The Emerald Talisman

Author: Brenda Pandos
Release Date: March 24, 2011
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Pages: 280
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: From Author for Honest Review
Interest: Synopsis 
Other Titles In Series: The Sapphire Talisman, The Onyx Talisman

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 found another series and author to watch! Brenda is an author that has stunned me! I will be putting the release of her up coming books on my calendar. Also Brenda is super nice! :D

What first caught my eye was the synopsis. It sounded really interesting. I instantly knew it was a vampire book, from reading blood thirsty stalker in the synopsis. I am a huge vampire lover, and well any other supernatural creature. 

The book starts off a little slow. Your confused for a while. The main characters is talking about a secrets she keeps, don't worry she tells you eventually! The plot does pick up, so don't get discouraged!  

The characters are okay. The main character, Julia, I felt like she could be even more developed. I hope their is more on her in the Second book! Other than that, I loved the characters. Julia's friends are normally high school kids, and thats what she needs.  Nicholas was... well confusing! He's the hero, then rude, then mean, then the perfect gentleman! 

While everyone is clueless as to what is going on in the town, you the reader can guess what the problem is. The plot does get a lot better as you get further into Julia's story. 

Towards the end I was amazed! The story ended, and I wanted more. Good thing this is a series! :D

Plot: 18/20

Characters: 17/20

Creativity: 18/20

Writing: 19/20

Cover: 7/10

Ending: 9/10

Total: 88/100