This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Sunset Empire (Volume 1) by Melissa Ousley is a YA paranormal tale. Following a fire that destroys her house, Elyse Pythan moves to Astoria to live with a grandmother she had never known. Her grandmother is strict, but Elyse rebels against her and discovers what her mother never told her – her family could well be responsible for a fire that almost destroyed Astoria in 1922, disappearances that span centuries, and the death of a girl who lingers in the tunnels beneath Astoria, seeking vengeance. Phantom is an attractive local boy who wants to help Elyse find out the truth. Phantom is a bit of an outcast with a dark past from his own family, a past that could turn him from being a friend into being a hunter.
Sunset Empire (Volume 1) by Melissa Ousley is a fun story, a mixture of fantasy, paranormal, and just downright creepy at times. It is part thriller and starts off on a high note, just getting better as the story moves along. The story is peppered with nuggets of historical information and myths from the area of Astoria, Oregon, adding an interesting dimension to the plot. The plot is good, with plenty of twists and turns, and is full of vivid descriptions that bring the story to life. The characters are well developed, brought to life and easy to identify with. Although this is touted as a young adult paranormal story, I believe that many older readers would enjoy it as well and I was pleased to see that Ms. Ousley has set the scene very well for the next book – I will be reading it.
