Dark Visions

Dark Visions by L.J. Smith is one of my favorites. Kaitlyn Fairchild can predict the future though her drawings, though they're often too abstract to understand until too late. Tired of being an outsider, she decides to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can study and learn how to control her powers with four other psychic teens who have different powers. There she and the others start an unlikely friendship, and bond, when they discover the true meanings behind the institute and why they were brought there.

As they strive to escape and to destroy the evil intentions of the Zetes Institute, Kaitlyn finds herself torn between two irresistible, opposing guys; Rob and Gabriel. Rob is kind and gentle, where as Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious. When their opposing sides threatens to tear the group apart, Kaitlyn must decide who to trust, and who to love.

This book was soo good. I love books where the bad guys and the good guys join sides to stop the REALLY bad guys. The friendship between the five of them, or more importantly, the telepathic bond was too captivating to stop reading. In the end, they just want to help each other, no matter what the differences. The ending was a brilliant one, not disappointing at all, as it ties the story off perfectly, and everything is resolved.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Night World 1 and 2

L.J. Smith puts a new twist on the world of vampires, witches, and werewolves with the Night World series. They walk among us, appearing to us as ordinary humans, yet they have a dangerous secret. It is against the law to tell any humans about the Night World, and it's punishable by death if you manage to fall in love with a human. But the Soulmate Principle, which some people believe in and some people don't, is where everyone has just one perfect soulmate, and when you meet them, you recognize them instantly. However, more and more Night Worlders are finding human soulmates, in which they find themselves breaking the law for love. Can they establish the peace between Night Worlders and humans once and for all?

I love these books. Each book is separated into three shorter stories, with three different plots. The overall plot of the series is that there's something that's making Night Worlders have human soulmates, yet they don't quite know what it is. The books are always full of mystery and action, making it exciting at times, and spooky at others. A true thriller/horror book that alerts you to your senses with every sentence. My favorite of the three from the first book would be Secret Vampire, and my favorite of the second book is The Chosen.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

The Forbidden Game

    The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith is a terrific book, divided into three parts; The Hunter, The Chase, and The Kill. Jenny buys a game from a mysterious boy she encounters for an upcoming party. Turns out that the boy is a Shadow Man and has been in love with Jenny since she was a kid. To take her for himself, he draws Jenny and her friends into three consecutive games in which Jenny and her friends' lives are at stake. If they win, Jenny gets her freedom. But if they lose, Jenny has to commit herself to Julian for the rest of her life.

    This is a book where friendships deepen, and love gets in the way of the game. I loved the unique plot and the different characters. There were surprises at every turn and it's a great story of love, horror and sacrifice. In the end you have to question who's the real enemy, and who you can trust. I have no idea what to categorize this one as. Is it romance? Paranormal? Or both? Either way, I loved it.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars