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Growing up in a small suburb of St. Louis, sixteen-year-old Jim Blest has always known that he’s different. But he never thought he’d find someone else like him until the beautiful and mysterious Claire Morgan moves to town. When they kiss for the first time, the force of it is earth-shattering—literally. And then everything Jim has ever known suddenly changes.

As it turns out, Claire isn’t like him. He is an angel, and she’s a demon.

At a school where ancient enemies live among humans in a wary truce, Jim and Claire fight to be together against impossible odds. But a timeless war looms on the horizon, and they stand on opposing sides . . .

From debut author Blaise Lucey comes a breathtaking and action-packed story of heartache, sacrifice, and forbidden love.

My review
'An engaging  paranormal romance that has the thrill of Cassandra claire's  the mortal instruments. Fantastic. I think that a sequel is definitely in order. On a scale of 1 to 10  I would give it a 7.'

Blest was a quick and enjoyable read. The author truly captured the difficulty of making ones way through the cliques of its school, made even more challenging by throwing in the supernatural. Though some things never change. The angles and demons irrationally hate each other and the pain of rejection leads to terrible decisions and horrific consequences. Jim and Claire have to deal with so many obstacles, and I look forward to seeing how they fare in the follow - up, against new enemies. I am a bit disappointed in their relationships with their parents. Jim and his Dad, which is only superficially addressed, Claire, Gunnar and both of their parents, even Sydney and her mother. There is so much underlying those relationships and I felt like there were many unanswered questions. But the action leading into the end was fast paced and tense. And the connection between the two main characters was undeniable. Well done for a debut novel - another reviewer

Description
I knew I was in Australia when I noticed all the legs — men’s legs! I never thought there could be so many variations: short, long, muscled, knobbly-kneed.

Then there were the hairy ones …

Jaime Richards has spent most of her life in Pakistan and returning to Australia seems like another planet compared to the country she has left behind. Here in Australia, boys try to kiss her, men wear shorts and everyone says 'cool' all the time. How will she ever know the right things to say or do or wear? After all, this is meant to be her own culture.

This is a story of living beyond borders, and discovering the gift of adapting to new cultures, especially one’s own.

The book was interesting to read from the poing of view of a pakistani and my review could be a little biased because of my nationality. Engaging and interesting.still being a pakistani i could see that the author is not up to date on what is going on.the nose pin or head covering or whipping are a thing of the past when zia ul haq ruled.the current circumstances are a lot different and anyone living in pakistan or aware of it would see through these things.the book was beautifully written and i specially liked the story about suneel. However to someone who doesn't know the real Pakistan and therefore mull ovet the contaversies in the book, it could be an interesting read.

One night, Lucy's angry stepfather takes eight-year-old Lucy from the little room she has been locked away in for years, puts her in the backseat of his van, and leaves her in a remote English wood. Lucy has learned to read in her room years, and her only knowledge of nature comes from books. When she experiences the miraculous outdoors directly, she is full of wonder at the beauty and life all around her. Most of all, she is relieved to be free of her stepfather. Lucy discovers freedom, magic, and an extraordinary friendship, her first ever, with a surprise visitor, nine-year-old Will, who, bewitched by her wild eyes, long black hair and strange speech, brings her live chickens to give her eggs, food daily, and a recorder to imitate the wood's sounds. Lucy feels safe and at home for the first time, sleeping inside grandpa tree's hollow trunk, and playing woodland music during the day that puts a spell on all who hear it. Lucy's greatest fear is that she will be found. But the police do eventually capture her and take her to an orphanage run by strict nuns where the bullying and fascination for toys and television seem strange to Lucy who sees this man-made world as another prison, cut off from outdoor miracles. She eventually manages to escape back to the woods where she and Will, inside grandpa tree, experience magical guidance on how to continue their journey. Book 2 will be: Lucy and the Forest School of Wonder. Advance Praise Lucy’s step-father didn’t like her. In fact, he called her Nuisance. Never Lucy, just Nuisance. He even locked her in her bedroom, not allowing her outside. It was like a prison. So when her step-father took her deep into the woods and left her there, Lucy felt like she had just been set free. Just like the trees and the meadow full of wildflowers, even the fresh running brook – Lucy was now free. She was no longer afraid because she knew that the woods would take care of her. And it did, as did Will, a boy just little older than Lucy, who befriended her and brought her much needed supplies of food. All was well in Lucy’s world until others discovered that she was living alone in the woods. The police came and took her away. They tried to convince her that it was for her own good. The woods was not a safe place, or so they said. But Lucy knew better. And so did Will. When Lucy was trapped in an orphanage, Will found her and helped her realize that she, Lucy, the Wild Child as he called her, needed the woods as much as the woods needed her. This story is absolutely beautifully written, tender and compassionate. I haven’t read such a touching story since my mother gave me a copy of Gene Stratton-Porter’s A Girl of the Limberlost. Christina M. Pagès’ Lucy in Her Secret Wood is a real classic, a story that gently opens the reader’s eyes to the powerful connection between humans and nature, as well as the power of music that is like a delicate web that intertwines between all of life. Powerful and unforgettable. Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite - FIVE STARS “Lucy In her Secret Wood is a beautiful tale, charming and poignant, reminiscent of classical children’s literature that transport us to magical realms.” Mark Bomback, Screen Writer: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Race to Witch Mountain “Lucy calls us all into the woodlands. Through her eyes, and her mother’s voice, we leave behind our tiny windows and see through her wide window, renewing our connection to Mother Earth.” Susan Squellati Florence Susanflorence.com, Author: Let Happiness be Yours A Stunning Absence “Lucy’s release into nature brings her a nurturing web of relationships. This is a story of vital interconnections, all illuminated by a memorable girl.” Charlene Spretnak Author: Relational Reality, Co-Founder of the U.S. Green Party Movement “I, too, was "locked away" in a small corporate office. But when I moved into a remote cabin, my world became endless skies and stars, Dreams filling my nights led me to my passion and a new career of sculpting wildlife friends. This wonderful story for all ages encourages us to follow our dreams.” Bud Bottoms, Sculptor, Author: Kid Ethics: From A to Z. Grandmother Mountain “Pages’s magical story will give all ages a joyful connection with nature.” Robin Gerber, Author: Barbie and Ruth.

On a scale of 1 to 5 this one is definitely a six . Descriptive,imaginative and soul fulfilling. I loved it. And I  already want to read the sequel. The characters  are just so carefully crafted you feel like you are experiencing the story.

This story is absolutely beautifully written, tender and compassionate story. Lucy in Her Secret Wood” is a real classic, a story that gently opens the reader’s eyes to the powerful connection between humans and nature as well as the power of music that is like a delicate web that intertwines between all of life. Powerful and unforgettable.-another reviewer

Seventeen-year-old Crystal White is the new girl on Starfish Island. Dragged to the remote community by her environmental activist father, she is eager to find fun that doesn’t involve touching fish guts or listening to local folklore. During a midnight swim with some new friends, Crystal is pulled out to sea by the waves. Convinced she’s going to drown, Crystal is rescued by Llyr, a handsome stranger. As she searches for him in the following weeks, she finds there may be more truth to the Starfish legends than she thought. Over a sizzling roller-coaster summer, Llyr introduces Crystal to magic she’d only ever dreamed of. But as Crystal comes to love Starfish Island, it begins to drive her family apart. A nearby power plant is devastating local marine life, and her parents are stuck in the middle. As the magic and mundane parts of Crystal’s life converge, she finds herself risking everything to save Llyr, her family, and herself.

Well,well,well . On  a scale of 1 to 10 this book is definitely an 8. The  combination of the 'mermance' as the book itself quotes between crystal and llyr and the engaging and colourful scenic description throughout the book kept me hooked up. A paranormal young adult romance novel with a fresh idea.

* I received this book in exchange for a honest review from the publisher though, that doesn't effect my review of the book in any way.