The Shadow Realm

Ember by Madison Daniel

Goodreads Summary:

Ember is the story of Max Valentine, a teenager with secret abilities and many inner demons. His life revolves around music and his love for it. When his father dies he seeks answers with his last living relative, his fathers brother Frank. Frank lives on the island of Maui and eagerly takes Max in as his own. Max soon learns that healing his past will be more difficult than he could have ever believed. Two major complications will tempt and torment him as he tries to make sense of his abilities.

The first temptation comes in the form of a mysterious island girl. Asia Lyn Michaels is rich, spoiled, angry and beautiful. Her path crosses with Max on the beach one afternoon, forever changing both of their lives. Max saves her life and she discovers his secret. From that moment on they are connected, no matter how much they fight it.

The second temptation will test Max’s very soul. Samantha Ann Summers is sweet, artistic, smart and confident. She will help Max find his smile again and maybe even heal his past mistakes. She is possibly his soul mate and Max will fight that with every fiber of his being.

Max’s temper and indecision with the girls will send in motion events that will cost him dearly. He will test the limits of his powers and the new relationship with his protective uncle. He will gain a powerful love and lose another.

My Review: 3/5

To say the least I found this book hard to put down. The writing was clever in the sense that it was nearly impossible not to ignore the break in chapters and continue on...

However, I always have something not entirely good to say and with this book it was mostly the continuous grammar mistakes :P It is only bad luck that I am releasing my frustration on this book. Using lied instead of lay, then instead of than, than instead of then, purpose instead of propose and the one I hate the most: "I could care less"! It just doesn't make sense :P Sorry.

Otherwise I found it quite enjoyable even though the characters annoyed me on several occasions because of their overreacting and selfishness. Perhaps their only redeemable qualities are similar to those of Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. . .they love each other.

Also, the other thing that grasped my attention was the similarities to "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore. Max is similar to John/Four in the ability to withstand fire and his relationship with his uncle is also similar in some ways. Asia is similar to Six in her ability to control weather. Sam is similar to Sarah with her interest in photography and her- let's call him "over protective"- ex-boyfriend. And Oz seems very like Bernie Kosar. . . etc. These are just some of the similarities I found.

I wish I had more to say apart from that I really can't wait to read Downpour