I wish heroes didn’t only exist in fairy tales. The closest I have to the myth is Skyler, my best friend. Maybe it’s selfish, but I’m so grateful not to be alone in my life, or in our high school parking lot when the bullying begins. Every morning, standing by my side is my best friend. Sky and I are… different. Or, at least, that is how it feels. So, we hold each other near and keep everyone … and keep everyone else at bay. The only two people who can see through our defense are the Wise Ones. They love us unconditionally and do their best to shelter us, but they’re high schoolers themselves. How can I break their hearts and tell them they are… failing?
My name is Serenity. And I am a girl with secrets.
When I meet Dereck and instantly have visions of past lives with him, I have to think that maybe heroes really do exist.
But can I trust the light he brings? Or will his brightness only lead me further into the dark?
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In this metaphysical novel, there is abuse and there is loss, but most of all there is strength, hope, and a love so strong that one lifetime isn’t enough.
SERENITY is book one in the Forever Series.
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Wow, what an emotional ride! Serenity took me through all emotions. I laughed, I cried, I was angry, sad and surprised at the times. Sometimes all at once. Serenity and Sky have an incredible bond and protect each other. I loved the way Josh and Jolene, The Wise Ones, give Sky and Serenity guidance and protection because they desperately needed it. The connection between Dereck and Serenity is deep and intense. Dereck and Rocco are the perfect protectors for Serenity and Sky. The writing is perfect, the story is amazing and the characters are intriguing. This is a beautiful story that will pull you in and keep you hooked until the last page.
Serenity is the type of book you either love or you hate. Not a middle ground. I for one love it. This story is so much more than the unique gifts that Serenity and “crew” have in their connection. It is about abuse, neglect, friendship, bullying, love and accountability.
The reason I say you either love it or hate it is because of the uniqueness of the crew and their connection to one another. Despite their “ages” within the story, it is like they are older than they should be. It is family dysfunction personified but more realistic than some will be able accept. It is a book that you will find yourself laughing at cheesy comments to crying about the situation.
Give the book a chance to show you how well the situation is written and how life isn’t always as it seems. Walls aren’t always those of a building but those that can protect your heart and mind.
This book really left me with a hangover, I don’t know if I can really do this book justice with my review, but I’ll give it a shot.
I loved this book and I absolutely hated it at times. The happy and beautiful moments in this book are covered in a mist of sadness, tragedy and even violence. The characters are wonderful, spiritual, mature beyond their years and well developed. The story takes some time to develop, but it lets the reader really get to know the characters.
Usually I sit down with a book and read it to the end, but this book was a bit straining on my heart and soul, so that I had to put it down for a day or two until I could continue reading. It’s not an easy book, but it is still beautiful. This book may not be for everyone, but it certainly touched me as few books do in this genre.
This is my first book by India R. Adams and man what a book. This is such a beautifully written book that tackles some tough issues. I laughed, I cried, and I loved! Serenity and Skyler are known as the Shorties in The “Crew”, due to their size. This group of friends are the perfect combination and Josh and Jolene are considered the parents or “The Wise Ones”. When Serenity and Skyler are introduced to the other members, things start getting more interesting. Dereck and Rocco are the perfect choices to look after Serenity and Sky, when Josh and Jolene head off to college. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say if you’re trying to decide which book of India’s to read, you need to start here! I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it!
Good lord why have I not read this authors work before!! Given the opportunity to read this one was a treat. I had not read this author before but had heard good things.
I was not sure what to expect but I adored this story and laughed a lot in the beginning. The bond that Serenity and Sky have is awesome and some of her close friends at first didn’t quite understand. Dealing with teenage stuff going to through HS made their bond even stronger. Then with the help of their Crew they grew even more.
By the end of this book my heart had gone through the ringer and my emotions were through the roof. I have not had an ugly cry in many books and this one is now on that very short list. I was sooo glad to have read this one and this author will now be a definite One-Click when new books are published. On to book 2 now…..
First thing, those journal entries are so great! They are poetic and abstract, and I love them. And absolutely adored their presence throughout the novel.
The first words that come to mind after reading this book are: elegant, beautiful restraint, and balance. Yes this book put me through heartache followed by extreme joy, but the overwhelmingly constant feeling was a sense of calm; Serenity.
At first, I didn’t know what to expect, and I wasn’t too sure I would like this whole “aura seeing” plot line, thinking it would fall into the cookie cutter YA story line trap. Quickly I realized how terribly wrong I was; I should’ve known India would add her magical goddess touch to it and make it memorable, like every other one of her novels I have read.
(I just realized I wrote the word “first” for my three beginning transitional phrases – oh well haha, I just wanted to say everything first)
I really took my time reading this book so that I could really absorb every little bit of magic India has planted in this novel. The hardship and suffering was shocking yet the writing was enchanting. It ticked all the boxes – even some I didn’t know could be ticked.
And last, but not least, even though this book, at its core, is quite dark and serious, and made me want to cry on multiple occasions, it me laugh many times over! India and I have the same sick sense of humour and I love it! (For those of you who follow me on twitter, you know which passages I’m talking about) At the end of the novel, it is stated: “Her novels are perfectly balanced between laughter and tears, letting readers see how to empower their own perfect imperfections”, and I couldn’t agree more.
So thank you, thank you, thank you India for this memorable book!
I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started reading this and about three chapters in I wasn’t sure I was liking it.
I was confused as to what Serenity was seeing and the purpose of the crew. But at the same time I had a compelling urge to keep going. I had to know more so I kept at it and it did not disappoint.
The confusion was still there but I started seeing this as a close nit group of teenagers trying to get through life full of abusive parents, school problems, bullying, love and a bond that’s carried through lifetimes.
This story was so beautiful it shone like a newly born star.
Once again India manages to pull you into the pages and make you feel the story to the point that at 86% My eyes welled. At 87% I had to grab the Kleenex. I still don’t know what the Crew’s purpose was, apart from protecting the Shorties. But strangely I’m ok with that.
No words!!!! A Must read!!!
This is my first book by India R Adams. I loveee this amazing story!! ! I cried a lot!!! India break my heart and have me in an emotionally rollercoaster the entire book!!!
Serenity by India R. Adams is not a book to be underestimated. This book has so much going on, and will take you through every emotion possible. The characters and their stories make you feel everything at once with no control at all.
This book is no easy read. This book discusses sensitive issues that can make you feel uncomfortable, but that makes it a worthwhile read. It may be a sensitive to some people, but it was a book that touched me deeply, and I don’t think I will ever get over it.
Serenity is such a strong character. With everything happening in her life, she tries to protect the ones that she loves and find happiness in her life. I felt every emotion that Serenity felt. And with Dereck, she was almost indestructible.
It’s an easy book to get lost into. I knew I would love this book from the very first page, but I didn’t know by how much I would. This novel is such an emotional read, and touched me on a deep and personal level. Like Ive said before, its a book not to be underestimated.
I also loved the elements of Fantasy written throughout the novel. It gave it an other-worldly feel to it. It helped me truly escape from the realities of my life to a completely different world
Serenity is a must-read! It’s an emotion, fantastical read that will help you escape your world and want to save another’s. Take my word for it, it’s that good.
3.5 Stars
Serenity Dowell can sense energy/light in those around her. She also believes that she has been around for many lifetimes and has dreams/nightmares of the past and they can control her life. Her best friend Skyler O’Donnell stays beside her and helps her navigate through bullies at school and helps to calm her down when everything is getting to her.
Dereck Hamilton meets Serenity and knows there is something special about her and wants to get to know her more. His mom, Faith, knows that the two met somewhere in a past life before and they have found each other again.
In Dereck, Serenity has found a peaceful place that balances her home life where her father seems to be a dark light and can terrify her.
Can Serenity navigate through the darkness and find the light and when tragedy hits someone she loves will Serenity be able to stay positive and find the happiness and peace that she is looking for?
This was a good book but it was surprisingly long!
I liked Serenity and I definitely felt bad that she had so much sensory overload with the reading of everyone’s inner light and how it took a definite toll on her. The stuff with her dad was crazy and my heart broke and what she had to endure with her mom as well and her drinking problem. I was glad that Serenity had amazing friends with Skyler, Joshua and Jolene.
Dereck was such a great guy and had an amazing relationship with his mom, Faith. He took such great care of Serenity and you could tell right from the beginning that he was in it for the long haul.
My heart broke for Sky and what she had to endure in this book but I was glad that she was able to pull through it with Serenity’s help.
Serenity’s father is pure evil and I am super curious on where the story is headed with him. I was mad at her mom as well for not being there for Serenity and protecting her from her dad.
The end of the book totally shocked me and I was not expecting this at all! – By Rebecca
Serenity is the story of a 16-year-old girl who is ‘different’ from the norm. She is living a lie, determined that her nearest and dearest don’t know what she goes through. She has some incredibly good friends though, who show her their love regardless of what she says. When she is introduced to Dereck, the connection in instantaneous, a twining of the souls. Her life changes, and not always for the better, but her Crew remain with her.
This book is simply intense. It is full of emotion and will have you both laughing at Sky’s feisty attitude, and crying at what Serenity deals with. It isn’t all about her/them though. All of the Crew will wangle their way into your heart as you read, and they all become family.
This story is amazing, and I am really hoping for more to come. Dereck is everything a girl could wish for, Pops is what every daddy should be, Rocco is the protective Teddy Bear. I don’t think I’m ready for their stories to come to an end just yet.
If you want something that is intense, heartbreaking, and full of hope, then I can highly recommend this book by India R. Adams. Quite simply, a stunning story.
* I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!