[Review] Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer

Title: Delia's Shadow
Author: Jaime Lee Moyer
Publisher: Tor
Genre: Ghosts, Paranormal, Mystery
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Source: Publisher for Review
Purchase: Amazon | TBD

A dark, romantic fantasy set against the backdrop of San Francisco devastated by the Great Quake

It is the dawn of a new century in San Francisco and Delia Martin is a wealthy young woman whose life appears ideal. But a dark secret colors her life, for Delia’s most loyal companions are ghosts, as she has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with an ability to peer across to the other side.

Since the great quake rocked her city in 1906, Delia has been haunted by an avalanche of the dead clamoring for her help. Delia flees to the other side of the continent, hoping to gain some peace. After several years in New York, Delia believes she is free…until one determined specter appears and she realizes that she must return to the City by the Bay in order to put this tortured soul to rest.

It will not be easy, as the ghost is only one of the many victims of a serial killer who was never caught. A killer who after thirty years is killing again.

And who is now aware of Delia’s existence.

I thought that this book was just awesome. The author really had a way of bringing the early 1900's to life and taking the reader on a trip back in time. From the terminology to the clothes, you sure felt like you were there.

Delia can see spirits, but cannot hear them, and when she receives an unexpected visitor while in New York, she is not too pleased. Thus she returns to San Francisco after feeling she needed to return and so begins her journey into the mystery of her "Shadow" visitor and a series of murders.

Gabe is a detective and has had his fair share or turmoil over the past few years. Everything changed when he met Delia.

The supporting characters were amazing. Sadie, Jack and Isadora. Without them the story would have still been pretty good, but not as good as it is with them in it. Dora really helped Delia with her spirit problem and I think Sadie is what helped keep Delia grounded even with Sadie's wedding plans in place.

The story was pretty decent. I liked the mystery aspect of it tied in with the ghosts. It was a good even mix of the two, which is why I liked it. It wasn't too heavy with one genre over the other. I would have liked a little more when it came to the letters that Gabe received however. You only hear that he received them and that there were symbols on them, nothing referring to what was stated in them. The rest of the story was enjoyable and left me second guessing who the murderer was.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good mystery with a touch of romance and the paranormal.

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{Review} Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Haunting Violet
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Children's
Genre: Young Adult, Ghosts, Mystery
Release Date: June 21st 2011
Source: from publisher for review
Purchase: TBD/Amazon

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. Now that she is being haunted by the ghost of a young woman, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must discover the mystery behind this girl's violent death, to prevent the ghost's twin sister from suffering the same fate. Fans of Alyx Harvey are in for a treat with this tale of unsolved murder and forbidden romance within the confines of Victorian high society.

 This was a hauntingly romantic, witty and excitement filled paranormal novel. It was a hard one to put down as I started to read and get entranced into this world set in the late 1800’s. I have always been a fan of the era and this really brought me close to it with the way that Harvey wrote each character and developed the story.

Violet is trapped by her loyalty to her mother and the fact that she is only sixteen years old. She doesn’t believe in spirits, which is her mother’s occupation as a fake spiritualist, but it doesn’t mean the spirits don’t believe in her. Should she embrace her gift or run from it? Well, you soon find out once you become so engulfed in this spectacular novel.

The characters were amazing, Violet was written wonderfully and the reader really felt connected to her. I just can’t imagine a world where you are betrothed to be married at sixteen, or even hoping to be married at that age.

I especially liked Colin. And even Elizabeth. Colin was a rugged type of Irishman, and just imagining his accent while he talked was amazing. I love the Irish accent. But that’s not all he has going for him. While I am a sucker for a “bad boy”, I really enjoyed the change of pace with Colin. He had a heart of gold, always looking out for Violet, ever since they were young.  I just pictured him with the boyish charm and babyface.

Elizabeth was great. She was fun and bold and daring. But when it came to boys, mainly Frederic, she was positively head over heals and giddy. She is definitely a true friend, even when Violet thought there was no one left that would trust her, Elizabeth came through.

I would have normally gave this one five stars, but I’m actually giving it four. I just felt as if this story was lacking something more. I would recommend this to anyone ages 14 and older.

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