Review: Seconds Before Sunrise by Shannon A. Thompson

Publisher:  AEC Stellar

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Series: Timely Death Trilogy, Book 2

Pages: 277 (Paperback)

Release Date: March 27, 2014

Rating: 

Summary from Goodreads:

Two nightmares. One memory.

“Chaos within destiny. It was the definition of our love.”

Eric has weeks before his final battle when he’s in an accident. Forced to face his human side, he knows he can’t survive if he fights alone. But he doesn’t want to surrender, even if he becomes the sacrifice for war.

Jessica’s memory isn’t the only thing she’s lost. Her desire to find her parents is gone and so is her confidence. But when fate leaves nightmares behind, she decides to find the boy she sees in them, even if it risks her sanity.

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Coffee To Go: Let’s put it this way–I had an early class the next morning and I still couldn’t put it down. Thompson packs some crazy intense moments into the plot along with some really adorable ones. Minus some plot confusion, SBS was a genuinely enjoyable read.

Characters—

Jessica: If you know anything about Jessica in the last book, she’s completely different in this one. I feel like Jessica’s memory loss really adds depth to her character. It also makes her relationship with Eric stronger, in my opinion. To fall in love twice seems to me a very deep love. An improvement from Minutes Before Sunset is plot reliability where Jessica is concerned. There are a few scenes that had me on my toes in the most perfect way possible–Thompson uses a great mixture of foreshadowing and surprise to bring a lot of Jessica’s thoughts and scenes together.

Eric: He sounds so much more like a teenage boy in this book! In Minutes Before Sunset, I thought he sounded a little feminine, but I think we learn more about who Eric really is in SBS. Probably one of my favorite aspects of this entire novel is seeing Eric’s growth. I don’t want to spoil it for you guys, but it’ll really bring a smile to your face. On top of that, his gallantry will make you swoon. Ugh. Yes. Gents take notes, please.

Robb & Zac: I think that the words “mysterious” and “ominous” apply to both of these guys. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to be unsure of at least one of these guys’ character until the very end. Although these two aren’t always in the spotlight, their supporting roles are vital to the story. Thompson was brilliant with these two.

Crystal: She’s a great best friend. She probably wouldn’t be my best friend, but I really appreciate how steady of a character she is. Every novel needs a character that’s transparent and reliable in the midst of the story’s conflict, and she’s it.

Camille/Teresa: I felt that Camille (let’s stick with that name) was a pretty static character in Minutes Before Sunset, but Thompson reveals a lot about her in this book and I grew to really respect her. The reader will definitely get a glimpse into her complexities.

The World—

Thompson spends SBS focusing on setting the stage for the Timely Death finale as well as building each of her characters, both in depth and in intrigue. As far as “second books” go, she does a great job. SBS definitely does not fall into the dreaded “second book slump.” The reversed images/ideas of Light and Dark still play a large and interesting role in this book. For more info on the world in which SBS is set, check out my review of Minutes Before Sunset here.

The Themes—

I didn’t really nail down any specific themes, but I did see an emphasis on maturity and obedience to elders. Fate also stays very prevalent in this second novel.

Final Thoughts—

I liked it. I didn’t love it, but it was an enjoyable read. Firstly, I admire how accurate the titles are to each book. You’ll see why once you read it, but she does a great job choosing them. Thompson makes you care for her characters. That is pivotal on whether one will enjoy a story, and she’s successful here. My only real complaint is the plot fogginess towards the end. I felt like I knew what was happening, but it wasn’t actually happening. It was almost like I was in a dream-state during the structural climax. I’m hoping that the battle scenes and all that jazz with the prophecy become sharper in the finale book. Although honestly, I’m most excited to see more of Eric and Jessica!! They are climbing their way up on my list of fave book couples! 🙂

Memorable Quotes—

“I was in love with her, and she was in love with me, but our relationship–our identities–would kill us both if the Light figured out whom she was and used her against me.”

“The fantasized kiss was stolen time from the dreams…”

“Chaos within destiny. It was the definition of our love.”

****I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. So I can honestly tell you that it’ll be worth it to go check out Minutes Before Sunset and Seconds Before Sunrise.

Cover Reveal! Seconds Before Sunrise

Author Shannon Thompson brings us back into Eric and Jessica’s enchanting world with her sequel to Minutes Before Sunset! I have one word: FINALLY. Since finishing Minutes Before Sunset, I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Seconds Before Sunrise, which is why I am thrilled that Shannon has allowed me to be a part of her cover reveal for SBS.

Quick note for ya: Seconds Before Sunrise releases on March 22, 2014. Mark your calendars, folks! I know it will be on my blog’s Book Release calendar, which can be found on the right sidebar. Below is a quick synopsis of SBS.

Two nightmares. One memory.

 

“Chaos within destiny. It was the definition of our love.”

 

Eric has weeks before his final battle when he’s in an accident. Forced to face his human side, he knows he can’t survive if he fights alone. But he doesn’t want to surrender, even if he becomes the sacrifice for war.

Here is your fact for Shannon’s scavenger hunt–and just below that is what I know you’ve all been waiting for: the gorgeous cover for Seconds Before Sunrise! Helloooo Eric. What a cutie. The cover is, according to Shannon, strategically designed to represent humanity, which will be the book’s overarching theme. Yes, please! Okay, enough of my musings. Fact time and cover time!

Fact #29 Eric’s last name “Welborn” is purposeful irony—“well born.”

Did you like the cover? Comment your thoughts! If you did like it, check out more info at Goodreads or at Shannon Thompson’s website!

-coffeeshopreader

Book Review: Minutes Before Sunset – Shannon A. Thompson

Publisher: AEC Stellar
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Series: Timely Death #1
Pages: 294
Release Date: May 1, 2013 (via GoodReads)
Rating: 4/5

Summary from GoodReads:
She was undoubtedly a shade, but I didn’t know her.

Eric Welborn isn’t completely human, but he isn’t the only shade in the small Midwest town of Hayworth. With one year left before his eighteenth birthday, Eric is destined to win a long-raging war for his kind. But then she happens. In the middle of the night, Eric meets a nameless shade, and she’s powerful—too powerful—and his beliefs are altered. The Dark has lied to him, and he’s determined to figure out exactly what lies were told, even if the secrets protect his survival.

…

He had gotten so close to me—and I couldn’t move—I couldn’t get away.

Jessica Taylor moves to Hayworth, and her only goal is to find more information on her deceased biological family. Her adoptive parents agree to help on one condition: perfect grades. And Jessica is distraught when she’s assigned as Eric’s class partner. He won’t help, let alone talk to her, but she’s determined to change him—even if it means revealing everything he’s strived to hide.
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Wait…the Light is evil?

Characters—

Eric: What a breath of fresh air. The ability to come from a guy’s perspective and make it actually sound like a guy is one that I feel is pretty hard to come by nowadays. Thompson captures Eric’s voice so well! He’s not perfect—far from it—he’s full of churning emotions and teenage angst, which is only magnified by the fact that he has his whole world on his shoulders. How would you like to come home to “Son, are you ready to fight an epic battle to save all of your kind?” rather than a simple “How was your day?” Maybe all of that is why I love him. His attitude is a façade that conceals his caring and honorable side. Not to mention that he is not only HOT, but super sweet. Like, if I lived in Hayworth (the town in which the novel takes place), I would be sending him googly eyes all day, every day. Lastly and most importantly, he grows and transforms immensely as he finds out more about himself. That’s probably what I loved most about the entire novel. Eric at the end is a completely different person than Eric at the beginning. Well, that, and his hilarious sarcasm.

Jessica: I like her. I don’t love her and I don’t relate to her very much, but maybe that’s a personal problem. I snagged a few glimpses into her emotions and her life throughout the book, but I didn’t really hear her voice really speak out until the end. There were many moments in which I felt like she was two completely different people. Certain events in her life don’t seem to affect other parts of her life like they do Eric. I did, however, LOVE her backbone. When people are rude to her, she doesn’t take it. This girl has her self-respect and self-confidence in control! Many female protagonists nowadays, although beautiful, constantly bring up their insecurities. It’s good, because, let’s face it, high school/college girls can relate, but I loved seeing Jessica’s comfort in her own skin.
The World—

WHAT? The guys that come out at night are the good ones? Mind. Blown. I do hope she elaborates more on the Light/Dark history in Seconds Before Sunrise, as there are some unanswered questions on how the Lights/Darks came into being, why their clans hate one another, etc. I cannot express how much I love Thompson’s explanations as to how these supernatural creatures live side-by-side with humans. They shift into two different forms? You’ll have to read the book in order to find out more, but I will say that Thompson’s world of “shades,” “Lights,” powers, hierarchy, shape-shifting, and foretold epic battles has its coolness factor down.

Final Thoughts—(READ ME)

Housekeeping: multiple small grammar/spelling mistakes. While they bothered me, they didn’t take away from the story, so if you’re not a grammar Nazi like I am, you’re good!
Thompson’s reversal of the Light/Dark archetypes is really interesting and wonderfully unnerving and seeing the two extremes come face to face during intense battle scenes only highlighted the genius of this role reversal. HOLY DRAMATIC IRONY. For the majority of the novel, my mind was screaming “OMG listen to me! I know stuff you don’t!” and it was oh, so good. Thompson’s use of dramatic irony kept me on my toes, just waiting to see when the characters would figure out things. Also, Thompson sketches in her foreshadowing beautifully. I cannot wait to find out what’s in store for Eric and Jessica in Seconds Before Sunrise. The romance is genuine and did not have raging teenage hormones; instead, it shows that…(ahh, best part. You’ll have to read it!)

Memorable Quotes—

“You’re either very brave or very foolish.” “What’s the difference?”
“She reminded me of what it was like to believe in something.”
“He was beyond intimidating. He was overwhelming.”

The author provided me a free eBook in exchange for an honest review.