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quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
two and a half really, because the serial-killer-want-to-come-kill-calla plot seemed a bit forced and melodramatic. and yet, i am feeling nice. and, i'm quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and that has to count for a lot.
eupomene's review against another edition
3.0
Just as I was getting into this it ended, very abruptly. You might want to have the next one on hand. Of course, the next one isn't out yet!
The author also writes as Wendy Markham, and I've just recently read her book Slightly Single, which I reviewed elsewhere here. I didn't care too much for her writing style in this one; she wrote a lot of it in present tense and I find that annoying for some reason. Lily Dale is a real place, though, so it was fun to learn about that. I'm not a proponent of Spiritualism but it's still fascinating.
If I remember to look for the next one I'll read it, just to see what happens.
The author also writes as Wendy Markham, and I've just recently read her book Slightly Single, which I reviewed elsewhere here. I didn't care too much for her writing style in this one; she wrote a lot of it in present tense and I find that annoying for some reason. Lily Dale is a real place, though, so it was fun to learn about that. I'm not a proponent of Spiritualism but it's still fascinating.
If I remember to look for the next one I'll read it, just to see what happens.
zombiemom54's review against another edition
4.0
So this book was really interesting. It wasn't very long and seems like more of an introduction to the main character Calla. A lot of info and not a lot of action but it leaves you wanting more.In a good way. The characters relationships are gripping right of the bat.I can't wait to read the next one.
zombiemom54's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good as the others. Sorry to see the series end.
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable story with well drawn realistic characters. No one is all good or all bad. For example Calla's ex-boyfriend Kevin dumped her by text for a girl he met in college but you can see he still cares about her. And Calla's behaviour and feelings about Kevin are realistic. She his hurt and heartbroken and wants to avoid him which is natural but she also struggles with not being over him and remembering the good times. And Calla & Blue's interaction (one of the hot guys in Lily Dale where she moves in with her grandmother after her mother's death) is realistic too. She wants him to ask her out because he is good looking, he is probably interested because she is pretty and new in town. Neither of them are madly in love with the other - it is all very casual they go out a couple of times and have fun. The main problem with this this book was the abrupt finish before the story was complete. The story arc with her mother is obviously intended to span the series (4 books) but the book would have felt more complete and finished if the storyline about Kaitlyn was concluded in this book instead of the next. Having read both it feels like books 1 and 2 were written as one story then randomly split in half. Don't let that put you off reading it though - just make sure you have both Awakwning and Believing beofer you start reading.
erine277's review
3.0
This was a fun book to read because it took place in Lily Dale. Since my brother went to school near there, I knew a lot of places mentioned in the book. I've never been to Lily Dale, but it would be an interesting place to visit I'm sure.
labraden's review
4.0
When Calla's mother dies, she goes to live with her grandmother in the town of Lily Dale. Calla doesn't understand the strange people who inhabit Lily Dale until her grandmother confesses that Lily Dale is the home of psychics and other mystics and that she is one of them. Calla thinks her grandmother has gone off the deep end until strange things begin to happen. Calla starts to wonder if she might be psychic just like her grandmother. She begins to question the life she lived with her mother and consider that her mother may have lied to her about much of her past. This is the first book of the Lily Dale series. I picked this book up in the clearance section of at Half Price Books and quickly realized what a bargain I had gotten. This is a wonderful book with a little bit of danger, romance, and adventure all rolled into one exciting book.
rayne's review
3.0
I really got into this book. Writing style was easy to follow and the story line basic but moved along - just not as quickly as I would like. I do realise it is the first book in a series - so hopefully the story develops more in the next instalment. The characters are likeable and I am curious to see where this is going...
jillybean1242's review
1.0
This book was so boring and weird that I just had to stop reading it. Enough said.
kinderny's review
3.0
I debated in writing this review tell the really good part first or the really bad? I opted to go with the positive. A teen paranormal suspense series does not sound like my kind of title. However, I was engrossed by the story and the writing- even staying up late to finish (and regretting it the next day at work). The book takes place primarily in Lily Dale, a real place in upstate NY that is the home of spiritualism. After Calla’s mother dies, she ends up in Lily Dale with her grandmother while her father finds them a place to live. Calla finds out that in this place her grandmother’s clairvoyant gifts (which she never knew about before) are accepted, in fact are quite common among the residents. She at first rejects the paranormal incidents but over time recognizes that she shares them. There is a fair bit of teen angst in the “does he like me?” or “why doesn’t he like me” vein. Some of the plot turnings are predictable, but the author handles the plot like a pro striptease- showing a little leg, pulling back, then a shoulder, then covering up. Keeps the reader engaged.
Now for the bad- this is half of a book. That stinks. I understand that this is the beginning of a series but it is unfair that there is no real resolution of the primary mystery/story line. Sure we know that Calla wants to make contact with her Mom, the author can delay that to another book. But whether her mother was murdered and why her mother and grandmother became estranged deserves to be resolved. If I had read this when I was younger I would boycott the rest of the series because of the lack of resolution for critical story arcs. Even in Harry Potter, the primary crisis is addressed in each book (except maybe 6 and 7). The negative makes me hesitant to recommend what is otherwise a very good early teen read.
Now for the bad- this is half of a book. That stinks. I understand that this is the beginning of a series but it is unfair that there is no real resolution of the primary mystery/story line. Sure we know that Calla wants to make contact with her Mom, the author can delay that to another book. But whether her mother was murdered and why her mother and grandmother became estranged deserves to be resolved. If I had read this when I was younger I would boycott the rest of the series because of the lack of resolution for critical story arcs. Even in Harry Potter, the primary crisis is addressed in each book (except maybe 6 and 7). The negative makes me hesitant to recommend what is otherwise a very good early teen read.