Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 gives 5 stars to Wander Dust by Michelle Warren, @MMichelleWarren.

Wander Dust 

By: Michelle Warren

Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.
The Lady in Black burns Sera’s memories.
Unexplainable Premonitions catapult her to other cities.
The Grungy Gang wants to kill her.
And a beautiful, mysterious boy stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.

(Barnes & Noble description)

My first ever true YA book, I won it in a giveaway and was hesitant to even start it until the blogger egged me on to jump in.  I had always read adult, action, gritty and sexy paranormal books with cursing and violence (not erotica), so this book was a big departure.  The blogger, Jacque, had basically challenged me to broaden my interests and this book was her ammunition for the challenge.

I had to fold and admit defeat before 25% into the book. She was right…and yes it stings to say/type that out loud.  This book amazed me, it had the hints of supernatural senses AND reminders of Michael Crichtons’ science driven, but historical fiction of Timeline.  The main characters are high school aged, which let the language and style of writing be easy and a quick read for an adult reader.  I wish I could have read this type of book when I was Sera’s age.  The high school friendships, crushes, jealousy and cliques all apply in Sera’s new world just like everywhere else.  High school is still high school even at special schools or special powers. Just ask Harry Potter, sometimes being in high school sucks no matter what.

Back to Wander Dust though!  In typical fashion, the main character, Sera, is dumped by her father to live with the quirky Aunt and only blood connection to her passed mother.  Yes, its been done before time and time again, but the tale that gets woven forwards and backwards was fascinating.  It truly is one of the books that once you read the end, you want to re-read the beginning now that you know the end? “Fight Club,” “Matrix,” “Sixth Sense?” Yep, that kind of awareness that makes you want to start it again to find the hints that you didn’t know were there the first time around! (No, Sera is not unknowingly dead, a prophet, or have split personalities…oops I guess I did spoil the movies! But not the book!!) She is a solidly written character with a world that could grow with her for many years and books.

A definite read for younger readers, Wander Dust has elements of science fiction, supernatural, and your everyday teenager rites of passage.

About the Reviewer

Aprilelayne, yes all one word, touts herself as a 'Jane of all trades.' An Army brat who ended up in Austin, Texas, she has two full-time jobs --motherhood and work-work (aka: the paying gig). She spends her time trying to master any one of her many hobbies, but really loves to read anything off the beaten path--especially the dark and twisty ones.  On any given day you'll likely find her in the kitchen with a toddler hanging onto a leg sneaking peeks at a book while stirring something on the stove. You can currently find Aprilelayne on GoodReads and Twitter @Aprilelayne1.