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Title: Altered
Author: Laura Burks
Publisher: Wings ePress Inc
Recommended Age: 14+
Reviewed By: Maegan Morin
Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud
Rating: 5 Ravens
In her debut novel Laura Burks tells the story of Jenna who wants nothing more than to spend a quiet relaxing summer with her grandfather in the small town of New Roads Louisiana. Until one day while out on a walk Jenna finds herself drawn to an old cabin on her grandfathers property. There she discovers and old blank book that she thinks nothing of until after dreaming one foggy night she discovers writing on the pages that wasn't there before leaving her to wonder whats going on and what exactly she's gotten herself into.
Wow! I loved this book! The plot was so original and engaging. I found myself being so immersed into the book and it was really hard to put down. Jenna is very easy to relate to, the typical teenager who blends in and was just average. You really watch her grow through the book and you get to see her become a strong woman who finds the strength she needs to do the right thing. I also enjoyed the back stories of Jess and Annie and how everything intertwined with Jenna and her grandfather's own history.
This book can easily be read by anyone 14+. There was a love story but it had a very G rating. It was the clean and cute young love story that every girl wants and thus its appeal.
I give this book 5 ravens. It was excellent and though it was a debut novel you would never know. Laura Burk did a great job with this novel and I really want to read more from her.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged."Hearing her name started it all..."
Reading that first line on the book summary started it all for me. I love when I can gush about a book! From the first moment Jenna sees Jess to the very end, the book has you anxious for what is coming next. There are so many occurrences that make up this story, I don't want to spoil the reading adventure by giving away too much. So, I won't. The author has a magical way of engaging you in her story. The superb writing makes it effortless to visualize every moment as it unfolds. This is not your typical paranormal romance. There are no vampires or werewolves. Altered brings you something entirely original and intriguing. Add the curse to an already mysterious and spooky Louisiana setting and you have a story that is impossible to put down. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel to this one. I'm not ready for the story to end.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mmb1
Posted April 7, 2012
Laura Burks is an incredible author. I couldn't put this book down, that's how fantastic it was! I can't wait to read more books from her. I'm hoping that there's a sequel coming soon.
~~ Michelle - 5 stars!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Zee-FirePages
Posted April 14, 2012
Altered is an amazing story, one which kept me guessing all the way through. I loved that this was not your typical paranormal title. The paranormal aspect of this novel was more subtle, more disturbing. Let's talk about Louisiana and a curse from a deal gone wrong. This title makes you think twice before shortchanging someone you have made a deal with. Altered makes you think again before deciding to have your cake and eat it too.
I enjoyed reading about the budding romance between Jenna and Jess. It was slow, sensual, and deliberate. Jenna and Jess would let each other know where their heart was. There were no games. No drama. It was honesty in it's purest form. To just be with each other was enough. Every hand held, every gaze in each other's eyes, every secret shared was monumental. They lived in the moment with each other. I was often taken back to the days when my young heart was filled with that much innocence, when I experienced my first throws of love. The romance in Altered will make your heart leap more than once in fond remembrance.
Burks kept surprising me at every turn of the page. I would have it in my head where I thought the story would go next, and it never did. I was glued to this book. Quite literally. Every second I had, I whipped out one of my devices - HTC smartphone, iPod Touch, Kindle, HP Touchpad - to finish a chapter or read one more sentence. Altered is just that good of a novel! Laura Burks writing style is flawless. I don't remember seeing a typo nor did I have to reread a paragraph to understand what was going on. She kept her plot tucked away nicely, waiting on the right moment to reveal information to the reader, and as a result, everything fell smoothly into place.
Laura Burks is a seriously talented author and very creative to boot. Altered, her debut novel, is a hit and a personal favorite. I can't wait to read more novels from Laura! :) Zee
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