Title: Forsaken
Author: Keary Taylor
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: January 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 330
Source: Author

It’s been four months since Alex gave everything to save Jessica. Life should be perfect; she has Alex, she’s been freed of the nightmares, and most of all- she’s alive. But some things have changed, some things haven’t. That’s the problem. Alex still hasn’t asked “the question”. Jessica can’t see the reason why and it’s tearing her apart. He’s keeping something from her.

Alex isn’t the only one who has changed though. Something is different about Jessica but she doesn’t understand what’s happened. She just knows something’s wrong, that she feels different than she used to, on a skin deep level. And it may keep her and Alex apart. Forever.

Jessica's life should be perfect. Alex gave up everything to save her life, and her troubles are over...but are they really? In a world where her reality has been turned on its end, secrets are coming into the open and Cole is determined to show her that these secrets mean something but the past and just how they might change her future. And, despite the hope that Jessica and Alex might just be together forever, something dark is brewing beneath the surface, and it's almost like destiny is coming into play and overriding it all.

Forsaken is the second installment in author, Keary Taylor's, Fall of Angel series. As the sequel to the promising first book, Branded, I went in with high but measured hopes for Forsaken because, let's be honest, series seem to be the way every single author in just about every single genre goes these days. Luckily for us, Forsaken continues its unique twist and take on the angel trend, giving life to a dark and haunting world where angels are every bit as badass as your run-of-the-mill vampire or werewolf, and perhaps moreso than them, too.

What I enjoyed most about Forsaken was the deeper look we got into Cole's past, which I felt was lacking in book one, and was one of the only reasons I lowered my rating for the first book. Delving into the past and seeing how it affected Jessica's future, as well as the future in general, engaged all the characters into this perfectly enmeshed struggle that was exhilarating and nervewracking at the same time. Yes, there were a few grammatical and punctuation errors, but the only real qualm I had with Forsaken was the cliffhanger ending. While yes, the Forsaken read well, it couldn't stand alone, and I have a hard time with that.

Overall though, Forsaken was a great read with a plot that's well-executed with engaging and dynamic characters, as well as a fabulous voice. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy paranormal tales involving angels.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Get excited, guys! It's day 5 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour, and we have yet another amazing stop for you to visit today! Be sure to check out Jen's blog, Makeshift Bookmark, for her take on the book, as well as an author interview and international giveaway!

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Forsaken by Keary Taylor

(Thank you, Keary)

It's been four months since Alex gave everything to save Jessica. Life should be perfect; she has Alex, she's been freed of the nightmares, and most of all- she's alive. But some things have changed, some things haven't. That's the problem. Alex still hasn't asked "the question". Jessica can't see the reason why and it's tearing her apart. He's keeping something from her.

Alex isn't the only one who has changed though. Something is different about Jessica but she doesn't understand what's happened.

FOR REVIEW

Hex, A Witch & Angel Tale by Ramona Wray

(Thank you, Ramona)

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. 

And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out—and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. 

FOR REVIEW

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

(eARC - Thank you, S&S Galley Grab)

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. 

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, Rhine has one purpose: to escape.

FOR REVIEW

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

(eARC - Thank you, S&S Galley Grab)

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

Night after night, Jessica stands trial before a council of vindictive angels for deeds she didn’t commit. Condemnation brings a branding as they dementedly laugh and point but exaltation starts a war over her soul. These are Jessica’s nightmares. Alex is everything Jessica could ever want and she’ll do anything to be with him. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck.This is what she will fight for.

But the nightmares rule Jessica’s life and she must find a way to stop the events that are pulling her toward her own judgment or become the object of her greatest fear. And lose Alex forever.
Taken from GoodReads.

Branded follows the story of Jessica, terrified to sleep because when she does, she's judged. She stands trial before the angels, both good and bad, for the souls of the dead. She's lived this life since she was five, and she was eventually committed by her own mother because her parents couldn't deal with her problems. Independent and afraid of opening up, Jessica knows she must eventually sleep, and when she does, she'll be judged again and face the branding of the angels.

Holy original plot! Branded is a new take on angels, which are apparently the new supernatural "creature" that's hot in the YA book world. That said, author Keary Taylor has presented a fresh idea with a delightfully independent and strong female protagonist that will keep you cheering for her throughout the story. Branded is, in a nutshell, a rich blend of biblical undertones, the weight of right and wrong, and the quest to save one's soul.

While the plot of Branded was beautifully original, I will say there were a few things I would have changed, if at all possible. First of all, there were some points where I could read right between the lines to see what happens next. I would rather be surprised. I also felt that the villain was a little too surface-heavy for me. I want to know more than his actual motives. I want to know what drives his motives, if that makes sense. The true strength of Branded lies within the relationship between Alex and Jessica. That was pure gold, in my honest opinion.

All in all, in my very humble opinion, Branded is an extremely strong 3.5 out of 5. The author shows so much promise and talent, and I can't believe a publisher hasn't picked her up yet. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her work. I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy, especially those who enjoy supernatural and romance elements.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Delirium - (For Review - Thank you, HarperTeen & NetGalley) - Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

Here Lies Bridget - (For Review - Thank you, Harlequin Teen & NetGalley) - Heroine, Bridget Duke, rules her high school, but when she crashes her car and ends up in limbo, she must confront the people she has wronged, all of whom want her to go to hell. The outcome of these meetings will decide her final destination..

Branded - (For Review - Thank you, Keary Taylor) - Night after night, Jessica stands trial before a council of vindictive angels for deeds she didn’t commit. Condemnation brings a branding as they dementedly laugh and point but exaltation starts a war over her soul. These are Jessica’s nightmares. Alex is everything Jessica could ever want and she’ll do anything to be with him. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck.

What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave me a link, and I'll be sure to check it out!