Friday, January 6, 2012

Review: Living Violet by Jaime Reed

Living Violet
Author:Jaime Reed
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Dafina
The Cambion Chronicles Book #1
ISBN:   0758269242
ISBN13: 9780758269249
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Teen Book Scene Tour

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile.

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

LIVING VIOLET was definitely different from the other YA Paranormal books that are hitting the market at the moment. Samara isn't really looking for a boyfriend. She is happily content working to save money to pay for the car she wants, hanging with friends and being on her own. There is something about her co worker Caleb that Samara just doesn't get. She constantly see's him with girls fawning all over him and has caught him locking lips with many different ladies as well. But one day after the girl he is locking lips with is found passed out with with a heart attack she starts thinking more about Caleb and decides to see what he is really about.

Samara is pretty well grounded for a teen. She is an only child (well she has step twins but they don't live with her) from a broken marriage, which thankfully her parents still get along really well after. She has a great sense of humor and isn't afraid to tell people what is on her mind. LIVING VIOLET was a super easy flowing read. Events happened at a great pace and I had a great time getting into all everything that was happening and trying to figure out what the heck Caleb really was. The relationship between Samara and Caleb flows at a slow pace but they seem pretty connected from the beginning. The whole mystery of what Caleb is was revealed about midway through, but the book didn't slow down at all. It continued to be full of suspense and mystery. The ending wow, so wasn't expecting that outcome. The next book should definitely be interesting.  I didn't go into LIVING VIOLET super excited to read it but I came out excited for book 2.

I gave it 4/5 stars