In the Forest of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Ironically, this was the first novel she published and the first one I ever read of hers. I found an article on it in an old Seventeen magazine and decided to check it out. I like the way she portrays vampires as being almost realistic and not so evolved from the humans they once were. I appreciate Risika's maturity in the way she handles things and I especially love her ability to transform into a hawk.

I loved this one because it left me to use my imagination and didn't use too much emotion, but showed that you must contol it. Some may say the emotion is too flat, but I enjoy the refreshing reality that emotion only gets you stuck. It's nice to see a book for being strong and not being weak and over doing the emotions. I love her books because they aren't simply to quench people's emotional level, but to tell a real interesting story. She's ten million times better than any Stephanie Meyers and that's a given.

In the Forest of the Night was a facinating tale of the world of true vampires, expaining how Rachel can go from a good Christian school girl to a killimg and ravenous vampire, out to satisfy her thirst for blood. Her perfect, yet not too overdone detailing of every situation that happens with Risika makes you feel as though you are a character in this story, and are right in on the action. Her suspenseful techniques of writing keep you glued to the book up until your eyes begin to sag. Her writing style keeps you absolutely compelled and on the edge of your seat the entire course of reading this story. I would highly recommend this book to all of my friends because people of all ages can enjoy her nifty stories. This novel makes for an amazing read no matter what types of books you would normally be drawn to. She has a certain way of explaining her characters to an extent where you begin to take sides in good versus evil. Each and every chapter has a completely new twist added to it. Never expect the same situation or detailing to be done twice .