The Sapphire Talisman - Brenda Pandos - Blog Tour Review

With the local vampire coven decimated, Julia and Nicholas try to begin a somewhat normal life together. Bound by secrecy from a shape shifter determined to see Julia’s world-saving prediction come to fruition, Julia isn’t allowed to tell Nicholas the leader survived, ransacking her happiness with guilt. When Alora returns, bent on revenge, the reunion forces Nicholas and Julia to choose what they are willing to live and die for.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)

Title: The Sapphire Talisman

Author: Brenda Pandos

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Publication Date: December 15, 2010

Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to Brenda Pandos for sending me a copy of her book for review, as well as Kari from Teen Book Scene. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This review is part of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for The Sapphire Talisman. 

My rating: 4/5

Things heat up for Julia and Nicholas in the second installment in the Talisman series, The Sapphire Talisman. Julia is hoping that things will return back to normal, but with Alora's inevitable return, she doesn't think they will any time soon. When things escalate for both Julia and Nicholas, they are left with a choice. 

The Sapphire Talisman starts off several months after the conclusion of The Emerald Talisman. Things seem to be going well for Julia and Nicholas, until a monkey wrench is thrown into the works. Now, the two must make a choice. With new circumstances comes the re-emergence of some surprising characters from the prior book. Certain characters return with a vengeance, while others make cameo appearances. The friction between several of the characters adds to the intensity, which enhances the plot.

Julia is ever empathic to her friends and family. I loved her character progression in this installment as well, as I found that she was quite genuine, and warmhearted, though she did what needed to be done. 

The action starts relatively early on in this installment and doesn't let up until the very end. We get some answers to certain questions from the previous novel. Things start to fall into place, making this an enjoyable read. I love the world that Pandos has created, and I really enjoyed the world-building that she incorporated in The Sapphire Talisman. It pushed the envelope in unexpected, yet good, ways, creating an even more intriguing read. I also loved the aspect of Dirty Harry, and loved the humour infused in the plot. 

All in all, Pandos has created an outstanding, and worthy, successor to The Emerald Talisman. Second books sometimes don't live up to the standards set by the first book, but I'm happy to say that this book surpassed the standards set for it. It is an engaging and deliciously vampiric read. 

The Emerald Talisman - Brenda Pandos

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

(Synopsis taken from goodreads.)

Title: The Emerald Talisman

Author: Brenda Pandos

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires

Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Publication Date: March 24, 2010

My Rating: 4/5

Julia isn't your normal everyday girl, though she would love to be. She is an empath, and hasn't really found her abilities all that useful. That is, until she makes a decision that could end up killing her. Now, more than ever, she will need to watch her back and rely on her abilities so she doesn't end up dead, or worse.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and devoured it at a leisurely pace. I enjoyed Julia's character and growth throughout the book. Originally, I wasn't all that impressed with her, but as she responds to certain situations throughout the book, I grew to really like her. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between her and Nicholas, and kept wanting to read more about him. I also really enjoyed her group of friends and hope we get to see more of them in the sequel.

I found the plot fast-paced, and engaging. Julia's love and compassion for her friends, and those around her really helps showcase her character. I loved the mystery surrounding certain characters, and events, and even now I am left wondering what exactly is going to happen next. The mystery deepens the further you get into the book, leaving you with questions for the sequel. The book also has its own unique spin on the vampire mythos making it a refreshing read.

All in all, this was an excellent page-turner. It captured my interest immediately, and never let go. Pandos is definitely one to watch. This is a great debut, and would be a worthy addition to any collection.

Many thanks goes to Brenda Pandos for sending me this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.