Review: "Turned at Dark" by C.C. Hunter

"Turned at Dark" (Shadow Falls, #0.5) 

by C.C. Hunter 

Genre: Paranormal/Vampires

Reading Grade: Young Adult (short story)

Publication Date: March 15, 2011

Source: Kindle store (freebie)

Age Rating: 15+

| Amazon |

Independent and strong-willed Della Tsang hadn’t believed in ghosts until she saw her dead cousin darting into the shadows of an alley. She hadn’t believed in vampires until in the dark of that same night she is turned into one. Introduced to a strange world of supernaturals, she struggles to accept this new reality. Unfortunately, the boy she loves senses something different about her and can’t accept her. Should she follow her vampire cousin’s lead–walk away from everything she’s knows and loves—and fake her own death? Or should she set her pride aside and ask for help from the camp leader of Shadow Falls—a camp where supernaturals go to learn how to cope with their powers. Either way, her life as she knows it, will never be the same.

My Review

This is a prequel short story to the Shadow Falls novel series, starring Della Tsang, who is the roommate of the title character in the series, Kylie Galen. This is the story of how this friend was changed from a normal half-Chinese-half-Caucasian teenager into a vampire. As far as these prequels go, I thought it was pretty good. It's a decent length, and most of my Kindle file was the actual short story, not the preview for Born at Midnight.

I haven't read Born at Midnight, so reading this free prequel was meant for me to see if I liked it enough to give it a try. The characters were interesting, although I wonder how much they appear in the first novel. Della is probably in it enough, but what about her cousin, Chan? He was the other important character in this story, but I get the feeling he doesn't appear much in the novel. I have no idea what to think of Kylie because she's not even a blip on Della's radar screen at this point.

At any rate, based on this story, I can at least say that I think the first book might be worth borrowing from the library and giving it an good read-through.

My score: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (I liked it.)

Review: "The Death Clock" by J. Rock

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"The Death Clock: a Short Story"
by J. Rock

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Reading Grade: Adult (short story)

Publishing Type: self-published

Publication Date: December 23, 2010

Source: Kindle store (freebie)

Age Rating: 15+

| Amazon | 

Andie didn’t know what to make of the numbers.
She started seeing them when she got on the bus that morning. She didn't know what they meant...until she saw them run out... 

My Review

This is a good really, really short story. It's around 4,000 words long, but despite that, it's still highly entertaining. The concept of a “death clock,” or the ability to see a countdown of numbers displayed over someone's head that indicates their remaining lifespan, is nothing new. I recognized this used in Death Note, one of my favorite manga series, to name one of many other stories in which it can be found.

But, that's not what impresses me about the story. It's more about the amazing plot twist that you will never see coming, and it is a doozy! This is a free ebook, so you'll lose nothing but a few minutes of your time to read it and freak out at the end, trying to wrap your brain around the incredibly ironic ending.

What I don't like is the main character for most of the story. Andie is one of the most non-proactive characters you'll ever read about, but she arguably goes through a little character growth by the end. If you find yourself disliking her, don't worry—that really won't be a problem for you. Trust me on that… Just read it for the fun plot twist at the end.

My score: 4 out of 5 stars.

* This goes toward my 2011 Spooktacular October Paranormal Reading Challenge!

Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Series: Iron Fey, #1.5
Genre: Fantasy/Faerie

Reading Grade: YA

Publishing Type: traditional

Publication Date: August 2010

Source: Kindle Store

Rated: Teen (13+)
Amazon.com

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl … until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck—Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon—who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter—a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat.

My Review 

Winter's Passage is a sort of novella/short story that is four chapters in length. Obviously, it's a very quick read that gets you from book #1 of the Iron Fey series, The Iron King, to the beginning of book #2, The Iron Daughter. 

Meghan Chase has already vowed to go back with Prince Ash to the Unseelie Court. She made this deal with him back in Book #1, and he came to claim her at the end. So, this novella picks up where that story left off. But, Meghan is worried about Puck, her childhood best friend. 

On the way to Ash's homeland, they discover, through all the barren, frozen wasteland, that they are being hunted down by very ancient predator that every reader will already be familiar with. It's a great character that lives up to the notoriousness of the famous faeries introduced in the first book, those faeries we have known about in human folklore for centuries. What a great twist! 

I love The Iron King, so this novella was a must-read for me since I was already planning to read the rest of the books in the series. You will want to read it if you expect to follow the story more fully from Book #1 to Book #2. We get to see a lot of good interaction between Meghan and Prince Ash. It gives the reader yummy insight into Ash's state-of-mind, as he has no choice but to lead his new girlfriend to what could possibly be her death. Oh, his tormented soul! Gotta love that Ashy-poo …. 

My score: 4.5 out of 5 stars