Not a bad young adult book. Its well written, the plot is well hashed out, and Ana isn't annoying! However, I don't like it enough to continue on with the series.
Review originally posted here.Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway was in my to-read list for a long time. I started reading it for awhile like 4 pages then stops. Why? Nothing. I mean, it's not because of the book. Just something personal. Anyway, so I started reading it again and boy, I can't keep my hands off it. At the first chapter of this book, I understood that Anastasija Parker or simply Ana, is a witch. She said so, but there's some kind of complication to it, she can't do magic. The series was named "Vampire Princess of St. Paul", so I immediately said that "ah, she's a half-witch and half-vampire". But still, I want some confirmation even though Goodreads said that her dad is a Vampire King. I became excited when I read "Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again" those phrase or sentence or whatever has been used also in House Of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. And oh, Ana is also called a "Dhampyr", sounds familiar, right? Yes, that's the term for our beloved Rose Hathaway of Vampire Academy. I said to myself, "wow, its like my favorites rolled into one series." The story revolves around whether Ana would choose to be a full fledged vampire or a True Witch. She talked to her dad, the vampire king and Elias, the Praetorian Guard so she somewhat have some insight or knowledge about vampire (she actually didn't believe a vampire exist until her dad came knocking on their doorstep). But she also hang out with Nikolai Kirov, a member of her coven (this coven is not a vampire coven, its a group of witches). Nik is a vampire hunter. Or trained to be one by his dad. And well, Nik said that vampires are all bad and evil (as usual)."I still can't believe I basically licked his face. What was I thinking?""You weren't. The blood is irresistible, especially blood of an enemy won in a fight." But what Ana wants is normal life. Or as much normal as she could get if she'll be a True Witch. But learning her true heritage and dark, mysterious secrets makes her world confused. I liked this book. Though at some extent it's kind of slow paced. But hey, I honestly liked this one and would be reading the next book soon. And oh, yes! Of course there's a love triangle going on. I liked the way Ana described the two guys in her head, how she differentiated the two and how her reaction to these two gorgeous guys. So I'll be reading the whole series soon!
*Read the full review at Witchmag's Boekenplank*
From the start I had a problem with Ana’s mother. Protecting your child from monsters? No problem. But the monsters didn’t feel like monsters at all. And the reaction Ana’s mother had, was way overboard. This could be because I’ve read too much Twilight books were vampires aren’t monsters anymore, at least not all of them But putting a spell on your daughter is way over the line…
I also didn’t like Nikolai very much. He acted much too soon with some certain things and he doesn’t een try to see Ana’s side of the story when he, as a vampire killer, is confronted with her family. I seriously hope she dumps him for Elias who had always wanted the best for her and he’s just so cute ^^
I like the idea behind this story. Especially the fresh, intriguing and unusual way vampires are described in this book. Although sadly enough they still can’t stand the sun . I look forward to find out more about them and what kind of surprises the vampire culture will bring.
The ending was a little too soon. I liked the fight between mom and dad, but everything fizzled out. I’d loved to see a bit more action. Not that I like to see dead or hurt witches and vampires, but there was so much tension at the end of the book that I was a bit disappointed that it ended like that, I expected a bit more.
Overall rating 3 HEARTS. It was a nice story to read, but the ending was weak. The idea on the other hand was very refreshing and well done, although the love triangle is a bit cliché ;). Oh well, when it’s written well, it’s worth reading
Did not liked this book. I tried so hard to feel for the main character but sadly I couldn´t. And also the guys weren´t that swoon-worthy,what is very important for me. I gotta have some hot guys walking around to keep me amused.
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