YA review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave (The Clann, Book 1) by Melissa Darnell

YA paranormal*Paperback, 416 pages and e-book*Published October 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.

For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Imagine being childhood friends with someone for so long that the two of you have a make- believe wedding. And then your parents intervene and the two of you are split up. You are not allowed to see your best friend. What if that special bond between the boy and girl was so strong one would call it true love? This is Tristan and Savannah's situation and Crave is their story.

I should know by now that beginning a book on a Friday evening can be troublesome if said book is so good I stay up to finish it. I remained up to devour Crave. Yes, I'll admit there were some silly things some would deem cheesy but I found the story charming and the two main characters voices compelling. Savannah "Sav" and Tristan are descendants--witches--and members of the local Clann but her family was tossed out years ago when her mother's marriage to a vampire was discovered. Sav has grown up with Clann kids keeping her at a distance, laughing, talking about her. Her mother and grandmother, Nanna, haven't been forthcoming with their family history or their secrets but when Sav becomes very ill, they have to reveal some things. It seems Sav is becoming more of her father's daughter than she first believed.

Working close together at school has only made their attraction stronger and there is the whole 'seeing each other in their dreams' thing to deal with. Sav and Tristan's forbidden love affair turns dangerous when they realize in their own unique ways they could end up hurting the one they love most.

I really enjoyed the conflict the author created by keeping the witch and vampire factions separate and having two teens torn apart by rules and fears fall deeply in love. Watching Sav, so meek at first, begin to let her hope and feelings for Tristan blossom until he reveals his true feelings to her was frustrating but the payoff was worthwhile. Some of the scenes with Sav and the cheer squad seemed long and became repetitive; by then I was growing impatient and wanted the couple to get back together, but then I was rewarded with these 'little gems'--romantic scenes like their dream picnic and the pizza/slow dance in the practice room. Tristan and Sav's love and their return to each other gives the story tremendous heart and spirit. They are good kids, soul mates, and I can't help rooting for Sav and Tristan to have a happy ending at some point. The scenes were woven together seamlessly which made late my late night reading a breeze.

Rating: 4

Cover comment: I'm not a fan of this cover at all. Having the model in black and white is bland and boring. Sav has red curly hair. Where is it? Where's Tristan? The book has two distinct voices but he's not reflected on the cover.

Book source: Netgalley