Beautifully Burned is the second book in The Dreamcaster series, and we reunite with Dax. He still has his bond with Kalila, but is fed up of Black's attempts to kill him, and get rid of the bond. Mel has a vision which sends him to Ella's side, but he is confused as he doesn't think she is a Dreamcaster at all. Of course, he doesn't know about the adder stones gifted to her by her grandmother.

There is a slight twist to this one, as Izzy is one of her regular customers. He shows his 'normal' side when Kalila shows up, reminding the reader of just how dangerous he can be.

Dax and Ella have a hard path to tread, and it doesn't look good for them to begin with. With more nightmares and situations to deal with, this book will have you gripped to the pages. It is a fresh and exciting take on the paranormal genre, and I am loving everything. I can't wait to read more about Zaire, but then I also really want Izzy and Mel to get together!

This is a fantastic series so far, and this book is also of the highest quality - with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the action was enough to make you catch your breath. Absolutely recommended by me. 

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa

Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Quick review for a quick read that I picked up from my library's audio collection. Powerful and really wonderful character exploration, which is typical of Ellen Hopkins's books. Pattyn is a young woman living in a tightly knit religious community and abusive household. She strongly laments her inability to grow as a young woman - in relationships, in asserting herself among other things - as well as watching her mother being subjected to her father's fists. After a series of incidents in which she acts out, she's sent to live with her aunt and begins to know what it means to have a better life for herself, including being valued in a romantic relationship with her S.O. (Ethan). In the end, she's not prepared to return to the household that cast her out, yet she never really wanted to leave completely behind, and things only turn for the worst after that point. I'll admit it hit me like a punch to a gut and I couldn't shake the emotional upheaval it left within me long after turning the final page.

"Burned", like the other books of Hopkins I've read, went down so smoothly and quick for the overarching read - I really enjoyed the audio narration of the novel as well as the poetic form she uses to tell Pattyn's story. She captures Pattyn's thoughts, questions, fears, uncertainty, and emotion to the teeth, and I liked being able to follow her throughout. I thought her fears and concerns were front and center, making me feel her struggle, but I think there were opportunities of depth and debate (particularly around the religious community concerns, since Pattyn lives in a Mormon household) that were missed. I definitely look forward to reading the next novel in this series, though the cliffhanger ending makes me all the more anxious to get to it as soon as possible.

Overall score: 4/5 stars.

This was a great quick read. Briony believed in family and do whatever it took for family, even something a little illegal. Her dreams for improving her bar and hotel drove her to push the limits. She crossed all lines when she met Cole. Cole had left his past behind although it still haunted him. The attraction between them was instant and intense. Despite the blackmail and hurt feelings, Briony and Cole realize that they are good together in more ways than one. Both of their families see what the two take a while to recognize. I loved Briony's sass and love of family. Cole is willing to look inside himself and admit his weakness. I recommend this book highly and will go back to read the first as well as look forward to more.

Burned Too Hot is free today. 

I'm looking forward to the sequels.

Frozen Too Cold

Agony Too Painful

Perspiration Too Sweaty

Oil Too Greasy

and...

Death Too Deadly

I kid, I kid. I'm sure it's a fantastic book.