Blue Is for Nightmares (Blue Is for Nightmares #1)

Reader reviewed by Lilibeth

It begins with the nightmares. Trying to decipher what they mean, besides the obvious. That her best friend is going to be killed. Marking off the days with lilies. 4, 3, 2, 1....What eggs Stacey on is her determination and the fact that this has happened once before, three years ago; and she won't let it happen again.
It starts with the mysterious, possessive prank phone calls, made by the stalker himself, only to justify his relationship with Drea, the one only he thinks he has. Being her roommate at their boarding school, Stacey knows from the very beginning that something's amiss in their relationship--Drea and the cryptic caller, and she doesn't need her nightmares or her damp sheets to verify that. This midnight caller does that all himself when the girls--Stacey and Amber--listen in on one of their phone conversations and the starting of the countdown for the big surprise event he's got planned. Stacey, with her grandmother's and past generation's scrapbook of spells, is firmly determined to find out who the mystery stalker is. Before it's too late.
When another girl at school is murdered on school grounds, after allegedly claiming of being stalked then not wanting to help, it is all the confirmation Stacey need to trust her instincts and find Drea before she's next. Without anyone to trust or help, Stacey knows she's on her own and not even the police will come this time....Will Stacey be able to find out who is after Drea, once and for all? Will magic, herbs, candles be enough to lead her in the right direction? All Stacey knows for sure is one thing, she will not let what happened in her past happen again; not if she can help it.
My favorite character is definitely the MC, she can hold her own, and dish out with the truth at the same time. Even with all the witchcraft, going to a prep-bitch school, and the bed-wetting, she can find a little romance but at the same time be there for...people in general, I guess I should say. But, after what happened three years ago, Stacey is in no hurry to open up old wounds left to heal. In this suspenseful novel, Drea, the beautiful at-times-sincere, can-be-bitchy-too best friend, with four initials to her name is the main victim and is being stalked by an oppressive--more aggressive, in the end--lover.
Usually I like some cat fights between enemies, but when those enemies become victims or when you're fighting against your best friend over a guy in the middle of everything else that's going on, things tend to get a little out of focus. With a flirt as a best friend and the main victim, suspects are a bit difficult to differentiate.
I, personally, love witchcraft; mostly the herbs, home remedies, candles. So when Stacey cuts the arch of her foot on a piece of glass and decides to use half of some "Idaho Gold"--yes a potato--to clot the bleeding, a dash of lemon juice and a bandage to wrap, because that's the way her family still does it sometime; all I thought was, hello!
Anyway, in a sense the characters are all connected in Blue is for Nightmares, you have your typical prep school. Typical high school. Throw in a stalker to mix and all you get is more gossip, no spilled beans here, no looking back. I have to say that some characters seemed a bit too vague and nondescript for me (Amber, PJ) because they have no up-bringing and seem to pop out in the plot of the novel. Could have been leaning to more of a thriller instead of a suspenseful romance, with just a bit more details. As for the ending, liked it. *Minor spoiler warning for the next sentence!* Can't say I loved it because I think that the stalker/killer should have gotten way more jail time than was given as verdict, lol. No doubt recommended if you like reading some fantasy mystery mixed up with real high school dilemmas, especially with a heroine that does not get distracted from her main goal--most of the time, anyway.

Reader reviewed by Crimin

Stacey Brown is not your normal teenager.  She casts spells of protection and remembrance, can predict your future with a deck of cards, and has prophetic dreams of a not-so-great tomorrow.

She also wets the bed.

When I first picked up Blue is for Nightmares, I was skeptical.  I love books about magic and witchcraft, but this was a whole different world.  It wasn't another book about the flashy magic I adored.  The witchcraft in this book was actual (I think) Wiccan spells and rituals.

And I must say, I swallowed it down greedily. 

I happened to get the 'Deluxe Spellbook Edition' which is loaded with fan-made spells and some poetry. A pleasant way to end a rather morbid book.  I suggest you pick up this edition over the normal one. I don't think the price differs in the least.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and pick up this book.  Now!

Reader reviewed by Baby B

Yo! THIS BOOK IZ SO AWESOME!! I LOVED IT! ONCE I STARTED READING IT I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. LIKE NO JOKE.! =] I LOVE HOW IT KINDA LEAVES A MYSTERY 4 US 2 SOLVE BUT THEY STILL GIVE US ENOUGH HINTS 2 LET US ON A LIL BIT! ALL IN ALL I WOULD RATE THSI BOOK AN 9/10 [10 BEING THE BEST]

Reader reviewed by sammie

this was an absolutely amazing book! i could so relate to the characters and to stacey's problems. they seem like they could happen to anyone. wicca is so cool too. if you're looking for a book that is scary thrilling and juicy all at the same time this is the book for you.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Stacey has been having nightmares. But these arent your everyday monster-under-the-bed dreams; these are premonitions. Shes had these before, and the result was the death of a girl named Maura. Now, shes trying everything she can because the next victim could be her best friend Drea.

What is very helpful is that Stacey is a witch. She performs a wide variety of spells in order to make her nightmares clearer and to find out who is after Drea. She, Drea, and their friend Amber form a pact to make sure theyre safe. But nothing seems to be safe anymore.

Its very hard to guess whos after Drea. Stacey has many suspicions, but they keep on shifting as she learns new information. Whats most frustrating to Stacey, though, is that shes dreamt all of it. She just cant remember.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. The magic involved was unique in that it wasnt just Harry Potter magic. Stacey isnt a witch like Hermione; she performs spells using candles, herbs, and oils, not magic wands. I found this refreshing and unique. I also enjoyed the suspense throughout the entire novel. The twists and turns always kept me guessing. I recommend this to all magic book lovers, because I loved it myself.

Reader reviewed by katie

I LLLLLLLOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEE this book! it was so hard to put down because of how good it was. it is one of my favorite books. i lllloooovvvvveeeeee the series so far. i just finished the thrid one and almost cried! it was so sad. i really liked Jacob and i am so sad that he died! he should have told her about his dreams! well thats what i think anyways! hope you enjoied the book too!!!!

Reader reviewed by Kris

Any fan of Charmed will love this series. the Blue is for Nightmares series (Blue is for Nightmares, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, Red is for Rememberance) is a winner. the characters are lifelike and amazing and (much like Charmed) there is a strong female main character who kicks butt on her own and doesn't just sit around b/c she's afraid of breaking a nail or whatever.

Reader reviewed by bria

This book was recommended to me by my friend but i wasnt sure that it was my type of book. I started to read it and found out that it actually was a pretty good read. I liked the main character and how she knew a lot about magic and had visions. The story line is good and the minor stories about the past of Stacey and chad. This book is defenitaly one that everyone who likes these types of thriller/love stories.

Reader reviewed by Tallie

I have to say that aside from the Harry Potter series, this is the best one ever!!!!
The story is about a girl named Stacey who suffers from having dreams that end up coming true. She hides a deep secret that as the story evolves, we find out that she dreamt of the death of a little girl she used to babysit. Scared about her dreams, she chose to ignore it. Upon finding out that the little girl did die, she feels deeply guilty.
Now she is having dreams once again. they are very vague and upon waking up, she finds out that she has indeed wet her bed. embarassed about it she choses not to tell anyone about her dreams including her best friend, Drea. As the dreams become more detailed, she infers that they are about her friend Drea. Determined not to let her friend get hurt, she chooses not to ignore these dreams. Now the problem is, trying to convince Drea that her dreams are real.
This book has a bit of magic (she uses wicca spells and remedies to help her find out about the meaning of her dreams), romance, some lighthearted comedy that loosens up the tension being built up by the mystery of whether Stacey can figure out the mystery of her dreams before it is too late. DEFINITELY A MUST READ!!!

Reader reviewed by Mandy Joan

I got so mad at Drea when she blurted out Stacy's secret!!! She had no right to do that, especially since stacy was trying to help her. She's kind of a drama queen, but the fact that stacy still helped her was great. The book got me really interested in wiccan magic. the author is really great at making you feel what the characters.