INTENSE, ACTION-PACKED, WELL-WRITTEN NOVEL.I didn't think this book was going to be good, but it blew me away when I got into it. This book reminded me of so many books I've read - all combined into one awesome book! It reminded me of Twilight from the beginning, but when the action started, it reminded me of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Some of the character names reminded me of Vampire Diaries and Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood). I'm just gushing about this book, but of course, there are things I didn't like. Let's start with that and get it out of the way, shall we?
Things I didn't like:
-I asked the author if she was self-published and she said she's with Sid Harta Publishers in Australia. That being said, I expected that the book would be free of errors. It wasn't. There were misspellings, punctuation errors, and sometimes a word used instead of the one that was meant to be used. This was a minor thing, however. It was minor enough that I was able to overlook it because the book was so good!
-The cover isn't very sexy (lol). I'm absolutely guilty of judging a book by its cover and the cover didn't really entice me to read the book. I was "dragging my feet" when I started reading it because I was prejudiced by the cover. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because the book is too good to pass up.
-I found it weird that the characters live in Australia but say "bloody" like the Europeans. Someone help me out on this.
Now that the "negative" stuff are over, let's move on to the gushy, I'm-totally-a-fan part. I don't even know where to start!!!
Things I liked/loved:
-Lucas - He is the heroine's brother. They're not blood related but they grew up together and know each other very well. He was just too funny! I think the author did an amazing job building his character and I just fell in love. I think he's my favorite character in the book! Did I mention he has magical powers? :D
-Elena - She is the heroine, and definitely my favorite kind. She was strong and courageous, not to mention she doesn't like authority. Something about that just makes her seem so awesome. She's also very special but I won't spoil it for you all. She reminds me of Rose from Vampire Academy and her name reminds me of Vampire Diaries. Totally girl power.
-William - He is the sexy vampire and the one that is Elena's match. Of course his name reminds me of the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series. Anyway, he is such a gentle vampire. I love that he would defy fate and his superiors just so he could love Elena. That must be a really dangerous decision. I'm sure he can handle it. I also love how the author created him as a monster that turns his eyes black when he's hungry or angry and his nails become talons.
"Though generally pale and milky, it almost becomes transparent, revealing the corded muscles underneath and the spidery veins of blood that pulse just beneath the surface. At this stage, vampires are at their fastest, strongest and deadliest."-Susan - she is Elena and Lucas's mother. I applaud the author for building her character very well. Long story short, she can't cook to save anyone's life. It's funny when Elena and Lucas would cringe when she puts something on the table that she supposedly cook. She has NO working taste buds and her husband George is too scared to be honest with her.
Lucas: "I hope our medical insurance is up to date."-There are so many other characters in the book and they are all well-developed. However, this review is getting a bit long so I will stop here. Let me just say that this book is PHENOMENAL. Everyone should read it! It is available in e-book or paperback.
George: "And why is that?"
Lucas: "Because if I'm going to get food poisoning tonight, I want to make sure I get one of the good rooms at the hospital, the ones with a TV and a decent view."
And now, for my signature favorite quotes/scenes. WARNING: I tried to cut down but there's just too many parts I loved!
Elena:
"If they really wanted to punish me, all they had to do was ban chocolate from the house. That really would kill me."
"Note to self: don't compare overly sensitive vampire to a thoroughbred."
"My surprise waned when I noticed that Thomas was sucking on one of those bendy straws jabbed into the top of a tetra pack of Synth blood. They were both oblivious to the giant elephant in the room, since Thomas was a thirsty vampire and Lucas was a human Protector."Elena and George:
George: "Okay, are you finished playing around now? Or do you and the car need some more time together?"
I looked eerily at my half-amputated arm and then laughed as I pulled it free from the confines of the magic. "No, I'm good," I said, waving goodbye to Susan and then shutting the car door behind me.
George: "The IMI couldn't kill you, because despite what you are, you were the most beautiful, innocent looking child that we had ever laid our eyes upon."Elena and William:
I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "So...if I were an ugly baby I would have been a goner?"
Elena: "Who are you?"
William: "I might ask you the same question."
Elena: (frowning) "Hey buddy, I asked first and I'm not the one with the crazy smell."
He motioned to his body all over. "I am technically still a teenager. The only part of me that has aged is my mind. My physical being is forever frozen in time. Unfortunately, that also means that I'm eternally challenged with teenage...urges. It's quite unfair really." He flicked me a devilish grin. I giggled in response.
What the hell? Did I just giggle?
You totally just did. What a loser.
My face flushed red with embarrassment and I turned away before he could notice.
'Oh, Elena," he said suddenly, panicked and rushing out of his seat. "Please try not to do that."
"Huh? Do what?" I looked back over at him, my face still the colour of crimson. He was no longer sitting beside me, but several paces away.
I stood, suddenly feeling awkward.
I looked over to Lucas. He was no longer standing in animated conversation but standing particularly still beside Marianne. All three of them were watching our exchange intensely. I saw the blue light dancing across the tips of Lucas's fingers. All three of them could sense that something was wrong.
"What have I done wrong, because I have no idea?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, it's nothing." he answered dismissively, taking a small step back towards me, visibly tense.
I snorted. "I'm not scared, but it's obviously something. Just tell me. I don't like playing games."
He took another few steps forward, his eyes hidden beneath the lenses of his sunglasses again. "This is not a game to me either, Elena, believe me, but this is what I am."
He reached up and lowered his glasses, giving me a quick view of his midnight-coloured eyes.
Elena: "Can you smell me all of the time regardless of what I'm wearing?"
William: "Yes."
Elena: "Oh. What if I roll around in a poo patty?"
William: (wide smile) "Even then."
Elena: "Oh, okay."
"The only things that are inevitable are death and taxes."
He gave me a funny look.
"Okay, so maybe not death in our cases," I said, tugging at his hand behind my hand, "but definitely taxes. Now, how about you get me off this building and take me home before you decide to assault me again?"
He finally found his voice. "Assault you? Wasn't I the one with a broken nose this evening?"
"Would you like another one?"
William tilted his head to the side, his lips twitching in amusement. He touched a finger to my nose, winked at me, and them promptly tossed me over the side of the building, which he no doubt found highly amusing.
I wish I could say the same.
Elena: "No. I would prefer if our little, whatever this is, stays just between us."Lucas:
William: "This thing between us Elena is called love."
Elena: "Stop that, will you? My head doesn't have room for nonsense right now." (Arianne's note: that is cold!)
blah blah...
William: "Good night, Elena...my love."
Elena: "Ugh! Get out of here before I push you off the window sill myself."
"Can you believe this?" he whispered. "We're actually only a couple of meters away from real, live vampires."
Elena: "You're such an idiot, Lucas."
Lucas: (frowning) "I am not. I'm just too beautiful to be eaten."
Elena: "He looks amazing, doesn't he?
Lucas: "Compared to you, he's the Messiah."
Elena: "What should I do?"
Lucas: "I'd say get a paper bag, but I guess a shower and brushing your teeth might help."
Elena: "Right."
Lucas: "Umm, what do I do?"
Elena: "Just talk to him and keep him busy while I make myself presentable."
Lucas: "I don't have a spare four hours."
"Elena: "Lucas! Please!"
Lucas: "Okay, okay, I'll show him the album with all your naked baby photos in it. That way next time he thinks about rubbing up against my sister, he'll develop his very own set of mental issues."
Elena: "Lucas!"
Lucas: "Okay, I'll be good."
"It's just--you're my little sister. For sixteen years you've all but ignored boys, even that guy Stephen that you dated. He spent more time on the other side of the front door than he did inside this house, and now--well, now you look...different. I don't know how I'm supposed to act. I just know that it's always just been you and me."
"Shit, Elena! Who needs to worry about the Vampires when your own sister treats you like a goddamn punching bag?"Are you convinced yet? Do I need to personally escort you to the bookstore or to your computer to buy this book? Okay, I won't harass you, but seriously, go get the book. NOW!
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