Carol Oates really knows how to suck you in when it comes to love. The story immediately kicks off with action and continues from there. Which was one of the things I loved most about Ember. It did not get good, die down, and then get good again. There was always something happening in each chapter that just kept me reading and turning the pages. Oates is amazing at describing emotions and I truly felt for Candra. Her world was turned upside down in less than twenty four hours. Everything she thought she knew about her life, all of sudden became a lie. Then there are these random people who enter her life and just add more drama and pain to her life without meaning too. Oh, and let's not forget Sebastian. Candra starts off not really into him and sort of freaked out by him, but their relationship quickly changes the more time she spends with him and the more she learns his story. You also meet another character named Draven, who is showing interest in Candra as well. Candra of course gets a little torn between Draven and Sebastian, but in the end, her heart belongs to only one.The only thing I wish was different about Ember was that I would have liked the romance part of it a little earlier in the story. I felt I was being teased a lot and nothing would really happen, and that got a little tiring. But when it did, O-M-G hot!Ember was a very good story with super interesting characters, and a very believable world. I enjoyed reading it and cannot wait to see what else Carol Oates delivers next. This is my second book by Oates and so far I have not been let down.3.5 out of 5 Stars! ( )

I loved Carol Oates' last novel Shades of Atlantis, so I was thrilled to find out she was publishing a new book. I immediately assumed it was the promised sequel for Shades of Atlantis, and was surprised to find out that this is not. That made me no less excited; I purchased Ember on publishing day. If you've visited our blog before you know I don't judge a book by it's cover, but that doesn't mean I won't comment on one when I think it's fabulous. Not only do I love the cover, but I love the concept behind it, which Carol Oates explains at A Tale of Many Reviews.

I had a hard time getting into this one because the reader is kept in the dark, along with Candra, about what's going on until several chapters in... and even then it's a little confusing. Perhaps if I knew more about Angels in general I wouldn't have been so lost, but I honestly didn't grasp the gravity of the plot. This is the one thing I criticised with in Shades of Atlantis, and I find myself about to say the same thing once again, but I wish she'd taken more time to explore the back story. It's not that I felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of something, just that I felt ignorant about the plot exposition. Luckily Candra seems to grasp the situation quickly -now all she has to do is figure out which side is telling the truth and what sacrifices she's willing to make.

Ms. Oates is masterful at writing relationships and it was the relationships in this story that kept me going. The character's were intriguing and though their plight is nothing new, Ms. Oates kept things exciting. Unlike some brooding heroes, who shall remain nameless, Sebastian definitely has cause to brood. And as a heroine, Candra is neither whiny nor petulant. The best part was, that right up until the end, the reader really wasn't sure which characters were protagonists and which were antagonists, aside from Candra. In all honesty, I'm still not sure that I know.

There is some resolution to the plot, but once again, lots of room left for a sequel. Aside from a few glaring typos in the book, this was a fun read. Although I'm not sure I would have been as accepting of the plot ambiguities had this been any other writer, it kept me interested enough to want to read the next book in the series. Carol Oates is definitely an author to read ...but I'd start with [book:Shades of Atlantis|9662110].

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/jenns-review-ember.html ( )

Why I read this book:

I was part of a book blog tour. I liked Carol Oates previous work and I'm a fan of Omnific Publishing. A young adult paranormal romance from Oates and Omnific was too much to resist not reading.

What I liked:

This book was a very character driven story, which I’m all about. I fully invested in the main characters and the supporting cast. This story has a nice romance at the core that just makes you squirm at all the tension! I am a sucker for the push and pull of a budding relationship. The ‘will they or won’t they’ get their act together pulls at my little reader heart strings.

Candra and Sebastian are one of the best young adult examples of feeling like you can cut the romantic tension in the air. You will root for these two and all the while wonder about this ‘other guy’ Draven. I wasn’t sure what to think about his presence but he has more to do with the over plot behind the romance I think. I really appreciate that Oates has written a complex character with Sebastian. He is struggling with himself and a mess of new emotions. I think she did a great job portraying how a man would handle these feelings with the type of situation he is personally facing. Candra is a likable character and takes A LOT of things in stride. However, one tragic incident occurs and it was good to see her crack after everything that has happened. One thing I can say is I felt all the raw emotions along with the characters, from butterflies in the stomach, to a first kiss, to heartbreak and sense of duty.
Ember sets the stage for character building, fully investing the reader into caring what comes next. The sinister side of the plot is just taking form in this book and I’m set for some action coming for everyone. This leads me to the type of cliffhanger this book has. There is resolution to the romantic conflict set in this book, albeit this resolution comes with an unexpected twist. The cliffhanger involves a sinister ‘something’ that I can’t say much about because it deals with the twist and well, it was part of the cliffhanger, so I don’t know. :)

What I didn’t like:

This isn’t really a didn’t like, but something to be aware. It does take a few chapters to start attaching to the story. The beginning mixes getting to know the characters, setting a stage for everyone’s place in the story, setting the foundation for this paranormal world, and until that gets established, you are left wondering which way to throw your allegiance in characters and guessing where the plot is going to go. I didn’t see where the plot was actually going to go though until the end. It’s hard for me admit this since I pride myself in figuring plots out quickly. ;) Needless to say, because I thought I had it figured out the way things would play out in this book, I was surprised at the climax and kept reading furiously thinking, “OK, where’s the catch.” There is a catch but you’ll have to read the book to find out for yourself. :)

The paranormal side deals with fallen angels and the story created behind it does not fit with traditional Christian views. This is a work of fiction that takes existence of the fallen angel’s story and is woven into something created by the author to spin a good paranormal tale. There are other young adult fallen angel books out there, but Ember stands on its own among them. Yes, I’ve read those too. 

Overall:

I enjoyed Ember as a young adult paranormal romance. I felt the character’s emotions and struggles. I genuinely liked all of them. Even the bad guys have a sort of appeal to them that keep you guessing. I am intrigued where the plot is going. I know something dark is coming, but just what, I have no clue and that drives me nuts! I very much appreciate reading a young adult book that actually has the main character at a young adult age, Candra is somewhere 18-21 years old. There are sexual innuendos, but there is nothing inappropriate. Oates handles young adult sex in a very conservative manner yet still creates steamy romantic scenes through sheer emotion. I would highly recommend this to paranormal romance readers 8th grade and up. ( )

Ember is a tension-ridden story filled with twists and turns that left me wanting more. From the beginning, Carol had me with the mystery of Candra. Candra is different, but nobody will tell her anything. There are so many questions hanging in the air. There’s the Flame-haired woman from the prologue. Who is she? What does she want with Candra? And who are Sebastian and Draven, and what do they want with her? Sometimes, I sped through the pages, living within the story (especially the love scenes). Other times, I reread paragraphs, lingering over them, wanting to live in the moment.

Initially, Sebastian comes off as a dark, brooding character. I was creeped out by how he hung around Candra. Fortunately for Candra, he isn’t as arrogant as he first appears to be, or she might have regretted falling in love with him. That would make me cry because I really loved watching their romance progress (once Sebastian made me fall in love with him too).

Candra herself starts off as a naïve girl. I’m impressed with how she buckled up when people needed her. She’s an important piece in the war going on, and her choices held major consequences. I honestly don’t know if I could have done as well as she did, putting her own feelings aside for the sake of everyone else.

Ember is a bit on the fast-paced side. The pacing does make it a quick afternoon’s read, but I did wish that I had a little more time with the characters and the story. Hopefully we’ll see a sequel. If not, the ending does a nice job of wrapping the plot. ( )

Carol has left me in awe at her descriptive writing style. She weaves a web of words masterfully. She thoroughly trapped me in her story until the end and left me wanting more.

This is a wonderful story that illustrates the traps we create and those created for us. Angels, nephilim and the war in the heavens is the theme of this book. There is also a steamy love story simmering.

Content caution: for mature YA readers. Profanity and sexual innuendo (with some pretty intense kissing scenes) are found in this book.

I'm hoping she's planning on this storyline to be a series of books. The epilogue makes me think there will be ( )