Hidden

Just when I think I'm over vampire books they SUCK ME BACK IN!Basically what happened was I this: I browsed some indie titles and - after reading the synopsis - just gave the woman my money. I'm sorry - a girl inherits house with a basement full of "danger" sounded like such a simplistic/brilliant way to just get into the action without so much pomp and pretext! Seriously, sometimes the direct approach just works wonders on my wallet.So HIDDEN is exactly what it says on the tin and - because of [...]

This is, without doubt, one of the best YA novels I have ever read. I just couldn't put it down. I loved the combination of the past and the present intertwined with mystery and romance and downright spookiness!I can't wait to read the sequel.If you haven't bought yourself a copy of this book, then do it NOW. It's AWESOME!!

An epic romantic paranormal adventure that ramps up to an explosive ending.Merged review:An epic paranormal romance that ramps up to an explosive ending.

I really enjoyed this, it's just a great, escapist book. When I picked it up I didn't know much about it except that it was about vampires. I didn't realise it was going to be like a mixture of Dracula and Twilight. This is a new twist on the vampire lore, whilst at the same time maintaining the dark suspense from traditional vampire books. My favourite parts were in Turkey, where there were dark and mysterious moments that are actually quite scary! Madison is a very cool main character who one [...]

There's something deliciously dark in the cellar of a creepy old house that hoodie tearaway Madison Greene inherits. Bricked up behind a centuries-old wall, she discovers room full of vampires. That alone would be enough, but Shalini Boland packs so much intrigue into this book I found it unputdownable. It's got romance, genuine terror and a breathtaking pace which makes you feel you're in a blockbuster rather than a book. Consequently, I spent many a late night immersed in Madison's world when [...]

Vampires with a total different twist then the average books today. Hidden draws you in. There's archaeology, want to be scientist, much more. It's way different then the average vampyr storyline today. HIDDEN breaks with Transylvanian tradition by placing the vampires deep under the soil of Cappadocia where two archaeologists take their families excavating in 1881, triggering off a series of terrifying adventures. Alex and his family are on an adventure of a lifetime. This adventure changes thi [...]

I’m torn. This was a book that had me hooked in parts and feeling less enthusiastic in others. Although I enjoyed much of it, there were elements that felt too familiar, like I’d “been there, read that”.In the beginning, the author does a great job of telling the story as if it were two separate books, using alternating points of view and experiences. She intertwines the past and the present in a very satisfying way, giving each character their fair share of time and attention. Some migh [...]

Hidden is the first book in the Marchwood Vampire Series by Shalini Boland. This story is a breath of fresh air in the young adult paranormal genre. Spanning centuries and continents, this lively story takes us on an intriguing journey of discovery and horror that you don't want to end. The story follows Madison Greene and her brother Ben, as their lives take a dramatic turn for the better. Moving out of foster care into their own home and immense wealth. But along with the wealth comes responsi [...]

HIDDEN by Shalini Boland is a YA paranormal romance that delivers, and then some. Madison Greene is the Goth girl we all secretly (or not so secretly), want to be: tough, cool, smart. She's also dealing with some very serious issues: foster-care, borderline-abusive adults, and keeping her little bro, Ben, safe and as carefree as possible in a very dodgy environment. Now, throw in a cadre of ancient, breathtakingly beautiful vampires, and the stage is set for intrigue to ensue.So far, we've cover [...]

Updating this (sorry Shalini for the delay)This was a really great YA Paranormal Romance. It starts out a bit slow because the author is catching you up to how/why it all started so there is some past mixed with the present but the author does a great job. The paranormal part doesn't start right away (maybe halfway through the book?) but you can tell it creeps up on the paranormal aspect from the storyline and what's going on. you know there's something there but you don't know what. When it fin [...]

I absolutely loved this book. I was completely hooked, captivated from beginning to end! I love the way that both of the stories develop and draw you into the mystery, both are told in such an engaging and interesting way that they really held me. I loved the characters and their escapades, the depth of relationships and the absolute "edge of the seat" suspense. Brilliant! I could confidently say that once you start reading Hidden you will not want to put it down!

This is one of those books you just have to keep reading. The number of times I was tired next day at work because it'd kept me up until the early hours. It's a wonderful, wonderful adventure that starts off in mundane urban life and then catapaults you so hard you nearly get whiplash. Madison is great, and so is Alexandre. What's amazing is how the author gives us an original twist on the vampire novel. Beautiful, beguiling, haunting, creepy and unputdownable!

A slow starter, but this turned into an excellently written vampire adventure, probably one for older teens due to the content in places but a fantastic read and a refreshing change to some of the recent vampire fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series

This is a Wow!!! story. A must read. Can't wait for the next book.

Fantastic

5 Cranky StarsI initially bought this book because the cover and synopsis drew me in. I need a change in genre and this was the way to go. This was my first book by this author and I was captivated from page one.Madison is a down on her luck foster child. Along with her brother Ben they bounce from place to place. Their current home isn't the absolute best with an alcoholic foster dad and a mother who works herself to the bone. Madison acts out at school which results in dire consequences. She i [...]

I really enjoy reading a story that encompasses two different timelines. To me, this makes it much more interesting. We know there is a connection and the intrigue is in trying to work out how they connect. Hidden is no exception. I loved reading about Paris in 1881 and the two families journey to Turkey. Alongside that, I also loved reading about Maddie in the present day. Each timeline has its crisis point until the timelines merge.The characters are brilliantly portrayed. The leads, Maddie an [...]

As a big fan of anything vampire and history related this was right up my street. Like so many kids I was obsessed with Room 13 (where an evil vampire lives in a hidden room, in a creepy old hotel). Hidden tells the duel stories of modern day British teenager Madison, and of Alexandre, a French teenager living in the 1800s. Shalini cleverly weaves both stories together until Maddy and Alex eventually meet. Alex and his family leave France to hunt for a lost Turkish village where they face a trag [...]

Vampires, an inheritance with a secret, archaeology, scary men in white coats : all classic ingredients in this upbeat retelling of the vampyr legend. HIDDEN breaks with Transylvanian tradition by placing the vampires deep under the soil of Cappadocia where two archaeologists take their families excavating in 1881, triggering off a series of terrifying adventures. In this timespill narrative, the lives of 19th century Alexandre and 21st century Maddy cross over in a tantalizing weave, rushing he [...]

WHAT I THOUGHTPhew, I’m glad I didn’t miss out on this one is what I thought.I have not read many vampire books and admit they don’t hold a lot of appeal for me. However, I am so happy I accepted to review Shalini Boland’s excellent book Hidden and am grateful for this reading experience I may not have otherwise had. What can I say? It wasn’t what I expected. I loved it. I was completely sucked in and didn’t want to put it down. One might say I was captivated. Now, I have to be caref [...]

Think about the sheer number of times a book has claimed to be the one you won’t be able to put down against how many times that statement has been correct. Many fall at this hurdle of truth but Shalini Boland’s first novel ‘Hidden’ has every right to possess this lofty claim. The twin tales of present day teenager Madison and the 18th century Alexandre weave their way through many twists and turns in their respective time zones and interlock beautifully (the joining of their stories is [...]

Read the full review on ParomantasyThis book is riddled with mystery, filled with charming romance, with an extra helping of fun and danger thrown into the mix. It's creepy, it's funny, it's romantic, it's fun, it is a thrill ride - so hang on tight and get ready to be taken for tons of twists, turns and bumps when you read Hidden!Two stories come together as past meet present, and reality mixes with legend as numerous mysteries unfold with each page turned.Alexandre who lives in 19th century Pa [...]

This book is very hard for my to rate, mainly because these places won't let my give half stars. I would give this 3.5, I think. As it is, I'll go with three for "liked it" because I can't quite say that I "really liked it."The pacing of this book felt very weird to me. It didn't feel consistently paced, and it wasn't until after the first hundred pages that I really got into it.There were elements of the story that I liked. The dual story lines working towards a merging point was good. Madison [...]

I was lucky enough to win an e-copy of this book from a giveaway on Jera’s Jamboree.This book is set in 1881 and the modern-day, I was very intrigued as to how the two would intertwine and this made me want to read on to find out.At this point I enjoyed the modern-day parts the most – Maddy and Ben were fresh and real, they had been through a lot in their short lives so I felt really pleased for them when a surprise revelation changes everything. In 1881 Alexandre and his family are investig [...]

This book pops back and forth between the story of Maddy and her brother Ben , who are orphans set in current time, and the story of Alexandre in the 1880's. This is absolutely essential to the story and does not detract at all as some do when they have two alternate story lines going at once. Maddy and her brother live with foster parents and are in constant fear of being separated. When a law firm approaches them and tells them of a proposition put forth by a never known, relative from long ag [...]

Hidden was everything I hoped it would be, a brand new take on the age old world of vampires. Shalini Boland managed to bring the modern world in to meet with late nineteenth century and make it work perfectly. Vivid descriptions and fluid writing set the scenes, crafting believable and likeable characters. Ben, Madison’s younger brother being one of my favourites, I loved his outlook on the world and life in general! And I also have to say I’m now a little in love with Alexandre!It’s is o [...]

Shalini Boland does an incredible job with originality and her writing style is spectacular. I love the 2 different timelines and how they complement each other. Each chapter is a switch between Madison and Alexandre and present time and past time. At the end of each chapter something is left hanging. While reading a chapter I would be thinking about the other character's story and how I couldn't wait to get back to it but then I was still immensely enjoying the current story as well.

This book started strong, I was captivated by Alex's story. About midway I started to lose interest. I felt that the relationship felt rushed and I felt like I was reading a long summary. I think the author had some great ideas just wished I had felt more for the characters and their interactions with one another.

What a great read! I don't want to give too much away, but I loved how the dual storylines of 1881 and the present intersected. Shalini writes with great skill, with each character having a distinct voice. I look forward to reading more.If the option existed, I would have raised this rating to 4.5 stars.

I didn't want this book to end. This book is just fantastic, the characters, the storylinegoing back and forth from Alexandre's era to Maddy's until BAM they collide and that moment makes the book all that much better. Absolutely loved Shalini's new take on the Immortal