16 year old Karlie has had a pretty normal life... But when her Mom dies she is forced to move over 1,000 miles away to live with her Dad. That's when things start getting weird.
She can't explain the earthquakes that nobody else feels, or why she no longer sleeps. But most of all she doesn't know why she trusts Shane so much, even though his Dad wants her dead.
Suddenly, Karlie's normal life is turned upside down and she enters a world she never dreamed could really exist.
Review:
I have to admit, I was looking forward to reading this book, it sounded like it had everything I enjoy in a book. However, I am very disappointed and found many faults which allowed me, sadly, not to enjoy it.
When Destiny Knocks is set in the USA, where a 16 year old Karlie is forced to move in with her Dad after her Mum (or Mom, since this an American book ;p) passes away. After a few days, everything begins to get weird. She is able to control the weather with her emotions, experience visions and she doesn't sleep for weeks. She meets Shane, a boy she can't stop thinking about but everyone tells her to stay away from him. Not knowing why, she is tempted to discover more. She finds out that she in fact 'the chosen one', and that Shane's dad is out to kill her. A normal life is no longer available for Karlie, but can she at least stay alive?
First of all, I definitely need to bring up the lack of editing for this book. I accept that this is a self-published novel, so it is harder to correct mistakes, but it seems that every paragraph there is at least one grammar mistake! Some punctuation is miss used and the tenses are all muddled up. I was able to make sense of what was happening in the book, but I think that if this book was reviewed more before it was published, I think I would have given it another star rating.
Another thing I need to mention is the big clichés. They are everywhere! Some I found quite Disney-Channel like was the blonde cheerleaders and the loner boy which the new girl is attracted too. Personally, this made it less unique. Also, Karlie discovers that demons, ogres, trolls etc exist and Shane's dad, a demon, is out to kill her. I liked the way she was the chosen one, but all of these monsters have been done before. Maybe a new monster, or just one of the typical ones, would have been better because it seems too cliché and not interesting. However, if you like clichés, then maybe you should try it!
The author uses an interesting way of setting out the time. I don't know how else to put it! The book carried out over months and I found it quite annoying! I mean, one chapter it was Christmas and then in the next it was the summer holidays! Also, if there was a demon out to kill her, he wouldn't wait, would he?
Despite this fairly negative review so far, I did find some parts enjoyable. I liked the romance, and found Shane so intriguing! I instantly wanted to know what his story is and why he is 'dangerous'. There is also a love triangle - cue Alex! I carried on with this book until the end because I wanted to know who she ended up with. The ending is quite predictable - until the last sentence! Wow, what a killer! That is probably the biggest cliff hanger I've read, and it's definitely a way to get the reader to read the sequel.
Overall, I didn't like When Destiny Knocks, but I didn't hate it. It has a basic linear plot which I think could have been more original to make it interesting, but I like the use of characters and how a person related to someone Karlie loves wants to kill her. Don't read this if your pet peeve is bad grammar, it will be your worst enemy! I enjoyed the romance, and the love triangle. Although the cliffhanger is very unexpected and suspenseful, I won't be reading the sequel. I don't recommend it. Consequently, this is purely my opinion and take on the book. Check out more reviews here, on Goodreads. If someone else has read this, do you agree with my review?
RATE: 2/5
Publisher: Self
Publication date: 24th December 2011
Pages: 200
Edition: E-copy
Source: For Review
To buy this book click HERE.
8 comments:
It's such a shame this didn't work out for you. ): Though I have to say, with more than a few grammar mistakes throughout a book, I would have put it down! Though I'm not perfect at it, my pet peeve IS bad grammar! So not the book for me either.
I don't really mind cliches, as long as there aren't too many and the book still manages to be unique and have a twist.
Thanks for another honest review, Zoe!
Oh no, this doesn't seem like my kind of book! x( Grammar mistakes in my books always bug me. I mean, how come the beta reader or the editor missed the simple grammar mistakes like spelling or run-on sentences? Oh, you don't want me to talk about run-on sentences, because I can go on forever!
But overall, this seems like a really cute book! I think it has lovely premise, especially with monsters thrown in. Lovely, honest review, Zoe! <3
There actually was a ton of drama surrounding this one...the author started attacking people who said they didn't enjoy the book because of the grammar issues which is totally, completely valid because grammar mistakes can prevent a person from fully liking a novel! And I hate cheesy stuff....I find that so much in chick-lit books and I'm sorry you didn't like it too much :(
I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this book! Thanks so much for the brilliant review though! Its a shame about the grammar mistakes as well. :( Thanks so much for your brilliant review!!
Beth xx
Ive seen quite a few bad reviews on this one and it was part of some drama - the author called a reviewer a moron - so yeah I'm definitely not interested in reading it. And sorry you didn't like it it's always annoying to have to give a negative review but you wrote it very well!
Grammar mistakes in nearly every paragraph?! Arrghhh, yes it's one of my pet peeves so I won't be checking this out :(
The premise seems to have potential so it's a shame the author didn't make it the best. Cliches are terribly annoying!
Thanks for the honest review, Zoe :)
It's a shame this didn't entirely work out for you, but thanks for the great honest review! I can't let slide a few grammar and typing errors, but not if it becomes so great that it distracts away from the story. I'm not a fan of cliche-ridden book either. :(
Awww, it's a shame you didn't enjoy this as much as you wanted to! I read a self-published book not that long ago for review that had quite a bit of spelling and grammatical mistakes - but not in every paragraph! I think that could have maybe got on my nerves!
Thanks for a great review though! :D
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