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karinlib's review
4.0
This book was released today, and I would have finished it in one sitting, but I had work to do and chores to finish. I really enjoyed this YA Urban Fantasy. It has familiar themes, but also new twists, to make a fresh view. Definitely a page-turner.
April 18, 2017: Re-reading because the second book came out yesterday. I am enjoying it again.
April 18, 2017: Re-reading because the second book came out yesterday. I am enjoying it again.
carriestoller's review against another edition
2.0
I chose this book because I’ve enjoyed watching Francina Simone’s youtube channel. She brings up some great topics about YA fiction, and even fiction in general. Sadly, because of her insightful discussions, I was disappointed with this book. I had a hard time choosing between 2 & 3 stars since the story itself does have potential to be great, but there was too much holding it back.
The writing was immature. A lot of, “Katie did this. Tristan did that. Katie went to an ice cream shop. It was her favorite ice cream shop. Tristan was moody.” A lot of telling instead of showing or allowing the reader to understand the characters’ feelings. There were also a lot of typos. Sometimes multiple typos on the same page. To the point that it became a distraction. Both of these are fixable with the help of a good editor, and I think it would have made the story stronger.
The plot dragged in some places but was rushed in other places. And there were several plot holes. What’s with the strong animosity between Brian and Tristan? It seemed like there was more than just jealousy brewing but we never found out what was there. And if Tristan was already living with Brian’s family, why did Brian recognize him when they saw Tristan on Katie’s porch? Why did Ivan feel obligated to allow Tristan to take the Keeper’s Vow for Katie? Because his best friend was her estranged father? Or to make up for the parental abandonment caused by his best friend? I would have liked a little more explanation there.
I didn’t really feel attached to any of the characters. I liked the telepathic connection between Tristan & Katie, and there was some funny banter between them, but I just didn’t love the characters. Katie is self-absorbed, insecure, and lazy. (Stop jumping to the conclusion that Tristan thinks you’re ugly, Katie!) She often came across as air-headed, too. Tristan was probably the most likable character, and I felt sad for him when they were memory surfing and he showed Katie some of what he’d been through. But I didn’t like how abruptly he’d become aloof and cold towards Katie. Probably because she would immediately think he thought she was ugly. 🙄 Allison is a weird character. She’s competitive and aggress, but really doesn’t seem to bring much to the story. It was easy to forget about her when she wasn’t around. And we’ve already discussed Brian’s character. The adults were pretty messed up, too. Katie is oddly numb to some pretty big revelations—particularly the ones involving her dad. But, seriously, anyone could have died and I would’ve felt mostly indifferent.
I could have used better world building, too. Better explanation of how the guardians thing worked (is it just training? Paranormal powers? What exactly is their role? I need more details). Some of the terms were thrown out like I should know what they meant in this context (meditation, for instance).
And, more plot holes. How did the royalty thing play into the Vampire world? Why is that significant? Are both Tristan & Katie royalty? What does this mean? What’s going on with the “tattoos”? At first, it seems like all vampires and werewolves are bad but then we see that some are good and work with/for the guardians. So how does that work? Oh, and what significance did Preliminaries have on the plot? Or was it just a plot device to get Tristan to beat up Brian and to see that Katie can sometimes hear Tristan’s thoughts?
I bet it sounds like I hated this story, but I didn’t. The story itself had a lot of potential to be great. I just wish it had been better written.
The writing was immature. A lot of, “Katie did this. Tristan did that. Katie went to an ice cream shop. It was her favorite ice cream shop. Tristan was moody.” A lot of telling instead of showing or allowing the reader to understand the characters’ feelings. There were also a lot of typos. Sometimes multiple typos on the same page. To the point that it became a distraction. Both of these are fixable with the help of a good editor, and I think it would have made the story stronger.
The plot dragged in some places but was rushed in other places. And there were several plot holes. What’s with the strong animosity between Brian and Tristan? It seemed like there was more than just jealousy brewing but we never found out what was there. And if Tristan was already living with Brian’s family, why did Brian recognize him when they saw Tristan on Katie’s porch? Why did Ivan feel obligated to allow Tristan to take the Keeper’s Vow for Katie? Because his best friend was her estranged father? Or to make up for the parental abandonment caused by his best friend? I would have liked a little more explanation there.
I didn’t really feel attached to any of the characters. I liked the telepathic connection between Tristan & Katie, and there was some funny banter between them, but I just didn’t love the characters. Katie is self-absorbed, insecure, and lazy. (Stop jumping to the conclusion that Tristan thinks you’re ugly, Katie!) She often came across as air-headed, too. Tristan was probably the most likable character, and I felt sad for him when they were memory surfing and he showed Katie some of what he’d been through. But I didn’t like how abruptly he’d become aloof and cold towards Katie. Probably because she would immediately think he thought she was ugly. 🙄 Allison is a weird character. She’s competitive and aggress, but really doesn’t seem to bring much to the story. It was easy to forget about her when she wasn’t around. And we’ve already discussed Brian’s character. The adults were pretty messed up, too. Katie is oddly numb to some pretty big revelations—particularly the ones involving her dad. But, seriously, anyone could have died and I would’ve felt mostly indifferent.
I could have used better world building, too. Better explanation of how the guardians thing worked (is it just training? Paranormal powers? What exactly is their role? I need more details). Some of the terms were thrown out like I should know what they meant in this context (meditation, for instance).
And, more plot holes. How did the royalty thing play into the Vampire world? Why is that significant? Are both Tristan & Katie royalty? What does this mean? What’s going on with the “tattoos”? At first, it seems like all vampires and werewolves are bad but then we see that some are good and work with/for the guardians. So how does that work? Oh, and what significance did Preliminaries have on the plot? Or was it just a plot device to get Tristan to beat up Brian and to see that Katie can sometimes hear Tristan’s thoughts?
I bet it sounds like I hated this story, but I didn’t. The story itself had a lot of potential to be great. I just wish it had been better written.
stephnsketch's review
3.0
2.75. *sighs*
I love watching this author's YouTube videos. She is a hell-of-amazing person.
She is not her book.
I don't think this book had proper editing in pacing and plot point reveals. It takes reading past the 50% to really get a feel of the actual plot. Most of the time people are not revealing what's happening, and Katie is too much of a whiner to figure it out herself. She doesn't even seem to be curious about her lineage or possible abilities. She's just naive for most of the book, and that doesn't make for a well-developed protagonist. Until the end, where we actually see development and her applying herself actively.
I would also like to have seen more world-building, because there wasn't enough paranormal until the end. I found it frustrating. Do we have goblins, or pixies, or elves? Or is it just fates, werewolves, vampires and a Glock? Was the question ever answered about Katie and Glocks communication?
Did I enjoy the characters? Yes. Did I love the funny awkward moments? Yes. Shipping Katie and Tristan? Yes. Would Allison have been a better protagonist? Maybe.
Even with these struggles, I still had fun reading it. The sexual tension at 63%? My heart was racing. I sped read and finished it in less than 24 hours. There's so much love put into this and in a lot of moments it really shines through.
The characters are there. The witty quips and storyline is there. But the beats of the narrative just don't flow well.
Side note, my ebook had an error in it and had breast in singular, so I pictured our protagonist in a dress trying to cover her uni-boob.
I love watching this author's YouTube videos. She is a hell-of-amazing person.
She is not her book.
I don't think this book had proper editing in pacing and plot point reveals. It takes reading past the 50% to really get a feel of the actual plot. Most of the time people are not revealing what's happening, and Katie is too much of a whiner to figure it out herself. She doesn't even seem to be curious about her lineage or possible abilities. She's just naive for most of the book, and that doesn't make for a well-developed protagonist. Until the end, where we actually see development and her applying herself actively.
I would also like to have seen more world-building, because there wasn't enough paranormal until the end. I found it frustrating. Do we have goblins, or pixies, or elves? Or is it just fates, werewolves, vampires and a Glock? Was the question ever answered about Katie and Glocks communication?
Did I enjoy the characters? Yes. Did I love the funny awkward moments? Yes. Shipping Katie and Tristan? Yes. Would Allison have been a better protagonist? Maybe.
Even with these struggles, I still had fun reading it. The sexual tension at 63%? My heart was racing. I sped read and finished it in less than 24 hours. There's so much love put into this and in a lot of moments it really shines through.
The characters are there. The witty quips and storyline is there. But the beats of the narrative just don't flow well.
Side note, my ebook had an error in it and had breast in singular, so I pictured our protagonist in a dress trying to cover her uni-boob.
emsterino19's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in two days. When I put it down, it beckoned to me and when I finished it, I was lamenting that I finished it so quickly. Thankfully, a note from the author at the end says that a second book is in the works and I absolutely CANNOT WAIT!!
The mystery surrounding Katie's life, her battles with herself and those around her, the cold/hot/very cold relationship between her and Tristan, the fresh take on paranormal beings, they all add up to a story that I know you'll love as much as I did!
The mystery surrounding Katie's life, her battles with herself and those around her, the cold/hot/very cold relationship between her and Tristan, the fresh take on paranormal beings, they all add up to a story that I know you'll love as much as I did!
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