Review: I NEED the second book in this series now please!!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 19, 2013
The cover pic (the leaf in the water) does not do this book justice.  Peacemaker was recommended to me (by amazon) and I chose not to purchase it because the cover made it look boring.  It was eventually recommended to me by a friend, so I purchased it.  It is definitely NOT boring.  This book was a roller-coaster... in a good way.  Sadness, depression, anger, frustration, possession, romance, self-doubt, evil and out-of body experiences - you name it-this book had it.  In the beginning, as the reader, you feel Maya's frustration with the vagueness of the story.  You (and Maya) want to know what the heck is going on and you want to know now!  Initially, I was irritated that Maya seemed to be going along with whatever decisions people she barely knew made for her while at the same time being upset that they were making those decisions because it didn't seem believable since she is such a head-strong character; but you come to understand that the actual decisions (in the beginning) aren't really her own.  Eventually Maya comes to understand that the people of the town are slowly easing her into realizing her own abilities and it appears as though she is tricked into the "cage" that is Shine.  I would describe this book as a kind of creepy paranormal romance.  In my opinion, it does not have the same romantic intensity as Twilight; Peacemaker is more of a suspense story with a little romance thrown in.  This is a book that teens and adults can both enjoy.  The reason I didn't give it the full 5-star rating is because I think it had the potential to be a bit more fast-paced by bringing Justin, Ben and Ryan into the mix much sooner and with more development.  I would've also liked to have learned more about the town of Shine and its history...that part seemed kind of jumbled up in the mix and forgettable.  I can see this book easily becoming a movie...I would LOVE to see the eerie town of Shine come to life.  And talk about a dramatic-leave you hanging-ending...I NEED the second book in this series now please!!!