Review: Volition by Lily Paradis

Release date: February 6th 2015
Publisher: Empire Books
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that stays with you, then tears you apart slowly at first, and all at once shreds every fiber of your being? 

It’s because you’re contradicting the universe. 

Everything lines up so perfectly that you couldn’t have imagined it to work out better, but then you have to go and do everything humanly possible to ruin it because you can’t stand to have it go right? 

That’s what I did. 

I did it because there’s a darkness that surrounds me, and I think I want it there. 

My name is Tate McKenna, and my soul is blacker than my heart.

*Purchased the Kindle Book

I fell in love with Lily's exceptional writing in her debut, Ignite, and that feeling is carried over in Volition. I'm finding it hard to put my emotions into words so I can properly explain my thoughts on the story, but trust me it's hard. I feel like no words will ever truly interpret the awesomeness of this book. 

For one thing, Tate is like no other female protagonist. Everything about her character is so different from all the girls I'd read about before. I mean, to say she's flawed is an understatement. This young woman gives new meaning to the word. She's definitely an interesting character that will drive you nuts and make you weep, and at the same time make you laugh. I liked her personality and how imperfect she was. I could connect and relate with her intensity, and at times wanted to slap her for her behavior and the way she reacted to certain things. But that's just it, Tate is the kind of character that grabs at your emotions and pulls you into the story. So in a sense, she's perfect because she got my attention and held it.

I liked the overall plot and how Lily gave us Tate in the past and present. I felt like I got to know the main character on a personal level because the author alternated between time, and that also helped shed some light on Tate's feelings for one guy in particular. It gave more of an understanding, in my opinion, and I wasn't upset with her for feeling that way about one while falling for another, even if it wasn't intended.

Speaking of falling, I liked Hayden's character. Aside from being swoon-worthy and charming in many areas, he was quite the understanding and patient one. I mean, not many guys could accept a woman who believed her soul would forever be connected to someone else and still want to be with that woman. It's just a lot to handle, and Tate is a lot to handle. But Hayden stuck by her and showed her that she doesn't have to be afraid of trusting him, love, and finally taking the risk of allowing herself to feel happiness. Their meeting was not random either and I liked how in the end the author showed that. My heart bubbled when I read that part.

There were other impactful characters in the story, from Tate's best friends Catherine and Colin, to her very witchy grandmother and that one person she just couldn't escape from, Jesse. While I don't want to get into those characters too much for fear I'll give away a lot, I can say that I liked their presence in the story and how valuable they were. They weren't the kind of characters that were just fillers. They mattered, and they helped the reader understand Tate better.

In conclusion, great story. Interesting concept and fantastic writing. I liked every side of Tate. I could easily sympathize with her and liked how raw her emotions were. The way she handled losing her parents, growing up defiant, and sticking to what she believed in--wonderfully done. The story felt so real, like I was living Tate's life. I just can't explain enough how much I enjoyed the book. Good job, Lily. I look forward to reading more of your work. 

About the Author

Lily lives with her family and loves reading, running, and hiking. Although she's a Colorado native, New York City is her favorite place in the world and fosters her borderline unhealthy obsession with the Empire State Building and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ignite is her debut novel.

www.lilyparadis.com 

facebook.com/LilyParadis 

twitter.com/lilyparadis

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Review: Ignite by Lily Paradis

Release date: August 26th 2014
Publisher: Empire Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. She’s used to living life for one person: herself. That is, until another family tragedy thrusts three children into her care and uproots her life in ways she could never imagine. 

Lauren's first instinct is to run, until she meets their striking, mysterious neighbor Dean Powell. Their immediate chemistry and his connection with her late father just might be enough to keep her in town long enough to uncover pieces of her past that she never had answers to. Dean’s shady past and her reluctance to trust him could cost her the life she's always been searching for, but will she run back to her old life? 

Or will she choose to stay and live the life her father always imagined for her?

*Purchased ebook via Amazon

I liked this story. The characters were interesting. The situation was unusual, but that makes it intriguing because things like that do happen. Ignite is definitely a solid debut by a wonderful author, and from here on one can only expect greater to come. 

The best part about the story was getting to know Lauren, and seeing how she coped with being thrown into a position where she had to take care of her father's stepchildren. I mean, she didn't even have a relationship with their mother so I was really nervous for her. But as the story progressed I developed a sense of the kind of person Lauren was. She has a good heart, she gets flustered and confused, unsure of herself and what her next step should be, and even though she's been through a lot herself (being neglected by her mother and losing her father), she made the decision to set aside her own issues to help these kids. I liked how clumsy and flawed she was. That's rare to find in books.

Lauren's attraction to Dean was only natural, since they had met before and he was a swoon worthy guy. Not to mention they had an invisible bond between them that stemmed from a shared sense of loss and pain. So of course their relationship would bloom in such a fast and intense way, and I enjoyed the angst and longing on both sides. I look forward to getting to know a lot more about Dean in the follow-up, Arclight. 

I don't know how to express my thoughts on Ignite without spoiling this book, really. I found several scenes funny, emotional, and relatable. The characters were all interesting in their own way, especially the kids. Emma was cute, and I liked the twist towards the end (though I suspected it more). Everyone worked out nicely. It's a good story that's nothing like a lot of the borderline erotic NA's that are being released, so don't steer away from this one because of the genre it falls in. It's something anyone can read and enjoy and I do recommend you give Ignite a try. Can't wait for the sequel.

About the Author

Lily is 22 and recently graduated from the University of Colorado where she earned a degree in English Literature. She lives with her family and loves reading, running, and hiking. Although she’s a Colorado native, New York City is her favorite place in the world and fosters her borderline unhealthy obsession with the Empire State Building and F. Scott Fitzgerald. IGNITE is her debut novel.

www.lilyparadis.com

@LilyParadis