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on March 21, 2016
Jessica's troubled mother suddenly passed away when she was about to enter college. Everything starts to unravel on why her mother left while Jessica is developing some disturbing abilities.
There are normal girlfriend friendships and also unnecessary rivalry with mild slut shaming. Some romance with a mysterious unattainable boy (of course).
Overall, this is an ok book.
There are normal girlfriend friendships and also unnecessary rivalry with mild slut shaming. Some romance with a mysterious unattainable boy (of course).
Overall, this is an ok book.
on November 4, 2013
I would give this book 3.5 stars - but 4 is more accurate overall than 3.
If I ever write a book I hope that Facebook decides to post it on random people's walls because you just can't buy that kind of exposure. That's how I found this book and I know I'm alone.
The first three sentences of the book felt a bit clumsy to me but I was quickly drawn in to the easy language style the author uses. There is nothing complicated or "high brow" about it - which I think is exactly what Ms Holmes intended. As she writes you know that she always has her target audience (young adults who "don't like to read") in mind. For example, there aren't any long descriptive passages or wordy conversations and the reader doesn't have to turn many pages before something new happens. Jess is a likeable teen, there are dorm room parties with plenty of alcohol and the characters aren't afraid to swear.
As many people have said - once I started the book - I couldn't put it down. Overall though - I preferred the first three quarters.
General (minor) Spoilers ahead.
After the death of her mother - Jess can see and hear ghosts. She goes to live with her sisters non-identical twin sister before going to college and moving into the dorm - sharing a room with a girl named Tia (who turns out to be very easily accepting of her new friends paranormal abilities). As luck would have it the college happens to have a class in Everything Paranormal and the man who teaches it has a host of paranormal investigator buddies (including a gypsy psychic). Jess comes to learn the reason for her abilities and the path which destiny has chosen for her.
End Spoilers.
I realized when I was halfway through the book that every time a new character is introduced I was examining them critically - looking for something which I assumed the book WOULD have - but strangely didnt. An antagonist. In other words - I was looking for the "bad guy". It is fairly rare (think about all the books you've read) to NOT have an antagonist for the "hero" to overcome. A person, an organisation, a zombie plague - even his or her own flaws - SOMETHING. Perhaps the antagonist will be introduced in the next book? I hope so - because it is only through adveristy in a novel that a character can develop and grow. Without it - the plot will eventually drift along into nothingness.
The second book has the opportunity to delve more deeply into the world in which Jess has been born. To flesh out the lore and rituals associated with it - to expand the fantasy aspects of the story into something which is detailed and believable. If this happens - and there is the introduction of a suitable antagonistic character or scenario - then it will certainly be worth a read.
Hopefully it will also be a bit longer :)
If I ever write a book I hope that Facebook decides to post it on random people's walls because you just can't buy that kind of exposure. That's how I found this book and I know I'm alone.
The first three sentences of the book felt a bit clumsy to me but I was quickly drawn in to the easy language style the author uses. There is nothing complicated or "high brow" about it - which I think is exactly what Ms Holmes intended. As she writes you know that she always has her target audience (young adults who "don't like to read") in mind. For example, there aren't any long descriptive passages or wordy conversations and the reader doesn't have to turn many pages before something new happens. Jess is a likeable teen, there are dorm room parties with plenty of alcohol and the characters aren't afraid to swear.
As many people have said - once I started the book - I couldn't put it down. Overall though - I preferred the first three quarters.
General (minor) Spoilers ahead.
After the death of her mother - Jess can see and hear ghosts. She goes to live with her sisters non-identical twin sister before going to college and moving into the dorm - sharing a room with a girl named Tia (who turns out to be very easily accepting of her new friends paranormal abilities). As luck would have it the college happens to have a class in Everything Paranormal and the man who teaches it has a host of paranormal investigator buddies (including a gypsy psychic). Jess comes to learn the reason for her abilities and the path which destiny has chosen for her.
End Spoilers.
I realized when I was halfway through the book that every time a new character is introduced I was examining them critically - looking for something which I assumed the book WOULD have - but strangely didnt. An antagonist. In other words - I was looking for the "bad guy". It is fairly rare (think about all the books you've read) to NOT have an antagonist for the "hero" to overcome. A person, an organisation, a zombie plague - even his or her own flaws - SOMETHING. Perhaps the antagonist will be introduced in the next book? I hope so - because it is only through adveristy in a novel that a character can develop and grow. Without it - the plot will eventually drift along into nothingness.
The second book has the opportunity to delve more deeply into the world in which Jess has been born. To flesh out the lore and rituals associated with it - to expand the fantasy aspects of the story into something which is detailed and believable. If this happens - and there is the introduction of a suitable antagonistic character or scenario - then it will certainly be worth a read.
Hopefully it will also be a bit longer :)
on November 11, 2015
** spoiler alert ** I liked this story but there were some annoying plot holes.
When Jess says she met a guy in the library who introduced himself using a dead guy's name why did things play out like that? They determine that she's not trying to play tricks, so they just assume she's crazy? Why don't they consider that library guy may have been playing a trick on her?
When Jess and Karen break Hannah out of a locked group home do they assume the police aren't going to look for her? I know it was important but there wasn't even a mention of being concerned about it.
When Jess says she met a guy in the library who introduced himself using a dead guy's name why did things play out like that? They determine that she's not trying to play tricks, so they just assume she's crazy? Why don't they consider that library guy may have been playing a trick on her?
When Jess and Karen break Hannah out of a locked group home do they assume the police aren't going to look for her? I know it was important but there wasn't even a mention of being concerned about it.
on November 1, 2015
The author E.E. Holmes is new to me. Her writing style was pleasant surprise. It was skillful, and a true pleasure to read.
Jess Ballard is artistic and somewhat of a tough loner who is used to a no-frills life. She has scary dreams she doesn’t understand. Her mother’s death occurs in the prologue and the first chapter begins with unanswered questions about the death, but Jess is forced to move on and adjust to her new settings; a new life calling home an upscale Boston residence with an unfamiliar aunt and uncle, and starting her freshman year at St. Matthews College.
At school, Jess makes friends easily and meets handsome, smart and athletic Evan Corbett. With this flicker of romantic interest, I was hooked. Holmes brings us into the story so effortlessly that when the first apparition appears to Jess, I almost forgot I was reading a paranormal story.
Through a series of turns, Jess realizes ghosts are not only attracted to her, but are seeking her out. Plagued by questions she can’t find answers to, Jess enlists the help of a campus parapsychology professor and that’s when the spooky things really begin to happen! Jess comes to learn of the heritage passed through her deceased mother’s bloodline. She is a Durupinen—A keeper of the doors that separate the worlds of the living and the dead. It is her calling to open the doors and help those trapped souls to whatever lay on the other side.
Jess Ballard is artistic and somewhat of a tough loner who is used to a no-frills life. She has scary dreams she doesn’t understand. Her mother’s death occurs in the prologue and the first chapter begins with unanswered questions about the death, but Jess is forced to move on and adjust to her new settings; a new life calling home an upscale Boston residence with an unfamiliar aunt and uncle, and starting her freshman year at St. Matthews College.
At school, Jess makes friends easily and meets handsome, smart and athletic Evan Corbett. With this flicker of romantic interest, I was hooked. Holmes brings us into the story so effortlessly that when the first apparition appears to Jess, I almost forgot I was reading a paranormal story.
Through a series of turns, Jess realizes ghosts are not only attracted to her, but are seeking her out. Plagued by questions she can’t find answers to, Jess enlists the help of a campus parapsychology professor and that’s when the spooky things really begin to happen! Jess comes to learn of the heritage passed through her deceased mother’s bloodline. She is a Durupinen—A keeper of the doors that separate the worlds of the living and the dead. It is her calling to open the doors and help those trapped souls to whatever lay on the other side.
on October 25, 2015
I liked Spirit Legacy by E.E. Holmes, although it did have a bit of a familiar feel to it.
Technically speaking, the book was well written. There were no obvious typos, grammatical errors, or misplaced punctuation. The text read fluidly and cleanly and I felt engaged by the plot and characters.
There was, however, one thing that made this a 4 star read rather than a 5 star. The plot was cliché. Teen sees dead people? Been done. Crazy teen sees dead people? Also been done. A Goth character that meets a ghost and doesn’t realize he is one? Again, been done. It was all very familiar. I wasn’t wowed by any particular part of the story because the plot was the same as hundreds of other books in the genre just like it. There were no surprising twists or big revelations.
Does that mean I didn’t enjoy the story? No. I did enjoy the story. I liked the characters (mostly), the writing/voice of the book—and sure, the plot was cliché, but I was still entertained.
Overall, I liked the book a lot despite its flaws. If you like teen ghost stories or paranormal mysteries, you’ll probably like it too. I’d recommend you give it a read. Although it wasn’t new or surprising, I look forward to seeing how this story continues further along in the series—who knows, maybe there are surprises in store.
Technically speaking, the book was well written. There were no obvious typos, grammatical errors, or misplaced punctuation. The text read fluidly and cleanly and I felt engaged by the plot and characters.
There was, however, one thing that made this a 4 star read rather than a 5 star. The plot was cliché. Teen sees dead people? Been done. Crazy teen sees dead people? Also been done. A Goth character that meets a ghost and doesn’t realize he is one? Again, been done. It was all very familiar. I wasn’t wowed by any particular part of the story because the plot was the same as hundreds of other books in the genre just like it. There were no surprising twists or big revelations.
Does that mean I didn’t enjoy the story? No. I did enjoy the story. I liked the characters (mostly), the writing/voice of the book—and sure, the plot was cliché, but I was still entertained.
Overall, I liked the book a lot despite its flaws. If you like teen ghost stories or paranormal mysteries, you’ll probably like it too. I’d recommend you give it a read. Although it wasn’t new or surprising, I look forward to seeing how this story continues further along in the series—who knows, maybe there are surprises in store.
on August 26, 2016
Holy cow, this book was AMAZING. I don't have much luck with indie authors, but wow! E.E. Holmes blew me away with the first of this series. It started off a pretty typical teen novel (probably my least favorite part-the author's description/reenactment of college events was kind of eh) The main character is a bit stereotypical, but the story and ideas definitely are not. It's not often I hear a new supernatural idea (can't say more! Spoilers!) but this is all ground breaking stuff. There were a couple of surprises thrown in (one seemed a bit too deus ex machina)that really spun the book around. Despite the few flaws, this book is infinitely readable and enjoyable. I'm definitely going to check out anything by this author in the future
on October 3, 2014
This is really fun. At first we find ourselves getting acquainted with a rebellious unhappy young lady trying to make sense of her screwed up life with her mother. Mom dies, off she goes with an aunt she doesn't know then off to college.
Strange things happening at an increasing rate makes it harder to put Spirit Legacy down. Ghosts, Durupinen, "Teigh Anonn," off to England for a couple of years to get trained? On to book two of The Gateway Trilogy to find out what happens next!
Strange things happening at an increasing rate makes it harder to put Spirit Legacy down. Ghosts, Durupinen, "Teigh Anonn," off to England for a couple of years to get trained? On to book two of The Gateway Trilogy to find out what happens next!
on May 27, 2017
I don't want to write a review so stop forcing it amazon, stupid kindle app. Five more fling words. F off
on March 24, 2016
I was offered this book free from the author for a truthful review! I was unable to download the free copy but was intrigued by the synopsis so I bought it myself. This has to be the best book I have ever read, it beats all the others hands down!! The author describes everything that is going on so you feel as if it is happening to you!! I have been buying books, searching for one just like "Spirit Legacy" and an author as gifted as E. E. Holmes!! I have read 91% of the book in two evenings when I'm usually watching TV!! I truly can't wait to read the second and third books in the trilogy!! I would suggest that any author, in this genre, read this book and try to write like E.E.. Holmes, I know they will never be as good but they can try!!!
