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Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia
11 Reviews
(4)
YA
Maeve'ra series.
Fourteen-year-old shapeshifter Vance has been raised by vampires since infancy. He worships his adoptive protectors until a chance encounter makes him question his identity and the vampire society. Fans of Atwater-Rhodes's other series may not mind the lack of world-building here; others will likely be a little confused. The slow-to-start story picks up steam as naive Vance gets caught up in political intrigue.
Reviewer: Lauren Chambers
(4)
YA
In a world where factions of supernatural beings claim patronage from ancient elemental spirits, Jay, a hunter and witch, accidentally releases an elemental bent on revenge for the enslavement of its people. The brimming plot is somewhat hard to track, but Atwater-Rhodes plunges readers into a fascinating world in media res, exploring difficult philosophical questions through a charmingly reckless protagonist.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(4)
YA
Sarik and Alysia both have dark pasts they are hiding from. At SingleEarth, a group dedicated to helping supernatural beings, they are safe--until a violent act causes the past to catch up with them. The changes between character perspectives are not always clear, but a tight plot balances a wide, appealing cast of mortals, witches, shapeshifters, and vampires.
Reviewer: Lauren Chambers
(4)
YA
In retaliation for Sarah's transformation (Shattered Mirror), her vampire-hunter family declares war against vampires--including Sarah herself. Her sister faces the difficult choice of disobeying orders or executing Sarah. This installment is best suited for series fans; taking place in twenty-four hours, the fast-paced plot can be difficult to follow and allows for little development of characters or the world's parameters.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
(4)
YA
After spending half her life in psychiatric institutions, Erin, a diagnosed schizophrenic, wants only to live normally, free of her violent alter ego, Shevaun. Trouble is, Shevaun’s real: she's a vampire with inexplicable ties to Erin's consciousness. Atwater-Rhodes's supernatural shadow-world contains intriguing complexities, which are only sketchily explored. Her characters, among whom Erin is the only true innocent, are darkly compelling.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(4)
YA
In the aftermath of Oliza's abdication in Wolfcry, mongrel shape-shifter Hai still foresees disaster for her avian and serpiente peoples. The coup she plans will alienate Nicias--the falcon man she loves--forever. Complicated backstory and impenetrable interrelations make the setup hard to comprehend, but fans will delight in the mix of fantasy and melodrama.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
Oliza, the half-hawk, half-cobra offspring of royal shape-shifters from Hawksong, must decide between an avian or serpiente suitor and risk tearing apart her two peoples' fragile truce. In the end, her peace preserving prophecy-inspired choice is a shape-shifter wolf-woman and abdication from the throne. Although the same-sex romance is chemistry-free, the avian and serpiente cultures' sophistication adds interest.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
This sequel to Hawksong witnesses a fragile alliance between the historically warring avian and serpiente lines, forged by the marriage of their young rulers, narrator Zane Cobriana and Danica Shardae. Zane's voice is affected, but this time the author is in better control of her story, in which Danica's pregnancy raises concerns over whether either side will accept a mixed-blood heir.
Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann
(4)
YA
Turquoise Draka, a vampire hunter, goes undercover as a slave in order to assassinate the vampire Jeshickah, but the ruse stirs memories of her own slavery after the slaying of her family. Her master, sexy vampire Jaguar, assists and romances her. Dominance and submission play a big role in the callow, often clichéd writing, but Atwater-Rhodes's easy emotional hooks propel this accessible story.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
Witches from the Vida family hunt vampires--they have laws against befriending them. But Sarah Vida can't turn away from Christopher, a vampire she meets at school, and that friendship makes her first a victim of Christopher's vampire twin brother, then a vampire convert herself. Even rampant melodrama and a conveniently malleable sense of honor don't sap this energetic novel of its fun.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
Living in Massachusetts in the early 1700s, Rachel falls victim to a vampire; three centuries later she walks the streets of Concord as Risika, trying to satisfy an eternal blood-lust. The novel alternates between the time periods. Risika's tale suffers from a confused plot, mundane writing, and a weak conclusion, but the story of Rachel's indoctrination into vampiricism is riveting in this novel written by a thirteen-year-old.
Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta
11 reviews
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