Review: Crusade

Authors: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge
Pages: 480
Source: Library
Synosis: For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.

I'm familiar with Nancy and Debbie's other series, Wicked which I enjoyed. When I saw they had a new series about vampires, I knew I had to read it. It didn't disappoint either. 

There was lots of action, lots of suspense, lots of danger and lots of different, relatable characters. The Sacramento team had such distinct members: Jenn who thinks she's nothing special (which would be true if the other characters were more normal), Holgar who's lonely, Eriko who doubts her position, Antonio who fights his nature, Skye the good gentle witch with secrets and Jamie the angry fighter. Each character had their own faults and stories. None of them were one dimensional. 

The plot was so interesting, it had me hooked! This wasn't a typical vampire novel where a vamp meets a girl who falls in love— well not entirely. This was a story about loving people based on their choices, not what they are. The world was frightening. The vampires took control of everything and it seemed no one could do anything about it. Some people stopped trying in the end and pretended everything was okay, though it obviously wasn't. The hunters faced so many problems that I'm wondering how will can triumph (assuming they do triumph). 95% of the world was against them and it was only getting worse. 

The romance aspect was a nice side story too. Jenn and Antonio obviously loved each other but they couldn't safely be together. They had real chemistry and I loved reading about them.

All in all, I love this book (I need a thesaurus, don't I?). It has me hooked, and I can't wait for the next book. That's why I've decided this book is worth 4 stars. I haven't been so excited about a book for a while!

****

-P.E.