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Secrets of the Truth
When trying to find out who you are, you may just get more than you bargained. Meridienne Drake thought she had it all figured out, but her parents had other plans for her. Thrown on a plane to Portland, Oregon, to spend the summer with family she never knew existed, Meridienne realizes she didn't know the people who raised her at all. More than that, strange things are beginning to happen to her. Meridienne wants to be anything other than strange, especially when her summer begins to take a turn for the better because of Will, the mysterious new boy. But the strange and unusual just keep occurring until she discovers an even bigger secret: magic. Her fourteenth birthday reveals secrets and realities that Meridienne had only dreamed about, literally. Will Meridienne accept this secret life and face what comes with that? Or is all this heat too much for her? ""Secrets of the truth. It felt like my entire life was suddenly full of secrets.""
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
246 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Dragon Cheramie
1 book43 followersYes, my maiden name is Dragon, which means for 23 years I was known as Jessica Dragon. That's usually the first thing people ask me. hehe I am happily married to my best friend and love of my life and have a beautiful fur baby (an eight-pound Shih Tzu).
I love traveling, reading, and, of course, writing. I would say I'm a closet knitter, but closets make me claustrophobic. I knit just about anywhere. :o)
Check out my debut novel, Secrets of the Truth (Meridienne Drake Series).
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Lots of <3, Jess
I love traveling, reading, and, of course, writing. I would say I'm a closet knitter, but closets make me claustrophobic. I knit just about anywhere. :o)
Check out my debut novel, Secrets of the Truth (Meridienne Drake Series).
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Lots of <3, Jess
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 6, 2016
Well thought out (especially for a first novel) and written very well for the intended audience (12 and up). Manages to avoid adult themes (which is a relief when trying to find a book to recommend for a pre to early teen) while still dealing (with realistic early teen reactions) with realistic issues, not just the fantasy issues. Recommend for people that liked Eregon and Harry Potter type books. My only complaint? Is not meant to stand alone. I like series books, they always give me something to look forward to and I get to revisit (in different adventures) characters that I have fallen in love with. But, I really dislike a series that must be read from book 1 to the end, or where the books can not stand on their own. (Good example: Chronicles of Narnia. Bad example: Lord of the Rings).
© Night Owl Reviews
© Night Owl Reviews
May 27, 2012
2.75 stars
What I liked about this book, was the main storyline. It's an interesting concept that is somewhat predictable knowing the author's former last name as well as the main character's last name. The story didn't really go into much I felt about what she is exactly and what she's supposed to do. You vaguely understand a bit and why she's that way but I felt like the story concentrated a lot more on romance than it did about who she is.
I also found that the book was extremely slow throughout the beginning. I took me about 5 days to read it when it normally takes me about 1.5. The beginning was a lot more about her relationship to Will, then suddenly about 3 fifths into the book, BAM everything happens at once and the readers left wondering what just happened.
After the BAM, everything happens extremely quickly without much explanation. I'm still confused on a few things such as the Raja and what exactly Meridienne is supposed to do.
What also bugged me is that the characters almost never used contractions when they spoke. Seriously, some of them sure I understood why they sounded more formal but even when Meri was just talking to Will, she sounded formal which struck me as really weird and odd. She's only 14! Also one of the characters is said to have a British accent but when she spoke, to me it sounded more like a Scottish one. Unless it was supposed to be more of a slumish sort of British accent? But then at the end of the book, you find out more about her past which would contradict her living in the slums?
This book has the potential to be much better I think, if the author worked on correcting grammatical errors, explaining more, didn't cram in everything near the end, and worked on making the character's dialogue sound more realistic.
What I liked about this book, was the main storyline. It's an interesting concept that is somewhat predictable knowing the author's former last name as well as the main character's last name. The story didn't really go into much I felt about what she is exactly and what she's supposed to do. You vaguely understand a bit and why she's that way but I felt like the story concentrated a lot more on romance than it did about who she is.
I also found that the book was extremely slow throughout the beginning. I took me about 5 days to read it when it normally takes me about 1.5. The beginning was a lot more about her relationship to Will, then suddenly about 3 fifths into the book, BAM everything happens at once and the readers left wondering what just happened.
After the BAM, everything happens extremely quickly without much explanation. I'm still confused on a few things such as the Raja and what exactly Meridienne is supposed to do.
What also bugged me is that the characters almost never used contractions when they spoke. Seriously, some of them sure I understood why they sounded more formal but even when Meri was just talking to Will, she sounded formal which struck me as really weird and odd. She's only 14! Also one of the characters is said to have a British accent but when she spoke, to me it sounded more like a Scottish one. Unless it was supposed to be more of a slumish sort of British accent? But then at the end of the book, you find out more about her past which would contradict her living in the slums?
This book has the potential to be much better I think, if the author worked on correcting grammatical errors, explaining more, didn't cram in everything near the end, and worked on making the character's dialogue sound more realistic.
April 20, 2012
Absolutely amazing! It was like nothing I have ever read before and brought a new depth to this genre that i didn't expect. I read it straight through and only paused to sleep and maybe eat an apple. Definitely a must read!!!!
June 10, 2012
Let me start by saying that Cheramie has captured the heart and soul of most teenage girls perfectly! Meridienne (Meri) is the perfect balance of hormones, angst, confusion and courage.. it makes the book seem more biography than fiction. We are taken on Meri’s journey to spend the summer with her Grandfather and Uncle that she never knew existed since her parent’s have kept that part of their lives a secret from her. She has no idea this revelation is only the tip of the iceberg of secrets, lies and hidden truth’s her family has kept locked away these last 13 years.
Handsome stranger Will makes life at her Grandfathers bearable as she begins to experience strange things that make her doubt her sanity. As Meri learns the truth about herself, her family and her best friend Kate along with Kate’s brother Daniel will the secrets be more than she can handle? Will she embrace her destiny or turn away from it? Everyone in Meri’s life has kept something hidden from her, some still are… will she become the person she’s meant to be, or will she walk away from her destiny?
What a cute little story! Well executed, well written, great background and superb character development. A book I can honestly recommend for younger readers and adults alike as it is suitable for the younger audience as well as having the depth to keep the adult audience interested. A great balance of storytelling, action and just a tidbit of romance.
Handsome stranger Will makes life at her Grandfathers bearable as she begins to experience strange things that make her doubt her sanity. As Meri learns the truth about herself, her family and her best friend Kate along with Kate’s brother Daniel will the secrets be more than she can handle? Will she embrace her destiny or turn away from it? Everyone in Meri’s life has kept something hidden from her, some still are… will she become the person she’s meant to be, or will she walk away from her destiny?
What a cute little story! Well executed, well written, great background and superb character development. A book I can honestly recommend for younger readers and adults alike as it is suitable for the younger audience as well as having the depth to keep the adult audience interested. A great balance of storytelling, action and just a tidbit of romance.
October 25, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it. I assume the typos and grammatical errors were corrected in the product for sale.
Meri Drake is a typical early teen when she suddenly discovers she has a grandfather and uncle. Shipped to their home for the summer, Meri has a hard time adjusting to them, as well as their huge house on the shore. Slowly she realizes things may not be what they seem. And from there, the story takes off into a world of secrets and magic. In many ways, Secrets of the Truth seems like a prequel, introducing us and Meri to interesting people and situations. The abrupt ending left most of my questions unanswered--Who is Will? What is the Raja? How do the different forms of magic interact? And what will Meri decide for her future? The sequels should answer these and more.
Meri Drake is a typical early teen when she suddenly discovers she has a grandfather and uncle. Shipped to their home for the summer, Meri has a hard time adjusting to them, as well as their huge house on the shore. Slowly she realizes things may not be what they seem. And from there, the story takes off into a world of secrets and magic. In many ways, Secrets of the Truth seems like a prequel, introducing us and Meri to interesting people and situations. The abrupt ending left most of my questions unanswered--Who is Will? What is the Raja? How do the different forms of magic interact? And what will Meri decide for her future? The sequels should answer these and more.
October 31, 2012
It has taken me a long time to bring myself to actually rate this story or to write a review because I like the story and plot, or rather the promise of what the book could be.
And yet, I find myself giving Meridienne Drake a one-star rating.
I really think this is a creative story and has potential to go places, but unfortunately this story reads so much more like a first draft than a finished novel. I wish so much that a little more time would have been spent on polishing this gem of a story into the masterpiece that it should have been.
I won a free kindle copy of this book via the author's blog.
And yet, I find myself giving Meridienne Drake a one-star rating.
I really think this is a creative story and has potential to go places, but unfortunately this story reads so much more like a first draft than a finished novel. I wish so much that a little more time would have been spent on polishing this gem of a story into the masterpiece that it should have been.
I won a free kindle copy of this book via the author's blog.
June 21, 2014
There is an interesting storyline/premise to this book. Unfortunately it is poorly executed. This book should only be the first 50 to 100 pages of the story. Instead the author draws out every obvious plot line like YA means stupid reader. There were multiple errors in grammar and punctuation and SO many areas where the sentences were so cumbersome I wondered if the author knew what the words all meant. The relationships between characters was forced, and in at least one place she lost track of the relationships with a character saying "my father" when in fact he meant "my brother." I wouldn't recommend this book - and I will not be looking for other books by this author.
June 22, 2014
Love this book! It has everything that I like magic, romance, and a little suspense and mystery as well as secrets and magical properties. This book definitely had me turning page after page and I can't wait to read the second book if there is one. I hope there is. I got this book at the goodreads giveaway and this is my first reads book. I was so excited that I got this book. This was my first book that I ever won in a giveaway.
May 27, 2012
Love Meri! Found myself as frustrated as she was over her situation. Character development was very good. Saw Meri's growth during the novel and all characters were well defined. Love the dragons and want to learn more about them and see Meri develop her powers in the next book.
July 11, 2014
How much longer do we have to wait for the second and third release? :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews