REVIEW: Watched by Sharde Richardson

Author: Sharde Richardson

Pages: 278

Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal

Publisher: Jolt

AMAZON: Watched

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Mikayla doesn't want much: just to rock out to her favorite band, become the next Kwiki Stop video gaming champion, and keep her Q-tip habit under control. What she does want is the sight of the sudden inexplicable dark auras around everyone to stop. Problem is, those auras are demons and Mikayla is the last trait holder with the power to ban them. Which is a total buzz kill.

To make matters worse, the town folk of Sulphur Springs don't look the same, and her classmates are a little dark in the eyes. There are murders, suicides, reckless skinny-dipping, gratuitous use of Q-tips, and newfound powers that Mikayla must learn to control.

Her past becomes present when a shape-shifter tells her what her true identity is, and how to keep the demons of Hell from nipping at her Converse. Through him she'll discover who to trust, who to kiss, and how valuable her abilities are to the right beings. Because the evils of Hell aren't staying down without a fight...

Or without her soul.

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 stars

What a wonderful start to this brilliant new series by Sharde Richardson.

When I recently read the most wonderful review of this novel on a fellow bloggers site (Bookish) I instantly placed my e-book order and literally devoured this book in one sitting – it was amazing!

The main heroine is Mikayla; she is an adopted 17 year-old with no recollection of her life prior to the age of 13 and lives in the small town of Sulphur Springs. On a day out ice-skating, her life is about to forever change when she is stabbed by a mysterious stranger and ultimately ends up in the hospital.

As a result of her near death experience, she no longer has her stutter and is able to see dark auras surrounding people which she soon finds out are actually demons. She has also gained a new protector in the form of a handsome, scarred Sentry named Lucas.

Lucas is a shape-shifter and has been entrusted to protect Mikayla against the demons as well as teach and train her how to ban them since she is the last trait holder with this power, the past they share is certainly intriguing and I look forward to finding out more about it.

When a number of murders begin to take place around town, all the result of demons, it forces Mikayla to become more aware of her abilities and come to accept her destiny.

I absolutely loved Mikayla and her unusual q-tip habit; she was quirky, fun and sarcastic! I really enjoyed the humor and found myself laughing on numerous occasions. Ms Richardson certainly has a way with words that I found entertaining. I also enjoyed what I hope is the start of a new relationship between Mikayla and Lucas; It was refreshing to read a YA novel that didn’t hold the clichéd ‘insta-love’.

Ms Richardson has written a real winner with Watched, her world building and descriptive story telling is unique and wonderful. The pacing and plot was spot-on for me as was the characterization. I came across a few grammatical and spelling errors but nothing that makes it confusing or can’t be overlooked.

We are left with a bit of a cliff-hanger – the introduction of the Raven and the mystery surrounding him as well as what is to happen with Uncle Joe has left me anxious to read the next installment.

Obtained: Purchased Amazon for Kindle