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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Blog Tour Review ~ SPECTRAL by Shannon Duffy


Summary: Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe — the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along. As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.

My Thoughts: SPECTRAL was a page-turning book. I wanted to keep getting back to it so I could find out what happens next. Which boy will she pick? Who's going to double-cross her now? What new power will the next witch have?

As you get from the summary, Jewel has been moving around her whole life, but she's got a loving family (including a little brother, whom she adores).  In her most recent move, Jewel finally finds a friend instead of being treated like the new-kid outcast.  She also attracts the attention of a hot local and the dark-haired, new boy musician.  As Jewel's 17th birthday approaches, things finally seem to be looking up for her.

But all of that unravels very quickly when she discovers who and what she really is.  The truth brings with it dangerous secrets and leaves Jewel wondering who she can trust.  In the end, we're taken on an International hunt for the coven of witches Jewel really belongs with, forced to make a heart-wrenching choice between the boys, and taken along on an epic battle full of super-hero like powers.

All-in-all, this was a very satisfying book, meant for a slightly more mature YA audience in my opinion (there's some descriptive kissing scenes and death). I enjoyed Ms. Duffy's writing style.  It was easy to get into and had a nice flow.  Jewel was a very likable character - self-effacing and clever. She had this line about her cheeks blushing in their usual dork splendor -- I loved it!

Bottom line: I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of Ms. Duffy's books.

I received a free e-copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.  This in no way influenced my opinion of the novel.

Shannon Duffy's Bio: Shannon Duffy writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada and now lives in Ontario, Canada. She is the mom of one boy, Gabriel, her angel. She loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions-shopping. She is the author of the young adult paranormal romance, SPECTRAL. Her upcoming middle grade fantasy novel, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is scheduled for a January 2013 release.

To get your copy of SPECTRAL, check out these locations:

Kindle - $2.99
Nook - $4.95


iBookstore - $4.99
Coming Soon


Google - $3.79
Smashwords - $4.99


PDF - $4.95


And for more links to the author and/or Tribute Books, check out these links:
Spectral web site:
http://spectralwitch.blogspot.com/
  
Spectral 
Twitter hashtag:
#Spectral

Spectral GoodReads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13319632-spectral

Shannon Duffy's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001969007586
Shannon Duffy's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/ShannonDuffyLit
Shannon Duffy's Website:
http://www.shannonduffylit.com/
Shannon Duffy's Blog:
http://1fantasyfairy.blogspot.com/
Shannon Duffy's GoodReads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873156.Shannon_Duffy

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com


Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176


Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks


Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
  

2 comments:

Beth said...

Sounds awesome.

Tribute Books said...

Jessie, thanks for the review! :)

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