Review: (Wicked Readings) A Great Read.. Highly recommended
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 9, 2012
Spectral was an exciting read from the beginning to end. I was drawn in after only a few pages, and didn't put the book down until I was finished. This story really had me turning the pages. It's really hard to believe that this is the author's debut novel. I would have thought after reading this story that she has always been a writer.Jewel Rose is your typical 16 year old teenager, but her problems sure aren't typical. She has spent her whole life on the run living as Gypsy's believing her family is in the witness protection program. All she longs for is a normal life for her, and her little brother Jayden, but she doesn't see that happening anytime soon. It's not safe for her and her family, and all of a sudden they are forced to move again.This move is a little harder for Jewel, she had just started to make real friends at her school. Her seventeenth birthday is coming up in a month, and that's the day that all is to be revealed. Jewel wants to know what it is that her family is involved in, that has caused their life to be like it is. She never gets real answers from her parents, they are always vague. The one thing her parents always drill in her is 1. Don't forget your new name, 2. Never show your strange birthmark to anyone, it's to identifying. Jewel is tired of all the secrecy, and sets out to get answers on her own.Upon entering her new school, Jewel meets two people right away Trish, and Chase. They are both friendly to her, and she is grateful. She is instantly attracted to the jock Chase, and he likes her too. Then she meets Roman, and she is instantly drawn to him as well. He is new to town like her, and has a air of mystery that she can't resist. Jewel is confused about her attraction to Roman, and in the beginning can't decide which one she wants more.Roman is sweet, and protective of her. He finally admits to Jewel that he knows who she is, what she is, and that he was sent to protect her. At first it freaks her out, but the more she gets to know him, the more she trust him. This sends Jewel on a journey of discovery, about who she is , what she is, and what the consequences will be if she doesn't discover the whole truth.After doing a little eavesdropping, and research, Jewel discovers that she is a Spectral. A special kind of witch, and that is the reason her life is in danger. Worse she discovers Roman hasn't exactly been honest with her, and she's running out of people she can trust. Jewel realizes that she has to be strong, and her journey of discovery will take her from the warm shores of Florida, to the Kremlin in Russia, and finally the heart of Venice, Italy. Will Jewel live to see her seventeenth birthday, and the truth revealed? Read Spectral and find out.I'm at a loss of words to explain how much I enjoyed this book. Was it wonderful? Brilliant? Exciting? All of the above? Yes, yes it was! This story drew me in completely after only a few pages, I didn't want to put it down, and finished it in one sitting. The author did an amazing job with the world building, and I loved the new take on witches. I don't really read witch stories, or YA that much,  but I have to say I'm starting to love it.You see Jewel grow so much in this story, she grows from this naive teenage girl, to this strong confident young adult. I love the chemistry between her, and Roman. I thought they were great together, and was rooting for them the whole time. The romance was sweet, and genuine in my eyes. I liked Chase as a character, and good friend, but I just couldn't see him with Jewel. This story did take me on a emotional roller coaster though. Some of the revelations were heart stopping, and some of the twist in the story I didn't see coming at all.I also loved the relationship between Jewel, and her little brother Jayden. It was so cute, and sweet. I felt like the love, affection, and protectiveness was completely genuine. When I finished this book, I had a big goofy grin on my face, and was very pleased with the ending, and the general outcome of the book. I had no lingering questions, and was just happy about how the events unfolded.I would definitely recommend Spectral to anyone who wants to be swept away inside an exciting, thrilling page turner. I would even recommend it to people who don't normally read YA. That's how much I enjoyed it.*****5STARS!