★★★★☆
Publisher: Valknut Press
Release Date: June 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Elves, Shapeshifters, Supernatural
Format: e-book
Source: A Tale of Many Reviews Blog Tour
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Sixteen-year-old Keegan is struggling to keep her huge secret from her friends--she's an elf, descended from a long line of elves that live in secrecy alongside humans. In elfin society, mates are predetermined but not allowed to meet until they are eighteen. Against tradition, Keegan's brother Thaddeus told her Rourk's name because his visions warned him she'd need Rourk's protection, especially since Keegan will play a key role in the coming war between the dark and light elves. Rourk finds himself drawn to Keegan's side every time she thinks his name. He wants to talk to her but remains in the shadows, silently guarding her every time she mentally beckons him. A twist of fate thrusts the two of them together when Rourk is forced to step up his protection and make his presence known. An ancient prophecy deeply entwines Keegan's family and the future of their society. Somehow they must find a way to thwart fate and win the battle...without losing Keegan. With war brewing, and dark forces aligning, will Keegan and Rourk ever have the life together that they both desire?
"Most people imagine elves as Santa Claus' little helpers with enormous ears and fuzzy green tights."
Keegan is an elf. No she doesn't wear fuzzy green tights and no she doesn't work for Santa Claus. She does have pointy ears though, only they're not enormous or anything. She's pretty much the same as any human teenager. Except for a few minor (or major) details like the fact that her family is caught in the middle of an ancient elfin war, oh yeah, and she can make herself invisible (talk about cheating during hide and seek).
Keegan is a very cute character, easy for any girl to relate to, and a sweet friend. She leads a normal life, goes to high school, has friends, and dates boys. Her story is fun and light, until everything in her life changes, some for the better and some not.
In Coexist my favorite aspect was the idea of predetermined love. It's kind of like an arranged marriage only more with a love at first sight twist, the strong emotions the lovers feel is electric, instant, and strikes hard. It leaves the affected quite sappy but, Julia Crane does a great job making it feel real, not forced and fake. Keegan has dreamed of meeting her destined love her entire life, and only has a little over a year left to wait until she turns 18 and meets him. She does know one thing, his name is Rourk. What she doesn't know is that every time she thinks his name, her is drawn to her.
The book has so many excellent characters, many of which have their own secrets. I'm most curious about the other boys in Keegan's life, especially her brother Thaddeus who is, while only 12, probably the most powerful character of the story. Their relationship is like any brother sister combo, full of snarky remarks and mean comments that come straight from the heart.
In the background to Keegan's story a war is brewing between good and evil. While a common problem faced in many books, especially supernatural stories, the author creates this issue and does an excellent job weaving it into so many elements of the book and eventually into the amazing ending that leaves me worried about our main character and those around her.
The writing in this book, while simple and easy to read, pulls you in. I couldn't stop reading, I'd seek out a stopping point and when I came to it I'd find myself picking the book back up and reading more. Julia Crane surprised me with the way she took the story at the end, and I will definitely be reading and reviewing book 2, so be on the look out!
E-Book Giveaway
Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane
Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book 2 in the Series
SPOILER: Do not read synopsis if you haven't read book 1, Coexist.
In the Elfin world, magic and destiny determine who will be together. "Chosen" pairs are fated to meet at the age of 18. Keegan, however, is an anomaly. Having fallen in the battle between the Light and the Dark, she is only alive now due to Black Magic, and her bond with her Chosen is broken. She cannot remember Rourk at all. For the first time, she feels like a normal teenager. She is dating Donald, her long-time crush, and everything seems perfect. But Rourk still feels their bond, and despairs for the woman he was always meant to love. Keegan’s best friend Anna is determined to find a way to use her powers to return Keegan’s bond, no matter what it takes. The question is does Keegan even want it?
Click here to see the Keegan's Chronicles Tour Schedule...
So glad you liked the book. :) Interesting your thoughts on Thaddeus. I have the dream cast on my blog today and his picture is there. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book. I have never heard of it before, but I like the sounds of it.
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