Review: Talisman of El by Alecia Stone

This is the 19th book I've read this year. It's also my first ARC! :D

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human ... 7 billion.
Others ... unknown.

When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He's afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.

Char­lie doesn't know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others.




Christian beliefs: There ARE angels in this book, which wasn't something I was expecting. But I surprise is a good thing, yes? Yes. It is. And they talk about God as well. That doesn't make them Christians of course, but they do mention Him.


Other beliefs systems: Magic. It's kind of hard to explain, which means, you should read the book. (*HINT* *HINT*)


Violence: People get shot, and locked up in places, people get hurt. There are big monsters.

Language: Besides from saying "Oh my God" a couple times, and 'hell' is used in a different way then just saying 'hell' as if referring to the place. But nothing else. :D

Romance: There is clearly a 'liking' going on between a boy and a girl. I don't need to say, because it's very obvious. ;)

Any other bad things: Nope. :)

Comments: At first, I really didn't want to read this book, and it was slow to start really. But once I got towards the middle, I really got into it. I also loved how Charlie was fourteen. You need a book about someone who's younger than 16-17 every once awhile. You know, for all those teens who are 13-15. It's hard to relate to someone when they're 4 years older than you....(personal experience.) 

This book was kind of like Percy Jackson, and I really liked it. I hadn't read a book from a guy's point of view and liked it since Percy. But I think Charlie is coming a close favorite. :) I also loved that Charlie and Alex kind of had a 'thing' going. There wasn't any kissing, and there shouldn't be when your 13-14 anyway. So I really enjoyed there sweet 'romance'. :) And for an ARC, this book was really well written. I loved reading the UK spellings, and the way they wrote. It let me experience another country. :D

I can't wait for book 2! And make sure you guys check this book out once it comes out in May! :)

Rating: 4 out of 5

-Maddi