Neurotic Thoughts - Ember

Ember
Author: Madison Daniel
Release Date: March 16, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal
Published by: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterflys Publishing
Source: Bewitching Book Tours
Summary from Goodreads:


Love never dies...but it can kill.

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 Thoughts:
I liked it, I didn't like it. I loved Max, I hated Max. Ugh, this book had me going back and forth about on my feelings for the characters of this book. Everything I liked about this book I disliked too. The girls were strong and kick ass one minute and the next they were sniveling begging babies. Max made horrible choices and really just pissed me off over and over again to the point where I would groan and have to put the book down. 


What I liked:
I loved all of the music involved in Ember. Max and his band and all of the music that he listened too really helped give me something to connect with. 
Samantha was probably my favorite character even though she put up with so much crap from Max and all of his wishy washy ways. 
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Max, Samantha, and Asia and what and who they were. 


What I didn't like:
It was really hard to connect with these characters. Max wanted Sam one minute and Asia the next and both girls were willing to almost share him. Come on dude pick a girl and stick with her and girls don't let your man treat you like this!
Asia, I really didn't like her very much at all! Her character was abrasive and stuck up and I really just... well... hated her. 


Even though this wasn't my favorite book, it wasn't all bad. The writing is actually pretty good and the story wasn't half bad either. 


Plot: A pretty original YA paranormal actually
Characters: Inconsistent, weak, my least favorite part of the novel
Writing: Entertaining, surprisingly mysterious (I'm not counting the editing mistakes here)
Ending: Frustrating in the extreme
Kid Friendly: There are some pretty sexy,  super hot scenes
Overall: This one just didn't do it for me, the characters annoyed me to the point that I had a hard time really getting into this one
Should I Read This Book: If you are a lover of YA paranormal with lots of mystery, sexual tension, and love triangles you will probably like Ember


I hate writing reviews that are anything but glowing, but I have to be honest and tell it the way I see it. Luckily everyone has different tastes and here are a few glowing reviews. 


Sassy Book Lovers 5 stars
Kristy Berridge