Haven by Kristi Cook

Haven by Kristi Cook

Simon Pulse, February 22, 2011

Read for 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

I loved the premise of this story. Prestigous boarding school? Awesome. Prestigious boarding school whose students all possess some kind of super power? Epic awesome.

But then. The one thing that I can't stand makes an appearance in this book. If you know me personally, you can probably guess what this is. If you don't, I will tell you (what kind of review would this be otherwise?) But I will leave suitable space for those who haven't read Haven yet, but are planning to.
























Still with me?
























Last chance to back away....


















Are you ready?


































VAMPIRES. Maybe I'm a complete dumbass, but I really didn't know there would be VAMPIRES in this book. I thought it was going to be a book about kids with weird freaky powers. And I do not like VAMPIRES.


Not only were there VAMPIRES in this book, but I didn't really feel that these VAMPIRES were any different than other VAMPIRES in other paranormal books. Our vampire is yes, hotter than hot, but oh! So cold to the touch. And he doesn't require that much sleep. And he can't give in to his sexual urges without feeling the overwhelming need to feed. And did I mention that he can run really really fast? And OF COURSE he falls in love with a mortal who will do anything to be with him. I'm sorry, but it's just so overdone--and I don't even read that much VAMPIRE fiction.


The story (up untl the VAMPIRES) was actually pretty engrossing. I was enjoying exploring Winterhaven along with Violet, and learning about everyone's freaky superpowers, and how the school teaches the students how to control them.


Sigh. Now, I know  I'm in the minority right now, but I'm not a huge fan of paranormal books. If I stumble upon one and it's done well, then it's incredible and I'll tell anyone who wants to hear. I don't actively seek them out, though. I just can't get in to the whole vampire thing.  I despise writing reviews that aren't positive. So take this review with a grain of salt, and if you're a fan of VAMPIRES, by all means, read this book. You'll probably love this book. A LOT of people will love Haven. It just wasn't my thing.

Borrowed book from library.

Have you entered to win a copy of 7 Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes yet?

Enjoy your reading!
Christi