Review: Alone by Cyn Balog

Title: Alone

Author: Cyn Balog

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: November 2017

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: eARC from publisher via Netgalley

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Synopsis: When her mom inherits an old, crumbling mansion, Seda’s almost excited to spend the summer there. The grounds are beautiful and it’s fun to explore the sprawling house with its creepy rooms and secret passages. Except now her mom wants to renovate, rather than sell the estate—which means they're not going back to the city... or Seda's friends and school.

As the days grow shorter, Seda is filled with dread. They’re about to be cut off from the outside world, and she’s not sure she can handle the solitude or the darkness it brings out in her.

Then a group of teens get stranded near the mansion during a blizzard. Seda has no choice but to offer them shelter, even though she knows danger lurks in the dilapidated mansion—and in herself. And as the snow continues to fall, what Seda fears most is about to become her reality...

My rating: ★★★☆☆

I really loved the premise of this book, what with its potential ghost story. And I ended up really enjoying the ride and the atmosphere. But that ending... um, yikes 😬

Review: Dead River by Cyn Balog

Title: Dead River

Author: Cyn Balog

Genre: YA, paranormal, thriller

Publication date: April 2013

Published by: Delacorte

Source: Own Hardcover

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Synopsis:

My friends and I are spending prom weekend at a remote wooded cabin on the Dead. The Dead River.

I thought it was going to be just us.

I was wrong.

Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Ki, her boyfriend Justin, her cousin Angela, and Angela’s friend (or whatever) Hugo go to Angela’s cabin for a weekend of rafting on the Dead River. Ki lied to her overprotective father in order to come to this trip. One she didn’t even want to go on in the first place because A.) she wanted to go to prom instead. Justin didn’t want to, preferring to go rafting. And since Angela is also outdoorsy, Ki apparently didn’t have any other choice but to go. Seriously? Just tell him you want to go to prom instead! *sigh*

 And B.) she hates water. You see, her mother committed suicide by walking into the Dead River and drowning. Oh, and every time she is near any body of water she hears voices in her head. And after so many year of quiet, yes, the voices are now back. And seeing the dead is just another added bonus, or minus. Whatever ;)

Review: Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Title: Sleepless

Author: Cyn Balog

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: July 2010

Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

My rating: ★★★★☆
Eron is a Sandman. Yep, that's right. You know, those supernatural beings who put people to sleep? Pretty cool if you ask me. He was no older than 18 when he died in an accident at the mill where he worked. That was 100 years ago. And now after completing his 100 years as a Sandman, he will have the chance to be human again and finish his "unfinished business." But he has no idea what this "business" is, and his full human transformation is only a few days away. That is, until he starts training his replacement, Griffin, who also happens to be the deceased boyfriend of one of Eron's charges (Julia).