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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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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Jun 19, 2011 Lisa K rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed

I wanted to love it, I really did. I’ve read so many fantastic reviews of Haven but for me… it’s a 3 1/2 Star read (I round up on Goodreads). While it started off strong, it started to get a bit ‘meh’ around the middle. It was very similar to some other YA books I’ve read… Violet annoyed me for a lot of the book and there was a lot that was introduced but not followed through (her best friend in NY for example). I love Aiden though, and really liked how the relationship grew between them (telepa ...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Jessi rated it really liked it

Cook is a new YA author for 2011 and I'd say that she's debuted on quite a good note. This story really had it all--a solid plot, a cast of likable characters, a swoon-worthy love-interest, and a little life-death action on the side. While I'll be the first to admit that Cook's story wasn't overly original, I thought she did a good job making it her own and adding enough twists to make it interesting. It was definitely a well-written storyline that pulled me in. It was a read that I simply could ...more

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May 08, 2011 Rie rated it really liked it

This is hard one for me to review, because I truly enjoyed this book, but there is one major problem. It’s two books and one show combined into one truly entertaining book.
It’s Harry Potter, met Buffy, met Twilight.

Violet is all “I would never leave you no matter your secrets.” Then disappears for him letting her know the secret she so desperately wants to know. But Violet has personality and is so incredibly friendly and goodhearted that’s impossible to not love.

So in general I had a love/hate ...more

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