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halynah's review
3.0
I absolutely loved Kelly Oram's previous books, but this one failed to impress me. The ide of the plot was pretty promising, but everything was spoilt by whiny, stupid and annoying Dani.
celjla212's review
3.0
3.5 STARS
I've read another series where the main character had powers similar to Danielle's (the main character of this book), so I can't say I thought the book was entirely original. I thought it was a very good supernatural story though, heavy on the romance side but with it came a big love triangle.
Now, I don't mind a good love triangle every now and then. For this book though, I kind of felt like Danielle was stuck between a rock and a hard place. With all the changes going on in her life, she also has to choose between her best friend Russ and her new mate that's been forced upon her, Gabriel. I honestly felt it, that the choice she had to make was ripping her heart out. I did feel she led one of the guys on though, even though she said she wasn't trying to do that.
I'm still not sure if I liked Danielle or not. She is not your typical kick-ass paranormal YA heroine, and she does whine and complain a bit more than I would like. She does have some funny moments though, and she's at her best when she's with one of the guys she loves. One character I know I loved was Russ. He and Danielle have been best friends since they were young children, and as he finally introduces her to his hidden life, he's expecting them to be together forever. It hurt to watch him come to grips with everything that happened in the book.
At the end, I finally felt Danielle had grown up some, and embracing her destiny. Though I thought there were a handful of parts that were slow moving, I'm glad I finished the book. Kelly Oram has created a fun and imaginative supernatural world that I'll be happy to visit again in future books.
I've read another series where the main character had powers similar to Danielle's (the main character of this book), so I can't say I thought the book was entirely original. I thought it was a very good supernatural story though, heavy on the romance side but with it came a big love triangle.
Now, I don't mind a good love triangle every now and then. For this book though, I kind of felt like Danielle was stuck between a rock and a hard place. With all the changes going on in her life, she also has to choose between her best friend Russ and her new mate that's been forced upon her, Gabriel. I honestly felt it, that the choice she had to make was ripping her heart out. I did feel she led one of the guys on though, even though she said she wasn't trying to do that.
I'm still not sure if I liked Danielle or not. She is not your typical kick-ass paranormal YA heroine, and she does whine and complain a bit more than I would like. She does have some funny moments though, and she's at her best when she's with one of the guys she loves. One character I know I loved was Russ. He and Danielle have been best friends since they were young children, and as he finally introduces her to his hidden life, he's expecting them to be together forever. It hurt to watch him come to grips with everything that happened in the book.
At the end, I finally felt Danielle had grown up some, and embracing her destiny. Though I thought there were a handful of parts that were slow moving, I'm glad I finished the book. Kelly Oram has created a fun and imaginative supernatural world that I'll be happy to visit again in future books.
nitzanschwarz's review
1.5
October 10, 2017 Edit:
I found all the old notes I wrote about this one while reading. I chose not to publish them at the time because I didn't want to hurt this novel due to my massive love for Kelly Oram, but now that the book has been out for years, I feel like it's okay to do so.
Following are my notes, in bullets, kind of all jumbled and including spoilers:
* Loved the world in the book
*Team Russ all the way, and I'm not one to usually pick teams. I just instantly loved the chemistry between him and Dani
*HATE the romance - I'm not fond of love triangles in general, but even less when there is no free will involved in the matter. Falling for Gabriel was like legitimizing what they did to Dani; forcing them together and taking the choice and their freedom of choice out of their hands. It made me gag and brought chills to my spine.
*The beginning felt too quick and rushed. We just jumped from ignorance -> knowledge -> kidnapped in the space of a few pages. Too few pages. I think everything would have had far more impact if she had a grace period.
*HATED the dependence on Gabriel. It felt pathetic.
* I freaking HATE Gabriel. He's too perfect and righteous and naive and innocent and ARG I do not care for this guy. Destiny Smestiny, WAKE UP DUDE! He's a moron. But the worst part of it is that his stupidity and naivety end up being "right". I wanted Dani to be right so Gabriel would snap out of it!
*My god I HATE the councilor! That sick bastard! Dictator! Racist! Full of shit! I simply despise his existence!
* Such a stupid reason to hate humans (Alex)
*This is one obvious case of "what proceeded what". To me, it's very clear that she saw them together because she saw them together. The premonition led to things happening. Without it, none of it would've happened. Self-fulfilling prophecy.
* Creator's a she
*The betrayal at the end was a total letdown. It seems Oram well and truly wants to validate everything the councilor did, which is really weird in light of her other literary works. I do not approve of a single thing, and I wanted something far more shocking to happen.
* Wait... what? the prophecy is completed in the first book.
1.5 stars
So so sad that I ended up well and truly disliking the book. I love you Kelly Oram, but this one just hit all the wrong spots!
I found all the old notes I wrote about this one while reading. I chose not to publish them at the time because I didn't want to hurt this novel due to my massive love for Kelly Oram, but now that the book has been out for years, I feel like it's okay to do so.
Following are my notes, in bullets, kind of all jumbled and including spoilers:
*Team Russ all the way, and I'm not one to usually pick teams. I just instantly loved the chemistry between him and Dani
*HATE the romance - I'm not fond of love triangles in general, but even less when there is no free will involved in the matter. Falling for Gabriel was like legitimizing what they did to Dani; forcing them together and taking the choice and their freedom of choice out of their hands. It made me gag and brought chills to my spine.
*The beginning felt too quick and rushed. We just jumped from ignorance -> knowledge -> kidnapped in the space of a few pages. Too few pages. I think everything would have had far more impact if she had a grace period.
*HATED the dependence on Gabriel. It felt pathetic.
* I freaking HATE Gabriel. He's too perfect and righteous and naive and innocent and ARG I do not care for this guy. Destiny Smestiny, WAKE UP DUDE! He's a moron. But the worst part of it is that his stupidity and naivety end up being "right". I wanted Dani to be right so Gabriel would snap out of it!
*My god I HATE the councilor! That sick bastard! Dictator! Racist! Full of shit! I simply despise his existence!
* Such a stupid reason to hate humans (Alex)
*This is one obvious case of "what proceeded what". To me, it's very clear that she saw them together because she saw them together. The premonition led to things happening. Without it, none of it would've happened. Self-fulfilling prophecy.
* Creator's a she
*The betrayal at the end was a total letdown. It seems Oram well and truly wants to validate everything the councilor did, which is really weird in light of her other literary works. I do not approve of a single thing, and I wanted something far more shocking to happen.
* Wait... what? the prophecy is completed in the first book.
1.5 stars
So so sad that I ended up well and truly disliking the book. I love you Kelly Oram, but this one just hit all the wrong spots!
ang_hickey's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
So at the start of this book I was properly against her, she was so immature and so angry it just hurt to read her. I felt so mad that she was so mean but you understand why she is mad you just don't like it.
I also don't like how she is forced to do stuff in the beginning, I mean to makes sense but I wish it wasn't so forced, it just was so awful to read!
What saved me is actually thinking there is a character progression in this book, she goes from angry teenager (16 for reference) to quite a strong young woman. Yes she is still sixteen and I feel that is too young but you admire her, or at least I admire her at her age to be so strong.
I may read on, only thing that puts me off is that this changes perspective.
I also don't like how she is forced to do stuff in the beginning, I mean to makes sense but I wish it wasn't so forced, it just was so awful to read!
What saved me is actually thinking there is a character progression in this book, she goes from angry teenager (16 for reference) to quite a strong young woman. Yes she is still sixteen and I feel that is too young but you admire her, or at least I admire her at her age to be so strong.
I may read on, only thing that puts me off is that this changes perspective.
jodyladuemcgrath's review against another edition
1.0
Although the main character has spunk, the story was a minefield of YA Paranormal cliches. Super special heroine, love triangle, prophecy, absent parents, etc. I got 2/3rds of the way through and just couldn't make myself go on.
ellieroth's review against another edition
4.0
Publicado originalmente: El Extraño Gato del Cuento
Algunas personas toman un vino suavecito y muy rico después de la comida, ese vino es para resaltar lo que acabas de comer y no termines con indigestión si se te pasó la mano porque estaba muy rico. O por si también la comida no estuvo muy buena, ese vino es tu premio por haber fingido que te gustó. Yo hago lo mismo con los libros. No, no les hecho vino (aunque de vez en cuando robo una que otra copa :D). Cuando digo que lo hago con los libros es que a veces necesito algo para relajarme, ya sea por que el libro que terminé de leer estuvo demasiado bueno y no puedo más con todo; o también cuando el libro estuve muy malo y necesito alguien me rescate ya. Siempre recurro a Kelly Oram para eso, trato de leerla muy de vez en cuando porque no quiero que se me acaben sus libros.
A veces la cura es mejor que la enfermedad. O algo así.
No es que hubiera tenido libros malos antes que leyera Chameleon, al contrario, estaba saliendo de un shock literario, quería relajarme, reírme un rato y suspirar por el romance que Kelly siempre trae. Con lo que no contaba para nada era que terminará con semejante resaca literaria y unas casi imposible forma de resistirme a empezar el siguiente libro.
Para Kelly no le es indiferente trabajar con lo fantástico, con Jamie Baker nos trajo superpoderes, y ahora con su serie Supernaturals, trae obviamente seres sobrenaturales; Brujas, Magos, Vampiros y demás. Todo ese cóctel en un libro de ella obviamente iba a ser explosivo para mí. Es una historia típica, como bien dice la sinopsis: Tenemos una elegida, una profecía y el completo desconocimiento de todo esto por la protagonista. En apariencia podría pasar por cualquier otra historia genérica, con sus cosas buenas y malas. Pero como voy a repetir por millonésima vez: Es Kelly Oram, ella tenía que ponerle el ingrediente inolvidable.
¿El ingrediente secreto?: Volverme loca
Nunca he sufrido por los triángulos amorosos en el sentido que siempre sé que bando tomar, nunca, pero digo en serio, nunca he dudado. Siempre me ha dado un poco de cólera cuando la protagonista no se puede decidir. O sea ¡Vamos! Es fácil, o lo quieres o no lo quieres. Punto, no más drama, fin del libro.
Kelly supo hacerlo, ella empieza el libro con un prólogo, no dice quién es o quién lo narra ni tampoco cuándo, lo único que genera al lector es... no sé como decirlo, algo así como una especie de falsa seguridad. Así que cuando te adentras en los capítulos, Russ es sólo un amigo genial, perfecto, un sueño, y hasta quién sabe, un novio. PERO AJÁ! La escritora ya nos vendió otra cosa ¿él no es el del prólogo, verdad? ¿VERDAD? Y como es así, estos sentimientos que me fueron saliendo por Russ, tomaron demasiada forma y estuve contenta. ¿Qué mejor que un romance de amigos de toda la vida? No hay instalove ahí, se conocen, se soportan. Y luego Kelly hace que Dani se vaya de la ciudad y conozca al vidente. OH POR VACA. Al principio mi Team Sr-Prólogo se desmoronó para pasar a Team Russ-Forevah, para que luego un conflicto empezara. El Vidente es bueno. Como bueno-bueno, esa tipo de gente tan buena que te cae mal y encima el que te caiga mal te hace sentir mal porque esa persona es buena! No voy a negar que varias veces quise estrangular al vidente este, nadie es tan bueno! NI tiene tanta paciencia! O sea soy Team Russ por todos los dioses.
¿Por qué es que sí funciona, al menos para mí, este triángulo amoroso?
Estuve leyendo una entrevista con Kelly, dónde ella cuenta que esta es la primera vez que realmente hace un triángulo amoroso y que (felizmente) no cree que vuelva hacerlo. Yo creo que funciona por la forma paranormal y un poco enfermiza en que una de las relaciones empieza y sobre todo por Russ, un personaje que dice exactamente lo que el lector puede estar pensando "Dani, esto en enfermizo" "No seas idiota!" No es un personaje masculino que soporte las tonterías de Dani, y es casi imposible no sentir ternura por el Vidente.
Hay un problema que tengo de vez en cuando con los libros de Kelly, a veces son los diálogos o lo fácil que algunas cosas transcurren, mi lado criticón no está en paz con eso.
Supuestamente esta era mi lectura de rebote, pero me terminé enamorando (?) Fue un poquito demasiado intenso para mi lectura tranquila. Al final y a pesar de sus conflictos románticos, ¿podrá esta rebelde de pueblo pequeño salvar al mundo?
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Algunas personas toman un vino suavecito y muy rico después de la comida, ese vino es para resaltar lo que acabas de comer y no termines con indigestión si se te pasó la mano porque estaba muy rico. O por si también la comida no estuvo muy buena, ese vino es tu premio por haber fingido que te gustó. Yo hago lo mismo con los libros. No, no les hecho vino (aunque de vez en cuando robo una que otra copa :D). Cuando digo que lo hago con los libros es que a veces necesito algo para relajarme, ya sea por que el libro que terminé de leer estuvo demasiado bueno y no puedo más con todo; o también cuando el libro estuve muy malo y necesito alguien me rescate ya. Siempre recurro a Kelly Oram para eso, trato de leerla muy de vez en cuando porque no quiero que se me acaben sus libros.
A veces la cura es mejor que la enfermedad. O algo así.
No es que hubiera tenido libros malos antes que leyera Chameleon, al contrario, estaba saliendo de un shock literario, quería relajarme, reírme un rato y suspirar por el romance que Kelly siempre trae. Con lo que no contaba para nada era que terminará con semejante resaca literaria y unas casi imposible forma de resistirme a empezar el siguiente libro.
Para Kelly no le es indiferente trabajar con lo fantástico, con Jamie Baker nos trajo superpoderes, y ahora con su serie Supernaturals, trae obviamente seres sobrenaturales; Brujas, Magos, Vampiros y demás. Todo ese cóctel en un libro de ella obviamente iba a ser explosivo para mí. Es una historia típica, como bien dice la sinopsis: Tenemos una elegida, una profecía y el completo desconocimiento de todo esto por la protagonista. En apariencia podría pasar por cualquier otra historia genérica, con sus cosas buenas y malas. Pero como voy a repetir por millonésima vez: Es Kelly Oram, ella tenía que ponerle el ingrediente inolvidable.
¿El ingrediente secreto?: Volverme loca
Nunca he sufrido por los triángulos amorosos en el sentido que siempre sé que bando tomar, nunca, pero digo en serio, nunca he dudado. Siempre me ha dado un poco de cólera cuando la protagonista no se puede decidir. O sea ¡Vamos! Es fácil, o lo quieres o no lo quieres. Punto, no más drama, fin del libro.
Kelly supo hacerlo, ella empieza el libro con un prólogo, no dice quién es o quién lo narra ni tampoco cuándo, lo único que genera al lector es... no sé como decirlo, algo así como una especie de falsa seguridad. Así que cuando te adentras en los capítulos, Russ es sólo un amigo genial, perfecto, un sueño, y hasta quién sabe, un novio. PERO AJÁ! La escritora ya nos vendió otra cosa ¿él no es el del prólogo, verdad? ¿VERDAD? Y como es así, estos sentimientos que me fueron saliendo por Russ, tomaron demasiada forma y estuve contenta. ¿Qué mejor que un romance de amigos de toda la vida? No hay instalove ahí, se conocen, se soportan. Y luego Kelly hace que Dani se vaya de la ciudad y conozca al vidente. OH POR VACA. Al principio mi Team Sr-Prólogo se desmoronó para pasar a Team Russ-Forevah, para que luego un conflicto empezara. El Vidente es bueno. Como bueno-bueno, esa tipo de gente tan buena que te cae mal y encima el que te caiga mal te hace sentir mal porque esa persona es buena! No voy a negar que varias veces quise estrangular al vidente este, nadie es tan bueno! NI tiene tanta paciencia! O sea soy Team Russ por todos los dioses.
¿Por qué es que sí funciona, al menos para mí, este triángulo amoroso?
Estuve leyendo una entrevista con Kelly, dónde ella cuenta que esta es la primera vez que realmente hace un triángulo amoroso y que (felizmente) no cree que vuelva hacerlo. Yo creo que funciona por la forma paranormal y un poco enfermiza en que una de las relaciones empieza y sobre todo por Russ, un personaje que dice exactamente lo que el lector puede estar pensando "Dani, esto en enfermizo" "No seas idiota!" No es un personaje masculino que soporte las tonterías de Dani, y es casi imposible no sentir ternura por el Vidente.
Hay un problema que tengo de vez en cuando con los libros de Kelly, a veces son los diálogos o lo fácil que algunas cosas transcurren, mi lado criticón no está en paz con eso.
Supuestamente esta era mi lectura de rebote, pero me terminé enamorando (?) Fue un poquito demasiado intenso para mi lectura tranquila. Al final y a pesar de sus conflictos románticos, ¿podrá esta rebelde de pueblo pequeño salvar al mundo?
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auburnedge's review
5.0
Keeps you guessing
I am in love with the premise of this book! A girl who finds out she actually a supernatural. Story older than old. But in this one she needs to be near other supernaturals. It is the only way she is able to cope with her powers showing up. Bring in the sexy oracle who she finds herself married to and you have a story! Add in a boy she thought she loved and a love triangle is born.
I am in love with the premise of this book! A girl who finds out she actually a supernatural. Story older than old. But in this one she needs to be near other supernaturals. It is the only way she is able to cope with her powers showing up. Bring in the sexy oracle who she finds herself married to and you have a story! Add in a boy she thought she loved and a love triangle is born.
lenoreo's review against another edition
3.0
https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/chameleon-by-kelly-oram/
3.5 stars -- OK, so here's the thing: I'm actually not a fan of love triangles. Now that's not to say I won't love a book that has a love triangle, b/c one of my favourite authors unfortunately LOVES them and has a major one in one of my favourite series of hers. I guess it just has to be done right, or there has to be enough other stuff surrounding the story to push down my inherit dislike of love triangles. And this book failed to do that for me. What's weird is that I knew going in that there was a love triangle (uh duh, it's in the blurb), and quite frankly being a huge fan of Ms. Oram and being a part of her fan club, other readers inevitably even spoiled it for me (because people forget about that when they get excited and start fangirling), and so I even knew which boy probably won out in the end. Although, I guess that kind of ruined my read of this book a bit as well (kind of like More Than Jamie Baker being a bit spoiled for me ruined it a bit). People are so well meaning, but it really is hard to avoid spoilers once you join a fan club. So my advice? Don't join the fan club until you've read it all. Seriously.
OK, that was a stupid tangent to get off on. ANYWAYS. Right. Love triangles. So we start this book with Russ and Dani. And even though Russ could be kind of a prick at times, I kind of fell for the two of them together. I mean come on, they were hilarious and the bantering was funny and I really did feel chemistry. And a small part of me that hadn't reread the blurb before diving in hoped I had been wrong about the existence of a love triangle, b/c best friends to lovers stories?? Who doesn't love those? And OMG the paranormal stuff was so fun and exciting and intriguing, and I really was loving most of that!! (though her reactions to the cravings bothered me here and there, but I could deal with it) And then the council comes and takes her away (not a spoiler, this is all implied by the blurb for the book, so I figured I could mention it). And we meet book boy 2. And from that point on I just never really got back my verve for the story except in pieces here and there. You see, not only was I only meh on Gabriel (he was ok, just nothing spectacular IMO), I really didn't feel Gabriel and Dani's connection at all (no matter how many times we're told it's there). And when Russ comes back into the picture, he's an even bigger dick, and quite frankly I couldn't have cared less who Dani ended up with. I wasn't feeling either anymore. I refused to invest in either relationship b/c I honestly didn't know how it was going to pan out, b/c I didn't ever feel that great love that I was expecting that would show who the true love was supposed to be. So for me, this book was an epic romance fail.
Now on the supernatural side it was kind of intriguing. I LOVED that moment when I understood the title of this book. Dani's powers were quite cool, and I enjoyed the "fight" type scenes throughout this book. I will say that I went back and forth a GAGILLION times over who the bad guy was going to be. And sometimes I felt like Dani, Russ, and Gabriel were freaking idiots for not being a bit more cautious all around with all the powerful warlocks that they could encounter, but apparently I'm just paranoid that way. I always had it narrowed down to 2 suspects, and a part of me was mildly disappointed that it wasn't who I wanted it to be, but in the end it made the most sense. So fantastic mystery element. And I will say that the climax was quite emotionally impactful for me. I really hope we get to learn a bit more about the Supernaturals as a whole, b/c it felt like a lot of backstory was missing at times. I guess b/c we were really only dealing with a few types in this particular story. I'm actually very excited to see what else we'll learn in the future stories, and how the world will unfold.
And I totes agree with other readers, Duncan is da bomb. He disappointed me here and there, but he was one of the better characters in the story, particularly for such a minor one.
So I am definitely reading the next book in the series. Especially since it's from a different character's POV and so we'll get a fresh chance at a good romance. I will say that while I LOVE LOVE LOVE the covers for these books (and the interior formatting), I don't yet get the significance of the cool sun thingie. Have you read this book? Did I miss something?
3.5 stars -- OK, so here's the thing: I'm actually not a fan of love triangles. Now that's not to say I won't love a book that has a love triangle, b/c one of my favourite authors unfortunately LOVES them and has a major one in one of my favourite series of hers. I guess it just has to be done right, or there has to be enough other stuff surrounding the story to push down my inherit dislike of love triangles. And this book failed to do that for me. What's weird is that I knew going in that there was a love triangle (uh duh, it's in the blurb), and quite frankly being a huge fan of Ms. Oram and being a part of her fan club, other readers inevitably even spoiled it for me (because people forget about that when they get excited and start fangirling), and so I even knew which boy probably won out in the end. Although, I guess that kind of ruined my read of this book a bit as well (kind of like More Than Jamie Baker being a bit spoiled for me ruined it a bit). People are so well meaning, but it really is hard to avoid spoilers once you join a fan club. So my advice? Don't join the fan club until you've read it all. Seriously.
OK, that was a stupid tangent to get off on. ANYWAYS. Right. Love triangles. So we start this book with Russ and Dani. And even though Russ could be kind of a prick at times, I kind of fell for the two of them together. I mean come on, they were hilarious and the bantering was funny and I really did feel chemistry. And a small part of me that hadn't reread the blurb before diving in hoped I had been wrong about the existence of a love triangle, b/c best friends to lovers stories?? Who doesn't love those? And OMG the paranormal stuff was so fun and exciting and intriguing, and I really was loving most of that!! (though her reactions to the cravings bothered me here and there, but I could deal with it) And then the council comes and takes her away (not a spoiler, this is all implied by the blurb for the book, so I figured I could mention it). And we meet book boy 2. And from that point on I just never really got back my verve for the story except in pieces here and there. You see, not only was I only meh on Gabriel (he was ok, just nothing spectacular IMO), I really didn't feel Gabriel and Dani's connection at all (no matter how many times we're told it's there).
Spoiler
I mean seriously? She's basically forced into this connection/marriage with Gabriel because the bond with Russ was unnatural, but she never really admits that the one with Gabriel is too? Or rather it doesn't matter? Why wouldn't you want to break that bond and then just try to fall in love with whomever you fall in love with? Gabriel was sweet, but rather flat and one-dimensional, and I guess I get that he provides a contrast for Dani, but I just couldn't accept her easy acceptance of this new relationship. She constantly "chose" it, but why? Did he make her feel good? Did they have fun together? Where's the meat of the romance?Now on the supernatural side it was kind of intriguing. I LOVED that moment when I understood the title of this book. Dani's powers were quite cool, and I enjoyed the "fight" type scenes throughout this book. I will say that I went back and forth a GAGILLION times over who the bad guy was going to be. And sometimes I felt like Dani, Russ, and Gabriel were freaking idiots for not being a bit more cautious all around with all the powerful warlocks that they could encounter, but apparently I'm just paranoid that way. I always had it narrowed down to 2 suspects, and a part of me was mildly disappointed that it wasn't who I wanted it to be, but in the end it made the most sense. So fantastic mystery element. And I will say that the climax was quite emotionally impactful for me. I really hope we get to learn a bit more about the Supernaturals as a whole, b/c it felt like a lot of backstory was missing at times. I guess b/c we were really only dealing with a few types in this particular story. I'm actually very excited to see what else we'll learn in the future stories, and how the world will unfold.
And I totes agree with other readers, Duncan is da bomb. He disappointed me here and there, but he was one of the better characters in the story, particularly for such a minor one.
So I am definitely reading the next book in the series. Especially since it's from a different character's POV and so we'll get a fresh chance at a good romance. I will say that while I LOVE LOVE LOVE the covers for these books (and the interior formatting), I don't yet get the significance of the cool sun thingie. Have you read this book? Did I miss something?