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The Willows #1
Haven
When tragedy strikes, seventeen year old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.
Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?
Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?
327 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2011
About the author
Hope Collier
3 books173 followersHope Collier was born in Harlan County, Kentucky. Growing up in Appalachia, she quickly learned that a good imagination — along with the ability to outrun the neighbor’s cantankerous dog — was essential to survival. Hope wrote and illustrated her first book at the age of six and never stopped writing. She now lives in central Kentucky with her husband, three daughters, and a menagerie of pets. When not spending time with her imaginary friends, you’re likely to find her stalking other writers, gaming, or searching out new ways of fitting square pegs into round holes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 23, 2011
This wasn't really a book for me. I just couldn't get into it. There were a lot of inconsistencies and confusion around the plot. I read 70% and skimmed the rest. I just wanted to get it over with, but I hate to leave books unfinished.
Ahston, a 17 year old, just got the news that her father died from a heart-attack. She goes on a road trip to get to his funeral and comes upon a handsome guy who accompanies her and eventually tells her that she's not who/what she thinks she is.
The premise is what interested me at first. The book did have a good and exciting start. It was all very mysterious and made you want to know what was going on. But the unveiling left me very confused and the realism just wasn't there. When Ashton found out that she was different, she never asked WHAT she was. She accepted that she wasn't human and that Gabe had abilities out of the ordinary. Though she never asked for definitions. She accepted plainly that she was special, without wondering what made her that way!? That was the biggest issue I had with the book. That wasn't the only occurrence of the type either. She was attacked, twice in a few days time, and never thinks anything of it. It was just a very strange way to have it play out.
The story often left you feeling like you were missing something. Details weren't readily available to the reader. I had to go back a few pages a couple of times thinking I missed a passage that explained what was happening or why the characters were acting a certain way. Because of this, I didn't grow to care for them or their situations. I found Ashton to be incredibly gullible and a little stupid. You don't go running off in the woods after someone just attacked you - twice.
Those issues aside, the lore in this book is definitely original. The world is lacking a lot of depth, but it was still different from other YA paranormals I've read. It's based on mythology. I don't want to say more in fear of giving away any unwanted spoilers. It also has quite a bit of action and the pace is steady.
Although it wasn't for me, if you like mythology and paranormal YA, you may want to give it a try. You never know. It does have a beautiful cover.
Ahston, a 17 year old, just got the news that her father died from a heart-attack. She goes on a road trip to get to his funeral and comes upon a handsome guy who accompanies her and eventually tells her that she's not who/what she thinks she is.
The premise is what interested me at first. The book did have a good and exciting start. It was all very mysterious and made you want to know what was going on. But the unveiling left me very confused and the realism just wasn't there. When Ashton found out that she was different, she never asked WHAT she was. She accepted that she wasn't human and that Gabe had abilities out of the ordinary. Though she never asked for definitions. She accepted plainly that she was special, without wondering what made her that way!? That was the biggest issue I had with the book. That wasn't the only occurrence of the type either. She was attacked, twice in a few days time, and never thinks anything of it. It was just a very strange way to have it play out.
The story often left you feeling like you were missing something. Details weren't readily available to the reader. I had to go back a few pages a couple of times thinking I missed a passage that explained what was happening or why the characters were acting a certain way. Because of this, I didn't grow to care for them or their situations. I found Ashton to be incredibly gullible and a little stupid. You don't go running off in the woods after someone just attacked you - twice.
Those issues aside, the lore in this book is definitely original. The world is lacking a lot of depth, but it was still different from other YA paranormals I've read. It's based on mythology. I don't want to say more in fear of giving away any unwanted spoilers. It also has quite a bit of action and the pace is steady.
Although it wasn't for me, if you like mythology and paranormal YA, you may want to give it a try. You never know. It does have a beautiful cover.
October 18, 2011
Wow. WOW. Wo-wa-wee-wa WOW.
Yes, that is EXACTLY how I feel right now. I had family over my house this weekend and it was impossible to be on the computer when I was never at home. Lucky for me, I was able to read the entire book on my phone. I could not put it down and I got a dozen dirty looks from my mom which was all very much worth it.
I am the type of person that either gets sucked into a book on the first page and am not able to put it down, or I don’t get into it at all. Sometimes it can be a struggle fighting to try to find a spark, something that will ignite some interest. With Hope Colliers “The Willows: Haven” was instantaneous. The same way a spark creates a fire and spreads steadily over the land, I was all over the story. I craved it and needed it.
In the first paragraph alone there is already mystery and action; you will be one hundred percent mesmerized (at least I was.) I was captivated by the amazing flow of her words and how easy it was to connect with each and every single character. I cannot even remember how many times I fell in love throughout the story, well- it was two actually. My husband should really be jealous right about now! All joking aside, I love all these characters so much now, except for one.. ugh! Kevin, you will forever be in my doo-doo list. It feels as if we have all been acquaintances for a really long time.
Hope Collier gave an amazing spin to mythology and, even though I am not very familiar with it all, it was easy to follow and in the end all made sense. The moment I finished the book (5 minutes ago) I tweeted her: “OMG…@hopecollier, tell me a second book is on the works! I ate this book.” I really, really, REALLY *desperate voice* hope this is book #1 of many. I already told the hubby I want the paperback for my birthday coming up.. yeah, it is THAT good.
Hope you kicked YA a**! I could only wish, when I finish my book, it will be this amazing. This is what reading is all about. Immersing yourself in a different dimension, forgetting your own world, forgetting to even breathe when the main characters are kissing or having a very private moment. I want more! Pweeese?
INTERVIEW WITH HOPE:
1- I know you have been writing for quite some time, you actually wrote your first book at six years of age. What was it that got you to writing and made you keep going?
Making up stories is something I've always done. I lived in southeastern Kentucky until I was six. Living in the mountains was a breeding ground for my imagination. Everything from the stories my uncles would tell around the campfire to making up my own adventures with my cousins … everything had potential to grow into something more. We moved to "the big city" right after I turned six. My 1st grade teacher told us to put pen to paper, and write our stories down. After that, I just never quit.
2- What or who inspires you?
The thing that inspire me most is music. I admire anyone who can take what's essentially an entire story and squeeze into four minutes worth of rhyming words and a melody. I like the deeper meaning in the lyrics. I like how each instrument sets the scene as if it's a character in and of itself. Music moves me like nothing else.
3- Which authors do you admire and why?
First would be Elizabeth Isaacs. She's my mentor and personal Yoda! Her ability to make the reader truly feel is just mind boggling. I've never really *experienced* a story like I did with The Light of Asteria.
Second is Lisa Kleypas. Her characters in the Hathaway series are flawless in a flawed sort of way. I hope to one day write such distinct ones.
Third would be Janet Evanovich. No one writes relatable like Janet. She can take any situation in a story and make you feel like you're not the only one who bumbles through life.
4- How was "The Willows: Haven" created?
Haven came about, as cliché as it sounds, after I had a dream. Honestly though, 99% of what I write comes from my dreams. Gabe was the first character to really have a voice. He wasn't doing anything in particular in my dream. I just knew he was this inherently good person, and I got to thinking about him more. Who was he really? What purpose did he serve? Who could he affect with his life? Thus, Ashton was born followed by the rest. I'm not a planner, so the story came to me in pieces as the characters began speaking up.
5- a) I, personally, fell in love with two of the male characters: Gabe and Kyle. Were they written in reference to anyone you know? And if so, where can I find them? (DM me their number haha)
Haha! They weren't written in their entirety from anyone one person. I think bits and pieces have come from people and experiences I've had with others, but mostly they created themselves. Gabe, of course, came to me in the dream. I didn't have much say in his personality. He's actually quite hard to capture. As for Kyle, when I started the story, he wasn't even a main character. It wasn't until later I realized how important he truly was. At that point, he did the writing for me, letting me in on a need-to-know basis ;)
b) Have you ever or will you ever, use any personal experiences?
For me, just about everything is personal in some way, even if not in the obvious. A little bit of me or my life goes into most characters whether they have a trait or habit or weakness. Names, features, hobbies … most things in my story have purpose. As far as it goes for being non-human, well, that one is just a fantasy!
6- Will there be a second, third, fourth, fifth... installment? I NEED more!!!!
Without a doubt! I'm currently working on the sequel now. Expected publication is Fall 2012. My plans are for a trilogy, but seeing as I fly by the seat of my pants and follow the characters, that may change.
7- What can we expect next?
In Book 2, we'll get to explore the world Ashton, Gabe and the others live in. It's a more in-depth look at their origins, history, and abilities. Plus, some of those unanswered questions come to light leaving more mysteries to unravel
Hope Collier’s Information:
Website: http://www.hopecollier.com/
Twitter: @hopecollier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.hope....
To buy the paperback go to: http://soulfirepress.com/the-willows-...
Yes, that is EXACTLY how I feel right now. I had family over my house this weekend and it was impossible to be on the computer when I was never at home. Lucky for me, I was able to read the entire book on my phone. I could not put it down and I got a dozen dirty looks from my mom which was all very much worth it.
I am the type of person that either gets sucked into a book on the first page and am not able to put it down, or I don’t get into it at all. Sometimes it can be a struggle fighting to try to find a spark, something that will ignite some interest. With Hope Colliers “The Willows: Haven” was instantaneous. The same way a spark creates a fire and spreads steadily over the land, I was all over the story. I craved it and needed it.
In the first paragraph alone there is already mystery and action; you will be one hundred percent mesmerized (at least I was.) I was captivated by the amazing flow of her words and how easy it was to connect with each and every single character. I cannot even remember how many times I fell in love throughout the story, well- it was two actually. My husband should really be jealous right about now! All joking aside, I love all these characters so much now, except for one.. ugh! Kevin, you will forever be in my doo-doo list. It feels as if we have all been acquaintances for a really long time.
Hope Collier gave an amazing spin to mythology and, even though I am not very familiar with it all, it was easy to follow and in the end all made sense. The moment I finished the book (5 minutes ago) I tweeted her: “OMG…@hopecollier, tell me a second book is on the works! I ate this book.” I really, really, REALLY *desperate voice* hope this is book #1 of many. I already told the hubby I want the paperback for my birthday coming up.. yeah, it is THAT good.
Hope you kicked YA a**! I could only wish, when I finish my book, it will be this amazing. This is what reading is all about. Immersing yourself in a different dimension, forgetting your own world, forgetting to even breathe when the main characters are kissing or having a very private moment. I want more! Pweeese?
INTERVIEW WITH HOPE:
1- I know you have been writing for quite some time, you actually wrote your first book at six years of age. What was it that got you to writing and made you keep going?
Making up stories is something I've always done. I lived in southeastern Kentucky until I was six. Living in the mountains was a breeding ground for my imagination. Everything from the stories my uncles would tell around the campfire to making up my own adventures with my cousins … everything had potential to grow into something more. We moved to "the big city" right after I turned six. My 1st grade teacher told us to put pen to paper, and write our stories down. After that, I just never quit.
2- What or who inspires you?
The thing that inspire me most is music. I admire anyone who can take what's essentially an entire story and squeeze into four minutes worth of rhyming words and a melody. I like the deeper meaning in the lyrics. I like how each instrument sets the scene as if it's a character in and of itself. Music moves me like nothing else.
3- Which authors do you admire and why?
First would be Elizabeth Isaacs. She's my mentor and personal Yoda! Her ability to make the reader truly feel is just mind boggling. I've never really *experienced* a story like I did with The Light of Asteria.
Second is Lisa Kleypas. Her characters in the Hathaway series are flawless in a flawed sort of way. I hope to one day write such distinct ones.
Third would be Janet Evanovich. No one writes relatable like Janet. She can take any situation in a story and make you feel like you're not the only one who bumbles through life.
4- How was "The Willows: Haven" created?
Haven came about, as cliché as it sounds, after I had a dream. Honestly though, 99% of what I write comes from my dreams. Gabe was the first character to really have a voice. He wasn't doing anything in particular in my dream. I just knew he was this inherently good person, and I got to thinking about him more. Who was he really? What purpose did he serve? Who could he affect with his life? Thus, Ashton was born followed by the rest. I'm not a planner, so the story came to me in pieces as the characters began speaking up.
5- a) I, personally, fell in love with two of the male characters: Gabe and Kyle. Were they written in reference to anyone you know? And if so, where can I find them? (DM me their number haha)
Haha! They weren't written in their entirety from anyone one person. I think bits and pieces have come from people and experiences I've had with others, but mostly they created themselves. Gabe, of course, came to me in the dream. I didn't have much say in his personality. He's actually quite hard to capture. As for Kyle, when I started the story, he wasn't even a main character. It wasn't until later I realized how important he truly was. At that point, he did the writing for me, letting me in on a need-to-know basis ;)
b) Have you ever or will you ever, use any personal experiences?
For me, just about everything is personal in some way, even if not in the obvious. A little bit of me or my life goes into most characters whether they have a trait or habit or weakness. Names, features, hobbies … most things in my story have purpose. As far as it goes for being non-human, well, that one is just a fantasy!
6- Will there be a second, third, fourth, fifth... installment? I NEED more!!!!
Without a doubt! I'm currently working on the sequel now. Expected publication is Fall 2012. My plans are for a trilogy, but seeing as I fly by the seat of my pants and follow the characters, that may change.
7- What can we expect next?
In Book 2, we'll get to explore the world Ashton, Gabe and the others live in. It's a more in-depth look at their origins, history, and abilities. Plus, some of those unanswered questions come to light leaving more mysteries to unravel
Hope Collier’s Information:
Website: http://www.hopecollier.com/
Twitter: @hopecollier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.hope....
To buy the paperback go to: http://soulfirepress.com/the-willows-...
July 8, 2011
I had the pleasure to read an advanced review copy of Haven. I loved where this story was going that I finished it in one day. I only do that with books I REALLY get into. I was immediately taken by surprise when the female main character, Ash, has an altercation with her boyfriend. I knew this story was going to run the gamut of emotions from the initial scene and set up. Collier is definitely a character driven writer, which is fantastic for this character driven reader.
The story slowly unfolds from contemporary to a contemporary fantasy world tied to an ancient society. The road to get there is filled with surprises, revelations, love, betrayal, infatuation, old treaties, good friends, and yup...twists. The romance is sweet and YA worthy. The characters I very much invested in from the "good guys" to the "bad guys". I was so invested, that one of those sneaky twists came at me out of nowhere, and my stomach literally "fell" at the raw emotion one character evoked in another.
The paranormal aspects are not over the top and actually unique for a paranormal YA. There is a nature aspect incorporated that works well for paranormal. I haven't seen these particular skills in another book in this genre to date.
Overall I very much enjoyed the whole package of Haven and like all advanced copies, it just means even longer until I get to read the sequel. The ending of Haven isn't a cliffhanger that drives you crazy, but it does make you yearn for more and the rest of the story. You will want to know what happens to all the characters, even the "bad guys."
Oh, I forgot a possible important aspect...hot guys? Yes! Good hot guys and bad hot guys. You just might be torn for a preference with the character options. ;)
The story slowly unfolds from contemporary to a contemporary fantasy world tied to an ancient society. The road to get there is filled with surprises, revelations, love, betrayal, infatuation, old treaties, good friends, and yup...twists. The romance is sweet and YA worthy. The characters I very much invested in from the "good guys" to the "bad guys". I was so invested, that one of those sneaky twists came at me out of nowhere, and my stomach literally "fell" at the raw emotion one character evoked in another.
The paranormal aspects are not over the top and actually unique for a paranormal YA. There is a nature aspect incorporated that works well for paranormal. I haven't seen these particular skills in another book in this genre to date.
Overall I very much enjoyed the whole package of Haven and like all advanced copies, it just means even longer until I get to read the sequel. The ending of Haven isn't a cliffhanger that drives you crazy, but it does make you yearn for more and the rest of the story. You will want to know what happens to all the characters, even the "bad guys."
Oh, I forgot a possible important aspect...hot guys? Yes! Good hot guys and bad hot guys. You just might be torn for a preference with the character options. ;)
Want to Read
July 16, 2011I just can't seem to resist an underwater cover...
June 6, 2012
I'm not sure I know what to say about this book. It started off promising then slowly delved into WTF-ville and ended in complete and utter bullshit. But that may be a bit harsh. I could swear there are sentences missing, aside from the punctuation and words omitted. But damn, can anything in this story make sense? Ash completely and without any questions accepted her newfound heritage with a shrug. The whole love thing in three days, I won't really complain about, but it was unbelievable. Actually, all of this story is unbelievable as much as the characters. They hold no substance, no anything. I just can't get over how great this book began. I'm still reeling over what I just read and might have to come back to reword this, but I'm doubting it. I love the cover and I hate that it's so misleading. While I had no idea what this novel was about, I didn't think for one minute it would be as shitty as it is/was. I now understand why some books are offered for free. They're not worth money to anyone to read. I want my time back and the few brain cells I lost actually trying to figure out what the hell was going on in this. I don't recommend this to anyone. There's nothing to get out of it but a headache.
October 10, 2011
I liked this book and I think others will like it too. The author takes an ancient mythology and weaves it into the life of a teenage girl who, at the beginning of the story, has just suffered a devastating loss. The heroine begins her quest with a road trip and danger (and the hero) soon find her.
The characters were likeable, the villains distasteful, but most fascinating was the myth itself and the world the author created. That was my favourite part of the story. Many of my questions (and those of the main character) were left unanswered by the end of the book (setting up a sequel nicely). More than once I was taken by surprise by the answers and revelations of the narrative. I look forward to reading the sequel. Recommended.
The characters were likeable, the villains distasteful, but most fascinating was the myth itself and the world the author created. That was my favourite part of the story. Many of my questions (and those of the main character) were left unanswered by the end of the book (setting up a sequel nicely). More than once I was taken by surprise by the answers and revelations of the narrative. I look forward to reading the sequel. Recommended.
September 4, 2011
There are so many sharp turns in this book, my brain feels like it has whiplash. This book keeps you guessing. There were some things that I could see coming, but others took my by surprise.
Ashton leaves a party for her 18th birthday suddenly. She receives a call telling her that her father has passed away. From that point on she is chased by strange men, helped by a young man who she instantly feels a connection with, and betrayed by those who supposedly love her.
She is pulled into a world that is believed to be a myth. But to her it is very real. Too real as she finds herself a pawn in a royal match. Just when you believe that she has made a decision, she changes her mind and the book takes a turn on a whole different course.
Hope Collier does a great job of keeping your interest and keeping the reader on the edge of the seat waiting to see what will happen to Ash next. What will happen between Gabe, Kyle, and Kevin? There are other secondary characters who play a pivotal role in this storyline.
If you read it, be prepared for a roller coaster. There is some intense kissing scenes,(for some of us that is inspires us to read it!) but no other content warnings.
Ashton leaves a party for her 18th birthday suddenly. She receives a call telling her that her father has passed away. From that point on she is chased by strange men, helped by a young man who she instantly feels a connection with, and betrayed by those who supposedly love her.
She is pulled into a world that is believed to be a myth. But to her it is very real. Too real as she finds herself a pawn in a royal match. Just when you believe that she has made a decision, she changes her mind and the book takes a turn on a whole different course.
Hope Collier does a great job of keeping your interest and keeping the reader on the edge of the seat waiting to see what will happen to Ash next. What will happen between Gabe, Kyle, and Kevin? There are other secondary characters who play a pivotal role in this storyline.
If you read it, be prepared for a roller coaster. There is some intense kissing scenes,(for some of us that is inspires us to read it!) but no other content warnings.
July 21, 2011
First off I would like to Thank Hope for letting me read an advanced copy of The Willows!! I started reading it this morning and could not put it down till I was finished. The Willows: Haven is such an Amazing story something new and fresh not the same ole stuff you read all the time. Ashton is an awesome heroine and I can't wait to see how her character develops in the books to come! I found myself screaming Noooo on several occasions in this book and I couldn't help but to fall in love with Gabe! I'm so glad I got to read this book and can't wait for the next one to come out, I will definitely be buying the book to add to my collection!!
Great Job Hope!!
5 Blinking Stars:)
Great Job Hope!!
5 Blinking Stars:)
April 11, 2012
The Willows: Haven, as the colon suggests, is the first book of a paranormal romance series featuring a spoiled heiress, Ashton, who finds a soulmate in Gabe Willoughby, a wandering nymph. Yes, nymph, as in the Greek sense. Specifically the naiad variety. Needless to say, he's charming as Hell when the devil wants something.
First I will say that I liked The Willows. The writing flowed well, and the plot revealed its secrets in timely enough fashion to keep me engaged from beginning to end. The characters are solid and three dimensional. Most hints that she places in the early chapters are subtle enough to pass unnoticed, while remaining strong enough to be recalled by the reader when they become important later.
Ashton's "rich girl" persona is paper thin, a fact that is lost on her boyfriend. Kyle and Gabe see the complex woman underneath. She is smart, gracious, and thoughtful. She draws these qualities out of others around her. When Ashton is free of the superficial life she leads in Malibu, the only clue to her wealth is the money she spends. For much of the story she's just a grieving young woman, grabbing onto what remains of her family, and falling in love with the kind, mysterious stranger who tags along for the journey and makes things interesting.
The scenery is somewhat a blur at the beginning. The focus of the narration is on Ashton's shock and grief, and Los Angeles isn't really there. It's not until Texas lake house that I really felt the setting. As a current resident of Louisiana, I pictured Lake Maurepas and the marshlands as Ashton remembers her fourteenth birthday. Later, the mountains in Kentucky come alive.
There were a few places in the book that snagged my attention. Ashton's behavior breaks my suspension of disbelief twice early on in the book. The story needs to have Ashton and Gabe together for a cross-country drive to Kentucky, but I didn't buy a pampered 18-year-old making a decision on the spot to drive out of LA the way she did. It just didn't ring true for me when I considered that she just hung up on an airline booking agent prior to getting the news about her father. I think Ashton would have called her friend Kyle and told him about her dad. He would have met her on the highway and taken her home. She would have booked a flight out to Kentucky for the funeral.
Second, I didn't like the "friendly hitchhiker" set-up. An hour or so after meeting Gabe, she invites him to join her on her road trip. They share hotel rooms. She takes him to her father's lake house in Texas. Maybe it's because I'm a mom, and I'm old enough to have a daughter her age, but the warning flags going off in my head were very distracting. The road trip is crucial to the story, but I wish it had been set up differently.
That having been said, I very much liked Gabe. He's witty, strong, and wise. His care and respect for Ashton is apparent. When his secrets begin to unravel, it's easy to forgive his early misteps. Ashton is more immature in the beginning, even a little grating, but Gabe brings out lovely qualities in her that were lurking beneath the surface.
Another snag, without giving anything away, the story has two red herrings. I saw both coming and I didn't buy either. I enjoyed reading along as both misdirections were untangled by the characters, but all of the suspicions I formed in the first half of the book were confirmed by the end. I do wish the story had surprised me.
I would recommend The Willows to YA paranormal romance fans, particularly anyone fond of Rebecca Hamilton, Krystal Wade, or S.M. Boyce.
First I will say that I liked The Willows. The writing flowed well, and the plot revealed its secrets in timely enough fashion to keep me engaged from beginning to end. The characters are solid and three dimensional. Most hints that she places in the early chapters are subtle enough to pass unnoticed, while remaining strong enough to be recalled by the reader when they become important later.
Ashton's "rich girl" persona is paper thin, a fact that is lost on her boyfriend. Kyle and Gabe see the complex woman underneath. She is smart, gracious, and thoughtful. She draws these qualities out of others around her. When Ashton is free of the superficial life she leads in Malibu, the only clue to her wealth is the money she spends. For much of the story she's just a grieving young woman, grabbing onto what remains of her family, and falling in love with the kind, mysterious stranger who tags along for the journey and makes things interesting.
The scenery is somewhat a blur at the beginning. The focus of the narration is on Ashton's shock and grief, and Los Angeles isn't really there. It's not until Texas lake house that I really felt the setting. As a current resident of Louisiana, I pictured Lake Maurepas and the marshlands as Ashton remembers her fourteenth birthday. Later, the mountains in Kentucky come alive.
There were a few places in the book that snagged my attention. Ashton's behavior breaks my suspension of disbelief twice early on in the book. The story needs to have Ashton and Gabe together for a cross-country drive to Kentucky, but I didn't buy a pampered 18-year-old making a decision on the spot to drive out of LA the way she did. It just didn't ring true for me when I considered that she just hung up on an airline booking agent prior to getting the news about her father. I think Ashton would have called her friend Kyle and told him about her dad. He would have met her on the highway and taken her home. She would have booked a flight out to Kentucky for the funeral.
Second, I didn't like the "friendly hitchhiker" set-up. An hour or so after meeting Gabe, she invites him to join her on her road trip. They share hotel rooms. She takes him to her father's lake house in Texas. Maybe it's because I'm a mom, and I'm old enough to have a daughter her age, but the warning flags going off in my head were very distracting. The road trip is crucial to the story, but I wish it had been set up differently.
That having been said, I very much liked Gabe. He's witty, strong, and wise. His care and respect for Ashton is apparent. When his secrets begin to unravel, it's easy to forgive his early misteps. Ashton is more immature in the beginning, even a little grating, but Gabe brings out lovely qualities in her that were lurking beneath the surface.
Another snag, without giving anything away, the story has two red herrings. I saw both coming and I didn't buy either. I enjoyed reading along as both misdirections were untangled by the characters, but all of the suspicions I formed in the first half of the book were confirmed by the end. I do wish the story had surprised me.
I would recommend The Willows to YA paranormal romance fans, particularly anyone fond of Rebecca Hamilton, Krystal Wade, or S.M. Boyce.
November 19, 2011
First of all, may I just say WOW. This book set my heart and soul on fire and even though the book has ended, the flames still haven't been extinguished.
I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful style of Hope Collier's writing and the unique characters she created. This is certainly one story that will stay with me long beyond the last page. I cannot wait to read the next book whenever that may be released.
So the question I hear being asked is, why? Why do I feel this way?
Well it's tough to explain in eloquent words really. From the first page of The Willows: Haven, I knew that it was going to be an emotional journey both for the characters on the page and for me as the reader.
In the beginning we meet Ashton Blake, a 17 year old girl living in Malibu. On the surface, she is a normal girl, with a normal life. She has a boyfriend called Kevin and a best friend called Kyle. The one thing she doesn't have is a mother. And the father she has, well let's just say they aren't all that close. She even calls him Charlie rather than Dad.
I won't say exactly what leads up to it, but Ashton is soon faced with a tragedy, and rather than stick around with her boyfriend and friends to face it head on with their help, she finds herself on a cross-country road-trip.
Along the way, she meets a handsome stranger by the name of Gabe Willoughby who has eyes the colour of the sea and a beautiful, heart-warming smile.
Ashton runs over his motorbike, so she feels responsible for leaving him stranded and offers him a lift. Gabe takes her up on her offer, giving her the nickname Grace, because as you may guess, she is so 'graceful' what with having knocked over his bike amongst other things (that you will only find out when you read it for yourself).
By getting to know Gabe better, she unwittingly discovers things about her own past, how he is not necessarily the stranger she had him pegged as. It raises questions for her as to who she really is and what might really have happened to the mother she once had. Gabe and Ashton's lives are entwined in a way she does not expect and is left reeling upon discovery.
But just as Ashton is coming to terms with what Gabe has told her, and accepting her heritage for what it really is - she is summoned to fulfill a treaty in a land she has never visited, by people she does not know. It can't be a good thing, surely?
Well that I will leave for you to discover on your own journey through this enthralling book. I can honestly say my heart was held captive until the end.
There were moments when I laughed, when I cried, and when I wanted to sock somebody in the mouth for their actions. All in all, it was a tumultuous ride for Ashton, Gabe and ultimately me.
I was lucky enough that upon discovering Hope Collier on Twitter, she offered me a copy of this book to review, but I would have been glad to pay any price to read such a tale.
I knew absolutely nothing about Naiads and Dryads and the like before. But now I feel I am left with a better knowledge and understanding of the things in this particular myth. I only hope that the second book is uplifting a journey as the first and I know I will do my best to be one of the first in line upon it's release.
I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful style of Hope Collier's writing and the unique characters she created. This is certainly one story that will stay with me long beyond the last page. I cannot wait to read the next book whenever that may be released.
So the question I hear being asked is, why? Why do I feel this way?
Well it's tough to explain in eloquent words really. From the first page of The Willows: Haven, I knew that it was going to be an emotional journey both for the characters on the page and for me as the reader.
In the beginning we meet Ashton Blake, a 17 year old girl living in Malibu. On the surface, she is a normal girl, with a normal life. She has a boyfriend called Kevin and a best friend called Kyle. The one thing she doesn't have is a mother. And the father she has, well let's just say they aren't all that close. She even calls him Charlie rather than Dad.
I won't say exactly what leads up to it, but Ashton is soon faced with a tragedy, and rather than stick around with her boyfriend and friends to face it head on with their help, she finds herself on a cross-country road-trip.
Along the way, she meets a handsome stranger by the name of Gabe Willoughby who has eyes the colour of the sea and a beautiful, heart-warming smile.
Ashton runs over his motorbike, so she feels responsible for leaving him stranded and offers him a lift. Gabe takes her up on her offer, giving her the nickname Grace, because as you may guess, she is so 'graceful' what with having knocked over his bike amongst other things (that you will only find out when you read it for yourself).
By getting to know Gabe better, she unwittingly discovers things about her own past, how he is not necessarily the stranger she had him pegged as. It raises questions for her as to who she really is and what might really have happened to the mother she once had. Gabe and Ashton's lives are entwined in a way she does not expect and is left reeling upon discovery.
But just as Ashton is coming to terms with what Gabe has told her, and accepting her heritage for what it really is - she is summoned to fulfill a treaty in a land she has never visited, by people she does not know. It can't be a good thing, surely?
Well that I will leave for you to discover on your own journey through this enthralling book. I can honestly say my heart was held captive until the end.
There were moments when I laughed, when I cried, and when I wanted to sock somebody in the mouth for their actions. All in all, it was a tumultuous ride for Ashton, Gabe and ultimately me.
I was lucky enough that upon discovering Hope Collier on Twitter, she offered me a copy of this book to review, but I would have been glad to pay any price to read such a tale.
I knew absolutely nothing about Naiads and Dryads and the like before. But now I feel I am left with a better knowledge and understanding of the things in this particular myth. I only hope that the second book is uplifting a journey as the first and I know I will do my best to be one of the first in line upon it's release.
November 16, 2011
This book started out great for me. The air of mystery surrounding the beginning of this novel left me anxious and filled with uncontainable eagerness to devour it in one sitting. I’ve read quite a lot of books and I’ve always found that the set up for the story is usually the yard stick that measures how much it will keep me at attention. And for the first quarter of the book, I was positively excited to find out more.
Unfortunately, the pacing of this book sputtered that I soon found myself disinterested in the story. I seem to encounter the same problem when I read retellings of legends and myths. The author must be able to partake information in a way that will keep their readers engrossed. This was a huge stumbling block for me with Haven. I couldn’t keep up with the information overload. Ashton’s reaction to Gabe’s revelations didn’t help matters either. There was a lack of alarm on her part and was almost too accepting of the fact that she was a half-human. That’s not only time in the book where I found Ashton’s knee-jerk response to Gabe’s actions a bit questionable. Something happened toward the end of the book that I could not divulge where Ashton found herself betrayed. I felt that I harbored more anger than she did. She was easily placated which put her character in a weak light.
I never understood how quickly relationships developed in certain books and Haven has that insta-love syndrome as well. Ashton proclaimed her love for Gabe so quickly. There was no built up. I can understand Gabe’s ardor toward Ashton because he’d pretty much watched her since infancy. But Ashton had only met Gabe for maybe a couple of days, tops. It’s a make or break factor when I’m reading a book. It’s also a hard sell so I’d have to be completely in love with the story before I can be convinced.
For originality’s sake, Haven’s myth is definitely unique among the books on my shelves. I’ve never read anything about nymphs and tree people before. I also liked the world Ms Collier created - combining the modern with touches of whimsical elements in a fairy tale kind of way.
Overall, I wish I enjoyed this book a bit more. I wanted to love the characters but couldn’t. I was looking for some depth and found none. Perhaps if given a few more pages, this book would’ve lived to its potential.
Unfortunately, the pacing of this book sputtered that I soon found myself disinterested in the story. I seem to encounter the same problem when I read retellings of legends and myths. The author must be able to partake information in a way that will keep their readers engrossed. This was a huge stumbling block for me with Haven. I couldn’t keep up with the information overload. Ashton’s reaction to Gabe’s revelations didn’t help matters either. There was a lack of alarm on her part and was almost too accepting of the fact that she was a half-human. That’s not only time in the book where I found Ashton’s knee-jerk response to Gabe’s actions a bit questionable. Something happened toward the end of the book that I could not divulge where Ashton found herself betrayed. I felt that I harbored more anger than she did. She was easily placated which put her character in a weak light.
I never understood how quickly relationships developed in certain books and Haven has that insta-love syndrome as well. Ashton proclaimed her love for Gabe so quickly. There was no built up. I can understand Gabe’s ardor toward Ashton because he’d pretty much watched her since infancy. But Ashton had only met Gabe for maybe a couple of days, tops. It’s a make or break factor when I’m reading a book. It’s also a hard sell so I’d have to be completely in love with the story before I can be convinced.
For originality’s sake, Haven’s myth is definitely unique among the books on my shelves. I’ve never read anything about nymphs and tree people before. I also liked the world Ms Collier created - combining the modern with touches of whimsical elements in a fairy tale kind of way.
Overall, I wish I enjoyed this book a bit more. I wanted to love the characters but couldn’t. I was looking for some depth and found none. Perhaps if given a few more pages, this book would’ve lived to its potential.
February 26, 2012
Originally posted at: http://girlzandtheirbooks.blogspot.co...
The Willows: Haven is very different. I have not read anything in this genre before...I won't tell you the genre of paranormal it is because well, it's a secret! You'll have to read it for yourself sorry haha! The beginning is great! I loved it! It was a mystery so you HAD to keep reading! Then she meets Gabe and it all goes greater! Like I said, loved the beginning definitely kept me interested! Then it started going off the deep end for awhile and then picked up speed then it PISSED ME OFF!!! Well, I was just hurt haha it's a good book pissed off haha
Sometimes Ashton could be whiny and annoying but this book was very good! It is a good I-don't-know-what-to-read read lol Gabe was pretty cool and honestly liked him alot then.......ya anyways I liked Kyle more...ALOT more! He is so cute and once again I fall for the best friend who has loved her for awhile character. What can I say? I mean they know you! The REAL you! They have seen you at your worst and are still there for you. They lone you their shoulder when you want to bawl your eyes out. They always have your back and will kick the ass of the dude that hurt you! do I need to keep going?
~~~~~~~*My Rate*~~~~~~~
Now, don't get me wrong I really liked this book it was very interesting and kept me reading. Why did I give it three stars then? The only reason it gets three stars is because of the ending.....The pick...if you know what I mean...UGH! Ashton PISSED ME OFF SO SO SO SO MUCH! I literally through my ipod on the couch, screaming and yelling "How could she be so stupid!!! What the hell is her flipping problem!! How in the world could she.....after.....and then how the other.....and did......and said......Come on!!! WTF!!!!!!!!" Ya, I through a lil hissy fit! But that's the only reason! :) If the situation would have happened differently then I would have given it 4 stars. I know, harsh but I was seriously mad! Can you tell hahaha
~~~~~~~*Final Say-So*~~~~~~~
When you have the time definitely pick this one up! It's so cool and different. Sometimes it was lacking plot and went a everywhere at times and you were confused but past that....great e-book read! Like I said when you have the time...you shouldn't regret it.
Thanks for stopping by! :)
~Jaiden
The Willows: Haven is very different. I have not read anything in this genre before...I won't tell you the genre of paranormal it is because well, it's a secret! You'll have to read it for yourself sorry haha! The beginning is great! I loved it! It was a mystery so you HAD to keep reading! Then she meets Gabe and it all goes greater! Like I said, loved the beginning definitely kept me interested! Then it started going off the deep end for awhile and then picked up speed then it PISSED ME OFF!!! Well, I was just hurt haha it's a good book pissed off haha
Sometimes Ashton could be whiny and annoying but this book was very good! It is a good I-don't-know-what-to-read read lol Gabe was pretty cool and honestly liked him alot then.......ya anyways I liked Kyle more...ALOT more! He is so cute and once again I fall for the best friend who has loved her for awhile character. What can I say? I mean they know you! The REAL you! They have seen you at your worst and are still there for you. They lone you their shoulder when you want to bawl your eyes out. They always have your back and will kick the ass of the dude that hurt you! do I need to keep going?
~~~~~~~*My Rate*~~~~~~~
Now, don't get me wrong I really liked this book it was very interesting and kept me reading. Why did I give it three stars then? The only reason it gets three stars is because of the ending.....The pick...if you know what I mean...UGH! Ashton PISSED ME OFF SO SO SO SO MUCH! I literally through my ipod on the couch, screaming and yelling "How could she be so stupid!!! What the hell is her flipping problem!! How in the world could she.....after.....and then how the other.....and did......and said......Come on!!! WTF!!!!!!!!" Ya, I through a lil hissy fit! But that's the only reason! :) If the situation would have happened differently then I would have given it 4 stars. I know, harsh but I was seriously mad! Can you tell hahaha
~~~~~~~*Final Say-So*~~~~~~~
When you have the time definitely pick this one up! It's so cool and different. Sometimes it was lacking plot and went a everywhere at times and you were confused but past that....great e-book read! Like I said when you have the time...you shouldn't regret it.
Thanks for stopping by! :)
~Jaiden
September 11, 2011
Let me start off by talking about the amazing cover. From first glance I thought that it was absolutely beautiful! I have a thing for water covers. After reading the book I can’t tell you just how fitting the cover really is. It is perfect!
The story follows Ashton who, after finding out about a death in the family, heads out on a road trip. In the beginning of the book I was slightly indifferent to Ashton. She seemed slightly selfish, but as the story progresses you learn a lot about why she is that way. I loved her growth as a character from the beginning to the end. As a matter of fact I really enjoyed all of the characters as a whole. She takes all these crazy changes in her life with complete stride.
There were so many twists and turns I could hardly keep up! Don’t get me wrong though, I love that in a story. I love it when I am kept guessing to the very last page and that is exactly how it is with this one. You can never be too sure of anything because on the next page something totally unexpected will happen. I think that is why I was so completely engrossed in this book and could not put it down. Everything flowed so well and it was perfectly paced.
The ending is left at a cliffhanger, but is also gives you slight resolve as well. I like not having to wait until the next book to have some of my questions answered so I think it ended perfectly to open up for the beginning of the next.
Overall I thought that this book was amazing. I loved the growth of the characters, the twists and turns that the story provided. I couldn’t recommend this more. I do, however, suggest that when you do read it you set aside enough time to read it in one sitting. I was pretty much glued to my seat until the last page!
It's hard to review this book story wise without giving things away so you will have to take my word for it and read this book! You won't regret it!
The story follows Ashton who, after finding out about a death in the family, heads out on a road trip. In the beginning of the book I was slightly indifferent to Ashton. She seemed slightly selfish, but as the story progresses you learn a lot about why she is that way. I loved her growth as a character from the beginning to the end. As a matter of fact I really enjoyed all of the characters as a whole. She takes all these crazy changes in her life with complete stride.
There were so many twists and turns I could hardly keep up! Don’t get me wrong though, I love that in a story. I love it when I am kept guessing to the very last page and that is exactly how it is with this one. You can never be too sure of anything because on the next page something totally unexpected will happen. I think that is why I was so completely engrossed in this book and could not put it down. Everything flowed so well and it was perfectly paced.
The ending is left at a cliffhanger, but is also gives you slight resolve as well. I like not having to wait until the next book to have some of my questions answered so I think it ended perfectly to open up for the beginning of the next.
Overall I thought that this book was amazing. I loved the growth of the characters, the twists and turns that the story provided. I couldn’t recommend this more. I do, however, suggest that when you do read it you set aside enough time to read it in one sitting. I was pretty much glued to my seat until the last page!
It's hard to review this book story wise without giving things away so you will have to take my word for it and read this book! You won't regret it!
September 25, 2011
Ashton has been a loner for a while. Her father was distant, and her mother is no longer living. Ashton is soon escaping it all. While on the road she meets Gabe, a handsome young man she is instantly drawn too. Gabe seems to know things about Ashton, and she soon finds herself in a world that she could not have possibly imagined. Ashton discovers she is a pawn in a long standing conflict, and she's not interested. Between this, new relationships, and new discoveries about herself, Ashton will have to discover just how strong she is just to survive it all.
There are so many things I want to say about this book, but I don't want to spoil anything. So I will just say do yourself a favor and read this book. It is a totally fresh take on your typical young adult paranormal romance. The characters are extremely interesting, and I never knew what was going to happen next. Twists and turns abounded. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I did not want to stop reading. I'm going to keep this review short mostly because I'm afraid I will spoil something by saying more, and this book definitely benefits by all the surprises in store.
I enjoyed this book so much. I love the world that was created here. There's romance, myths, and even strange politics all thrown in. It is so easy to get caught up in this world. I highly recommend this book. I hope to read much more in this world.
Book provided for review.
There are so many things I want to say about this book, but I don't want to spoil anything. So I will just say do yourself a favor and read this book. It is a totally fresh take on your typical young adult paranormal romance. The characters are extremely interesting, and I never knew what was going to happen next. Twists and turns abounded. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I did not want to stop reading. I'm going to keep this review short mostly because I'm afraid I will spoil something by saying more, and this book definitely benefits by all the surprises in store.
I enjoyed this book so much. I love the world that was created here. There's romance, myths, and even strange politics all thrown in. It is so easy to get caught up in this world. I highly recommend this book. I hope to read much more in this world.
Book provided for review.
September 20, 2011
Hope Collier has created an amazing fantasy world, rich with description and awesome characters. The Willows: Haven is an epic tale centered around mythology that has yet to be explored in the YA market. Gabe is a hottie. That's all I can about him. And though I'm a Team Kyle girl myself, Gabe and Ash def bring the steamy. Ash is a girl I connected with right away. She's tough, and even though at first she's a bit spoiled, her transformation through the story is evident. Love this girl. If you're looking for something enchanting and romantic, action-packed and a new take on Greek Myth, check it out. A must read for mythology lovers.
July 20, 2011
I loved this book. I read it in two days, it was so great! Hope sure can write believable and loveable characters, face them with challenges and throw in a great plot. Every page of this novel was exciting and wonderful. Plus, the scenes with Gabe are so beautifly written I made ooh and aah noises a lot ;). I even found myself screaming no! once. This book has great balance, great story, it's fresh and new, the guys are ^^ and I definatelly recommend it to everyone who love YA. I loved the ending and I was thrilled to find out that this is a series :D Can't wait for sequels. Hope, great, great job! :))
October 4, 2011
My favorite part of reading HAVEN was Collier's ability to set the scene. She has a way of making you hyper-feel every moment and lose your sense of reality in the process. This unique story is wrapped beautifully around mythology in a way I haven't seen before, and the leading chicka, Ashline, could easily be one of my favorite characters in YA with her tough determination and (let's be honest), her kick-arse name. HAVEN also has the perfect amount of action to romance ratio, a must for any great YA read. I'll sum it up with this: unique concept + admirable main character + steamy boys + perfect pacing = YA book to-die-for.
Read
July 11, 2011Where oh Where do I get this book? I so want to read it!!!!!!!!!!
July 30, 2011
I loved this book, and it was really good, and I just liked reading it! The characters were great, and I'm glad that 1 relationship didn't work out!
January 29, 2012
This review was completed by Amanda Harbin, staff reviewer with the YA Fantasy Guide.
I was thoroughly impressed with Hope Collier’s debut YA novel. I have been following Hope’s blog for the past year or so, so I was aware that she is a talented writer capable of producing thoughtful musings. Yet I was still surprised when I was unable to put down my Kindle while reading Willows. To be sure there were things about the novel that I did not particularly care for, but all in all they were minor issues that were easy to overlook given the engaging story and ease of reading.
I’m really big on character development, and I feel that Hope’s main character Ashton was someone with whom my eighteen year old self could identify (at least on an emotional level, I would have loved to have driven Ashton’s car, of course in all seriousness I might not have survived eighteen if I had Ashton’s car.) This girl is pretty much beat up right and left and spends most of the book in an understandable state of confusion and frustration. She is desperately trying to get a foothold in a life that has been torn to shreds and rebuilt around her without having any say in what happened. I’m pretty sure every teenager can identify with Ashton’s feeling of hopeless frustration, having so much responsibility, yet feeling as if they don’t get to choose their own fate.
With little information about her new world she tries to make the right decisions, tries to follow her heart, but inevitably ends up tripping a lot along the way. Still Ashton has a common sense about her that makes her easy to love but doesn’t over age her character. I’m very interested to see how the romantic issues ultimately play out. There is a great dynamic between Ashton and her two love interests Kyle and Gabe. It’s easy to understand how eighteen year old Ashton is swept up with passion for Gabe, but I hope that Kyle’s loyalty and knowledge of Ashton’s true self help her to understand the true nature of loving and being loved.
One of the few issues, and it was really minor was that sometimes Ashton’s angst got a little drippy. This made it occasionally difficult to truly appreciate what she was going through. All in all it wasn’t a hugely distracting problem.
Hope has created a stunning and beautiful world that is easy to imagine and clearly written with a great deal of love for the story, its characters and the world in which they live. Fans of Amanda Hocking’s Trylle series will definitely want to check this novel out. I will be aching with curiosity to find out what adventures and challenges await Ashton and her friends in the next chapter of their lives.
I was thoroughly impressed with Hope Collier’s debut YA novel. I have been following Hope’s blog for the past year or so, so I was aware that she is a talented writer capable of producing thoughtful musings. Yet I was still surprised when I was unable to put down my Kindle while reading Willows. To be sure there were things about the novel that I did not particularly care for, but all in all they were minor issues that were easy to overlook given the engaging story and ease of reading.
I’m really big on character development, and I feel that Hope’s main character Ashton was someone with whom my eighteen year old self could identify (at least on an emotional level, I would have loved to have driven Ashton’s car, of course in all seriousness I might not have survived eighteen if I had Ashton’s car.) This girl is pretty much beat up right and left and spends most of the book in an understandable state of confusion and frustration. She is desperately trying to get a foothold in a life that has been torn to shreds and rebuilt around her without having any say in what happened. I’m pretty sure every teenager can identify with Ashton’s feeling of hopeless frustration, having so much responsibility, yet feeling as if they don’t get to choose their own fate.
With little information about her new world she tries to make the right decisions, tries to follow her heart, but inevitably ends up tripping a lot along the way. Still Ashton has a common sense about her that makes her easy to love but doesn’t over age her character. I’m very interested to see how the romantic issues ultimately play out. There is a great dynamic between Ashton and her two love interests Kyle and Gabe. It’s easy to understand how eighteen year old Ashton is swept up with passion for Gabe, but I hope that Kyle’s loyalty and knowledge of Ashton’s true self help her to understand the true nature of loving and being loved.
One of the few issues, and it was really minor was that sometimes Ashton’s angst got a little drippy. This made it occasionally difficult to truly appreciate what she was going through. All in all it wasn’t a hugely distracting problem.
Hope has created a stunning and beautiful world that is easy to imagine and clearly written with a great deal of love for the story, its characters and the world in which they live. Fans of Amanda Hocking’s Trylle series will definitely want to check this novel out. I will be aching with curiosity to find out what adventures and challenges await Ashton and her friends in the next chapter of their lives.
August 13, 2011
Hope has created an enchanting world, and I found myself floating along with Ashton and Gabe as they got to know each other. Our main character, Ashton, is struggling with the death of her father when she meets Gabe, a motorcycle-riding mystery man. I wondered about this handsome stranger from the moment he appeared, and his complicated history made him one of my favorite characters. The attraction between Ashton and Gabe is well-written and sweet, and it left me wanting more time for them to be together.
Alas, their time is cut short when Ashton is taken to The Valley. This is where Hope really hit her stride. Her descriptions of this world within our world were stunning:
The light of the full moon glistened off the water, casting shimmering reflections against the trees. A gentle wind carried the fragrance of water lilies across the bank as cattails swayed along the shoreline. [...] The effect the water possessed was more powerful than ever before. Familiar scents comforted me as I waded out into the deep. The caress felt like satin against my skin, reaching into my very essence. It was part of me, something that would never change, could never be taken away.
As Ashton becomes familiar with the family secrets that determine her fate, she turns to her friend, Kyle, for support and friendship. But Kyle has a history of his own, and his deep feelings for her overwhelm both of them:
The kiss deepened as Kyle's passion stirred. Hot hands wrapped around my waist, lifting me to his height. I threaded my fingers through his hair, allowing the months of loneliness and grief to fuel my reaction. He moaned softly as he held me tighter, and I reveled in the feeling of his love.
There's no doubt that Ashton is in a tight spot. Her feelings for the two most important people in her life, Gabe and Kyle, cannot coexist, and she feels the full weight of the decision she must make. But Hope guides us through the final twists and turns quickly and expertly. I breathed a sigh of relief for Ashton when I came to the last page, but I wasn't ready for the story to end. Luckily, this is just the beginning of Ashton's story - I can't wait!
Alas, their time is cut short when Ashton is taken to The Valley. This is where Hope really hit her stride. Her descriptions of this world within our world were stunning:
The light of the full moon glistened off the water, casting shimmering reflections against the trees. A gentle wind carried the fragrance of water lilies across the bank as cattails swayed along the shoreline. [...] The effect the water possessed was more powerful than ever before. Familiar scents comforted me as I waded out into the deep. The caress felt like satin against my skin, reaching into my very essence. It was part of me, something that would never change, could never be taken away.
As Ashton becomes familiar with the family secrets that determine her fate, she turns to her friend, Kyle, for support and friendship. But Kyle has a history of his own, and his deep feelings for her overwhelm both of them:
The kiss deepened as Kyle's passion stirred. Hot hands wrapped around my waist, lifting me to his height. I threaded my fingers through his hair, allowing the months of loneliness and grief to fuel my reaction. He moaned softly as he held me tighter, and I reveled in the feeling of his love.
There's no doubt that Ashton is in a tight spot. Her feelings for the two most important people in her life, Gabe and Kyle, cannot coexist, and she feels the full weight of the decision she must make. But Hope guides us through the final twists and turns quickly and expertly. I breathed a sigh of relief for Ashton when I came to the last page, but I wasn't ready for the story to end. Luckily, this is just the beginning of Ashton's story - I can't wait!
July 11, 2012
First off I will say I picked this book up because of the cover. It is so haunting and beautiful. I love the colors of it. Yes I know I am a cover lover. Then I looked at the back and thought wow this sounds interesting. So I brought it home and began reading it. It didn't take me long to read it because the author did a great job pulling you right in. The plot is very good, well written and has a great feel to it.
Ashton is a girl who gets the news her father has died. She leaves her somewhat abusive boyfriend and heads to Kentucky for her fathers funeral. Along the way she has some mishaps and meets Gabe. Gabe helps her and saves her a few times and she begins to fall for him. She begins to notice strange things about him and he reveals he isn't quite human and neither is she. After getting to Kentucky lots of things happen to make you wonder who is good and who is evil. Ashton learns she is part of an old treaty and must choice whether she will honor it or choice her own happiness.
The characters are unique. Ashton our leading lady is a 18 year old girl. I liked her but at times she got on my nerves as she believes everything she is told without blinking an eye. Gabe is a very confusing charater cause at times I loved him and at times I hated him. No spoilers but you will see if you read why. Kyle is Ashtons friend and brother to her boyfriend. Honestly I liked him the best I think. He was loyal and so sweet to Ashton. The other characters are just as good and intriguing.
I really enjoyed this book. It has so many twist and turns some you see coming some you are completely blindsided by. I liked being kept on the edge waiting to see what will happen next. The paranormal parts are original and the author did a great job writing them and the history of them in the book. The only bad part of this book is it lags a little in the middle. That is what keeps it from being a 5 instead of a 4. I will be hunting up the next book in this series. I need to see what happens next.
Ashton is a girl who gets the news her father has died. She leaves her somewhat abusive boyfriend and heads to Kentucky for her fathers funeral. Along the way she has some mishaps and meets Gabe. Gabe helps her and saves her a few times and she begins to fall for him. She begins to notice strange things about him and he reveals he isn't quite human and neither is she. After getting to Kentucky lots of things happen to make you wonder who is good and who is evil. Ashton learns she is part of an old treaty and must choice whether she will honor it or choice her own happiness.
The characters are unique. Ashton our leading lady is a 18 year old girl. I liked her but at times she got on my nerves as she believes everything she is told without blinking an eye. Gabe is a very confusing charater cause at times I loved him and at times I hated him. No spoilers but you will see if you read why. Kyle is Ashtons friend and brother to her boyfriend. Honestly I liked him the best I think. He was loyal and so sweet to Ashton. The other characters are just as good and intriguing.
I really enjoyed this book. It has so many twist and turns some you see coming some you are completely blindsided by. I liked being kept on the edge waiting to see what will happen next. The paranormal parts are original and the author did a great job writing them and the history of them in the book. The only bad part of this book is it lags a little in the middle. That is what keeps it from being a 5 instead of a 4. I will be hunting up the next book in this series. I need to see what happens next.
September 28, 2011
Hope Collier’s YA Debut, THE WILLOWS: HAVEN is filled with things to love. A unique paranormal premise, an endearing protagonist, a plethora of hot love interest possibilities, and a well-paced plot full of twists and turns designed to keep you guessing . . . But my favorite? Gabe’s fitted gray thermal shirt.
I know, I know. It doesn’t sound like much. But in the hands of this gifted author, this innocuous piece of clothing transforms into an object worthy of swooning for months. I myself was a loyal Team Gabe member throughout my reading journey, but the guy had me from page 12, where he first appeared in ‘a gray thermal clung to his chest, the washed out fabric settling nicely into the contours of well-defined muscle.’ I’m not usually one to pay particular attention to the clothes my book hotties wear, but I swear to you that the image of that shirt—and that chest—has literally stayed with me for months.
Beyond Gabe’s shirt, and the six-pack abs it conceals, THE WILLOWS is a feast for your senses. Amazing setting descriptions make you feel as though you are standing on the grass, swimming in the river, and cuddling up in cave to shelter you from a storm along with her larger than life characters. And the characters themselves are fantastic. Ashton is a girl I can identify with. She makes mistakes and has real flaws—along with her kind heart and special brand of paranormal coolness.
The story world is vibrant and intriguing. I am so glad this is the first in a series as I cannot wait to explore more of the world, the myth and culture, and discover the next chapter in Ashton’s quickly evolving life. If you enjoy romance and adventure, myth and legends, and lush writing that completely envelops you, you will thoroughly enjoy this spectacular debut. Keep an eye out for Ms. Collier. She’s certainly one to watch.
I know, I know. It doesn’t sound like much. But in the hands of this gifted author, this innocuous piece of clothing transforms into an object worthy of swooning for months. I myself was a loyal Team Gabe member throughout my reading journey, but the guy had me from page 12, where he first appeared in ‘a gray thermal clung to his chest, the washed out fabric settling nicely into the contours of well-defined muscle.’ I’m not usually one to pay particular attention to the clothes my book hotties wear, but I swear to you that the image of that shirt—and that chest—has literally stayed with me for months.
Beyond Gabe’s shirt, and the six-pack abs it conceals, THE WILLOWS is a feast for your senses. Amazing setting descriptions make you feel as though you are standing on the grass, swimming in the river, and cuddling up in cave to shelter you from a storm along with her larger than life characters. And the characters themselves are fantastic. Ashton is a girl I can identify with. She makes mistakes and has real flaws—along with her kind heart and special brand of paranormal coolness.
The story world is vibrant and intriguing. I am so glad this is the first in a series as I cannot wait to explore more of the world, the myth and culture, and discover the next chapter in Ashton’s quickly evolving life. If you enjoy romance and adventure, myth and legends, and lush writing that completely envelops you, you will thoroughly enjoy this spectacular debut. Keep an eye out for Ms. Collier. She’s certainly one to watch.
September 7, 2011
This story is very intriguing, the reader may even finish it in one day. The main character, Ashton, will become like a friend to the reader. The reader will be able to anticipate Ashton's thoughts and actions; the author makes the characters very likable and easy to relate to. Ashton's life goes from nice and normal to complicated in a single evening. She learns her father has died, runs into several men who chase her, a young man who is a bit of an enigma, and constant betrayal. The reader will almost have a hard time keeping track of all the goings on, the characters are constantly shifting-plenty of curve balls.
The paranormal, fantasy world created by the author is strangely believable, tied to nature. The fantasy aspect is not overdone and the love between the main character and her boyfriend was believable. This author is guaranteed to capture and hold the readers' attention, a reader has to pay attention in a book with an exciting plot like this one. The events are extremely fast-paced, Ashton changes her mind often, and characters who are close to Ashton turn out to be enemies. This book is great for those who enjoy fantasy, romance, mystery, and intrigue.
The paranormal, fantasy world created by the author is strangely believable, tied to nature. The fantasy aspect is not overdone and the love between the main character and her boyfriend was believable. This author is guaranteed to capture and hold the readers' attention, a reader has to pay attention in a book with an exciting plot like this one. The events are extremely fast-paced, Ashton changes her mind often, and characters who are close to Ashton turn out to be enemies. This book is great for those who enjoy fantasy, romance, mystery, and intrigue.
March 17, 2012
This book is amazing! The author has the most beautiful way of writing that just captures you. It was really hard to put this book down. I really like that Collier does not give you every information right away, she really knows how to keep your interest. When Collier writes I can almost feel what the characters feel, and that to me is really good writing!
I love Ashton and Gabe, the characters in this book, and the tension between them is so well written you feel you can almost touch it. Ashton is such a strong young woman, she´s been through so much in her young life and still she makes it work. Life does not make it easy for her but she never loses her will to fight for herself.
Gabe... Well what to say about him. He seem to be a great guy and well to be honest really dreamy but you can´t shake the feeling he has an ulterior motive and Collier is really good to keep you guessing to the last page almost. There is so much happening in this book and then we Kyle the best friend and really you just have to like the guy but like so much in this book: Nothing is what it seem to be!!!
I love Ashton and Gabe, the characters in this book, and the tension between them is so well written you feel you can almost touch it. Ashton is such a strong young woman, she´s been through so much in her young life and still she makes it work. Life does not make it easy for her but she never loses her will to fight for herself.
Gabe... Well what to say about him. He seem to be a great guy and well to be honest really dreamy but you can´t shake the feeling he has an ulterior motive and Collier is really good to keep you guessing to the last page almost. There is so much happening in this book and then we Kyle the best friend and really you just have to like the guy but like so much in this book: Nothing is what it seem to be!!!
January 31, 2013
Let me just say that this had been a very enthralling book. It's actually my first time to read a story focused on dryads and Naiads; I didn't even know what they were. But I have heard about this mythical creatures in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books. At least I had an idea when I read The Willows: Haven.
I love how the author Hope Collier created a story about love for family, friendship, loyalty, and acceptance. I was instantly drawn to Ash the moment she left her birthday party and ditched her boyfriend. The main characters, Ashton, Gabe and Kevin, as well as Kyle, were the main reasons why i couldn't put the book down. It's as if I was transported into their world and I have no intention of getting out because theirs is a magical and captivating.
Ms. Collier's writing is intense and detailed and very original. I hope to continue reading their adventures soon. And I am looking forward to more stories to be catered by Hope Collier. :)
I love how the author Hope Collier created a story about love for family, friendship, loyalty, and acceptance. I was instantly drawn to Ash the moment she left her birthday party and ditched her boyfriend. The main characters, Ashton, Gabe and Kevin, as well as Kyle, were the main reasons why i couldn't put the book down. It's as if I was transported into their world and I have no intention of getting out because theirs is a magical and captivating.
Ms. Collier's writing is intense and detailed and very original. I hope to continue reading their adventures soon. And I am looking forward to more stories to be catered by Hope Collier. :)
May 4, 2013
I swear this book was written with me in mind. The main character is me, me, me. The ending was just how I wanted, but I feel sooooo sorry for Kyle!
No spoilers!!!!
My favorite parts were where I had to stop and ponder where Collier got her ideas from. I saw a little of all my favorite books rolled into this one just like I do as a writer. Jane Austen made her way into it even. I think I even saw a piece of The Princess Bride in it.
Overall, I love this book.
My favorite parts include any part with Gabe. Ashton and Gabe were cheesy at first, but who doesn't want what they have!!!!????!!!!
No spoilers!!!!
My favorite parts were where I had to stop and ponder where Collier got her ideas from. I saw a little of all my favorite books rolled into this one just like I do as a writer. Jane Austen made her way into it even. I think I even saw a piece of The Princess Bride in it.
Overall, I love this book.
My favorite parts include any part with Gabe. Ashton and Gabe were cheesy at first, but who doesn't want what they have!!!!????!!!!
September 14, 2011
Collier has entered the YA realm with a bang! The Willows: Haven is a great read that leaves you guessing what will happen next. You'll love some characters and hate others, but no matter what, you will connect with them and want to know more about them. This is "unputdownable"...buy it now and see what I'm talking about! You'll be glad you did!
January 8, 2012
I love this book the story is amazing and original I cant say ive read a story about nymphs before
There are a few typos through out the story but still very good... and the truth a.bout her besfriend kyle was shocking
There are a few typos through out the story but still very good... and the truth a.bout her besfriend kyle was shocking
August 2, 2011
Will be posting a full review as part of the blog tour, but know that I adored the vast majority of the novel! Quite the page turner & one I'd definitely recommend.
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