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Friday, March 4, 2016

Evanescent – Book Review & Blog Tour

Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore
Published by: Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing
Publication date: 15 March, 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:
“Then it is settled,” Felix declared. “Come hell or high water, when this is all over, at least one of us here will not make it out alive.”

When Bronwen Snow is pulled from her cottage in the middle of the night, she finds herself seeking the help of three mysterious boys who reside in an abandoned castle deep in the hillside. With only a hasty handwritten note and a vague sense of dread to guide her, Bronwen is forced to put her trust in the eccentric and willful Felix Cavara and his eternal curse – immortality.


Book Review by Nadaness In Motion


Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore is the story of Bronwen Snow, an ordinary girl living with her grandmother, who is hurled from her normal life when her grandmother tells her that "it's coming for you", gives her a letter and tells her to find a Felix Cavara in the castle up the hill.

Bronwen is shocked but follows her grandmother's orders, especially since the latter's visions are usually "frighteningly accurate."
The novel opens with an eerie and suspenseful first chapter, keeping the reader on edge and prompting them to carry on. The chapters are usually short, some of which are divided into several parts.

Arriving at the castle, Bronwen meets three boys, not older than she is, namely: Felix Cavara and his two friends Alastair and Loki.
According to Ada, Bronwen is being hunted down by a "Severan", and we discover later that Felix for all the things he says is unaware of the dangers of that creature.

"It follows you," Ada mumbled vaguely. "It's been hunting you, and it's finally coming for you."
…"The only thing you can do… is run."

Narrated in the third person, Evanescent is an easy, quick read. However, there was something off about the narration for me. I cannot pinpoint it exactly but I felt that although the writing was smooth, the narration wasn't light. It was irritating a bit.

There isn't a wide assortment of characters, which is good – just the main ones and a couple of minor ones, some of whom put the whole story in motion.

I disliked that Felix kept nagging about how he'd been living for "hundreds of years" when we discover that the hundreds are only 200 years. I felt it was an exaggeration, one Bronwen picked up.

"The cure to your ailment lies within me. If I am to die, you shall never be saved. So, let your father do his worst, for it will make my retribution all the more poetic."

Although the novel is supposed to be centred on Bronwen, whom I thought was too naïve, her character development comes only at the very end. We see development in Felix's character, especially as he begins to realise that his selfish actions have affected others and continue to do so.

Loki was mostly the most lovable character, especially since he is the youngest in the novel, having been cursed with Felix and Alastair at the age of 12; whereas the others were cursed at the age of 18.

Although Felix's snarky character often lightens the mood and provides humour, it is sometimes too much. His flirtations with Bronwen are not a lot of fun either – in my opinion at least.
"My condition? How tactfully put. I think the correct term is mortally challenged. No, if you must know, I like to keep a low profile because when you're as scandalous as I am, it's bound to create a certain, let's say, adoration. A following, if you will."

Evanescent is not free of romance, though it is all clean with just some holding hands and may be a kiss.

My main problem with the novel was the implausibility of several scenes and events. At one point, having knocked out Felix, the Severan catches Bronwen, while it appears that Alastair and Loki are standing there watching. There other instances, but apart from the narration this was the second most irritating thing about the novel.

Evanescent covers many themes such as trust and betrayal, love, friendship and of course the evanescence/transience of life and how things happen for a reason.

What I liked most about the novel was the ending: It was different. I totally enjoyed and respected that. I did not see it coming.

Last but not least, the cover is gorgeous!

"I was scared to death in there," Bronwen whispered.
"And you'd rather be killed to death out here?"

Overall rating for Evanescent: 3 stars.


Note: I received a free copy of Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase Links:
Amazon and B&N.

About the Author:
Gabriella Lepore lives on the coast of Wales in the United Kingdom. She began writing at an early age and grew up with a passion for all things supernatural—especially witches! She currently has six Young Adult books in print: Evanescent, The Blackheath Witches, How I Found You, Secrets In Phoenix, and The Witches of the Glass Castle books 1 & 2. 

Author links:
https://twitter.com/GabriellaBooks

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