Review: Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Balthazar

(Evernight Spinoff)

By: Claudia Gray

Pub. Date: March 6, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 374

Source: Finished copy from Publisher for review

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

I haven't read any other books in the Evernight series, but Balthazar looked so good that I had to read it! It was so much more then good, it was seriously amazing. One of my favorite books of 2012 so far! Despite not having read the other books, I didn't find myself confused about anything. Claudia Gray explains everything that we need to know. She does it in a way that will not bore the people who have read the series, and doesn't confuse the people who haven't. Balthazar works perfectly as a stand alone, while also giving a perfect ending to the Evernight series.

The book starts with vampire Balthazar More protecting former Evernight Academy student, Skye Tierney from Lorenzo, a vampire from Balthazar's past. Turns out the Vampire that turned Balthazar and murdered his family now wants Skye because of her blood. Skye is able to see how people died, and because of this, her blood is addictive to any vampire that drinks it.

I loved Balthazar and Skye together. They had this amazing chemistry. There feelings for each other seemed so realistic and true. They were so sweet together. I loved that Balthazar realized early on how much he loved Skye, but since he refuses to get close to humans, he was honest with her from the very beginning. I was happy that Balthazar was never a jerk to her, or to anyone else for that matter. For someone that is so tortured and broken, you would think he would be an ass and push people away. He never once acted like that, and it made me love him, and the story as a whole even more.

Balthazar was such a sad character. He lived with so much guilt since becoming a vampire in 1640, and turning his younger sister, Charity into one as well. He never allows himself to enjoy anything and I definitely thought it was about time for him to be happy because he deserved that. We get to learn about him, both in the present time and through flashbacks starting from before he turned in 1640's Massachusetts Bay Colony, and ending 1978. These historical parts of the novel were some of my favorite scenes. It was very interesting to see how the author handled the flashbacks and I seriously enjoyed every single minute of Balthazar's past. Man, Balthazar is high up there on my list of favorite male characters!

Skye was also an interesting character. She has the power of "death sight" which means she can see, and eventually she learns how to communicate with the dead. I was glad that Skye always listened to what Balthazar said. She trusted him and knew everything he said to her was for her own protection. She wasn't stupid and she knew she wouldn't be able to protect herself against the vampires that were after her.

From page one, there was intrigue, mystery and action.  The writing was absolutely addicting, and I couldn't get enough of it. There were also some hilarious moments that made me laugh at loud. This was a fantastic story and I can not wait to read the other books in the Evernight series now.

Thank you very much Harper Teen for sending me a copy of Balthazar to review. I have now discovered an entirely new series that I know I will be obsessed with!