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Destinata
Imagine being eighteen. You've just become an adult, you can do what you like when you like. You should be attending parties or studying for school. Well that's what Charlie Dawson thought her life would be like when she turned eighteen anyway. Instead she ends up parentless, living with her best friends and working at a nearby cafe. That is until her curiosity about her new mysterious neighbor gets the better of her. Following Zane into the woods that surround her home town of Tole one night, Charlie gets a little more than she bargains for when he lets her in on Tole's best kept secrets. The human's that reside in town aren't alone. Thrown into a world where humans are no longer the world's most feared predator, Charlie is forced to become something that she has been destined to since before her own birth. Will she stand up to the test? or will she ignore what has been fated to her?"
286 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2013
9 people want to read
About the author
Nicole L. Daffurn
12 books20 followers“If you can dream of it, you can achieve it”
Sunshine, surf and family are the corner stone of Nicky’s world. Being born and raised on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia gave her the opportunity to chase her dream of photography and later novel writing. She fell in love with fantasy and dystopian and crafted stories with strong men and powerful women. Her debut novel Destinata was released on October 15, 2014 with several short stories following. Nicole now has more than ten stories published, with a vision for more in 2016. When she is not busy being an author, you will find her using her various creative abilities; such as photography, graphic design, and 3d game art and animation, and chasing after her two young girls.
Sunshine, surf and family are the corner stone of Nicky’s world. Being born and raised on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia gave her the opportunity to chase her dream of photography and later novel writing. She fell in love with fantasy and dystopian and crafted stories with strong men and powerful women. Her debut novel Destinata was released on October 15, 2014 with several short stories following. Nicole now has more than ten stories published, with a vision for more in 2016. When she is not busy being an author, you will find her using her various creative abilities; such as photography, graphic design, and 3d game art and animation, and chasing after her two young girls.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 7, 2015
this book crosses a lot of genres in my opinion , sci-fi paranormal and suspense thriller with some violent scenes .... IT'S BRILLIANT !!! the love developing between the main characters grows through out the first book in the series and the main character goes from been a sweet naive young girl to a strong leader of people who's willing to fight and die for what she believes in... congratulations to the author a truly captivating read thank you!
January 2, 2014
I am completely in love with this book & I can NOT wait till the next one is released. I highly recommend this story & I would like to thank Nicole for sharing Charlie's life with us.
April 3, 2016
This book was provided by the author to Nerd Girl Official for an honest review.
5 stars! The story never stops! If you want something that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is what you want to read. The author starts you right in the middle of a confrontation between the main characters, Charlie and Zane. Zane finally makes a choice and on a whim tells Charlie that she is the Destinata. This sets forth a series of events that she was destined to stop. She finds out she is half human, half Valguard. The Valguard are a super human type race that is using humans as experiments. Charlie finds out about her family’s past, and present, that will definitely pull at your heart strings. Her best friends are thrown into the mix of this battle as well. You will fully understand what it is to have friends as your family. She is put in the worst situations and always has to make a hard choice. She is constantly battling between what is right and what is best. You can’t help but root for Charlie and her friends in this epic battle against the Valguard.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“ The only certainty now was they could trust no one but each other and even that trust was fragile at best.”
“She may have been a coward in love, but she wasn’t a coward in war.”
“No time for regrets now, Charlie, just keep moving.”
“My life is nothing but a game to them, but they don’t realize just how well I play.”
This is an action packed, crazy filled adventure filled with friendship, love, and loss. The old saying “keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer” keeps coming to mind while I was reading this. You never know quite who you can trust. I am anxiously awaiting Book 2!
Note: Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. See www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG or www.NerdGirlOfficial.com for more information.
5 stars! The story never stops! If you want something that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is what you want to read. The author starts you right in the middle of a confrontation between the main characters, Charlie and Zane. Zane finally makes a choice and on a whim tells Charlie that she is the Destinata. This sets forth a series of events that she was destined to stop. She finds out she is half human, half Valguard. The Valguard are a super human type race that is using humans as experiments. Charlie finds out about her family’s past, and present, that will definitely pull at your heart strings. Her best friends are thrown into the mix of this battle as well. You will fully understand what it is to have friends as your family. She is put in the worst situations and always has to make a hard choice. She is constantly battling between what is right and what is best. You can’t help but root for Charlie and her friends in this epic battle against the Valguard.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“ The only certainty now was they could trust no one but each other and even that trust was fragile at best.”
“She may have been a coward in love, but she wasn’t a coward in war.”
“No time for regrets now, Charlie, just keep moving.”
“My life is nothing but a game to them, but they don’t realize just how well I play.”
This is an action packed, crazy filled adventure filled with friendship, love, and loss. The old saying “keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer” keeps coming to mind while I was reading this. You never know quite who you can trust. I am anxiously awaiting Book 2!
Note: Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. See www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG or www.NerdGirlOfficial.com for more information.
October 16, 2014
This book is amazing! I can not wait for book two!
August 15, 2017
Destinata is the first book in a science fiction series that deals with superhumans and the fate of mankind.
Let me begin with the writing. It wasn't hard to get into the story. The book started off strong with a confrontation between the main character and another character. However, I felt the middle wasn't as great as the first chapter or the last three.
Like I said before, the writing wasn't difficult, but there were confusing moments in the dialogue and some editing issues that had me scratching my head. On more than one occassion, I did back up the book to make sure I understood what was going on.
That said, I wouldn't say the book was bad. It wasn't. It was more so-so for me. I didn't have a steady handle on the main character until closer to the end and I wasn't too sure how I felt about the way everything was executed. For instance, the reader isn't given much about the world. You are literally in the dark.
HOWEVER, I can see how Daffurn may have intended that. Charlie is supposed to be sure with her life and world. It isn't supposed to go crazy. Until it does. Since most of the book is through Charlie's experiences, it would make sense for the reader to be confused. It's because Charlie is confused.
There was a small romantic moment that felt forced for me as well. I didn't have a great understanding of Charlie and she suddenly went intimate with a person I wouldn't have given the situation. However, I'm not Charlie.
What is great about it though, is that Daffurn doesn't do this again. The one awkward moment for me, as the reader, was the only awkward moment. The rest of the romance that does appear is put on hold due to Charlie sifting through all of the crazy. Which felt more realistic and I like that.
All in all, the book wasn't terrible. There were moments I was confused, but I wasn't turned off from reading. I would say that it is a moderate beginning. I wouldn't mind seeing where the rest of the story goes, though. Charlie kind of grew on me and I would love to see what came to her mind just at the cliffhanger.
Let me begin with the writing. It wasn't hard to get into the story. The book started off strong with a confrontation between the main character and another character. However, I felt the middle wasn't as great as the first chapter or the last three.
Like I said before, the writing wasn't difficult, but there were confusing moments in the dialogue and some editing issues that had me scratching my head. On more than one occassion, I did back up the book to make sure I understood what was going on.
That said, I wouldn't say the book was bad. It wasn't. It was more so-so for me. I didn't have a steady handle on the main character until closer to the end and I wasn't too sure how I felt about the way everything was executed. For instance, the reader isn't given much about the world. You are literally in the dark.
HOWEVER, I can see how Daffurn may have intended that. Charlie is supposed to be sure with her life and world. It isn't supposed to go crazy. Until it does. Since most of the book is through Charlie's experiences, it would make sense for the reader to be confused. It's because Charlie is confused.
There was a small romantic moment that felt forced for me as well. I didn't have a great understanding of Charlie and she suddenly went intimate with a person I wouldn't have given the situation. However, I'm not Charlie.
What is great about it though, is that Daffurn doesn't do this again. The one awkward moment for me, as the reader, was the only awkward moment. The rest of the romance that does appear is put on hold due to Charlie sifting through all of the crazy. Which felt more realistic and I like that.
All in all, the book wasn't terrible. There were moments I was confused, but I wasn't turned off from reading. I would say that it is a moderate beginning. I wouldn't mind seeing where the rest of the story goes, though. Charlie kind of grew on me and I would love to see what came to her mind just at the cliffhanger.
February 9, 2017
5 stars! The story never stops! If you want something that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is what you want to read. The author starts you right in the middle of a confrontation between the main characters, Charlie and Zane. Zane finally makes a choice and on a whim tells Charlie that she is the Destinata. This sets forth a series of events that she was destined to stop. She finds out she is half human, half Valguard. The Valguard are a super human type race that is using humans as experiments. Charlie finds out about her family’s past, and present, that will definitely pull at your heart strings. Her best friends are thrown into the mix of this battle as well. You will fully understand what it is to have friends as your family. She is put in the worst situations and always has to make a hard choice. She is constantly battling between what is right and what is best. You can’t help but root for Charlie and her friends in this epic battle against the Valguard.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“ The only certainty now was they could trust no one but each other and even that trust was fragile at best.”
“She may have been a coward in love, but she wasn’t a coward in war.”
“No time for regrets now, Charlie, just keep moving.”
“My life is nothing but a game to them, but they don’t realize just how well I play.”
This is an action packed, crazy filled adventure filled with friendship, love, and loss. The old saying “keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer” keeps coming to mind while I was reading this. You never know quite who you can trust.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“ The only certainty now was they could trust no one but each other and even that trust was fragile at best.”
“She may have been a coward in love, but she wasn’t a coward in war.”
“No time for regrets now, Charlie, just keep moving.”
“My life is nothing but a game to them, but they don’t realize just how well I play.”
This is an action packed, crazy filled adventure filled with friendship, love, and loss. The old saying “keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer” keeps coming to mind while I was reading this. You never know quite who you can trust.
August 6, 2016
#1. This is a series. I was half way through the book when I realized it is a series.
#2. You will WANT to have book 2 in your hand when you complete book 1. I know this one from experience. It ends with a major cliffhanger. (ooops sorry if that is a spoiler).
This is edgier than most young adult novels I have read. Charlie Dawson has just turned eighteen. And after I had read a couple of chapters, she started walking around in my head and talking to me.
This is a goodread!
#2. You will WANT to have book 2 in your hand when you complete book 1. I know this one from experience. It ends with a major cliffhanger. (ooops sorry if that is a spoiler).
This is edgier than most young adult novels I have read. Charlie Dawson has just turned eighteen. And after I had read a couple of chapters, she started walking around in my head and talking to me.
This is a goodread!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews