Thursday, May 24, 2012

Spectral by Shannon Duffy - Review



Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Spectral tour presented by Tribute Books Blog Tour!


Title: Spectral
Author: Shannon Duffy
Publisher: Tribute Books
Publish Date: April 10, 2012


Synopsis: Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe — the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along.

As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.


My Thoughts: Spectral by Shannon Duffy is a very fast paced young adult novel. Beginning with Jewel and her family moving, again, to a new home in small Pomona Park, Florida and ending with a wild adventure in Italy. 

Jewel is not a typical teenager. Her family constantly moves, she always has a new name, and she's never really had any friends. I felt pretty bad for her. As she learns the truth in this book, about who her family is and who she really is, she handles things pretty well. I enjoyed her character quite a bit. I was especially happy that she made some friends in her new school. 

Roman is secretive and handsome. He tries to protect Jewel, no matter what it would cost him. Jewel didn't always see that about him. Their relationship is a little up and down, but it's fun to read about. 

Jewel's new friends at school, Chase and Taylor are great. Chase has feelings for Jewel, and is a real sweetheart. Taylor is fun and doesn't seem to think twice about befriending Jewel on her first day of school. I loved Taylor's character.

There was so much depth to all Duffy's characters. Jewel's family was explained so well. Her video-gamer little brother, Jayden, is a sweet innocent little guy. Uncle Boris always smoking. Aunt Eva, who seems entirely stuck up and way too strict. And her parents, who seem increasingly nervous about something.

This book was full of great twists and turns. Witches, kidnappings, and tons of secrets. Spectral is a very good paranormal romance. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult books. 
Rating:

About the Author:
Shannon Duffy writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada and now lives in Ontario, Canada. She is the mom of one boy, Gabriel, her angel. She loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions-shopping. She is the author of the young adult paranormal romance, SPECTRAL. Her upcoming middle grade fantasy novel, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is scheduled for a January 2013 release.




I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

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