Michael Howard and Ronan Glynn-Rowley meet at Archangel Academy, an all-boys school in Eden, a rural town in north western England. Both are outcas...
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reviews
Mar 12, 2011
Katie(babs)
rated it: 
Unnatural caught my eye because it’s a M/M YA Paranormal that reminds me of Twilight. I know, it seems every paranormal YA that has vampires is like Twilight (at least to me), but I just can’t stop the comparison. Unnatural is close to Twilight as you can get, but features two teen boys, one vampire, one human who are meant to be with each other for all eternity for no real reason. I think it has to do with their googly eyes they have for one another and the electric shock that flows through the
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16 comments
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Feb 13, 2012
Shelly
rated it: 
A few spoilers below so read at your own risk:
I had hopes for this book but it disappointed on so many levels. Unlike some, the constant POV switches did not bother me in the slightest. I had other issues. A number of the characters whine and moan, even if only to themselves. Teen angst can be great in a plot and make for interesting characters. In this book, there is so much of the whiny, self-pitying that it got tiresome and old pretty quickly.
What made this all th More...
I had hopes for this book but it disappointed on so many levels. Unlike some, the constant POV switches did not bother me in the slightest. I had other issues. A number of the characters whine and moan, even if only to themselves. Teen angst can be great in a plot and make for interesting characters. In this book, there is so much of the whiny, self-pitying that it got tiresome and old pretty quickly.
What made this all th More...
Jan 30, 2012
Saritza
rated it: 
This book was not what I expected after reading a few reviews and am glad I read it despite the "gay Twilight" labels I kept seeing for it. If Twilight had been even a small percentage of this book, it would have been greatly improved so if, like me, you're not a fan of Twilight, you may just enjoy this book.
I read this book on a recommendation from a client when I asked for a good gay YA series for my teen son to read and was not disappointed. I want him to read about stro More...
I read this book on a recommendation from a client when I asked for a good gay YA series for my teen son to read and was not disappointed. I want him to read about stro More...
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Jan 23, 2012
Darth
rated it:
Another story about vampires in school. This one surprises the reader with a main character, who is gay, which can be seen both as a sign that people in the world are becoming more open-minded or as a clever plot to seduce the slash fangirls to buy the novel - in which case there is nothing wrong, because it is solidly written and with enough plot twists to keep the reader entertained.
The story is about Michael, your not so average kid, who is raised in the rural Nebraska. He is gay and, as More...
The story is about Michael, your not so average kid, who is raised in the rural Nebraska. He is gay and, as More...
Oct 26, 2011
Unlike most of the books I received to review, I actually asked a copy of this one; why? Well since I wanted to understand a little all this talking about Twilight and Co and I didn’t want to read THAT series. Young adult and het romance together were a little too much for me, so when I heard about a gay vampire teenager series, I thought, good, this I can read. I was not at all discouraged by the not-so-positive reviews I read around mostly because my idea was that who was writing them was not
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 12, 2011
Joe
rated it:
A lonesome boy with unnatural sexual tendencies is isolated in mid Nebraska, berated by his grandfather and peers at school. A fourteen old who doesn't fit in and isn't aggressive enough to defend himself and didn't have anyone else in this farm town to defend him either. He was born in London and lived there for three years until his mother divorced his English father and moved back in with her parents in Nebraska. Michael spent his entire life feeling out of place and not being able to fit
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Sep 16, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Here we go…again. Another young adult series that is based on the world of the vampire with a love triangle worked into the plot for all readers to enjoy. What is different about this one, you ask? This…is actually a good story which offers all different kinds of mysteries, characters, and plots that will keep the reader engaged throughout the story.
The author has dared to be different by writing about a young man named Michael who lives in the nowhere town of Weeping Water. This is More...
The author has dared to be different by writing about a young man named Michael who lives in the nowhere town of Weeping Water. This is More...
Jul 18, 2011
Antonio
rated it: 
Ok...let me start by saying first book I encounter at a public bookstore with an M/M relationship and I must say-I was excited.
Many reviews here criticize Michael's work, by saying is a cheap imitation of Twilight, you guys might be right, but it was a well develop book.
Yea, it has cliche things here and there, but overall a good read. What book if you stop and think has no cliche stuff and flawless plots. BREAKING DAWN!!! HOW DID A VAMPIRE HAD THE ABILITY TO MAKE A BABY?? More...
Many reviews here criticize Michael's work, by saying is a cheap imitation of Twilight, you guys might be right, but it was a well develop book.
Yea, it has cliche things here and there, but overall a good read. What book if you stop and think has no cliche stuff and flawless plots. BREAKING DAWN!!! HOW DID A VAMPIRE HAD THE ABILITY TO MAKE A BABY?? More...
Jun 11, 2011
Kate
rated it:
I am a sucker for boarding school novels. Still have not figured out why, so it is what it is. Unnatural immedately grabbed my attention because this setting.. then when I found out there was a possibility for a M/M YA romance, I just knew that I had to give it a try.
First off, I have to give Michael Griffo some credit. He is working with a creature that has been used to death. At this stage in my reading career, if I never have to put up another vampire book, I would probably be est More...
First off, I have to give Michael Griffo some credit. He is working with a creature that has been used to death. At this stage in my reading career, if I never have to put up another vampire book, I would probably be est More...
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Apr 11, 2011
Sherrie
rated it:
I had high hopes for this book when I was assigned to review it for a librarian's magazine, considering that it blends two of my favorite genres- vampire books and young adult GLBT fiction. Sadly, it did not live up to expectations. A plot summary- Michael feels lost in his small Nebraska hometown, where he is the only gay teen around. Following his mother's suicide, his long absent father appears and offers to pay for Michael to go to an elite British boarding school called Archangel Academy
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Apr 30, 2011
Robyn (Robolobolyn's Universe)
rated it:
When I first bought this book I really only skimmed the back, I didn't even notice that it hinted at a gay romance. Not that that would have stopped me from buying it or anything, but it might have stopped me from thinking, this better not be another Twilight like novel. Luckily, it wasn't. Not really anyways. Yes, you've got vampires. And yes, there's a bit of a love triangle... or square. Let's see. You've got the main character, Michael, who's sweet, innocent, and lost. Then you've got the lo
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Dec 30, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
What I was hoping for in this book was a teen romance with a gay main character. A sort of Twilight for the same sex set. What I got was a major disappointment.
While Twilight has been roundly criticised for the inexpert quality of its writing, this book is much much worse. Where Twilight had characters that were three dimensional and likeable if at times annoying, the characters here are cardboard cutouts for the most part. Where Twilight's writing sometimes stumbled, here it was ju More...
While Twilight has been roundly criticised for the inexpert quality of its writing, this book is much much worse. Where Twilight had characters that were three dimensional and likeable if at times annoying, the characters here are cardboard cutouts for the most part. Where Twilight's writing sometimes stumbled, here it was ju More...
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Sep 21, 2011
Erica
rated it:
I am well read when it comes to the Young Adult Paranormal Romance genre. I enjoyed having a Male main character, that is unusual to this genre. I like how the author switched between the characters in the book giving us a glimpse into their minds. Also Unnatural is a Male/Male romance which also is not the norm. The Author manages to convey tolerance and acceptance without coming off as "preachy". Overall the book held my interests for hours at a time. However two things bothered
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Jun 30, 2011
Taylor
rated it:
My initial reaction was, great, another crappy vampire romance tale. What made me think again? The homosexual aspect. I have encountered very few novels that incorporate this aspect, and I had to check it out, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Although there were occasions of cliche moments between Michael and Ronan, it was still sweet and stirred a tingling in my chest. The characters are very interesting, and have unique personalities. Griffo is not afraid to put his characters throug
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Jul 06, 2011
Byron
rated it: 
This book is going to be in my top 5 for this year!!!
The book starts off quiet poetic really. Then as we get to know the main character the story starts to unfold. It just flows through out the whole book. There was no parts that jumped from scene to scene leaving me feeling like I missed something.
All the major players are introduced fully and built into real people who I could relate to in someway or another. The protagonist's are all built so well.
The story is More...
The book starts off quiet poetic really. Then as we get to know the main character the story starts to unfold. It just flows through out the whole book. There was no parts that jumped from scene to scene leaving me feeling like I missed something.
All the major players are introduced fully and built into real people who I could relate to in someway or another. The protagonist's are all built so well.
The story is More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Yvonne
rated it:
This book kept me interested throughout its 500 or so pages. It features a young man, Michael, who lives in a small town & feels isolated and alone there. He's got a mother who seems indifferent & grandparents who are openly hostile at times. He's also coping with the fact that he believes he may be gay.
The first 100 or so pages deals with your typical in an atypical situation teenage angst. Due to a tragic situation, MIchael's father sweeps into town and announces that he will no More...
The first 100 or so pages deals with your typical in an atypical situation teenage angst. Due to a tragic situation, MIchael's father sweeps into town and announces that he will no More...
Aug 03, 2011
Libbie
rated it:
For sheer M/M boarding school love story with a supernatural twist? Dude, this gets five REALLY big stars. I loved watching them fall in love, watched Michael grow strong in himself, watched him break my heart when the rug was pulled from under him at the worst possible moment and then when his who world set back to rights. (very long sentence, I know)
Michael owned my soul from the first, Ronan reeled me in and then Ciaran took what was left of my heart and twisted it into little pie More...
Michael owned my soul from the first, Ronan reeled me in and then Ciaran took what was left of my heart and twisted it into little pie More...
Dec 13, 2011
Josh
rated it:
I don't even know where to begin here. Oh, wait. Yes I do.
This. Is. SHITE.
I started reading the book for free at Barnes and Noble on the nook and was intrigued by the writing in the beginning. It was smart, it was fresh and it wasn't shallow. But, like the Titanic, some of the most impressive creations can make a slow descent into hellish misery. Unfortunately, I had to experience that misery at the cost of $8.
Within 50 pages things start to go south. It began More...
This. Is. SHITE.
I started reading the book for free at Barnes and Noble on the nook and was intrigued by the writing in the beginning. It was smart, it was fresh and it wasn't shallow. But, like the Titanic, some of the most impressive creations can make a slow descent into hellish misery. Unfortunately, I had to experience that misery at the cost of $8.
Within 50 pages things start to go south. It began More...
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Oct 05, 2011
Bernicia
rated it:
Unnatural is a young adult paranormal romance novel written by Michael Griffo. One of the things that struck me about this book, it wasn't the tradition love story between a man and a women this book a gay romance. Characters in Unnatural seem like real people (just with supernatural abilities), the characters were well thought out. The main character Michael Howard is a person who people can relate to, Michael struggles with himself being gay many people go through this. Also Michael lost his m
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Apr 10, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
I have to give Michael Griffo points for trying (though not hard enough) in attempting to put a new spin on a worn-out premise. Unfortunately, he fails miserably as all Unnatural manages to do is "out-stupid" Twilight in every way imaginable (not an easy task).
I might have been able to forgive the main character being a professional victim, someone completely incapable of standing up for himself, or accepting responsibility for his own life and true happiness.
Per More...
I might have been able to forgive the main character being a professional victim, someone completely incapable of standing up for himself, or accepting responsibility for his own life and true happiness.
Per More...
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Sep 26, 2011
Brooke
rated it:
Ok, where do I start? Loved that this was a paranormal romance with gay LEAD characters. I have yet to see many others (but hello, Alec from Mortal Instruments. Love u!) sadly, I could have done without the whole paranormal thing. Water vamps? Atlantis? Corny. The first 120 or so pages were so intriguing and emotional, I was actually disappointed when the vampires appeared.
Too many unanswered questions: why is Ronan's mom such a whiny bitch? Why take it out on her other son?! Why is HE such More...
Too many unanswered questions: why is Ronan's mom such a whiny bitch? Why take it out on her other son?! Why is HE such More...
Mar 24, 2011
Patty
rated it:
Unnatural
By
Michael Griffo
This book is not just about vampires but some hybrid ones who have to drink from a magic pool to become a hybrid once they are bitten by a regular ordinary run of the mill vampire. Whew…add Michael…who is not quite sure of his sexuality and lives in some remote town in Nebraska somewhere with his mom and his grandparents and of course has daily issues with a school bully and the fact that he has no friends, is different and unsure of his More...
By
Michael Griffo
This book is not just about vampires but some hybrid ones who have to drink from a magic pool to become a hybrid once they are bitten by a regular ordinary run of the mill vampire. Whew…add Michael…who is not quite sure of his sexuality and lives in some remote town in Nebraska somewhere with his mom and his grandparents and of course has daily issues with a school bully and the fact that he has no friends, is different and unsure of his More...
Jul 15, 2011
Gabriel
rated it:
Day One: 7/9/11
I went on an epic quest to the bookstore to find the last copy in stock today. I bought it, and when I got home I started reading it. A few Hours later and 6 chapters into it I have fallen in love!
I can relate to this book majorly, and the romantic first meet was AWESOME!
(Updating as I read the book)
7/15/2011
Ok, screw updating every day! I finished the book 2 days ago and all I can say is wow... and WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK COMING OUT!!!! *Look More...
I went on an epic quest to the bookstore to find the last copy in stock today. I bought it, and when I got home I started reading it. A few Hours later and 6 chapters into it I have fallen in love!
I can relate to this book majorly, and the romantic first meet was AWESOME!
(Updating as I read the book)
7/15/2011
Ok, screw updating every day! I finished the book 2 days ago and all I can say is wow... and WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK COMING OUT!!!! *Look More...
Jun 08, 2011
S.
rated it:
Michael has always felt that he didn't belong in his small town in Nebraska. His grandparents didn't show much attention and his pill-popping mother was absent from his life. Through a tragedy, Michael is whisked by his father to go to an all boys' boarding school in England. At the school, Michael feels like he can finally fit in and has friends for the first time in his life. He feels a supernatural connection to this boy named Ronan . . . .
This unfocused book could have use More...
This unfocused book could have use More...
Mar 25, 2011
Jessi
rated it:
This book is a unique paranormal romance that focuses on the love story between two boys. Michael comes to Archangel Academy so that he can be near his father, and he finds that it is completely different from the prejudice and hazing he experienced back home. It is a world where everyone is accepted, more or less, and it is here he finds the reason he came to England - in the form of the attractive Ronan.
The attraction between the two boys is instantaneous, mystical, and powerful. More...
The attraction between the two boys is instantaneous, mystical, and powerful. More...
Nov 06, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
The main character, Michael Howard, has been dealing with not fitting in. In the beginning the reader is dropped right into Michael’s struggle with his sexuality. He is uncomfortable to be who he is in his current living situation. When his father arrives (after being absent his entire life) and offers to take him back to London where he can attend an all male academy, Michael is excited. Finally he can leave the small town and small minded people behind and enter a sophisticated world. After me
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Aug 07, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
For Michael Howard, being plucked from his Nebraska hometown and sent thousands of miles away is as close as he's ever come to a miracle. In Weeping Water, he felt trapped, alone. At Archangel Academy, Michael belongs. And in Ciaran enigmatic halfbrother Ronan, Michael finds friendship deeper than he's ever known.
What I think about the book:
I thought the book was very well written. The writer Michael Griffo did a good job with letting us know how the people were rea More...
What I think about the book:
I thought the book was very well written. The writer Michael Griffo did a good job with letting us know how the people were rea More...
Oct 08, 2011
Myka
rated it:
This was not what I expected at all, or maybe it was, and I just liked it too much to care. I was very very apprehensive because of the lackluster reviews I've seen so my expectation bar was non existent. That may have been a factor.
First let me tell why I gave this book 5 stars. One, it was constantly on my mind once I started. Two, I carried this almost 500 page monster (and affectionate term) in my bag just in case I had a miracle five minute break to read some of it (it never happe More...
First let me tell why I gave this book 5 stars. One, it was constantly on my mind once I started. Two, I carried this almost 500 page monster (and affectionate term) in my bag just in case I had a miracle five minute break to read some of it (it never happe More...
Aug 15, 2011
Alexei
rated it:
{Sited from my website teenagebookaholic }
Unnatural is about Michael, a gay, Midwestern teenager with a difficult life. He's bullied at school for being gay, his father abandoned him and his mother at age 3, and his mom is spiraling downwards. After his mother dies, his father comes back and takes Michael to London, where he thinks he'll live with his father, once again. But, after touching down in London, he is shipped off to Archangel Academy, a boarding school for boys next door t More...
Unnatural is about Michael, a gay, Midwestern teenager with a difficult life. He's bullied at school for being gay, his father abandoned him and his mother at age 3, and his mom is spiraling downwards. After his mother dies, his father comes back and takes Michael to London, where he thinks he'll live with his father, once again. But, after touching down in London, he is shipped off to Archangel Academy, a boarding school for boys next door t More...
May 02, 2011
Autumn
rated it:
Would I like to read a YA gay paranormal romance novel set in England in a boys private school? Shhh, you had me at YA gay paranormal romance. I was all excited when I found this book at Walmart, yes that's right Walmart. I suspect the chain approved it because it seems at first glance simply a melding of Twilight and those popular Vampire Academy novels. However if you read between the lines of the back blurb it is obviously a much more interesting take on that genre, involving two young (but l
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