Book Review: Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256
Received From: Store Bought

Summary: 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: Hearts At Stake, wow, I'm literally blown away. I haven't read a good vampire book in awhile so I'm thankful I bought this book. It was so creative, humorous and the characters were extremely lovable. Lucy a.k.a. Lucky was such an entertaining individual, she always made me laugh. Her stubborn and determined personality made her the perfect candidate to be Solange's best friend. Solange, was a strong and family oriented character. She always managed to put others before her needs. The whole concept of a female vampire being born instead of made, was so refreshing. I haven't seen that in YA fiction yet, so Alyxandra is definitely starting a new vampire movement. Now, let me talk about Nicholas, one word to describe him, yummy. His over protection of Lucy was sexy, you think it would be possessive but it wasn't. I cannot wait to see how their relationship blossoms in Blood Feud. The ending left me wanting more and I am officially hooked to this series now. Seriously a very well-written book that every vampire fan should read. I also recommend it to non-vampire fans, it was that good!

My Rating:
Author's Info:

Alyxandra Harvey is the author of Hearts at Stake, the first book in the Drake Chronicles. She studied creative writing and literature at York University and has had her poetry published in several magazines. When not writing, she is a belly dancer and jewelry-maker. She lives in an old farmhouse with her husband, hawk, and two dogs.

For more info on Alyxandra, check out her site(s):
Website: www.alyxandraharvey.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlyxandraH
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Drake-Chronicles/178762639731?ref=ts
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3020684.Alyxandra_Harvey

Up & Coming Books:

Blood Feud (The Dark Chronicles, Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: June 22, 2010
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 272

Summary: It's been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena's royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha's reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte? A vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself? The clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy. This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles? Told from both Logan's and Isabeau's perspectives? Has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.