Moonstone (Unbidden Magic, #1)

Jan 05, 2010 Lea (YA Book Queen) rated it 2 of 5 stars

I can really go either way with this novel. I had read some great reviews and the story just did not live up to them (in my opinion). I hate to be the one to say that I disliked this book, a lot.

Allie was a good main character, but it took me awhile before I started to really like her. In fact, in the end, I'm still not sure if I did like her as a character. Her mother, on the other hand, I despised. This is what I wanted to say to her: Get off your *&$@ing @#$ and get a job (use your imagin...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Ali's Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won a signed copy of this book, but I was in no way compensated for this review.

Moonstone is the first book in the Unbidden Magic Series. After reading it, I'd say it's mostly appropriate for young teens. However, I immensely enjoyed it myself & I plan to read the series to my kids after I aquire the rest of the books - as long as they are as clean as the first. I know at least that my kids would love this first book.

The book starts out with young teenaged Alfreida Carlotta Emerson "Allie"...more I won a signed copy of this book, but I was in no way compensated for this review.

Moonstone is the first book in the Unbidden Magic Series. After reading it, I'd say it's mostly appropriate for young teens. However, I immensely enjoyed it myself & I plan to read the series to my kids after I aquire the rest of the books - as long as they are as clean as the first. I know at least that my kids would love this first book.

The book starts out with young teenaged Alfreida Carlotta Emerson "Allie" trying to fix a TV antenna. She gets zapped in the process. It doesn't take long for Allie to discover that something has changed about her. She has super powers that just weren't there before.

Allie finds herself struggling with these newfound abilities, and turns to her quirky neighbor for help. Well, let's face it here. This neighbor is more than just a neighbor. She plays a significant role in Allie's life, since Allie's father took off before she was even born, and Allie's mother, well, let's say Allie's the adult in that relationship. Back to the neighbor, she is completely understanding of what Allie has been going through and tells Allie that it's time for her to have something - a moonstone pendant. Allie is to keep it with her at all times, and it's absolutely imperative that no one else gets their hands on it.

Of course, this whole deal just leaves Allie reeling. She really wants nothing to do with it. She wants her boring, dull life back, which is saying a lot. Allie lives in a travel trailer with her mom on her aunt and uncle's property. Her aunt is disgusted that her husband is allowing them to mooch off of them. She goes so far as to turn to the CPS for help in getting rid of them. That would probably make sense, too, except at this point, Allie seems perfectly capable of taking care of herself for the most part. Allie's great at taking care of her sorry excuse for a mom, too. That's the kind of person Allie is, though. She even takes care of the local kids that are bullied at her school. She doesn't back down from anyone.

It doesn't take long for Allie to learn that people are willing to kill for this moonstone. Allie finds unexpected help in a boy, that becomes more than just a friend to her. Let me say here, that this boy is the very last boy you'd ever expect it to be. Allie finds that in order to save herself, and probably the world, that she's going to have to embrace her own powers...

I thought the story flowed well from beginning to end. I was most intrigued with the character descriptions. Some of the characters had me laughing out loud. I can imagine my kids finding Blaster the Bull quite amusing! The relationships between the characters didn't play out at all like I thought they would, and the story kept me on my toes.
I can't wait to read the rest of this fun series!

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Feb 11, 2013 Lissette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Allie Emerson has had to grow up too fast and too soon. She's had to take care of her mother and her imaginary ailments for as long as she can remember. While this doesn't necessarily bother, she wishes for a different life sometimes. Caring for her mother is a full-time job, and it's slowly taking its toll.

An unexpected accident soon brands her with unexplained powers. At first, she wonders if what's happening to her is a side effect from the zap she received from the TV antennae. Yet as the li...more Allie Emerson has had to grow up too fast and too soon. She's had to take care of her mother and her imaginary ailments for as long as she can remember. While this doesn't necessarily bother, she wishes for a different life sometimes. Caring for her mother is a full-time job, and it's slowly taking its toll.

An unexpected accident soon brands her with unexplained powers. At first, she wonders if what's happening to her is a side effect from the zap she received from the TV antennae. Yet as the little things start piling up, Allie's no longer sure.

Seeking answers to her curious predicament, her zany neighbor soon gifts her with an extraordinary pendant - a Moonstone she says is meant for her. While the gift is certainly mind-boggling, Allie knows that's the least of her worries. She has her mother to take care of, and a bully to put in his place at school. Not to mention that she also has to deal with her aunt, uncle, and the state's child protection services.

Trying to make sense of the situation, Allie can no longer ignore just how different things have become. Whereas she was once invisible to the student body, so to speak, she's now garnered attention to herself in more ways than one. She also has to contend with the unexpected attempts on her life and that of some of her friends.

Deep inside, she knows there more to things than meets the eye. Deciphering what she needs to know, however, is going to be trying. Someone's out to get her, and she's not exactly sure as to why. If she's to come out on top, she'll need to learn her powers to the best of her ability and fast. The Moonstone necklace is the key. The question is, can she learn how to use it before someone else is hurt in the process?

This was honestly a very enjoyable start to what looks to be a very delightful series. Allie and her predicaments are definitely realistic, to some extent. Though she occasionally stumbles through each unique situation that she finds herself, the story itself is certainly endearing. Introduced to a slew of character's, they add intrigue as well comic relief on occasion. I enjoyed the story very much, and look forward to what comes next in the series.(less)

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Jan 29, 2013 Gaele rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-reads, tours

This is the first of five reviews for this series, copies provided through NetGalley to be included in a review tour from IOB Tours. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Moonstone is the introduction to the series, and introduces Allie, the main character around whom all the action circles. Brothers has the ability to portray that innate goofiness and awkwardness that is all a part of teenage life. Add in poverty and a disabled and more than sligh...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Maxie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Moonstone Series by Marilee Brothers

Can you imagine being struck by lightning? It can happen if you hear thunder you can be hit according to science. Now move you attention to accidentally touching a fence powered by electricity...ouch.

Moonstone written in the YA Urban Fantasy genre by talented and imaginative author Marilee Brothers is a fun, easy read. Ms. Brothers' main character is a normal 15 year old teenager by the name of Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson, also known by her nickname, Allie. Due...more Moonstone Series by Marilee Brothers

Can you imagine being struck by lightning? It can happen if you hear thunder you can be hit according to science. Now move you attention to accidentally touching a fence powered by electricity...ouch.

Moonstone written in the YA Urban Fantasy genre by talented and imaginative author Marilee Brothers is a fun, easy read. Ms. Brothers' main character is a normal 15 year old teenager by the name of Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson, also known by her nickname, Allie. Due to a series of unfortunate family issues she and her single mom live in 24 foot trailer Uncle Sid's land. Ally and her mom's depressing circumstances are very realistic and one that many readers can understand. Allie's dad left them when his parents threaten to disown him. Of course being financially strapped her mother fabricates an illness in order to received welfare from the government. This lie also leads to an investigation by Children's Services.

Allie incurs an injury from touching an electrical fence and this incident leaves her with psychic powers. Allie is considered a chosen one according to a prophecy. When Allie is receives a gift of a special moonstone, her powers increase so she is now Telekinetic. Allie is unaware that a cult is looking for this magical stone and they'll stop at nothing to have it.

Moonstone is carefully crafted by Marilee Brothers, with inconspicuous clues tossed about leading up to a dark conspiracy. Allie uses her paranormal powers trying to save the world from evil along with the evil that runs rampant in high school bullying.

Ms. Brother's characters are believable because all of them has flaws just like all of us.
Some of the incidents in the story are very predictable and others take you by surprise Moonstone is still enjoyable with touches of humor and empathy. Teens will certainly enjoy Moonstone Series and follow the series as Allie and friends work together to conquer evil with super powers and humor.

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May 09, 2012 Tahlia Newland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, paranormal

Netgally provided me with four books in this series as an exclusive review set and it appears that there must be at least one more to the series because at the end of book 4, although Allie had found the person she needed to help her, she still hadn’t saved the world from the threat of the Dark Fey and the Trimarks.

The Moonstone series is about Allie, a fifteen year old girl who lives in a small town in Washington State. In the first book, she gains psychic powers, is given a magical moonstone p...more Netgally provided me with four books in this series as an exclusive review set and it appears that there must be at least one more to the series because at the end of book 4, although Allie had found the person she needed to help her, she still hadn’t saved the world from the threat of the Dark Fey and the Trimarks.

The Moonstone series is about Allie, a fifteen year old girl who lives in a small town in Washington State. In the first book, she gains psychic powers, is given a magical moonstone pendant, and battles evil Trimarks who try to steal the stone for their own nefarious purposes. In the following books we uncover the mysteries of her family tree, travel to a fairy realm, discover a prophecy and search for the other person it mentions.

As it says in the blurb - Fun, romantic, quirky and different, this YA fantasy series is a good read for young and mid-teen readers, but also for older teens and adults.

I loved the light hearted moments in this series. It’s refreshing departure from the plethora of heavy YA books out there. The characters are all great. Alllie is someone I respect and who I like spending time with. Her boyfriends (a different one in each book) are good strong characters and her girlfriends are delightful. Allie’s mum and her friend Kizzy are both strong characters and their relationships and interactions with Allie are well thought out and realistic.

The story took me in directions I hadn’t imagined and in book 2, introduced some delightfully bizarre characters. Each book had a satisfying conclusion, but left enough unfinished to set the scene for the next instalment.

This is a terrific series and I was disappointed that the publisher hadn’t included the last book in the set. I love being able to read a whole series without having to wait for a year between books, but it seems I will be waiting for the finale of this one. I recommend that you buy the whole lot and tuck yourself away for a good long read.
The only thing I didn’t like about this read was that I didn’t get to the end, and that can be solved as soon as the next book comes out. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it.
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May 09, 2012 Sara Thompson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

With the final book coming out this summer, Netgalley had an offer for their reviewers – all four of the current books of the Unbidden Magic Series as one long e-book. The number of pages was daunting but that didn’t stop me from burning through the books in a matter of days. Allie is just a normal girl trying to survive what life has offered her. She lives with her mother in a travel trailer on a piece of her mother’s step-brother’s land. Her mother was suffering from a mysterious illness that...more

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May 01, 2012 Cheryl C. rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have to agree with the editor about Marilee Brother’s style of writing. She smoothly and brilliantly combines the intelligent and the goofy for a realistic teen story. Moonstone is an adventure that lets you walk in the shoes of a unique girl, Allie Emerson. She has taken care of her mother most of her life and is only turning 15. As a responsible teen, she has no need for the incredible silliness of her best friend. However, she sticks with her to protect her from the local bully, baking up h...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Lissa & Alexa The Novel Lasses rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Young Adult Reader of Paranormal Romance

Recommended to Lissa & Alexa by: Netgalley

Goodreads Synopsis :

A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets...more
Goodreads Synopsis :

A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

Lissa Reviews

I actually received all four of Marilee Brothers’ books in her Unbidden Magic Series. So I didn’t get to peek a glimpse of the cover until after I finished the first. The model used for Allie was not what I pictured in my head. However, I enjoyed the touch of the moonstone necklace the model wore.

For Brothers first attempt she did pretty good job. The story starts a little strange but as you progress through the chapters it becomes more exciting and suspenseful. Where there any flaws?? Yes, but that is just something I have come to be expected of self published books. Allie progresses through several stages in this installment from discovery, rejection and ultimately acceptance of her new found powers. Brothers tries but in the end fails at setting the rules for the many magical talents Allie now holds.

Moonstone introduces the readers to Allie. It a really great read about fifteen year old, as she discovers she can move things with her mind. However, when she first makes the discovery she's not all thrilled and would like this new power to go away. She's given a beautiful necklace buy an eccentric almost neighbor/mentor to have know all along who she is. It seems to somehow amplify her powers; unfortunately, there are others who also want it. All the sudden Allie’s world is turned upside down and filled with an ancient prophesy. Then she trusted in to an age old battle of good versus evil only she’s not sure who she can trust.

The characters are for the most part are pretty well developed. They are the type you can love ‘em or hate ‘em. Allie is a typical girl who just wants a normal life but with a mother like Faye that’s never going to happen. Her mother Faye is the type you just want to shake some common sense into and tell to grow up. Junior is the local bad boy who was once a member of a gang and is trying hard to right his many wrongs and stay out of trouble.

The interactions between Allie and Junior are irresistible. The connection these two have leap off the page. Allie wants a boyfriend but doesn’t know if she can trust Junior. Though the two never get together by the end the spark of a potential budding relationship is so evident I can’t wait to see what the future books hold for these two.

My recommendation is if you’re looking for a young adult paranormal read that has some suspense, mystery, and light romance you are in luck. Sit back and enjoy!!

Disclosure: I participate in reviews with Netgalley and an e-copy was provided to me by Netgalley and/or the publishers. No payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was not any obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist, or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.(less)

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Mar 29, 2012 Rebekah rated it 4 of 5 stars

A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird p...more
A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime

Marilee Brothers takes an interesting spin on the magical world in her novel Moonstone. Allie, a typical high school girl who doesn't have the best home life, is thrown into a world of magic on which she isn't prepared for. Challenges and regular life battles, Allie must figure out if she is wiling to live up to her destiny.

Allie the main character is actually a very likable person. It is hard to write about a character and have her not be overly strong nor be overly whimpy. She is very easy to relate to and is very believable. What I love about this character is that she doesn't automatically jump into situations and she actually thinks like the typical teenager. I don't know about you but I hate when a character just easily accepts things or has the personality of someone who existed a long time ago. Allie is everything you would imagine a girl her age to be which makes this novel easy to read and enjoyable.

Character interaction is another thing I liked about this novel. The way Allie's family treats her, the simple crush she has on her step-cousin who isn't related to her at all. How her relationship moves on with her love interest. The last is actually a big thing that I loved. I am simply tired of books rushing relationships between characters so it was refreshing to see that there are some that actually do take things slowly. It makes the novel more realistic and less likely to annoy people. Everything about the characters in this novel just worked and seemed to fit together perfectly. There was no confusion while reading this like I have had with some books.

The story-line for this novel was very interesting. I loved how Allie was basically poor and not exactly miss popular. I also loved how the magic was slowly introduced into the novel. Nothing really jumped around and the whole novel flowed smoothly. Also I'd like to point out that nothing in this novel felt rushed and that there was just enough action in several places to keep the reader interested. There was no point in this novel where I felt bored or could wait for some parts of it to be over. This was a great book to read and I enjoyed very minute of it.

Now this book was great but I should warn you. It was a very simple read it's meant for teens and it reads like it is exactly that. If you can look past that then I suggest you pick this book up and read it. :].(less)

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Mar 16, 2012 Vicky rated it 3 of 5 stars

I got a copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com as part of the entire series. It wasn't a great book, it wasn't a bad book. It was...okay. (Most of) the characters were likeable and the world building done well.The story is pretty simple. It basically involves Allie discovering her powers and trying to keep away from bad people. Nothing in the story was very surprising. You pretty much knew who the bad guy was from the outset. In fact, one character was so obviously dropped in for just one p...more I got a copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com as part of the entire series. It wasn't a great book, it wasn't a bad book. It was...okay. (Most of) the characters were likeable and the world building done well.The story is pretty simple. It basically involves Allie discovering her powers and trying to keep away from bad people. Nothing in the story was very surprising. You pretty much knew who the bad guy was from the outset. In fact, one character was so obviously dropped in for just one purpose that he was almost a distraction.

Allie (aka Alfreida Carlotta) lives with her "faking-it" sick mother in a tiny trailer on her uncle's property. Her life isn't great, but she deals. While fixing the antenna, she falls off a ladder onto an electric fence. And if that's not bad enough, she lands in the field with Blaster the bull and he's not happy. That's when things get really strange.

(view spoiler)

Allie is a likable character and her mom (who is definitely not mother-of-the-year) is somewhat likable. The boy, Junior, who ends up helping Allie is a good character as well. That being said, none of the characters are very deep and some are almost too obvious for their own good.

The story wraps up nicely, though it is obviously part of a larger pack because of all the loose threads left dangling. (Which was nice to have the whole set). The purpose of this book seemed to be mainly to set things up for future books, which is does while still giving a decent story. I'm most of the way through the second part and already it's better.

If you're looking for a quick, light read with little depth but still giving a satisfying read, this one may be for you. Even though I thought it was just "okay" - I'm still reading (the other books in the series) which means it did manage to catch my attention.(less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers
4 stars
I was given all 4 books in this series to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. I decided to write each book review seperately.
Allie was living with her mother in a small trailer behind her Uncle Sid's house when she fell off a ten foot ladder into a electric fence.
Allie had a whole in center of her forhead. She is starting to being able to move things with her mind.
Allie takes care of her mom who has been sick for two years. She does not even kn...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Karissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I got a copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com. This was a book I had had on my "to read" list for a while. It was an okay book, a quick read and the characters were likable but not incredibly original. There are two more books in this series so far Moon Rise and Moon Spun

Allie lives with her chronically sick mother in a trailer on her uncle's property. Her life isn't great, but it could be worse. Then she gets zapped by a power-line and starts being able to move things with her mind. When...more I got a copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com. This was a book I had had on my "to read" list for a while. It was an okay book, a quick read and the characters were likable but not incredibly original. There are two more books in this series so far Moon Rise and Moon Spun

Allie lives with her chronically sick mother in a trailer on her uncle's property. Her life isn't great, but it could be worse. Then she gets zapped by a power-line and starts being able to move things with her mind. When an old friend of hers gives her a Moonstone that she says is prophesied to be Allie's, things start getting even stranger. Allie finds out that she may be part of a prophecy involving two ancient races that have been fighting each other for centuries.

This book was okay. Allie is a likable enough character and even Allie's mom (who is definitely not mother-of-the-year) is somewhat likable at times. The boy who ends up helping Allie out is also easy to relate to. That being said none of the characters are very deep and they are all pretty 2D.

The story is pretty simple, it basically involves Allie discovering her powers and trying to keep the Moonstone away from bad people. Nothing that happened in the story was very surprising or original. It was all just okay.

Brothers writing style is readable and the dialogue natural sounding; the story was a quick read. Things were wrapped up nicely but a storyline was definitely left open for future books. The purpose of this book seemed to be mainly to set things up for future books, so I am hoping the future books in this series have more complex and deeper stories to them.

Overall this was an okay book. It wasn't an exciting read, but it wasn't horrible either. When I finished it I mainly thought, "Huh, well okay guess I am done with that." I wasn't eager to read more about these characters or learn more about the world. If you are interested in a young adult book featuring a girl with telekinesis this may be the book for you. Personally though I would skip it or get it from the library. I don't plan on reading future books in this series.(less)

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Dec 12, 2010 NovelReaction added it

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers is about Allie Emerson who lives in a trailer with her “sick” mother, goes to high school with bullies, and has only a couple of friends. Oh, and did I mention she has telekinetic powers? She can move things with her mind and read other people’s thoughts! When Allie’s “spirit guide”, Trilby, shows up, she knows something strange is going on. Her friend Kizzy gives Allie a necklace called the Moonstone, and starts talking about weird prophecies and things that make n...more

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Oct 28, 2010 Chibineko rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a long time fan of YA fiction, I'm always ready to discover something new regardless of genre. I'll admit though that at heart I'll always be a fantasy & urban fantasy type of girl- there's just something about having a "Sweep" type series that just captures the audience's wish fulfillment needs.

Allie's never really known "the good life". The only life she's known has been one where she's lived in a trailer behind her uncle Sid's house with her mother, a woman trying to gain disability fo...more As a long time fan of YA fiction, I'm always ready to discover something new regardless of genre. I'll admit though that at heart I'll always be a fantasy & urban fantasy type of girl- there's just something about having a "Sweep" type series that just captures the audience's wish fulfillment needs.

Allie's never really known "the good life". The only life she's known has been one where she's lived in a trailer behind her uncle Sid's house with her mother, a woman trying to gain disability for an ailment she may or may not have. When a fall onto an electric fence jump starts her psychic abilities, Allie discovers that not only is she the proud owner of a slew of powers but also the inheritor of a moonstone necklace capable of great- or terrible- feats. Unfortunately there's more than one person interested in this necklace & their intentions aren't very good...

Brothers manages to create a very readable & enjoyable first entry into her "Unbidden Magic" series. Readers will love the spunky Allie & thrill as they see her stumble into her magic powers & use them for the first time. She's a great character & one that you just can't help but root for- especially when she starts noticing certain handsome young men that are close to her. Many will find this a nice short book that'll be great for a quick read inbetween other series.

The book isn't without its flaws, though. There's a lack of detail to the relationship between Allie & her mother Faye. It just takes a while to really see why Allie would put up with her mother's antics because there's not a lot of emotion (negative or positive) shown between the pair of them. Allie states her mother's actions with a sense of ennui that did show her well on the way to becoming world weary but without enough "oomph" behind it. This isn't the only relationship or element that could've been fleshed out a little more. Parts of the story stream by at an incredibly fast pace & while it did make for a nice fast read, many will wish that Brothers had taken just a little while longer to describe everything- especially Allie's strange otherworldly guide Trilby.

Overall though this is a great read & one that I'd recommend to a great many readers. It's just that I wish that there was a little more to it at times. I'm already planning to get the other two books in the series (both of which are already out), so hopefully the pacing & character info will improve as the series progresses.

(ARC provided by NetGalley) (less)

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Oct 02, 2010 Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: clean-enough, just-okay, read-in-2010, addicted-to-ya

Soooo, not quite sure how I felt about this one. I did like Allie. She felt real. I liked her attitude for the most part. She was young, 14 going on 15, so you wouldn’t expect her to make the decisions the way she did. Even in times of stress or when doing something one way clearly benefited her, she thought through everything and made the best decisions based on everyone involved. I’d be totally lying through my teeth if I said I did that all the time. Straight through ‘em! But Allie was cool.

E...more

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Oct 01, 2010 Marisa rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Young YA fans

Recommended to Marisa by: NetGalley

Shelves: reviewed, arc, paranormal-fantasy

At 15, Allie Emerson has her fair share of problems, like any average high school freshman. Bullies, misfit friends, embarassing living situation... and a guardian spirit guide? After an accident involving electrical currents from a TV antenna, a ladder, and flatulent bull, Allie is unexpectedly magically inclined. With help from Trilby, her straight-from-the-60's spirit guide, Kizzy, the eccentric and loaded town witch, Junior, the unexpected love interest, and a very pretty necklace, Allie eve...more

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Sep 16, 2010 Bareerah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. The main character is generally likeable, although her mother- faking an illness and all- annoyed me a lot. So did Trilby- I didn't see what the point of having her in the story was? She basically told Allie nothing that she didn't know already, and never really gave a straight answer...I think this was to add suspense or mystery but it just didn't work. The story was sort of slow at the beginning, and even then, the plot line didn't improve...more

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Jun 20, 2009 Sarah BT rated it 4 of 5 stars

With so many paranormal young adult books out right now it's hard for each one to be different or stand out. Marilee Brothers succeeds in creating a fun original heroine in Allie. Allie is smart, sassy, she stand up to bullies and fights for her mom. I really liked the setting that Marilee plopped Allie down in-it's refreshing to see a character that isn't immediatly popular, rich, and has everything work out perfectly.
Another review on Amazon labeled Moonstone as "Stephenie Meyer meets Stephan...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Steph at Starry Night Book Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Moonstone was an okay book It has the potential to be really good as long as the characters grow throughout the rest of the books. The story is pretty simple. It basically involves Allie discovering her powers and trying to keep away from bad people. There are really no twists or turns in the book it’s all pretty much straight forward.

Allie (aka Alfreida Carlotta) lives with her mother who is faking an Illness to get money from the state because she refuses to get a job. If that's not bad enoug...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Charlotte Black rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-romances-challenge, arcs

Aimed at 14-17 year olds, The Moonstone tells the story of Alfreido, or Allie to her friends, who discovers she from a long chosen line of Star Seekers. This isn't just a story about a girl discovering magic. Allie's life is complicated enough. She looks after her mother and lives in a tiny trailer in Uncle Sids back yard. Allie knows nothing about her father because her mum won't tell. So when the Child Protection Service come knocking on the door to investigate her mother, Allie learns how to...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Jonel Boyko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-review, first-installment-of-series-to-read, series-to-follow, loved-it

Oh my goodness. What a brilliantly cute introduction to the Unbidden Magic series. Brothers pulls you further and further into the story in so many different ways and with so many different techniques that this story truly is magical.

This story is very well set up. It progresses in a logical fashion from beginning to end while keeping the reader completely captivated with the many different twists found in the story. Not only are there many different twists and turns in this novel, but they als...more

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Mar 03, 2012 Shiloh (SnarkyWriter) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, netgalley

BelleBooks provided me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Allie is quintessential white trash--she lives in a trailer with her unemployed mother, she doesn't know who her father is, and none of her clothes fit right. But when she discovers that she actually has magic power, and that her destiny involves using that power to guard an amulet from evil people who are seeking it, her life gets a whole lot more interesting.

I generally enjoyed this book; Allie is a strong, determined cha...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Jenn of Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-pub, own, young-adult-novels, review-written

RECEIVED FROM: Net Galley For Review

***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***

Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson, better known as Allie, thinks she’s just having a really bad day when she falls off a ladder shortly before her fifteenth birthday and winds up in a bulls pen. But when the bull charges something strange happens, then her vision goes into this odd tunnel mode and suddenly the bull is running in reverse – Allie is alive when she shouldn’t be. Things only get weirder from there when a pot smo...more RECEIVED FROM: Net Galley For Review

***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***

Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson, better known as Allie, thinks she’s just having a really bad day when she falls off a ladder shortly before her fifteenth birthday and winds up in a bulls pen. But when the bull charges something strange happens, then her vision goes into this odd tunnel mode and suddenly the bull is running in reverse – Allie is alive when she shouldn’t be. Things only get weirder from there when a pot smoking hippie ghost shows up talking about prophecies. Allie wonders at first if she’s hallucinating, but her when her friend, a woman known as the witch, sees the mark on her head from her fall she informs Aliie that her third eye has awakened and give Allie an amulet, a moonstone with incredible power. Allie’s world turns upside down as she’s drawn into a war between good and evil, a war to take possession of the moonstone. Will Allie make it out of a battle she doesn’t understand with her life?

I debated on my rating for this book because it does become a really engrossing novel the further you progress into it, but considering the first few chapters I considered reading something else instead I couldn’t give it a four stars. The opening was just off-putting for me for a few reasons. The first of which was they attempts at what I consider to be crude humor. When Allie falls from a ladder she lands face first in a cow patty which while some people find stuff like this funny, I personally think it’s just gross. Some of today’s hot comedy literally makes me lose my lunch so I’m probably not in the majority when it comes to my opinion on humor like this. Then when we meet Allie’s guardian the pot smoking spirit Trilby I was even less impressed. I kept reading because the description on the book sounded so interesting that I thought this book just has to get better and I was right it did. The further we moved into the story the more engrossing that story became, the attempts at humor diminished and the magic intrigue and danger surrounded you letting you lose yourself in the story. The story is told in the first person from Allie’s point of view and she slowly draws you in to her very odd story. Allie’s already got a lot of issues before this starts, and this just adds more. The weird magical occurrences begin on page one but they don’t really get interesting until a few chapters in. While Brothers idea is similar to other popular young adult series now she gives it a whole new spin bringing in beings not already created. She doesn’t give you a new spin on witches, vampire, werewolves or angels, she creates beings all her own. Her characters are human with a something extra with purposes that are sort of explained but not fully. In the beginning Brothers gives a little too much explanation at once and people accept everything a little too easily, but the information thins out as the plot progresses so you’re left with a lot of questions at the end even though the story does include a full story arc. This book is definitely the start of what could potentially be a really great series. It does include a sort of romance between Allie and a former gangster named Junior but the plot is so secondary that you don’t really know what’s going on with them. They exchange a couple of kisses but claim to be only friends. Junior who’s previously been kind of just an acquaintance just sort of swoops in when Allie needs him most to be her white knight. I’m interested to see if things will move further between them in future stories or if they’ll remain friends. Allie has feeling for Junior and even thinks she’s in love with him, but that doesn’t promise a relationship to come. Every fourteen or fifteen year old girl at one point or another thinks they’re in love with a friend or acquaintance that they never actually end up becoming involved with.

The characters are fairly well developed, especially Allie, but a lot of what we know about them is told to us rather than shown. Junior comes across well through action and obviously we know Allie since this is a first person novel but I’m hoping future works will gives us a little more showing about the characters and a little less telling.

Overall I’d definitely recommend this book to readers who like young adult paranormal fiction. It is slow getting into it, but hanging on rewards readers with an excellent story. (less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Daniela rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this first installment of the Unbidden Magic series the reader is introduced to Allie (Alfrieda named after her Greatgrandmother) in a most funny way. She is the heroine that grabs you right from the get go. Not only is she an underdog with a less than perfect life, she also starts off as a slightly clutzy girl and you just have to love the way she meets her fate in the first few pages of the book (it involves a barb wire fence, a bull and his excrements...).

This novel is all about Allie dis...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, supernatural

Originally published at Epic (Chocolate) Fantasy.

Bite-Sized Review
I'm honestly not sure what to say about Moonstone. It contains many things I don't really like – a prophecy, overly credulous characters, simplistic designations of good and evil – but as much as these things irritated me, I never found myself wanting to put the book down.

King-Sized Review
Moonstone begins the day before Allie's fifteenth birthday, when she first discovers her paranormal abilities. Events progress rather quickly af...more Originally published at Epic (Chocolate) Fantasy.

Bite-Sized Review
I'm honestly not sure what to say about Moonstone. It contains many things I don't really like – a prophecy, overly credulous characters, simplistic designations of good and evil – but as much as these things irritated me, I never found myself wanting to put the book down.

King-Sized Review
Moonstone begins the day before Allie's fifteenth birthday, when she first discovers her paranormal abilities. Events progress rather quickly after that: she's visited by a spirit guide, finds out that she's the star of a prophecy, gets a magical moonstone, gets to know a cute boy, and discovers the existence of secret magical organizations. The problem I had with credulity wasn't precisely the events themselves, which were fairly interesting, but with Allie's reaction to them. After about eleven seconds of disbelief, she accepts the existence of her abilities and the prophecy. With tangible evidence of her own power, that part isn't really an issue, particularly for a fifteen year old, but the prophecy is a translation of faded words in a foreign language written by a person who died over a hundred years ago. Not once does anyone say, "Hey, I wonder if this is right?" much less "Why should we believe what this unsubstantiated paper says?" and that really bothered me. Prophecies should only be a plot device if they themselves are a point of contention. They can provoke a fascinating discussion of free will and determinism, but they should never dictate the plot on their own. It wasn't even a very good prophecy.

A second concern was Allie's relationship with her mother, Faye. Faye is a terrible mother. She never did anything that wasn't for her own benefit, and yet Allie regarded her with more affection and understanding than most teenagers have for the best of parents. She demonstrated astonishingly little resentment for her mother's ridiculous antics (pretending she had fibromyalgia to try to get disability money from the government, inviting her sleazy lawyer over, completely neglecting Allie so that her disease would be believed). Allie seemed far more like the parent than her mother, which can certainly work, but not like this. She's a teenage girl, not a saint, and there really should have been a lot more resentment and argument between them.

Finally, the entire conflict rubbed me the wrong way. There's a certain amount of motivational background that has to be present in a story for it to be believable and enjoyable, and that backstory wasn't there in Moonstone. The two (that's it?) sides were honestly just boring. There was a good side and an evil side, all based on some sort of palmistry, and that is basically all the background in this book. That's the kind of lack of support that really bothers me – couldn't there be some explanation of why these groups hated each other? It's much more interesting to see how good people do terrible things for the best of reasons, or bad people turn out to be better than expected. Simple genetics? Meh. Of course it's always possibly this part of the story will develop more in the rest of the series. I'm sure there will at least be more background. But for now, I'm quite dissatisfied.

All that aside, I did mostly enjoy the book and I plan to try the next one soon, though not immediately. This is definitely a lighter and younger read, but if you keep that in mind it could be a decent way to spend an afternoon.(less)

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Mar 02, 2012 Christina Boulard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Moonstone is the first book in Marilee Brothers' Unbidden Magic series, and it's by far the weakest of the series.
Moonstone introduces us to Allie (short for Alfreida), her special powers, her lazy mother, Faye, her friend, Kizzy, and her adorable boyfriend, Junior.
Allie is a great character. Right from the start I liked her. She's easy to relate to. She's the type of girl you'd love to have for a friend.
Faye...argh, Faye. I give the writer props for this character. You dislike her SO MUCH in Mo...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Kirsty Vizard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, paranormal, ya

'Moonstone' is the first of the Unbidden Magic series and for a reader who is looking for a book which would be a light weekend read I would certainly suggest this.
Allie is the story's reluctant heroine, whose magical powers are triggered after she falls off a ladder, onto an electric fence and into a bull's field. After speaking to a family friend she realises that she is part if a prophecy and the moonstone is passed onto her, to guard and to help her control her powers.
Allie is naive and easi...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Ian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Moonstone is a half-way decent YA urban fantasy. It's the story of Allie who I guess is a witch although that's not entirely clear. She lives in a trailer with her mom, goes to a public school and can look into people's minds. She is entrusted with a magical gemstone called the Moonstone and it's her job to protect it from the powers of evil.

I quite enjoyed this book but I think there was a little too much going on. There were a bunch of characters who really didn't need to be there and parts o...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Elizabetha Souvré rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: magic-and-fantasy, funny-but-not-good, only-only-only-for-fun, 2011

Allie Emmerson (Alfrieda Carlota Emmerson para ser exactos) tiene una vida bastante poco convencional:Su madre Faye "padece" (en su mente mas que en su cuerpo) fibromalgia, lo cual le da una buena escusa para no trabajar y vivir del cheque de asistencia social, su padre desapareció hace años, vive en un pequeño remolque aparcado detrás de la finca de su tío Sid, cuya religiosa esposa lo único que desea es echarlas, no es popular en la escuela y...tiene 15 años. Como si eso no fuera suficiente de...more

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Moonstone (Unbidden Magic #1)

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