Book Recap: Crave by Melissa Darnell (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
Deep red and black, with a girl in a white gown?
The cover is love.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):

Savannah Colbert has been shunned all her life by the kids of the Clann. And when she undergoes some drastic changes after a strange illness, Savannah learns secrets about the group and about herself—dangerous secrets. For the Clann are powerful magic users, and Savannah herself is half Clann and half vampire—a forbidden, unheard of combination. Falling for Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman isn't just a bad idea—it could be deadly if anyone finds out. But her attraction to Tristan—and his to her—isn't something either of them can resist for long.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

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

LOCATION/SETTING:
Modern day Texas. The family of the protagonist live outside the city. In this story world, a group of very powerful witches called the Clann hold control. They are basically the founding families.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
The main character is Savannah Colbert. She is half vampire and half Clann. She has carrot curls and is uncoordinated. She attempted to do sports and dancing, but is just not good at anything. She used to be best friends with the son of the Clann leader Tristan Coleman, but they were prevented from being friends by the Clann because Savannah is half vampire. Tristan, on the other hand, is handsome, charming, rich, and yes... spoiled. He's everything the girls in school, including Savannah want. He plays football, and dreams of playing for the NFL. Magically, he is superior being the future leader, however, he never wanted to become the Clann leader. He just wants a normal life.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
** may contain spoilers ** The story begins upon the opening of another school year. Since fourth grade, Savannah Colbert was unfriended and considered as an outcast by her peers, including her best friend Tristan Coleman, the son of the Clann leader and the future leader of the Clann. Why? Because she is a half breed - half vampire, half Clann (or witch.) She was not allowed to use magic, and both species were very wary and afraid of her possible powers. But puberty and the development of Savannah's powers cannot be delayed any longer. With that, she undergoes physical, and yes, magical changes. She was once ugly ducking, ignored by the boys of her school, but because of the change, she became a swan. Boys seemed to be magnetized now, including Tristan. Also, when Savannah tried out for the dance team, she was one of the best, but she was rejected because the vampire council manipulated the results of the audition so as not to arouse suspicion that she is a vampire. Apparently, with her developing vampire powers, she will be the best in everything she does. So, she opted to be the team manager of the dance team. It happened that Tristan engaged in an illegal use of magic in public, and as a punishment, he cannot play football anymore. So he signed up to be on Savannah's group. There is an inexplicable pull between the two, and eventually they cannot control their attraction any more and they just had to be with each other. Despite the fact that they cannot be seen together in public, the two are happy by just being with each other. If only love were that simple! They went on secret dates. But then one day, shadows lurked outside school grounds. They follow Savannah and Tristan everywhere. Things get more complicated when Savannah felt the urge for Tristan's blood. With that, Savannah went home immediately, leaving Tristan alone. Then Tristan was kidnapped by the vampires, and now, Savannah has to pass a test in order to save Tristan's life, and maybe even her own. ** spoilers end **

LOVE:

The story is told in the alternate POVs of Savannah and Tristan. Now, those kinds of books are a bit confusing to read, but not this book. The alternate POVs worked. I also love the fact that this book made me cry. I don't usually get teary eyed just by reading novels, but this book is an exception. I felt what Savannah was feeling, and when she hurts, I hurt too. I'm just so happy that this book elicited such emotion in me.

NO LOVE:
I didn't like how Savannah became a doormat in the story. She was basically a slave in the book! She had no control over her own life. In her resides the powers of two powerful species, and she deserves a better treatment from everyone. 

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
I like Tristan's sister. Tristan has a very good relationship with her sister. I like that the two are very supportive and understanding of each other. While they may not always agree on what the other is doing or is planning to do, they are always trying to help each other.

FAVORITE LINE:

You've been off-limits to us ever since you and I got married in the fourth grade.

MUSINGS:

Honestly, I did not expect much from this book. I read this because I had nothing else to read. But this book actually surprised me. It was actually better than I expected. I can even say that I am looking forward to reading the second book, Covet.

DOODLES: 
no trailer yet

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
Melissa Darnell

SIMILAR READS: 
Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway

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

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.