Candace J. Thomas

*A thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this for a honest and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I have mixed emotions about his book, while it was slow to start , it eventually picks up. I love the dream flashbacks, it really helps you see how Simon and Adri get closer and why it is so important that they find each other. Despite the whole meeting someone in dreams, it's very realistic story and I liked the inclusion of modern technology and social media.

The characters were okay, but I had a hard time keeping tack of everyone's names, and I kept confusing some characters with others. Adri was good, but I wish she had a slightly more fiery attitude. I did like Simon a lot, once he had his 'find Adri goal', it wasn't until this that we really start to get to know him.

The one put off I had with the story that it just seemed like one huge buildup. I was going higher and higher on the rollercoaster of anticipation, but when it got to the drop I found out I was on a kiddie ride. The climax almost felt nonexistent. I guess I just personally wanted a little bit more at the end.

Overall, a good story that I wish had a better payoff.… (mehr)

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Vivatera is the first in a Young Adult fantasy series that focuses on Naomi, who discovers secret powers in herself and a bunch of other people. Add to this an interesting magic system, a corrupted king and something like a magic school and I was sure to take the bait.

This was a fun, quick read. The story starts quickly and I was drawn into the story from the beginning. There is just enough mystery and guessing to make you want to continue, and while I first read it as part of all the books I'm currently reading, I decided to give it some priority and after that finished it almost in one sitting.

While I liked the story and the magic seems complex, in the sense that it is eating the people from the inside out since humans are not supposed to mingle with magic, Naomi I liked less. She was the typical sort of perfect, much more special than anyone else kind of girl which is kind of cringe-worthy. It was why I liked the secondary plot arc, following Zander, more, even though Naomi was the one who was kind of in magic school.

I will probably read the second book also.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!… (mehr)

The Vivatera-Secrets of Everstar by Candace Thomas is a great YA novel with the tried and true elements of fantasy that we lovers of the genre enjoy. The story centers around Naomi, an orphan with no knowledge of her past and a mysterious birth mark on her neck....a series of events start her on a quest to find her special magic, her role in life, and to unravel her past. Naomi loves to write in a make shift journal she created with some old paper, she has vivid dreams that she records and they usually wind up coming true but she has to unravel their meaning.This tale is a good romp through a believable fantasy world, where Candace has added her own unique style and types of fantasy characters to the story. The Characters are believable and any young adult is bound to relate to them. There are heroes, scoundrels, classic bad guys and even a bit of teenage coming of age thrown in for good measure. Great clean and imaginative reading for young adults and adults alike. Candace is already writing the sequel and I will be one of the first in line to read her next work. Especially recommended for young adult readers.… (mehr)