Haven (Winterhaven, #1) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Mar 06, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it liked it

Shelves: mundie-moms-reviews, books-i-own, 2011-100-book-challenge, 2011-release

Haven has a great mix of paranormal characters, and I liked how they're all brought together to attend the private Winterhaven school for the "gifted". The secondary characters are fabulous! They're "real", supportive and just fun characters to read about it. I had a really hard time with Violet and Aidan's characters. I couldn't picture them in my mind, like I could for Joshua or Cece, Violet's roommate, and I felt more connected with the supporting characters than I did with main ones. I'm not Haven has a great mix of paranormal characters, and I liked how they're all brought together to attend the private Winterhaven school for the "gifted". The secondary characters are fabulous! They're "real", supportive and just fun characters to read about it. I had a really hard time with Violet and Aidan's characters. I couldn't picture them in my mind, like I could for Joshua or Cece, Violet's roommate, and I felt more connected with the supporting characters than I did with main ones. I'm not quite sure what is about Violet that I didn't enjoy. With Aidan, I liked getting to know his past history, but I couldn't get past my bias about him to really like him. The way he acts reminded me of another beloved YA character (leaving out spoilers), and had I been able to separate the two I think I would have enjoyed him more and possibly even felt the "Aidan effect", which sadly didn't happen for me. I was also annoyed with how hot and cold Violet and Aiden's relationship was through out the story. I think part of my problem was hearing all this hype about Aiden, and then not feeling it as I was reading about him.

I really enjoyed the setting, Winterhaven, a private school for truly unique and gifted students. Think X-Man, but for paranormals. I liked the mesh up of talent and the variety of characters there. It wasn't hard to picture the school or the beautiful school grounds in my head. I can't forget Aidan's house. I would love to see his house in person.

Kristi's writing flowed well for me and it did keep my interest. I liked that she threw in minor twists to keep the story exciting. Just as I thought I had something figured out with Aidan or Violet, I liked the other twists that were added to make each character's gifts truly unique. I was pleasantly surprised with the direction Kristi took her story. In the beginning I felt that there were too many similarities to some other YA books, which I felt took away from the book having a unique voice of it's own, but with the second half I felt the book grew into it's own and I was more engaged with the story. The only thing I wanted to see more of in the end was a longer fight scene. I felt it was too built up to have it end so quickly.

Haven is a good read and I can see what the draw is about the book. Do not let the cover fool you, though I think I may have missed what it has to do with the book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Kristi's YA books, and the next ones in the series. I would recommend picking Haven up, as I think a lot of YA fans will really enjoy the story. There is some mild language and a reference to a non graphic sensual scene. I would recommend this to teens 14 & up. ...more

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Jan 10, 2011 Lani Woodland rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. I liked the whole concept of the book. I also liked the reaction Violet had to her boyfriends secret. She actually was scared/worried/upset. I didn't know Aidan's secret when I started reading so I only figured it out a short while before Violet did.Lots of twists, turns, action and romance. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. :) ...more

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Jan 05, 2011 Trisha Wolfe rated it really liked it

Let me start out by saying that I’ve been looking forward to this book for quite some time. Ms. Cook’s writing is clear and easy to follow. She pairs description and action together well, and kept a perfect balance with the novels pace and structure. The MC of the story is Violet McKenna. Her voice through the novel, though I found her a perfectly likable character, was not always consistent to me. At times she was strong and making wise decisions, but other times she was dense and even cruel. I Let me start out by saying that I’ve been looking forward to this book for quite some time. Ms. Cook’s writing is clear and easy to follow. She pairs description and action together well, and kept a perfect balance with the novels pace and structure. The MC of the story is Violet McKenna. Her voice through the novel, though I found her a perfectly likable character, was not always consistent to me. At times she was strong and making wise decisions, but other times she was dense and even cruel. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but one scene in particular struck me as harsh involving a comment she made to her boyfriend, Aidan, concerning a past love of his. It came off as childish and hurtful for no other reason than her jealousy. However, besides those few incidents, Violet was brave and enjoyable. The other characters were well crafted also. I liked Violets friends a lot. They were fun and managed their 'talents' fantastically, making them easily believable in a supernatural setting. Aidan Gray, what can I say about him? I loved him right from the start. Though at times he did seem standoffish. I wish that he was a bit more devoted to Violet. I felt more unyielding desire on his part would have upped the steamy in the novel. But I believe we will see more passion from him in the next novel. For such a long novel, though I thought the ending wrapped up tight and answered all my questions, I felt the last major scene needed to be a bit twistier and action packed. I found it somewhat derivative and abrupt. I do like how Ms. Cook combined so many different supernatural elements, bringing them together with wonderful characters, and the twist near the middle of the novel was an interesting and a fresh take. It moves the story in a different direction, and I’m looking forward to the next book because of it. I’m curious to see where it’s going to go, and how Aidan and Violet will stand together against the odds. I think lovers of YA Paranormal Romance will enjoy this new addition to the market.

For its original take on a tried and true subject, its wonderfully crafted characters, and set up that makes me want more, I give Haven 4 flames!

Merged review:

Let me start out by saying that I’ve been looking forward to this book for quite some time. Ms. Cook’s writing is clear and easy to follow. She pairs description and action together well, and kept a perfect balance with the novels pace and structure. The MC of the story is Violet McKenna. Her voice through the novel, though I found her a perfectly likable character, was not always consistent to me. At times she was strong and making wise decisions, but other times she was dense and even cruel. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but one scene in particular struck me as harsh involving a comment she made to her boyfriend, Aidan, concerning a past love of his. It came off as childish and hurtful for no other reason than her jealousy. However, besides those few incidents, Violet was brave and enjoyable. The other characters were well crafted also. I liked Violets friends a lot. They were fun and managed their 'talents' fantastically, making them easily believable in a supernatural setting. Aidan Gray, what can I say about him? I loved him right from the start. Though at times he did seem standoffish. I wish that he was a bit more devoted to Violet. I felt more unyielding desire on his part would have upped the steamy in the novel. But I believe we will see more passion from him in the next novel. For such a long novel, though I thought the ending wrapped up tight and answered all my questions, I felt the last major scene needed to be a bit twistier and action packed. I found it somewhat derivative and abrupt. I do like how Ms. Cook combined so many different supernatural elements, bringing them together with wonderful characters, and the twist near the middle of the novel was an interesting and a fresh take. It moves the story in a different direction, and I’m looking forward to the next book because of it. I’m curious to see where it’s going to go, and how Aidan and Violet will stand together against the odds. I think lovers of YA Paranormal Romance will enjoy this new addition to the market.

For its original take on a tried and true subject, its wonderfully crafted characters, and set up that makes me want more, I give Haven 4 flames! ...more

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Jan 10, 2011 Lucia rated it really liked it

Read the full review at iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books.

I finished this book on July 14. I am now writing this review on September 3. That, my friends, is how much I procrastinate. Do not learn from me.

There was a lot of hype around this book, and I was super excited to read it. Unfortunately, it fell a little for me. I found the plot typical and predictable, with one twist that was easily solved.

Violet was an okay character; I liked her enough. I found her friends amusing and interesting characters, ...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Jodie rated it it was amazing

http://www.booksforcompany.com/
This cover never grabbed my attention but it’s one of those covers that when you look at it the more you start to like it, and l do like it now. I think it suits the book well and sometimes covers have nothing to do with a book so this is refreshing that this cover does. Saying that l don't love the colours which is why it's only a 3.5.
Anyway onto the actual book and my opinion.
The blurb tells you a lot about this book and l worried about how many more things could http://www.booksforcompany.com/
This cover never grabbed my attention but it’s one of those covers that when you look at it the more you start to like it, and l do like it now. I think it suits the book well and sometimes covers have nothing to do with a book so this is refreshing that this cover does. Saying that l don't love the colours which is why it's only a 3.5.
Anyway onto the actual book and my opinion.
The blurb tells you a lot about this book and l worried about how many more things could come up in this book which weren’t already told in the blurb. I do feel blurbs sometimes give so much away. Anyway just let me say, the blurb doesn’t tell you the HALF of it!!!
I have to admit, 50 pages into this book l WAS enjoying it but found myself a bit nervous that it was going to be too much like other books and not stand out. Boarding school, girl with passed away family, secrets, the nerd at her old school. Then suddenly everything changed, the storyline took to a whole new level! As l got further into this book l was very pleasantly surprised, Kristi really made her unique thoughts and her take on the paranormal world known in this book. WOW was l nicely surprised. Things came from nowhere and twists on the paranormal world which l am so used to reading about were changed. Simple things about the different ‘paranormal’ creatures which are common in lots of paranormal books were twisted and changed in this book to make a new world. That alone made me fall in love with this book. It’s so refreshing, Kristi ideas are truly amazing!
This book is not just a refreshing read but a very fast paced book with great characters in which are developed the more you get into the book. Even though it’s around 400 pages this isn't too long at all, the pages really whizzed by because Kristi constantly brings something new into the story. In some places it will mention about a character going to do something but then will skip forward in time and explain what happened in a few sentences. This may sound stupid but l always think these are thought out books to have so much going on and to make something which could be a chapter long into a few lines!
Over-all l would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal, its a fast paced book with great twists. Kristi is really an author to watch out for and l will be excited to read any books which she releases in the future. ...more

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Feb 18, 2011 Between the Covers rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011-debut, young-adult, paranormal

With so many paranormal books on the market right now, it was very refreshing to see one in which almost all of the characters have a supernatural ability, not just the male or female lead. The premise of Haven sounded very promising, and it definitely did not disappoint.

Violet McKenna has always been plagued with visions of the future, usually visions of unfortunate or even tragic accidents occurring in the lives of those she cares about. To make matters worse, she can't even warn them - nobody With so many paranormal books on the market right now, it was very refreshing to see one in which almost all of the characters have a supernatural ability, not just the male or female lead. The premise of Haven sounded very promising, and it definitely did not disappoint.

Violet McKenna has always been plagued with visions of the future, usually visions of unfortunate or even tragic accidents occurring in the lives of those she cares about. To make matters worse, she can't even warn them - nobody would believe her, and so she hides her gift. But all that changes when she arrives at Winterhaven, a school that, for some inexplicable reason, she feels drawn to. She quickly learns that she is not alone in her psychic abilities, and she can even develop them further. Then there is Aidan Gray, the most irresistible guy at Winterhaven, and he seems drawn to her - an attraction that is definitely mutual. But a school like Winterhaven wouldn't be complete without its secrets, as as Violet's visions become increasingly intense, she realizes that she and Aidan may have more to learn about themselves after all...

Haven was a quick, enjoyable read. Cook's writing easily engages the reader, finding just the right balance of description and action and refined style and teen voice that brings the story to life. The characters were all very believable, and I enjoyed watching their development throughout the novel. Moreover, the relationship between Violet and Aidan found a convincing balance of tenderness, tension, and romance. Between character interactions and plot developments and revelations, Haven is an interesting read throughout.

I will say, however, that throughout the novel, there are a fair number of similarities to other comparable books. In addition, while some events come as a surprise, others are rather predictable. Despite this, however, Haven has enough individuality, as well as questions left unanswered, to make this book worth reading and to make me intrigued as to what will happen next.

Overall, this was a great debut novel for Cook. I will look forward to reading more from her in the future! ...more

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