Hello again!
Before I start, I think it would be a great idea to link you to some of my social media sites:
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I'm having technical difficulties adding their badges to the blog but I should be sorting that out within the next week or so. :)
Busy week this week and getting ready to jump into our Orlando busy season at work so I was really lucky to be able to grab this beauty & read it all in one day.
Now, first I should start and say that Cate Tiernan and I have been in a serious relationship for the past 12 years.. yes, that's right. I should also say that she's not very committed to our relationship, but me? Although I do like to refer to her as the Cliffhanger Queen.... and it drives me crazy... I'm dedicated.
Ever since I read her first Sweep series novel, Book of Shadows, I have been an unwavering fan. I love her tone of voice and she does a great job with character development with the help of all of the truly original magickal elements in her books.
Now, she usually writes about witches. With the Sweep series, it was the Irish lineage witches (at least in direct relation to the protagonist), in her Balefire series, we found our witches in New Orleans and in the Immortal Beloved series, our protagonist comes from an ancient line of immortals (not really vampire... think more witch).
This time, however, Ms. Tiernan has moved on from witches and is dabbling in the world of shifters. And, I really shouldn't even say dabbling, she's head deep in the world and she's doing great at it.
Here is the synopsis you can find on the back cover of the book:
Vivi has known the truth about her family—and herself—since she was thirteen. But that doesn’t mean she’s accepted it. Being Haguari isn't something she feels she’ll ever accept. How can she feel like anything but a freak knowing that it’s in her genes to turn into a jaguar?
Now eighteen, Vivi’s ready to break away from the traditions of her heritage. But all of that changes with her parents’ shocking, devastating deaths and the mysteries left behind. Vivi discovers family she never even knew she had, and a life open with possibility. New friends, new loyalties, and even romance all lay ahead—but so do dangers unlike anything Vivi ever could have imagined.
Vivi is a Haguari. Meaning that she can turn into a jaguar, basically... although it's not that simple and it does take her some practice to get used to the shifting. You see, Vivi comes from a long line of Haguari and it seems to be something she has struggled with since the great reveal when she was 13.
On the day of her 18th birthday, both of her parents are murdered and she is left struggling with the realization that it was not accidental and she could be next.
Finding out her parents had a few secrets while sorting out items shortly after their passing, she follows them to get some answers from a family she was unaware of in New Orleans. Along the way, Vivi's lifelong friend, Jennifer, is moving on and going to college while Vivi becomes closer with her new-found cousin, Mateo, who is Haguari as well and has also suffered the lost of both of his parents.
Spending time in New Orleans with Mateo and his Haguari friends really help Vivi start to cope with her parents' passing and the life she is being forced to make for herself without them.
I don't want to say any more because I think anything after this could be considered a spoiler. I will say, though, that Cate Tiernan did a phenomenal job with the start of this series. It is exactly what is to be expected in the first book of a series- introduction to all of the big players, crisis at hand, and an air of mystery that keeps you wanting more. Add to that a massive cliffhanger and now I am just dying for the second book in this series.
Basic Info about this book:
Name: Darkest Fear (Birthright Series #1)
Author: Cate Tiernan
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy
Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
Sexual Content: References to sex, heavy make out scenes.
Recommend? Yes
Where it can be purchased:
Author's website: http://catetiernan.net/
I hope you enjoyed my review! And please be sure to comment below if you have any questions and/or have any recommendations for any books related to this one that you would like to see reviewed.
Also, below is the song I kind of had on repeat while reading Darkest Fear (which fits in with the book pretty well, if I do say so myself.)
Landslide cover by the Dixie Chicks:
Oldie but a goodie :)
Any book you've been into as of late?
❤❤❤
