It all began in a dying desert town when the past came back to join the present.
The Desert Series, a YA paranormal trilogy, takes place over a span of six years in a town called Mystekal in the Southern California desert.
The story unfolds in Book 1, Mystical High, when sudden paranormal activity at Mystekal High and around the town, makes its presence known. The two main characters, Jessie … characters, Jessie and Jinxsy, high school juniors, are best friends. As each girl struggles with her own family problems, seemingly random and bizarre incidents occur that complicate everything. Eventually, after a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, the answers to decades-long mysteries are revealed.
Book 2, Desert Star, features River Dalworth, who makes his debut in Mystical High as Jessie’s younger brother. River is brilliant, funny, and a talented artist. Now a senior at Mystekal High, as the book opens, River steps in to defend a new student, Larsen Davis, who is being bullied by two other seniors for being gay. Larsen is grateful to River and confides in him that the biggest bully is the one at home—his mother.
Eventually, Larsen accepts a job with River’s mother, Arielle, who is in charge of renovating The Desert Theater. Larsen soon learns that the theater, abandoned for 40 years, is not without its secrets. Opening night at the Desert Theater sets the stage for a crime, never-imagined reunions, long-awaited explanations, and otherworldly miracles.
In Book 3, Drawn Apart, one of the main characters is Avalon Martelli, a student from Jersey City who was introduced in Desert Star. Avalon’s entire family now lives in Mystekal. Her best friend, whom she met at the beginning of the 11th grade, is Stephanie Lambert. Aside from having a home state in common, each girl possesses a talent for art and the heartbreak of a broken family. Avalon has the gift of sight, where the future is sometimes revealed in her paintings, while Stephanie’s drawings are all about forever love. As Stephanie, a self-described poetry geek and hopeless romantic, talks about past lives and eternal happiness, Avalon tries to deny she’s in love with her best guy friend, River.
Now seniors, the two friends are only weeks away from graduation when Stephanie is rendered unconscious and unresponsive after a car accident. As she lies comatose in the hospital, Stephanie’s mom and friends pray for a miracle while Avalon, who hears Stephanie telepathically, begs her to wake up so that she can meet her soul mate.
CONTENT WARNING: Mild sexual content and non-gratuitous profanity. Recommended age: 14+
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The Desert Series by Lisette Brodey
This boxed set contains Mystical High, Desert Star and Drawn Apart. All three books in the Desert series.
In Book 1, Mystical high:
Mystical High is a well-written, absorbing paranormal story. The plot is original and fascinating. The characters Jinxsy and Jessie struggle with true-to-life family problems. They are likable with real teenage drama, best friends indeed. Add a mysterious young man with long dark hair (that only few can see), flying objects, a brute for a principal and you have the makings of a perfect read. Filled with secrets, laugh-out-loud moments, twists and turns that keep you saying “Just one more page!”
Lisette Brodey brings her characters to life, as if they are real people. Jinxsy and Jessie are typical teens. I being a mother of seven daughters, got the chance to see things from their point of view, and she got their (teen) personalities spot on! Add the paranormal twist ,surprises and secrets and we have a five star page-turner. Paranormal lovers (actually all readers) will enjoy their experience in the mysterious town of Mystekal. I know I did!
Book 2, Desert Star:
Larsen Davis is the new boy in town. River Dalworth sees him being bullied and stands up for him they soon become good friends. Not only is he being bullied at school but his own mother is the biggest bully of all, she can not accept that he is gay.
Larsen meets River’s Mother Arielle, who offers him a job at the old movie theater. Larsen stars to feel something in the Theater, he wonders could it be a ghost? Some unexpected events occur in the building, and they all begin to wonder if someone is playing tricks? Or… Is there any possibility it could be a ghost?
Larsen is very likable and his situation is true to life. Bullying and being gay is not easy to handle. We see how one young man handles his life, and problems that arise. River is very unique, lovable and loyal to those he cares about. Arielle is everyone’s “Dream Mom” kind, loving and passionate about her work.
We meets new characters and are reunited with some from book one. The story is original, gripping and filled with secrets, I love that in a book. The paranormal twist brings sparks, to an already gripping, dramatic story. I was hooked from the first page until the last. Definitely five-stars all the way!
Book 3 Drawn Apart:
Avalon Martelli and Stephanie Lambert met at Mystekal High. They instantly form a strong friendship when they learn they are both from New Jersey.They have a lot in common, they both come from broken homes, they both love art ,they both are different than the rest of the students. Stephanie loves poetry and is a hopeless romantic. Yet Avalon is in denial of her true feelings for her friend River Dalworth.
Right before graduation Stephanie is in a horrible car accident, that leaves her in a coma. Avalon feels it is her fault because she had painted a picture of Stephanie with her head in the steering wheel, and never warned her. Distraught over her friends dire situation Avalon claims she doesn’t want her gift anymore. But she doesn’t know how those words are about to affect her life, and those she loves?
Avalon is likable, she is facing personal problems at home, in her love life, and trying to cope with her best friends serious medical condition. Stephanie is likable too. She is so lovable just wanting to find (and be) with her one true soul mate. River is back, he is super smart, funny and very likable.
The plot is cleverly written with current situations, and glimpses of the past (between Stephanie and Avalon) . We learn more about Stephanie’s Mother and Avalon’s as well. The story moves at a steady pace, with a perfect mix, of drama, suspense, secrets revealed, unconditional love, and the mystique between these special friends in this small desert town. An all around five-star read.