Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Action, Adventure
Rating: 4.5/5
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.
Wow wow wow! :) I absolutely adore this book. Isobel Lanley was an amazing character; strong and fearless. I have been wanting to read this book for so long, and finally happy I could have my hands on it. I loved Isobel + Varen. They were so amazing, and I thought that the emotions were real.
The storyline was original and I love how Edgar Allan Poe was brought into the story - and his mysterious death. It makes you want to know so much more about him. And I do. :) I really hope Isobel gets to meet Edgar Allan Poe in the next novel, Enshadowed. :) It would be very cool. :P
The ending I thought was meduim-good. I did like it, but I hoped it would have been a little bigger. It is in a way, for reasons I cannot spoil because it is major. But it was left on a thread I thought was a little bit loose, if that makes sense. According to me, I thought that it was lagged a little. It could only be because I was taking my swell time reading this, but nonetheless, it was amazing. I absolutely love love love love love Kelly Creagh. Amazing, and if they can get the second book out any faster, I would be delighted to pick it up.
Likes: Varen, Isobel, Gwen (I thought she was hilarious, the goths, Grim Facade, the ending (I thought Isobel showed her strongest attributes)
Dislikes: A little bit laggy, Pinfeathers (evil, evil evil!!), Reynolds (love/hate relationship... for spoiler reasons), Isobel treating Gwen like she wasn't important and annoying
*Note: This book has some language, some sexual content, and mild violence and gore.