Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows. Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?
But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

My thoughts 

This book was really an emotional rollercoaster! I think I was feeling most possible emotions; I was angry, frustrated, despaired, happy, laughing and then I had some 'awww' moments. Ember goes through so much and I was really frustrated for her. At one time at was so annoyed that I wanted to throw the book at the wall - 'cause really everybody seemed so mean to Ember - but then I realised that Ms. Armentrout is one good writer to make you feel so much, and being able to get you to feel Ember's emotions. I could put myself in Ember's place and I think I would do exactly the same as she does. So that made it easy to relate to Ember, well not with the killer touch part and that, but with everything that happens to her and keeps happening to her!

I liked the story, and I think it was quite believable. I didn't trust anybody, everybody seemed to have dark intentions or secrets, and I think the only one I didn't question was Olivia - I figured she wouldn't want to kill Ember, since she borught her back from death. Anyway, that left me in constant supense, and there was a lot of twist and turns and hadn't seen coming. One of my suspicions was confirmed, but the rest.. man, I don't know how JLA does it. I think my head was spinning just as much as Ember's.

I liked Ember as a character. She was rational, smart and tough. But while she had this tough appearance I loved the small glimpses of uncertanity and vulnerability underneath and how lonely her curse has made her. I can't imagine how it must be to never be able to touch anybody or anything living at all. And I loved her strength, and how determined she was even though she had the odds against her, and how she stood on her own through it all.
And then there's Hayden. A huge part of the time reading I didn't really know what to think of him. I mean, he was really sweet and he was always there for Ember, but then sometimes I didn't understand what he had going or why he acted like he did. But I actually think it made him interesting, though I did want to punch him a few times. But there were some very sweet moments between him and Ember, and I'm not going to say more than that.

I wish the book had been longer, because I wasn't quite finished with the story when the last page had been turned. Not to say that the ending wasn't good or anything, I just wanted to spend some more time with the characters and in this world.

So, I definitely recommend this book - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm in forever awe of Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing. Just keep them coming, and I'll sure read all her books!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆