Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls
Author: Mary Lindsay
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Philomel
  (December 8, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0399256226

SUMMARY:

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger


Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.


Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

MY THOUGHTS:

I debated with myself several times on whether or not to post a review for this book.  I didn't finish it, but I did make myself read to the halfway point.  Since it is classified as a Did Not Finish on my shelves, instead of a review I thought I would just share with you on why I couldn't finish it.

First character in the hot seat is Lenzi.  Can we get any weaker than this character?  Does she even still have a spine intact and a brain in her head?  I know this seems a little harsh but seriously, I thought she was one of the worst characters I have read about in a long time.  This character has mastered the art of whine and selfishness.  The only strength this girl had was mad and slightly OCD paper skills called origami.

Second character in the hot seat is Zak. Seriously? This is the type of character you want for a romance interest for a teen?  If this guy came within fifteen feet of my teen daughter I would snatch the shotgun from my husband and send him running for the hills praying I miss the bulls eye of his family jewels.  He is worse than the bad boy image that you are afraid to bring home to meet the parents. Why would someone be attracted to a boy who gets drunk and tries to seduce you while you are visiting your fathers grave? Oh and this was part of a birthday gift to Lenzi.  Sorry to tell you Zak, but that present is one you can handle yourself.  But no, Lenzi keeps kissing his butt and basically thinking he is a God among men. I am sorry but mentally abusive men who have a thing for belittling a woman while not being able to hold their liquor is not an attractive man to hold high on a pedestal.

So you would think the author, who decides a triangle might help save this story, would learn the lesson on abusive and emotionally battering men.  No.  She decides to bring in man number two named Alden, who just happens to be her Protector.  You hear the word Protector and you think he might just be the one for Lenzi.  Then the author ruins it by having him tell Lenzi that her fear and pain is a big turn on for him.  Um, hello? This borders on creepy and just plain sadistic.

At this point, I had to put the book down and just deal with the eye twitching I get when I don't finish a book.  I just couldn't stomach anymore of the characters and I can't even remember what the point of the plot was suppose to be.

MY RATING:

       

I did not like this book at all!

DID  NOT FINISH / DNF