Chira Kelly thought she didn’t need anyone…until she met Ben. Because of one ugly rumor, Chira lives as an outcast at her school. Which is fine with her, because she works better alone. Always has, always will. And at least she has her one and only true friend, Tasha. When Tasha insists that they join a group to visit a possibly haunted abandoned old schoolhouse, she's wary, but joins her friend. Because of that decision, their lives are in jeopardy as a malevolent spirit targets the group. Tragedies and accidents pick them off one by one, and Chira finds herself drawn to the one person who can see the truth. But can he protect her?

In simple language, Pauline Creeden creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long. Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. Armored Hearts, her joint effort with author Melissa Turner Lee, has been awarded the Crowned Heart for Excellence by InDtale Magazine. It is also the 2013 Book Junkie's Choice Winner in Historical Fiction. #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Christian Fantasy (April 2013) Her debut novel, Sanctuary, won 1st Place Christian YA Title 2013 Dante Rosetti Award and is now available as an audiobook. #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Christian Sci/Fi and Fantasy (October 2013) First Impression: A Shadow Maven Paranormal is her first mystery. It's a dark urban/paranormal fantasy and was just released in March 2014.

Book #1 in the Shadow Maven Paranormal series by Pauline Creeden

From a YA POV...

Chira Kelley is one of the high school outcasts, but she doesn’t really mind. She has her schoolwork and her best friend to distract from the school bullies and her problems at home.  When she gets assigned to show the new kid, Ben Oscuro, around the school, she will find out that this world isn’t always what it seems. A group visit to the haunted Old Schoolhouse starts a chain of accidents and strange happenings that can’t just be a coincidence.  Are they cursed?

First Impression had me hooked from the start when it mentioned several of my favorite fantasy and science fiction stories.  Pauline created an enjoyable read, and she has promised more in the series, which I am looking forward to reading.

I would not classify this book as a Christian young adult fiction book. There was some mild language, as well as situational content that might make the reader uncomfortable. Ghosts and demons play a big part in this book, as well as other mentions of paranormal activity. I highly recommend First Impression if you are a reader who enjoys the paranormal side of fiction.

3 stars.