Feature and Follow #36

This is a weekly blog hop hosted by the wonderful Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Today's question is:

Q: Write a letter to your favorite character. Rant, rave or gush…just pretend like they are real and you just want to let them know a "few things". - Activity courtesy of author, Kelly Walker.

Dear Varen,

I DID NOT appreciate what you did to Isobel in Enshadowed. She fought so hard to get to you and because of some jealousy issues you acted irrationally. I like you but in that very moment I wanted to slap the living daylights out of you. Snap out of your funk and at least try and find a way back to the real world because I'm positive there are signs to tell you that you're not dead. I mean, duh. Your enemies wouldn't be working overtime trying to prevent Isobel from reaching you or OD on trying to convince you she's over you. I know you're a dark character from the getgo but it's getting a little draggy now. 

I just wanted to rant a bit but hopefully you'll remind me in the third book just why I have the hots for you to begin with. If not, I'm going to have to give all my attention to Marcus from Pretty in Black and stop splitting my love between the two of you. 

Yours truly (if you impress me again in book 3)

-Shane

LOL!! Great topic this week. Who did you write your letter to? 

Feature and Follow #34

This is a weekly blog hop hosted by the wonderful Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Today's question is:

Q: What is the last book that kept you up late into the night just to finish it?

That's easy cause I have two answers for this one. I stayed up till sunrise in order to finish the first three books in Rae Hachton's Pretty in Black series, and I did the same for Kelly Creagh's Nevermore and Enshadowed. Both series have a lot to do with dark, Gothic romance and I love such concepts, so of course I would stay up late just to finish reading them because my obsession is beyond intense :)

 

How about you?

Review: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) 
by Kelly Creagh
Hardback, 429
Released: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository
Synopsis via Goodreads:

True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.

But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.

When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

~Review~

Absolutely incredible writing that continues to impress. Enshadowed is hauntingly addictive, emotional, and well balanced. This tortured romance remains as passionate as the beginning. And I'm quite certain even Kelly Creagh is as taken aback as her devoted readers, me being one of them. 

Where do I begin? I can't find the words to convey just how much I love this series and have been waiting impatiently for the second book. Now that I've gotten the chance to devour the pages I'd have to say that my love is still strong, and just as strong as the love shared between the two main characters I've grown to love so much, Isobel and Varen. 

Everyone is still pretty much confused by Varen's disappearance, and eyes continue to scowl at the last person who saw him. It's difficult going on but Isobel does her best to convince her family and friends she's stable until she can find a way to reach the love of her life. Though, I must admit I hadn't seen much growth in Isobel's character, nor in the presence of others including her parents, Gwen, or any other character in the book. But I think it's understandable being that the situation doesn't give room for growth. 

Isobel is focused on one mission and one mission only, to find Varen and keep her promise. Kelly spent the majority of the book unraveling details regarding the dark forces from past to present and I must admit I like how good she throws Poe in the mix and how everything just intertwines perfectly. She also dives into Isobel's behavior and her internal suffering. She's barely hanging on; and who can blame her when the slightest hope turns futile at every turn. Yes, the story is truly sad. And gets even sadder towards the end I must say. But in every moment the lovebirds get to have each other, suddenly it seems not all that depressing but rather sweet.

Enshadowed may not be as great as the first, based on the fact that Varen hardly makes an appearance and the storyline seemed too transfixed on Isobel's heartache in being separated from him. However, the impeccable descriptions and imaginative settings can make up for the absence, a bit. Not to mention the ending, which wasn't an ending of course, but was indeed mind blowing. Once more, I've enjoyed this Gothic romance and am now back to insanely anticipating the next.

Waiting on Wednesday #8

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spines. I'm currently using the Xpresso reads edition because I like it. Check out my WoW for this week:

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)

by Kelly Creagh

Hardcover, 560 pages

Expected publication: August 28th 2012 

Publisher: Atheneum Books

Synopsis via Goodreads:

True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.

While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.

     But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.

     When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

I don't think I could stress enough on how much I love the story of Varen and Isobel. I absolutely can't wait until book two reaches my hands.

What are you waiting on?

Feature and Follow 7/20

This is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read in which bloggers can meet new bloggers and gain new followers at the same time. Awesome isn't it? Check out this week's question:

Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

 

I'd definitely purchase Susan Dennard's Something Strange & Deadly, and Kelly Creagh's Enshadowed (Nevermore #2). Those are the two books that have me in a frenzy these days. 

How about you?

Feature & Follow 6/15

Feature & Follow is a weekly meme host by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This week's question is:

Q: Happy Father’s Day! Who is your favorite dad character in a book and why?

 

My answer would have to be Isobel's dad in Nevermore. I know, I know. I'm completely obsessed with this book but whatever. Isobel's dad is awesome! And unlike all the other YA dads who are either dead, absent, or straight up terrible. Mr. Lanley is ever present in his daughter's life. I absolutely love what he did towards the end of the story. He's so supportive. Not a lot of fathers are like that in these novels.

Which YA dad did you pick?

Blurb: 'Enshadowed' (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)

by Kelly Creagh

Hardcover, 429 pages

Expected publication: August 28th 2012 by Atheneum

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.

Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.

Only the Poe Tosater holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent.

About the Author:

As a child, Kelly would hold elaborate one-kid plays for patient relatives, complete with song, dance, and over-the-top melodramatics. Then, whenever Mom or Grandma called for a break, she would venture outside to slay dragons, run from make-believe ghosts and create magical feasts for fairies out of mud and pinecones.

Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Today, she finds true joy in transcribing her dramatic daydreams onto the stage of the blank page. When not writing or curled up with a good book, Kelly can be found teaching, learning and performing the ancient art of Bellydance.