When she was younger, her parents claim that she tried to kill herself because she was found with a razor and bleeding profusely. However, Shiloh knows she wouldn’t do that to herself, and her scar hurts and changes color when danger lurks.
Not only do the missing people put the town on edge, but Maxwell Donavan has returned with his son, Trent Donovan, and has decided to renovate the haunted Ravenhurst Manor.
Determined to get answers and learn about architecture, Shiloh signs up for the internship. Will Shiloh be able to prepare herself for the town’s secrets or die in the process?
At times, I felt Shiloh was a bit immature. I did feel bad because of how her mom, Jillian, treated her. Jillian was definitely an ice queen, and I expected there was a lot more to her. I couldn’t believe some of the things she did to Shiloh. I hope their relationship will get better in the second book though.
I liked Trent, but I felt he ran to hot and cold. Trent and Shiloh both have issues they need to work on. There were several characters that have been betrayed in the book, and I felt bad for all of them.
At times, I do admit I was spooked, but fans of paranormal romance/ horror stories should give this a try and see what lurks inside the walls of Ravenhurst Manor.
I suggest checking out Sherry’s website for the series:
http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com/. There are a ton of character pictures and descriptions, and I absolutely loved looking through them.
Shiloh Ravenwolf has been able to see shades and demons since she was seven. She tried to talk to her dad about it, but there’s no one she can talk to about this. In Whispering Pines, people have gone missing.
At school, she’s treated like an outcast because she is descended from one of the thirteen founding families and traces her heritage to witches. She does have friends, Jada, Ariana, and Paige and one marred by tragedy. Ariana’s sister was killed and her parents left Ariana soon after.
After a visit from a demon, Shiloh is more determined to find out what really happened to the missing people. When she was younger, her parents claim that she tried to kill herself because she was found with a razor and bleeding profusely. However, Shiloh knows she wouldn’t do that to herself, and her scar hurts and changes color when danger lurks.
Not only do the missing people put the town on edge, but Maxwell Donavan has returned with his son, Trent Donovan, and has decided to renovate the haunted Ravenhurst Manor.
Determined to get answers and learn about architecture, Shiloh signs up for the internship. Will Shiloh be able to prepare herself for the town’s secrets or die in the process?
At times, I felt Shiloh was a bit immature. I did feel bad because of how her mom, Jillian, treated her. Jillian was definitely an ice queen, and I expected there was a lot more to her. I couldn’t believe some of the things she did to Shiloh. I hope their relationship will get better in the second book though.
I liked Trent, but I felt he ran to hot and cold. Trent and Shiloh both have issues they need to work on. There were several characters that have been betrayed in the book, and I felt bad for all of them.
At times, I do admit I was spooked, but fans of paranormal romance/ horror stories should give this a try and see what lurks inside the walls of Ravenhurst Manor.
I suggest checking out Sherry’s website for the series:
http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com/. There are a ton of character pictures and descriptions, and I absolutely loved looking through them.
August 12, 2012
Hi guys, here's my review of Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule.
The book takes place in Whispering Pines a small town known for its perpetual fog and increasing amount of disappearing kids. Everyone knows about the town curse but does everyone believe it?
The novel is told in the point of view of Shiloh Ravenwolf, a spunky sixteen year old who has waaaay too much on her plate! As a character I really enjoyed Shiloh. She goes through all of the ups and downs of being a teenager, with a dash of the paranormal on the side- well more like a cauldron full ;) . I felt her angst and lived her romance. She was a just great!
As for the other characters in the book most were right up my alley. Ariana, Shiloh's best friend, definitely reminded me of my own and Trent ... well Trent was just dreamy! My favorite character though I have to say was Evans-Trent's uncle- maybe it was his style and his nerdiness or his complete faith in Shiloh, well which ever it was I adored him!
What I liked the most about this novel though had to be the plot. I felt that it was well thought-out. Whispering Pines captivated me completely, especially its back story. Sherry did such a great job informing you on the ancestry of the characters along with letting you know all of the thing that happened in the past that led to the climax of the story. I really loved the information on the Wiccan religion.
The only downfall of the novel was that at times I found it was too fast paced. I had to go back and re-read because I had received too much information or something threw me off. But really this didn't take away from the story at all and shouldn't stop anyone from reading this novel!
Grade:
B+/A-
The book takes place in Whispering Pines a small town known for its perpetual fog and increasing amount of disappearing kids. Everyone knows about the town curse but does everyone believe it?
The novel is told in the point of view of Shiloh Ravenwolf, a spunky sixteen year old who has waaaay too much on her plate! As a character I really enjoyed Shiloh. She goes through all of the ups and downs of being a teenager, with a dash of the paranormal on the side- well more like a cauldron full ;) . I felt her angst and lived her romance. She was a just great!
As for the other characters in the book most were right up my alley. Ariana, Shiloh's best friend, definitely reminded me of my own and Trent ... well Trent was just dreamy! My favorite character though I have to say was Evans-Trent's uncle- maybe it was his style and his nerdiness or his complete faith in Shiloh, well which ever it was I adored him!
What I liked the most about this novel though had to be the plot. I felt that it was well thought-out. Whispering Pines captivated me completely, especially its back story. Sherry did such a great job informing you on the ancestry of the characters along with letting you know all of the thing that happened in the past that led to the climax of the story. I really loved the information on the Wiccan religion.
The only downfall of the novel was that at times I found it was too fast paced. I had to go back and re-read because I had received too much information or something threw me off. But really this didn't take away from the story at all and shouldn't stop anyone from reading this novel!
Grade:
B+/A-
June 22, 2013
*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Rating:2.5/5
Beautifully Broken had everything I enjoy reading about, witches, wicca, ghosts, demons and creepy situations, so when I started it I had some great expectations.
The book starts very fast and puts us right in the middle of a fight between Shiloh and the shadows that haunt her, so that made me think that the whole book would follow in that direction. But instead I found it to be hot and cold, there were times that were great, creepy and full of action and then there were times truly boring.
In the beginning I liked Shiloh but the more I learned about her the more things started to bug me. She was hard to figure out. Being very mature at times and too immature at others, had me wondering who the real Shiloh was. Her history and background was fascinating though. Loved how Sherry Soule mixed everything together.
Then there was Trent. The first time we met him I adored him. He had all the great characteristics of a 'bad' boy and I love my bad boys.
And he did live up to my expectations. But his relationship with Shiloh was what bothered me. Like the book they were hot and cold. I think I'd prefer it if nothing happened between them in the first book but instead the author build up the tensions between them and evolve that in the second book.
Besides the romance, the Wicca references and the creepy encounters of Shiloh with the dark side were delightful. If only there were no long, and boring, dialogs between them.
Rating:2.5/5
Beautifully Broken had everything I enjoy reading about, witches, wicca, ghosts, demons and creepy situations, so when I started it I had some great expectations.
The book starts very fast and puts us right in the middle of a fight between Shiloh and the shadows that haunt her, so that made me think that the whole book would follow in that direction. But instead I found it to be hot and cold, there were times that were great, creepy and full of action and then there were times truly boring.
In the beginning I liked Shiloh but the more I learned about her the more things started to bug me. She was hard to figure out. Being very mature at times and too immature at others, had me wondering who the real Shiloh was. Her history and background was fascinating though. Loved how Sherry Soule mixed everything together.
Then there was Trent. The first time we met him I adored him. He had all the great characteristics of a 'bad' boy and I love my bad boys.
And he did live up to my expectations. But his relationship with Shiloh was what bothered me. Like the book they were hot and cold. I think I'd prefer it if nothing happened between them in the first book but instead the author build up the tensions between them and evolve that in the second book.
Besides the romance, the Wicca references and the creepy encounters of Shiloh with the dark side were delightful. If only there were no long, and boring, dialogs between them.
August 12, 2011
As soon as I started this book I knew I loved it. Drawn in by amazing writing, I fell right into the story. What I like most about this book is the great plot line. I love small towns that holds secrets just waiting to be unfolded. Not to mention that the main character is a witch. Fun, scary, and very engaging, this is a book you are going to want to read!
The characters of this book all played some big roles. I thought that as I read, I knew what was going to happen. Ms. Soule surprised me with with great elements in the book, keeping me on my toes all the time. I could not get enough of the book!! I loved that all the characters had a connection to each other. It made the book much more fulfilling to read. I also adored that the reader is left out in the dark as well. Ms. Soule grabs the reader, taking them in, so that they learn the secrets with the characters too! Amazing!
The love interest in the story really held me. Weaving a love like the one Ms. Soule wrote is awesome! I love that the characters genuinely love each other. They learn secrets together and were there for each other. They also drive me mad!!
I love that Ms. Soule has a way of making the characters come to life. Her writing style as well as the plot pacing goes is spot on. I really like that towards the end, it exploded in front of you with all the secrets exposed and action going on. An engaging and intriguing book, Beautifully Broken is a book you want to pick up.
*Hardcore making out, some cursing*
The characters of this book all played some big roles. I thought that as I read, I knew what was going to happen. Ms. Soule surprised me with with great elements in the book, keeping me on my toes all the time. I could not get enough of the book!! I loved that all the characters had a connection to each other. It made the book much more fulfilling to read. I also adored that the reader is left out in the dark as well. Ms. Soule grabs the reader, taking them in, so that they learn the secrets with the characters too! Amazing!
The love interest in the story really held me. Weaving a love like the one Ms. Soule wrote is awesome! I love that the characters genuinely love each other. They learn secrets together and were there for each other. They also drive me mad!!
I love that Ms. Soule has a way of making the characters come to life. Her writing style as well as the plot pacing goes is spot on. I really like that towards the end, it exploded in front of you with all the secrets exposed and action going on. An engaging and intriguing book, Beautifully Broken is a book you want to pick up.
*Hardcore making out, some cursing*
December 24, 2012
Demons plague her. Ghosts haunt her. Gossip follows her.
Shiloh Ravenwolf's family are the food of Whispering Pines' gossipmongers - supposedly descendants of witches, they are believed to be behind a mysterious 'curse' on the town, a curse that might be responsible for the mysterious disappearances occurring of late. Shiloh's dreams and her waking hours are plagued by the supernatural. She longs to be able to confide in others, but who would believe her?
Trent Donovan may be hot but his house comes with a bucketful of sinister secrets.
As people disappear one by one, Shiloh takes on a job at Trent's mansion - but there's more to work on than architecture. The place is haunted, by a vengeful wraith who may not be the victim, but the murderer themselves. Left with a pile of grimoires, no guidance and a shaky relationship with the bad boy himself, Shiloh must make sense of the mystery that is Ravenhurst Manor.
A strange mark branded into her skin. A darkness branded on her soul.
Shiloh's family's secrets may just be darker than she realised - uncovering them may lead to finding answers that she'll wish she never knew. But Shiloh is desperate to solve the case, find those who have disappeared and to finally find out what happened to her that night. And why a Darkness she can't explain resides inside of her, ready to be let free.
Beautifully broken, Shiloh must see this through to the end - as the Thirteenth Daughter it is her heritage. And her fate.
Shiloh Ravenwolf's family are the food of Whispering Pines' gossipmongers - supposedly descendants of witches, they are believed to be behind a mysterious 'curse' on the town, a curse that might be responsible for the mysterious disappearances occurring of late. Shiloh's dreams and her waking hours are plagued by the supernatural. She longs to be able to confide in others, but who would believe her?
Trent Donovan may be hot but his house comes with a bucketful of sinister secrets.
As people disappear one by one, Shiloh takes on a job at Trent's mansion - but there's more to work on than architecture. The place is haunted, by a vengeful wraith who may not be the victim, but the murderer themselves. Left with a pile of grimoires, no guidance and a shaky relationship with the bad boy himself, Shiloh must make sense of the mystery that is Ravenhurst Manor.
A strange mark branded into her skin. A darkness branded on her soul.
Shiloh's family's secrets may just be darker than she realised - uncovering them may lead to finding answers that she'll wish she never knew. But Shiloh is desperate to solve the case, find those who have disappeared and to finally find out what happened to her that night. And why a Darkness she can't explain resides inside of her, ready to be let free.
Beautifully broken, Shiloh must see this through to the end - as the Thirteenth Daughter it is her heritage. And her fate.
July 6, 2011
Finding out you are a witch isn’t easy. Life was already hard enough for Shiloh, already labelled the freak girl, being chased by the supernatural was all she needed. In such a small, insidious town, rumours spread like wildfire, which is exactly what happens when a mysterious, wealthy young guy returns to town. Trent, who takes up residence in the local haunted house, has everyone dying to know him, but he only has eyes for Shiloh. With school out for summer, Shiloh lands a job working for Trent’s quirky, architect uncle, as he remodels the Ravenhurst Manor in which his nephew lives.
That means more time with Trent, all should be good. She’s attracted to him, he’s attracted to her… simple right. But with Shiloh, her life is anything but normal. Marked for death, demonic forces are hunting her, a cryptic ghost haunting her, and her dysfunctional parents hounding her, Shiloh needs to learn how to embrace her magickal birth-rite and fast. Teens are going missing, as the town’s hidden demons lurk closer, a multitude of death seeming inevitable. With everything falling apart around her, she seeks help, but not everyone wants to listen. It’s magick after all.
The first thing I noticed while reading this, were the pop culture references everywhere. It’s something I find enjoyable in a book, giving it that relatable feeling. You can clearly see that Soule is a fan of the cult hit TV show, Charmed, which gets quite a few mentions. I loved that show growing up, so reading this made me wonder why I haven’t been reading more witchy stories yet. The book feels well researched and the writing flows well, as Shiloh learns quite a bit about Wicca and her inherent talents along with us. This is a time when first person narration really helps the book.
Shiloh’s friends didn’t get as much time spent fleshing them out as I would have liked. I felt like this lessened the impact of their subplots. Shiloh however, I did feel close to. Her stress toward the end of the book was permeable. I simply couldn’t put it down. I was actually walking through a car dealership with my mother, with my face hunched over, eyes glued to the pages. Great detail was given to fact that Shiloh never allowed her wrists to be seen, always wearing some hoodie or jacket of sort, even over a dress. I also noticed her habit of scratching away at her painted fingernails. Not quite sure what that was about, but it happened often enough to be memorable. One thing I found ridiculous though, was Shiloh’s lax attitude at using a Ouija board with her friends, especially inside the haunted house. She can see ghosts, she knows it’s not safe, but she does it anyway.
I really liked Trent. He played the cocky, hot guy, but also managed to come across as adorable and caring at the same time. What I couldn’t understand though was, with all the blaring hints at the supernatural around him, why was he so blind to it. Shiloh and Trent were a great couple, but they were also a frustrating one. They went back and forth constantly. They’d be getting closer, kissing, basically all the good stuff, but then arguments would arise, forever ruining the moment. They’d apologize and things would be great, but then it would happen all over again. Don’t get me wrong, Trent really was adorable, and I could feel the chemistry between them. I really loved reading all of their scenes together. If only their relationship wasn’t so bumpy.
There is definitely an eerie vibe to this one, as ghosts and creepy shadows impose themselves on Shiloh’s everyday life. She earns her ‘weird’ badge amongst the town’s inhabitants easily enough. The supernatural plays a heavy role in this story, rather than over-relying on the angst to drive the plot. The angst is there though, but it’s more a story of Shiloh as she embarks towards her transformation from novice, to the powerful witch she’s destined to become. Honestly, while I was reading this, I had no idea how it was going to end, which is always good. A lot was happening, so I knew I had to race through the second half. There were lots of hints laced throughout, setting up a juicy twist, but it never actually eventuated though. Maybe the reveal is being saved for the second book, at least that’s what I’m hoping.
A fun read if you’re looking for something dark and witchy to occupy your time. Recommended to those interested in magic and who enjoy angsty teenage romance. It’s kind of like Charmed meets a darkened version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
That means more time with Trent, all should be good. She’s attracted to him, he’s attracted to her… simple right. But with Shiloh, her life is anything but normal. Marked for death, demonic forces are hunting her, a cryptic ghost haunting her, and her dysfunctional parents hounding her, Shiloh needs to learn how to embrace her magickal birth-rite and fast. Teens are going missing, as the town’s hidden demons lurk closer, a multitude of death seeming inevitable. With everything falling apart around her, she seeks help, but not everyone wants to listen. It’s magick after all.
The first thing I noticed while reading this, were the pop culture references everywhere. It’s something I find enjoyable in a book, giving it that relatable feeling. You can clearly see that Soule is a fan of the cult hit TV show, Charmed, which gets quite a few mentions. I loved that show growing up, so reading this made me wonder why I haven’t been reading more witchy stories yet. The book feels well researched and the writing flows well, as Shiloh learns quite a bit about Wicca and her inherent talents along with us. This is a time when first person narration really helps the book.
Shiloh’s friends didn’t get as much time spent fleshing them out as I would have liked. I felt like this lessened the impact of their subplots. Shiloh however, I did feel close to. Her stress toward the end of the book was permeable. I simply couldn’t put it down. I was actually walking through a car dealership with my mother, with my face hunched over, eyes glued to the pages. Great detail was given to fact that Shiloh never allowed her wrists to be seen, always wearing some hoodie or jacket of sort, even over a dress. I also noticed her habit of scratching away at her painted fingernails. Not quite sure what that was about, but it happened often enough to be memorable. One thing I found ridiculous though, was Shiloh’s lax attitude at using a Ouija board with her friends, especially inside the haunted house. She can see ghosts, she knows it’s not safe, but she does it anyway.
I really liked Trent. He played the cocky, hot guy, but also managed to come across as adorable and caring at the same time. What I couldn’t understand though was, with all the blaring hints at the supernatural around him, why was he so blind to it. Shiloh and Trent were a great couple, but they were also a frustrating one. They went back and forth constantly. They’d be getting closer, kissing, basically all the good stuff, but then arguments would arise, forever ruining the moment. They’d apologize and things would be great, but then it would happen all over again. Don’t get me wrong, Trent really was adorable, and I could feel the chemistry between them. I really loved reading all of their scenes together. If only their relationship wasn’t so bumpy.
There is definitely an eerie vibe to this one, as ghosts and creepy shadows impose themselves on Shiloh’s everyday life. She earns her ‘weird’ badge amongst the town’s inhabitants easily enough. The supernatural plays a heavy role in this story, rather than over-relying on the angst to drive the plot. The angst is there though, but it’s more a story of Shiloh as she embarks towards her transformation from novice, to the powerful witch she’s destined to become. Honestly, while I was reading this, I had no idea how it was going to end, which is always good. A lot was happening, so I knew I had to race through the second half. There were lots of hints laced throughout, setting up a juicy twist, but it never actually eventuated though. Maybe the reveal is being saved for the second book, at least that’s what I’m hoping.
A fun read if you’re looking for something dark and witchy to occupy your time. Recommended to those interested in magic and who enjoy angsty teenage romance. It’s kind of like Charmed meets a darkened version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
July 17, 2012
My Thoughts:
I received this book from the author in exchange for review.
Beautifully Broken was an amazing book to set the stage for Sherry's Soule's series Spellbound. It is full of everything you look for in an awesome YA book. It has action, witchcraft, romance (with only a little bit of insta-love), and a reluctant heroine, who by the end of the book I couldn't help but love.
Shiloh Ravenwolf, knows she is different from everyone else, she can see shadows, but, don't try telling anyone else that, the one time she told her Dad he acted like she was crazy and she learned to never mention it again. Shiloh is a heritage witch the thirteenth daughter in her family line, with untold power she doesn't even realize she has. Mysterious disappearances have been happening in her small town Whispering Pines and each child taken has been the oldest child of the founding families. Shiloh is determined to find out what is going on and save her and her friends from this mysterious curse. She wants to go to college to study architecture so when a summer job opportunity comes around where she could work with a famous architect restoring Ravenhurst Manor, the most haunted place in town despite her reservations she can't pass up the opportunity and Ravenhurst Manor has so much in store for her.
Shiloh was such a great main character, believable and real, which was one of the things that I loved most about her. In so many YA books I feel like some of the main characters are just so sure to jump into danger and go along with everything they are told without even thinking twice, Shiloh was reserved and questioned everything, including herself. It made me connect with her so much more because I could definitely relate. I am one of those people who would go running away from danger in the opposite direction no matter what my destiny was and although at times she may have wanted to do that by the end she accepted herself and her destiny with open arms.
Shiloh's love interest was Trent Donovan, the hottest guy in town that had all of the girls around town talking about him. His dad and him just moved back to town after years away and they live in Ravenhurst Manor, Trent was just one more reason that Shiloh had to take that summer job, an opportunity to spend the whole summer around the hottest guy around, who would pass that up ( not me of course lol) Trent was such a perfect character because he reminded me so much of your typical teenage boy. He liked Shiloh but, he was hot and cold, wanting to kiss her one minute and seemingly wanting nothing more than to be friends with her the next. Sherry made me him so lovable in my opinion, he was broken because of his past and as a reader I just wanted to be there for him and fix him up, he was so adorable and I loved him.
Overall, I really enjoyed Beautifully Broken and I can't wait to continue on with the series to find out about how Shiloh comes into her powers and deals with her life. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good paranormal read and witches and demons. If you like a story packed with everything this one if for you!
Happy Reading!
Kristin
I received this book from the author in exchange for review.
Beautifully Broken was an amazing book to set the stage for Sherry's Soule's series Spellbound. It is full of everything you look for in an awesome YA book. It has action, witchcraft, romance (with only a little bit of insta-love), and a reluctant heroine, who by the end of the book I couldn't help but love.
Shiloh Ravenwolf, knows she is different from everyone else, she can see shadows, but, don't try telling anyone else that, the one time she told her Dad he acted like she was crazy and she learned to never mention it again. Shiloh is a heritage witch the thirteenth daughter in her family line, with untold power she doesn't even realize she has. Mysterious disappearances have been happening in her small town Whispering Pines and each child taken has been the oldest child of the founding families. Shiloh is determined to find out what is going on and save her and her friends from this mysterious curse. She wants to go to college to study architecture so when a summer job opportunity comes around where she could work with a famous architect restoring Ravenhurst Manor, the most haunted place in town despite her reservations she can't pass up the opportunity and Ravenhurst Manor has so much in store for her.
Shiloh was such a great main character, believable and real, which was one of the things that I loved most about her. In so many YA books I feel like some of the main characters are just so sure to jump into danger and go along with everything they are told without even thinking twice, Shiloh was reserved and questioned everything, including herself. It made me connect with her so much more because I could definitely relate. I am one of those people who would go running away from danger in the opposite direction no matter what my destiny was and although at times she may have wanted to do that by the end she accepted herself and her destiny with open arms.
Shiloh's love interest was Trent Donovan, the hottest guy in town that had all of the girls around town talking about him. His dad and him just moved back to town after years away and they live in Ravenhurst Manor, Trent was just one more reason that Shiloh had to take that summer job, an opportunity to spend the whole summer around the hottest guy around, who would pass that up ( not me of course lol) Trent was such a perfect character because he reminded me so much of your typical teenage boy. He liked Shiloh but, he was hot and cold, wanting to kiss her one minute and seemingly wanting nothing more than to be friends with her the next. Sherry made me him so lovable in my opinion, he was broken because of his past and as a reader I just wanted to be there for him and fix him up, he was so adorable and I loved him.
Overall, I really enjoyed Beautifully Broken and I can't wait to continue on with the series to find out about how Shiloh comes into her powers and deals with her life. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good paranormal read and witches and demons. If you like a story packed with everything this one if for you!
Happy Reading!
Kristin
February 15, 2012
Originally posted @ Book Whales
Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer
Debts Must Be Paid
I was lucky enough to be given this book directly from the author. I was excited to read this! The plot is interesting; I love stories with witches and ghosts. I was drawn to Shiloh’s world instantly. The Gothic theme, haunted house, wraiths and a hot guy made this book a fun read. I was completely hooked! I couldn’t put this book down. I finish reading Beautifully Broken in one sitting.
Whispering Willow is not like every town with secrets, the town is cursed. The town’s teenagers are vanishing without a trace. Shiloh, the town freak, thanks to her family’s past is being haunted by an evil entity. Not only she was being haunted but she can see spirits, shadows and wraiths. She kept her unusual talent and tried to live normally. The story truly unfolds when she landed a job in Ravenhurst Manor, the town’s haunted house. They say the Donovans, the family owner of the manor was cursed. That knowledge about the house didn’t hinder Shiloh to work there… But something or should I say someone else? A wraith is mercilessly haunting her, chandeliers falling and a shadow saying cryptic messages. A new guy is in town and Shiloh has her eyes on him. Not only is he hot, but he is a Donavan. There is something about him that draws her in …. Is he the shadow’s next victim? Shiloh now finds herself breaking the curse if meant saving Trent and the ones she loves. Secrets will be revealed and she is not who she thinks she is.
I love like how the author kept me hooked. Beautifully Broken is a page turner. She has the talent to make your heart pump fast. I was hella scared for Shiloh!! How can she handle her situation quite well? How can she act normally? I admire how she handles her situations. She’s strong, brave and witty. Trent is sizzling hot! The way Sherry describes him made my mouth water. I also love the minor characters especially the small demons; I don’t know why I find them so adorable.
What I don’t like is how fast Shiloh and Trent’s relationship is. Is it love at first sight? Too much hormones for me. I can’t distinguish if they are just physically attracted or just lusty?
Overall, this book is spell binding. A great thriller and paranormal read! I recommend this book to people who love the Secret Circle series. I look forward for the Second book.
Rating:
Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer
Debts Must Be Paid
I was lucky enough to be given this book directly from the author. I was excited to read this! The plot is interesting; I love stories with witches and ghosts. I was drawn to Shiloh’s world instantly. The Gothic theme, haunted house, wraiths and a hot guy made this book a fun read. I was completely hooked! I couldn’t put this book down. I finish reading Beautifully Broken in one sitting.
Whispering Willow is not like every town with secrets, the town is cursed. The town’s teenagers are vanishing without a trace. Shiloh, the town freak, thanks to her family’s past is being haunted by an evil entity. Not only she was being haunted but she can see spirits, shadows and wraiths. She kept her unusual talent and tried to live normally. The story truly unfolds when she landed a job in Ravenhurst Manor, the town’s haunted house. They say the Donovans, the family owner of the manor was cursed. That knowledge about the house didn’t hinder Shiloh to work there… But something or should I say someone else? A wraith is mercilessly haunting her, chandeliers falling and a shadow saying cryptic messages. A new guy is in town and Shiloh has her eyes on him. Not only is he hot, but he is a Donavan. There is something about him that draws her in …. Is he the shadow’s next victim? Shiloh now finds herself breaking the curse if meant saving Trent and the ones she loves. Secrets will be revealed and she is not who she thinks she is.
I love like how the author kept me hooked. Beautifully Broken is a page turner. She has the talent to make your heart pump fast. I was hella scared for Shiloh!! How can she handle her situation quite well? How can she act normally? I admire how she handles her situations. She’s strong, brave and witty. Trent is sizzling hot! The way Sherry describes him made my mouth water. I also love the minor characters especially the small demons; I don’t know why I find them so adorable.
What I don’t like is how fast Shiloh and Trent’s relationship is. Is it love at first sight? Too much hormones for me. I can’t distinguish if they are just physically attracted or just lusty?
Overall, this book is spell binding. A great thriller and paranormal read! I recommend this book to people who love the Secret Circle series. I look forward for the Second book.
Rating:
December 31, 2014
first my re view on Amazon when I finish the book is supposed to appear, why this isn't working idk, it's annoying.
so we have a town of witches, paranormal strange disappearances of heritage witches children and Shiloh who is a 16year old witch and just found out. after years ago trying to kill herself she woke up with the site but now she is getting stronger. she's crushing join the new boy in town Trent, who on both ends thinks the other is not good enough for the other one. theirs a relationship blooming but it's taking forever and he's a player, so Shiloh thinks and she wants to stay away but can't. she's being haunted by his mother's ghost who killed herself years ago but thinks this demon who is following her had something to do with it just as he did with her attempt at suicide. which she had no idea until she goes to work for the summer at Craven Manor, Trents home, that we know us haunted and meats his uncle that has paranormal training and the sight. so he decides to teach her how to use her abilities while also working as his assistant in the architecture. meanwhile her friend comes to visit while she out and is waiting in the house and disappears without a trace, which leaves me to believe Trents uncle has more of a rule in this then we know because why would he leave her alone in the house knowing it's dangerous and she's a target. now Shiloh is out for revenge on this demon for taking her and since he's after her too she needs to stop him but problem is he's supposed to be unstoppable.
while she totally crushing on Trent and thinks they don't belong together ,and he the same, although they have a lot more in common the he realizes, but Shiloh wants to stay away because he's known as a player, except she can't, she's pulled to him. so theirs a slight romance blooming here but never gets very far.
I think this first book is more of a get to know the characters and who has instabilities, who's hiding secrets and who's good and evil. which is good , makes you feel more like you no them and involved. there's a lot of supernatural going on with the hauntings and Shiloh learning her wit h abilities which she has no idea if she's light or dark ,even though she wants to be light. Utah her mother, Darra is dark. Shiloh puts it all together that her mother is the head of a evil coven that's got something to do with the kids disappearances.
The Book ends with a big cliff hanger which makes you want to read the next book. it also has added chapters on Trents side of the story which lets you get to know him a lot better.I liked that added feature.
I recommend this book. it's well written, draws you in and has a good story line.I'll be reading the next book to the series especially the way it ended so abruptly.
so we have a town of witches, paranormal strange disappearances of heritage witches children and Shiloh who is a 16year old witch and just found out. after years ago trying to kill herself she woke up with the site but now she is getting stronger. she's crushing join the new boy in town Trent, who on both ends thinks the other is not good enough for the other one. theirs a relationship blooming but it's taking forever and he's a player, so Shiloh thinks and she wants to stay away but can't. she's being haunted by his mother's ghost who killed herself years ago but thinks this demon who is following her had something to do with it just as he did with her attempt at suicide. which she had no idea until she goes to work for the summer at Craven Manor, Trents home, that we know us haunted and meats his uncle that has paranormal training and the sight. so he decides to teach her how to use her abilities while also working as his assistant in the architecture. meanwhile her friend comes to visit while she out and is waiting in the house and disappears without a trace, which leaves me to believe Trents uncle has more of a rule in this then we know because why would he leave her alone in the house knowing it's dangerous and she's a target. now Shiloh is out for revenge on this demon for taking her and since he's after her too she needs to stop him but problem is he's supposed to be unstoppable.
while she totally crushing on Trent and thinks they don't belong together ,and he the same, although they have a lot more in common the he realizes, but Shiloh wants to stay away because he's known as a player, except she can't, she's pulled to him. so theirs a slight romance blooming here but never gets very far.
I think this first book is more of a get to know the characters and who has instabilities, who's hiding secrets and who's good and evil. which is good , makes you feel more like you no them and involved. there's a lot of supernatural going on with the hauntings and Shiloh learning her wit h abilities which she has no idea if she's light or dark ,even though she wants to be light. Utah her mother, Darra is dark. Shiloh puts it all together that her mother is the head of a evil coven that's got something to do with the kids disappearances.
The Book ends with a big cliff hanger which makes you want to read the next book. it also has added chapters on Trents side of the story which lets you get to know him a lot better.I liked that added feature.
I recommend this book. it's well written, draws you in and has a good story line.I'll be reading the next book to the series especially the way it ended so abruptly.
August 7, 2013
(Source: I won a digital copy of this book. Thanks to author Sherry Soule.)
15-year-old Shiloh wants to be an architect, so when a summer job comes up at Ravenhurst Manor, she takes it, unfortunately though, Ravenhurst Manor is known to be haunted.
Shiloh has been able to see shadows, ghosts, and auras since her suicide attempt, and also knows that she is a witch after reading some grimoires that her auntie gave her.
Who or what is haunting Ravenhurst Manor? Can Shiloh do something about it? And will the boy who lives there ever believe that Shiloh is really a witch, and Ravenhurst Manor is really haunted?
This was an okay story, but some parts were a little unbelievable.
Shiloh was an okay character, and I liked how she battled on despite everything that was going on. I thought that she did show strength of character, even if she was a little naïve at times, and believed anything that anyone said to her.
The storyline in this book was okay – young girl finds out that she’s a witch, and takes on the demon in the local haunted house. It was pretty easy to tell what was going to happen next until we got to the twists at the end of the book.
There were moments in this book that were just unbelievable or cringe-worthy for me though. Some of the things that Shiloh came out with were pretty bad – random spells to open windows, and getting all flustered over a ghost attacking her possible future boyfriend. The librarian being a witch, and immediately recognising that Shiloh was a witch too, and having all sorts of information that Shiloh needed was also a tad unbelievable.
I thought that Shiloh using magic to change traffic lights was just downright dangerous, and I really didn’t understand why she had never considered that her mother was also a witch, when she knew that everybody else in her family was, and her ancestors had all been witches. It seemed pretty obvious to me that her slightly crazy mother, who wouldn’t even allow her to call her mom anymore, was also a witch.
I did find the ending to this one quite interesting, and there were some good twists that I hadn’t guessed. This wasn’t quite enough to save this one for me though unfortunately.
I do think that some people would enjoy this one though, and maybe younger teens wouldn’t have quite the same problems with this one that I did.
Overall; a YA witchy novel, that was a little unbelievable in places.
4.5 out of 10.
15-year-old Shiloh wants to be an architect, so when a summer job comes up at Ravenhurst Manor, she takes it, unfortunately though, Ravenhurst Manor is known to be haunted.
Shiloh has been able to see shadows, ghosts, and auras since her suicide attempt, and also knows that she is a witch after reading some grimoires that her auntie gave her.
Who or what is haunting Ravenhurst Manor? Can Shiloh do something about it? And will the boy who lives there ever believe that Shiloh is really a witch, and Ravenhurst Manor is really haunted?
This was an okay story, but some parts were a little unbelievable.
Shiloh was an okay character, and I liked how she battled on despite everything that was going on. I thought that she did show strength of character, even if she was a little naïve at times, and believed anything that anyone said to her.
The storyline in this book was okay – young girl finds out that she’s a witch, and takes on the demon in the local haunted house. It was pretty easy to tell what was going to happen next until we got to the twists at the end of the book.
There were moments in this book that were just unbelievable or cringe-worthy for me though. Some of the things that Shiloh came out with were pretty bad – random spells to open windows, and getting all flustered over a ghost attacking her possible future boyfriend. The librarian being a witch, and immediately recognising that Shiloh was a witch too, and having all sorts of information that Shiloh needed was also a tad unbelievable.
I thought that Shiloh using magic to change traffic lights was just downright dangerous, and I really didn’t understand why she had never considered that her mother was also a witch, when she knew that everybody else in her family was, and her ancestors had all been witches. It seemed pretty obvious to me that her slightly crazy mother, who wouldn’t even allow her to call her mom anymore, was also a witch.
I did find the ending to this one quite interesting, and there were some good twists that I hadn’t guessed. This wasn’t quite enough to save this one for me though unfortunately.
I do think that some people would enjoy this one though, and maybe younger teens wouldn’t have quite the same problems with this one that I did.
Overall; a YA witchy novel, that was a little unbelievable in places.
4.5 out of 10.
September 20, 2011
Sherry Soule is not scared to jump right into the action!
When we first meet Shiloh, she is in a face off with a shadow man. He is determined to steal her soul but she manages to escape, with the help of powers she has yet to discover. Shiloh is a heritage witch, a witch born into a long line of witches. She has the ability to see shadow creatures and is coming into her magick. Because her family has turned away from their heritage, she is left on her own to learn how to use and harness her powers. She is being haunted by a wraith, who only has ominous warning for her, and she can see shades, the demons that live in the shadows. Will she be able to decipher the warning in time to break the curse on the town?
When she takes an internship as an architect assistant, she meets Evans. He is not only one of the top architects around but he is also a paranormal investigator. He begins helping her train, teaching her spells and how to control her power. He also helps her research the curse and together they hope to defeat the shadow man that is stealing away the teenagers in town.
Trent Donovan is the new bad boy in town. He is tall, dark, and mysterious. He lives in a gothic mansion that his family abandoned years ago. The mansion is rumored to be hunted and cursed. It's also the same mansion that Shiloh is working to help restore. While Shiloh feels an instant attraction to him, it's not always clear that Trent feels the same way. There is something about Trent that makes me suspicious that there is more to him than we are seeing, something dark, maybe even evil.
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN is an intriguing book with a great twist on the popular paranormal theme. Sherry Soule has wonderful way of describing the scene in full detail allowing you to fall into the story effortlessly. I often read what my teen is reading, and I think she will really love this one. Shiloh's internal dialog kept me laughing out loud and I'm sure it's something my teen will be able to relate to. I look forward to the second book of this series. I can't wait to see if, and how, Shiloh fulfills her destiny.
Reviewed at The Romance Reviews by Neis
When we first meet Shiloh, she is in a face off with a shadow man. He is determined to steal her soul but she manages to escape, with the help of powers she has yet to discover. Shiloh is a heritage witch, a witch born into a long line of witches. She has the ability to see shadow creatures and is coming into her magick. Because her family has turned away from their heritage, she is left on her own to learn how to use and harness her powers. She is being haunted by a wraith, who only has ominous warning for her, and she can see shades, the demons that live in the shadows. Will she be able to decipher the warning in time to break the curse on the town?
When she takes an internship as an architect assistant, she meets Evans. He is not only one of the top architects around but he is also a paranormal investigator. He begins helping her train, teaching her spells and how to control her power. He also helps her research the curse and together they hope to defeat the shadow man that is stealing away the teenagers in town.
Trent Donovan is the new bad boy in town. He is tall, dark, and mysterious. He lives in a gothic mansion that his family abandoned years ago. The mansion is rumored to be hunted and cursed. It's also the same mansion that Shiloh is working to help restore. While Shiloh feels an instant attraction to him, it's not always clear that Trent feels the same way. There is something about Trent that makes me suspicious that there is more to him than we are seeing, something dark, maybe even evil.
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN is an intriguing book with a great twist on the popular paranormal theme. Sherry Soule has wonderful way of describing the scene in full detail allowing you to fall into the story effortlessly. I often read what my teen is reading, and I think she will really love this one. Shiloh's internal dialog kept me laughing out loud and I'm sure it's something my teen will be able to relate to. I look forward to the second book of this series. I can't wait to see if, and how, Shiloh fulfills her destiny.
Reviewed at The Romance Reviews by Neis
April 29, 2013
Did you ever have one of those books where the writing was so fantastic that you actually feel like it was real? Well, that's Beautifully Broken for you. With the vivid writing and creepy demons and ghosts lurking about, I didn't want to turn the lights off at night!
Shiloh's whole life she's been haunted by shadows and more recently an evil demon who has been coming around too. She has a mom who doesn't care and who isn't who she seems to be, a dad who doesn't listen when Shiloh tries to tell him about what she sees, and witch powers she knows nothing about. In her hometown of Whispering Pines, nothing is normal. Kids keep disappearing and while everyone thinks it's some crazy mass murder, Shiloh knows something else is going on. Plus, add a relationship with the boy who lives in a creepy haunted house to the mix and Shiloh's life is really complicated.
I really liked Shiloh's character and I felt bad for her a lot of time. She was trying so hard to be a normal girl but the voices and shadows wouldn't let her. She never felt safe anywhere because she knew the shadows were lurking. Though I would totally be whiny, she wasn't. Sherry Soule did a fantastic job making Shiloh's character very realistic. She was a kick-butt demon slayer, too.
Trent was the hottie from the haunted house and let me tell you something: he was totally swoon-worthy. He was very mysterious which made him even more swoon-worthy. I thought he was also really realistic. You do find some things about about him as the story goes on which I enjoyed very much.
Beautifully Broken was not a cliche predictable book. A couple of times I had thought I figured something out but then it'd turn out to be nothing. There was a lot to throw you off so you'd think you knew what was going to happen, but in reality, you didn't. I really liked this as well because let's be honest: no one likes a predictable book. I did find myself a little confused at some points where I'd read something and it wouldn't make sense, but it didn't ruin the story or anything major like that.
Though Beautifully Broken was a little too creepy for me, it was a very intriguing book that I did enjoy reading it. This is a perfect book for those who like mysterious creepy paranormal books with a sprinkle of romance!
Shiloh's whole life she's been haunted by shadows and more recently an evil demon who has been coming around too. She has a mom who doesn't care and who isn't who she seems to be, a dad who doesn't listen when Shiloh tries to tell him about what she sees, and witch powers she knows nothing about. In her hometown of Whispering Pines, nothing is normal. Kids keep disappearing and while everyone thinks it's some crazy mass murder, Shiloh knows something else is going on. Plus, add a relationship with the boy who lives in a creepy haunted house to the mix and Shiloh's life is really complicated.
I really liked Shiloh's character and I felt bad for her a lot of time. She was trying so hard to be a normal girl but the voices and shadows wouldn't let her. She never felt safe anywhere because she knew the shadows were lurking. Though I would totally be whiny, she wasn't. Sherry Soule did a fantastic job making Shiloh's character very realistic. She was a kick-butt demon slayer, too.
Trent was the hottie from the haunted house and let me tell you something: he was totally swoon-worthy. He was very mysterious which made him even more swoon-worthy. I thought he was also really realistic. You do find some things about about him as the story goes on which I enjoyed very much.
Beautifully Broken was not a cliche predictable book. A couple of times I had thought I figured something out but then it'd turn out to be nothing. There was a lot to throw you off so you'd think you knew what was going to happen, but in reality, you didn't. I really liked this as well because let's be honest: no one likes a predictable book. I did find myself a little confused at some points where I'd read something and it wouldn't make sense, but it didn't ruin the story or anything major like that.
Though Beautifully Broken was a little too creepy for me, it was a very intriguing book that I did enjoy reading it. This is a perfect book for those who like mysterious creepy paranormal books with a sprinkle of romance!
January 21, 2014
Reviewed by Valerie
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Being the thirteenth daughter has some serious drawbacks for Shiloh Ravenwolf, especially in the darkness. From the beginning of this story, the descriptions of the creatures that haunt Shiloh were incredibly descriptive and reading this book at night had me jumpy. Shiloh knows that she has the potential to force the dark creatures away, sort of like going to her happy place in her mind, but over time, her ability to do that just isn’t working. Her parents aren’t much help. Her Mom’s self-centered and her dad is caring but not overly involved. She has relatives who might be able to help but they’ve been missing from her life for years. Friends can’t help because they don’t really understand either.
As teenagers start to disappear from the small town, rumors are rampant that it has something to do with the return of a local family who own a home that is supposedly haunted. Shiloh is fascinated with old home architecture and applies to be an intern at the home in question, which also happens to be the home of a hot teenage boy. Things are happening in the home, though, bad things.
As a flirty romance starts between Shiloh and the hot boy, she’s befriended by someone who helps her discover what her true purpose is and how to harness her power as a witch and fight the demons that plague her town. What he can’t help her with is what troubles her the most. Why are her relatives arguing when they do meet? Where are the teenagers disappearing to? Why does the suicidal scar on her arm throb at times?
A good read with many twists and turns for fans of young adult paranormal with a touch of romance. Book two, Moonlight Mayhem, released on July 3, 2012.
Favorite Quote: “For as long as I could remember, I’d heard whispers in the shadows. Dark, twisting shapes that chilled my blood. Slithering through night, the images flickered, green skin, crimson eyes, sharp claws illuminated even in the dark. Sunlight meant the difference between life and death.” Page 1
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Being the thirteenth daughter has some serious drawbacks for Shiloh Ravenwolf, especially in the darkness. From the beginning of this story, the descriptions of the creatures that haunt Shiloh were incredibly descriptive and reading this book at night had me jumpy. Shiloh knows that she has the potential to force the dark creatures away, sort of like going to her happy place in her mind, but over time, her ability to do that just isn’t working. Her parents aren’t much help. Her Mom’s self-centered and her dad is caring but not overly involved. She has relatives who might be able to help but they’ve been missing from her life for years. Friends can’t help because they don’t really understand either.
As teenagers start to disappear from the small town, rumors are rampant that it has something to do with the return of a local family who own a home that is supposedly haunted. Shiloh is fascinated with old home architecture and applies to be an intern at the home in question, which also happens to be the home of a hot teenage boy. Things are happening in the home, though, bad things.
As a flirty romance starts between Shiloh and the hot boy, she’s befriended by someone who helps her discover what her true purpose is and how to harness her power as a witch and fight the demons that plague her town. What he can’t help her with is what troubles her the most. Why are her relatives arguing when they do meet? Where are the teenagers disappearing to? Why does the suicidal scar on her arm throb at times?
A good read with many twists and turns for fans of young adult paranormal with a touch of romance. Book two, Moonlight Mayhem, released on July 3, 2012.
Favorite Quote: “For as long as I could remember, I’d heard whispers in the shadows. Dark, twisting shapes that chilled my blood. Slithering through night, the images flickered, green skin, crimson eyes, sharp claws illuminated even in the dark. Sunlight meant the difference between life and death.” Page 1
July 16, 2011
This book is like a decadent desert you just want to savor, like a rich piece of chocolate that you can't put down. What I really liked about the book was that the writing was very strong.
Strong in that I felt the characters were written as smart, intelligent human beings, witches or other creatures that had their own personalities and wills, but were not bratty or spoiled.
The chemistry between all the characters was very believable. I like how Shiloh is a little scared in the beginning, but starts through a series of bizzare and strange events. She feels like her life is out of control. Plus what teenager doesn't feel that way. Shiloh is not aware of the fact that she is a heritage witch. This was a neat way to explain that Shiloh has to embrace who she is.
Love how everything was weaved together in an incredible, but believable way. From the way Shiloh mother treats her and the reasons why were very believable. Plus the back story of Shiloh's aunt, mother, father made sense when faced with a ghost from the past literally.
The love story between Trent and Shiloh was so tender and sweet, not overly sickening as some teenage romances tend to go. Trent and Shiloh have an attraction that is very spot on and good for the story as this helps Shiloh find herself in a way that was perfect. Love the date scenes especially between Trent and Shiloh. I felt like Trent really did only have eyes for her. Trent is a very nice guy, but has a sense of mystery surrounding him.
The last 50 pages of this book was an high-octane rollercoaster. I was gasping at all the surprises and twists this book took. Really enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I was going to.
This book really was excellent.
I Give It Five Hearts.
Strong in that I felt the characters were written as smart, intelligent human beings, witches or other creatures that had their own personalities and wills, but were not bratty or spoiled.
The chemistry between all the characters was very believable. I like how Shiloh is a little scared in the beginning, but starts through a series of bizzare and strange events. She feels like her life is out of control. Plus what teenager doesn't feel that way. Shiloh is not aware of the fact that she is a heritage witch. This was a neat way to explain that Shiloh has to embrace who she is.
Love how everything was weaved together in an incredible, but believable way. From the way Shiloh mother treats her and the reasons why were very believable. Plus the back story of Shiloh's aunt, mother, father made sense when faced with a ghost from the past literally.
The love story between Trent and Shiloh was so tender and sweet, not overly sickening as some teenage romances tend to go. Trent and Shiloh have an attraction that is very spot on and good for the story as this helps Shiloh find herself in a way that was perfect. Love the date scenes especially between Trent and Shiloh. I felt like Trent really did only have eyes for her. Trent is a very nice guy, but has a sense of mystery surrounding him.
The last 50 pages of this book was an high-octane rollercoaster. I was gasping at all the surprises and twists this book took. Really enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I was going to.
This book really was excellent.
I Give It Five Hearts.
August 15, 2011
Sherry Soule wrote a beautiful story. Her debut novel Beautifully Broken is just that, beautiful. Shiloh's story was very powerful. Shiloh is just a regular girl. Going to school, hanging out with her friends. But, "normal" she is not. She is a Witch, the 13th daughter, and a very kick butt Demon slayer.
Shiloh learned more and more about herself. After being attacked by Wraith, she had some SERIOUS questions that needed to be answered. Through trying to figure out what was going on she found out about her ability, heritage. Finding secrets & lies all around her, from the people she thought she could trust. Pretty soon, she finds out the truth.
I felt the story was not rushed. The plot was great. The characters, were intriguing. This book has love. No insta love. There is a instant attraction between Shiloh & Trent. Their relationship grows between them through out the story. Which I really liked that. You will get pulled in from the very 1st chapter of this book. The story left off as a cliffhanger. It was one that was perfect. It left you wanting more, but was not so absent of detail, that you were left with a bunch of unanswered questions. It did indeed make you want to read more of Shiloh's story.
I am very glad that Sherry Soule contacted me to read her Debut Novel. I was not disappointed. I look forward to reading or reviewing more of her books in the future! She has a way with her words. Making you want more. Unable to put the story down! Beautifully Broken, was beautifully written. The Spellbound series will be loved by many.
Shiloh learned more and more about herself. After being attacked by Wraith, she had some SERIOUS questions that needed to be answered. Through trying to figure out what was going on she found out about her ability, heritage. Finding secrets & lies all around her, from the people she thought she could trust. Pretty soon, she finds out the truth.
I felt the story was not rushed. The plot was great. The characters, were intriguing. This book has love. No insta love. There is a instant attraction between Shiloh & Trent. Their relationship grows between them through out the story. Which I really liked that. You will get pulled in from the very 1st chapter of this book. The story left off as a cliffhanger. It was one that was perfect. It left you wanting more, but was not so absent of detail, that you were left with a bunch of unanswered questions. It did indeed make you want to read more of Shiloh's story.
I am very glad that Sherry Soule contacted me to read her Debut Novel. I was not disappointed. I look forward to reading or reviewing more of her books in the future! She has a way with her words. Making you want more. Unable to put the story down! Beautifully Broken, was beautifully written. The Spellbound series will be loved by many.
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