My review of Fated

Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel 
Release Date: May 24th, 2012 (UK)

A fun and enthralling  book that will sweep you off your feet.

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 recognises 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.

Fated is in many ways, similar to Alyson Noel's previous series, The Immortals. From looking at the cover and reading over the blurb, you would think that this is an amazing book, right? This book has a lot of potential but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Fated lacked something I was hoping for: an interesting plot. It wasn't the most exciting.

Daire has been sent to live with her grandma in New Mexico because of her unstable mental health. Soon, she discovers a whole new world, a world she has never acknowledged. Daire's grandmother is giving Daire a chance to become a Soul Seeker. But with evil forces around, how will it end?

I didn't think Daire as a very interesting character. She's pretty and blah, blah, blah, but she didn't have the determination and strong personality that I was hoping for. I could very much describe her as an empty shell. Obviously, she had to fall in love with the enemy, right? Because that always happens. The book was pretty much predictable when it came down to boys.

Daire has dreams about a guy named Dace. Long, black hair, handsome, lean, tall, you know, all the qualities a girl falls for, apart from the long hair. When ever there was a scene with Daire staring at Dace all I could picture in my mind was a hippie.

The plot seemed so much better when I read the blurb. But when I read the book it just reminded me of The Immortals. In so many ways, the plot line was similar I think that's why I didn't find the whole spiritual/paranormal dilemmas very exciting.

The book did have some really fun and enjoyable moments though! There were some funny moments, cringe-worthy moments and creepy moments. Even though I didn't like the main character, I did manage to finish the book and  am able to say, "It's okay, guys! I'm alive!". There are a few characters and scenes that I think are enjoyable and will lighten the mood a bit. I think that fans of The Immortals series might find this book a little bit of a let down, especially if your looking for another Damien (Character from The Immortals).

When I read the blurb, I was expecting a book full of romance and action. Unfortunately, Fated didn't have those things. Romance? I should say, "What romance?", because this book hardly had any in it! And as for action; there might have been a few scenes that kicked-butt, but apart from that, I don't think there was anything else.

I do recommend that you try this out when it is released, who knows you might even like it. For fans of The Immortals and spirit-lovers I think you might enjoy this. But, if your hoping for a book packed with action and steamy scenes, you won't be finding it here.

Overall, Fated is a fun and satisfying read that will please all those fantasy lovers out there. 

Rating

- A special thanks to Macmillan for sending me a review copy!