Blog Tour: Manipulation by Jolene Pery

 Hello lovely readers and welcome to today's blog tour stop at the Manipulation blog tour! This blog tour is hosted by YA Bound Blog Tours. Manipulation is the second book in the paranormal series, Shadows, by Jolene Perry. If you have been a frequent reader at our blog you would already know that I am a huge fan of Perry's work, especially her contemporary, heartfelt novels, Knee Deep in specific. Be sure to check out Perry's new work and venture into the paranormal world through her Shadows series. Today's post will compromise of my review of Manipulation, the second installment in Shadows. 

Title: Manipulation (Shadows #2)

Author: Jolene Perry

Publisher: Next Door Books

Publication year: January 29, 2013

Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal)

Source: Blog Tour

Format: egalley

Pages: 260

Addison Prince has almost always gotten what she wants. Dean Courser only wants to find his brother, but it's the one thing he’s failed at... Even with his unusual ability.

Dean and Addison share the gift of Manipulation—a brief touch that forces others to do what they wish. But when they meet and realize their connection, they find more questions than answers. Suddenly Dean is seeing shadows move on their own, and Addison is learning her father’s mysterious group may know more about her abilities than he’s ever let on.

As Dean and Addison second-guess every decision about who they are and why they're wanted, time is running out. With shadows following their every move, they're losing hope they’ll ever get to safety—if such a thing exists

Goodreads / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble

Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of The Next Door Boys and Night Sky. Check out my review of The Next Door Boys Here, and Night Sky Here

Follow Jolene on her: Blog || Website || Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter

Manipulation is the second installment of the Shadows trilogy. Manipulation introduces two new main characters, different from the first two in Insight. While I enjoyed Insight, I can't say that I loved it. The two main character's romance progressed way too fast and the progression of the plot felt unrealistic to me. However, for Manipulation, I have to say it was as if Perry heard my complaints of Insight (even though I never voiced them anywhere) and then created Manipulation. I adored Addison and Dean and found them to be so likable. Addison is the rich girl while Dean is the foster kid. They meet during this mandatory class issued by the court (each got into their own kind of trouble) and that was when the story started. What makes Manipulation a paranormal novel is that both Dean and Addison can manipulate people through implanting thoughts in their heads. Imagine the things I could get away with if I had this power? *daydreams*... ok back to the novel. 

The progression of the plot was slow, especially the romance, something that I found rather satisfying. Addison battles with whether she should let Dean in to her life and heart or not since she just recently got burned by a guy, while Dean just doesn't think their lifestyles is something they might be able to get past.. realistic problems right? but then we also have the shadows they seem to be seeing wherever they go. Also, Addison's dad seems to be involved in all these shadow and power business and also in a dangerous society that targets people like Dean and Addison. I found that to be so creepy, especially that he is her dad and lives under the same roof. I also liked how the main characters in Insight (book 1) show up at the end of the book and, to put it in one way, join forces together to find out the history and source of their powers. 

I really can't wait for the third book and find out what the shadows are, as well as ease my heart because of the cliffhanger at the end of this book. While I love all of Jolene Perry's contemporary novels, her paranormal ones are just as good!   

Below are previous books by Jolene Perry you might be interested about

Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships.

Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy.

With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause…

Micah's story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.

Other books by Jolene Perry reviewed on the blog: 

The Next Door Boys

Night Sky

Knee Deep

Spill Over

10 Weeks

Guest Post by Jolene

Jolene Talks about the New Adult Genre