How did I get it: 
Why did I get it: I signed up for the Book Blog Tour. I was also intrigued by the concept and I wanted to see if this was something my library should purchase. While I definitely think this book will do well at my library and the teens I work with, it didn’t work out for me.
There are also several giveaways going on in connection to the Book Blog Tour. To enter you need to comment on all the posts involved in the Tour. To learn more about the prizes and the blog locations, click here.
How I would rate it: DNF – Did Not Finish because this wasn’t the right book for me. For reasons why, see the Thoughts section right after the book’s Summary.
Summary:
Since the death of their parents, Triona Pryor and her brother, Ben, have lived with their aunt and uncle in Camden, Maine. Now in her senior year of high school, Triona loves her family and friends, but she has always felt that she didn’t quite fit in…in Camden, or anywhere else.
Enter Caleb Wallace, the devilishly handsome man who has recently moved to Triona’s small town. While their attraction to each other is instantaneous, it also proves to be dangerous…and deadly.
When tragedy strikes, Triona flees to London for solace and to start her life anew. It’s there she discovers from an unlikely source that her family has been keeping secrets from her – secrets about not only her birthright, but her ultimate destiny as well. Armed with this knowledge, Triona finds herself thrown into a whole new world and into a battle to save the lives of everyone she loves.
Thoughts: I tried and I tried for days on end to push my way forward and through Shades of Atlantis. My progress was slow because it was actually painfully obvious to me that this book was not really going to be my cup of tea.
Carol Oates definitely has a good writing style, but I just did not find myself believing in the love between Triona and Caleb. I get that they had love at first sight going on, but for me that is not compelling reason in of itself to buy into a relationship. For me as a reader, it is never enough to be told someone is in love. I have to see that in the writing itself, and that didn’t happen. By Chapter 6, it seemed that loving Caleb and Triona’s love was essential to enjoying the rest of Shades of Atlantis and since I felt like that wasn’t going to develop in a way that would satisfy me as a reader, I gave up.
In conclusion, Shades of Atlantis would be an ideal read for those who enjoyed Twilight, the romantic aspects of the Iron Fey series, the romantic aspects of I Am Number Four, and fans of Karen Marie Moning. Sadly it was not the right sort of book for me.
April 6: Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my
April 7: CSI:Librarian
April 8: YA Bound
CSI: Librarian 
Thanks for participating in the tour! While no book will ever please all readers, thank you for sharing the type of reader it may appeal to based on the portion you read. Since it’s a DNF, and for those that haven’t read the book, the reason Triona and Caleb are love at first sight is revealed mid-way and the mythology behind it, as well as the “bad guys”, action, and revelations. I agree not all readers will love every book, which is why we have all types of reviewers to reach all types of readers. Thanks for your honesty! 🙂
For sure and thanks for organizing it! 😀
My preferences definitely won’t be another reader’s preferences and vice versa. So far reading the other reviews, I’m still glad I stopped but a bit annoyed at myself that I didn’t have the same sort of happy experience.
I definitely hope this book does well and finds plenty of readers who are more into paranormal romance than I seem to be. And my library will be getting a print copy soon.
Actually this makes me want to read it all the more! It has sounded like such a wonderful book and I’m interested to see if I think the same or get a similar feeling! I personally loved Twilight so I might just love this!!
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m glad to hear it! I really don’t want to rain on this book’s parade and I hope it does work for you when you get a chance to pick up a copy. 🙂
Awww! I’m sad you didn’t like it. I’m really wanting to give it a try.
amanda(at)lettersinsideout(dot)com
Me too! I hope you get a chance to read it soon.
Very nice review. Even though the book wasn’t for you. Thank you!
Thanks. I was a bit worried writing it, but it worked out well enough. 🙂
I think this was a great review. Honesty is refreshing and I know that there are some books my fellow readers have just loved and I didn’t but that is what makes reading fun.
Thank you! I definitely struggled with both the book and the review, but I definitely think some difference of opinion is always a good thing. And I really like giving honest reviews.
Great review! Book sounds very interesting and the cover is amazing.
Thank you! And yeah the cover is definitely awesome and distinct. 🙂
Thanks for the honest review! I hope I like it when I get a chance to read it, it does sound really interesting.
Thanks for reading! It sounds like it got better towards the middle so hopefully you will like it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Not every book is for everyone. I am still looking forward to giving this one a shot.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Thank you! I hope it works out for you. 🙂
It’s too bad you didn’t finish the novel. But thanks for your honest opinion.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Thank you.
It’s sad but it’s definitely a good thing that I stopped reading. I tend to give this sort of book very negative reviews when/if I manage to finish them.
Bummer! I always hope to stumble on books that I love, and knowing you didn’t finish worries me!
the girl on fire
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
Aw. Well it’s definitely more personal preference. I tend to prefer love that develops over time rather than love at first sight.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have heard only GREAT things about ‘Shades of Atlantis’, but everyone’s tastes differ. Thank you for your honesty. That is always appreciated.
Same here, which makes me even sadder that it wasn’t my thing but it happens. Thanks for reading!
Sorry this book didn’t work out for you. That’s why I love books, there is something out there for everyone!
Definitely. Thanks for reading. 🙂
I am grateful for this honest post. I have a whole pile of DNF books I tried hard to push through, but didn’t work for me. I’m *hoping* I’ll like this book because I love the mystery of Atlantis, I actually just did a report on it. I fear I won’t be convinced of the romance either though, because generally it takes alot for me to believe in character’s commitment…All the same I simply can NOT wait for this, and I sincerely hope this will work for me! ❤ hehe
I know what you mean. I definitely prefer a slow build to a love that makes more sense, but it’s possible the rest of the book is better. I just have gotten to the point where if I’m not engaged with something by a certain numbers of chapters I move on. I have too many other books to read.
Thanks for reading! I hope it does work out for you. 🙂
Sorry you didn’t like the book. Hopefully it will be a hit with other readers.
Rachel Leigh
TheOneRing111 at gmail dot com
I hope so too. 🙂
Pingback: Reader’s Progress #15: | CSI: Librarian
Thanks for the honesty. A good reviewer is firm and expresses their thoughts with sensitivity, and you definitely did that. I’ll still have a try. 😉
cc932005 at hotmail dot com
Thank you. I didn’t want to offend but I didn’t want to lie either so this seemed like the best compromise. I hope you like the book when you get a chance to read it!
Not every book will please everybody and I would rather read an honest review than a forced one.
Thanks for the review. I personally reading all kinds of reviews on a book to see what work or didn’t work for the reader.
I am still excited for this book because the premise and mythology behind it really grabs my attention.
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for reading. I hope it works out for you!
I’m really looking forward to learning more about Ireland and it’s history.
(\___/)
(=’.’=)
(“)_(“)
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
I hope you like it! 🙂
Thanks for the review. I would like to read this book.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I hope you get a copy of it soon. 🙂
Thanks for your honest review. It’s refreshing to read a review that is what the reviewer really thinks and feels.
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m glad you liked it. I was nervous about it, but figured it was better to be honest. 🙂
So sorry this was a DNF for you. Thanks for the honest review and I can’t wait to read it to have my own take on it
june111(at)att(dot)net
I’m sorry and yet relieved at the same time. It’s hard for me to abandon books, but often it’s better than being irrationally angry at them. 😉
Thanks for your honest thoughts about the book. I’m still excited about reading it, and thanks for participating in the tour.
the imagine tree at aol dot com
Thank you for reading. I hope you get a copy soon!
I like how you said what kind of readers would like this. Since I liked Shades of Atlantis, maybe I’ll like some of the ones you mentioned! Thanks!
You’re welcome. I hope those books work out for you. 🙂