White Raven Book Cover White Raven
Raven
J.L. Weil
Paranormal Romance
Dark Magick Publishing
3/27/15
368

DREADFUL LIES.
UNEXPECTED LOVE.
IMPOSSIBLE TRUTH.

It only took one heartbeat to change my life—one chilling phone call in the middle of the night.

And then, as if my life didn’t already suck, my dad sends my brother and me to some idyllic island for the summer to live with a grandma we never met. WTH. Naturally, I rebel. In the end, I find myself shipped off to Raven Hallow…and bored to tears.

Until I get an eyeful of the mind-bendingly gorgeous Zane Hunter. The dark-hair cutie makes my pulse go bonkers, and I think, maybe this might not be so bad after all. Six feet of swoon inducing looks, with a hint of Celtic charm in his voice, he was the type of guy that left a string of broken hearts in his wake. And I had all the heartbreak I could handle.

Yet, there is something uncanny, almost supernatural about Zane, and it’s not just his devastating smirk. No matter how much distance I put between us, Raven Hallow isn’t big enough, and the sparking tension between is undeniable. Of course, the one person I want to avoid becomes my salvation.

My past comes back to terrorize me. Someone wants me dead, and the closer I get to the truth, the more I realize my whole life is a lie. I am no longer sure what is more frightening—the attempts on my life or the guy whose heart and soul are synchronized with mine.

Raven Hallow has secrets… lots of them.

J.L. Weil, author of both the popular Divisa and Luminescence series, has come out swinging with a new and completely different offering that is both refreshing and intriguing!

There are multiple levels to the mystery surrounding Piper in Weil’s White Raven, the first in the Raven series. Though I don’t think any particularly trumps the others in value, I think they all wind to the final resolution of Piper’s future.

If you look at this book in its barest form, it’s the story of a girl figuring herself out – who she is and isn’t, what makes her special, how her family history will shape her….

We have all been there.

What makes this book particularly interesting is that the storyline is refreshing.  I mean, in past months I have read about:

  1. angels
  2. vampires
  3. gargoyles
  4. demons
  5. mixtures of the above

However, I haven’t before read anything like the inventive mix of characters in White Raven.  Weil crafts a whole

JL Weil does love her Supernatural 😉

new set of heroes and villains, personality and physical traits and even throws in some sexy Irish accents. 😉

As with all books in the YA/Paranormal genre these days, there is of course a romantic arc, with a unique set of challenges.  But beyond that, there is also Piper’s personal self-discovery as she figures out this new person she is, who she is meant to be, and how she can retain herself all the while.

The challenge going forward will be how to give Zane and Piper an HEA, while still satisfying the requirements of an agreement to which Piper had no involvement.

Seriously, the girl has a gripe about people making decisions without her consent. It just ain’t right.

Pulled from Weil’s Pinterest

When it comes to the characters, I love the Hunter family, and in particular love the portrayal of the father, since it goes against every stereotype imaginable.  I think TJ is who will keep Piper grounded moving forward, but I wonder when and if her father will make a reappearance in their lives and be the man she needs to support her through everything.

I think Zane as a flawed character is adorable, if not a bit predictable.  But then again, we all seem to love those angsty, protective hot dudes who ride motorcycles.

Right?

So if you’re ready for something a bit different, give this book a go.  Caution though: Weil says that Zane and Piper haven’t been so cooperative so it may be a bit before the next book is released.  Here’s to hoping they get their act together so we can get to the next installment!

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