This.

Editorial reviews:

Book Review from VampireRomanceBooks.com

Do you ever look back and recognize a certain point in time, a certain flash of remembrance and realize it was a turning point in your life? Then do you start to wonder how that certain point is going to affect your future, your forever? What would you do with forever if you actually had it? Would you want to keep forever or give it back?

In Shaun Roundy’s “This”, you get to experience the thrill of youth and the prospect of immortality and “forever”. “This” is a fairly short book, but Roundy’s depth of character development and fast paced action makes it a book you can’t put down. I’ll admit I was a little leery when I started “This” because I knew it was a YA book. While there is nothing steamy in the story, it did not disappoint like many YA books do. This is a fabulous book that will open your eyes to the things you might be overlooking in your own existence and make you realize your “forever” starts with what you enjoy today.

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Kayla Porter was your average 17 year old. A few good friends and a loving family help round out her average life. She’s not complaining, really, she knows she has it better than a lot of people. She just can’t help but know, deep down inside, she’s meant for something bigger. Something more than a job, marriage, kids, life, death. Unfortunately the most excitement she gets in her life are terrible nightmares and a crush on a boy at school who doesn’t even know she exists Both the nightmares and her thoughts of Ethan Clayton keep her up at night and leave her exhausted the next day.

Who knew that those restless nights would change her life forever? When Kayla is sent to detention for falling asleep in class she meets the energetic and unique Melissa along with the hot headed, obnoxious Mitch. Kayla enjoys listening to the banter between Melissa and Mitch. (Mitch wants Melissa; Melissa wants to smack Mitch in the head.) Melissa is everything that Kayla isn’t; she’s bold, self assured, and speaks her mind with no worries of what anyone else thinks. Kayla likes her immediately and soon learns that not only is Melissa a breath of fresh air, she’s also Ethan’s sister. Kayla, Melissa, and Ethan strike up a close friendship and soon are spending a lot of time together. Kayla still wants more than just friendship from Ethan, but can’t quite pick up on whether he’s interested in more too. Ethan is just the type of person who is nice to everyone; one of the things Kayla loves the most about him.

A fun trip to the carnival changes everyone’s lives forever.  Kayla and Ethan finally figure out their feelings run deeper than friendship. Melissa is tempted with forever until Mitch comes along and picks a fight with the carnival worker and gets his butt kicked in the fighting ring. Mitch is bitten by the carnie and they all go home, Mitch battered and bruised, Melissa, Ethan, and Kayla happy.

When Mitch shows up at school with no injuries and a new outlook on life, the 3 friends don’t know what to think of this suddenly new Mitch. After a series of events including a selfish act of vengeance, a fatal accident, and a nightmare come true, Kayla, Melissa, and Ethan find out just how different their lives have become, having to face the realities of immortality. Even with immortality, everyone is different. Everyone handles their new status differently and not everyone can handle the thought of living forever. Some can’t handle the power they have been given. Kayla comes to find out that she may be the key to giving many a second chance at life or a second chance at death. Will the friends decide that forever isn’t for them, or will they embrace forever together?

Have you read “This“? If so, post a comment and let others know what you thought

Book Review by YA Vampire Books

With close to 150 pages and 70 chapters this book is bound to be fast-paced and intense. And it sure is! There’s never a dull moment and new twists and turns await with every new chapter.

I loved Kayla, the main character! She was such a realistic portrait of a 17-year-old. She was insecure and hopelessly in love with the most popular guy in school. She spent her days (and nights) daydreaming about him. But at first she did next to nothing to actually get to know him. Like she said herself, “I suddenly grew aware of what a timid little life I had lived for as long as I could remember. I always dreamed big and did…nothing. I felt regret and a tinge of shame.” and “I understood that if I didn’t do something about my daydreams, they would never come true. It scared me to think about taking the initiative when it came to Ethan, but the thought of doing nothing and letting another opportunity slip by left a sour spot in the pit of my stomach.”

This book is filled with small insights and realizations like these two, which showed character growth and gave depth to the novel.

It was easy to imagine yourself in Kayla’s position, she could have been me, or any other teenage girl. And Kayla was far from the only character I liked. All characters no matter how small, were well developed and had characteristic personalities. One of my favorite characters was Melissa – the queen of great comebacks and social competence! The detention scene with Kayla, Melissa and Mitch was my favorite scene in the book -the dialogs were so fun! Sadly the dialog lost some of its quirkiness and quickness later in the book – but I guess you don’t always have time to joke around in a matter of life and death!

As for the vampire part of the book, Roundy offered some new interesting aspects to vampirism, and finally gave an explanation to why the world isn’t overpopulated with vampires!

The story is nicely stringed together in the end, and everything gets an explanation. But at the same time the door is left open for a sequel. A sequel I would gladly read! 🙂

So to sum up all my thoughts; This. is a quick and fun read filled with love, friendship, action, mystery, suspense and wisdom. Read it!