Kody Boye

When Dakota Hammell, a teenage runaway who is attacked in an alley and left to die, is found by a psychologist who invites him to live at his house while he recuperates, he's not quite sure what to think. Even more curious is the deal he makes: Dakota can live there as long as he needs on the condition that he write in a journal every day. This novel is the journal that Dakota keeps and documents not only what happens as he works toward physical, emotional, and mental recovery but also his show more past as he slowly opens up about what happened to him.

This was some really great storytelling. I really could have believed that Dakota was a real young man who wrote this diary himself. The story progresses naturally and it's easy to see the way Dakota develops throughout the book. The only think that I didn't really care for was the way the book ended, though that's largely because I want so much to know what happens next... show less

As a book blogger, especially one who reads Giselle's reviews, it's hard to miss Rhiannon Frater. She apparently writes super awesome vampire and zombie books, but I haven't gotten around to those yet. When the tour came up for Frater's paranormal co-written with another author, I couldn't resist. Joining The Midnight Spell tour was a good choice. Frater and Boye's novel is light, humorous, and fun all the way through.

Like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Christy is approaching the age of her show more powers awakening. Christy desperately wants her full-blown witchy powers, and keeps trying to perform spells in hopes that they'll turn her powers on full blast. Her latest plan is a spell at midnight to bring her bestie Adam's perfect guy to town. Adam doesn't wholly believe in Christy's magical abilities, but he hopes, tired of being alone and picked on for his sexuality.

Adam and Christy both really stick out in their whitebread, small town. Christy's been called a witch since she was young, her tendency to wear dark clothing not really helping matters. Red-headed Adam has been picked on for being gay for years too, even though he hasn't actually come out. They're lucky to have each other, though, and their social butterfly friend, Drifter. I would have liked to see a bit more of Christy and Adam's friendship before the midnight spell kicked the plot into motion, but I love their bond, and that the story is told from the POV of a straight girl and her gay best friend.

The plot includes some paranormal mayhem, but definitely keeps more to the funny than the creepy, which is a nice change of pace from paranormal stories that take themselves super seriously. There are some paranormal creature reveals at the end that definitely made me chuckle. The focus, though, is really on the romances: Adam's with mysterious new hottie Mark and Christy's with her long-time crush Ian.

The one thing that cut down on my enjoyment a little bit was my indifference towards Mark and Christy. I don't dislike either of them, but I never got a real sense of them as people. I would have assumed that Boye and Frater each took one of the perspectives to write, but Christy and Adam read too similarly to me. I had a bit of trouble keeping whose section I was reading straight.

On the other hand, I loved the secondary characters. They are made of sass and awesomeness. Callie, Christy's cat familiar, and the broom really steal the show. They're also super dependable and a bit snarky. Yes, a broom can be kind of snarky. Oh, and both Adam and Christy have super caring, present parents, with the exception of Adam's dad who's gone months at a time for work but who obviously loves his family a lot. The three parents are all a hoot. Oh, also, there's Drifter, who I totally want to hook up with Christy, because he's way smarter and more interesting.

The Midnight Spell is a highly fun paranormal self-pub. The ARC version I read had very few errors, so I imagine the finished copy will be pretty spotless, so, if you're interested, feel no fear! I'm definitely looking forward to reading some of Frater's darker novels. show less

I love mermaids, evil and sweet. Dagana is one of the dangerous kind, and once I find out why, I can empathize with her, but that doesn’t excuse what she’s doing now.

I live on the Gulf Coast and have yet to see a mermaid. But, there have been sightings. When her father was killed, Jessica saw a red and orange tail, nothing like she had ever seen before. After the fifth death, she figured out she would have to be the one to do something about Dagana.

She begins to research the history show more behind Mermaid Cover. Well, it seems pretty self explanatory to me. After all, the businesses had mermaidish names too.

We have some of the usual teenage angst, some bullying, some young romance, but Samantha, her best friend, is always by her side, through thick and thin. And, we can’t forget about Tibbles, her cat, who seems to know she needs comfort. Aren’t critters cool in that way?

I was slowly drawn into the story, wondering what she can do by herself.

Dagana is a bit different from my normal mermaid reads. I am confused about my feelings. Do I like the direction Kody Boye took with the storyline, though I do love the idea of a man writing about a young girl and a mermaid. Maybe that’s why he came up with the ending. Even though I am ambivalent about it, I don’t see how it could have ended any other way.

I think teens and young adults may appreciate this more than I did. I think they may be able to better related to the character of Jessica.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dagana by Kody Boye.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
REVIEW COPY
Release Date-3/4/2017

When They Came (When They Came #1) by Kody Boye was a really enjoyable read. An incredibly fast-paced YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian novel that kept me interested from start to finish.
The first book in a series; this set the stage brilliantly, drawing me into this imaginative future dystopian landscape and hooking my interest instantly.
The world building here was fantastic and easily comprehended.
"When they Come" starts off in the fictional show more stronghold of Fort Hope; here Ana Mia after graduating the juvenile education system decides to join her sister on the wall as part of the Midnight Guard.
This guard protects the inhabitants of the stronghold by watching the night and holding the line; guarding the population against Earths alien invaders and there lackies the Coyotes.
(sounds almost Game Of Thrones-like)
The Aliens are harvesting the populace from there ships and the Coyotes seem to be the eyes and ears of these invaders.
These coyotes, by and large, seem dumb simple but vicious creatures and I'm not really sure yet what the deal is with them.
I mean where are they from? what are there Intentions? and why are they assisting the harvesters?
In fact who even are the Harvesters and what is there ultimate goal here?
And for that fact what happens to the inhabitants they have beamed up to there vessel?
See; so many valid questions here.
So there's a lot going on and as you can see from my above waffling so many questions I still want answers to.
the author also manages to do such an excellent job of dialling the tension up notch by gradual notch; its done so subtlely that before I knew it I were smack bang on a rollercoaster to god knows where.
There's so many twists and turns aplenty and the whole story had a biting your nails constantly vibe to it; I was so on edge throughout.
I also really liked how past events were conveyed here from invasion day; told in a series of flashbacks; I found this such a nice touch, It gave "When They Came" such a personal feel to it; which I very much appreciated.
my only annoyance here with this; was how fast the author seemed to knock off individuals I had become emotionally invested in.
No sooner had I forged a connection then pop they were gone; which is all fine and dandy but I didn't think enough closure was offered up to truly appreciate the contribution these characters brought.
I know post-apocalyptic Alien invaded landscape; not actually conducive to mourning and wallowing but I'm talking more about an internal monologue here.
A sort of reflective remembrance as I do feel that maybe Ana Mia would be much more traumatised and affected by her losses than she seemed to portray.
There was only one scene where she major broke down then she seemed to pull herself together so swiftly I was slightly sceptical.
I also wasn't a mega fan of using Ana's whole name in conversation; it just felt weird and slightly pretentious if I'm being honest here.
So That's my main reasons for the one-star deduction.
So despite my above points and some slight cliche one-liners, this was a fantastic YA read.
It will be fascinating to see where this will go next after that cliffhanger of an ending.
Thankfully the next instalment in this enthralling series is already available.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC copy of "When They Came (When They Came #1)" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
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