Ephemeral

The Countenance #1

by Addison Moore

Young Adult/ Mature Situations

The last thing Laken Stewart remembers is the oncoming car, then bursting through the windshield.

Two months dissolve without her knowledge and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers who not only profess to know her but insist she’s someone else entirely.

Laken discovers her long dead boyfriend, Wesley, has been thrown into this alternate world as well. He is quick to inform her she suffered a horrible fall and that her memory hasn’t fully returned. According to Wesley the other life she had—her name, her family, they were simply a side effect of her brain trauma.

In her quest for answers she meets Cooper Flanders, the son of her psychiatrist who readily believes every word she says.

Laken Stewart knows she died on that hot July afternoon, but now she’s alive—or is she?

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult, Angels, Romance, Fantasy, Zombies, Paranormal Romance

344 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2012

About the author

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Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of cozy mysteries and romance. Her new book MIDLIFE IN GLIMMERSPELL is NOW available! Read today!
Cosmopolitan Magazine calls Addison's books, "...easy, frothy fun!"
Humor with a side of homicide.


FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Amazon-->https://amzn.to/3AnyVhs Hibiscus Homicide Cruise is here! An impending divorce. An ornery homicide detective. The cruise of a lifetime. And ghosts. Midlife on the high seas is proving to be a real killer.
#Cozymystery #Kindleunlimited #mystery #PWF

Reviews

[Addison Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ephemeral-The-C...

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love.
I got this as soon as I saw it go up on Addi's facebook page which I admittedly stalk, LOL.
Its NOT AS good as Addison's Celestra series but it's very damn close.
Couldn't really hate Wes I mean it's not like he intentionally set out to not remember anything, but it's also hard to love him more than Coop who's so damn hot sexy and sweet. He's also always on Laken's side and the only person she can truly be herself around.

This book was much better than I thought it would be. It grips you and spits you out at the end where all you can do is scream in frustration,with an ending so tense.

I can't wait for the next book!


A job well done Addi!

[anne⁷ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

Ephemeral oozes with idiotic girls. I can't fathom just how anti-feministic this book is. Girls in Ephemeral have no respect for their own selves. There are several instances of break-ups due to third party on the side of the boy, but instead of hating both the boy and the third party, the girl always exacts her revenge on the third party alone. Wut? What's worse is the girl whom the guy cheated on keeps coming back (and forcing herself) to the guy even when the guy is already clearly into someone else. Really, I weep for your womanness.

Ephemeral is told from Laken's POV and from the beginning till end, we get to suffer from her boy-craziness as she constantly emphasize every boy's gorgeousness. Wes is gorgeous, Cooper is gorgeous, Flynn is gorgeous, blah blah blah. The romance is extremely overdone. Practically every page screamed romance and steamy scenes that when you try to look beyond the love story, you'll find there's hardly a plot at all. The plot only surfaced more than halfway through.

Ephemeral could have been a really good read, but I think Addison focused more on the unnecessary aspects rather than the important ones (i.e. plot).

[Misty Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Zombie and Vampire and an Angel walk into a bar.

The Zombie says to the bartender….

Oh, forget it. There is no way in hell I can think of a funny way to finish that sentence so just do me a favor and pretend like I said something wildly hilarious. Go on…I’ll wait.

About two times a month I run across a book that I find almost impossible to review. It’s not because they are bad, or even great. It’s usually because they are so chalked full of “entities” (in this case: paranormal) that I find it difficult to start a sentence without sounding one dimensional.

“Ladies and Gents…this is a book about Vampires.”

“No wait! It’s reincarnation gone horrible awry! Tuck and roll people…ZOMBIES!”

“Oops, my bad, it’s about Angels, no, mind control….no, it’s about long-lost loves!”

See where I’m going with this? Whether you believe it or not (I’m betting on the not) I am very structured when it comes to my reviews and when I have too many elements to work with I start to short-circuit. This is one of those cases. (*Glares at Addison*) So in the interest of not leaving anyone out, because I am all about the equality:

This is a reincarnated/zombie/angel/vampire/hot boy/long-lost love/mind control/ghost haunting/mind reading/I could probably keep going but my fingers are starting cramp story. Whew…that was exhausting.

“In the grand scheme of things, you’ll be dead a lot longer than you’ll ever be alive.

The last thing Laken Stewart remembers is the oncoming car, then bursting through the windshield.

Two months dissolve without her knowledge and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers who not only profess to know her but insist she’s someone else entirely.

Laken discovers her long dead boyfriend, Wesley, has been thrown into this alternate world as well. He is quick to inform her she suffered a horrible fall and that her memory hasn’t fully returned. According to Wesley the other life she had—her name, her family, they were simply a side effect of her brain trauma.

In her quest for answers she meets Cooper Flanders, the son of her psychiatrist who readily believes every word she says.

Laken Stewart knows she died on that hot July afternoon, but now she’s alive—or is she?”

Imagine for a second that you have a pretty crap life. Your brother died. Your boyfriend died. Your new boyfriend is cheating on you and your home-life is, well…less than pleasant (aka you’re broke as a joke.) You get crazy pissed off one night (at boyfriend number two) and decide to confront him. Next thing you know you’re flying through a windshield (very obviously on the brink of doom) with one thought in mind “Yeah, this was probably not such a copacetic idea.” You are dead. Or at least you “think” you are until you wake up in a comfy bed and find yourself surrounded by all the people you lost and gobs of annoying girls with waaaay too much money and not enough brains. Welcome to Laken’s life.

The most important thing I can tell you about this book is that you will be incredibly confused until about 60%. No, really…. you are just gonna have to trust me on this one. But the total cluster f*** (and I mean that in the most endearing way the f-word can be said) is what will grab you and not let go (literally…did I mention there were zombies in this book?)

I have read a multitude of books that incorporate several paranormal genres at once, but I have never read one that was quite so wild while doing so. Because of this it’s hard to differentiate what exactly is happening. Laken is completely lost (metaphorically speaking) and so is the reader (not so metaphorically.) One minute you are white knuckling the book due to a raging fire, the next you are walking in a secret lab. It’s a bit of a brain stunner. BUT (<–see how big that is) I wasn’t turned off. Quite the opposite. I NEEDED to know what was going on. I HAD to know. (*shakes fist in anger*)

Anyone remember J.J. Abrams brain squasher “Lost?” Think of this book as its demented little sister.

Is Laken alive? Is she dead? Is she paying penance of some sort? What is with the mind-reading and for God’s sake…what the hell is that in the forest?

It’s all up in the air, and it’s not until the end that any of it starts to make sense. (A little like a mystery novel if I’m being totally honest.)

The only negative I can definitively give it (since I’m starting to short circuit Don’t say I didn’t warn you.) Is that I was a little put off by Laken’s need to justify her creepy dead (undead?) boyfriends actions. I get it! You love him, you lost him, you wanted him back and WHAM! there he is, but let’s be homegirls for a second can we? I can only hear you make excuses so many times before I want to punch you in the larynx for being so damn gullible (especially when there is a hot NON-douchey guy waiting for you in the wings.)

Triangle and angsty lust monkeys aside…not to shabby of a start for a series that promises to be pretty darn interesting.

Hold tight to you brains is you plan on reading Kindle-ites cause it’s going to take all of your mental awareness to get through this one. Nevertheless…I do recommend it for paranormal fans!

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remem

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

first of all, i LOVE the celestra series. i cruised through those books. this book i liked barely enough to give it a 3 star rating, i couldn't love it like all the others i have read by this author. i felt like at least 50 pages could have been cut out from all laken's drooling and fawning over wes... i wanted to slap her and tell her to get over it halfway through the book; there are other guys out there. sadly, because of that alone it was really easy for me to put this book down and go back to it. the things i really liked about the book were the interesting storylines and the tie ins of characters and places from the celestra series. if it weren't for them, i know i would have given this book a lower rating.

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

From http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

3.5 stars

At a Glance
I was so, so excited at the beginning of this book. It was funny, scary, and hot. Then it lost it's momentum and had a mediocre ending. I enjoyed reading Ephemeral, I just wish the plot was more structured.

The Good
Here's The Story...
Laken could have sworn she died. But everyone around her keeps telling her otherwise. Deep down she knows she doesn't belong in this alternate reality, but it's hard to say goodbye again to the people she loves. Even if they are slightly different versions from the people she remembers. And though her boyfriend Wesley tries to convince her that her memories of a different life are only caused by brain trauma, Laken knows deep down that it's not true. But only one person believes her: Cooper. The boy who makes her mind go naughty and wants to help her find her real family. But can Laken leave Wes behind after she just got him back? Can she resist Cooper long enough to follow through with the plan that will bring both of them the answers they need?

I Want More Moore...
I may not have liked everything about Moore's writing, but I will give her this: she is damn funny. I straight up laughed out loud through half this book. Moore gave Laken a very unique personality that had me smiling and snickering even during the frightening moments. And the imagery was amazing. Moore goes beyond descriptive writing and literally creates vivid pictures with each sentence.

Naughty Laken...
Laken, as a character, took this book from good to great. She tried to make light of her situation, which is something I do, so I could relate. It took a very gloomy concept and made it a fun read. Laken is the kind of character that rolls with the punches. She knows something is wrong with her new world but she plays along as much as she can. She is also horny as hell. She always finds erotic undertones in EVERYTHING. When it came to her relationship with Wes, they kind of switched gender roles in that she always wants to have sex and he wants to wait. I found that refreshing.

Let's Hear It For The Boys...
Wes, for me, is a little bit of a nonentity. He was there for most of the book, but what Laken remembers of him is mostly from her other reality. In this one, he is secretive and...off. I just never really got into his character. But Cooper, he's a whole other story. He's just so intriguing. I want to know more about him. And you can't help but love him for believing Laken when no one else would. Cooper's interest in Laken seems more pure compared to Wes. He is the kind of guy you want watching your back...and kissing your front. Woah, who said that?

Wait...There's Zombies?
The world Moore created in Ephemeral has major potential to grow and become more complex. The book left us with more questions than answers, so I am dying to read the next book. This is definitely a fun book with a unique concept. We get zombies, which is always a plus in my book. The reason for their existence in this world seemed a little convenient, but I enjoyed the creepy moments they provided throughout the novel.

The Bad
There are some aspects of Moore's writing that I loved and some that were flat out annoying. One of the irritating things was her obsession with describing looks in such great detail. She had Laken spend paragraph after paragraph on someone's looks and cloths. Then almost every description turned sexual. It was all just too much sometimes.

I liked the sexual emphasis of this book but at times it was exhausting. Moore rarely let up. Everything was sexual to Laken. She must be a nympho or something. I swear, I have never read a YA book with the word 'vagina' said so often.

I soon realized that though this book was fun to read, it ended up reading like 'a day in the life of' type of book. The main plot was not the focus, it was what happened to Laken every day, every hour, every minute that we read the most. I wish the interesting concept Moore came up with was more the focal point of the story. At least she could have added a couple more substantial scenes to even everything out. And the world building lacked. I still don't understand a lot about the world Laken has been put in.

Then, the worst part, there was no climax at the end. Nothing huge happened, just a little more information and another zombie attack...the end. This book could have been way shorter, especially if it was going to end at a point that really wasn't that interesting. It had a To Be Continued feel, which was disappointing after reading 400 pages.

The Snuggly
OMG, I have never encountered such a horny protagonist before. Laken has sex on the brain ALL THE TIME. I actually found it funny. It was different though, it took time to get use to. I like Wesley and Laken's relationship a lot, but it does not compare to the potential that Laken and Cooper have. Though Wes and Laken make an amazing couple, I think Wes is her past and Cooper is her future. Hell, I wish Cooper was MY future.

Either way, this book lays the sexual tension on thick. This book may be YA, but it has to be toeing the line of adult or new adult at least. Moore really knows how to make a girl blush while reading. LOL.

Overall
As you can see, there was a lot of bad parts in Ephemeral, but I still enjoyed the book immensely. I think Moore has huge potential on creating a hit. I wish there was more "big moments" that made me gasp, but alas there was very little. But the concept and the characters almost held this book all by themselves. I know I for one will be continuing this series. A recommended read.

Quotes
In the grand scheme of things, you'll be dead a lot longer than you'll ever be alive.

I marinate in that truth, baste in the beauty of its wisdom while peering out at the dull emerald world. I fumble through dense woods with roots that race across the forest floor like wild, petrified snakes. Wisps of lamp-lit fog twist throughout the narrow trails as gnarled branches coil around the evergreens.

Something stirs from behind, disrupts the silent with the heavy crush of leaves.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Cooper coasts over me with his glacial-clear eyes, a black ring around each cornea. I've never seen that on a human before. My neighbor has a Husky with those eyes--hottest-looking dog on the planet.

Cooper gives a little huff of a laugh as if he heard me.

"Yes." He nods incredulously. "I believe in love." His demeanor changes, softens. A rise of color touches the apples of his cheeks. "I believe when the time is right, if you're patient, the right person will walk into your life." He exhales softly, without breaking our gaze. "Then everything changes."

[Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check this review out at my blog, I have a long expert there, with part of the first chapter. Get yourself a taste of it. Book tour going on (my blog is first stop Oct 1-15)
Michelle’s Paranormal Vault of Books


Wow, this book was awesome, non-stop excitement and some witty funny parts too. For those who have not read the Celestra series by Addison Moore, I recommend you get on it, BUT you do NOT have to read them before this one, But Addison did say, characters from this book, will be showing Up in the next Celestra book Toxic, so those who read and enjoy the Celestra books, read this one before Toxic is out.
Ok, so I will do my best to keep this spoiler free. I know there are many who had not read the Celestra series, so I will give a vague rundown of who and what the Celestra are.
We have several factions of angels,(Nephilim) who live among us, most have very diluted blood of the angels, but some are pure. Now in the Celestra series, the main character there, Skyla, is as pure as you can get of the Celestra factions, and there is a war between the factions. Countenance is another faction, now that’s what our main character in Ephemeral is.

Now, I went into this book, thinking I would have to accept and like the Countenance now (they are evil bloodsucking creeps, and I mean that literally, they like to drink the blood of the Celestra, as it’s the only way they can get the powers of the Celestra, like time travel, mind reading, etc.) We have other factions, won’t get into them all, but the Sectors are on Celestra’s side (and if you’re up on those books, that’s what yummy Marshall is, a Sector) it seems besides the Celestra, the Sectors are the most powerful. Countenance just wish they were, but aren’t. There is the Levato, which is a smaller faction, also sides with Celsetra. Countenance has the Fems on their sides and the ones I only learned of in this book, called the Spectators, they are gross zombie like Counts, the failed resurrection attempts. Yuck.

So, now back to this story, Laken, wakes up in a strange forest, with the last memory being flying through the windshield in a car accident. But she is not in Kansas anymore, she finds she is in Ephemeral, Connecticut, and has no idea how she gets there.

Well, these Counts (or whoever is pulling the strings, not sure) try to create her a whole new set of memories, but she still remembers her old (real) life in Kansas, she is confused , especially when she sees her brother and Wes, the love of her life, alive and well, except they died 2 years ago in a lake drowning, so this is where they went, but they have no memory of her in that life, just some false memories, and it’s frustrating for her. No one believes her. Until Cooper, he is the only one who does.

I do not want to say much more. But will say, it’s extremely exciting, and I just love Cooper, he is the real deal. I also am super thrilled that Laken, who’s blood is a Count (Countenance) hates what they stand for as much as I do, so yay, she’s a rebel, and plans to infiltrate their inner circle to find her Kansas sister and mom (who she finds out something interesting about) and wants to get her old life back. Her heart is pulled between Wesley and Cooper, Wes is the guy she was with in Kansas and was heart broken when he “died” but this new Wes is not anything like the old Wes, he is brainwashed, she wants the old Wes back. Then we have sweet Cooper who is NOT brainwashed, and is helping her all he can. He even can help her get some of them Celestra powers she needs to beat these Counts at their own game.

Here is a sweet scene between Cooper and Laken:

Cooper and all of his mystery—he blessed me with his lips, and now I need a little bit more. This is just a dream and strange things happen in dreams that are generally out of your control.

He pushes in and kisses me again, slow at first then with a burst of trembling passion. His soft lips, his skin pressed against mine—there’s something achingly pure about kissing Cooper. An underlying sadness emanates from the two of us, lets me know this is more than just some fantasy. An alarm rails inside me and assures me this can never be.

Its super exciting, and I absolutely can’t wait for the next book, called Evanescent (The Countenance 2) Love Addison and her great vocabulary, (Evanescent means: soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.)
I highly recommend this book. You can even get the first book in the Celestra series free right now (ebook) I also have them all that I can loan out to one person on Kindle (Amazon allows only to do this once) Called Ethereal (Celestra Book 1)

Note: This book is for mature readers only. It’s YA with Mature situations.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for an honest review and to participate in the book blog tour.

Addison Moore's other books, (Celestra Series, the first one is free at Amazon)

[Rossana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ — Ok — Just for fans of Celestra Series.

My first book from The writer, but from the very first chapter I realized that some vital information was missing. I did felt as lost as the main character, Laken Stewart/Anderson, but not as terrible as her in making the right questions from the start.

After being patient enough to keep going through all the descriptions of perfect gorgeous boys and all dreamy girls you finally realize (if you didn’t know before) that there’s a previous series from the author which answers many questions that might take readers in a more insightful journey.

If you enjoy supernatural stories with angels and related beings, don’t give it up. But maybe, reading the Celestra series before would make you enjoy this book better. I’ll probably finish the trilogy, since I’ve got them already, and maybe it will change my mind. But more critical readers might feel that would be better losing the money than their free time.

📚 Good reading. 📚

[Janell Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good PNR book. And the synopsis behind this book really grabbed me. But, for some reason I'm not chomping at the bit as I read it. I can say one thing I HATE zombies. I don't know if that's why this book is not quite catching on for me, but I'm going to continue so we'll see. Other than that I am enjoying the book, it is very interesting and I like the shrouded mystery that is extremely slowly being uncovered. I can't wait to see how this continues to pan out and I'm very torn in the love triangle that is predominantly running through here. This is unlike any book that I can really think that I've read before and I am interested to see where this is going to go next so I will most definitely be continuing on. How qill this play between Wes and Cooper, I can't wait to find out, and I have no idea who I'm rooting for.

[Mac Daly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mean girls meet zombies

It starts out promising. Laken remembers one life but everyone at her creepy school insists she has it wrong. The problem is she's unlikable, manipulative, and a bully.

[Coco.V]

FREE on Amazon today (10/25/2017)!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I really like was the cover and her dress. The cover suggests of a mysterious night with romance blooming like the flowers on her dress.


Since Ephemeral has the whole love-triangle in it, for obvious reasons, I'm going to have to choose a side. But first, I'll explain about the main characters.

The main character of the book is Laken. She has a very unique name that makes me think of the Lochnesss Monster. LOL. Laken wakes up one day in a forest with nothing but her memory. I mean, she has clothes on and everything, but she has no idea where her past went, where in the world she is, and why in the world does she have a fake family. She's remembers hitting a windshield, but how did she get into the woods, or Ephemeral Academy in Connecticut when she's from Kansas? Whose are all those family imposer she has? This new world is strange and different, but when she meets Wes, her dead boyfriend she still loves and Fletch, the brother she misses, she has to decide if she's going to cling on to her past memories or is she just going to forget her past and believe whatever they tell her.

It's Laken's dream to be with her precious Wesley Parker. She believes even death can't keep them apart. But she finds something wrong with this Wesley Paxton. He has a different attitude, a different personality, and he could even read minds! The only thing that is the same about him is his looks. Is he the Wesley Parker she knew at home or is he another imposer? But she still loves him, either way.

Then, there's Coop. Or Cooper Flanders. He's the totally sexy, sweet angel you hear of, only in books and your dreams, of course. Laken knows she's dating Wes and Wes is the one for her, but why can't keep away from Cooper? And why does she feel a spark? She's not supposed to. To her, Cooper is someone who she can rely on, to trust her, to save her, and to help her. Well, saving and helping is typically the same thing, but well, Laken does need to be saved more than once in this book. Cooper was the first person she saw in this new world. He saved her numerous of times from Fems, aka zombies, and Spectators and all that. But anyhow, she's supposed to be dating Wes.

As for me, I'm rooting for Cooper all the way. When I read that one line in the book, I knew he was going to be in her love life. That one line: "The boy from the forest" Cooper was described the way, you would describe an angel: "tall with sandy hair and eyes the color of a lifeless sky." Even though Wes is like the love of her life, there's something wrong with him. He's in the inner circle of the Count and he's like totally mysterious and he lies to Laken. I just don't trust him. Really. Cooper seems like the angel, while Wes seems like the devil. Or maybe I'm being to mean, but I don't like Wes. Team Cooper forever. Unless Wes does something to change my mind, like getting his memory back and actually remembering the REAL Laken. But as long as Wes stays the same, my opinion stays the same. Cooper!!! ;)

So in this book, there were these factions with their own special powers. I didn't really pay much attention to it, since I focused more on the romance. So there's the Count, the highest of all five, I think, factions. The Counts are the one who takes care of all business, rules, etc. And they are probably the people who swipes memories and make up a whole new world. Second thing I remember is the Celestra. They can read minds and/or time travel. I'm not sure if time travel is one of their powers, but the reading minds part is a certainty. Other factions, who don't have the powers to read minds, can get the power by drinking some of a Celestra's blood, like a vampire. You know, I don't really know how to explain the factions, even though it's an important part to the story. Like I said, I'm a sucker for ROMANCE. Therefore, I pay my nice, little attention to the love-triangle. :)

Overall, this book was fun to read and whole afterlife, the second level, and all that is pretty cool. It's new fresh idea I haven't seen in books yet, so it gives off a fresh feeling. Out of 10 stars, I give it 9 stars!!:)

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally Posted on Addicted to Books.

I was intrigued by the premise of this story and was hoping to go on a whirlwind adventure on what is and isn’t reality and it’s exactly what I received. Addison Moore created a place where I’m not sure I want to be in, but in a good way. We meet Laken as she was just in a horrible car accident where she goes through the windshield only to wake up in the woods of all places being attacked by a zombie. Out comes a guy to rescue her then he disappears. She’s ushered onto a school campus where she apparently attends. This is all news to her because she thought for sure she was dead.


Laken gets introduced to her roommate and ever her sister, who is not really her sister from the way Laken remembers her. She also gets reintroduced to Fletcher, her deceased brother and Wes his best friend (who died with her brother) and who used to be the love of her life. Of course she’s taken off guard by the fact that she has him in her life again. It’s him, but it’s not really him and she can’t shrug off the nagging feeling that he just doesn’t remember the person he used to be, as if he’s brainwashed.

There is so much going on in this book, apparently there are different groups of people and each one has certain powers. But one is greedier than the other and Laken believes they are behind everything that is happening. The Counts is that group and she is one of them. She meets Cooper who was her savior in the beginning and they are drawn to each other, they have this connection that’s undeniable. But she is dating Wes and even though she has feelings for both she has to keep the pretense with Wes if she wants to be free of this mad world she is now living in. I’m completely Team Cooper, but then again sometimes I think Team Wes. It’s all very back and forth for me which is also fun.

Throughout the book there are zombies, nephilim, ghosts, fems, and overall bad people and mean girls. This story had a little bit of everything in it, even a little taste of vampire tendencies thrown in for good measure. This was a good read, and I feel the need to read Addison’s first series the Celestra because they seem to play a part in this series. I really can’t wait to find out what happens next because this book just left my mind reeling of the possibilities of what could transpire.

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ephemeral

Team Cooper FTW!

Don’t you love how I start off almost every review by distinguishing which pairing I like best? Ephemeral by Addison Moore dives into the world of Angels when Laken Stewart thrown into a world she has no knowledge of. The last thing remembers is the oncoming car, then bursting through the windshield to her death, only she’s not dead.

Two months dissolve without her knowledge and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers who not only profess to know her but insist she’s someone else entirely. Laken is presented with a world that takes people from her old life and incorporates them into the new life given to her by the Countenance.

Not only is her dead brother somehow alive in this world, but her dead boyfriend and love of her life Wesley is also living and breathing…Or are they? Moore does an amazing job of catapulting the reader into a world full of mystery and intrigue as Laken races to try and find the truth with the help of Cooper and a few other’s along the way.

If you didn’t already notice, I love Cooper and Laken. Not just together, but individually as well. They are my favorite characters in Ephemeral. While the book is full of great three dimensional characters who all seem to have their purpose, I feel the most developed characters are Laken and Cooper.

Their banter makes me smile and the way Cooper openly flirts with Laken despite the fact that she’s seeing Wesley is so sexy in a bad boy kind of way, but at the same time I feel like he less dangerous than Wesley. The way Moore describes Cooper makes him delectable and exciting. There’s so much we don’t know about him, so much Laken doesn’t know about him and yet they have this connection that bounces off the page and captures you.

Putting aside the romance, though that’s one of my favorite parts of the book, the plot is great. The actual concept of getting tossed into a world after death or because of death is awesome. Ephemeral takes this original idea of Angels and combines it with a modern day characters to produce this mystical, mystery that you can’t help but get immersed in.

If you like fast paced, adventurous, paranormal romance stories I would highly recommend checking out this book!

[Sharrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this story starts off fast pace and the way it's written is so the reader is just as confused as the main character Laken. Laken finds herself floating towards a light and then suddenly she's on the damp ground in the middle of the woods at night. Then the creatures come and she's running for her life and into a complete hottie, Coooper Flanders, who saves her life and then disappears into the night.

After making her way out of the woods she finds herself faced in a world where everyone knows her and she knows well no one. She thinks she's going crazy until her roommate tells her that she remembers her life before, and that Laken better play along with "their" rules or she'd disappear as so many others have. Thinking she's going insane she sees two familiar faces; her dead brother and dead boyfriend. Thinking she's landed in heaven her dreams of seeing Wesley makes her think everything will be okay, but it's not that simple.

I have to say Ephemeral was extremely different from anything I've read before. It's YA/ Mature, which I've never heard of before so that was extremely exciting to find out about that. I can definitely tell the difference. Laken is an extremely likeable character, she sticks up for what she believes in, and she is definitely intuitive. She catches on quick that something isn't right and she wants to find out what and how to get back to her own world, no matter the cost. She is also um...well horny a lot in this book while around the two love interests. Laken is also a very witty character so I think that spiced up the book some. Ephemeral is filled with a lot of action, and dark secrets, as well as things that go bump in the night. At some points the terms were a tad confusing but I got the basic concept.

Needless to say I think you should definitely pick up a copy of Ephemeral at : Amazon.com if you haven't already and I think you will like it a lot. It's definitely a quick read, I finished it in one sitting. This is my first book by Addison Moore, but definitely not my last. If you follow the link you can find out more about her and her amazing books.
I absolutely am in love with the cover. It's so beautiful and I think goes with the book extremely well.

[Luna8891 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laken remembers the accident, but she doesn't remember how she got here. Or what's with the fake family that seems to know her. This new world is strange and different. Things are way too weird and Laken wants to go back home. But what happens when she meets Wes, her dead boyfried she still loves, or Fletch, her dead brother she misses so much? Although Laken knows this is not real, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she truly knows, or accept what everyone tells her and let the old Laken go.

I really liked this book. It was a breath of fresh air, because of the unique plot, but mostly because of the main character. Laken is different, definitely not the type who goes into a corner and waits for prince charming to fight her fights. She is smart and funny. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. You will find yourself smiling when you read her witty thoughts and remarks. Also, let's not forget about the love triangle. Wes and Coop are so hot, it will take you some time to chose between them.

So yes, I can't wait to read the next book. I'm sure it will be great (especially if it has lots of Coop, for me he's the best)!

[Valerie Mcqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ephemeral by Addison Moore

Rating 5****

Laken's world has come to a crashing halt literally. After a would be terminal car wreck, she awakens to a world that while the names and faces may be familiar nothing is as it seems.
Instead of public school, she is thrust into the world of the Ephemeral Academy. She learns that she is a carrier of a sect of Nephilium. The question is why can she remember her old life before the accident, and none other of the kids here can.
I have to say that I was a skeptic as to if this series would be as good as the Celestra series. I am a huge fan of those novels. However, I was actually very happily surprised. Laken' s story is just as good as Skyla''s without being the same story told over. It crosses some parallels but from different angles enhancing what we learned in the other novels. In fact, I do not believe that a reader can go wrong with a novel by Addison Moore. All of her books are winners and this one just adds to the growling list. This is a must read for any reader 13+, and one I will read again as the series unfolds.....happy reading

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Ephemeral, and while I find that I am not yet as invested in this book as I was in the Celestra series, I am certain that investment in the series will grow as the next books in the series come out. Interesting premise, as well as characters in this work. Addison uses beautifully written prose which makes the scenes come alive. Laken poses multiple questions, "Am I crazy? Did I die? Is my boyfriend still alive? What is reality? Is my memory a reality or is what purports to be my current reality really a lie?" Many questions still remain unanswered and I must say...for me it is Cooper and Laken. :)

[Jillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

....This is a hot mess. I wanted something light/stupid/fluffy to entertain me for a few hours and I was skeptical after the summary but I believed the reviews. Noooo. Regret! I don't know how this book has a rating of over 4 stars. This might actually be the worst thing I've read all year.

[Melek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Metnin aslı için.

Laken Stewart o gün, o araba kazasını geçirdiğinde öldüğünden emin; ama ne gözlerini açtığında kendisini bulduğu yer, ne de karşılaştığı yaratık onunla aynı fikirde.

İşler bununla sınırlı da değil, kendine geldiğinde kendisini yepyeni bir hayatın içinde buluyor: yeni okul, yeni aile, yeni isim... O artık Laken Anderson. Ya da öyle mi?
His eyes widen as he brings my hand to his lips. “Thank you.” It comes out sad. Cooper smiles with his eyes as if my mental admission was all he would ever have to hear. “I need you safe, and I don’t think you’d be safe with me... His brows depress. “God, Laken, I would rearrange the universe to make you mine, I swear it.”

Buna bir de 'Uzun İnceleme' uyarısı koysam fena olmaz aslında. Bu kadar beğenmediğim bir kitapta anlatacak ne buldum hiç bilmiyorum; ama başlamışken gidiyorum işte, tutabilene aşkolsun.

Laken Stewart, bizim ana karakterimiz. Kendisini bütün voleyboy takımıyla aldatan sevgilisiyle yüzleşmeye giderken bir kaza geçirip ölüyor, bir süre -iki ay- sonra diriliyor ve bir bakıyor, benim tam olarak tanımlayamayacağım türden garip, şekilsiz bir yaratık! Ne yapsam da kaçsam derken orada bir şeyler dönüyor, bir bakıyor afet-i devranın teki bıçağı almış, yaratığı kesiyor. O neydi sen kimsin ben kimim derken kız çocuğun adını öğrenemeden çocuk kaybolup gidiyor, kadının teki de Laken'ı alıp vay efendim şunu kaçırdın, gir okuluna, ormana girme gibisinden uyarıyor, git kız kardeşin Jen'i bul diyor, eline de okul kartını -bunu düşürmüşsün diyerek- tutuşturuyor, yolluyor odasına. Laken bir bakıyor karttaki fotoğrafı kendisine ait; ama adı Laken Stewart değil, Laken Anderson.

Kız önce Jen'i buluyor; ama o Jen evde bırakıp geldiği ablası değil, bambaşka biri; ama ablası olduğunu iddia ediyor ve onu erkek kardeşleri Fletcher'ı (hani şu Laken'ın yıllarca uzaktan uzağa sevdiği Wesley ile birlikte göle gidip sonra boğulan çocuk var ya, hatırladınız mı? Hatırlamadınız; çünkü bahsetmedim) bulmaya gönderiyor. Bazı olaylardan sonra Laken kendi odasını buluyor. Odada üç kız var, Kresley, Grayson ve Casper. Kresley ve Grayson bütün Amerikan üniversite/lise temalı kitaplarda bulabileceğiniz çok güzel/seksi oldukları için okulda popüler olan; ama kafataslarının içinde beyin hariç her şey olabilecek cinsten kızlar. Kıyafet tartışıyorlar, sonbaharda hangi renkleri giyeceklerini tartışıyorlar, Kresley'nin sevgilisi Wesley'yi tartışıyorlar ve türevleri; ama bunlardan daha fazla beyin aktivitesi içeren hiçbir şey yok. Casper nispeten daha iyi ve kitapta gayet önemli zaten; çünkü o da Laken gibi ailesinden koparılıp bambaşka biri haline getirilmeye çalışılmış; ne var ki Casper bunu yememiş; çünkü olup bitenleri o da hatırlıyor.

Tamam, şimdi Casper'a ve Laken'ın Casper'ın da onun gibi olduğunu öğrendiği kısma biraz daha geniş bakalım. Grayson ve Kresley odadan çıktıktan sonra Casper bir anda o ikisinin dedikodusunu yapmaya başlıyor. Laken bir tereddüt ediyor, şimdi o da dedikoduya katılsa başı derde girebilir, sonuçta Casper onlardan yana da olabilir. Böyle bir durumda kızın susmasını ya da belirsiz yanıtlar vermesini beklersiniz, değil mi? Peki Laken ne yapıyor? GİDİYOR VE CASPER'A O YARATIK, YANLIŞ İSİM, YANLIŞ AKRABALAR VE BENZERİ BÜTÜN OLAYI ANLATIYOR. Ciddi misin ya? Korkundan iki kızın dedikodusunu yapmaya çekiniyorsun; ama kalkıp böyle ters bir olayı bir anda, hiç tanımadığın birine anlatıyorsun. Hayır önce bir dur, kendince bir araştırma yap, biraz etrafı kolla, ondan sonra hadi neyse, biraz anlarım da bu kadarı fazla.

Tamam, burayı geçelim hadi. Casper'ın anlattığı kadarıyla 'onlar' bildiğimiz Big Brother'ın paranormal versiyonu. Her şeyi izliyorlar, görüyorlar, bu nedenle Casper Laken'la ancak gizlice arkadaş olabileceklerini, birlikte görülemezler. Sözlerine bakılırsa arkadaşı olması için 'programladıkları' kişinin gelip onu bulacağını söylüyor ve sonra onu bir partinin ortasında bırakıp gidiyor. Partide de bir duraklıyoruz; çünkü büyük bir önemi var. Birincisi, kız kardeşi olması gereken Jen'in normalden farklı biri olması gibi Fletcher'ın da farklı biri olup olmayacağını merak ediyoruz; ama Fletcher, boğulan Fletcher'ın ta kendisi. İkinci sebep? Yukarıda Kresley'nin sevgilisi olarak tanıttığım Wesley vardı ya? Az daha yukarı çıkın, parantez içinde bir Wesley daha var, gördünüz mü? Hah, o ikisi aynı Wesley işte. Laken'ın görür görmez kollarına koşup dudaklarına yapıştığı ve sonrasında uğruna Kresley'yle çeşitli kavgalara ve ağız dalaşlarına girdiği yeşil gözlü ve koyu renk saçlı Wesley de aynen o.

Bu kadar uzun uzun anlattıktan sonra bir kez daha araya giriyorum: Kadın isimleri seçerken amma kasmış. Şöyle bir özet geçecek olursam, kitabın adının Ephemeral olmasına zaten girmiyorum ya da kitabın içinde geçecek (ve ileride açıklayacağım) isimlerin bir kısmını dışarıda bırakıyorum, adı Laken olan ana karakterimizden giriyorum konuya. Sonra, ana oğlan karakterlerden birinin adı Wesley, diğeri Cooper (bu yine iyi), Jen'in isminin açılımı Jenevieve, gördüğünüz gibi yukarıda bir Fletcher'ımız var, Flynn nispeten kabul edilebilir, sonra Kresley, Grayson, yok efendim Casper, Carter (Laken'ın arkadaşı olmak üzere programlanan kız), ne bileyim Marky. Bir yerden sonra Kresley yazacağı her yerde Jane, Fletcher yazacağı her yerde Jack, Wesley'lerin yerine de John yazsa kaç sayfa kazanacağını düşünmeye başlamadım değil.

Neredeyse bütün önemli karakterlerin kitaba giriş şekillerini açıkladık. Geriye bir tane kaldı, onu da şöyle açıklayayım: Laken Wesley'yi bulduktan sonra habire, "Hayatım sen Wesley Paxton değilsin, Wesley Parker'sın, bak bizim Kansas'ta ne cici anılarımız vardı." deyip durmasından bıkıp sonunda onu bir psikiyatristle görüştürmekle tehdit ediyor. Sözü geçen psikiyatrist, diğer erkek karakterimizin, Cooper Flanders'ın babası. Koca kitapta, Casper ve o kadar önemli olmayan bir kişiyi daha saymazsak o ikisinden başka Laken'a inanan insan evladı çıkmıyor zaten, o kadar karakter içinde bir onlar var.

Neyse, olay örgüsünü bir kenara bırakıp diğer detaylara girelim, yoksa ben susmayacağım. Birincisi, her zamanki gibi, karakterler. Tek tek açıklayayım:

Laken: Tam anlamıyla TSTL heroine denemez; ama ona yakın bir şey, hani nezaketen kıyısından geçiyor demekle yetinelim biz şuna. Kitabın başında kız öldü, alternatif bir evrene geçti, sonra bir yaratık onu öldürmeye çalıştı, buraya kadar tamam. Ardından ilk olarak, bir an önce annemi aramalıyım, kim bilir neler olmuştur, eyvah eyvah demeye başladı, eline bir telefon geçince de tüm yaptığı mesajlaşmak oldu. Kitapta birkaç kez, kitabın farklı yerlerinde annesini aramaktan bahsediyor; ama hiç aramıyor. Ben olsam ilk iş annemi arayıp bildiğim kadarıyla durumu anlatırdım herhalde, gözüme daha mantıklı bir şey görünmüyor şu anda. İkinci olarak, eline Wesley'yi geçirdiği gibi aklı fikri Wesley'de oluyor, başka hiçbir şey düşünmüyor. Bir Wesley, bir Cooper, o kadar. Yazara kalsa kurguya girmektense 400 sayfa boyunca Wesley-Laken-Cooper anlatacakmış da biri tutmaz demiş herhalde, araya olay örgüsü serpiştirmiş.
Wesley: Tam bir klasik. Kitabın başında harika, ışıl ışıl, bir şey olsa da ana karakterle birlikte olsalar dediğiniz türden bir karakter. Sonra işler öyle bir birbirine giriyor ki hakkında, "Hani Wesley iyilerdendi? Neler oluyor? O kim? Bu da nereden çıktı? E OOOHA!" dediğiniz tiplerden biri haline geliyor, sonunda okuduğunuza okuyacağınıza pişman oluyorsunuz. Öyle de bir güvenilmez ki. Kitabın başlarında bayılmıştım ben Wesley'ye, her kızın hayali gibi duruyordu, sonrasında ortaya kat kat, sır ve yalanlarla örülmüş biri haline geliyor ki ne tepki vereceğinizi şaşırıyorsunuz. Ha bunu kitapla ilgili özellikler arasında saymayın; çünkü kitap sizi habire şaşırtacak bir kurguya sahip değil, yalnızca baştaki Wesley ve sondaki Wesley çok farklı, hepsi bu. Beklentileri yükseltmeye hiç gerek yok.
Cooper: Kitapta sevdiğim ilk ve tek karakter. Laken'dan (ve kitaptaki karakterlerin çoğundan) daha zeki, Wesley'den çok daha dürüst (sevgilisi olduğu halde habire Laken'la flörtleşmesini hariç tutuyorum), kendine has bir mizah anlayışı var. Cici çocuk yani ya. Doğal olarak kitapta kolaylıkla harcanan çocuk. Laken habire Wes de Wes diye kaçıp gidiyor, sonra çocukla öpüşüyorlar, sonra bu yine Wes diyor, sonra yine öpüşmeler, sonra yine bir, "Ama Wes!" sahnesi... Kitap böyle gidiyor. Tam diyorsunuz tamam, birlikte olacaklar, Laken yine Wes deyip prr!

İçeriğe girersem, bunu en iyi anlatan cümleleri Misty Baker'ın şuradaki incelemesinden alıntılayacağım:
'“Ladies and Gents…this is a book about Vampires.”
“No wait! It’s reincarnation gone horrible awry! Tuck and roll people…ZOMBIES!”
“Oops, my bad, it’s about Angels, no, mind control….no, it’s about long-lost loves!”'

Durum gerçekten de bu, habire bir yerden bir paranormal yaratık çıkıyor. Bu konuda yazarı takdir etmeliyim, zombileri ve alıntıda sözü geçen vampirlerin geldiği kan içme detayını meleklere iyi bağlamış; ama iş meleklere gelince durum biraz karışmış. Kitapta bahsedilen beş farklı nefilim sınıfı var: Countenance, Celestra, Noster, Deorsum, Levatio (yazar isimler için biraz kasmış dediğimde bana inanmadıysanız buyurun). Biraz Wes'ten alıntılayıp biraz kendim özet geçersem, Countenance en güçlü meleklerin olduğu sınıf, Celestra en güçlü olduklarını iddia eden sınıf, zihin okuma, zaman yolculuğu gibi yetenekleri var, Noster (önce Nector yazdım, sonra Nestor yazdım, bir türlü alışamadım bu kelimeye) sınıfının bir zararını görmüşlüğüm henüz yok; ama Wes onların arkadaş canlısını olmadığını söyleyip Laken'a, onunla arkadaş olmaya çalışırlarsa ters yönde kaçmasını tavsiye ediyor, Deorsum'lar hakkında sıkça cadılarla karıştırıldıkları hakkında hiçbir şey bilmiyorum, Levatio ve sihir numaralarıyla ilgili bir şeyler de var; ama pek kavrayamadım. Zaten son ikisini unutun; çünkü hiçbir önemi olmayacak. Üçüncüsü de çok çok önemli değil hatta, en azından ilk kitap için. Diğerlerini bilmiyorum.

Bu noktayı da bir kenara bıraktığımızda beni en rahatsız eden noktalardan birine geliyoruz: Yazarın sırf merak uyandırmak için oraya buraya eklediği şeyler. Kitabın başlarından beri karşımıza habire bir Rycroft meselesi çıkıyor. Ne olduğunu kitabın anca son yüz sayfası içinde öğreniyoruz, o zamana kadar ancak imalar, "Seni gidi senii, sen Rycroft'ta neler karıştırmışsın öyle bakalım?" gibi cümlelerden fazlası geçmiyor; ama merak da etmiyorsunuz zaten. Kitap boyunca o kadar fazla aşk ve ayartma çabası sahnesi var ki aklınıza Rycroft gelmiyor, yalnızca, "YETER ARTIK BIRAK ŞU ÇOCUĞUN DUDAKLARINI/BOYNUNU DA İŞİMİZE BAKALIM BE KIZIM!" diyorsunuz. Neyse ki son otuz sayfada mı ne bu isteğiniz karşılanıyor. Zaten kitabın yalnızca son elli sayfasını filan istekle okudum ben de.

Daha devamı var da hem ben yoruldum, hem buraya kadar okuduysanız siz de sıkılmışsınızdır, gelin burada keselim.

Kısaca, ben burada bu kadar yerdim kitabı, aşağıladım, zaten spoiler üstüne spoiler vererek (en önemli kısımları vermedim, hatta hiç söz etmedim bile, o konuda dikkatliydim) kitabı neredeyse mahvettim; ama siz hâlâ okumak istiyorsanız daha ne diyeyim, buyurun okuyun. Bana sorarsanız okumayın derim.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original review can be found here

a copy of this book was provided for the blog tour but that did not influence the review.

The Story:
Ana: I read the whole book and I still don’t know what to believe. I followed the twists and turns with care, cringed as we met zombie-like creatures and picked a side in the love triangle…but I’m still not sure who to trust and I certainly don’t know what will happen next. This is a more mature book than what you’ll find in the Celestra series and it’s nice to go that little bit further with these characters. Even though this is a new series, it’s a bit like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes, I felt right at home. Addison’s writing style lured me in as it always does. She provides lots of detail, some mystery and fun characters…putting the reader right inside the story as usual.

Amy: Just like Addison’s Celestra series, Ephemeral is a fast paced adventure chalked full of unique plot twists and turns and plenty of romance.. There is never a lull in her stories. Never! I have to admit that in the beginning of the book, I felt a little bit overwhelmed with all the details. The Spectators, Counts, the different factions and all their powers and purposes and who’s good and who’s bad (OH MY!).. but, as the storyline progressed, details were explained and I loved it! I adore Addison’s writing style. I couldn’t put the book down.. She just has a way with words that immediately pulls her readers into the creative world she writes for us!

Celeste: 4.5 stars for me! I just adore Addison’s writing. She has a way of pulling me in and getting right into the head of the character. While the book was very long it was also chock full of action. The whole story flowed well and I was never trying to figure out the plot. That isn’t saying I wasn’t sure which way the twists and turns were going, and oh my there were so many!

The Main Characters:
Laken
Ana: She’s smart and funny. I love her witty thoughts and the fact that she’s willing to stand up for herself and those around her. And, although she swoons over Wes uncontrollably, she still manages to see his flaws and keep a (somewhat) clear head. Even though she’s in a very difficult situation and a world that is strange to her, she manages to make the best of it.

Amy: Laken is struggling to fit into her new environment. She sets out to find the truth and only wants to get her family back no matter how broken it was. She’s different. Smart and strong as well as very determined. I found myself rooting for her to make sense of the of the new world she has found herself apart of.

Celeste: I loved Laken and her inner dialogue. I wish I were that naturally funny. She is backed into a corner with the parallel universe and faux family she has just been given. She has no choice but to move ahead. However, since she is stuck in Ephemeral she still figures she may as well have fun too, so she jumps in with both feet to bask in all the attention from the love of her life, Wes.

Wes
Ana: Although he keeps trying to lure me in, I can’t fully trust him. He seems to keep too many secrets and, although he supports Laken, he only supports her based on his own ideas, wants and needs. I want to be wrong about his intentions, but I’m just so unsure at this point.

Amy: The chemistry between Laken and Wes is crazy intense! I wanted to love him, I really did, but something in the back kept holding me back. Things are not the same anymore and although he does care for Laken, Wes is secretive and seems to have ulterior motives. Like Ana said, I’m just not sure about him or his intentions at this point.

Celeste: Hmmmmm. *taps chin*. I’m not sure what exactly he knows, but I do know he honestly loves Laken. I’m excited for the next book!! In the meantime I couldn’t help but love all their seriously intense kissy time. RAWR.

Cooper
Ana: Loved him! Even after finishing the book, Coop is still a mystery. I don’t really know his intentions even though he seems to be honest with Laken. I’ve picked my team and Coop it is! I hope he is as nice as he seems and that Laken chooses him in the end.

Amy: Cooper snagged my attention from first mention.. He’s gorgeous, mysterious and genuinely cares and is concerned for Laken. His character is very well rounded and intriguing to say the least.. Laken’s heart may be torn between Wes and Cooper, but Coop won mine over and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these two in the next book.

Celeste: I’m sold!! RAWR again. His intentions are clear and his thoughts are just as dirty loving towards Laken. I need to know more about him and while I normally hate love triangles I absolutely can��t get enough of this one.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (i.e. the secondary characters)
Ana: The mean girls were awesomely mean, the creepy beings were extra creepy and foggy weather played such a big role in this book that it felt like a secondary character as well. I thought that Jen added some humor in her extremeness and that she was a nice juxtaposition to Laken.

Amy: Man.. these mean girl cheerleaders were out to wreak havoc! But, they were well placed in the storyline seeing as though the setting is a boarding type school. As for Jen, her character was a little obnoxious and she irritated me but she was comical at times. Addison does a fantastic job of filling her stories with a wide range of colorful and well developed and perfectly placed characters.

Celeste: The names were awesome! I have to say, at first I was trying to remember who was who and was like “Is Jax/Grayson/Fletch/Flynn a male or female???” Still, the cast was great and so many are totally superficial….or so we are led to believe. I think many of them play a larger role than we have been privy to so far.

The cover:
Ana: Love this cover. It’s gorgeous and if you pay attention, you’ll understand that it’s based on something that’s said in the book!

Amy: Absolutely beautiful.. I was drawn to it straightaway!

Celeste: Stunning! However, I missed how it ties into the book.

The end:
Ana: So many unanswered questions! So much mystery! We may think we know what direction the story is headed but, in reality, we’re probably wrong. Addison is very good at the twists and turns and adding the unexpected so we need to be prepared…because anything can and will happen in this series.

Amy: Omg! I’m dying for more! Bring on the next book! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Laken, Wes and Cooper.. Ephemeral is definitely a must read!

Celeste: Gah! So close again to a smexy scene answers. I think we haven’t even begun to uncover all the double crossing and I can’t wait for the next installment. Well done once again, Addison! You are amazing!!

[BookHookup · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original review can be found here

a copy of this book was provided for the blog tour but that did not influence the review.

The Story:
Ana: I read the whole book and I still don’t know what to believe. I followed the twists and turns with care, cringed as we met zombie-like creatures and picked a side in the love triangle…but I’m still not sure who to trust and I certainly don’t know what will happen next. This is a more mature book than what you’ll find in the Celestra series and it’s nice to go that little bit further with these characters. Even though this is a new series, it’s a bit like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes, I felt right at home. Addison’s writing style lured me in as it always does. She provides lots of detail, some mystery and fun characters…putting the reader right inside the story as usual.

Amy: Just like Addison’s Celestra series, Ephemeral is a fast paced adventure chalked full of unique plot twists and turns and plenty of romance.. There is never a lull in her stories. Never! I have to admit that in the beginning of the book, I felt a little bit overwhelmed with all the details. The Spectators, Counts, the different factions and all their powers and purposes and who’s good and who’s bad (OH MY!).. but, as the storyline progressed, details were explained and I loved it! I adore Addison’s writing style. I couldn’t put the book down.. She just has a way with words that immediately pulls her readers into the creative world she writes for us!

Celeste: 4.5 stars for me! I just adore Addison’s writing. She has a way of pulling me in and getting right into the head of the character. While the book was very long it was also chock full of action. The whole story flowed well and I was never trying to figure out the plot. That isn’t saying I wasn’t sure which way the twists and turns were going, and oh my there were so many!

The Main Characters:
Laken
Ana: She’s smart and funny. I love her witty thoughts and the fact that she’s willing to stand up for herself and those around her. And, although she swoons over Wes uncontrollably, she still manages to see his flaws and keep a (somewhat) clear head. Even though she’s in a very difficult situation and a world that is strange to her, she manages to make the best of it.

Amy: Laken is struggling to fit into her new environment. She sets out to find the truth and only wants to get her family back no matter how broken it was. She’s different. Smart and strong as well as very determined. I found myself rooting for her to make sense of the of the new world she has found herself apart of.

Celeste: I loved Laken and her inner dialogue. I wish I were that naturally funny. She is backed into a corner with the parallel universe and faux family she has just been given. She has no choice but to move ahead. However, since she is stuck in Ephemeral she still figures she may as well have fun too, so she jumps in with both feet to bask in all the attention from the love of her life, Wes.

Wes
Ana: Although he keeps trying to lure me in, I can’t fully trust him. He seems to keep too many secrets and, although he supports Laken, he only supports her based on his own ideas, wants and needs. I want to be wrong about his intentions, but I’m just so unsure at this point.

Amy: The chemistry between Laken and Wes is crazy intense! I wanted to love him, I really did, but something in the back kept holding me back. Things are not the same anymore and although he does care for Laken, Wes is secretive and seems to have ulterior motives. Like Ana said, I’m just not sure about him or his intentions at this point.

Celeste: Hmmmmm. *taps chin*. I’m not sure what exactly he knows, but I do know he honestly loves Laken. I’m excited for the next book!! In the meantime I couldn’t help but love all their seriously intense kissy time. RAWR.

Cooper
Ana: Loved him! Even after finishing the book, Coop is still a mystery. I don’t really know his intentions even though he seems to be honest with Laken. I’ve picked my team and Coop it is! I hope he is as nice as he seems and that Laken chooses him in the end.

Amy: Cooper snagged my attention from first mention.. He’s gorgeous, mysterious and genuinely cares and is concerned for Laken. His character is very well rounded and intriguing to say the least.. Laken’s heart may be torn between Wes and Cooper, but Coop won mine over and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these two in the next book.

Celeste: I’m sold!! RAWR again. His intentions are clear and his thoughts are just as dirty loving towards Laken. I need to know more about him and while I normally hate love triangles I absolutely can’t get enough of this one.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (i.e. the secondary characters)
Ana: The mean girls were awesomely mean, the creepy beings were extra creepy and foggy weather played such a big role in this book that it felt like a secondary character as well. I thought that Jen added some humor in her extremeness and that she was a nice juxtaposition to Laken.

Amy: Man.. these mean girl cheerleaders were out to wreak havoc! But, they were well placed in the storyline seeing as though the setting is a boarding type school. As for Jen, her character was a little obnoxious and she irritated me but she was comical at times. Addison does a fantastic job of filling her stories with a wide range of colorful and well developed and perfectly placed characters.

Celeste: The names were awesome! I have to say, at first I was trying to remember who was who and was like “Is Jax/Grayson/Fletch/Flynn a male or female???” Still, the cast was great and so many are totally superficial….or so we are led to believe. I think many of them play a larger role than we have been privy to so far.

The cover:
Ana: Love this cover. It’s gorgeous and if you pay attention, you’ll understand that it’s based on something that’s said in the book!

Amy: Absolutely beautiful.. I was drawn to it straightaway!

Celeste: Stunning! However, I missed how it ties into the book.

The end:
Ana: So many unanswered questions! So much mystery! We may think we know what direction the story is headed but, in reality, we’re probably wrong. Addison is very good at the twists and turns and adding the unexpected so we need to be prepared…because anything can and will happen in this series.

Amy: Omg! I’m dying for more! Bring on the next book! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Laken, Wes and Cooper.. Ephemeral is definitely a must read!

Celeste: Gah! So close again to a smexy scene answers. I think we haven’t even begun to uncover all the double crossing and I can’t wait for the next installment. Well done once again, Addison! You are amazing!!

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ephemeral by best-selling author Addison Moore is, well, ephemeral. Laken Stewart remembers being on a road, driving madly, angry at her cheating boyfriend, then, the last thing she remembers is the headlights of the oncoming car, and kissing her windshield as she plows through it. Two months later, she finds herself . . . somewhere else, with a new name, and a new family—people she neither recognizes nor remembers, until Wesley, her long-dead first love, shows up, and tries to convince her that she’s been suffering amnesia as the result of a fall, and being in a medically-induced coma for two months. Addison, though, remembers. She died on that highway, and has somehow been resurrected—or, has she?
What follows will keep you flipping pages, trying, along with Addison, to make sense of what’s happening. Is Wesley real, and has he also been resurrected and placed in a strange place, hundreds of miles from their home in Kansas? And, what is she to make of Cooper Flanders, son of the resident shrink, who says he believes her when she recounts her memories, while everyone else continues to maintain what she knows deep down inside is a fiction? Snatches of humor, as post-hormonal teens play out the drama that is the lot of teens everywhere, and stretches of outright horror as Addison contends with the zombies prowling the forest surrounding her new home.
The story ends in a cliffhanger of sorts, as Addison, Wes, and Cooper face off against hosts of warring angels and other mythical creatures, among which they must also count themselves. This is not mere escapist entertainment. Buried within the surrealistic scenes are gems of truth, and ferreting them out makes it worth the read.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was done in conjunction with Celeste and Amy at thebookhookup.com

The Story:
Ana: I read the whole book and I still don’t know what to believe. I followed the twists and turns with care, cringed as we met zombie-like creatures and picked a side in the love triangle…but I’m still not sure who to trust and I certainly don’t know what will happen next. This is a more mature book than what you’ll find in the Celestra series and it’s nice to go that little bit further with these characters. Even though this is a new series, it’s a bit like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes, I felt right at home. Addison’s writing style lured me in as it always does. She provides lots of detail, some mystery and fun characters…putting the reader right inside the story as usual.

Amy: Just like Addison’s Celestra series, Ephemeral is a fast paced adventure chalked full of unique plot twists and turns and plenty of romance.. There is never a lull in her stories. Never! I have to admit that in the beginning of the book, I felt a little bit overwhelmed with all the details. The Spectators, Counts, the different factions and all their powers and purposes and who’s good and who’s bad (OH MY!).. but, as the storyline progressed, details were explained and I loved it! I adore Addison’s writing style. I couldn’t put the book down.. She just has a way with words that immediately pulls her readers into the creative world she writes for us!

Celeste: 4.5 stars for me! I just adore Addison’s writing. She has a way of pulling me in and getting right into the head of the character. While the book was very long it was also chock full of action. The whole story flowed well and I was never trying to figure out the plot. That isn’t saying I wasn’t sure which way the twists and turns were going, and oh my there were so many!

The Main Characters:
Laken
Ana: She’s smart and funny. I love her witty thoughts and the fact that she’s willing to stand up for herself and those around her. And, although she swoons over Wes uncontrollably, she still manages to see his flaws and keep a (somewhat) clear head. Even though she’s in a very difficult situation and a world that is strange to her, she manages to make the best of it.

Amy: Laken is struggling to fit into her new environment. She sets out to find the truth and only wants to get her family back no matter how broken it was. She’s different. Smart and strong as well as very determined. I found myself rooting for her to make sense of the of the new world she has found herself apart of.

Celeste: I loved Laken and her inner dialogue. I wish I were that naturally funny. She is backed into a corner with the parallel universe and faux family she has just been given. She has no choice but to move ahead. However, since she is stuck in Ephemeral she still figures she may as well have fun too, so she jumps in with both feet to bask in all the attention from the love of her life, Wes.

Wes
Ana: Although he keeps trying to lure me in, I can’t fully trust him. He seems to keep too many secrets and, although he supports Laken, he only supports her based on his own ideas, wants and needs. I want to be wrong about his intentions, but I’m just so unsure at this point.

Amy: The chemistry between Laken and Wes is crazy intense! I wanted to love him, I really did, but something in the back kept holding me back. Things are not the same anymore and although he does care for Laken, Wes is secretive and seems to have ulterior motives. Like Ana said, I’m just not sure about him or his intentions at this point.

Celeste: Hmmmmm. *taps chin*. I’m not sure what exactly he knows, but I do know he honestly loves Laken. I’m excited for the next book!! In the meantime I couldn’t help but love all their seriously intense kissy time. RAWR.

Cooper
Ana: Loved him! Even after finishing the book, Coop is still a mystery. I don’t really know his intentions even though he seems to be honest with Laken. I’ve picked my team and Coop it is! I hope he is as nice as he seems and that Laken chooses him in the end.

Amy: Cooper snagged my attention from first mention.. He’s gorgeous, mysterious and genuinely cares and is concerned for Laken. His character is very well rounded and intriguing to say the least.. Laken’s heart may be torn between Wes and Cooper, but Coop won mine over and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these two in the next book.

Celeste: I’m sold!! RAWR again. His intentions are clear and his thoughts are just as dirty loving towards Laken. I need to know more about him and while I normally hate love triangles I absolutely can’t get enough of this one.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (i.e. the secondary characters)
Ana: The mean girls were awesomely mean, the creepy beings were extra creepy and foggy weather played such a big role in this book that it felt like a secondary character as well. I thought that Jen added some humor in her extremeness and that she was a nice juxtaposition to Laken.

Amy: Man.. these mean girl cheerleaders were out to wreak havoc! But, they were well placed in the storyline seeing as though the setting is a boarding type school. As for Jen, her character was a little obnoxious and she irritated me but she was comical at times. Addison does a fantastic job of filling her stories with a wide range of colorful and well developed and perfectly placed characters.

Celeste: The names were awesome! I have to say, at first I was trying to remember who was who and was like “Is Jax/Grayson/Fletch/Flynn a male or female???” Still, the cast was great and so many are totally superficial….or so we are led to believe. I think many of them play a larger role than we have been privy to so far.

The cover:
Ana: Love this cover. It’s gorgeous and if you pay attention, you’ll understand that it’s based on something that’s said in the book!

Amy: Absolutely beautiful.. I was drawn to it straightaway!

Celeste: Stunning! However, I missed how it ties into the book.

The end:
Ana: So many unanswered questions! So much mystery! We may think we know what direction the story is headed but, in reality, we’re probably wrong. Addison is very good at the twists and turns and adding the unexpected so we need to be prepared…because anything can and will happen in this series.

Amy: Omg! I’m dying for more! Bring on the next book! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Laken, Wes and Cooper.. Ephemeral is definitely a must read!

Celeste: Gah! So close again to a smexy scene answers. I think we haven’t even begun to uncover all the double crossing and I can’t wait for the next installment. Well done once again, Addison! You are amazing!!

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

So.... I hate Laken. That’s where I’m going to start. She’s the main character, someone that you should connect with and feel sympathy with. But I don’t. I actually hate her. I was getting into her in the first couple of chapters and then she just ruined it.

This constant pining that she has for her boyfriend Wes, and then the second she’s away from him she thinks about Cooper. It’s just ridiculous, and it’s the same dialogue over and over again to be honest. She says how she can’t be without Wes, he’s the love of her life etc. yet she has feelings for cooper who she barely knows. It’s just a crock of shit honestly.

As for the storyline, it took me a really long time to get into. And I still don’t understand it. I’m wondering if I’m even going to bother reading the rest of the series because I’m afraid it’s going to have more of the same drivel. It’s interesting, but it’s not explained and is complicated to follow. Other reviews have said book 2 is better but I don’t hold much hope

[Edrillan (vampire junkie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually like this book especially Laken's neverending wit but the thibg that puts ne off the most and the reason why i wont be going through wiyh readingthe book is.... Yep you know it! Laken's love triangle with the two boys. I mean she practically shove herself at Wes the first time they met, she definitely proclaim her everlasting love everytime they touch, then Cooper comed in and the snap! Its Cooper everwhere, its not that i hate Cooper i just felt like Laken was a meanie for doung that to Wes, and i know, i knoe Wes lookef like became the baddie at the third book (guilty! I skipped!) But it just felt like a big cop out to justify Lakens choice--which unsurprisingly is Cooper never saw that one coming! (Not!) So yeah! A pretty good story ruined by the love triangle for me.

[Jodie Downes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost caved and gave in with this book twice. I'm still not sure I did the right thing reading on... part of me wants to know how the story ends while another part of me really doesn't want to sit through another minute. It was ok. Characters that are annoying and un-relatable; a story that either isn't clear and doesn't make sense or so rushed and jumbled you don't know where you are with it; spelling/grammar/editing mistakes that aren't a big deal just annoying. I just wasn't that sold on this book

[D.L. Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable

I picked up this book on a whim, never heard of the author or the series, in fact I’m just barely beginning on a journey through paranormal romance. What I have read is a heck a ton of paranormal ick in different places. This, I am amazed to say, just displaced all of it. Thirsty for more doesn’t even begin to establish the joy I feel reading Addison Moore’s exquisite descriptions, her masterfully woven story line, and her brilliant handling of purpose driven characters. I’m hooked, no matter the cost I’m reading her whole catalog!

[Peyton Gorham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s just start off by saying that I love Addison Moore’s books. I enjoyed this book although, I think it ended kind of abruptly but I bought all three so it isn’t really a concern for me. While I know the Ephemeral Academy books can be read as a stand alone set I still would recommend reading the Celestra Series first. I feel like you will understand so much more of what is going on and the world being created for you by Moore if you read them first. I feel like since I did, I had a much better experience with the book. I am now working on the second one.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

She wakes up and everything is different. People who are supposed to be dead are alive. People she knows don't exist but there are people who say they know her. The biggest slam dunk is who she sees again. Can her heart take it. An awesome story that kept you guessing with more twist than the law allows from the revelations. What is she? why are they after her? How can she end this? Conspiracy of the highest order. Loads of action, intrigue and an interesting triangle.