Chalcedony: Book Two of the Everleaf Series

First I have to say, I'm in love with this cover! The red eyes, the dark skin, the colors! I really like this theme for this series of books. It matches it perfectly and really sets the tone!Okay so it had been months since I read Coal so I was super excited to get my hands on this book! Chalcedony picks up where Coal left off but this time we see more of the sometimes villain, sometimes heroine Chalcedony.I think what I liked about this book was how it wove in elements from the other books in the series, such as Black Beauty(which was my favorite of the 3 btw)with the kids(who are adults now).My loves:Bug Boy! Bug Boy was always my favorite in the first book so I was ecstatic to see him make an appearance in this book.COAL! Coal in this book made me so much more curious. Things just gotreal interesting with Coal's storyline. I was always on the edge of my seat when Coal was introduced. I liked how this one threw Coal in a contemporary setting since I'm a huge contemporary nut, I loved seeing Coal in a high school setting! And his home girl Zora! I loved how ratchet she appeared in my head. I totally saw myself in her with her crazy make up and hairstyles. AN dI just love names that begin with the letter Z, random I know! I probably would have died if he hooked up with her because she was such an amazing side character to me. I shipped them so hard.I don't think there was anything I truly disliked about Chalcedony but sometimes when Haline took stage, I was a bit bored with her parts. And I hated how for every 2-3 chapters with Chalcedony and Haline, Coal only got like 1. I wanted so bad to learn more about Coal. I know this one was supposed to center more on Chalcedony but Chalcedony is definitely one of those characters you either love or hate, I think I'm switzerland. I don't hate her but sometimes I wonder her reasons fro doing things and I can't figure her out. I want so bad to get her, but she sort of has this, I'm the queen, I can do whatever I want attitude. It frustrates the hell outta me.Overall though, I can't wait to read the third book in the series, Jade. Jade was always my favorite and I can't wait for her to make her grand entrance!

"Chalcedony" is the second book in Burris' Everleaf Series. This book brings back familiar characters from "Coal," as the story continues, following Coal, Chalcedony, and Haline as the main POV characters. Burris weaves a wonderful mystery of a story, using the POV characters to thread the plot, leaving the reader wondering how all the pieces fit together in a complete tapestry. Some questions are answered, especially about Coal, while others are raised. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. Well, more than a bit, but it should make for an interesting opening to the next book. It definitely left me wanting to know what would happen next and how things would end for the main and supporting characters.I will say,I found it curious how often Chalcedony, especially with the book named after her, was foiled time and again. While young, I know, she's also powerful and not unintelligent. There were just too many times she was outmaneuvered. Even though other characters were as well they, at least, had moments in which they demonstrated a good deal of competency. Chalcedony and her shadows, ironically, rarely did. They tried-hard. And she's an active and passionate queen, which was great. But I wanted to see her be truly successful in one of her missions. I really hope she gets a chance to shine and show she's a queen of worth in the third book-- a satisfying evolution of the character.This is an engaging and entertaining book with nice twists I did not see coming. A definite recommended read.

I bought all this authors books to get into fantasy and as an added bonus because of the cover actually see black people in a fantasy novel. But imagine my surprise to find out that was not so. And I can't get behind the main couple because I don't like chalecdony at all. She listening admit she is wrong and treats coal like her property. I already bout the books so I have to finish. Don't get me wrong the story line is interesting and the writing was excellent but this false harvesting on the cover and deeply disliking on half of the main couple leaves me feeling sour.

This book focuses on Chalcedony and what she does after Coal escapes with Elizabeth. Although she is heartbroken, she puts on a good face to pretend she doesn't care. She becomes the queen and embraces her life. Things get dicey when she enters the human realm to search for magic welders, and finds a card belonging to a professor. There is a connection with the card and Coal, but can she figure it out?Interesting book, but not one I would normally read. Read on my friends.

**spoiler alert**I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Coal so much that I couldn'twait to read book 2. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy reading this as much as the first book.First, I'd like to give praise where praise is due. The story line itself is really interesting and compelling. I like that she expands on character development and background information; however, it seems to me that Ms. Burris is trying to put too much into one book. so much so, in fact, that she is not being consistant with her information. on one page, a character is hugging a younger sister, while on the next page, the father is proclaiming said CHARACTER to be the youngest daughter. There are many confusing inconsistencies within this book.The use of language doesn't flow as well in this one, either. Characters use grammar and slang that seems forced or inconsistent with their previously formed personalities. It is not the easy flowing read that Coal was.I will still continue to read the books in this series, as her story line does indeed have me hooked. I look forward to seeing how Ms. Burris grows as an author.

Okay I will start with the downside, I have to wait for the third installment, which will come out soon but not soon enough. This story is getting better as it goes along and as I've mentioned before this is the first time I've read from this genre. I can't wait for Jade!!!

Chalcedony: Book Two of the Everleaf Series continues as an excellent well written, exciting and no-nonsense book that I have come to expect from Constance Burris. Another "can't put the book down" story that moves along at constantly absorbing pace. It moved along so well that I began to dislike the main character Chalcedony and liked Coal [Book one] more and more. If it wasn't for Constance's excellent writing skills I would not have come with my opinion of the characters. The story is very fascinating, captivating and spellbinding in every way. Can't wait to read Book Three