Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C Hunter
Publisher: St Martins Press
Publication date: April 23rd, 2013
Number of pages: 400 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

It's a shame I have to do a review like this considering how much I adored the first four books. I had such high hopes for the finale and thought I knew how it would end, but I was unfortunately, very much mistaken.
A part of me wishes I hadn't read this book, and to me, it ended with the end of book 4. SIGH. Some things just aren't always the way you know they should go, that authors don't always share the same opinion as us, and in this case it seems to be the very matter.

In the final book to Kylie's story at Shadow Falls, are taken back into her life as she spends some time away from the camp. She soon discovers she is safer at Shadow Falls than she is anywhere else.
The story picks up just a few weeks after she has left the camp and finds herself in a place amongst her own kind. She discover things about what she is and what it means, and how everything all works. When Kylie sees a ghost (of course)who tells her that she has to kill him or she'll be killed. Not many options here.

Burnett and co soon turn up warning her of Mario who may know her location and that she has to come back to the camp where is the only place she can be safe, so off she goes, unknowing what or whom she will awaiting her there.

There wasn't many things I liked about this book. Derek. Burnett and Holiday. Kylie frustrated me to no end. I understand and sometimes feel sorry for her; she doesn't have the easiest life and so many problems being thrown at her, but she makes a very bad decision and one that makes no sense.
April and I were sure who Kylie would choose especially after the end of the previous book, but it's like everything that happened.. never happened and nothing made sense. There was no excusing the events that transpired prior to this, and imo, the choice should have been an easy one. But I felt like she never gave one boy a real chance and gave up way too quickly.
The other one though, I never liked. Or sometimes I did, and then he would go and do something do douche that made me dislike him once again. Every ounce of common sense that Kylie once had must have been slapped out of her --  or, I don't know.. Its the only thing that makes sense to me as to her stupid choice she makes. I literally felt sick after reading this book.
What is this meant to show the readers? That it's OKAY to choose someone who hurts you time and time again, who chooses to commit to something and be a coward? I'm clueless.  

While everyone seems to get their happy ending, and I'm glad that Derek ended up with his own happy ending, it also felt contrived and put there because of Kylie's choice. It's like.. okay, let's put him with someone so he doesn't mope around.
His happiness was all I cared for at this point, and I guess I was happy enough that in the end he did get what he deserves.

I was very disappointed in the way this book turned out, and sadly, it's put me off on reading the spinoff. I just can't do it.

Rating: 2.5/5

Teaser Tuesday 22

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

Even though I was pretty disappointed with Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter, the book had some humorous lines that we have grown to love with her books. Here's one of my favorites.

"Does anyone listen to me around here?" Burnett asked, his frustration making his tone sound almost comical. "Obviously not," one of the FRU agents said, and chuckled. 

Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C. Hunter
Publication Date: April 23, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Number of Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

 The final installment in the Shadow Falls series picks up about two weeks after the last book. Kylie has left Shadow Falls and gone to the chameleon compound with her grandfather and great aunt. But it's not what she thought it would be.The chameleon are in constant fear that they will be discovered, and they keep the teens isolated from the world. No phone, internet or anything. Only when they mature, which means they are able to change their pattern at will, are they allow out in the world. Kylie has never felt more alone then she does hidden away. Her grandfather does allow her limited phone access. And of course like every book, this one starts off with a new ghost. This one insists that Kylie needs to kill him or she will be killed. It took her most of the book to figure out who is the he. Which the whole time I just wanted to slap her. I knew from the beginning who the ghost was referring to.

It doesn't take Burnett to find where their hidden lair is located. Mario has been spotted in town and a fellow camper has been attacked, and Burnett is pretty sure Mario was behind it. As Burnett points out he found the compound, it's only a matter of time before Mario finds her. And back to Shadow Falls Kylie goes.

You have to feel sorry for Kylie. A psychopath is after her, she has a ghost that claims that it's a big possibility she will be killed, issues with parents and even grandparents, plus she still has boy trouble. This book kind of annoyed me, or at least I found Della annoying. I'm not even sure why. I feel like the book lacked Miranda. She just wasn't in it as much as Della. I love both girls, but I find Miranda a lot more interesting. Burnett and Holiday were amazing as always. Now a spin off series or even a short story with them would be fantastic. There's even a little twist in the story concerning these two, a very happy ending.

Kylie finally gets to meet her father's adoptive grandparents, and her mom is not too happy. Speaking of her mom, we learn who exactly is her boyfriend. I knew from the first moment that he was evil and after Kylie.

I'm sure you heard of saving the best for last? Well in this case I'm saving the worst for last. I loved the last book because it seemed that Kylie would end up picking Derek. This whole book to me felt like a cop out where Lucas was concerned. Even though he had pledged his soul to another girl and promise to marry her, he has to sign a contract afterwards to make it official. And guess who didn't do it?! What the hell was the point in having Kylie witness all of that?! I'm sorry not signing some paper doesn't and shouldn't change the fact that you pledge YOUR SOUL to another girl. Oh he gave up everything for Kylie? This is coming a little too late. The whole series he has put his pack before Kylie, and then in the last book he just gives up everything for her? Not buying it. Not to mention they kept bringing up when Derek slept with his ex and "cheated" on Kylie. Umm excuse me, Kylie and Derek were NOT together. And Kylie even said they weren't together when it happened so it wasn't cheating. And now all of a sudden in this book it's changed to cheating on her?! Really?! It was like Hunter twisted everything so it would be ok for her to end with Lucas. Honestly I lost respect.

Ok rant over. Besides a huge amount of Lucas in the book, the book was really good. Just what you come to expect from a book in the series. And everyone gets their "happy ending". Which I don't agree with the choices. Well everyone but Della who is being stubborn. But I guess the ending sets up nicely for the spin off about Della. Which honestly I won't be reading.

In all I couldn't get past Kylie's choices and how details gets twisted around. I'm really disappointed in the book and feels like everything was a cop out.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Review: Whispers at Moonrise by C.C Hunter

Whispers at Moonrise (Shadow Falls #4) by C.C Hunter
Publisher: St Martin's
Publication date: October 2nd, 2012
Number of pages: 383
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Even at a camp for supernatural teens, Kylie Galen has never been normal. Not only can she see ghosts, but she doesn’t seem to belong to any one species—she exhibits traits from them all. As Kylie struggles to unlock the secrets of her identity, she begins to worry that Lucas will never be able to accept her for what she is, and what she isn’t…a werewolf.  With his pack standing in their way, Kylie finds herself turning more and more to Derek, the only person in her life who’s willing to accept the impossible.



As if life isn’t hard enough, she starts getting visits from the ghost of Holiday, her closest confidante.  Trouble is, Holiday isn’t dead…not yet anyway.  Now Kylie must race to save one of her own from an unseen danger before it’s too late—all while trying to stop her relationship with Lucas from slipping away forever.   In a world of constant confusion, there’s only one thing Kylie knows for sure.  Change is inevitable and all things must come to an end…maybe even her time at Shadow Falls.

This novel picks up right from where the previous one left off. Kylie has faced one ghost problem after another since this series started, and this book is no different.
Kylie gets a visit from a ghost who takes on the appearance of Holiday. She doesn't understand why or how, but she knows she has to get to the bottom of what is going on before it does become a reality.

Her relationships aren't any easier either. Her relationship with Lucas is something his pack doesn't like, for many reasons.. But what happens when Lucas does something that makes Kylie believe that everything between them has been a lie. He doesn't understand who and what she is, and doesn't seem like he would ever be comfortable with, while Derek on the other hand is there for her and accepts her, with no questions.
Can her heart make up its mind before it's too late?

I really adored this book. I have no shame in admitting that I am Team Derek, and after this book.. I really hope she ends up with him, because I feel he loves her for who she is... and you can see the differences between he and Lucas, who just lies and betrays her. If she ends up with Lucas, I just don't think that is ending a very good message to girls in the world about the kind of relationships one should allow yourself to be in.

My 2nd pairing would have to be Holiday and Burnett. I just love their relationship that has progressed throughout the series, and this book just had me swooning. There is so much to love about their banter and how far they have come. They both have had issues, she more than him, but at some point you have to let the other person inside to show how you feel.

I know, there is one more book left, I just hope it ends on a note that is well done by the characters and gives a happy ending to our characters, one way or another.

Verdict: 4.5 / 5

Review: Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3) by C.C Hunter

Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3) by C.C Hunter
Publisher: St. Martins
Publication date: April 10th, 2012
Number of pages: 380
Format: Paperback
Purchase at: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean.  But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.



Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together.  Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

In this next installment, Kylie again has her hands full, not just of her romantic prospects, but also because she has a ghost following her but who has amnesia. Odd, right?
Things are never dull in Shadow Falls. Something is always going on whether it's ghosts, romance, drama or teenage bickering.
These are very quick and easy reads, you can read them in such a short amount of time as it's so easy to get sucked into this world that cc. hunter has created. It's so alive. Magic and exhilirating.

Taken at Dusk has it's own twist and surprises. Kylie soon gets the answers she is looking for, but is she ready for them, or will it be too much to handle? There are all sorts of problems that come in this story, and it is one surprise after another.
Kylie finally decides between the boys and gives Lucas a chance to see where things go.  That doesn't mean her feelings for Derek disappears, especially when he says and does things that make you swoon and root for him.
And while Kylie may not know what she is, that is what makes it harder for Lucas's pack to accept them as a couple, because it is kinda forbidden for them to be together. Ah, werewolves and their laws, eh?

This book has its fair share of romantic dramas, and not just including the current triangle between Kylie and the boys. We also have Holiday and Burnett, and also Miranda and Perry. Both of these relationship aren't coming easy, but sometimes, girls can be picky.
There is also some great moments between the girls ... Kylie and her two roomates. I really love this friendship they all have together. They are all each different from one another, but have bonded in a way that is really admiring.

When I think about the triangle, its actually quite well done. Most YA series... someone always gets hurt, killed off or leaves. But this series, c.c. hunter seems to be doing is better than most I have read in a long time. They can be done right, it's a matter of how you plot it out and stay true to the characters.

And while I have my preference, I do think it's hard to tell which way it will end up.

Verdict: 4.5 / 5

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) by C.C Hunter

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) by c.c Hunter
Publisher: St Martins Griffin
Publication date: October 11th, 2011
Number of pages: 383
Format: Paperback
Purchase a copy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Step into the world of Shadow Falls, a camp that helps teens tap into their special…talents. Once you visit, you’ll never forget it—and you’ll never, ever be the same.

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside. 

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Ever since Kylie arrived at Shadow Falls, she has wanted to know what exactly she is, and in this book she is still trying to work that out.
One thing she knows for sure is that she can see and communicate to the dead, she isn't sure why or what that has got to do with what she is, but it's something, right? And speaking of the dead ---- Kylie finds herself being haunted by a ghosts who insists that someone close to Kylie will end soon.
As if that's not morbid enough....

Kyle also hands her hands full of romantic prospects. Her old childhood friend, Lucas who she shared a kiss with and then left with his she-wolf packmate to a place unknown and has yet to be heard of since, but that doesn't stop from him invading her dreams... whether she is doing or, Lucas.. that is the question.
And then we have hot fae named Derek, who has made his feelings and intentions clear to her, but when Lucas returns from his time away, Derek and Kylie will need to figure out where she stands with the both of them.

I really liked the mystery surrounding the ghost and trying to figure out who was going to die. It's hard to communicate with some, many ghosts because not many of them remember everything about themselves, how they got to be where they were... less alone answers to questions that Kylie might have.

The relationship between Kyle and Derek heats up, and then becomes complicated. I totally understand why Derek does what he does, because he doesn't want to be the 2nd choice. He wants her to be sure that it is him that she wants to be with, and that can't happen until she figured out whatever feelings she may or may not have for Lucas.
I am firmly on Team Derek, and have been since the beginning. This book only made my stand on that very sold and clear.

Kylie seemed just as frustrated as I in not knowing what she was. I look forward in discovering just that is, and I am sure, whatever it is, it's different than anyone else.

Verdict: 4.5 / 5