The Forever Girl (The Forever Girl #1) in Q&A with Rebecca Hamilton

Mar 04, 2012 Ivana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After reading the enticing summary and sample chapter, it grabbed me immediately so I jumped at the chance when I saw Rebecca's tweet about offering The Forever Girl to reviewers.
It was nothing short of fantastic. My fears that this book would fall into the usual traps of paranormal romance were dissolved quickly. Here are the reasons why it fit me perfectly:
Sophia is a Wiccan, and Rebecca does a great job describing the rituals and the essence of Wicca. Naturally, Sophia's "pagan" beliefs are n After reading the enticing summary and sample chapter, it grabbed me immediately so I jumped at the chance when I saw Rebecca's tweet about offering The Forever Girl to reviewers.
It was nothing short of fantastic. My fears that this book would fall into the usual traps of paranormal romance were dissolved quickly. Here are the reasons why it fit me perfectly:
Sophia is a Wiccan, and Rebecca does a great job describing the rituals and the essence of Wicca. Naturally, Sophia's "pagan" beliefs are not welcome in her small town. Same applies for homosexuals, if you ask the religious freaks that harass Sophia. I felt her frustrations like my own. To the point.
I loved it's dark atmosphere, palpable anxiety and danger. Sophia is a troubled girl, haunted by her past and her present and an uncertain future, and the fatigue in her voice was constantly there. Rebecca made it easy to feel what it's like in Sophia's shoes. Also, Sophia is my age exactly, fresh out of college without a job. Another know-what-it-feels-like moment. Though she's not the funniest girl to be around, she felt real, and I always appreciate that.
The mythical creatures described in the novel are well-developed and given more depth than simply being classified as vampires or witches.
The romance is not rushed. Charles and Sophia, despite the instant attraction, are aware of the position they are in. They both stick to their own priorities, think things over and try to meet halfway, voice their concerns and keep cool heads when it comes to facing real-life issues, which makes for a very mature relationship. Something many paranormal romances lack. Might be because this one is not YA, rather new adult and I'd expect that anyway, but it was just nice, for a change.
As for the romance per se-perfectly captured moments of love, care, passion and tenderness.
There were bits that freaked me out! I'm not easily scared by books, but some scenes made me turn the light back on and double check that there are no ghost girls staring through my window.
Final verdict: if you enjoy urban fantasy/paranormal romance, do yourself a favor and read The Forever Girl. It's an amazing high quality representative of its genre, well-written, exciting and gripping, a book that's almost impossible to put down. ...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Brandon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After seeing the first chapter of The Forever Girl on the author's blog, I was hooked! With the book's release, I immediately ordered the eBook and I couldn't put it down!

Rebecca Hamilton has created a whole new take on the vampire (and other critter) genre. Her mythos is intricate and completely original in my experience, but remains easily accessible. As the reader discovers this new world alongside Sophie (the protagonist), they are skillfully eased into the experience. Layer upon layer, the ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Lindsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh, the writing in this book! I'm a sucker for unique, powerful verbs and descriptions so crisp, I can actually hear the ice cubes in Sophia's glass tinkling together. The writing alone has made me a forever fan of Rebecca.

But that's not the only reason I enjoyed this book. Sophia is an outcast in her small town, something I think many people can relate to. Despite the town's opinions of her, she doesn't think or act any differently. She is who she is, and you have to admire a girl like that.

Her ...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Maghon Thomas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, review-4-author, netgalley

Let me start off by saying this one story made my jaw drop about 4 times… Which is quite hard to do. And we don’t “actually” have vampers but something, in my opinion, a little cooler if a lite different. YAY FOR DIFFERENT LOL! There are things in the world that maybe we don’t realize is happening but just because we don’t see them doesn’t make it true. And there’s plenty of goodness to go around, we’ve got the paranormal, the romance, the scary bad guys, a little tragedy and a big mystery that Let me start off by saying this one story made my jaw drop about 4 times… Which is quite hard to do. And we don’t “actually” have vampers but something, in my opinion, a little cooler if a lite different. YAY FOR DIFFERENT LOL! There are things in the world that maybe we don’t realize is happening but just because we don’t see them doesn’t make it true. And there’s plenty of goodness to go around, we’ve got the paranormal, the romance, the scary bad guys, a little tragedy and a big mystery that wraps itself up!

Ok, I’ll talk Sophia first. In the beginning she started off slightly depressing. She’s lost her family, she has basically two friends, she’s struggling with the town folk, and she’s got this little affliction that all of a sudden gets worse. At first, I wasn’t loving her, until she really catches on that in order to let people in, you’ve got to let yourself be, well, yourself. She had so many fears! But she definitely grows as a character and by the end I was very much a fan of Sophia! That’s exactly what I like to happen! I do believe she’s got some room to grow in the future but I’m just so proud of her lol

Now lets talk Charles. A lot of times, I wanted to slap him! Hahaha he’s mood, he’s secretive, he’s not quite so forthcoming in information and he’s closed off. BUT by the time he finally opens up to Sophia and tell her she has to do the same- I was hooked! He’s different from the normal leading male boyfriend interest. He is willing to give up his life to protect Sophia but he’s not willing to give up “himself” until the end- yes I know it’s vague but I will NOT spoil this one for you. He’s hot very valid points and at first you don’t get it. All part of the mystery

there’s some excellent secondary characters here- one who will BLOW YOUR MIND in the role they play- or at least they blew mine away! All I can say is WOAH that’s intense and slightly off kilter lol! The writing is pretty awesome. She played her hand of cards very well when she played this one out. It works to keep the reader interested and it’s perfect to introduce what I hope will have continuations! There needs to be a sequel SOON! And the plot wrapped up with “what and who” Sophia is was just fantastic! Well done I’m going to go with a 5 PAW rating- especially because of what Charles turned into at the end for the fight scene! I mean way to think out the box and pick the MOST SURPRISING animal EVER!! See if you wanna know you should just read it take it from me, you’ll like it! ...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Anthony rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

It’s Sophia’s voice that hooked me, almost from page one. There is something about the way she tells her own story that felt open and honest and just likeable. Which is not to say Sophia herself is always open, honest or easy to be around in regards to the other characters – just that despite whatever turmoil she’s going through, her first-person narration stays true to herself. She never feels like an “unreliable narrator.”

But strong first-person narration does not a great book make. Sophia’s v It’s Sophia’s voice that hooked me, almost from page one. There is something about the way she tells her own story that felt open and honest and just likeable. Which is not to say Sophia herself is always open, honest or easy to be around in regards to the other characters – just that despite whatever turmoil she’s going through, her first-person narration stays true to herself. She never feels like an “unreliable narrator.”

But strong first-person narration does not a great book make. Sophia’s voice hooked me, but the plot kept me. Rebecca Hamilton takes two tropes of the urban fantasy genre, blends them together and creates something exciting and original.

The first trope is the “misunderstood Wiccan outsider in a small community with a secret to hide.” It’s a stereotype, isn’t it? But where some authors would hang a few generic and poorly-researched “wiccan” symbols on the character and move on, Hamilton clearly spent time building Sophia’s world-view and making it as much a part of her as any real Wiccan’s religion would be to them. In other words, it doesn’t feel like a trope or a handy stereotype; it feels like a natural part of an intriguing character’s life.

The second trope is the “we’re not vampires/werewolves, but the vampire/werewolf myths were based on us” trope that has become increasingly handy for authors who want a recognizable supernatural threat but who want to be able to change the rules. Octavia E. Butler used this to great effect in “Fledgling,” and Hamilton does it just as effectively here. In the Cruor and Strigoi, Hamilton takes what most of us (Hamilton included, I’d assume) love about vampires and shape-shifters and then twists it for her world’s needs, adding some original thought in along the way; her races are not different for differences’ sake, but different because it’s what her story & world need them to be. The fact that she mentions the Cruor were the basis of vampires myths exactly once, and then never brings it up again, is another perfect touch: we’ve gotten the point, it doesn’t need to be bashed over our heads. What we learn of Cruor culture feels more authentic because we’re not constantly being reminded that they’re “vampires.” And the Cruor-Strigoi-Ankou-etc culture is something I eargerly await learning more about in future books.

Another thing I enjoy about Hamilton’s writing: the book is detailed without being full of details. It’s another effective use of Sophia’s voice; she shares details of what she smells, what she tastes, what she and others are wearing, because these are the things that matter to her, but she leaves out details of architecture, history, weather, because to her they are less important. This means we’re not bogged down with “filler” events in the narrative. Months go by between chapters (the book essentially jumps from Halloween to Christmas at one point, with one short paragraph explaining the leap) and that’s okay because it keeps the book moving and keeps our heroine from sounding like she’s completely lost in morose self-pity. (Instrospective, Sophia is; maudlin, she’s not.)

Obviously, as I’ve given the book 5 stars, I really don’t have anything to complain about. I will say this: I wish the relationship between Sophia and her friends Ivory and Lauren had been developed a little stronger in the opening chapters to give later events even greater weight. This is the one thing in the book where I felt Sophia’s voice went slightly awry; if these are her best friends, I’d have liked to see more indication of that earlier on. But it’s a minor quibble in a book that otherwise kept me up late to finish it. The last quarter of the book is a bit of a mad dash and I loved every moment of it.
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Feb 12, 2012 Heather Harrison rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal

This was a good read. There were new things going on- I usually pass on vampires, but I guess I got tricked! It didn't feel tired or "done" before.

The main character is strong and likable, the storyline was new and unexpected. The romance didn't feel forced or overdone. I liked the story-world and it all seemed to jive.

Overall, this was an interesting story that captured my interest: strong characters and new ideas. I'd recommend it to any paranormal romance junkies. ...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Nilsa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Forever Girl is about a sassy girl named Sophia, who is a Wiccan struggling with life and looking for answers. Sophia hears voices in her head, and as she tries to silence them, she uncovers secrets she never wished she stumbled upon, because now she finds herself wrapped in a supernatural world she never knew existed.
The Forever Girl is a thrilling tale and I loved every minute of it. I was pulled into this paranormal world from the moment I began reading the book. Rebecca's writing style ...more

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