Crave by Tracy Wolff

Crave by Tracy Wolff
Release Date - April 7, 2020

Publisher Website - Entangled Teen
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 592 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

Crave was absolutely written with fans of Twilight in mind. It has obvious comparisons while still feeling like it's own thing. This book may wear its influences on its sleeves but it was very much written with this current generation in mind. It offers a fun, fast paced read that feels more like an homage than a direct copy.

If you have read Twilight your feelings towards that series may colour how you react to this one. It has enough differences to not feel like a complete retread but the similarities are there. It goes beyond the inclusion of vampires and romance. It reads in the same incredibly addictive, page turning way that Twilight did. This book packs in modern references and current slang to set it in present day. This is something that will definitely date the book as a product of this particular time. Some readers may find the use of this distracting but I found it fit the story being told.

The are major differences that make this book fully its own thing. Many of them would be too spoilery to include as examples in my review. I will mention that this takes place in a boarding school and that there are not just vampires among the student body. Grace's journey, based on everything we learn in this book, is not going to be Bella's. Her path is very dependent on who her family is and how that factors into the story. Her romance is only part of that journey. The structural dynamics of the various groups we meet and how they all coexist is also something that sets it apart. Family is a strong foundation of this story in a lot of ways and is really what makes this story feel different.

The romance is fairly typical of most books in the genre along with most of the tropes that entails. The supernatural being warns the human to stay away but they end up being unable to keep their distance being an example of one of them. There is a bit of instalove happening here but I feel it works for this style of story. The romance is also little more on the steamy side with some very obvious blood sucking as a metaphor for sex scenes being included.

This is a very plot drive book. The pacing is super fast and really what propels the story forward. The characters are not completely fleshed out but the pacing of everything else distracts you from this fact. I didn't find it a hindrance to enjoying the story but those looking for a character focused story will not find that here.

The story set up at the end of this book certainly leads into an intriguing sequel. This set up will ensure higher stakes both in terms of emotional impact and danger level. It also opens the door to widen what we know about this world and the beings that inhabit it.

If you were ever curious what Twilight set in Alaska might have looked like this book is for you. If you're nostalgic for that feeling you got reading the Twilight series this book is for you. It is a fun, breezy read that will definitely offer a distraction. If Twilight was never your thing you will probably be less enthused. I, personally, am glad that the paranormal genre is making a comeback and that this entertaining read is helping to usher it back in.

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave by Melissa Darnell
Release Date – October 25, 2011
Publisher – HarlequinTeen
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 416 pages
My Rating- 7/10
**obtained from Netgalley and HarlequinTeen for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

I wanted to read this book as soon as a I read the synopsis and saw this gorgeous cover. I am happy to say that Crave was an interesting, quick paced read.

The characters were likeable. It’s easy to feel for Savannah. This poor girl has been ditched by her best friends and doesn’t really know why. She is treated like a freak by her classmates, but has a great group of friends. She seemed like every other high school girl. She seemed like someone you knew.

Tristan is the “golden boy”. Similar to most sport playing high school “superstars” that we may remember from high school . This one just happens to have a sweet side, and is part of the Clann. He seems to have it easy but struggles with living up to his parents expectations of him, and doing what he wants vs. what they want.

The secondary characters, especially Savannah’s friend Anne were even better. I loved how supportive and caring Anne was. She was willing to help out Savannah even without having all the facts. Emily, Tristan’s sister, intrigued me. I can‘t wait to see more of her in the next books. She was powerful, and seemed to be very capable of running the Clann. She was my favourite character in the book, and I wished she was in it more.

The two different narrations made it easier to get to know Savannah and Tristan. I felt more invested in them as a couple. The great thing is that their relationship does not feel forced or instant at all. They have known and liked each other since they were kids. They got pretend married when they were younger. It was nice to see a history and a past that could help explain the feelings they were having for each other.

The Clann and the reasons why Tristan and Savannah are forced apart are interesting and developed well. The writing is easy to follow, and keeps your interest. The only thing I could mention is that it often felt predictable. I knew early on what was going to happen, and what the outcome would be. I like a book that keeps me on my toes and doesn’t feel like a formula was used (even if one is used).

The ending was a little abrupt and if this was not a series I would not have been satisfied with it. However, there are more books to come, and I am curious to see what Melissa Darnell has in store for us.

In My Mailbox

This is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives us a chance to showcase the books we got during the week.

I got one book for review this week. It's an ebook.



Crave by Melissa Darnell (goodreads)

I have heard some amazing this about this one so I am excited to start it. Thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for allowing me to read it.

What books did you get this week? Leave me a comment and I will check it out.

Happy reading everyone!