Book Review: Fated by Alyson Noel

Fated (The Soul Seekers Series) by Alyson Noel 

Published May 22nd 2012 by St. Martins Press

Reviewed from ARC provided by Publisher

Summary

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

Thoughts:

    Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed the first 3 books in the Immortals series by Alyson Noel but then the series fizzled for me.  Fated, however is a true stand-out. Raised in a transient style of life by her Mom; Daire has moved from place to place, lived without roots, without a sense of family. When unusual things begin to happen and Daire has a break down, her mother sends her to live with her spiritual grandmother. There she begins to uncover who she is and what she is destined to do.

  The first book in a planned series, the character of Daire is charismatic from the opening pages and I was drawn in to her story.  Her struggle, aside from the typical teenage life drama is to learn and embrace her culture and begin her life as a soul seeker-one who must overcome the growing evil in the town. One of my favourite elements of the story was the inclusion of Native American Shamanism, mystics and Animal Spirit Guides. I loved the time where Daire was experiencing that part of her life. It was fascinating perhaps because it's always been something that has interested me a little, but now I'm researching and finding other books to read about it as well. I have to say that any book that inspires me to explore, to research , is something special.

I can't share my thoughts about Fated without talking about Dace. Le sigh... He is a perfect balance of calm to Daire's  frenetic energy.  Ultimate book boyfriend material. I can't wait to see how things progress or if they do in book two. Can not wait for more of this series.

Fated is a page turner. The story settles deep down inside as you read, and you just want more. Highly Recommended.

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