Meridian by Amber Kizer Pub: August 2009 320 pages
Synopsis: Half-human, half-angel, Meridian Sozu has a dark responsibility.
Sixteen-year-old Meridian has been surrounded by death ever since she can remember. As a child, insects, mice, and salamanders would burrow into her bedclothes and die. At her elementary school, she was blamed for a classmate’s tragic accident. And on her sixteenth birthday, a car crashes in front of her family home—and Meridian’s body explodes in pain. Before she can fully recover, Meridian is told that she’s a danger to her family and hustled off to her great-aunt’s house in Revelation, Colorado.
It’s there that she learns that she is a Fenestra—the half-angel, half-human link between the living and the dead. But Meridian and her sworn protector and love, Tens, face great danger from the Aternocti, a band of dark forces who capture vulnerable souls on the brink of death and cause chaos. What a pleasure to read! The prologue is especially gripping. (Funny bit - up until this year, I didn't read prologues - I know, seems weird, and FYI you should always read the prologues. It helps. - and now they're what's making me pick up a book!)
Chapter one starts off with the confusing morning of Meridian's sixteenth birthday that swiftly escalates into the narrowly survived car crash. From there, Meridian is carted off to her aunt's in a whirlwind of unanswered questions.
The mythology was imaginative and intriguing. I also enjoyed the character of Meridian. She was great - strong and mature, yet vulnerable and a believable teenager.
Auntie is an amazing woman and the relationship between her and Meridian is touching. The romance between Meridian and Tens (his name gave me pause for a while, but eventually I became accustomed to it, but really, Tens?) grows in a realistic way. There's no Bam! Instant love going on from Meridian's end. She's attracted to him from the start -- who wouldn't be, he's hot -- but her feelings for him develop through time and trials.
It's not as action packed as I anticipated, and that's usually a problem for me, but not this time. I was engaged in the story and characters and flipping pages at a speed that would've had me finishing this book in one day if it hadn't been for school. Hate when that happens.
Bottom line: Excellent pacing. Wonderful cast of characters. Awesome premise. Tension packed. A sweet romance. And very, very well written.
Meridian is an excellent read for any paranormal/urban fantasy fiction lover, and especially for anyone who has an interest in death and/or the after-life.
Opening Lines:
Prologue: The first creatures to seek me were the insects; my parents cleaned the bassinet free of dead ants the morning they brought me home from the hospital. My first word was "dead."
Bam! If your interest hasn't been morbidly peaked, there's a good chance there's something wrong with you. This had me begging for more.
First Chapter: I got up the morning of December twenty-first anticipating a four-day weekend for the Christmas holiday. I went to a snotty prep-school that took breaks the way most people went to the dentists -- only when they really, really had to.
Not all that gripping, but it does give you an excellent introduction to Meridian's character.
The Cover:Except for seeing the character's face, I love it! Especially all the skulls weaved in with the roses. The second cover is the German version (the subtext reads Dark Embrace). I might like it a bit better than the US.
And FYI, Kizer is definitely working on a sequel. Yay! And the latest is that she has agreed to do an interview with us and provide a SIGNED copy to whoever wins her book!Meridan has just been added as one of the many great books available in ourMegaBook Giveaway. Besure toENTER!Good Luck!
That quote got my attention. And I didn't notice the skulls until you mentioned it but I find them to be very well placed considering the story. I really like the sudden emmergence of Angels and faeries into paranormal lit. I can't wait to pick this one up! Thx for the review!
I always read the prologue, most of the times I read everything inside the book. And I didn't see the skulls on the cover until you mentioned them. The book sounds interesting.
I read and reviewed this book on my blog a while back and you commented that you were looking forward to reading it. I'm glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did! It really is a fantastic book =)
Interesting. Surprisingly so. I did like the first sentence of the prologue (and, yes of COURSE you should be reading them.:) and while the library here has it I thought the cover looked...well, too cliche. Anyways, thanks for the good review, I'll pick it up next time.
I heart your review! I love the cover too...the skull and roses cover is super nice! And the story seems awesome too...half angel,mythological creatures...totally intriguing! Thanks so much for adding the book to your giveaway!
You didn't read prologues?! How did you know what to read?! My morbid curiousity was definitely piqued by the prologue teaser you gave us. This book sounds so good! And I'm glad the romance developed realistically, there's nothing I dislike more than instant love or when the characters get all hot and heavy five seconds after meeting. Drives. Me. Nuts. Nice review!
Lol, when I first heard about it, I didn't really like it, cause I was like 'Tens'?? And I thought it wasn't that interesting, but your review peaked my curiosity. I am definitely going to be reading this at some point. Awesome review!
I just finished this one not to long ago and while I didn't love it, it was a pretty good read for me. I thought the ending was a little rushed....a sequel would be kinda cool!
Touch call on which cover I would like better... - I think I am leaning toward the German one - for some reason I like the half dark/half bright (sort of like half-angel/half human?)
Oh well, this sounds like one I will be adding to my TBR pile.
I like both covers, maybe liking the German cover a little more. I am really getting to be curious about this book. I think that I will have to check it out.
My awardathon continues and today I have an award for this blog! http://terraonthebookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/03/zombie-chicken-award.html
I'm from Germany :D And I'm very proud that finally a German cover actually looks better than the original cover, the German book industry usually doesn't manage to come up with something decent :(
Meridian by Amber Kizer does sound like a promising book what with a touch of mythology and you concluding that it has 'Excellent pacing.Wonderful cast of characters.Awesome premise.Tension packed.A sweet romance.And very,very well written.'…I am sooo looking forward to reading it!
Ohh! I read a few mixed reviews about this book a while ago and wasn't sure whether to buy it or not. But you have totally convinced me now. It sounds like something I'd love! Glad that I read this review. That's very generous of the author to provide a signed copy too!
I've seen Meridian around and I was never all that interested in it. Now that I've actually read the synopsis and your excellent review, I'll have to check it out.
64 comments:
Uh oh! I very rarely read proglogues. I guess maybe I should start doing that.
This sounds great. I love that first line.
Yes my interest was morbidly peaked by that quote
That quote got my attention. And I didn't notice the skulls until you mentioned it but I find them to be very well placed considering the story. I really like the sudden emmergence of Angels and faeries into paranormal lit. I can't wait to pick this one up! Thx for the review!
I can't believe you didn't read prologues! In some books, the prologue is the most interesting part! :P
Great review, I really love the concept of this book, and it sounds like a great read!
OK so that piqued my interest!
Thanks for a great review. This is the first time I'd heard of this book
I always read the prologue, most of the times I read everything inside the book. And I didn't see the skulls on the cover until you mentioned them. The book sounds interesting.
I'm going to give this book a try solely because I love the cover!
This sounds very good. I hadn't noticed the skulls until you pointed them out.
Awesome review! I really like the sound of this! I need to get my hands on a copy! Thanks for the review!
I love proglogues! And I have been wanting this book...great review. It makes me want the book even more & I love the cover!
I too got interested in prologues recently. :) They can definitely give a lift to the story. I am definitely adding this book to my wishlist.
Awesome cover.
okay. wow. this book sounds brilliant! I'm def. gonna have to check it out.
The arguments is great. I like urban fantasy but thsi book is different^^
i luv it^^
kisses
this has been on to read pile for some time because of the name and cover.
I loved this book!
Fantastic review :D
OHH great review, I have this one, and am moving it closer to the top of the pile, great review! :)
Awesome review! I have never heard of this book until now. Definitely want to check it out!
I read and reviewed this book on my blog a while back and you commented that you were looking forward to reading it. I'm glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did! It really is a fantastic book =)
Great review!!
♥Isalys
Interesting. Surprisingly so. I did like the first sentence of the prologue (and, yes of COURSE you should be reading them.:) and while the library here has it I thought the cover looked...well, too cliche. Anyways, thanks for the good review, I'll pick it up next time.
I have this book on my TBR shelf, I can't wait to get to it =D
Great review!
twitted about this review at: http://twitter.com/cherrymischivus/status/9980200800
great review!
It sounds great! Thanks for the review.
By the way, I also like more the second cover :D (although both are fantastic)
I heart your review! I love the cover too...the skull and roses cover is super nice! And the story seems awesome too...half angel,mythological creatures...totally intriguing! Thanks so much for adding the book to your giveaway!
Wow! You are right..that first sentence had me hooked and now I want to read this book now! Great review.
Great review, I really need to pick this one up, it's been sitting on my shelf for awhile lol :)
I have this, but I haven't gotten to it yet. I was really worried it was going to be a dud, but everyone seems to like it...
added to my TBR pile :)
I haven't heard of this one before. It sounds really good though. I like the cover and the first lines.
I love this cover...but that girl looks SO familiar for some reason!
love the cover this sounds really good will have to pick this one up ;)
I read this book when it came out, I really like it. Love the skulls and roses of the cover. Is great that she is working in the sequel already
I was surprised by this book.I had read some iffy reviews,but I really enjoyed it.
I read Meridian in German when it was published last year and I loved it!! a great story with fantastic protas!
Great review!
Oh, another one I've only heard good things about :-)
Glad you picked the German cover. IMHO it's really pretty :-)
Intriguing concept and cover. Definitely worth a look :)
Intriguing concept and cover. Definitely worth a look :)
You didn't read prologues?! How did you know what to read?!
My morbid curiousity was definitely piqued by the prologue teaser you gave us. This book sounds so good! And I'm glad the romance developed realistically, there's nothing I dislike more than instant love or when the characters get all hot and heavy five seconds after meeting. Drives. Me. Nuts.
Nice review!
Lol, when I first heard about it, I didn't really like it, cause I was like 'Tens'?? And I thought it wasn't that interesting, but your review peaked my curiosity. I am definitely going to be reading this at some point. Awesome review!
I just finished this one not to long ago and while I didn't love it, it was a pretty good read for me. I thought the ending was a little rushed....a sequel would be kinda cool!
Touch call on which cover I would like better... - I think I am leaning toward the German one - for some reason I like the half dark/half bright (sort of like half-angel/half human?)
Oh well, this sounds like one I will be adding to my TBR pile.
Sounds good, though I'm not normally fond of the cover.
I like both covers, maybe liking the German cover a little more. I am really getting to be curious about this book. I think that I will have to check it out.
My awardathon continues and today I have an award for this blog!
http://terraonthebookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/03/zombie-chicken-award.html
can't wait to read it, althought i have the same problem as you i really don't like to see faces in the cover, i prefer to imagine people myself.
I'm from Germany :D And I'm very proud that finally a German cover actually looks better than the original cover, the German book industry usually doesn't manage to come up with something decent :(
Great review. First time I have heard of this author but the book sounds great.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Another book I have on my wishlist! You didn't used to read prologues?!!! I'm glad you've changed your ways :)
This one is on my wishlist too! Great review!
Meridian by Amber Kizer does sound like a promising book what with a touch of mythology and you concluding that it has 'Excellent pacing.Wonderful cast of characters.Awesome premise.Tension packed.A sweet romance.And very,very well written.'…I am sooo looking forward to reading it!
The cover is wonderful ! love it
I think I've seen his book around before, but I don't think it ever interested me, but now I think I have to read it!
Awesome review! I have to agree, when I first saw the name Tens reading Meridian, I was like "What???"
I'm definitely excited for the next book! :)
I've heard about this book on and off for awhile now and haven't picked it up yet. Thanks to your review, I'm adding this to the top of my wishlist.
It really sounds great after reading what you had to say about it all. Thanks again,
-Lisa
Ohh! I read a few mixed reviews about this book a while ago and wasn't sure whether to buy it or not. But you have totally convinced me now. It sounds like something I'd love! Glad that I read this review. That's very generous of the author to provide a signed copy too!
Wow this sounds great. Another for the tbr pile!! :)
Great review! I can't wait to read this book. It has
been on my wish list for a while now. But
I will definitely get it. I totally love the
cover!
I've seen Meridian around and I was never all that interested in it. Now that I've actually read the synopsis and your excellent review, I'll have to check it out.
Woa, this really is grabbing my attention. the cover and synopsis of it are great! I am definitely going to have to pick this one up!
Wow, I love both covers! Sounds like an amazing book. Great review, Alyssa!
You did a great job of reviewing this book... I thought it was an awesome and unique book and I can't wait till the next one comes out!
Great review, I have this book on hold at the library, hope it comes in soon.
The second cover looks like the girl on the cover of Claire de Lune
this one is definitely a must read, i loved it! nice review by the way
Wow, the heroine sounds profoundly unlucky. I love the cover of this one. So pretty.
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