Intertwined

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did - it sounded just a bit over the paranormal top with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and zombies. That said, the first page was the hardest to get through. The first time I picked it up, I read most of the first page and put it down. It didn't grab me from word one. That said, later that night I picked it up again, re-read the first page, turned the page, and COULD NOT STOP. I found myself sitting in an empty bath tub still reading later that night. The book is very well written with a very good story. I love the idea of a very special young man gifted with unexplainable paranormal powers ending up in the mental health system. It seems like that's what would happen if a boy like this existed. The characters are very well developed and the story very neatly tied together. It is not as much a vampire novel as I'd thought. Vampires do play a definite role, but they do not steal the stage. About 3/4 of the way through, the story got a bit forced for about 10-15 pages - like the author was really trying to tuck some ends in, but it was so over the top entertaining that I can't hold it against her. The ending is well resolved but still it is left open for a sequel. I'll be in line for it!

I really loved this book. It was engaging and thrilling from start to finish. I read this book in one day. It was impossible to put down. I can't wait for the sequel. This is the story of Aden Stone, a troubled teenage boy who has 4 souls living inside him. He meets Mary Ann Gray who can quiet the souls and finally give him peace. They have an intense bond and friendship. Two romances develop. One between Aden and a vampire princess and Mary Ann and a Werewolf. If you are a lover of supernatural adventure/romance, no matter what your age, you will love this book.

Intertwined was the ultimate paranormal fantasy! A little bit of this a little bit of that. I'm a huge fan of Gena's adult novels, so it was easy to loose myself in her writing, since I'm so familiar with it. It was reassuring to know that I would be entertained. And was I ever. There is a lot happening in this book, it extends way beyond Aden. Some people might see that as a bad thing, but I really enjoyed it, reveled in it really. I had no idea what was going to happen next. I did figure out a few things, well I thought I figured out a few things, doubted myself, but then found out my initial assumptions were correct! Characterization was great, even the human souls in Aden's head were well developed! Mary Ann was a little irritating at times, but she grew on me a little bit by the end of the novel. Overall, it was just fantastic. In a genre where everything is getting over-done, it's nice to see original ideas surface. Sure the typical paranormal characters where present, vampires, faeries, werewolves, but Aden definitely threw something new into the mix. This is just my type of book. Can't wait for the next installment.

One of things that I most admire about certain authors is their wonderful ability to weave a story so intricately that by the end of the book you (as the reader) discover all the different ways the characters in the story are interconnected and there ends up being some great "a-ha!" moment towards the end of the book. Intertwined is definitely one of those books! Now, to be honest here... the first chapter or so didn't completely excite me...but sometimes that's just me (who knows, maybe one of my kids had just irritated me or something) but just in case, I want to point this out because this book is totally worth it! Once the story got going I couldn't put the book down. Aden is a very interesting character and his relationship with Mary Ann is very unique in the world of paranormal romance. It has nothing to do with the fact that he is labeled the bad boy, troubled child living at a youth ranch for teen boys versus Mary Ann who is the popular, good girl with plenty of friends and the cutest boy at school for a boyfriend. The uniqueness here is that all though they feel inexplicably drawn to one another they seem to be lacking any romantic spark. But the fact that when they first see each other they cause such a power surge that it knocks Mary Ann on her butt shows us there is definitely SOMETHING going on... Paranormal romance lovers will totally gush over the relationship between Mary Ann and Riley the werewolf shape-shifter, now here we see sparks! The same with Aden and his mysterious vampire princess Victoria. Wow, there is just so much I could talk about with this book but I'll only mention one more thing :o)...the previously mentioned power surge that occurred between Mary Ann and Aden has drawn mystical creatures from all over the world ...demons, faeries, witches and of course the vampires. The ending of the book leaves tons of possibilities for the next one! Great writing, a unique and well drawn storyline make this a great read! Appropriate for 7th grade and up!

In present day Crossroads, Oklahoma, sixteen years old Aden Stone has heard voices in his head ever since he was a small child. The medical community labels him schizophrenic; his parents gave up on him when he was three years old placing him in a mental institution. Recently, he was relocated to the D and M Ranch, a halfway house for troubled teens. Although no one else does, Aden understands his four voices are lost souls. Eve time travels; Julian raises the dead; Elijah predicts the future; and Caleb possesses other beings. Elijah informs Aden he will not live much longer; just when he meets Mary Ann Gray, who can silence the voices; the teen he thinks he fell in love with her because of his dreams of normalcy. He meets two other teenagers with uncanny skills as they find themselves struggling with vampires, demons, werewolves and fairies. This is a wonderful young adult fantasy as the teen male lead makes the thriller work; he has spent his life being misunderstood and locked away as a nut case. He understands that he is not schizophrenic and does not have multiple personality disorder; instead his brain carries four INTERTWINED lost souls although he has no idea why him. Thus when he meets Mary Ann who silences the bickering voices that give him headaches, he relishes the quiet normal time that ha always desired. However that mental serenity UNRAVELED with the start of war against the paranormal in which he is the human point. Fans will relish Aden's escapades with his three new allies and look forward to more unraveling of his mind in future Intertwined adventures. Harriet Klausner