SeQuence (The Heart of the Ocean, #1) by Lorraine M.L.M.

Dec 06, 2018 Stjepan Cobets rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, ya-fantasy

My rating 3.5

The Book of "SeQuence (The Heart of the Ocean # 1)" by Lorraine M.L.M. is YA fantasy novel with a well thought out world but by me on moments a slow story. It took me almost two years to read the book, the beginning was solid, the descriptions of the world were great and the end was solid. But on moments of a story, dumped me out of the clock, so I would give up reading. Maybe I was not in the element, but it took me a long time to read the book. The fans of YA fantasy fantasies wil ...more

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Feb 03, 2017 Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2017, genre-romance-deliberately, review-on-amazon, g-a-paranormal-powers, g-c-life-out-of-the-ordinary, g-t-contemporary, genre-high-fantasy, imo-boring-middle, imo-couldnt-have-cared-less, imo-really-only-romance

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Alessia hears voices, lots and lots of voices, so many that it's crippling. Water has the ability to dampen the voices but it looks mighty crazy to have sacks of water tied around your head. So its no surprise she's committed to an asylum. On an island far from home Alessia is able to flee her doctor and her padded cell and escape into the ocean. Only to wake up in Zeneshia, the home of her long-lost grandmother and Dante, the man she's totally ...more

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Dec 30, 2016 Jodie "Bookish" Cook rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, reviewed

Book Review
Title: Sequence
Author: Lorraine M. L. M.
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: ****
Review: The first thing I noticed about this book was it was split into separate parts as well as having defined chapters which isn't something I see very often in YA novels. The preface of the book was great we are introduced to an unnamed protagonist who can hear the thoughts and desires of others telepathically. After breaking down during an exam she/he is sent to Isle Speranz for a complete psychotic breakdown. I Book Review
Title: Sequence
Author: Lorraine M. L. M.
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: ****
Review: The first thing I noticed about this book was it was split into separate parts as well as having defined chapters which isn't something I see very often in YA novels. The preface of the book was great we are introduced to an unnamed protagonist who can hear the thoughts and desires of others telepathically. After breaking down during an exam she/he is sent to Isle Speranz for a complete psychotic breakdown. I loved this opening and it really gripped my attention as a reader and I was pumped to continue reading. We learn our main protagonist is Alessia Appleton an ordinary 16 year old apart from the fact she hears voices, while Alessia is incarcerated in London even the best doctors there say she is beyond help and she can't be cured. Despite this Alessia knows there is no cure for her as she has always been this way, she is different from other people. This is very intriguing as the author has provided an outline to us but without giving us any major details at all.
Alessia lives with her aunt as her parents died in an accident years before and has given the doctors permission to send her to Isle Speranz where she will be basically imprisoned but at the same time using her mind reading abilities she hears a voice telling her that her sequence has begun and to jump in the Thames which she obviously ignores but as the title name is used I believe this scene will hold a significant amount of weight later on in the novel. As we fast forward Alessia has been at the facility for a month and she plans to escape on her birthday, after getting to the water Alessia has no option but to try and swim to the mainland as they are on an island. It is a this precise moment that she hears the strange voices again one of them being the same voice that told her to jump into the Thames but before she can do anything about it she is swept out to sea and loses consciousness. After coming to Alessia is told she is in Zeneshia and alternate universe under the sea, she is treated almost like a princess but she is extremely confused especially when "the sequence" is mentioned. The Zenesh people seems to know what this means and it holds great weight but Alessia has absolutely no idea what is going on but for the time being she literally goes with the flow. Alessia realises she has heard of Zeneshia before when her father was on his deathbed, he awoke briefly from his coma to tell her to find Zeneshia before he died, I feel confident she didn't remember this as she has supressed it due to the trauma of her parents death. Alessia takes to Zeneshia quite quickly in terms of the language and the people but she still doesn't quite understand the way this particular world works, it is fascinating, terrifying and ominous all at the same time which makes for some very interesting reading in my opinion. Alessia also mets a young man called Dante who she is immediately drawn to and she even lets him inside of her mind and he does the same for her and they become friendly very quickly and I have a feeling that this may develop into a romance later on in the novel. After Alessia's initial entry to Zeneshia not a lot happens action wise although there is plenty of stunning world building and character development.
As we cross the 1/4 mark we learn more of Alessia's heritage and it turns out that Alessia's mother Kay was Zaira's daughter; making Alessia her granddaughter and part Zeneshian which was an amazing moment because Alessia feels she has finally found somewhere she can truly belong. But we don't have to wait long until strange things begin happening to Alessia and as expected Dante comes to her rescue, we the reader know there is something strong and ancient connecting these two characters but we don't know what it is yet but there are several subtle hints towards a romance here. Despite being fast paced and an easy read I don't feel much going on except world building and character development this could be due to the fact this book is the first in a series so it could be laying the groundwork for the next novel but despite this small issue I by this point was really enjoying the novel. It isn't until chapter 9 when Alessia and Dante actually admit the way they feel for one another and agree to go on a date, at this point I bounced around in delight as I had been waiting for this from the moment Dante and Alessia laid eyes on one another. The date between the young couple was simply divine, there was a lack of physical contact between the two so not much hand holding or embracing but it still made my heart race. You feel as if Alessia and Dante were almost made to be together but romances in these kinds of novels aren't that simple and sooner or later something is going to come between them and challenge their love for each other. The pair discover a lot more about each other, Dante even takes Alessia to his mothers' grave which I found to be an extremely touching moment as it shows how much Dante trusts her. While I wanted to urge the relationship along I also wanted to savour the innocent moments the couple share in their imaginary solitude.
As we approach the half way point in the novel there is a dark, ominous feeling surrounding Alessia and Dante signalling to me the reader that something bad/dangerous is going to happen very soon. As predicted the couple soon begin to face trails including the fact Dante called off a political engagement for her but somehow she feels betrayed that he didn't trust her enough to tell her the truth and this begins to happen all to soon after their wonderful date in my opinion. As the reader we can feel there is trouble brewing within Zeneshia but still nothing has come to the front. As we are now past the half way point I am building to feel like this is a little bit of a foundation book so not much has happened so far but it is laying the foundation for the sequel which is going to be released in February 2017. Despite the lack of action the book is still wonderful to read and unless you are looking closely you don't even notice the lack of action. We then move away from the world building and the focus shifts to the relationship between Alessia and Dante especially after Alessia discovered that Dante is the king (of sorts) in Zeneshia and he was weighed down by his own burdens which was responsible for his hot and cold attitude but Alessia still feels completely lost without him being present. Alessia and Dante are finally able to communicate their feeling without outside interference and it leads to an engagement of sorts to which both are really pleased. But as I am 65% into this novel I don't think any of the characters except for Alessia has faced any trails nor has there been major plot progression but I am holding out hope for a grand finale.
For the first time in the novel we see some real development in Alessia and Dante's relationship where they get to know more about one another and become even closer if that is even possible. And Alessia despite her reservations about not knowing Dante that long or maybe returning to her own universe are banished as she completely accepts Dante as her heart and soul and will do anything to be with him. All seems well until the pair receive an ominous prophecy from a strange old man and this may just be the key to why Alessia is in Zeneshia and what her role will be within this particular sequence. A this point we are about 3/4 of the way through the novel and there are only 60 pages left to go. While so little pages left I was seriously wondering whether all my questions would be answered but I was comforted in the fact there is a sequel coming very soon. Ralda is one of the last surviving voice of the sequence and the last time he was seen in this world was before Alessia's mother disappeared, and his apparence doesn't bode well for the group. He is also one of the only people that knows how to strengthen the shield protecting our characters from the violent forces which lay outside. In order for Alessia to help Zeneshia she must leave the people she has come to call family and the one she loves in order to train, to become strong enough to save them in her own right which wounds her deeply but she knows it is the right thing to do as it was her mothers' duty before it was her own. But just as things seems to progress Alessia is stolen away in the night by the beings that brought her to this world. As we enter the second part of the novel the perspective changes from that of Alessia's to Dante's which I personally absolutely adored.
We follow Dante and the mass of other characters in the immediate aftermath of Alessia's disappearance and how they plan to find her and complete their mission in strengthening the shield but not before it is breached by invaders. We feel the pain and sorrow of everyone but none more so than Dante as a part of him has been taken. Dante perspective is very different to Alessia's. Alessia's viewpoint is filled with confusion and a steady stream of emotion, while Dante's is build on maintaining serenity with short outbursts of violent emotion, it seems that these two need to be together in order to provide balance to one another. As Dante and the rest of the family prepare to rescue Lessi from an ancient enemy long since legend they are faced with two options; rescue her and bring her own or lose her forever. We truly feel Dante pain and anguish to be parted from his destined love and he wants nothing more to wrench her from evil's clutches back into his own arms but whether he will succeed remains a mystery. In an epic scene Dante and a small group manages to rescue Lessi from the ancient water beings and Lessi's full power is revealed in order to protect the people she cares about most which was truly stunning. We see for the first time Lessi surrendering control to her mind which takes over saving everyone and stopping a war but she is rests on her anchor in Dante.
In the final pages we switch back to Alessia's point of view to round things off. The ending of this novel was spectacular, they created a mentally stunning visual and evoke powerful emotions within us as the reader, I was crying, laughing and feeling everything in between. My favourite character by far was Dante, his feel and completely unique style just drew me in and I wanted more of him. I also really enjoyed the short part of the novel that was told from his perspective and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book very very soon (February 1st). I would highly recommend this book to everyone especially those interested in fantasy/romance novel and while this book is aimed at a young adult audience I wouldn't be surprised to find many adults also enjoyed this heartwarming and delightful slice of heaven.
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Mar 09, 2019 Laurette Long rated it liked it · review of another edition

‘We were two people from different worlds, united by a force of nature that neither of us fully understood. They called it Sequence. And I had no name for it.’
This quote sums up both the positive and the negative aspects of Lorraine M.L.M.’s first YA fantasy novel in the Heart of The Ocean series.
The two people are Alessia (Lessi) and Dante, the sweet, innocent and extremely chaste Romeo and Juliet protagonists. She’s from the world of ‘Earth’, transported by a giant wave from an island where s ‘We were two people from different worlds, united by a force of nature that neither of us fully understood. They called it Sequence. And I had no name for it.’
This quote sums up both the positive and the negative aspects of Lorraine M.L.M.’s first YA fantasy novel in the Heart of The Ocean series.
The two people are Alessia (Lessi) and Dante, the sweet, innocent and extremely chaste Romeo and Juliet protagonists. She’s from the world of ‘Earth’, transported by a giant wave from an island where she has been committed to an institution after developing paranormal telepathic and empathic symptoms which enable her to read the thoughts and feel the emotions of those around her. The beginning has a quirky Alice in Wonderland feel, drawing us into the story and the character of Lessi, arousing our curiosity as to her subsequent adventures. We discover her new world is called Zeneshia, an island universe with four main kingdoms and two moons somewhere underneath the ocean. As she meets the inhabitants, she will learn that this, in fact, is her true ‘home’, where Zaira, her grandmother, lives and the family of her mother, stolen from Zeneshia and killed in a car accident on earth. In Chapter 5 Lessi meets Dante Erajion, the mixed-race hero, whose Tregtarian heritage destined him to become a killer but who was redeemed by his Tuscanian blood and the love of his mother. The two young people are instantly drawn to each other by a powerful attraction which soon develops into genuine love.
About a third of the way through, the story began to slow. Apart from a dramatic episode where Lessi gets lured into the forest by a mysterious shining object, most of the middle section was concerned with ‘learning and understanding’. There is little action and a lot of talking, often by the two lovers reiterating their mutual devotion. More genealogical connections are revealed as well as historical, geographical and cultural facts about the different kingdoms, and the rivalries and dangers that menace the survival of Tuscania. The excitement and suspense generated by the beginning is replaced by a focus on the ‘Sequence’ of the title, with different explanations about its meaning, its significance to the plot and to the two main protagonists. It seems to include ‘sub’ sequences–the sequence of hearts, and the sequence of first and forever; at times it appears like a synonym for destiny–‘no-one can escape their sequence’, but mostly it is referred to as a game, one with ‘Seven Voices’, three ‘defining components: players, observers and spectators’, and ‘no winners or losers’. ‘In a Game of Sequence,’ the author writes ‘there’s a time to learn, a time to understand and a time to play,’ adding later ‘Sequence is our way of life. Think of it as a game of survival from birth to death.’
Whew! I found myself going back and re-reading in an effort to comprehend the mostly esoteric explanations, particularly when the character of Ralda is introduced (roughly two-thirds of the way into the story) and starts muddying the waters even further. Ralda is an important character, being one of the seven Voices of Sequence, and custodian of the all-important ‘Shield’ which protects the kingdom. This general nebulousness may well be a deliberate authorial device to add another swirl to the veils of mystery, but I was not the only one to find it confusing, judging by the reactions of the characters: ‘It doesn’t make sense to me...your words are complex…nothing makes sense’, ‘he was a man of riddles’, ‘sense and logic has a limit’, ‘OK, I was completely bewildered.’
It was a topic frequently discussed by Lessi and Dante, this ‘force of nature’ binding them together and how it affects their relationship, even precipitating a temporary separation for the lovers when Dante is accused of not fulfilling his obligations to the House Hantaria and instead choosing ‘love over honour, over sequence’. ‘A complete mind melt-down wasn’t far off,' says Lessi, listening to Ralda, and I was more or less in the same state until I reached the final part of the book, where, happily, the action picked up once more.
Ralda has brought terrible news about the shield of the ancestors. The only person who can remedy the situation is Lessi. Without revealing details of the book’s denouement, the characters are swept up in a series of dramatic developments, they begin to show strong emotions, anger and fear as well as sweetness and light. As the tension mounts, our heroine finds herself in dire peril and Dante sets out on a dangerous quest.
This was a difficult book to review. In spite of the reservations expressed above, I admired the author’s ambition and imagination in conceiving such a detailed and complicated fantasy world, her touches of humour as Lessi’s authentic voice was heard, her talent for creating dreamy romantic scenes (the lovers in the snowy forest) and for her ability to create a dramatic opening and finale. Young readers hooked by this first volume in the series will surely wish to find out what happens next.
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Jan 27, 2019 Susan Buchanan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-reading

I was hooked from the first chapter however, I'd like to applaud the books' cover. It's an accurate representation of everything in the book, and it is also beautifully executed, so kudos on that.

Alessia hears voices and everyone thinks she's crazy but she's not. Her loving aunt Kate at the end of her tether sends Alessia to a mental institution on an island in the Indian Ocean. Our young heroine tries to make her escape on her birthday, she's taken out by a rogue wave and awakes in a new land t I was hooked from the first chapter however, I'd like to applaud the books' cover. It's an accurate representation of everything in the book, and it is also beautifully executed, so kudos on that.

Alessia hears voices and everyone thinks she's crazy but she's not. Her loving aunt Kate at the end of her tether sends Alessia to a mental institution on an island in the Indian Ocean. Our young heroine tries to make her escape on her birthday, she's taken out by a rogue wave and awakes in a new land that's under the ocean.

Zeneshia is the new land that Alessia has found herself; she's also discovered her maternal grandmother there too. It turns out Alessia's mother wasn't human. She goes through the process of trying to learn Zeneshian history and customs, and she falls in love with Dante a handsome red-eyed youth.

Dante is the heir apparent to the Ocean Crown of the whole place (he keeps this from Alessia), and he seems to run from her whenever his feelings become too much for him, this annoys Alessia (and the reader) and saddens her greatly.

There are several ruling houses in this land, and some vie for power, some use their ability to manipulate, others try to keep the peace between the houses. There's also a shield that protects them from a group of warriors who are ruthless and seem blood thirty. This shield is failing, and this is a cause for high tension and discord amongst the houses.
The middle of the book drags a bit telling of Dante's history, how his mother was kidnapped and forced to marry and have him against her will. Years later he escaped his father with his mother, however, she died due to an arrow shot at her from his father's hand.

Alessia is kidnapped, well more like hypnotically compelled by the water creatures, who brought her to the land she's in, and Dante and a party of soldiers rescue her. Dante gets himself into trouble, and Alessia's powers come forth to save her beloved and blow everyone's minds, including her own.

Alessia nows that she's incredibly powerful. She has the destiny to protect this land, and only she can power the failing shield that protects them all. She must accept all this while she's trying to figure out how she and Dante can keep their budding relationship going. We'll all find out in the next installment.

The writing is engaging; the characters are rich and multifaceted. I'm hoping that our heroine gets a bit more teeth during the series. Dante seems to be the most conflicted character coming from two different races, one perceived as good the other as evil. He seems to be continually battling his dual nature when in reality, we all have that duality in us. Zaira, Alessia's grandmother, appears to only see Alessa as a replacement for her daughter and not as her sentient self. There's also a host of other characters, like Dante's family who is funny and loving. Then there's Gradho, from one of the neighboring houses who's a power-hungry, a social-climbing manipulator who is always trying to cause discord. He reminds me of that uncle you only see at holidays and wish you didn't.

All in all, I think this is going to be an exciting series. ...more

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Oct 04, 2016 Cassie James rated it it was amazing

Shelves: magic, ya-fantasy, ya-romance, young-adult, fantasy, romance, great-read

I willingly received an ARC of this book from the author or publisher of this book in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way affect my opinion on the book

SeQuence is a book that I ended up loving more than I expected. Alessia's story just grabs at you and makes you curious about her and through this curiosity comes a bond that just makes you love her and root for her. I commend the author for making a compelling story that just arouses the attention of the reader.
SeQuence is description

I willingly received an ARC of this book from the author or publisher of this book in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way affect my opinion on the book

SeQuence is a book that I ended up loving more than I expected. Alessia's story just grabs at you and makes you curious about her and through this curiosity comes a bond that just makes you love her and root for her. I commend the author for making a compelling story that just arouses the attention of the reader.
SeQuence is one YA Fantasy that is one of a kind with a very original plot and a set of uniquely interesting characters. And that cover is just simply amazing, It's one of my favorites of 2016!!. Alessia is a funny, witty girl who can read minds but is labeled as a 'crazy' person. I loved seeing Alessia come to terms with the fact that she is more than ordinary, that in fact she is extraordinary. Among her family and friends she transformed from the shell she used to be into a blossom. Dante is one of my favorite heroes in YA, he is a great guy that is not afraid to let Alessia know how he feels about her. There is an instant connection between them that I absolutely love. Her relationship with Dante has always fascinated me from the beginning and I loved seeing it progress further. I also can't wait to know more about Alessia's power.
The worldbuilding is very well constructed, Zeneshia is a world that is very memorable. SeQuence is a mixture of fantasy, romance, action, adventure, magic, drama, comedy and absolute awesomeness. My favorite quote from the book is:

“Smiling, Dante rose to his feet. Goodness, he’s spectacular. Thick sleek, black and red hair…electric wine-red eyes…perfect cheekbones…a sturdy, muscular physique…”

Because it describes Dante who is now at the top of my list of YA favorite boy characters.
SeQuence has an ending that left me thirsting for more and I eagerly await book 2 SeQuence Aligned with bated breath.
The author has weaved a world that reminds me exactly why I love YA Fantasy. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any one looking for one of the great books out there.

P.S: I still can't stop gushing over the total awesomeness of that cover. ...more

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Sep 24, 2017 Cheryl Olivera rated it it was amazing

This book shocked me! I don't usually read fantasy books, but this is now on of my favorite books of all time. I would say top 5 with #1 being Jane Eyre. This story took my breath away. Romance at its best, just captivating. Every chapter left me wanting more and more. I want this story to go on forever. This should definitely be a movie.

Lorraine M. L. M. creates a magical world of adventure with a romance that will sweep you away. G rated, but done so well.

I recommend this story for teens or a ...more

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Oct 04, 2017 Dawn C. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If I weren't a mother and working full time, this book would have been read in a day. SeQuence is beautifully written, I felt like I was right there with the characters. From page one to the end of the story, I was completely enthralled. Truthfully, I didn't want the story to end. It's been a long time since I can truthfully say I have LOVED a story, until I read this. I can't wait to read the next story in the SeQuence trilogy. The author has a way of captivating her audience and making you fee ...more

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Feb 02, 2019 Mary Jaimes-Serrano rated it it was amazing

This book is fascinating, to say the least.

Sequence (The Heart of the Ocean, #1) is the story of Alessia and her journey from a world that has always made her feel like an outsider, to a world that was home.

Alessia has lost her parents and lives with her aunt. She has had a hard time in life and now she is facing the voices she is hearing. At her limit, Alessia's aunt sends her to an island for the mentally insane. Doctors have decided she is incurable. Little do they know that she just needs to ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Lia rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

General Rating: ★☆ (1.5 stars)

Diversity Rating: – (0 stars)

Before I started writing this, I had to let out a gigantic sigh, and I think that explains very well how I felt about this book. I have made so many comments on this book that I think they could say everything I need to say.

This book is about Alessia, who hears voices that drive her crazy. She is sent to an island / mental hospital, and in some weird wicked way she ends up in another world called Zeneshia. It is the most beautiful place General Rating: ★☆ (1.5 stars)

Diversity Rating: – (0 stars)

Before I started writing this, I had to let out a gigantic sigh, and I think that explains very well how I felt about this book. I have made so many comments on this book that I think they could say everything I need to say.

This book is about Alessia, who hears voices that drive her crazy. She is sent to an island / mental hospital, and in some weird wicked way she ends up in another world called Zeneshia. It is the most beautiful place you can imagine. She meets a guy named Dante and she meets a lot of people who turn out to be her long lost family or something like that.

Of course she and Dante fall in love and gosh I have never seen a case of instalove this horrible. In chapter 8 Dante says: “You’re the reason for every action I take now. My sequence is yours forever, my life is your life. If I have to give my life for you, I’ll do it over and over again until there’s nothing left to give.” (let me repeat, that was CHAPTER 8!) And that made me want to puke and hit him. It is a very heavy case of instalove and something I like to call “the pit of eternal sacrifice”, in which the characters would do anything for the other person. Literally anything. Dante is a mysterious and way too perfect and typical YA love interest. He has the dreamy eyes in a strange colour (red), he has the tragic past, the determination to fix everything, and often disappears without saying why. He is also overdramatic and “flawed” (aka it seems like he is flawed, but there is nothing flawed about him).

Okay enough rambling about the horrible love story, what I also didn’t like was how Alessia’s “disability” simply resolved itself. I really liked the idea of her hearing voices and going crazy, I would have loved to see her deal with it, but instead *poof* all problems disappeared.

After given up on this book about halfway, I have given it another chance. I read the rest of the book with some struggle and at about 75% the book finally started to get interesting. The first 75% just about nothing happened, but then when it started to get interesting, I was so bored I lost all interest in the story and characters that I simply didn’t care anymore. To be honest I have no clue what happened, I just skimmed through and skipped all the dramatics.

The world it was set in was really too perfect and beautiful, it was like a world of puppies and rainbows, but then without the puppies and instead wondrous creatures and dreamy-eyed boys.

I am giving this book 1.5 stars, because I hated it for the most part. I really can’t think of any aspect of this book that I liked. And I would not recommend it at all. ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Nandini | Novels and Nebulas rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: fans of YA fantasy romance and beautiful world-building

Shelves: 2017

Note: I received a free e-copy of the book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review

Characters:
First of all, the character names were very different, which I appreciated. Alessia starts off as a great character and ends up a stronger person, but midway through the story she's mostly thinking about Dante, which put me off a bit. I think Dante suffered from what I'd like to call "Edwardness" (i. e., reminds me of Edward from Twilight), but I still liked him. The romance between the two also Note: I received a free e-copy of the book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review

Characters:
First of all, the character names were very different, which I appreciated. Alessia starts off as a great character and ends up a stronger person, but midway through the story she's mostly thinking about Dante, which put me off a bit. I think Dante suffered from what I'd like to call "Edwardness" (i. e., reminds me of Edward from Twilight), but I still liked him. The romance between the two also reminded me a lot of Twilight and it was another case of insta-love, of which I'm not a fan. Characters like Zaira, whom I deeply admired, Lariana, who is a sweetheart, and Gradho, who spices up every scene with his odd behaviour, made up a good supporting cast. I wish we get to see more from the dreyziz, Talia and Daphne, in the upcoming books, for I think it is important for them to be represented better.

Plot and Setting:
I didn't know that the book's primary plot would be romance before I started reading, so I was a bit bored in the middle sections of the book. But the world-building more than compensated for it, in my opinion. The setting did transport me to an intriguing world having two moons, warring lands, a refreshing belief system and fascinating creatures. The world was revealed to the reader slowly, with many teasing mentions in the beginning of the book, which was the primary reason I couldn't stop reading. I'm still not quite sure I understand what a Sequence is, but I enjoyed the concept. The magic system is rooted in the power of the mind and I was thoroughly captivated by that.

Writing Style:
I think that the writing was a good mix of descriptive prose and easy-to-read language. It had its moments of brilliance where something deep and profound was tucked away under the guise of commonplace words. A whole new language has been created for this world, but there are translations in all the places it is used so that the reader doesn't get confused.

Conclusion:
I was fluctuating between 3.5 and 4 stars for this book, but the world-building and the climax nudged me towards a higher rating. The gorgeous cover art initially drew me to the book and I'm eagerly looking forward to the future instalments, in which I'm hoping the plot thickens and the stakes are raised. ...more

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Dec 30, 2016 Janna rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Wow!

This book exceeded all expectations and I highly recommend it for fans of YA Fantasy and YA Romance. SeQuence was a phenomenal fantasy romance that takes the reader on an epic journey. The writing was excellent and the world-building was even better!

Our heroine, Alessia, suffers from a strange malady -- voices in her head that are only silenced by water. Through her dramatic escape, she finds herself in another world... and answers that she didn't know she was looking for.

It was amazing exp ...more

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Jan 18, 2017 Richelle rated it it was amazing

I loved this book right from the very first page. There seems to be mixed views on Amazon about SeQuence, but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed that it was different from a lot of the other YA books lining the shelves.

The first chapter was one of the best chapters (for me that is). It had me reading slow, than reading fast paced as the action sped up. I felt there was an ignorance towards Alessia's problems that was determined to be fixed with counselling and medication. This is such a normal I loved this book right from the very first page. There seems to be mixed views on Amazon about SeQuence, but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed that it was different from a lot of the other YA books lining the shelves.

The first chapter was one of the best chapters (for me that is). It had me reading slow, than reading fast paced as the action sped up. I felt there was an ignorance towards Alessia's problems that was determined to be fixed with counselling and medication. This is such a normal occurrence in today's society and it is one that annoys me to the bone. So, I felt for Alessia and connected in a way that I wanted to save her.

Then, she ends up in the water and finds herself in a new world. This new world is beautifully described. I love the graphic descriptions written in each chapter of SeQuence. The ability Lorraine M.L.M has to 'show' the reader (me) each scene is brilliant. The descriptive language is what kept me turning page after page as I envisioned this new glorious world. While I was studying, one of my writing papers, I was continually told to 'show' what was in my mind. I didn't, at the time, understand what was meant or required as I worked to present more depth in my writing. As the papers progressed, and hence my writing, I grew to love the visual impact of writers with such an ability to present worlds to my inner-most mind. I wish my tutors had given me examples of such writing used in SeQuence. For me, this was the influential factor or my continual enjoyment of SeQuence.

I will read the rest of this series. Without a doubt I will be recommending it to our library as the cleanness and balance of adventure, mystery and love impressed me. I need to know where Alessia and Dante go from here. What happens to them and their world? I am hoping the second book gives me more twists and action that will leave me wanting to know more, again.

For more of my reviews: http://readlearnandshine.blogspot.co.nz/ ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Tassa DeSalada rated it it was amazing

"SeQuence" is definitely within the fantasy genre, and a very creative example. Mental illness is something we all face. But what can we do about it? One solution might be to dive into the ocean and see what's under the surface. And, in turn, find out that it isn't mental illness at all, just a pull towards ancient ways. Follow your pre-destined path. Follow your SeQuence. You're the only one who feels it. I like that. It's a great message to convey to Young Adults who are extremely vulnerable w ...more

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Nov 09, 2016 Karen Tomlinson rated it really liked it

MLM Lorraine has a lovely writing style. The world building is very detailed and vivid, because of this I personally found all the details and who was responsible for sequences and games a little hard to follow at times. The story is quite gentle and if you love clean romance you will love this book. The heroine is a gentle soul but shows a little spark at the end and her love interest Dante is a strong and loyal man who seems determined to help her although he is not sure how.
I feel SeQuence i ...more

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Jan 04, 2017 Amanda rated it did not like it

This book was provided to me by Net Galley

http://literaryweaponry.com

Look at the cover art. Look at it. Isn't it lovely? Doesn't it catch your eye? Occasionally that is how I pick my books. I will wander into a Barnes and Noble and meander aimlessly until a book cover catches my eye. I, surprisingly, have had great success with this. Some of my favorite books have been found with this method. Two of my favorite authors, Samantha Shannon and Christopher Fowler, have been discovered by this method ...more

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May 21, 2018 Billy Buttons rated it really liked it

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: SeQuence
Author: Lorraine M.L.M
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 18 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
10 felt the author’s str ...more

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Apr 13, 2018 Georgia rated it really liked it

I received a free copy for an honest review. I really liked the book and the only thing that is stopping me from giving it five stars is because in the beginning, I was just as baffled as Alessia as to what was going on. That's not strictly a negative thing, I must add. It put you in the mindset of Alessia straight away and you only found out the answers as she did which makes you feel as if you're living it from her point of view for real. I was just a bit impatient to find out what was going o ...more

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Oct 10, 2017 Danielle Rhudy rated it it was amazing

I was given this book for free to read and review, and I will admit that I was a little skeptical at first. However, the first chapter drew me and hooked me like a fish. Alessia is an amazing character, and I really enjoyed reading her story. She went from difficulties to seemingly a haven. When things go wrong, she has to find a way to keep her new family and life together. Everything she has ever known changes so quickly. The author does an amazing job creating a believable character, and the ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Jadyen (jayjaysbooknook) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was amazing! I loved the storyline and the characters! Dante sounds 😍😍😍😍.... I’m totally in love with this world and I need to find out what Alessia and Dante’s sequence is! I cannot wait to continue the story! The characters in this book are so complex and the riddles kept me on my toes!

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Jan 22, 2017 Angala Fox rated it it was amazing

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
WOW.. I loved this YA fantasy novel. I was pulled in from the first chapter and didn't want to put it down. I loved the characters and the journey they went on. The author paints a wonderful picture of a new world and makes you feel like you are there with the characters. I definitely recommend.

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Oct 02, 2017 Jennifer Harris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

This book was amazing. I seriously could not put it down. The characters were very well crafted and the world building is spectacular. Looking forward to finding out what happens next.

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Mar 03, 2019 Eunice Nascimento rated it really liked it

Shelves: sweet-romantic-fantasy

Sequence is a beautiful, well-written, young adult fantasy romance. The world building in the book is outstanding; the author has created a vibrant, enchanting universe full of vivid colours. The novel is action packed and full of mystery and twists but it also has a great deal of humour. Alessia and Dante, the two protagonists, are believable and relatable characters with strengths and weaknesses who experience a gentle, beautiful romance.

I hugely enjoyed reading Sequence, and whole-heartedly ...more

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Mar 11, 2017 F.F. John rated it it was amazing

I really, really, really enjoyed this one and recommend it. It's a great story and I'm looking forward to reading book 2! BTW: I got the book for free when it was priced $0 but I opted to purchase it because it was so good. =)

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Oct 17, 2017 Erin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I willingly received an ARC of this book from the author or publisher of this book in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way affect my opinion on the book.

After starting this book I was already drawn in; the characters are well-defined. I absolutely love Alessia's character, as well as Dante's. The premise of the book is definitely interesting, and I can't wait to see where it goes as the character's continue to develop throughout the series. The story line so far isn't predictab ...more

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Feb 23, 2017 India Kells rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I jumped into this YA novel and had a very enjoyable experience! The alternate world under the sea the author has woven is intriguing and I liked the riddles. How the characters evolved, Lessi and Dante, is captivating! A great read!!

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Oct 05, 2017 Bookish_Haze rated it liked it

Disclaimer: I willingly received an ARC of this book from the author or publisher of this book in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way affect my opinion on the book .

You can read my full review on my blog.

Having a Sequence (which I'm defining as a purpose in life) that pulls you the right way, instead of you having to try and fail to find it, is an appealing concept. Alessia's sequence has been inside her since her birth because of her Zenesh family, she just didn't realize it, ...more

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Feb 18, 2017 Ashley Danielle rated it it was amazing

This is a story like no other! The poetry of the words, the riddles in messages sucks you into the storyline and doesn't release you until the end. It is a world of beauty and love. A foreign land that revels the most beautiful of worlds. Dante and Alessia's love is gorgeous and pure. I'm excited to read book two to see how Alessia grows into her confidence and what she is capable of doing. This is romance and fantasy all the way through. If you enjoy love and fantasy mixed with myths and myster ...more

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Feb 11, 2017 Chloé 🌹 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-ebook, read-in-2017, ya-fantasy, arcs-review-copies

* I received a free copy of this book by the author , this however did not affect my opinion.

SeQuence was a pleasant surprise , I really enjoyed this book . From the very first chapter I was hooked and I wanted to know more. One of my favourite things was the world building , I love the world of Zeneshia it's so magical and unforgettable! Another thing I enjoyed was the character names . I loved Alessia's character I found her interesting and I loved learning about the world along with her. I hi ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Cecilia rated it it was amazing

I'd like to start by thanking Lorraine for the free copy of this book.
Now let's get on the review:
From the plot it sounded amazing and when I started it just kept getting better! I totally recommend this amazing work of art. It's amazingly plotted, has unique characters, and, the best of all from my point of view, she killed all the freaking cliches that could have been there! Think of any typical thing, now tear it up and you have her scene pictured! The awesome part of "killing the cliche" is ...more

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