Book:  The Sapphire Talisman (Talisman #2)
Author:  Brenda Pandos
Published:  December 15, 2010 from Obsidian Mountain Publishing
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/320

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Author/Teen Book Scene
Series?:  Yes.  Second book.

With the local vampire coven decimated, Julia and Nicholas try to begin a somewhat normal life together. Bound by secrecy from a shape shifter determined to see Julia’s world-saving prediction come to fruition, Julia isn’t allowed to tell Nicholas the leader survived, ransacking her happiness with guilt. When Alora returns, bent on revenge, the reunion forces Nicholas and Julia to choose what they are willing to live and die for.

The Sapphire Talisman is a strong followup to The Emerald Talisman.  When I finished The Emerald Talisman I wanted so much more Julia and Nicholas and I got my wish.  I had a hard time putting down The Sapphire Talisman and Brenda Pandos has once again left me dying for the next book.

Julia Parker’s life has been a lot easier with the vampire coven gone from her hometown.  She and her boyfriend Nicholas finally have some time together but it doesn’t last long.  Alora is back and meaner than ever.  Julia knows that she and Nicholas can’t fight her on their own but how can she convince Nicholas to ask his father for help?  And what happens when Alora reveals the biggest secret of all?  Will Julia and Nicholas’ relationship survive or will this be the final straw?

The first thing I liked about The Sapphire Talisman was the fact that Nicholas finally revealed some of his secrets and so did Julia.  Finally things were out in the open between those two.  I felt like they could finally grow because they knew everything about each other.  Then things took a turn for the worse.  Obviously I’m not going to tell you what happened but I will say that their relationship went through the worst situation it possibly could.  I was shocked at everything that happened in The Sapphire Talisman and the wait for the next book is going to be even worse. 

The action in The Sapphire Talisman took off from the very first page and didn’t slow down at all.  By the time I got to the end of the book I was biting my fingernails and hoping for the best but knowing it was going to be bad.  I was just really glad that there was some closure between this book and the next.  The wait will still be bad but at least I know some of what is going to happen.

Overall, The Sappire Talisman is an amazing book and the best possible sequel to The Emerald Talisman that I could have imagined.  The Talisman series is one of the most unique vampire stories that I have read and Brenda Pandos is an amazing author.  I know that I will love whatever she does next.

First line:  I sat in the waiting room together with my older brother Luke, my dad and Erin, my uncle’s sister in upholstered chairs with wooden arms, my internal experience vastly different from anyone else’s.

Writing:  5

Characters:  5

Plot:  5

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  25=A++

Cover:  5=A++