SHATTERED DREAMS, the aptly named first book in Ellie James's Midnight Dragonfly series will thrill fans of young adult paranormal romance. Not one of those books where you know what will happen, if not how, by chapter 5, this book has a complex plot, realistic characters and maybe more suspense and intrigue than some will want, but for those who revel in books that make you quiver with anticipation and keep you as confused as the heroine, you'll love it.

Trinity Monsour has moved to live with her aunt in New Orleans after the death of her grandmother. From the isolated mountain cabin of her childhood to the bustling city, Trinity finds the transition difficult. She has no sooner starting making friends then a truth or dare game goes awry, she starts to see visions and the popular cheerleader Jessica goes missing. While Trinity has seen visions in the past, her grandmother told her not to share them with anyone. But in doing so, her grandmother also kept Trinity's heritage from her, knowledge that might have helped her handle the visions better. Instead she sees images of Jessica in a dark room but when she offers this information to the police, they assume it's not from dreams but from her participation in the girl's disappearance. They think it's revenge for the trick Jessica played on her during the dare at a local haunted house.

Trinity's visions continue, and she struggles to distinguish fact from fiction. Confused she doesn't know whom to trust and fears the worst when Chase, Jessica's ex with whom she's become close, at first seems to believe her but then turns away.

What stand out in SHATTERED DREAMS to me the most is that the reader is as confused as Trinity is trying to determine what's real and what's not, whom she can turn to. My one issue is that the romance between Trinity and Chase seems to happen too quickly to be realistic, but this is a perpetual peeve of mine and should be taken with a grain of salt. Overall, I think James has done a masterful job with this paranormal adventure in my favorite of all cities.