Charlotte Abel

NOTE: I received the eARC from the author, for which I'm beyond grateful.

Wow! Just, wow! I didn't expect this book to be such a black, but it left me speechless and wanting more! I'm greedy like that. Every chapter was full with tension and drama. Every page screamed that there was more, so much more in the next one. and I had to keep on going until I found myself at the end, eyes full with tears, heart racing in my chest.

Because River's Recruit wasn't just the next book. Oh, no. It was an show more adventure that left me breathless, it was like a fairy tale with elements of reality. It had me gasping in expectation at every corner.

Yeah, it was that good and I know I can't wait for the next installment to come out. So Charlotte, you better hurry it up!

So, here we're introduced into the lives of two very different people. Jonathan, who is an ex-marine (due to the fact that he's left with only one hand after his unit's car got blown up in Afghanistan); and River, who doesn't even live in our reality of this world. and then they meet in the midst of a snow storm that sort of placed them together for longer than initially intended.

When their worlds collide, neither one of them is left a choice but to embrace the card they'd been dealt. And what a card it is!

Outside of all the action, adventure, drama, etc., what's really interesting is River's world. Her community of people (kind of cult like) live isolated and outside of any technology and the like. Much like the Amish, now that I think about it. However, they have laws that are so severe, most of the punishments seem to lean toward death. That's how the Community control the people mostly - through fear of death. Understandable, isn't it? Family ties and family trees are respected more than anything. And of course, obedience is mandatory for everyone.

I really liked how the characters' names were almost all Biblical. Like Reuben and Issachar and others I can't think of right now. Out of all of them I really ended up caring for Reuben. He was just so amazing! He despised the severity of the laws but was well aware there was no way around them. If there was, he was definitely taking it. And he wanted the absolute best for River. He treated her like a daughter, even though if she'd been 'bought' by anyone else, she'd have been a concubine. Worthless and used up.

So, River. She was this wild spirited, but obedient to Ruben, young girl. She had a backbone and mad bow skills. Also, she always seemed to be able to see through people.

Jonathan warmed my heart too. H was such a sweetheart, knowing nothing about the Community but being determined to protect River with his life if he must. Brave, reckless at times, but always putting others before his own needs.

I don't think I need to go on. Really. You should've gotten the picture by now. This book is... an adventure you must not miss! show less

NOTE: I received the eARC from the author. Thanks Charlotte!

This review was originally posted at YA Story Teller

Finding Valor is the last installment in the Channie Series. As such, I was scared to start reading it, because I had no idea how good it would turn out to be. It's a real fear you know, seeing how many trilogies have horrible endings. Luckily though, it scored a great rating.

And there's a good reason why. Charlotte Abel has done an exceptionally good job finishing this series. Her show more writing style has improved over the years and it's quite obvious. Sure, at times it felt that the book was just too long, but I realize now that if it had been written any other way, we as readers would have missed out a lot. The events just had to unfold the way they did, or the effect of this final novel would not have been the same.

Finding Valor started out slow, with Joshua's lack of memory of all things Channie related. I loved how it was explained that he would remember certain things for an instant and then forget them right away because of the curse Channie's mom placed on him. This way it seemed that the pain of the emptiness inside his heart felt all the more excruciating. I don't know how I would've felt in his place - not remembering a single thing for the past (was it a) year. Not remembering being married and completely in love...

It wasn't any easier on Channie either. She willingly gave Josh up, just so she could protect him from her insane mother. How sad is that?

The intensity of the action was held by the two major events: a) Channie's sacrifice and b) the fight with the mage queen Dominance. Each chapter built up the tension even more, until I could barely wait to see what was going to happen in the end. I felt like skipping to those last pages just so I could know. You know? There were surprises at every turn and I'm happy to say I couldn't really predict them. I love that kind of book.

But what I loved the most was that all the characters grew throughout the novel. Joshua started out as a naive, disbelieving guy and became a recognized, responsible leader. Channie started out as a girl who'd lost all hope, but ended up with more than she could've ever wished for. Even Hunter had grown into a man who understood the comings and goings of the world around him.

Lots of mistakes were made, even more love came to be and I could only say that I was entirely satisfied by this final installment of the Channie Series. show less

I should say that this book was better than the previous one. The characters have grown and with them the author's skills. The beginning was a little slow, and kind of made me want to slap Channie and Josh for being such crybabies. It felt like the only thing Josh wanted to do was have sex and that's it. It was so annoying.
I was so glad about that encounter with the two trackers, that you wouldn't believe it!! Finally everyone was rushing to do something meaningful! Something other than show more argue over a pot of stew or killing mice or making cornbread. But, all that annoyingly normal stuff was kind of insightful of the characters' thoughts and feelings. And I liked how this time there were multiple points of view. It was nice to hear Josh's thoughts for a change.
This novel seemed to take the story to a whole new plane. There was action, lots of running away from things and people, strong emotions and of course - every decision came with its consequences. Towards the end, everything was so intense, I was having hard time breathing. It was really an exhilarating ride.

The characters:
*Channie - Oh goodness, this girl irritated me so much with her weird decisions! Protecting Josh would've been much better if she'd actually listened to him. Besides, how could an Empty protect a powerful mage? She brought more trouble than anything else.

*Josh/Valor - I can't wait for him to actually step into his real shoes. Josh is a boy, while Valor is a man, and I really want to see the man. He's been peeking out from time to time both with resolution and cold-blooded decisions. Too bad nobody listens to him half the time. I guess though that this is what keeps the story going. I mean, if everything got solved right away, then there would be no story, so I get it :)

*Hunter - omg, Hunter was hilarious. And the new job he got - it cracked me up!!! I can honestly not imagine him doing those things. His accent was amazingly well portrayed.

*Daddy turned out to be not-so-selfish after all. I felt really bad for him when his wife turned psycho.

*Momma - urgh, just URGH!!! Magic here was like drugs in our world. The woman got seriously addicted and it turned her all Wicked Witch of the West. I really wanted to just see her dead. Harsh, but true. Sorry.

The ending was really powerful. It made me all emotional, but I didn't cry. I was just angry. Such a cliffhanger, Charlotte!!! You're playing dirty!!! LOL
Love it :) Really a great read!! show less

I found myself another favorite paranormal romance. I loved this book. Channie is cute and funny, and I love her feisty spirit. I like how she doesn’t take any crap from anyone, especially her retard of parents who change her name to Chasity, and basically made it a curse. As her and her family are witches that they call Mages in this book. Their name is their power, hers was Enchantment, which makes people like her, and adore her, Her dad freaks when some Empties (non magics) pay too much show more attention to her, (boys of course)

They end up having to leave Arkansas and the rest of her family, since her day got himself into some major trouble. So they moved to Colorado and decide to live with the non-magics. This is where Channie meets Josh, who I really like; he is a true friend, and more to Channie. She gets teased right away, as her name is now Chasity Belks (they also changed their last name) and well, that is too close to Chasity Belt, lol, Poor girl, and not to mention, any guys to “lust” after her, they get a zap like a taser, and if they touch her, even worse.
It’s a great read, and Channie and Josh really try everything to reverse this curse her parents have put on her. What her parents didn’t expect was Channie became stronger them they are, and can’t push her around or give her a whipping anymore. (which is so wrong in the first place)

I was not expecting the amazing twist near the end, I was shocked, and loved it. I am not telling you what, but it was awesome!

I do not want to give too much away, so wont say too much more, but will say, that this is a touching, sad, funny, exciting story. I can’t wait to read book 2 Taken. I need to know what happens, like now, lol.

I highly recommend this book and series. Its great for all ages, not just the young.

5 out of 5 stars.

I was provided this book from the author for my honest review.

See the book tour at my blog, and read an excerpt there too.
http://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-tour-enchantment-c... show less