Review: Fated by Sarah Alderson

Book Description via Goodreads:

Paperback, 320 pages

January 5, 2012, Simon & Schuster UK

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?

Source: Simon & Schuster UK (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

All Evie Tremain ever wanted was to work two jobs, save money, be done with high school and leave her little town. She wasn’t always like this. She used to be a sociable person, with friends and hobbies and a handsome boyfriend. But after the death of her father and the recent accident and betrayal that her best friend and her boyfriend were involved in, she has pulled away from civilization and society, mourning. But everything got even more complicated when she found out that she was a Hunter.

The world of Hunters and Unhumans existed alongside the ‘normal’ world. With Evie smack in the middle of it, stuck in an ancient war, she had no choice but to start training with Victor’s help and become a Hunter. I loved Evie! She knew what she wanted and she was determined to live life her way (as much as she’s capable of anyway.) She’s concerned, loving, protective, sexy, fierce and brave. Really, readers will adore her! Her actions were justified. She wasn’t reckless, not really, but she was brave. She faced danger, acted on instinct and moved gracefully as she tried to sidestep one death threat after another. Another thing I liked about her was that she had to deal with love life issues, death issues and mortality issues in this novel. Her situation changed her, making her realize the importance of life, her role as a Hunter and the price of being one. The emotional ‘weight’ was just enough for me to feel her pain, her grief and her sorrow but it wasn’t overwhelming. I like the balance that Alderson portrayed.

The Brotherhood was a group of Unhumans set against the Hunters. Shula, a Mixen Demon, coated in acid, Caleb, a Scorpio Demon, Joshua, a Thirster, Neena, a Shapeshifter, Grace, a Sybll and Lucas, a Shadow Warrior, were the current members of the Brotherhood. I like how Alderson introduced them. I admit that in the beginning, I was a little confused with the girls because they were introduced simultaneously. But after that, I got to look into their lives. There was something about Alderson’s writing style that let me get their character in such a small time.

Lucas was the half-Shadow Warrior and half-human member of the Brotherhood. He was like a double-edged sword. He had his cold Unhuman side – the side that swore an oath to the Brotherhood, hunted and killed. He had his human side – filled with bittersweet memories and an almost lost humanity. He was ridiculously handsome, clever, skilled and charming. Both sides were bound to touch, reach out, and affect readers. His relationship with Evie developed in such a way that was life-changing, sweet and hot and unexpected. I liked that how they started from being awkward strangers to suspicious acquaintances to starcrossed lovers.

Fated was action-packed, with slow-motion-ala-matrix-scenes, knife-throwing, Hunter training that will remind readers of Angelina Jolie movies. What I like most about it was the realism of the action scenes and the details. It reminded me of Legend by Marie Lu (which had amazing action scenes.)

Well-developed, charming, attractive and gorgeous characters, a smooth heart-stopping, heart-melting plot and beautiful writing graced the pages of Fated. Addictive, suspense and romantic, Fated will satiate your thirst for starcrossed love, secrecy, the paranormal world and badass action. I highly recommend this!

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