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Book Review of Ravenous (Dark Forgotten, Bk 1)

Ravenous (Dark Forgotten, Bk 1)
reviewed on + 503 more book reviews


A book of potential, much of it unrealized.
Sharon Ashwood does a good job of creating her world where vampires and other supernatural beings are out, where witches aren't just people who conjure spells but who have innate supernatural powers, and where people still must work, go to school, and pay parking tickets. She gives us enough insight into vampire society, through Allesandro's eyes, that this new world is interesting and full if intriguing characters. Unfortunately, the heroine, Holly, isn't really one of them.
The story jumps off in the middle of things, where Holly is in a relationship with one guy and has a small attraction to another guy. The story takes place over about a week, during which time Holly makes out with three different guys, feels in love with at least two of them, and contemplates a long term relationship with two of them. This makes her seem fickle, and so her HEA true love at the end seems a little suspect. Fortunately the point of view jumps back and forth between Holly and Allesandro and Allesandro makes up for many of Holly's weaknesses.

Ashwood tells us much of what is going on but doesn't quite SHOW us how the characters are in love, how they are deeply bonded, and that there is more to this than just lust. Because the characters have known each other for a year at the start of the book, they never have deep conversations and most of the exposition occurs when they are separated.

The book is full of potential and there is some decent writing mixed in. One hopes future books can deliver what this one can quite reach.