Hearts At Stake By Alyxandra Harvey Review #40

Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256
Rating:

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.

Ahh, I've never seen a book as action packed as Hearts At Stake. How did you do it Alyxandra Harvey? Your mind must be a insanely world that produces amazing stories. Seriously, I've never seen so much adventure in a book then this novel has. The characters were always moving, there was never a dull moment. You'll be able to quickly read this book and it's very addicting because you certainly can't put it down *too much going on*. The story is told from both female protagonists, Lucy & Solange. Which was a nice idea, but lacked the character essence. Solange & Lucy sound the same and at times I thought Solange was Lucy while reading Solange's chapter. Though, both there motivation were what really set them apart, made me feel for them and understand who is who. The book is about Solange, who is about to be 16. And on her sixteenth birthday she'll become a vampire (also destined to be Vampire Queen). Now this probably doesn't sound abnormal, but Solange and her 7 older brothers are Vampire Born. They weren't turned, no they were born Vampires which is unusual in this novel. Solange is the only girl vampire born, making her somehow a threat or savior to everyone. Solange's life is very hectic, she gets love letters and people try to assassinate her daily. But thanks to her lovely, charming *and might I say handsome* 7 older brothers she is protected. We should also thank Lucy (Solange best friend) for being such a awesome friend who would risk her life Solange. Anyways the story & plot were very enjoyable, I didn't really have any problems with them. Alyxandra Harvey does a superb job of describing her story and writing dialogue. The characters were very fun to read about as well (even though I didn't relate to any one of them). My favorite characters were Solange & Logan. The romance in the story was a bit rushed and the romance between Solange & a Kieran was really undeveloped. The ending between her and him was unbelievable and made me cringe. Whereas Lucy & Nicholas was rushed, but felt real. The only other problem I encountered was the author put to much information in the first chapter which confused me throughout the entire book, till around the ending when I finally got the hang of it. This information also includes introducing all seven brothers. The book was very entertaining and I'll certainly be reading the sequel, but the ending didn't leave me craving for more. It made me frown, which is unusual for me. The ending, at first, was going really good and then what Solange did in the last sentence really turn me off. It was just to quickly put in there and the relationship Solange and Kieran have didn't need that yet.

So in the end Hearts at Stake will keep you at the end of your seat throughout the entire book. The book will go at warp speed which had it's goods and it's bad. So it's a good book, with a very developments that could of been made.
Yours Truly,