Charmfall (Dark Elite, Book 3)

Chloe Neill out did herself with this novel. Charmfall kept me reading until the early hours of the morning. I could not put the book down once I started it! Lily and the rest of the Adepts are experiencing a power outage. After she hears from Sebastian, super hot, though maybe evil (but maybe not?) Reaper, Lily learns that not only does the power outage affect the Adepts, but it also affects the Reapers. The only good part of this equation is that they're evenly matched, or are they? Someone has caused this power outage, and that means someone still has power. Lily and Scout work with Sebastian in order to determine who is behind the power outage plaguing Chicago and why.The characters in this novel are much better developed than they were in Firespell, and they keep growing and changing with each addition to the series. Lily is growing into her powers and becoming comfortable in her own skin. She has started to trust her "gut instinct," and that pays off. However, she still can't decide whether or not Sebastian is completely good or evil. She also can't decide if she's friends with him or if they're just using each other for information. This sets the stage for an interesting 4th novel, but don't worry Jason fans, he's in the novel, too, and Lily doesn't betray him.Speaking of Jason, his family keeps putting more pressure on him to fulfill his werewolf destiny. For those of you who read Hexbound, you know that means to marry another werewolf. He's on edge throughout the novel because of that, and so is Lily. It adds a tension to the plot that may not have been there with simply the disappearance of magic. Jason seems to really care for Lily and vice-versa. He has moments of immaturity in the book, but he always comes through for her when he's really needed, and that's what matters. However, his family "obligation" makes Lily (and me) uncomfortable. I am looking forward to seeing what Neill does with Jason's situation.Scout is angrier than usual in this novel. I'm noticing as the series progresses, Scout's bitterness keeps growing. I am not sure if that's just because of the situations she's faced with in the books or if it's setting up something for later in the series. I'll be interested to find out. Either way, Scout is still a good friend to Lily, and they fight this battle of having lost powers together. Scout surprises me when she stands by Lily no matter what and trusts her to make the right decision. It's obvious that their friendship has evolved and become more stable. They are very loyal to each other, and it's growing into a sisterly bond instead of just a friendship. There wasn't a lot of Michael in this novel, and I would have liked to have seen more of him. I don't know where he would have fit in more, though, so I understand why he wasn't present as much as usual.A character that I don't know what to think about is Sebastian. Part of me really wants to like and trust him (like Lily), but the other part can't help but think there's more going on with him than Neill is letting on right now. One thing is clear, though. He really seems to care about Lily's well-being, and super hot soul-sucker or not, that has to say something, right? I can't wait to see where Neill takes his character.What Dark Elite novel would be complete without the Brat Pack? Veronica and Co are back in action in this book, but Veronica is different. She has a love interest that's shocking to everyone. I'm not sure I'm buying what's going on with that, but again, Neill may have something up her sleeve that we readers don't know about yet. So instead of just writing it off all together, I'm going to wait and see what she has in mind. One thing I've learned from reading the Chicagoland Vampire Series and the Dark Elite Series, when Chloe Neill does something that doesn't exactly set well with me, she tends to fix it with a stroke of brilliance in the next book. So I'm just going to have faith in her ability as an author and see how this plays out.Charmfall moves more quickly than the previous two Dark Elite novels. There is more action and more suspense. Neill has created a world that you can easily lose yourself (and your sleep) in. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

This was another charming episode in the Dark Elite series. I love that the author manages to combine the magical with the mundane as can be evidenced in the quote I chose. These are high school kids and they behave like them. I really like the friendship between Lily and Scout. And I like the relationships each have with their boyfriends. I like that Lily is worried about having her heart broken and is cautious as she goes into the relationship.I also like Lily's point of view in this one. She is new to having magic and being an Adept which lets her have some perspective that the other characters don't have. She is able to see the shades of grey while most of her friends in the Adepts are more tuned to seeing black and white. This does create come conflicts with her friends and especially with her boyfriend Jason. But it also makes the story more believable and realistic.The problem in this one is that both the Adepts and the Dark Elite have lost their magic. The loss was sudden and unexplained. The characters all react differently. Lily is least affected because she has had her magic the shortest amount of time. And the Adepts, unlike the Dark Elite, know that they will be giving up their magic when they get older but the shock of having no magic now is difficult for many of them.This was an entertaining and engaging story with real kids working through real problems (and some magical ones too.) I recommend the series to lovers of paranormal books.

Great read, I loved it!!

**SPOILER**I really enjoyed this novel. I wish it would have had a little more action throughout and I wish Jason wasn't such a butt head in parts, but overall I liked it. The magic blackout seemed like a really cool idea, and then I found out that there was...ONE person behind it. It seems like something that would need more than one little person. But, then agian, she had help along the way, so technically it wasn't just one person.Lily really kicked some butt in this book too. I was glad she decided to grow a pair and not be such a little wimp. She actually hit a Reaper over the head with a suitcase! I loved Lesley in this book because she's so quirky and weird and cute in her own way.Overall, great read and I hope there's another in the making!

One of the better books in this series

I love this book! I have read all the Dark Elite books so far and can't wait for more. Chloe Neill is a super writer and really taps into the teenage psyche. I am an older adult and I didn't find this too cute or too young for me and I know the teenaged me would have loved it. It's a great choice for young girls as the heroine is self-sufficient, self-doubting, and wants to do the right thing. A real teenager, in other words and a good role model. It's got cute guys and lots of Chicago locations that make the city sound really exciting.

I haven't read this book yet because I am waiting for the rest of the series to come out. I like to read them in order and not have to wait for the next book to be released. This particular book I received must have been a factory reject because half of the pages were oddly cut at the top and the type was crooked. I can still read it so it's ok.

You have to read the first two books before this one, but fortunately you can get them both in one by buying 'The Dark Elite'. If you've read any of Chloe Neill's other novels, be advised that these 3 were written for young adults - but the characters here are just as fascinating, and from the same supernatural world as The Alpha & Omega novels.

Once I read the first book I just had to read the others but I must say after finishing the series I'm left without a feeling of closure, the ending came about all a sudden, we never found out what Lilly's parents were up to either which I feel should have been addressed in these novels, sometimes I feel the writer spends to much time describing things and not adding real content to the story's.

and would benefit from more excitement, but a good editing. Presently I'm reading complete box sets with Kindle Unlimited. These days, 'Unlimited' has far better good reads, but Charmful disappointed.Chloe Neill for the win!

a fantastic book in the series, I have the whole series & am an avid collector/ reader, I will continue to read these as long as I have eyes in my head!

I liked the premise and the characters but it just petered out as if there was a further hook to the story line. it seems as if there will be no further stories to complete the story..disappointed

Again -Chloe you did it again a simple story told so unbelievably so well I love all your books can't wait for the next one