The Crescent by Jordan Deen
- paranormal, YA -
reviewed by Tara SG
received for review via Book It Forward Tours
Book Order
This ended with a big cliffhanger. I’m assuming it’s the first in a series.
Links
Author’s Website : www.jordandeen.com
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This book in 6 words:
could have been great, but wasn’t
Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
I came across the blurb for this one at Book It Forward Tours and went ahead and signed up for the tour. I feel like I should mention that I was pretty sick when I read this (but not on meds) and it could have been part of why I was so easily annoyed. I’m not glad I read this. The story line was OK and could have been good, but the pacing and character development was off. I probably won’t be reading any future books in this series.
Brief Summary
Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator. Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused. Lacey’s fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she’s ever know.
- via GoodReads.com
Plot/Pacing/Writing Style
I think that the plot idea was really good. It’s hard to talk too much about it without giving much away. I think the were mythology could have been explained better. Overall I felt like the whole thing was too rushed. It really should have been spaced out a little more. My biggest problem with the book was the pacing. It skipped ahead a lot. I would be reading one paragraph and the next paragraph is a week later. That’s OK if it’s chapter to chapter, but it can get confusing when you’re jumping around randomly in the middle of chapters.
Characters
I instantly didn’t like the main character. In the first chapter she feels like she’s being chased by something and talks about how she is preparing to take her last breath. She had NO reason to believe something was after her or that she was unsafe in her backyard. A little too melodramatic for me. She also is supposed to have fallen in love with the first new hot guy in the matter of weeks (which isn’t something new), but they seemed to have spent little time together and we knew nothing about him.
Alex (first new hot guy) is charming and maybe nice, but he’s pushy. Then we meet Brandon (second new hot guy) right away and see even less of him. I would have liked to see these characters built-up much more. This could have made the story much better.
Recommendations
This is a short read and I’ve seen some reviews where people loved this, so if you like YA paranormal I’d say give it a try from the library.
Oh the rushed romance of YA–I never quite get why they do that. Also, with short books it has to be done right on or something always seems lacking.
Wasn’t really planning on reading this one, though the synopsis DOES sound interesting. If I can find it at the library or somehow come across a free copy, maybe I’ll give it a shot. Though I’m getting really, really tired of all of this “convenient” YA romance. Not that I don’t love a good dose of romance but all of this mysterious-hot-boy-with-issues-meets-girl-and-they-fall-head-over-heels-in-death-defying-star-crossed-love stuff is getting old.
@ Felicia : It doesn’t always bother me, but you’re right it has to be done right.
@ Natalie : I would say if you come across it at the library go ahead and pick it up. It was a pretty fast read. I’m also getting tired of the “convenient” YA romance. It doesn’t seem to be done right lately. I think I need to take a break from YA for a few books…