Hannah M. (hannahb) reviewed on 1/2/2011 + 45 more book reviews

I will preface this review by shallowly admitting I was completely entraced by the cover. It is honestly what drew me in from the beginning.

That being said, I truly enjoyed this book to the point where I read it in one day. While it wasn't necessarily a book I desperately had to finish it, I also didn't feel the need to "take a break" and walk away from the book.

I'm suprised this is Inara Scott's first book - she handled it like a pro. Her characters come off as complete and intriguing, and her settings are lush and descriptive. In fact, had the character of Dancia not announced to readers she was only 14, I think I would have thought she was an older teen for most of the book because of the more sophisticated style of wording Scott uses throughout the book.

THE CANDIDATES doesn't throw anything unexpected at the reader. And while Dancia isn't as extraordinary a character as her power, I found her likeable nonetheless. Even brooding Jack, who could have easily become an obnoxiously predictable "bad boy", was a fun character.

This is also one of the few books I've read with a romantic triangle where I have no idea which couple I'm supposed to invest in. Dancia and Jack have this electric connection because of their gifts, but Dancia and Cam seem more suited for each other in many ways. In most books, I can tell right off the bat which couple the author wants me to ship out of a triangle, but Scott generously lets the reader draw their own conclusions. In a world of Bella & Edward soulmates, that is a refreshing idea. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel, THE WATCHERS, this summer.

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