Since this was an e-book, it did take me longer to get it read (I did not own a eReader at the time of reading this).

Seeing as how it took me so long to read it, I really don't feel like reviewing it. I felt that it had okay characters, but it felt to me that the plot weakened as the story went on. ( )

I just couldn't get into this book. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the plot. Though the writing is good, this book is just not for me. I am hoping that I could pick up the book again and hopefully enjoy it next time around. ( )

I kept putting this book off to the side in favor of reading library ebooks that check themselves back in after 14 days. I'm sorry it took me so long to read this one, because it's really quite good!

The story of Phoebe and Ethan, ripped from the world they know and love on their 19th birthdays and shipped off into the Realm of Magic, was one that was a little hard for me to get into at first. It didn't take long, though, for this book to go from mildly interesting to seriously compelling. As Phoebe and Ethan trained with their friends and learned more about the impending war they will face and the world that's now their home, I got deeper and deeper into the story myself.

I really like the character development in this one. Bowen also does a great job of leaving you wanting more in a lot of the plot lines, so I'm anxiously awaiting Book 2 in this series (which so far has a title but isn't fully written yet, argh!!).

As the only real down side for me, the romantic subplots were interesting but a little bit too intense to be super realistic (aka Bella and Edward in Twilight). I enjoyed them, just as I enjoyed the aforementioned famously overly-involved couple, but I prefer the plot lines that surround the action of the story. That being said, thanks so much Jess Bowen for leaving us with a major cliffhanger at the end of the book that directly relates to one of those romantic relationships! Maybe I enjoyed that part of the book more than I thought...

Anyway, this book is a very enjoyable read. If you like Melissa Marr's "Wicked Lovely" series or Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" books, then I think you'll like reading about Phoebe and Ethan on their journey into another world and their quest to save humanity and restore the good/evil balance.

The quick and dirty:

Beginning is a bit messy but the story straightens itself out.

Not a lot of action, it's all about the characters and relationships.

Worth adding to your (ebook) 'to be read' pile, also worth keeping an eye out for her future work.

The long and wordy:
If you want to read more on what I thought and why I said what I did in the quick and dirty, read the full post here:
http://ramplosbrokenpieces.tumblr.com/post/6521813996/review-breaking-point-jess... ( )

My first Early Reviewers book, which I was very excited to receive.

Phoebe, the main protagonist of this young adult fantasy novel, has had a pretty much normal life, although she seems to have something of a talent for sensing the emotions of those around her. A revelation on her 19th birthday changes everything, and along with Ethan, she’s catapulted into another realm. Here she makes friends, trains to develop her talents, and becomes involved in the fight between good and evil.

This is a first novel, and it’s perhaps fair to say that to an extent this shows. The initial exposition is a little clunky, the dialogue at first feels a little stilted, the world-building draws upon a lot of elements from a variety of sources, our heroine is maybe a bit too capable, and the villains seem to exist and to do horrible things simply because our characters need someone to fight against and a reason to fight them.

However, it was a first novel with potential. I found myself enjoying it more as I got further into the story. I was drawn, to an extent, into the world. In particular, I enjoyed the exploration of what it might mean to have a talent that allowed you to read other people’s emotions and what that might do to your own emotions. I liked the flaws exhibited by some of the characters at times. And I liked the way the events and themes of the novel tied together at the end in a resolution that worked quite well for me. I’m not sure what I think about the threads that have been touched upon in this book, and await follow up in the next book. I would like to read the second book in the series and see where it goes from here. ( )