Vanish by Sophie Jordan (ARC)

Expected publication: September 6th 2011 by HarperTeen

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Cover Inspection:
Just beautiful. 

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.


Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?


In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.5
Plot	3.0
Writing	2.5
Characters	3.0
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
The story takes place right after Jacinda escaped the clutches of the draki hunters in book one. They are on their way back to live with the pride. Like in Firelight, the township of the pride was described as covered by a mist which keeps them hidden from the view of humans, most especially hunters.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
The second book continues the story of Jacinda, and is still narrated by her. This book, unlike in the first one, features Cassian more than Will. The readers will surely get to know the real Cassian, and would probably fall in love with him. (This is not to say that Will does not have any scenes at all; in fact, he gets steamier scenes with Jacinda.) With Cassian by her side and Will away from her, Jacinda becomes confused with her feelings between the two boys fighting for her affection.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
** spoilers** Upon her return to the township, Jacinda was considered as an outsider as they considered her act of showing her true self to the hunters a betrayal of trust. This devastates Jacinda completely, and misses Will even more. But despite everything, the book will definitely show a bonding between the sisters Jacinda and Tamra. Just when Jacinda begins to accept that she will never see Will again, Will fullfils his promise that they will be together, and even plans to run away with him. The story complicates when the Alpha of the pride asks someone to spy on her. The story is about choosing the responsible thing, about choosing what is right for all that one loves.

LOVE:
I love Cassian in this book. He is responsible, honest, and always tries to do the right thing. I believe he really loves Jacinda not because of what Jacinda is (a fire-breather), but for who she really is.

NO LOVE:
**spoiler** In full contrast to Cassian, I didn’t like Will in this book. Not as much as in the first book. What I didn’t like is the fact that Will was sort of immature in asking Jacinda to run away with him and just forgeting about her mother and sister.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Cassian. He made some big sacrifices that would show he truly loves Jacinda.

FAVORITE LINE:

“Then why do I still see him in your eyes?”

MUSINGS:
I do think that this book is better than the first. It was engaing from page one.Anyway, the book really reminds me of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, this time, draki instead of wolves. There is also an Alpha’s son who is pining for the girl, but the girl loves another. It also reminds me of Evernight by Claudia Gray – the draki and the draki hunter. The book was described how it is to fly as a draki. It was described so beautifully, it makes me wonder how it is to fly! The story is all about the irrationality of young love. It is also about the value of family – the fact that no one is an island. Another thing that intrigues me is the Verda wine and verda bread. I was mentioned several times in book and makes me think of what it actually tastes like.

DOODLES:
The book will be made into a movie! See the article here.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
Sophie Jordan

SIMILAR READS:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Evernight Series by Claudia Gray

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: mild
violence: mild
sexual content: mild to moderate
mature themes: moderate
age recommendation: 13+