Radiance by Alyson Noel

Rating:
Characters: 16/20
Plot: 15/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 16/20
Recommendation: 16/20
Overall: 81/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .
I enjoyed the Immortal series and I though that I would have liked Radiance, because it was a companion novel. Sadly, I was disappointed. Riley seemed one dimensional and boring. I also though that she was such a major brat. The book was less then 200 pages and didn't have an amazing plot that enchanted me. I was bored for most of the book. It was original, but the characters and plot didn't support that. This book is meant for a younger age and might be enjoyed by them. I think that they will find Riley to be charming and sweet.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noël

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Ever is just getting used to be an Immortal. She is learning new abilities for the dark and magical world that Damen has introduced her to. It seems that as Ever's power grow that Damen is growing weaker. When he is stricken with a mysterous illness that threatens to destory his memories, idenity, and life.
Ever travels to Summerland, to find a cure for what has happened to Damen. In Summerland, Ever uncovers his past, but the ancient text also reveals the workings of time. The approaching blue moon is Ever's only chance for time travel. Ever has the choice of staying in the present and saving Damen or turning back the clock and saving her family.
Ever was more likable to me in this book. I think the fact that she wasn't swooning over Damen as much. I liked seeing Damen's flaws, it made him more understandable. Roman was crazy, but he was also very smart. I liked his character even though he isn't the good guy. The plot wasn't as fast paced as Evermore, but Blue Moon was still impossible to put down. The emotions are everywhere. Ever's story feels like someone that you know is telling you. For example, giving her two impossible choices that either way, she'll lose. Noël is an amazing writer, with a lot of details and realistic characters. The Immortal series is a must read for anyone that loves a supernatural story. I highly suggest checking this book soon.

Evermore by Alyson Noël

Rating(New and Improved hopefully):
Characters: 17/20
Setting: 8/10
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 8/10
Overall: 85/100 or B+
Sixteen year old Ever Bloom, has had a near death experience, in which she lost her parents, little sister, and dog. Now she can see auras, hear other's thought, and know every secret from a touch. She talks to her dead younger sister on a regular basis. She hides in baggy clothes, sunglasses, and an ipod. Until Damon Auguste enters the picture.
Damon is gorgeous, mysterious, and the only one that can block out all the psychic energy that she has been trying to avoid. Underneath it all, Ever thinks that he is hiding something. He doesn't have an aura (Only dead people don't have one), she can't read his thoughts, and he seems to be hiding a secret. The only thing that Ever is sure about is that she is falling for Damon, and she is falling hard.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and fairly addicting. Ever was really interesting and seemed pretty realistic. A problem that I had is that she would be sad about her parents and feel guilty, but it wasn't always present. That type of guilt would be a part of your skin and wouldn't be so random. I also had a problem with the Bella-like falling for a guy and the fact that Damon didn't seem to have any real bad characteristics. It was like "He is so hot, but I don't know anything about him..." I am crossing my fingers and hoping that will be solved in the next book. I loved Riley, she was a nice dose of humor even though she was dead.
I want to know more about Damon and Ever's powers, and I hope that it happens in the next book. I really like Noël's writing style. It made me want to read her books, because I have only read Saving Zoë. I think that it is a great start for a series. I have quite a few questions and hopefully those get answered. If you want a book about lost, love, and a touch of the Paranormal, you should enjoy this.
Peace out, Sarah
PS: I changed the rating system, because I felt that I was overrating sometimes on the 5 star system.