Review: Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell

A witch and a vampire, now how do you think this will end up?

Title: Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell
Pages: 416
Release Date: April 6th 2012
Published by: MIRA Ink
Source: Publisher (thanks Becky!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository


Summary:

Bloodlust. Magic. Forbidden secrets.

When Savannah Colbert returns to school after a mystery illness, the fact that she has changed is clear to everyone. None more so than every school girls golden boy Tristan Coleman. Ever since their first kiss in fourth grade, Savannah and Tristan have been cruelly and inexplicably banned from associating with each other. Now, as the pair navigate the tricky social life of high school, the truth is about to be revealed.

As Savannah learns of their paranormal ancestry and Tristan deals with the repercussions of her new powers, the relationship they have been denied for so long becomes utterly irresistible and all consuming. Like Romeo and Juliet centuries before them, Savannah and Tristan’s love is destined to fail; and Tristan’s powerful magical family, the Clann, are watching.

Think of Romeo and Juliet, only this time it's not the Capulets and the Montagues, it's the Witches and the Vampires, then mix in some outcast Witches and humans, set it in modern times and you get Crave. I tell you it's a whole lot better.

I was intimidated with the length of the novel at first, and even though I sometimes feel that it's dragging it was still quite a great read. Who wouldn't be intrigued with the words "Forbidden to Love, Destined to Fail."? I love head strong (and sometimes stubborn) protagonists who wants to prove people that they can make the impossible just possible and defy people's expectations. Although sometimes it doesn't succeed, reading about the effort is well worth it.

Savannah is a sweet girl. She's really nice, or maybe too nice. She's the type of girl who follows what everyone wants her to do and tries hard to live up to what is expected of her. The type of girl who'd rather blend in the background than be on the spotlight. But Savannah's life is anything but simple, and when she discovered her true heritage, it gave a new meaning to her reality. She's part of the ever complicated world of vampires and witches and there are things she's forbidden to do. I felt like I can connect to Savannah in a way because she's just a girl trying to live normally, struggling to know who she really is and not be a freak. When the people you think were your friends shunned you all of a sudden, you'll ask too, and try to bring back everything to the way it was.

Savannah and Tristan's romance started when they were little, they were friends first, which I loved. I've never been a fan of insta-love and it was obvious in the story that their feelings from when they were little grew into something serious over time. Tristan's this boy who seem all to perfect, but in a sense he kind of is. He's this type of guy who plays the Knight in Shining Armor secretly, loves his family and is not prejudiced against Savannah at all. He's persistent and charming and you wouldn't think that Savannah's getting into trouble if she'll end up with someone like Tristan. In a way, they were both the same, trying to be someone they want to be but the circumstances surrounding their lives won't allow them to. It wasn't easy but I love how the author took time to get Savannah and Tristan together, emphasizing more of the star-crossed lovers angle of the story.

What made Crave all the more interesting were the rich, but seemingly complicated ties between the Witches and the Vampires and the rules that bind the Descendants and the Vampires to them. It makes the readers think of the story in a bigger way, that it's not just Savannah and Tristan's lives which can be affected if they fall in love with each other. I loved Sav's Nanna! She's a cool, powerful witch, understanding and affectionate. Surprisingly, I also loved Savannah's father. I find him very intriguing, and it's fascinating thinking of how such a stoic looking, seemingly unfeeling man can be a caring father deep inside. Melissa Darnell wove quite a few interesting bits about Demons, Adam and Eve, and Lilith in the story which made it sound more believable and all the more interesting.

Crave is four hundred pages of goodness. The inner workings of The Clann were quite a read. It's like The Covenant but with snarky witches and warlocks and vampires and enough drama and action to keep the readers thoroughly entertained. What made it an exciting read was seeing Savannah cope with finding out who she was and getting herself in control, as it establishes more of the 'Forbidden' side of the story, which makes it all the more attractive. Crave is not just about a love that is doomed to fail, it's also about friendships and the complications that comes with being in high school. The last few chapters were so good that it left me wishing I had the second book in hand so I can read what happens next!

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Cliche, but we need to read this kind of love story once in a while. Who can resist the word 'Forbidden'?

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
Love the cover! It perfectly captures the mood of the story!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.