Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Review: Fated by Alyson Noel + Giveaway


Book Description via Goodreads:

ARC, 440 pages
May 24, 2012, Macmillan Children's Books (UK)
June 1, 2012, Pan Macmillan Australia

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals comes a breathtaking new saga brimming with magic, mystery, and an intoxicating love story that will steal your heart away. Meet The Soul Seekers.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Source: Beatrice & Pan Macmillan, Pan Macmillan Australia (I got an extra copy so I’m giving it away to one lucky reader.)

My Thoughts:

The uniqueness of Fated left a sweet taste in my mouth. The drastic change from the bright and worldly Hollywood gigs to the nature-bound Enchantment to the Otherworlds wrapped me in a magical haze. I enjoyed traveling with Daire to the Upperworld and the Lowerworld and its various surprise-riddled dimensions, filled with spirit animals and denizens.

Daire was the kind of girl who moved around and didn’t get attached. She had no permanent address, no home and no family aside from her mom, Jennika. Although she was stubborn and sometimes annoying and maybe a little disrespectful, I found her realistic. She was flawed, went with the waves of her emotions and daydreamed just like a real teen. Noel knows how to make me feel the panic, the confusion, the anger, the helplessness and eventually, the acceptance that Daire felt.

Daire’s dreams were filled with two brothers: one good and one evil. But the line between her dreams and her reality blurred when she came face to face with the brothers. Cade, the evil twin, was the popular guy at school. He was the charismatic and attractive one but deep inside, he was far from nice. His twin, Dace, has a big, pure heart. As the good twin, he was the opposite of Cade. He wasn’t popular and he didn’t have fans but he was compassionate and honest. He was the kind of guy that would be a joy to know and discover. However, in Fated, I didn’t get to know him that much. I have to admit that his character was not well-developed and I really wanted him to be one. I’m hoping in the next book, I’ll get to know more about him.

The story was focused on Daire’s becoming and being a Seeker. But I was expecting romance to play a big part in the plot because of the frequency of the dreams including Dace. But the romance didn’t meet my expectations. I felt that it was rushed and a getting-to-know-each-other-while-emotional-and-sexual-tension-flare phase was skipped. But then I did like the scenes between Dace and Daire. They were mostly awkward (because of Daire) and sweet (because of Dace), sometimes hot and burning. I just wanted more.

After reading Fated, I felt that I went on an exhausting but incredible journey. I liked how Daire transformed from being that distant girl to a brave and caring Seeker. She became in touch with nature and opened up to her skills, magic and destiny. I love how she got close to and learned to trust and love Paloma, her grandmother.

Fated is will delight readers with its unique magic-filled storyworld, crackling with power and danger. This is definitely a step up from The Immortals Series. I recommend this to people who didn’t enjoy The Immortals Series – you might just like this one and to paranormal readers.

Rating:


Giveaway: ARC of Fated by Alyson Noel

Rules:

Be a follower of Fragments of Life.
Open internationally.
You must be at least 13 years old.

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31 comments:

  1. I would love this book and I know I would like it because I love Alyson Noel books.

    Great giveaway.
    ~ Enchantedbooks @ Kelsey

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  2. I actually kind of think I would enjoy that the romance kind of took a back seat. I love a good romance in my paranormal books but sometimes it's nice to have that little bit of a change. To be honest from your review there isn't much I wouldn't like!
    Thank you for the giveaway!!

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  3. I think I'll like it because it sounds like Alyson Noel's other novels, but I don't think I'll like the rushed romance. That's one of my literary pet peeves.

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  4. Oohh the Upperworld and the Lowerworld, both sounds like an interesting places! And two brothers, means more fun? xD

    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  5. I'm not crazy about PNR, but I'm excited to see Alyson Noel's spin on shifters. :-)

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  7. I think I could enjoy it! I liked the Immortal Series, so this can be a nice read! Thank for the giveaway!

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  8. I loved Fated. Thankfully . . . since I wasn't exactly a fan of Noel's Immortals series. Great review!

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  9. Oh this one sounds like it was good. The underdeveloped characters/romance is unfortunate but it sounds like it didn't ruin the experience.

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  10. I liked your review because you are honest. You really aren't happy about how little you get to know of Dace but other than that you are really getting into this book and can't wait for more. Me, if Alyson Noel wrote it I know it's going to be good and can't wait to get my hands on it.

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  11. Love your review! :D And omg. Thank you so much for giving this book away. <3 *fingers crossed.* I think I will like this book. :) It seems awesome. Think I will both love and hate the romance. as long as there isn't any triangle :D
    Love, Carina

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  12. You have to assume that Cade's character will continue to develop in the second book. It wouldn't make much sense to only develop the bad brother's personality. The romantic tension wouldn't be even given that. This concern could possibly leave me not really wanting to read the second book!

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  13. You made me curious about the story... twins *_* always wanted to have a twin-sister -and nearly I get one :)- and about that magical world where they live- Upper and lower
    in this book everything about opposites :) black and white ...interesting like life could be.

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  14. i've read all of her other books so i'm pretty sure i'll like this new series. after reading your great review, i definitely want to read the new series! anything that's about soul seekers or things like that i usually love to read : )

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  15. I am glad you liked it. I liked the Immortals series but I am excited for something new from her.

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  16. I absolutely think I'll love this book! It's just my kind of thing :) Especially if the main character is realistic - they're the hardest to find sometimes ;)

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  17. I would like to thank you for an apsolutely fantastic book giveaway, that is a genre i really love. In response to your question i would have to say how realistic the character sounds, and how i could relate & empathise with her. Thank you x

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  18. I think I would like this book! The Upperworld and Lowerworld sounds so magical!!

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  19. I think I would absolutely love this book! The world, the characters! Its sounds all so amazingly cool! Can't wait to read it!

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  20. Amazing review Precious! I'm really looking forward to reading this one..the only problem is that I found out that there is no kindle version of it on amazon! And buying a physical copy takes too long to arrive here :/
    But at least after your comment about the romance not meeting your expectations I'm less excited (I was TOO excited!)and can wait a few more days :)

    Rachel @ Books to Consider

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  21. I love the idea of it being so magical and how you are able to see one character change through out the book :)

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  22. Sounds like its going to be really good and more exciting than her last series.

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  23. I just love Alyson Noel's books and can't wait to read more of them!

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  24. I think I could enjoy it! I love Alyson Noel's books :D

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  25. I love anything by Alyson Noel. :)

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  26. I think I would like it because its written by Alyson Noel. Hope the 2 brothers thing don't end up like vampire diaries...
    Thank you for the international giveaway
    Kristia Miltiadou

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  27. I love Alyson Noel's books:) This book seems so good:)
    -JennyC

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  28. The book has an interesting concept. I like magic systems! And I like to see the character change. Thanks for the review.

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  29. Probably. I like good characters and unique plots. But the romance portion sounds like it'll be a little disappointing.

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