Cover Love: Crystal Fire by Jordan Dane

So, I'm not head over heals for this cover but I do love how it goes so well with he first book.

Indigo Awakening was a great read for me and I can't wait for this one!

If you haven't read any of Jordan Dane's books I suggest you fix that right now!

Crystal Fire (Hunted #2)

Jordan Dane

November 26, 2013 from Harlequin Teen

Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.

A storm is brewing on the streets of LA, one that has intensified since a tragic and deadly confrontation claimed an innocent life.

While Gabriel Stewart trains his army of teen psychics to stop Alexander Reese—the obsessed leader of the Believers—the fanatical church becomes more bent on the annihilation of all Indigo and Crystal children. They're silencing the voices of the telepathic hive, one soul at a time, with frightening experiments cruelly executed on vulnerable minds.

When the Believers torture a mysterious homeless boy, Oliver Blue, they brainwash him into betraying his own. The boy becomes a deadly pawn to take Gabriel down. As the fires of chaos burn around him, Gabe is running out of time. He'll need to confront his past—and the man who made him—before the hope of peace for the future is silenced forever.

(from Goodreads)

Here are the 2 covers side by side -- love the colors!

Jordan Dane's YA Books:

In The Arms of Stone Angels (my review)
On A Dark Wing (my review)
Indigo Awakening (my review)

I've read Jordan's 3 YA books and I've been thinking of picking up one of her adult titles as well as I love her writing.

What about you?

Book Review: Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

"...the perfect blend of paranormal elements combined with true to life emotions."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2012
Pages: 304
Series: #1
Format: e-galley
Acquisition: received for review via NetGalley

Synopsis:

Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.

Voices told Lucas Darby to run. Voices no one else can hear. He’s warned his sister not to look for him, but Rayne refuses to let her troubled brother vanish on the streets of LA. In her desperate search, she meets Gabriel Stewart, a runaway with mysterious powers and far too many secrets. Rayne can’t explain her crazy need to trust the strange yet compelling boy—to touch him—to protect him even though he scares her.

A fanatical church secretly hunts psychic kids—gifted “Indigo” teens feared to be the next evolution of mankind—for reasons only “the Believers” know. Now Rayne’s only hope is Gabe, who is haunted by an awakening power—a force darker than either of them imagine—that could doom them all.

(from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
Loved it!

My Thoughts:
For me, Indigo Awakening was the perfect blend of paranormal elements combined with true to life emotions. Loosely based on the phenomenon of actual Indigo and Crystal children (seriously, look it up!), this story took me on a fast based emotional roller coaster of a ride with an ending I never could have imagined.

Along with thrills and conspiracies there is also a healthy dose of romance that I felt really drawn to.

I'm actually a little surprised at myself on this one. I absolutely loved how Gabe and Rayne interacted but I really shouldn't have seeing as their relationship was full on insta love! Seriously though - I couldn't get enough of the two of them. I never questioned their motivations and their interactions felt genuine.

This book moves along fast but at no time did I feel like I was missing something. Jordan does a fantastic job with character development. Even though I only spend a short amount of time with Gabe, Rayne , Lucas and the fascinating cast of supporting characters I felt like I really got to know them.

Will I continue the series?:
I love Jordan's writing so I'm eager to see where she takes her Indigo Awakening characters. With that said, I feel that this story also works well as a stand alone. There is a lot more story that can be told but no cliff hangers and no loose ends that need immediate attention. With that said - yes, absolutely I will be continuing the series.

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Hunted Series:
#1 Indigo Awakening
#2 Crystal Fire (2013)

Blog Tour: On A Dark Wing hosted by YA Bound

I am a huge fan of Jordan Dane's so I am supper excited to help get this blog tour started!

In my excitement over On A Dark Wing, I actually posted my review early, so, sorry if this is the second time you're seeing it!

The tour runs from today, December 19th until January 2nd - with over 40 blogs participating!

Ten of these blogs will be hosting giveaways for copies of On a Dark Wing with winners being announced on a live chat with Jordan Dane on January 5 at 7pm EDT.

Also - Jordan is giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky person!!

Visit YA Bound for all the details :)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 384
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

"The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.

And Death would be my willing teacher."

Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.

Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. (from Goodreads)

I was: Captivated by the exploration of the human capacity for love and it's effect on Death himself.

My thoughts:
On A Dark Wing plays out pretty much the way it's synopsis reads however, I suspect, that like me, you'll be surprised and fascinated with the depth and emotion of this story. I wasn't sure what to think going into it. Stories around Death as a main character are usually really great or really bad for me. I guess I have my own notions on how Death should be portrayed. I was more then happy to realize that Jordan must have gotten into my head at some point because her Death? Pretty much spot on.

Loved Tanner! He is sweet and genuine and he really would do anything for Abby and sure, he might be a tad unrealistic but that's what I love about him. More boys (in books and real life) should act like him!

It took me a little while to warm up to Abby. I couldn't believe some of the things she did, or thought. I guess some of it could be classified as typical teenage behavior but sometimes I really wanted to yell at her. She does figure it all out though - and I don't know if I would have been able to do that.

Final verdict:
On A Dark Wing was a unique read for me. I love paranormal tales but sometimes they can be a bit heavy. The elements of the fantastic in this book were realistic to me. No complicated 'you aren't what you think you are' revelations. Death is a constant in everyone's life and whether you view it has a concept or as conscience being, it isn't too far fetched to believe that depth of human emotion could have an effect on 'him'.

My second Jordan Dane book, and defiantly not my last.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 384
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

"The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.

And Death would be my willing teacher."

Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.

Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. (from Goodreads)

I was: Captivated by the exploration of the human capacity for love and it's effect on Death himself.

My thoughts:
On A Dark Wing plays out pretty much the way it's synopsis reads however, I suspect, that like me, you'll be surprised and fascinated with the depth and emotion of this story. I wasn't sure what to think going into it. Stories around Death as a main character are usually really great or really bad for me. I guess I have my own notions on how Death should be portrayed. I was more then happy to realize that Jordan must have gotten into my head at some point because her Death? Pretty much spot on.

Loved Tanner! He is sweet and genuine and he really would do anything for Abby and sure, he might be a tad unrealistic but that's what I love about him. More boys (in books and real life) should act like him!

It took me a little while to warm up to Abby. I couldn't believe some of the things she did, or thought. I guess some of it could be classified as typical teenage behavior but sometimes I really wanted to yell at her. She does figure it all out though - and I don't know if I would have been able to do that.

Final verdict:
On A Dark Wing was a unique read for me. I love paranormal tales but sometimes they can be a bit heavy. The elements of the fantastic in this book were realistic to me. No complicated 'you aren't what you think you are' revelations. Death is a constant in everyone's life and whether you view it has a concept or as conscience being, it isn't too far fetched to believe that depth of human emotion could have an effect on 'him'.

My second Jordan Dane book, and defiantly not my last.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
Pages: 320
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret--a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. Was it a paranormal mystery? A coming of age teen story? A romance? Well turns out, it was a little bit of all of these...and much more!

At times, the pure injustice of the story was really hard for me to read. The fact that no one seems to care about White Bird or what happens to him. The fact that Brenna and her mother are seen the  town pariahs and the sheriff made up his mind about them a long time ago. These things got to me. I wanted to yell and scream! People jump to conclusions and a few horrific things happen to the characters and as a reader, there was nothing I could do. I wanted to help! That's how invested I was!

But, with all this injustice, AND the horrible things that happened to Brenna, her mother and White Bird...the way it's all resolved? I have to say, it was weak. A few words and half hearted actions and poof! Everything is right with the world. I mean, really? Even the good but extremely bigoted 'bad' guy came out clean in the end. And the bullies? The ones who traumatized Brenna? "Oops! We hated her for all the right reasons - it's all good now though, right?" For me? No, no it's not.  More complex then that of course but I don't want to give too much away.

For the first half of the book I was mad at the injustice thrown at Brenna and White Bird and for the last part of the book I was mad at Brenna and White Bird for not seeking out more justice for themselves.

So, not a perfect read for me. I had some anger issues and Brenna's 'gift' seamed a little out of place to me - like it didn't really need to be there. But, the friendship / relationship that Brenna and White Bird have - it was so sweet and it felt very natural and I fell in love with them both! Even if they pissed me off a little.

AND! The fact that this book made me so mad - made me want to reach through the pages and either slap or hug a character (maybe both at the same time) -- THAT’S what made this book awesome!

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin
Author's Website
Goodreads