Waiting on Wednesday: Black City

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is:

Title: Black City by Elizabeth Richards
Publisher: G.P. Putnam
Publish Date: Nov. 13, 2012
Genre: Dystopia, Paranormal

Goodreads Summary: A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love.

Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Why am I waiting on Black City? 2012 seems to be the year for the dystopian/post apocalyptic vampire novel and I am loving it! Plus, the boy’s name is Ash and I cannot resist a YA novel with a boy named Ash :-). What books are you waiting on?

Audiobook Review: Bloodlines

Title: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Narrator: Emily Shaffer
Release Date: Aug. 23, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Duration: 12 hours, 50 mins
Genre: Paranormal, Vampires

Goodreads Summary: When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Last week, I wrote about how after several unsuccessful attempts at listening to audiobooks, I was trying them again. Well, I’m happy to say that I finished my first audiobook and it was so good! I’m officially a fan of audiobooks and will now be incorporating them into my routine.

I know that Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series is incredibly popular but I never got around to reading the books (I’m a lazy reader and sooo reluctant to start any series that already has more than four books in print), but when I heard she started a new series based in the same world, I was eager to check it out. Even though I was not familiar with the original VA storyline, I had no problems figuring out what happened in the previous books and acquainting myself with the characters in Bloodlines.

I’m really fascinated by the world that Mead built. She puts a different spin on vampires – offering us both the good, mortal Moroi and the evil, undead and immortal Stragoi. The lore and magic associated with the different vampire races is also very cool to learn about, but as great as the world building is, the characters are the book’s real entertainment.

Main character Sydney Sage is a brainy but slightly socially inept girl. She is also is also an alchemist, humans who help protect humans from vampires. I liked Sydney’s geekyness and her ability to solve problems. She seems like a doormat to people like her father and her partner, but she is far from it. Sydney fights her battles in a quiet, crafty way that I loved and that no one sees her coming. While I usually don’t like bad boys, Adrian Ivashkov is going to be my exception. This guy has some issues but he is snarky and hilarious. I loved Sydney’s interaction with him and while there is no big romance in the book, there are hints of it to come in upcoming books in the series.

Emily Shaffer’s narration is awesome! She really brought the book and characters alive for me. I’m actually kind of bummed that my library only has the printed copy of the next book in the series, The Golden Lily, and so I’m going to have to read the book instead of listening to Shaffer’s wonderful storytelling. Bloodlines is a really good audiobook and lays the groundwork for a series I am looking forward to. If you are looking for a vampire book with great world building, a twisty and well written plot and well developed characters, this is the one for you.

Have you read the Vampire Academy series or Bloodlines? How did you think of the books? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear from you!

Content: Kissing, profanity, drinking and violence.

My Rating: Really Good!

Book Review: The Immortal Rules

Title: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 480 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

I’m a huge fan of Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series so when I heard she was writing a dystopian book about vampires, I was excited about the dystopia but a bit skeptical about the vampires. Turns out that I had nothing to be unsure about because The Immortal Rules is a solid start to a new series!

Kagawa’s world building is really good. The world was ravaged by a plague that led to both vampires and humans working together to find a cure but instead creating devastating consequences. The vampires now rule and keep humans holed up in walled cities where they use their blood for food. Allison refuses to willingly give the vamps her blood in exchange for food, clothing and shelter so she lives on the fringes where she scavenges to get by. When she ventures outside the walls looking for food, she is attacked and infected by rabids: monsters that are neither human nor vampire (more like flesh eating zombies). She is saved by a vamp named Kanin who gives her a choice: she can either die or become a vampire, the thing she hates the most. Allie chooses to live as a vamp and this is really where the story picks up.

I like Allie. She struggles to hold on to her humanity even when letting the powerful monster inside her loose would be easier on her. She is strong, brave and I love that she uses a katana as her weapon of choice. I also liked her relationship with Zeke – it was well developed and sweet. By far, however, my favorite character in the book was Kanin who, thankfully, is more of a father figure and not a love interest for Allie. I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the upcoming books.

I had a few minor issues with the book, the main one being with the leader of the band of humans that Allie joins with. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to think about him. Jeb is a religious zealot who by his own admission believes that God has abandoned every human on Earth. He is physically and emotionally abusive and leads by intimidation, fear and violence but even Allie admits that sometimes his decisions are correct. He is at times portrayed as being wise, strong and living according to the Bible but this clashes with his cruel nature and underlying craziness. The other issue is the cover. The picture of Allie crying blood tears is very appropriate but it would have been great if the model looked more Asian, the way Allie is described in the book. These are just minor issues with the story which overall is very good.

The Immortal Rules is fast paced, features strong characters and is extremely entertaining. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.

Content: Kissing, mild profanity and violence. 

My Rating: Really Good!

Book Review: Balthazar

Title: Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 374 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Summary: Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

If you love paranormal YA books like I do, you have heard of the Evernight series by Claudia Gray. I even own the first book in the series but just have not had a chance to read it. When I got a copy of Balthazar (a spin-off title from the Evernight series) for review, I was a little worried that I would be lost having not read the original series first. I’m thrilled to tell you that my concerns were completely unfounded!

Skye Tierney, a former student at Evernight Academy, is having disturbing visions where she sees violent deaths and feels what the people in the vision felt. Skye writes to her friend from Evernight, Lucas, for help and he sends Balthazar to see if he can help Skye with her problem.

As Balthazar arrives in Skye’s small town in upstate New York, she is being attacked by vampire, one from his past. What should have been a quick visit to help an acquaintance with an issue turns into a full time mission to keep Skye from being killed or worse by an extremely evil tribe of vamps led by Balthazar’s maker himself.

Portions of the book are told in flashbacks and so you get to see how a 19-year-old Puritan boy became a 400 year-old vampire. I love Balthazar and even though I have not read Evernight, I’m so happy he got his own book. Balty is ridiculously swoon worthy and while he is a teeny bit brooding over his past and what he is, he is not overly emo. I love how he treats Skye and while his reasons for avoiding a romantic relationship with her are valid, it’s easy to see how much he cares for her.

The relationship between Skye and Balthazar is my favorite aspect of the book. Having known each other before, it’s easy and natural for these two to click. It also helps that Skye had a huge crush on Balthazar when they were at Evernight but she never acted on it.

Unlike a lot of girls in YA these days, Skye is very smart and capable. Balthazar does end up saving her a few times but that’s only because Skye is not always a match for a tribe of evil vampires. I’m happy to say that does hold her own a few times.

Balthazar is fast paced, exciting and so romantic. Claudia Gray's writing is solid and I raced through this book. If you have been holding back on reading Balthazar because you have not read the Evernight series, don’t. The book works perfectly by itself and has actually made me want to read the original series even more. There is no cliffhanger ending and my heart broke a little bit when I found this is a standalone book. I would love to know what happens next with Skye and Balty.

Content: Kissing, implied sex and violence.

My Rating: Really Good!

Book Review: Kiss of Night

Title: Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie

Release Date: Oct. 7, 2011
Publisher: FaithWords
Pages: 306 pages
Genre: Supernatural Christian Fiction
Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Summary: Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague. For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question, "What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God?" is answered.

Kiss of Night puts a whole new spin on the classic vampire story. Vampirism, it turns out, is a curse bestowed on men and women who are so depraved, they need more than a standard lifetime to turn from wickedness and be redeemed. Raphael is one of those men. A crusader who killed everyone in his path, Raphael killed for the joy and thrill of killing. Now a 700-year-old vampire, Raphael wants the help of Susan, descendant from a line of humans who can sense the supernatural, to defeat a group of vampires that have resisted redemption and have only become more evil as they age.

Kiss of Night is good supernatural Christian fiction, a genre that’s relatively new to me but one that I absolutely love. Along with the idea that no one is beyond redemption, the story effortlessly weaves in themes of sacrifice, love and prayer that flows well and is never preachy.

Raphael is swoon worthy and the budding relationship between him and Susan, though a bit quick, is still well done. I was (very pleasantly) surprised that the couple kiss passionately on more than one occasion, you don’t usually find that in Christian fiction. I loved the vampire mythology and Raphael’s flashbacks to times before and after he was turned.

While I enjoyed Kiss of Night, the book does have some minor flaws. The story is told from alternating character perspectives and I found the constant change a bit jarring. Additionally, as I mentioned before, the romances in the story develop quickly.

The story is fast paced, thrilling and leaves mysteries that will hopefully be unfolded in upcoming sequels. The book does end in a wicked cliffhanger but that’s what keeps us coming back, right? I will definitely be reading upcoming books in this series. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for something a little different in supernatural/paranormal fiction.

Content: Kissing and violence.

Book Review: Isle of Night

Title: Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff

Release Date: Sept. 6, 2011
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages: 302 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Library

Goodreads Summary: Is life offering fewer and fewer options? Then join the dead.

When Annelise meets dark and seductive Ronan, he promises her a new life-if she has the courage to chance the unknown. Now, she's whisked away to a mysterious island and pitted against other female recruits to become a Watcher - girls who are partnered with vampires and assist them in their missions. To survive and become a Watcher, Annelise has to beat out every other girl, but she's determined to do so, because to fail doesn't mean dishonor-it means death.

When I read this summary a few months ago, I thought it sounded a bit crazy but I was intrigued. Turns out I was right. Isle of Night is crazy, as in a crazy good, highly entertaining vampire novel!

Annelise Drew, or Drew, is a super smart girl who yearns to get out of her small town of Christmas, Florida and get away from her drunken and abusive father. She graduates from high school one semester early but when she goes to the University of Florida to enroll, she finds out that her papers are not in order and technically, she has no high school diploma. Broke and homeless, Drew is approached by Ronin, the extremely attractive guy with a sexy accent. He tells Drew that he can take her to an island that offers an education to special girls like her and she accepts, getting into his private jet and flying off into the unknown. Of course, he fails to tell her that she will be training to work for vampires and its either she succeeds during training or she dies.

Isle of Night starts of a bit slow and I was very annoyed with Drew for getting on the plane without knowing exactly what she was getting herself into. After about 60 pages, the pace of the story picks up dramatically and the action is almost non-stop after that. Drew’s character is very snarky, which I liked. Even though the books are very different, Drew’s character reminds me of Katniss from The Hunger Games and Tris from Divergent – girls that are not violent by nature but when backed into a corner, they will push themselves to be the best, to succeed in spite of other people’s expectations and know that sometimes you have to use brains, not brawn to get out of a bad situation.

The secondary characters were very well written. I love Ronin and really want to read more about him in the sequel. Lilac, Drew’ nemesis, is one of the meanest mean girls I have come across in a while and let’s not forget this is a vampire book. The vamps in Isle of Night are a sickly combination of creepy and sensual at the same time.

While the book focuses on Drew and her experience and personal growth, I am really looking forward to the sequel, Vampire’s Kiss. I hope it will tell us more about the vampire mythology, why they need Watchers and maybe a little more romance. Isle of Night seems to be flying a bit under the radar but it is really worth reading. Vampire’s Kiss will be released in March 2012.

Content: Heavy profanity and violence, may be more appropriate for older teens and adults.

Book Review: Sacrifice

Title: Sacrifice by Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns

Release Date: Sept. 20, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Pages: 256 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Publisher through S&S Galley Grab

SPOILER WARNING: The summary and review contain spoilers to the first book in the series, Crave.

Goodreads Summary: Gabriel and Shay are convinced that they can make their relationship work. Knowing that Shay is half-vampire, Gabriel thinks that his coven will embrace her as one of their own, but instead they view her as an abomination, a thing that doesn’t belong in either world. And they want her dead. Now Gabriel must make the ultimate decision - watch his love be killed by his coven or defy the people closest to him, the people he has spent centuries with to save her.

I had some issues with Crave, mostly the main character’s bratty behavior and the speed at which their relationship progressed into undying love. You can read my review here. Crave ended with a huge cliffhanger so when I saw Sacrifice on Galley Grab, I really wanted to know how the story ends. I’m happy I did because I like Sacrifice more than I liked Crave.

Sacrifice begins exactly where Crave ended with Gabriel taking Shay to his coven believing that they will help and protect her because she is half-vampire. Turns out Gabriel could not have been more wrong and his family hates her. The tables are turned in this book so instead of Gabriel being held captive by Shay’s family, Shay is now the prisoner.

Shay’s character is significantly matured in Sacrifice, it’s almost like she is a different, much more likable girl. If you can look past the idea that they have know each other for about two weeks, you will appreciate the level of commitment that Gabriel and Shay make to each other. To be together, the couple has to fight against the horrible prejudices and the intense level of anger and bitterness that their families feel toward each other. I really wanted these two to be together and that’s not something I thought I would say after reading Crave.

I enjoyed Sacrifice, it makes the series worth reading. It’s a quick read, fast paced and I think anyone who likes YA vampire romance will also enjoy this. 

Content: Kissing, mild profanity and violence

Giveaway: A Vampire Christmas Carol

Title: A Vampire Christmas Carol by Sarah Gray
Release Date: Sept. 27, 2011
Publisher: Kensington

Goodreads Summary: Ebenezer Scrooge has never been known for the greatness of his heart. A miser, a leech, a penny-pinching old coot... Say what you will about him, though—he’s never actually sucked someone’s blood. That dubious honor belongs to the vampires who surround him, preying on the weak and laying traps for the strong. They’ve dogged his footsteps since he was born, driving him from the love of his friends, family, and faithful fiancée.

Now, on Christmas Eve, Scrooge’s old friend Jacob Marley rises from the grave to warn him about the evil gathering around him. With three mysterious spirits to guide him, he rediscovers his lost love Belle, toiling fearlessly as a seamstress by day and vampire hunter by night. He sees the secrets of his nephew Fred and his clerk Bob Cratchit, who risk their lives as Belle’s loyal soldiers. And he learns of the plot mounting to attack all of them, starting with the innocent sacrifice of Bob’s son Tiny Tim…

Scrooge has only one night to save himself and all that he once treasured—but if he can vanquish the vampires, he might finally earn back the love he cast away...

Since I have two ARCs of A Vampire Christmas Carol, I thought I would give someone an opportunity to read it by doing a giveaway, plus I will inclucle some swag. Please fill out the form and while you don’t have to be a follower to enter, you will get an extra entry if you are and another for tweeting the about the giveaway. Good luck and thanks for participating!

FILL OUT THIS FORM 

Book Review: Born at Midnight

Title: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pages: 416 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Summary: One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world. Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Born at Midnight is a fun paranormal read about a girl who is going through a lot externally with family and friends and internally with herself. Kylie is still hurting from being dumped by her boyfriend and her parents are getting a divorce. Kylie had started seeing a therapist because she was having horrible night terrors and occasionally seeing a soldier appear and stare at her, but no one else can see this man. At the advice of Kylie’s therapist, her mom sends her to a summer camp for troubled teens so Kylie feels dumped by her parents as well.

Shadow Falls Camp is a haven for paranormal teens and even though C.C. Hunter does not go into the mythology of the different paranormals in a ton of detail, it’s enough to answer your basic questions. There is a love triangle (maybe even a bit of a square if you throw in the ex) but it was not the book’s main focus, which is great. The story is about Kylie coming to terms with what she may be and her relationships with family and friends.

Born at Midnight is the beginning of a really good new paranormal series. There is so much more story with these great characters and plot and I am excited about the next book, Awake at Dawn.

Content: Profanity, sexual situations, kissing, underage drinking and violence. Recommended for older teens.

Cover Reveal: The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Release Date: Nov. 16, 2011
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Author Blog: brendapandos.blogspot.com
Find her on Twitter: @brendapandos
Genre: Paranormal

Summary: **WARNING SPOILERS**
The Onyx Talisman is the third and final book in the Talisman trilogy. All was perfect in Julia’s life until Nicholas had his vampire blood-lust activated by his mother Alora, her immortal enemy, turning him evil and bent on revenge. Heartbroken and out of choices, Phil and Julia ran away in the middle of the night, with Scarlett on foot, to Orange County to warn and plead Nicholas’ Godfather for help. Once arriving at Harry’s though, the local coven accosted them and they narrowly escaped.

After they returned home, there was a huge showdown between Phil, Nicholas, Scarlett, Alora, Katie and Julia. Alora almost got what she wanted—Julia’s vampire warding talisman—but Preston, Nicholas’ father, and Harry came to the rescue. They escorted Nicholas and Alora back to Beverly Hills, pledging to return Nicholas free from his blood-lust. But all Julia’s received in the past four months is a letter stating Nicholas missed her along with some song lyrics and promise of a quick return. That was a month ago.

Now Julia awaits Nicholas’ return with the Fab Five Coven: Phil and Katie—the sober vampires, Scarlett—the half-vamp/shape-shifter, and Tyler and Julia—the inducted humans. She’s stuck in Scotts Valley with Phil as her self-appointed chaperon and no way to return to Los Angeles to check on Nicholas. Only Scarlett and Julia know her fate ultimately involves the demise of all vampires, possibly including the ones she loves. When the time comes, will she even have a choice?

The book covers in this series have all been beautiful and this one is no exception! It complements the other two books perfectly, take a look at those covers:

Review of Haven by Kristi Cook

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 416 pages
Author Website: http://kristi-cook.com/
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Library

Goodreads Summary: One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Review: I have read a few paranormal books set in boarding school and even though I have liked most of them, they all sort of morph together because the setting and often the plot are so similar. I was expecting Haven to join the rest of the boarding school set, but I am happy to say that I was wrong. It does have similarities of other books out there, but it has enough other elements to make it memorable on its own.

Violet is the new girl at a posh boarding school who feels out of place and insecure. She also has a secret, an extrasensory ability that causes unusual episodes that she is ashamed of, and is hoping to make a new start where nobody has seen her act like a ‘freak.’ At Winterhaven, she meets awesome friends who embrace her and are supportive. She learns that she is not a freak and that other people at Winterhaven also have interesting talents, some of which I have not seen in other YA books. Violet starts out with some room for growth, and she does throughout the book.

There is a lot of tension between Violet and Aidan, sexual and otherwise. They argue quite a bit and have a hot and cold relationship, something I was not crazy about, but I understood the reason for the conflict. I loved Aidan’s character. I have stated before that I love the silent, brooding type and Aidan is that. What I really like is that he is not perfect like many other YA guys. He has flaws and makes some less than optimal decisions but he has a purpose, a good one that goes beyond just getting the girl and making out happily ever after.

Haven is a great debut for Kristi Cook. The plot is filled with conflict, mystery, romance and a nice mix of science and paranormal. Ms. Cook’s website says there will be a sequel to Haven and I am looking forward to more of Aidan, Violet and all their friends.

Content: Language (including the F-bomb), some violence, lots of sexual tension between Violet and Aidan