Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave

(The Clann # 1)

By: Melissa Darnell

Pub. Date: October 18, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 416

Source: Netgalley

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
 For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

There was many aspects of Crave that I enjoyed. I liked the characters and felt for them. I also thought the plot was very original, which is saying a lot because there are so many books about Vampires and Witches already out there. I also loved that Darnell used the POV of both Savannah and Tristan.

Savannah has been an outcast at school since elementary school, when her best friends decided not talk to her anymore. I think every single teenage girl has experienced this at one time or another. Tristan is the golden boy at school, and unbeknownst to Savannah, has secretly liked her, since, well, forever. He has never forgiven himself for hurting her by being one of the people to end his friendship with her.

"The Clann" is a powerful set of witches, and the parents have forbade their children with interacting with Savannah. None of the other kids know why, they just know to stay away from her. Tristan is not able too, and Savannah can't stay away from him either. Despite what both of their families say, the two of them need to find a way to stay together.

Even though there were so many supernatural elements going on around them, I liked that Savannah and Tristan were still normal teenagers. They were going through the same pressures as everyone else. They had to deal with keeping their families and friends happy, which is a lot of pressure for a teenager.

Crave definitely ended with a BAM and I am looking forward to reading the second book when it comes out. The only complaint I have about it was that it was too long. I think it could have been shortened by at least 100 or so pages, then the book would have been perfect for me!