Sixteen year old Erin Misrahe has spent most of the last 8 years of her life on a variety of antipsychotic meds and being hospitalised, thanks to an extremely violent alter ego, Shevaun. A friend from the past gets back in touch and insists that Shevaun is actually very real, exists not inside Erin, but separately, and is a centuries old Vampire to boot. Erin soon finds herself at the mercy of the real Shevaun and her Witch lover Adjila as they try to sever the strange connection binding them together once and for all. Can Erin trust what she sees, or is she truly “crazy”?.

Atwater-Rhodes has, once again, brought us a deeply spun tale of love and loyalty, immersed with mythical roots and nail-biting action. Packed full with some of the hottest supernatural creatures, from Vamps to Witches and Shape shifters, Persistence of Memory will leaving you gasping for more.

The plot flows at a rapid pace without missing any vital information, and the characters on all sides are in depth and treated with dignity. Erin’s struggle left me with a deep-seated sadness for all she had to endure because of misdiagnoses and the truth being hidden for others’ selfish means and self-preservation. Certainly makes you wonder just how far all of us would go to protect ourselves at the expense of others. Shevaun, although perceived at the beginning as the enemy, is as much of a victim in this case as Erin, and I found myself hoping for a outcome that would harm neither of them.

Vampire fiction often reminds us just how fragile our humanity is, but Persistence of Memory reminds us for a whole new reason. A fantastic tale for Vamp fans and non-Vamp fans alike.

Persistence of Memory— Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Paperback, 224 Pages

Published by Random House Australia

ISBN: 978-174275-077-4

Natalie Hargrove is a bit of a chameleon, having managed to hide her past as a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, rise to the upper ranks of high school popularity and snag herself a trust fund toting boyfriend along the way. On the brink of gaining everything she has wished for the last four years, Nat thinks she is sitting pretty; that is, ‘tll her past tries to catch up with her and a prank goes horribly wrong- Nat may just lose it all.

After reading all the rave reviews regarding Kate’s previous two offerings, “Fallen” and “Torment”, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to get my hands on this. The twists and turns and hidden storyline that slowly evolves will keep you guessing and a little tongue in cheek in making sure the “perfect” people soon lose their shine. The story did start out a little slowly- the plot took a while to reach first gear but thankfully, once it picks up, you become so enthralled all is soon forgiven.

Nat is one of those girls you will either feel sorry for or wish she would get hers, sometimes both at differing parts of the journey. Self-centered and manipulative on the surface, she can grate on the nerves until we get to see the hidden depth and pain behind the facade. A fresh new twist on the high school “it” scene and just what it takes to stay on top.

Lauren Kate is a powerhouse to sink your teeth into. Check out Natalie’s world- it will certainly make you rethink the whole popularity game.

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove- Lauren Kate

4th January, 2011, by Random House

Paperback, 235 pages

ISBN:978-0-552-56372-7

Bel Says:

The theme of the book is prom nights from hell, but even I couldn’t imagine some of these scenarios. They’re thrilling and scary, even downright hilarious at times. Each is different and they’ve all earned the right to be included. Here’s a quick rundown of each story.

Meg Cabot has her heroine, Mary, chasing Dracula’s son to save her friend, Lila, from a fate worse than death in The Exterminator’s Daughter.

Lauren Myracle explores the pros and cons of having three wishes available to you when you have a one-track mind in The Corsage.

Kim Harrison introduces us to her latest series with Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper. We hear the full story of the bungled assassination attempt of Madison Avery.

Michele Jaffe puts us smack dab in the middle of a moral crisis in Kiss and Tell. Should Miranda go back and save Sibby, the obnoxious tween she’s chauffeured to a suspicious house and risk revealing her supernatural abilities, or drive to her roller derby practice?

Stephenie Meyer takes the name of the book to heart when Sheba turns the high school prom into a night from hell to advance her career as a Demon in Hell on Earth.

This was a nice way to get away from the world over the last week. Each story is short enough to suck you in and give you something else to think about right before bed. I found at least two of the stories sparked my interest for more, and luckily in the case of Kim Harrison’s entry, this is just a mere taste of what is to come.

“Prom Nights From Hell” — Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Michelle Jaffe, Lauren Myracle

Published 1 July, 2009, by HarperCollins Children’s Books

Paperback, 304 pages

After being involved in a horrifying car accident that almost cost him his life, Cooper Blake finds himself with a new almost constant companion. Samantha is sure she’s a Ghost, but with no memories and the shadow-like creatures trying to devour her, is she really something else in disguise? Coop turns to telepathic Brent and sorcerer-in-training, Delilah, for help. Will Coop find his life on the line again?

Token of Darkness is a thrilling and provocative story, full of magical misdeeds and the fear of what hides just out of sight. In typical Atwater-Rhodes style we are hit with a shocker of a plot that moves at a fluid rapid pace; it is well rounded and intriguing and  filled with characters that you can’t help but be drawn to. You’ll also enjoy a new twist on the subject manner. My only complaint is that, after such a breathtaking journey, the ending wrapped up fairly quickly and fell a little flat after all the preceding action. It did still bring a tear to my eye though–I do love a happy ending.

By far the stand out character for me was Delilah. She comes across as immature and very selfish, and as someone who certainly shouldn’t be playing around with so much power; but, at the end, she grows a more rounded moral radar and puts her own needs and wants aside to help save the day. Delilah could also be used as a good example of why you shouldn’t play with mystical forces you really don’t understand.

A fascinating, gripping read. If you haven’t read any of Atwater-Rhodes’ work, I highly recommend you put her on your to be read list today.

Token of Darkness– Amelia Atwater- Rhodes

Paperback, 197 Pages

Published by Random House Australia

ISBN: 978-1-74275-077-4

Bel Says:

I first read this book when I was in search of something that was the polar opposite of the books I was being asked to read for English class in high school. I found this little blue hardcover novel sitting amongst the plethora of romances that contained chapters upon chapters of nothing much. I curled myself up on a rainy Autumn day and devoured the book in record time.

This book is the reason I bothered to keep my library card. It is the reason I search for books with a conscience. It is the reason I am still reading to this day. But unlike so many people who never bothered to return the book when they fell in love with it’s characters, I did indeed return the book, and had never seen it since.

Imagine my utter surprise when I found a more recent reprint of the same book I’d spent that pivotal day with so many years ago. I had to have that book, I had to see if I was as moved by its storyline and its characters as I was when I was a teenager. I had to own it, so I would never again have to search the shelves of my local library without any luck. That day I was in luck: I am now the proud owner of the 2009 reprint of The Silver Kiss (which contains two new short stories).

I left the book on the shelf for at least a week before I found the nerve to revisit Zoë and Simon. To my astonishment, the story of the unfortunate life thrust upon Zoë holds as much, if not more, emotional resonance for me now than it did back then.

Zoë’s mother is dying of cancer, her father can barely cope with having to see the love of his life tormented by the horrible disease, and poor Zoë is left to fend for herself. Her best friend is moving away, and a mysterious boy walks into her life and sweeps her off her feet.
You are carried along on Zoë’s emotional roller coaster as she barrel rolls along between utter heartbreak and soaring high on the wings of young love.

I consumed The Silver Kiss, then turned my attentions to the two new short stories. The Summer of Love is a story of Simon’s first love, a cat that befriends him, despite his otherworldliness. The second short story, The Christmas Cat, is about Zoë, who is learning that she shouldn’t close herself off to life’s little pleasures. Now I know this is all a bunch of sentimental mumbo jumbo to pretty much all of you, but I’m sure you all have that one book out there that has holds you in the palm of its hand and inspires daydreams to rival any Hollywood love story.

I hope you’ll give Zoë and Simon a chance to embrace you as they have me.

“The Silver Kiss” — Annette Curtis Klause

August 1, 1992, by Laurel Leaf

Paperback, 224 pages

ISBN-10: 0440213460, ISBN-13: 978-0440213468