First things first: you've posted the prologue segment twice, both in the Prologue and in Chapter 1; you'd better change that. (I wonder why the Prologue refers to Emerald's time in college while Chapter 1 is all about high school) Anyway, the writing's not bad, but sometimes I think your protagonist isn't as hip and clever as she thinks. Still, it's a pretty cute plot for something that's eventally going to turn into a murder drama. The stuff with the gems and the people named after gems is kind of interesting, too.

cool beginning, so many characters but like i said b4 theres so much happening so fast im sure this chapter could have been split into a few more developed chapters.
also the first conversation bw jade and emerald, it seems a bit weird to tell someone u barely knoe all that stuff about ur family. saying the emerald was given to her by her mother who is Wiccan is fine but talking about her mom's death, her father's abscence and that she's living with her grandmother all in the same first conversation seems a bit too much
r u still working on this. ill be glad to know how this turns out
also shouldnt we know bout the murder in this chapter since it seems like she's telling a story of what happened?

ah The Shining! well a short concise prologue that makes me want to immediately start the story

Very cool so far. I liked the reference to the Sweep novels in the Prologue. I love that entire series. This is a great story so far and I can't wait to read more. Keep it up.

S.S. Dailey

Hey. Just returning the favor! (But in the future, PLEASE don't ask for reviews in a review. It's annoying.)

Well... The murder piqued my interest, but WHERE'S THE MURDER! Yes, I realize it's just Chapter One and you're just trying to introduce everyone. But shouldn't the murder happen in the beginning and then everybody tries to solve it?

And another thing. All these meetings are happening a little too fast and are just a little too convenient to be realistic.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

nice chap..btw i updated Superficially Honest..little heads up...yeah i hated reading The Giver too, the book was so ugh...put a bad taste in my mouth...lol...oh well isurvived 7th grade books...then anyway...update this soon, the characters are really intersting

wow great intro, get's reader hooked, can't wait to find out about the murders.this seems like it'll turn out great so hurry up and post chapter 1...i always love mysteries