Crush

Gr 9 Up–This novel picks up right where Crave left off, and readers could use more of a refresher than is provided, as the werewolf-vampire war that is established in the first book is never fully explained again. As the story opens, Grace awakes from a four-month-long coma with zero memory of how she got there. The story essentially jumps the shark with paranormal activity as it turns out Grace has supernatural abilities—she can shapeshift into a badass gargoyle form, like the critters from the top of the penthouse in Ghostbusters. Grace discovers that she and Jaxson, the hot vampire from the previous book, are linked “mates,” tied through an invisible “bond.” Meanwhile, the reason Grace can’t remember anything is because Jaxson’s evil older brother Hudson has possessed her and is living in her head. Add in a Herculean quest for magical objects and a Quidditch-like competition involving a smoldering rugby ball, and there is a lot going on. As Jaxson fades into a one-dimensional boyfriend, it’s obvious the romance between them is dwindling, as the vivacious and omnipresent Hudson dominates. Whereas the attraction between Jaxson and Grace in the first book was physical, Hudson’s appeal is intellectual and the flirtatious banter between them is charming. This book is longer than the first, but short chapters drive the reader to clip through the more than 650 pages. Readers who were hoping for more of the lustiness established in the first book won’t find it here. The skin tone of the main characters is not specified.