Crave (The Clann #1)
by Melissa Darnell
by Melissa Darnell
Release Date: October 25th 2011
by Harlequin Teen
Paperback, 416 pages
Goodreads:
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….
My thoughts: (spoiler free)
Told from both Savannah and Tristan’s POVs, Crave is a beautiful story of forbidden love, strong magic, games of power, painful loss and unimaginable danger.
Savannah and Tristan have always been drawn to each other. When they were kids, they used to be best friends and to spend all the time together. But one day, the Clann (formed from the town’s founding families who were rumored to have witchy powers) asked Tristan and all their other kids to stay away from Savannah for ever. None of them understood why, but they had to comply. Savannah never got the chance to find out why all her friends were avoiding her, so feeling hurt and betrayed, she never talked to Tristan again. But that didn’t mean she didn’t still feel his presence every time he was around her or that her feelings for him just disappeared – on the contrary. So every other day at her high school was a nightmare and the fact that she was shy, quiet and clumsy didn’t make it feel any better. Especially not when all the Clann’s kids seemed to hate her and made a routine from messing with her.
But all of a sudden, everything changed. Savannah went sick and after a few confusing, painful days of staying at home, when she went back to school, everything was different. She was different. She felt better, stronger, she even looked prettier - and suddenly she was the center of attention. Tristan noticed too, because her presence was affecting him like it never did before. She was constantly on his mind and it even made him act weird. The pull between them became stronger and almost impossible to ignore. And though they knew better than to give in to the powerful attraction that drew them to each other and to ignore the danger their being together represented for everyone, they started to see each other and spend more and more time together. But the Clann and an even more dominant, evil, merciless force was lurking around, always watching, always testing and they were not happy with the turn of events, because Sav and Tristan seeing each other could start a war and the consequences could be disastrous. The two have to support the repercussions of their acts and of neglecting the rules - and things don't go well.
There’s not a lot of action in this novel, but the suspense, the unpredictability, the twists and turns, the constant presence of danger and evil forces, the hidden truths, the perpetual changes, the annoying hold their powerful families had on Sav and Tristan, their strong feelings for each other and the way they affected them and everyone around them made of this book a very enjoyable, engaging read. Of course, Melissa’s beautiful and compelling writing had a lot to do with it; the story was intense and flowed easily.
Despite everything, Sav and Tristan are so adorable together! I love Tristan, he’s strong, snarky, protective and oh, so charming; reading from his POV was a delight! There was a lot of pain and difficult changes in Sav’s life, so her side of the story was a bit darker; it was grim and sad, yet understandable. She had a few moments when I just wanted to shake her, but… I got over it quickly. :)) She grew on me and became a more likeable character with every chapter, with every new development of the story.
All in all, I really, really liked this book. There are some elements in it that I've always loved and I've always wanted to see combined (can't tell you what exactly I'm talking about, it would be spoilery) so THANK YOU Melissa Darnell for making it happen! *hugs*
Of course, the ending left me craving for the sequel – I can’t wait to see where Savannah and Tristan’s story goes and I wouldn’t mind a little more action in the next books in the series, those super bad ass powers should be put to work!:))
***Review copy provided by the publisher Harlequin Teen and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you guys!
Savannah and Tristan have always been drawn to each other. When they were kids, they used to be best friends and to spend all the time together. But one day, the Clann (formed from the town’s founding families who were rumored to have witchy powers) asked Tristan and all their other kids to stay away from Savannah for ever. None of them understood why, but they had to comply. Savannah never got the chance to find out why all her friends were avoiding her, so feeling hurt and betrayed, she never talked to Tristan again. But that didn’t mean she didn’t still feel his presence every time he was around her or that her feelings for him just disappeared – on the contrary. So every other day at her high school was a nightmare and the fact that she was shy, quiet and clumsy didn’t make it feel any better. Especially not when all the Clann’s kids seemed to hate her and made a routine from messing with her.
But all of a sudden, everything changed. Savannah went sick and after a few confusing, painful days of staying at home, when she went back to school, everything was different. She was different. She felt better, stronger, she even looked prettier - and suddenly she was the center of attention. Tristan noticed too, because her presence was affecting him like it never did before. She was constantly on his mind and it even made him act weird. The pull between them became stronger and almost impossible to ignore. And though they knew better than to give in to the powerful attraction that drew them to each other and to ignore the danger their being together represented for everyone, they started to see each other and spend more and more time together. But the Clann and an even more dominant, evil, merciless force was lurking around, always watching, always testing and they were not happy with the turn of events, because Sav and Tristan seeing each other could start a war and the consequences could be disastrous. The two have to support the repercussions of their acts and of neglecting the rules - and things don't go well.
There’s not a lot of action in this novel, but the suspense, the unpredictability, the twists and turns, the constant presence of danger and evil forces, the hidden truths, the perpetual changes, the annoying hold their powerful families had on Sav and Tristan, their strong feelings for each other and the way they affected them and everyone around them made of this book a very enjoyable, engaging read. Of course, Melissa’s beautiful and compelling writing had a lot to do with it; the story was intense and flowed easily.
Despite everything, Sav and Tristan are so adorable together! I love Tristan, he’s strong, snarky, protective and oh, so charming; reading from his POV was a delight! There was a lot of pain and difficult changes in Sav’s life, so her side of the story was a bit darker; it was grim and sad, yet understandable. She had a few moments when I just wanted to shake her, but… I got over it quickly. :)) She grew on me and became a more likeable character with every chapter, with every new development of the story.
All in all, I really, really liked this book. There are some elements in it that I've always loved and I've always wanted to see combined (can't tell you what exactly I'm talking about, it would be spoilery) so THANK YOU Melissa Darnell for making it happen! *hugs*
Of course, the ending left me craving for the sequel – I can’t wait to see where Savannah and Tristan’s story goes and I wouldn’t mind a little more action in the next books in the series, those super bad ass powers should be put to work!:))
***Review copy provided by the publisher Harlequin Teen and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you guys!
P.S. Isn't that cover gorgeous?<3
xoxo
Putting the gorgeous cover aside, I wasn't sure if the book had any real substance. Not that I wasn't going to at least try it. But I was wary. This is, like, the fourth sparkling review on the book, and I must say I'm growing more and more excited for it in listening to all these praises.
ReplyDelete- Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
@Asher I've read a few not so positive reviews too and I get that people may have different opinions, but I really, really enjoyed this story. The paranormal elements are so cool! And how often do you get to see a true love story from both main characters' POVs?<3 I hope you get to read it too and enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!:)
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many good things about this book! I am going to have to get my hands on it. And yes yes that cover is fab:)
ReplyDeleteon another note...can you shoot me an email? I've been trying to reach you but maybe I have the wrong email?
paranormalwasteland(at)gmail(dot)com
Now, that was a descriptive review! I've never actually read the synopsis of Crave until now. :D Thanks for your comment on my Darkfever Review! The book was realistic when it came to our protagonists!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review! You've totally made me want to get this now. :D