The Sapphire Talisman (Talisman #2) by Brenda Pandos

Title: The Sapphire Talisman

Author: Brenda Pandos

Series: 2nd in Talisman

Pages: 320

Published: Available now from Obsidian Mountain

ISBN: 9780982903322

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: With the local vampire coven decimated, Julia and Nicholas try to begin a somewhat normal life together. Bound by secrecy from a shape shifter determined to see Julia’s world-saving prediction come to fruition, Julia isn’t allowed to tell Nicholas the leader survived, ransacking her happiness with guilt. When Alora returns, bent on revenge, the reunion forces Nicholas and Julia to choose what they are willing to live and die for.

I Give This ...

 

I wasn't really invested in The Emerald Talisman.  It was good, but felt like it had been done before.  I picked up this one with no real idea if it could be better than the first.  I'm happy to say that it was!

I liked Julia a lot more in this installment.  She's risking more both for Nicholas and her friends and family.  I understand the secrecy and sneaking out, but I could tell how heavy in weighted on her lying to her dad all the time.  I enjoyed her bantering with Scarlett.  I think they try to play off that they dislike each other, but I don't think completely true.

I also enjoyed the entire trip to LA.  Nicholas opened up and introduced her to people that were important to him.  I was also touched my Julia's visit to her grandmother and her mother's grave.

My favorite part involved Nicholas.  This story isn't all lovey-dovey.  I thought it had a dark side that was done very well.  I liked how it showed Nicholas' other side that he tries so hard to control.  I also really enjoyed the ending.  It left me actually really wanting to read the next in the series!

 

The Emerald Talisman (Volume 1) by Brenda Pandos

Title: The Emerald Talisman

Series: 1st in planned series

Author: Brenda Pandos

Published: March, 2010 by Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Pages: 280

ISBN: 9780578053394 

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

 

Description: To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.  

I Give This ...

 

I think I might not have been in the right mood for this one.  I loved the main character Julia.  But, the rest of the characters felt a little flat to me.  I thought it was an interesting twist that Julia could feel emotions.  It's not an ability you see too often, and it made for some interesting situations.  I did really enjoy the relationship that Julia and Nicholas develop.  I thought it was sweet some of the things he did for her.  I also liked the character that Nicholas plays (I don't want to give it away), but wish we would have gotten to know him better.  The story did provide a fresh take on vampire lore, but it wasn't enough.  I didn't feel like the story built up in intensity fast enough.  It was good, but not great.  I would continue the series though, it's piqued my interest just enough!