Monday 7 May 2012

#100 Book Review: Fated [ARC]

Fated [ARC] (Soul Seekers #1)
Release Date: June 1st 2012
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon & The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads:
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.
My review:

Cover:
I personally love the cover of Fated a lot compared to the covers of the Immortals series. It's absolutely gorgeous. I love the girl's hair and how it's forming ravens and her earrings are so pretty!

Story:

We are bound. Fated.

When I first heard of Fated, I was absolutely excited to read it! I really enjoyed Alyson Noel's The Immortals series and was really anxious for her new series. The cover is really gorgeous and I was hoping it does not disappoint. When I finished reading this book, I thought Fated was pretty good but it didn't live up to my expectations.

Just by reading the summary, I would have thought that romance plays a big part in this book. I am a sucker for romance. The Immortals series were full of romance so I expected Fated to have plenty of romance. When I finished reading this book, I thought the romance was barely there. Although, I really enjoyed the Native Americans touch and the Soul Seekers concept in the book. It was really unique, creative and quite well-written. This book is written from Daire's POV. The story didn't quite hook me and there were so many things unexplained which made me a bit confused but because this is only the first book in the series, I am hoping things will be further explained in the next book! The ending was okay, I am not dying to read the next book but I would still read the next book in the series! It was still an enjoyable read!

Characters:
I found Daire quite annoying as a character in this book. She changes her mind so easily and one second, she accepts her 'fate' and the next, she is all 'no way, I don't want this'. She definitely improved as the book progressed and I'm glad to find that I didn't found her as annoying as in the beginning of the book when I finished reading Fated. Moving on to the 2 boys, Dace and Cade. Dace is the twin Daire fell in love with but sorry Dace, I think I fell in love with your twin, Cade, instead. I'm a bit bored with good guys (Oh, I can't believe I just said that!) and I thought Cade was a great bad guy in this book. He is really cool and I am hoping that there will be a developing relationship between Cade and Daire in the next book! I also really enjoyed reading about Paloma, Daire's grandmother and I really loved how patient she was with Daire.

Overall:
Fated brings you a new and unique paranormal theme of Soul Seekers with a touch of Native American culture! Even though it didn't live up to my expectations, it was overall still enjoyable. I think fans of The Immortals series will also enjoy reading this book!
3 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Fated!
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy!

19 comments:

  1. Nice review! Although I'm not a huge fan of The Immortals series, I would love to see what I make of this. I really love the cover for this book too. ;) It's a shame it didn't quite live up to your expectations but I'm glad you still found it enjoyable. :)

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  2. Like Sam, I'm not the biggest fan of the Immortals series but it sounds like a unique premise. I'm sorry the main character was so annoying for you. Ahh I totally get what you mean about good guys. I like them to be sweet and kind but sometimes, the bad guy is just a more interesting character! Fantastic review, Celine.

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  3. Hi! Remember when I posted a review of Rose Awaken and you commented on it? I just posted an interview with Eve, author of this story and I thoght that you may like it too :)


    Disincentive @ (read, watch, listen) - reviews

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  4. Ah, sad to hear you didn't like it much! I actually haven't read The Immortal series, but this one has catched my attention since a while ago. And Celine, I understand you; I ALWAYS like romance in the books I read <3 Yup, I usually don't like main characters that change opinions so drastically.

    Great review! Glad to hear you still found it enjoyable :)

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  5. What about people who weren't fans of the Immortals? Do you think they'd enjoy it? Because I wasn't really a fan of the Immortals (I gave up halfway through book three). I'm not sure if I want to read this one. Obviously I have a review copy but with so many books to read I'm not sure if I should even attempt this one.

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    1. Rachel!!!! <3

      I think those who weren't fans of the Immortals might enjoy it too! I found some reviews saying that they enjoyed Fated more than the Immortals series but I didn't quite enjoyed the book as much as the Immortals series because I thought the romance was barely there. The idea of the Soul Seekers are much more interesting to me compared to the concept behind The Immmortals series I think!

      I hope you give this book a try, Rachel! <3 Let me know if you do! ;)

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  6. Oh my goodness... Mrs St.Clair... bored with... GOOD GUYS?
    HEHEHEHE! Aw, I'm sorry this one wasn't such a win for you... I was kind of expecting romance, and... yeah. Ah well, I suppose we can't win 'em all, right? Still fab review, and the Native American side sounds AMAZING! ♥

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  7. Hm. I'm still really unsure about reading this, since I never had any intention to read The Immortals series, and I read Radiance (Book 1, Riley Bloom series) but I didn't feel like continuing on. I think I've got enough else to read right now... I might just throw this on my Aussie swap/giveaway pile. Thanks for the review! This actually helped me sort out my feelings, haha.

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  8. Celine bored with the good guys? I'm shocked too!! haha. I so get what you mean, though. Lately I've been a bit 'mehhh' with them aswell. I'm not so bothered about the romance not playing a huge part, though it's disappointed that the story and Daire didn't entirely draw you in! But I'm happy it's still a good read. I'm intrigued to see what you'll think of the sequel! Fantastic review!

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  9. Eve's short story is free to download on smashwords, so nothing keeps you away from reading it :) Download here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143853
    And thanks for commenting!

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  10. Congrats on your 100th book review. I have this to read too. I haven't finished The Immortals series yet; still have the last three to read.

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  11. Ohh, I love the cover too! I honestly didn't much care for her Immortal series, and this doesn't sound like my kind of thing either, so I think I'll pass. I'm sorry Daire wasn't a character you could feel something positive for.
    I love your review, though, Celine. As always. :)

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  12. CELINE, congrats on 100 reviews <333 And thanks for the super honest review :) I don't think this book is for me at all, though the premise is very unique and original. I'm sorry you didn't like the main character- that can turn me off the whole book. I like the cover though!

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  13. Oh my gosh, I think I love this cover even more than the Canadian cover (actually American, but I'm being a little nationalistic here LOL)! The yellow is just SO STUNNING and the girl is really pretty! (She looks like Diana from The Secret Circle!) But I have to admit that I've tried to get into this book more than once before, and I just can't do it. It's the same problem I had with her Immortals series. Still, hearing that you could actually get through it is one encouraging kick to my behind so I'll be sure to try again soon! :)

    Thanks so much for the honest review, Celine! <3

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  14. FOR SURE. The cover is gorgeous... I can't decide whether or not I like it more than the Canadian cover! (Following in Mimi's footsteps here ;D) I liked the Immortal series but after a while, I got kind of tired of it. I think I read maybe 4 of them? Not quite sure. It was really fun when I first started though :) Just the MC... couldn't stand her.

    *gasping breaths* You... you've gotten tired of the good guys? NOOOO CELINE, DON'T LEAVE ME IN CAMP GOOD GUY ALL ALONE!! I'm definitely intrigued by this book! :) Great review!

    AND HEY OMG I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
    So in class today we were planting... Forget Me Nots! Obviously you were the first thing I thought of :) I can't wait for it to grow! MAYBE I'LL NAME IT CELINE? <3 LOL.

    Sonia

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    1. Awwwwwwwwwww Sonia! *hugs* <3 I'm so honoured that you thought of me! ;) I'd be even more honoured if you name the flowers after me! ;P <3

      I still love good guys! Don't worry! I'll never leave you in camp good guy all alone! XP

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  15. Gorgeous cover. Sad to hear it didn't live up to your expectations. Great review, Celine. Very honest.

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  16. Awww Celine, it's a shame that it didn't live up to your expectations! I hate it when books do that, cause I'm always so excited for it and then it ends up being just okay. But oh my gosh! I'm pretty sure if I read this, I would SO FALL FOR CADE <3 Bad boys are so swoon-worthy :D Totally get what you mean about indecisive characters though and I think Daire would annoy the hell out of me as well, but I LOVE her name haha!

    Amazing review, Celine! Sorry it disappointed you, but hopefully the next in the series will be better...? :)

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  17. Sorry to hear that Celine, hope next read will be better. Ive never read any of Alyson N. Great review Celine x

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