I finished 'Craved' by Stephanie Nelson, last night, but have been thinking about it all day. Usually, when I think about a book for a while after I'm finished, then this is a sign of a good book, but I don't know why I am thinking about this one so much. It was a decent read, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure whether it made as much of an impact on me as other books that have consumed my mind after I close the cover. But then why am I thinking about it so much sitting here at my desk?The story revolved around Gwen, who is a witch, and her working with the local police to determine who has been draining witches of their blood. Beneath this there is Gwen's relationship with vampire Aiden, and her ex boyfriend Miach, who broke her heart a few months ago. Aiden is the most interesting character in this book, and the changes that he goes through, especially in regards to his addictions, are very interesting. As the reader watches the relationship between Gwen and Aiden grow into love, I can't help but feel like I have came in in the middle of the story. I feel there is so much of a past to these two that we are not privy to, and it would have helped to understand why she can go from turning down his advances to being head over heels in love in around 200 pages. We get told there is a history, but we never see it. The introduction of Ian was great, but the revelation that after everything he was the one they were looking for all along was rushed and I had to read over the page once to twice to really get a grip on what happened. The writing was easy enough to read, and I found myself engrossed about 50 or so pages in. There was a nice balance between the PNR and urban fantasy elements. Stephanie tried to create a world, her own little town of supernatural beings that humans come to visit every now and again, but I don't think this was really utilised. I never got the sense that she was living in a small town with only paranormal beings around her, but if explored (especially regarding the gala ball) it could have made the story something more. Brew was a fantastic idea, and the best element of this book by far. The idea that vampires experience a kind of euphoria drinking the blood of witches and that it gives them power is an original idea. Seeing Aiden get addicted, and come down from there was a true indication of just how dangerous this drug is and what is on the line.Now, I'm going to touch on something else that drives me insane. This has nothing to do with the author, more the editor and publisher of the book. There were lines that weren't indented, the font and size of the font changed in certain parts, there were no line breaks when a new person started talking, and there were some instances where someone has pressed enter half way through a sentence. It just draws me out of the story, and these are things that are easily recognised and fixed, so why they weren't I don't know.So now I'm sitting here, looking at the five little blank stars, waiting for a decision to come to me about whether the book is three stars or 4. I wish I could use half stars, because it really was more of a 3.5 star book. When I look at all the other books I've given four stars, this book doesn't deserve to be on the same rack as them. But I want to read the next one, I want to see what happens in this world, where Gwen and Aiden end up, and if they really will find Ian and break his bond to Gwen. I think I'll give it three stars...yeah, that seems right. Craved (Gwen Sparks, #1) by Stephanie Nelson WOW!!!!! I was hooked until it was done, and wanted more. Stephanie has created a character who is strong yet flawed just enough that I can totally relate to her. Gwen's love interest, a vampire named Aidan he had me drooling. I thought he was incredible. He was fun, flirtatious, and hot as hell. I loved how much he loved Gwen. I was rooting for him from the beginning. There is an underworld drug ring. The drug is witches' blood and a vampire has been sucking it out of witches to distribute and use. The blood can also give vampires magic, so they must find out who it is before there is a war. The action is fast paced and every time I thought i had the plot figured out it took another turn. I highly recommend this fast paced, sexy paranormal to anyone!
What do You think about Craved (2011)?
It started out pretty good then it all went to s*** real fast. I do not recommend this book at all.
—nrj
This whole series has me addicted...I was unable to put it down and can't wait for more!!!
—laz
Loved this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
—spades
Can't wait to have time to start book #2!
—hgolden91
