The Candidates was one of the books at BEA that I was really hoping to be able to get. It was a much appreciated bonus that I was able to meet the author as well! I've got a yen for boarding school paranormals right now, especially as no one seems to write about college kids with paranormal powers running around (I can think of only one off the top of my head Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine. Anyone else think of any?). Plus it sounded like a book I would enjoy.

And for the most part I did. I think where I felt a disconnect was that though Dancia spent a fair amount of time, in the beginning, explaining to us how she purposely wanted to stay out of the limelight, wanted to keep away from forming personal friendships, she falls into several rather quickly. I wondered how much of her wish to not make friends was also motivated by the fact it made it easier to accept the responsibility of having to help take care of her grandmother. Its easier to be content with a life if you've convinced yourself its for the better.

Though therein lied another problem for me. Dancia basically did everything around the house--shopping, cleaning, cooking, making sure her grandmother got to appointments okay. I would think that with her gone now five days a week it would be a smarter idea for her grandmother to get some sort of help, maybe not a nurse or in home companion (they cost quite a bit), but a friend perhaps. Dancia makes her grandmother out to be practically invalid half the time.

I did like that though Dancia felt something for Jack she was mature enough to understand there was a difference between affection and love. Too often it feels as if girls stumble about in the paranormal romances mistaking the two and unnecessarily complicating their lives. That, more than anything else, showed me that Dancia was the mature, capable person Scott wanted us to know she was.

I had to wonder at Cam, well the Delcroix Staff in general. There was some seriously shady things going down, not the least of which was how Jack was being treated. If things hadn't turned out how they had, would Cam have come clean to Dancia?

Scott is hard at work on Book 2. The Watchers and despite some of my reservations I'm looking forward to seeing where the tale leads. I hope to see more of Dancia's two friends, they were a sometimes welcome breath of fresh air. I could do without her room mate Catherine however (but then I think Dancia could too). ( )

Enjoyed the book! It is how I kind of predicted it {guess because it was predictable that way..lol} Its just a "getting to know the characters" book. Maybe when the next one comes out, it will be a little more action in it. I can't really say a whole lot about it without giving away the whole story. Just click on the title to read the summary & if you decide to read it, hopefully you will enjoy it. :-) ( )

I really wish I would start writing reviews as soon as I finish a book because I am drawing a blank on what to say about this book. I liked it, yes, as you can see by my five star rating. Let's try and detail it up now.

The characters are interesting and intriguing. I instantly wanted to learn more about them when I started reading. I am a Team Jack member ALL THE WAY! I don't like Cam at all and I am actually on Jack's side of the events all the way until the end of the book. I don't trust Mr. Judan or Cam. I also believe that Dancia (cool name) is a bit nieve about her ability and the way she could or could not use it. I think she could have easily figured it all out if she would have applied herself sooner.

The plot of the story is excellent but I think that Dancia is way too hard on Jack through almost the entire book. She is supposed to be his friend not a judge, her treatment of him really annoyed me. Anyway, plot is excellent, moves fast, and you will be done with this book and wanting more before you even feel like you have gotten into it. As with any cliff-hanging ending I wanted way more when I was finished. I will definitely be looking out for the next book! ( )

Enjoyed the book! It is how I kind of predicted it {guess because it was predictable that way..lol} Its just a "getting to know the characters" book. Maybe when the next one comes out, it will be a little more action in it. I can't really say a whole lot about it without giving away the whole story. Just click on the title to read the summary & if you decide to read it, hopefully you will enjoy it. :-) ( )

Enjoyed the book! It is how I kind of predicted it {guess because it was predictable that way..lol} Its just a "getting to know the characters" book. Maybe when the next one comes out, it will be a little more action in it. I can't really say a whole lot about it without giving away the whole story. Just click on the title to read the summary & if you decide to read it, hopefully you will enjoy it. :-) ( )