eARC Review: Sparks by RS McCoy

Title: Sparks
Author: RS McCoy
Publisher: RS McCoy
Pages: 225
Release Date: December 16th 2013
Series: Sparks #1
Where I Got it: From the author

Synopsis: "Everyone in the world has a spark, a light inside that guides them, keeps them alive.”

Myxini School for Children specializes in training young men and women who have powerful sparks. Strikers are taught to manipulate fire. Trackers learn to find animals in the most formidable terrains. Handlers are instructed in communication with large predators. But forty years have passed since the last time they had a Reader – a student with the ability to read minds.
When Lark Davies enrolls at Myxini, he knows there aren’t many like him, but he doesn’t realize just how rare his abilities really are. He thinks nothing of being asked to keep his spark a secret; after all, he can barely control it. Thoughts and emotions flood unbidden into his mind until he can scarcely walk or hold a conversation. But just when he needs it most, his ability fails him.
Larks meets Khea, a small frightened girl who mysteriously insights his protective nature. He has no explanation for the curious strength of their relationship, and it doesn’t help that she is one of the few people in the world whose thoughts can’t be read. As he struggles to get to the root of their unique bond, Lark begins to unravel more power than even his mentor expected, but in the process makes himself a target to political leaders eager to take control.

RS McCoy
RS McCoy didn’t ever plan on being a writer. With a career teaching high school science, writing is the last thing she expected. But life never goes the way you think it will. While battling cancer, she picked up her laptop and let the words flow out. One year later, her first published fantasy novel will be released on Amazon soon and her second novel is in the works. She is a wife, mother of one with another on the way, a scientist, baker, gardener, and life-long science fiction and fantasy addict.

Review

 I read this book on January 15th 2014.

I was given this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

I don't really read much paranormal or fantasy books... but this book, this one blew me away.

Wow. And this is a debut novel? I am blown away at this book. I don't like fantasy books. I like contemporary much better, but this book was amazing. I'll be honest, in the beginning of the book, I didn't like it much, but the second half raised the rating by about two stars.
It was amazing to be with Lark throughout the years and see him grow from a scrawny little boy to a full grown swoon worthy man. I thought it was amazingly sweet how protective he was of Khea and loved their chemistry. It was nice to see their relationship progress throughout the years.
Khea was one of my favorite female heroines. She was strong willed and very kind. I'm not going to lie, she did annoy me at some points in the book, but that's what made me like her that much more. She isn't one of those characters that you love throughout the entire book.
I thought that the best part of this book was the ending. There was an amazing battle scene that I just loved to read. Man, RS McCoy is not afraid of doing things in her book that I've seen some authors struggle with. She took some battle scenes to the extreme and I loved it! I figured I should also put in a word about Avis.
Avis is a character I appreciated and I enjoyed when we got the chance to see what he was thinking. I did feel a little bad for him when we learn a little more about his past, but I was also happy that such a character was included in the book.
I didn't like how fast things went by in the book. I did feel it was a little rushed at times. I also don't like the book cover much. I think it would be good if it was a hawk and a lark bird. I also didn't like the amount of awkward names. Half the time, when I was reading I wouldn't know who had what spark because I would mix up all the names. They were all very awkward, aside from four or five people.
I really hope that I can get an ARC copy of Spirits. That would be fantastic, and I hope that I can work with RS in the future.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy and paranormal books. Also to readers in a book slump or are having a hard time getting back into reading in the new year.

Ages: 15+
Grades: 10 and up