Reading Teen

I've actually been sitting on this review for awhile. I don't really know why I've had a hard time writing it. I think it's because there wasn't anything that I really loved or hated about Shadow Hills. It was a pretty good book. I thought the storyline was interesting, especially since the "paranormal" powers were able to be explained scientifically. It was definitely an original, and interesting take on the paranormal. I wish the story had stuck to the scientific (gene mutation) theory, and not gone into the whole goddess aspect. I think that just seemed forced and out of place. I'm sure that this will come into play in future books in the series, but in this one, it just kind of seemed to come out of no where, and then Phe just went from not understanding any of it, to being able to use extraordinary powers without any training or studying or explanation. It really wasn't that big of a deal, I didn't hate it, I just think it would have been more unique and interesting to have a "paranormal" that ended up not really being paranormal at all, but based in science.At the beginning of the book I had a hard time understanding why Phe was so attracted to Zach. I thought the attraction was a little fast, but later in the story I enjoyed their relationship and even fell for Zach myself. He was a sweetie and I loved the way he always looked out for Phe. And I also really liked Phe's character. She was really witty, and constantly coming up with quick, snarky comebacks, which I love in a girl.I wasn't crazy about the setting of the boarding school. I guess I'm just getting tired of boarding school settings. It seems like every other book I read is set at a boarding school, which basically makes the book feel like it's about college kids, and not high school kids. Especially when they are basically able to do whatever they want, with no real supervision. It's just not very believable. But, again, not really a huge deal, just something that is at the back of my mind when reading. I think the thing with this book is that it suffered a little from Series Syndrome and the middle just didn't have that much going on, and I got a little bored, and when I get bored reading I start nit-picking everything. I thought the beginning of the book was really interesting and entertaining. I thought the end was pretty exciting and suspenseful. And I love the overall premise of the book. It was just that the middle seemed to drag on, making what could have been one really good book into what may end up being just an ok series for me. Andye (http://ReadingTeen.net/)