Tuesday 6 August 2013

Review of Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes

As part of the Kaleidoscope Tour hosted by Itching for Books, here is my - rather gushy - review of Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes


“Was I still a human? Gosh, I still wanted to be human. Even just to keep a sliver of whom I thought I was. But as I thought about being human, standing in the shade of the forest, I felt less human than ever. The trees fought for my allegiance."

It starts in her chest. The change Calliope doesn't see coming. It pulses like a second heartbeat, urging her to give in to the need to be in the depths of the forest. She's compelled to fight the pull, but the more she denies it the stronger it becomes until she finally surrenders and is pulled into a secret world of enchantment.

Kai and Declan need her to accept what she is, but with everything left unsaid, acceptance may be the least of their worries. Knowing their fate lies in her hands, they’ll stop at nothing to protect and prepare her for what lies ahead.
Will Calliope be able to accept what Kai and Declan reveal or will her desire to be normal keep her from acknowledging her true destiny?
 
Released: March 8th 2013
Series: Faylinn #1
Self-published
PurchaseAmazon
 
About the Author
Mindy grew up in San Diego, California exploring her interest for singing and playing the piano. Mindy first discovered her passion for reading when she had to make her first flight alone to South Carolina to visit her, then, fiancé. Mindy's love for writing followed shortly after. She and her husband have now been married for five years and live in Summerville, South Carolina.






 
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Kaleidoscope was…so many things. It was dramatic, and magical, and funny, and scary at times.

A kaleidoscope in itself…whoa…

I loved all of the characters. I found them incredibly believable and very well written. Of course I loved them all differently. I loved Lia’s ‘take no bullsh*t’ attitude and Callie’s dad’s nurturing, if over protective nature. And Kai…well I’m just going to wrap Kai up in a bow and take him home with me. He is like every young female adult’s fantasy. Good looking, charming, a bit of a rogue, a sharp tongue and a quick hand but when the chips are down he’s sweet and caring. Plus he spends most of the book with his shirt off so…can’t go wrong.

From the very beginning the reader is drawn in (I actually had to go back after I’d finished and re-read the prologue and it broke my heart when I realized what it was actually about) with so many questions and this need to have answers. Callie has such as strong voice and such an enticing character that I was immediately drawn in and I found myself relating to Callie in her struggles through her last year of high school with college and boys – well, one boy in particular. And then she gets this huge, unbelievably crazy secret that she has to keep and it doesn’t stop once. The action just keeps rolling forward and forward until it’s this big snowball of information that you’ve picked up and packed in until it’s this book-shaped snowman.

And the writing – oh the writing – I am so in love. Even though this story had its heavier, darker moments it was written so sweetly. That’s the best word I can use to describe it. Mindy’s ability to bring the reader into her world is simply incredible. She even sees metaphor through the characters’ eyes. I just loved living this story through her words. It was so sweet and light. Like you’re floating. Like springtime. Which brings me to another point.

If it’s nice out, take your copy of this book and read it outside. It’s magical.

It alleviates the pulsing, I swear. The concept of the pull of nature throughout this story is such a powerful one. Haunting, almost. There were moments where I felt it myself, that pulsing through my body to be somewhere else. To be outside lying on the grass. Soaking it all in. I loved it.

And, of course, my random notes whilst reading:

·         Being the third wheel sucks – especially when you can’t hate them

·         Don’t worry, Callie, I’m rolling my eyes for you. Ignorant boys

·         See, readers know everything. Books rule!

·         You’re really cute, wild boy – like an older Peter Pan – but that was creepy

·         This whole chapter is making me so giggly, I love it!

·         I can smell him from here *melts* bastard Enticed ME

·         Love the names

·         The writing has this light air – almost humorous – it’s making me giggly. I’m so in love

·         Well I saw that coming

·         Parents telling their kids what they shouldn’t do/be never ends well. Ever.

·         Don’t agree, don’t agree!

·         Why did you agree?

·         It’s always disappointing when they put on a shirt

·         I shouldn’t be dancing but I loved the little Cameron/Callie moment

·         I always thought Declan was older…more fatherly…oops

·         Evil overlord. Check.

·         Those poor Nesters. Never not pregnant *shudders*

·         Aw Kai. If Callie won’t hug him can I?

·         Damn it Cameron, stop being sweet

·         Love the imagery of her “other self” staring back at her in the mirror

·         I have renamed Liam and Owen: Horace and Jasper and I gave them thick cockney accents. Sorry…not sorry.

·         I keep thinking I’ve figured out part of the puzzle and then more questions appear

·         No, Cam, please. Don’t. Not now. Don’t. Stop.

·         God, Cameron!

·         Wow, I wasn’t expecting that

·         Moment of doubt then BAM…I was totally right

And then it ended and I had to figure out what to do with myself until the next book is released…which just happened this morning so I’m very excited to see what happens next. Pick up your copy of Kaleidoscope and Ember here.
If I had to pick one line that explained my love of this book it would probably be this:

“I didn’t think fae men knew the kind of effect a topless man could have on a girl”

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1 comment:

  1. Lovely review. Thanks for participating. Glad you liked it :)

    ReplyDelete