Elizabeth Sharp

Natural Selection was a quick and refreshing paranormal book. Amelia, also known as Lia, is a delightful and seemingly normal teenager, who just wants to hang with her best friends and survive biology. All seems good and well, until shortly after starting high school she begins to run a bit of a fever. After overhearing her parents talk about sending her away for her own good and because she doesn't realize that "she isn't even human," Lia starts to ask a lot of questions. Questions that, show more for the most part, are dodged.

If I was put in Lia's place, I'd be furious at my mother for not telling me I was special or what to expect. Teen years are hard enough as a human, without the assistance of latent supernatural powers developing. All in all, however, Lia deals with her changing life and body fairly well- at any rate better than can be expected.

The humor in Natural Selection was very much "my type" of humor. I ended up laughing out loud at least once a chapter.

There's not much to complain about with this book- especially if you like young adult and paranormal books. You've got a succubus, a djinn demon, sprites, ghouls, and earth spirits all living and interacting with humans. You've got a cute love story that unfolds beautifully, and a blushing young lady growing into the woman she's meant to be. Lia deals with a lot, but only after everything she has considered her life gets taken away does she really lose it, and even then her brother and sister pull her back together fairly quickly. The story has a great pace, and I was easily able to finish it in a single day. I'm very excited to read the second book after reading this one.

Disclaimer:

This book was provided for me at no charge, nor was I given compensation
of any kind for this review. This review only reflects my personal opinion. show less

Let me begin by saying how refreshing it was to read a young adult paranormal novel that WASN'T about vampires. I like supernatural stories, but reading about different kinds of otherworldly creatures was very refreshing. The descriptions of nature helped me feel even more connected just by reading.

Elizabeth Sharp has created some very interesting characters for this story. Amelia is someone that nearly any female can connect with, after all who doesn't remember the awkward stage right show more before high school? And just like every other family, Amelia thinks her family is strange. The only difference? Her family IS different, and this becomes apparent very quickly. For Amelia, the changes to her body come with huge revelations which quickly spiral into chaos.

I really enjoyed this novel. Though it took a while to get into, once the action starts there is no going back. One thing I enjoy about paranormal novels is to see the author's interpretation of how each creature would act, and Sharp did not let me down. It was a great read, but the best part is definitely the epilogue. show less

What I Loved:

This story has still got me captive as I read through it. The characters are still their amazing selves, though there's a lot more emotional drama in this book in comparison to Natural Selection. The story is fast paced, and a very quick and easy read. Amelia is still trying to find herself, which is completely understandable when you realize how quickly she grew up in the last book. I'm actually really impressed how well she handles herself in this book. And I'm still in love show more with the succubus, Sariah. In Second Natureshe really takes more of a rounder-character personaility, where she is still obviously a succubus demon, but you get to see her "true form" and she plays a much bigger part in Amelia's life than just a sister who sleeps around alot. Also, I don't think this spoils you if you've read the first book, but I totally love how Elizabeth ends her books (at least the first one followed this pattern and I'd be willing to bet the next does as well) with the viewpoint of the next villain to be taken down. It's not really a cliff hanger, per se, but it does make one anxious for the next installment).
What I Didn't Like:

There were a few typos that distracted from the reading. Other than that, no real complaints.
My Overall Review:

(5 of 5 Stars) Electrifying and Enchanting

Once I read the first book in this series, I was very anxious to read the second; it didn't disappoint. There is something to a paranormal creature learning about their powers that makes a captivating story. Usually it includes mess-ups, as The Forces of Natures Series does, but it's also seeing someone clumsily controlling things, turn and have true power. In Second Nature Amelia is on her own as a gaia, living with demons who may or may not know more about her nature than they let on, who is still getting used to her powers. Add in a cute angel and reluctant should-be-mate, and Amelia would have had her hands full without an evil witch to stop. Still, with all the pressure she faces, Amelia remains altogether cool and that's what I think makes her such an interesting character. I will definitely be looking forward to Forces of Nature Book Three.
Disclaimer:
This book was provided for me at no charge, nor was I given compensation
of any kind for this review. This review only reflects my personal opinion. show less

Let me begin by saying how refreshing it was to read a young adult paranormal novel that WASN'T about vampires. I like supernatural stories, but reading about different kinds of otherworldly creatures was very refreshing. The descriptions of nature helped me feel even more connected just by reading.

Elizabeth Sharp has created some very interesting characters for this story. Amelia is someone that nearly any female can connect with, after all who doesn't remember the awkward stage right show more before high school? And just like every other family, Amelia thinks her family is strange. The only difference? Her family IS different, and this becomes apparent very quickly. For Amelia, the changes to her body come with huge revelations which quickly spiral into chaos.

I really enjoyed this novel. Though it took a while to get into, once the action starts there is no going back. One thing I enjoy about paranormal novels is to see the author's interpretation of how each creature would act, and Sharp did not let me down. It was a great read, but the best part is definitely the epilogue. show less