3.5 stars
Spectral starts off with Jewel’s family moving in to other town. Jewel’s family moves a lot and she gets tired with all the new schools, new friends, and new names. She is convinced that her family is in some kind of witness protection program so she never asks much question about the whole moving thing.
In this new town, Jewel’s false name is True. She quickly makes friends with a very bubbly girl named Taylor and Chase, the guy who seems interested to her. Jewel tries not to get her hopes up, but maybe her family will stop moving and settle down in this new town. However, strange things start happening. Her encounter with Roman, a new guy who surprisingly knows her true name, makes her questioning everything her family has told her. Roman claims to be her guardian, but which one she should trust: the parents who raised her or the guy who is ready to give her answers to everything her family has kept from her?
I enjoyed Spectral despite some flaws in this book. The story keeps me engaged and the writing is very easy to follow. I can understand Jewel’s shock upon her discovery. I found myself putting the puzzles in Jewel’s mystery too. The story gets even more interesting once Jewel is in Russian. And later, Italy! I love that she’s brave enough to explore the truth about herself.
Like so many other readers, I am swooned over the love interest in this story, Roman. Roman, with his gentle, protective, and somehow sexy ways, manages to capture my heart. Her relationship with Jewel is very lovely. I think I would fall over heels if someone ever calls me his butterfly. I guess Roman is supposed to be the bad boy while Chase is the safe, good ol’ guy, but I can hardly find any bad guy aspect in Roman. Sure, he has a fair amount of mystery required for a bad boy, but other than that, I think he’s a good guy with cute grin and funny lines.
Spectral is a great book that is worth a shot, especially for those who enjoy stories about witchcraft. I’m really hoping that Shannon Duffy would make this a series because I’d love to see Jewel explores more about her new power. Plus, more Roman, please!
A multi-colored butterfly suddenly fluttered down from the ceiling landing on my fingers laced around the coffee cup. I gasped, but didn’t move. Glancing up at the ceiling, I whispered in awe, “Where did that come from?”
Roman’s lips twisted into a grin as he gazed down at it, and then back into my eyes. He raised one shoulder. “One butterfly always knows another.”
Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply
awesome. I love the tea flavor! A strong
recommendation.
Many thanks to Tribute Books and Shannon Duffy who have kindly provided me a copy of this book! :)
Oh my gosh is so swoony! I'm reading this now and honestly I don't know which guy I prefer more! Fab review Hilda! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the synopsis makes it sound so good! I want to read this!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
Awesome review Hilda. I have this one for the blog tour :) Your making it sound really good and Roman just sounds like the perfect book boy for me.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your stop, Suzanne!
DeleteOh my sweet goodness, he calls her his butterfly? What an adorable nickname! Now I know why there's a butterfly on the cover LOL x) I don't care if Roman isn't the bad boy we're used to -- I'm already in love with how swoon-worthy he sounds! I think I'd pick this cute, good, and funny guy for Jewel (*cough* me *cough*) over a bad one. And since witches are my favourite paranormals, that's extra brownie points for this book! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis was a GORGEOUS review, Hilda, as your reviews always are! And a beautiful cover plus a beautiful review usually equals a beautiful book! :) <3
Thanks so much, Mimi :)
DeleteHilda, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteJasprit, glad you like it.
Bookworm105, I hope you get a chance to check it out. It's only $2.99 for the Kindle.
Aaaaaah, "his butterfly"! It already sounds great. Gah, I'm craving witch stories now! I'm stuck with an historical now, I really want to read some fantasy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet review! I'll have to check the book out :)
Great review, Hilda! I haven't read much about this book but you've definitely made me interested, it sounds like there's some travel in this book as well as romance and witchcraft - sounds like a good mix!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this book before so I am definitely going to have to look into it! It does have a gorgeous cover and I really like the butterflies on the cover and in the quote. This sounds like a pretty fun read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and introducing this book to me! :D
ReplyDeleteDarlene @ Leather Bound and Lovely
This cover is drop dead amazing. I am such a sucker for beautiful covers. I love that there's a travel aspect to this book. Not something that's often done in YA paranormals. And Russia and Italy in one book? I am so there.
ReplyDelete:) such a sweet and relaxed review! This book sounds wonderful! I love books that go to foreign countries, especially Italy!
ReplyDeleteHave a tea filled day Hilda!
( I love tea too!)
Excellent review, Hilda! I've been thinking about reading this book but wasn't really sure. I think I'll have to read it just to meet Roman. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my, Russia AND Italy? I'd read this story for that alone. Roman sounds great, I have a soft spot for guys with that name, I have no idea why. (Remember Roman in the Succubus series by Richelle Mead? I was SO on his team!)
ReplyDeleteI think I'll read this too, despite the few flaws. Lovely review, Hilda!
Oh my, I LOVE the sound of this. The cover is GORGEOUS- so dreamy and breathtaking. And Roman sounds so swoony! And the plot sounds so fascinating, so awesome that it has parts set in Russia and Italy! Wow, that's a lot of traveling and fun. Lovely review, Hilda and THAT QUOTE <33 Cannot believe he calls her his butterfly!
ReplyDeleteI read this some time back and as you mention I found it flawed too, but I definitely enjoyed the story too.
ReplyDeleteI loved that quote too. :)
Awesome review :)