HEARTS AT STAKE (THE DRAKE CHRONICLES) by ALYXANDRA HARVEY

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Publisher: Walker & Company
Date: December 2009
Page Count: 248
    BOOK DESCRIPTION: On Solange's sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that's not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black--agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father's killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.


    Luckily she has her own secret weapon--her human best friend Lucy--who is willing to defend Solange's right to a normal life, whether she's being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. 


    Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange's eternal life--Lucy and Solange's brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black--in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover's heart. Even fans of the genre who've seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters--vampire or otherwise.


    MY REVIEW: Fun, fun, fun! As a longtime fan of vampire stories, I'm really enjoying some of the YA versions which make the lore fun and interesting. The vamps don't brood in this book, they fight to keep their family members safe. In Solange's case, her family is huge, and primarily male. Besides her mom she's the only other female surrounded by her dad and seven older brothers. She'll turn 16 in a few days and there's this prophecy that she will become the new Vampire Queen. This is a position she doesn't want, just ask her best friend, Lucy, but sometimes we can't always get our way. Or do we?


    I won't spoil the rest of this book for you. I liked how the story was told from two point-of-views: the soon-to-be vampire, Solange, and her human best friend, Lucy. It gave the story a nice balance between two different sets of opinions and interpretations. Harvey's writing really flows and her character voices are believable. There's not a lot of world building; all of the lore in this book is given to the reader in pieces and at the necessary moments. There is action and adventure, but mostly there's a slew of endearing characters, a nice friendship between the longtime pals and not-in-your face romance.


    If paranormal fantasy is the genre you love, check this one out.


    RATING: ++++


    SERIES: Yes! BLOOD FEUD is released on June 22nd.


    BOOK SOURCE: Purchased.

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