Crave
(Crave #1)
by Tracy Wolff
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published: April 7, 2020
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Romance
Rating:
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.
You guys, I’ve been dying to get my hands on Crave for months now. The moment I read the synopsis about a human girl going to an academy in Alaska filled with things that go bump in the night, I was totally on board. So, I was over the moon excited when Karen from For What It’s Worth Reviews sent me an extra copy that she had. Then as I started reading the book and I started having flashbacks to Twilight, I was still super excited. About a third of the way in the book, I was hooked and ready for more. Shortly after the halfway mark, though, is when I started to have second thoughts about this story.
The story starts off with Grace arriving in Alaska. Her parents died in a horrible car accident, and she’s traveled to Alaska to be with the only relatives she has, her uncle and cousin. Her uncle just so happens to be the headmaster of a prestigious boarding school. However, the students don’t exactly roll out the welcome wagon when Grace gets there. In fact, she ends up in the hospital a bunch of times with warnings that she shouldn’t be there and to watch her back. Something is definitely up with this school, and it’s obvious that someone is out to kill Grace.
Now, that part of the story totally hooked me. Grace has no clue that she’s surrounded by supernaturals. From dragons, to vampires, were-shifters, and even witches. This school is full of things that go bump in the night… and Grace isn’t one of them. Not only is she the outcast, but when Jaxon shows interest in her, she ends up with a target on her back as well. Grace seems to think everything happening to her is a freak accident. However, to the reader, we see it as it is and we know something is up.
I guess what got me was just how drawn out this story is. There is so much back and forth of the same topic that it was just a broken record. Jax says he’s dangerous and she needs to stay away, then he’s all over her like white on rice. Grace ends up in the hospital, feeling like something isn’t quite right with the school and it’s students, and yet continues to ignore that voice in her head telling her that maybe she shouldn’t be walking down into that dungeon with a boy she just met. This girl ignored so many red flashing signs that it was ridiculous. Then the back and forth of Jaxon trying to save Grace from him and his life, only to be her knight in shining armor got a bit repetitive. I just, I got bored with that real quick. If the story had stuck to the folklore of all the various individuals while giving Grace a clue who she was surrounded by instead of trying so hard with the romance and making it feel like such a fanfic of Twilight, I might have enjoyed this a lot more than I did. And in all fairness, the book make references to Twilight as well as having Jax give her the book and telling her to read it. So, it’s not like I am just being mean and comparing it to something without reason. The author throws the various pop culture references in the readers face left and right. Maybe if these were subtle nods I would be fine, but I don’t like having things thrown in my face just to make me go “Oooh!”
I had very high expectations for Crave. I was really excited about another vampire romance after to many years of them being “old” and “so yesterday”. However, I think the author tried too hard to make this the next Twilight, that they focused too much on the Twilight aspect and not enough on telling a kickass story. I liked the darker elements and the suspense that was laced throughout. I liked the idea of the academy and all the various characters who called that place home away from home. However, so much of the story was just slow boring back and forth. Then all of a sudden the ending came roaring around the corner, slapping me upside the face, and knocking me on my butt. I honestly have no clue what I read. So much was thrown at the reader out of nowhere, like the author was scrambling to throw some last tidbits she meant to toss in earlier in the book but forgot, while trying to write a huge climatic showdown. This book had so much potential and I was ready to fall head over heels in love with it, but I guess I just expected more from it.
I’ve been thinking about getting this one. I wasn’t sure if it would be good or not.
i’ve been thinking about this one too. 3 star isn’t bad and i appreciate your review. i still want to read it….
sherry @ fundinmental
The blurb sounds awesome! Shame it didn’t live up to its promise… I was thinking it sounded Twilighty then got to the part of your review when you compared it to Twilight fan-fic and started laughing. 🙂
I think I’d still read it but having looked at the price (over £8 for the ebook!) I think I’ll wait a while!
Aw, bummer! I do think Grace repeatedly ignoring her instincts would drive me nuts. Doesn’t sound like a good fit for me, I’m afraid. Sorry it didn’t really live up to your expectations!!!
-Lauren
Ooh a boarding school with supernaturals. Yup that would hook me too probably lol. Plus a killer cover. Sorry tohear it didn’t quite knock out of the park, but still… sounds decent!
The darker elements and world sound great, it is a shame this didn’t come together.
I’m sorry this one didn’t work out for you. I can see how the repetition could get old.
Great review. This had me laughing so hard. “Jax says he’s dangerous and she needs to stay away, then he’s all over her like white on rice.” Great line!