Shattered Souls

Title: Shattered Souls
Author: Mary Lindsey 
Rating: 4/5
Summary: A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

My Thoughts: Mary Lindsey's debut novel puts an new and and story gripping twist on ghosts and the ones in charge of keeping everything in order here on earth. Lenzi thinks like her father, she's going truly mad. While popping pills to keep the voices down, and trying to hold it together for her mother and Zak, Lenzi is just about ready to give up. But then she meets Alden. Sweet, caring, and might I say gorgeous, Alden. It is Alden who tells her that the voices are real, and Lenzi's true duty on earth, to help lost souls move on to the after life. 
Mary Lindsey has created a new mythology, a true debut novel. The idea of reincarnation is used throughout the story, and unlike previous times, Lenzi has no recollection of her past lives. 
Alden pieces the story together, by teaching Lenzi (and readers) the system of Speakers and Protectors. Alden is an amazing character, he cares to deeply about Lenzi that he forgets about his own life. 
Overall, this was an amazing book, and should definitely be read by all. 

The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1)

Title: The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1)
Author: Avery Williams 
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again. 

Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's him again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love?

My Thoughts: My reaction when the book ended: WHAT? HOW CAN THE BOOK END LIKE THIS?
My reactions while reading the book: GASP! Sweet potato pie, I want me a slice of THAT, and OH MY FREAKIN' GOODNESS.
The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) is an incredibly unique book. The book journeys through Seraphina's eyes, a 14 year old girl who learns that love never dies. Seraphina was born in London in the year 1349. After a close brush in with death, Seraphina is given a vial to drink, but the apothecary's son (Cyrus). This gives Serpahina the power to switch souls with another body, and live forever. Present day: After living for over 600 years, Seraphina is ready to say goodbye to this world. However, while saving a 16-year old girl from a car accident, Seraphina mistakenly takes over the girl's body. Now, Serpahina must live the life of Kailey Morgan, without being caught by Cyrus. *Cue EPIC story*
There wasn't much romance in this book, which I actually thought was fine. There was a little in the end of it. Oh, the end. That's definitely something I wish I could talk to you guys about as well, but I can't without spoiling it. All I can say is that it's SO frustrating and I definitely feel sympathetic towards Sera.
All in all, The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) is a fabulous debut that you'll definitely want on your bookshelves!