books2graham's review
4.0
It was very odd when I picked it up and started reading it. I kept thinking, "What the heck?" But as I read on, I loved it more and more and couldn't wait to read the sequel! Trust me, every book in this series has a mysterious edge to it that makes you want to read more!
It's about a girl named Stacey, who has Nightmares of what is to come in the future. What's creepy though, is that her friend Drea is being stalked and Stacey's nightmares are of Drea's death. When Drea goes missing, will Stacey be able to find her in time to save her? Read to find out!
It's about a girl named Stacey, who has Nightmares of what is to come in the future. What's creepy though, is that her friend Drea is being stalked and Stacey's nightmares are of Drea's death. When Drea goes missing, will Stacey be able to find her in time to save her? Read to find out!
glowing_embers16's review
2.0
"Intense" is the word that comes to mind when describing this book. The story instantly kicks off with a nightmare and just keeps building: more nightmares, the creepy phone calls and notes.... Stolarz is a great writer; I love her descriptions and how fluidly she writes. However, several of the characters grated on my nerves because of their attitudes, namely Drea. And to be honest, I thought all the swearing was a bit unnecessary, but that's just me being picky.
If you enjoy suspenseful mystery books with a twist of magic, I'd give this series a go.
If you enjoy suspenseful mystery books with a twist of magic, I'd give this series a go.
library_of_velaris's review
3.0
I thought it was pretty good. You don't really get much insight to the characters, why they are the way they are. I'll probably read the next one in the series, but probably not right away.
tysh's review
4.0
This book was extreemly interestng. I enjoyed the insight on Wicca, it's something that sparks intrest in me. Also my sister is a Wicca. Anyway, I feel this book was put together well, I truthfully had no guess as to whom the stalker may be. I was extremely pleased to find out who it was.
mystic_dclouds's review
3.0
Honestly, don’t read this book if you’re looking for supportive friends, relatable characters or a story that’s filled with less embarrassing moments and red flags. I read this book ages ago, and to be fair I did get back into reading because of this series however upon re-reading I do wonder why I was obsessed over it.
Our story starts off with Stacey, who’s a witch seeing nightmares of her best friend Drea about to die. There are clues in her dreams and Stacey has an urgent need to pee which results in her wetting the bed in real life. Aside from that, there’s the typical high school drama and the character cast is limited but entertaining in a you either hate it or love it kind of way.
Although predictable the story kept me on my toes. The story was suspenseful and some events do occur quite unexpectedly even if the prime suspect was foreseeable. The book is packed with descriptions and repetition which at times were annoying since it ruined the flow of suspense or urgency. Although the descriptions do provide insight in Stacey’s Wicca practices to help the reader make sense of what she’s doing and why, which was nice.
Stacey’s friends are not likeable at all and her BFF, Drea is the worst. There’s not a lot of character development or descriptions to help the characters be relatable. Instead we get a lot of hints on their past, what their attitudes might be like because of what they own, do or wear and honestly, I don’t prefer that. Also, the emotions are really confusing and no one seems genuinely sorry or worried or caring.
This book was and still is to some extent a favorite of mine, but it’s really a hit or miss. It’s a fast and easy read as well as interesting if you’re willing to not get invested in the characters, since the suspenseful plot is the highlight. I’ll probably finish off this series, but the last book being a graphic novel is a real throw off for me.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
Our story starts off with Stacey, who’s a witch seeing nightmares of her best friend Drea about to die. There are clues in her dreams and Stacey has an urgent need to pee which results in her wetting the bed in real life. Aside from that, there’s the typical high school drama and the character cast is limited but entertaining in a you either hate it or love it kind of way.
Although predictable the story kept me on my toes. The story was suspenseful and some events do occur quite unexpectedly even if the prime suspect was foreseeable. The book is packed with descriptions and repetition which at times were annoying since it ruined the flow of suspense or urgency. Although the descriptions do provide insight in Stacey’s Wicca practices to help the reader make sense of what she’s doing and why, which was nice.
Stacey’s friends are not likeable at all and her BFF, Drea is the worst. There’s not a lot of character development or descriptions to help the characters be relatable. Instead we get a lot of hints on their past, what their attitudes might be like because of what they own, do or wear and honestly, I don’t prefer that. Also, the emotions are really confusing and no one seems genuinely sorry or worried or caring.
This book was and still is to some extent a favorite of mine, but it’s really a hit or miss. It’s a fast and easy read as well as interesting if you’re willing to not get invested in the characters, since the suspenseful plot is the highlight. I’ll probably finish off this series, but the last book being a graphic novel is a real throw off for me.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
marcyjmf's review
4.0
Not bad. Not one of my favorites either. I guessed at the ending pretty early in the story and it seemed like it took a long time to get there. I could have done without all the in depth description of what every detail symbolized in all of the rituals, but when there was action, it was well written. I know several people who really like the series, so I'm likely to keep going with it, keeping in mind that BIFN was her first book.
irayred's review against another edition
2.0
Es una historia a la que le pudieron haber sacado mucho provecho pero la autora se fue por el drama adolescente. So done with this kind of books.
katiessocool's review
3.0
Honestly this really only deserves 2, 2.5 stars at best but I'm being nice because I liked the idea. What I didn't like was the unrealistic interactions, the predictability and the fact that the whole plot leads to the last three chapters and the action goes down in 3 pages. Instead of being able to read he events as they happened we get an explanation. Plus there is absolutely no way the trial would have ended with involuntary manslaughter and 5 years in juvenile detention for mentally unstable boys. There was an actual murder! A life taken. Real life would have had much more experience consequences. I get that it's a fictional novel but still. That was too unbelievable and just plain irritating. I also understand that this was written in 2003 but come on, the interactions were so cheesy, the dialogue and relationships hard to believe and it was just so... corny? That's the best word I can think of. I'm disappointed because this story had so much potential and it just dropped that ball.
witchofthemountains's review
4.0
I first picked this series up when I was 15, and still fairly new to the Pagan community (though not the community of readers).
I find the characters sympathetic, believable, and memorable. The dialogue and actions are all reasonably realistic, and this is very important for the simple reason than the catalyst for action in the series is magic.
Stolarz mixes fairly realistic Pagan beliefs with the idea of, what I call, "Hollywood Magic". This blending lends an entertaining facet to what boils down to fiction books about the Pagan faith. I would strongly recommend them for anyone who is Pagan, but especially younger Pagans. The fifth star, however, is reserved because I feel there is too much Hollywood Magic and things are resolved too easily because of it. I could go into the "give and take" nature of energy use, but I don't. Suffice it to say that I could have used a bit more realism.
I find the characters sympathetic, believable, and memorable. The dialogue and actions are all reasonably realistic, and this is very important for the simple reason than the catalyst for action in the series is magic.
Stolarz mixes fairly realistic Pagan beliefs with the idea of, what I call, "Hollywood Magic". This blending lends an entertaining facet to what boils down to fiction books about the Pagan faith. I would strongly recommend them for anyone who is Pagan, but especially younger Pagans. The fifth star, however, is reserved because I feel there is too much Hollywood Magic and things are resolved too easily because of it. I could go into the "give and take" nature of energy use, but I don't. Suffice it to say that I could have used a bit more realism.
thereadingknitter's review
2.0
"I Know Your Secret . . ."
Stacey's junior year at boarding school isn't easy. She's not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She's got a crush on her best friend's boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she's having nightmares again. Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore, like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they're about Drea, her best friend who's become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone's leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey's dreams. Everybody thinks it's just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey's magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?
In this Deluxe Spellbook Edition you'll find:
Spells created by You and other keepers of secrets-poems, spells and meditations contributed by fans of this popular series. Extras also include an interview with the author.
My Review - This book took me a while to get into...Like 100 pages or something. I remember I'd gotten to the point where I was going to skip to the last 25 pages (something I rarely if ever do) and then I thought no just keep reading. At that point is where it actually took off. But even when it took off it wasn't that great for me. I'm sure I'll read the rest of the series at some point but I won't be jumping straight into the next book right now. One major pro of the book was that it kept you guessing through-out the whole book. For a minute I was wondering if it was one person and then my thoughts would jump to another person. Overall just an okay book for me.
Stacey's junior year at boarding school isn't easy. She's not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She's got a crush on her best friend's boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she's having nightmares again. Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore, like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they're about Drea, her best friend who's become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone's leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey's dreams. Everybody thinks it's just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey's magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?
In this Deluxe Spellbook Edition you'll find:
Spells created by You and other keepers of secrets-poems, spells and meditations contributed by fans of this popular series. Extras also include an interview with the author.
My Review - This book took me a while to get into...Like 100 pages or something. I remember I'd gotten to the point where I was going to skip to the last 25 pages (something I rarely if ever do) and then I thought no just keep reading. At that point is where it actually took off. But even when it took off it wasn't that great for me. I'm sure I'll read the rest of the series at some point but I won't be jumping straight into the next book right now. One major pro of the book was that it kept you guessing through-out the whole book. For a minute I was wondering if it was one person and then my thoughts would jump to another person. Overall just an okay book for me.