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The Survivors #1
The Survivors
*****Praise for THE SURVIVORS Series*****"Havard effortlessly melds historical facts with spellbinding fiction in this compelling debut of THE SURVIVORS series." – The US Review"Havard's triumphant debut will leave readers hanging on each page, anxious for the next chapter of Sadie's story!" – RT Book Review"[Havard] had me absolutely falling in love... a stunning debut that will be sure to captivate readers." – The Book Eric Hoffer Award 1st Runner-Up (YA), Independent Publisher Editor's Choice Award, Moonbeam Children's Book Award Book 1 in THE SURVIVORS Series. POINT OF ORIGIN (Book 2) available now! BODY & BLOOD (Book 3) coming July 23rd!-------------In 1692, when witch trials gripped the community of Salem, Massachusetts, twenty-six children were accused as witches, exiled, and left for dead. Fourteen of them survived. The Survivors is the first installment of the tantalizing tales of the fourteen ill-fated Survivors and their descendants, who have been content in hiding for over three centuries. Isolated on a Montana mountainside, only Sadie, the rogue daughter, dares to abandon the family’s sacred hiding place. But no matter how far Sadie runs, something always pulls her back. On a muggy summer night in Tennessee, she witnesses a shocking scene that will change her life forever. It is the first in a sequence of events that will drag her from the human world she’s sought to belong to for over a century and send her back to her Puritanical family and into an uncertain future filled with cunning witches, mysterious nosferatu shape-shifters, dangerous eretica and vieczy vampires, millennia-old mythology, and the search for her own mortality. After all… HOW DO YOU KILL A SURVIVOR? The Survivors will steal your heart and invade your mind. Fall into the pages of Sadie’s life, a world so frighteningly similar to your own, you’ll find yourself wanting to go to the Montana mountains to find the Survivors for yourself. And it is only the beginning.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
2176 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Havard
6 books115 followersAmanda Havard thinks in stories. She writes books and songs, tells stories to people over coffee or in elaborate iPad apps, in short films or subtle photographs. Stories are her life. She is the author of the supernatural young adult series, The Survivors, a transmedia franchise with an online following of over 4.5 million readers. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a pioneer of the future of storytelling. The inventor of the Immersedition™, patent-pending interactive book, an app that reinvents the reading experience, Havard is always looking for the next best story and the most innovative way to tell it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
April 25, 2012
A group of people accused as witches in Salem was banished and sent West to die. 14 of these people survived, gaining strange powers and ceasing to age, which was also passed on to their children. One of these children, Sadie, an awkward girl with jaw-dropping, supermodel-like looks and a super-smart brain (she can read a book in about 25 minutes), decides it's time for her to strike out on her own. No one else has done this in the 350+ years of her people, so not everyone is happy with her being an individual.
The first half of the book contained lots of references of Sadie's reactions around humans--the lust from the men who see her and the jealousy from the women. Then there are also tons of references to brand-name clothing and cars (way way way way too many references).
Poor Sadie--she's burdened with tons of money and every man wants her. What's a girl to do?
Oh, except Sadie doesn't want to live. She wants to be mortal, like other humans. So she spends her days pining over her mortality, although I never really understood why.
So okay, interesting enough story there. But once Sadie meets the mysterious Winter family--Edward...er, Everett in particular--it all falls apart. Suddenly it is all about Edward--I mean Everett. His lips are described as coral, then another time as peony (what are "peony lips"?!?). I just couldn't take it any more. Particularly since a good half of the book was used to introduce Sadie to Cole, and then in the space of a paragraph, Sadie is all about Edward (grr)...EVERETT. (Gee, I just don't know why I keep messing up that name.)
So the book descends into a mishmash of creatures of the night and I just couldn't stand it any more. I've never read the Twilight books, but even I could see the correlation from 50 pages away. I just didn't like the story any more.
PS...all the main characters have their own Facebook and Twitter pages. On Sadie's Facebook page, there is lots of designer handbags and fashion talk! Everett, of course, posts photos of cars. How one-dimensional.
The first half of the book contained lots of references of Sadie's reactions around humans--the lust from the men who see her and the jealousy from the women. Then there are also tons of references to brand-name clothing and cars (way way way way too many references).
Poor Sadie--she's burdened with tons of money and every man wants her. What's a girl to do?
Oh, except Sadie doesn't want to live. She wants to be mortal, like other humans. So she spends her days pining over her mortality, although I never really understood why.
So okay, interesting enough story there. But once Sadie meets the mysterious Winter family--Edward...er, Everett in particular--it all falls apart. Suddenly it is all about Edward--I mean Everett. His lips are described as coral, then another time as peony (what are "peony lips"?!?). I just couldn't take it any more. Particularly since a good half of the book was used to introduce Sadie to Cole, and then in the space of a paragraph, Sadie is all about Edward (grr)...EVERETT. (Gee, I just don't know why I keep messing up that name.)
So the book descends into a mishmash of creatures of the night and I just couldn't stand it any more. I've never read the Twilight books, but even I could see the correlation from 50 pages away. I just didn't like the story any more.
PS...all the main characters have their own Facebook and Twitter pages. On Sadie's Facebook page, there is lots of designer handbags and fashion talk! Everett, of course, posts photos of cars. How one-dimensional.
April 10, 2011
Yay! I won this thru "First Reads" here on Good Reads!!
What an interesting story! The idea I had about the book from the jacket blurb was far different from the reality! And the reality was much better (probably explains why I am a reader and not a writer).
The writing/story brought many questions to mind that had me patiently waiting for the answers...and they did get answered. I think that is what I enjoyed the most about Amanda's writing...she teased a lot. Bits of info kind of thrown out, almost in passing, that came back later in a huge way...made the book hard to put down!
Can't wait to see how subsequent books are going to turn out!
Kristy, this one is coming to you!
What an interesting story! The idea I had about the book from the jacket blurb was far different from the reality! And the reality was much better (probably explains why I am a reader and not a writer).
The writing/story brought many questions to mind that had me patiently waiting for the answers...and they did get answered. I think that is what I enjoyed the most about Amanda's writing...she teased a lot. Bits of info kind of thrown out, almost in passing, that came back later in a huge way...made the book hard to put down!
Can't wait to see how subsequent books are going to turn out!
Kristy, this one is coming to you!
April 13, 2011
In general, the novel was interesting and I rounded up what I thought was a solid 3.5. I really wish the beginning had been thinned out a bit cause it really dragged out. I understand now, after reading the novel, that the author wanted us to see how Sadie’s powers developed as she exposed herself to humans. But…it was seventy pages of how awkward she felt in society, how she obsessed over every little movement she made and every word that came out of her mouth and how much she just wanted to die and end her mortality – yet when she came across a man that may have been able to do it for her, she hid. And since she was able to read minds, she constantly told the reader how every guy thought she was a hot supermodel and wanted her sexually and how the girls were jealous of her. I was so annoyed with Sadie and her snobbery that I almost put the book down. That said, once Sadie surrounded herself with immortals again, all those characteristics I found annoying and snobbish disappeared. (Except the constant references to expensive fashion labels.)
Luckily, the story got better from there. However, after I read the novel description and learned there would be shape-shifters, witches and dangerous vampires, I sort of expected some action. Sadly, there was very little in this novel, and the one scene I actually considered ‘action’, Sadie was dragged away from so I felt a little under-fulfilled in that department. This novel seemed to focus more on Sadie meeting new types of immortals, researching ways to kill herself, and finding an immortal to fall in love with (yes, paranormal romance lovers - there’s a good bit of that once Everett comes into the picture that won’t disappoint).
In conclusion –
The Bad: When Sadie is alone, she obsesses about her behavior around humans to the point I just wanna smack her. Also, I prefer a little more action when reading supernatural books.
The Good: I like the new spin on immortals and how certain breeds can mate in such a way that a completely new breed is created and how this new breed will become the problem for the next book. There’s enough romance in the book to keep paranormal romance lovers happy but not sicken the ones that don’t want to hear about their love and obsession on every page.
Truthfully, once Sadie stopped obsessing about the mortal world, the novel continually got better the further I read into it. It was a good enough read that I would suggest it to others and I’ll donate my book to the local library so others can have a chance to experience Amanda Havard’s new world too.
Luckily, the story got better from there. However, after I read the novel description and learned there would be shape-shifters, witches and dangerous vampires, I sort of expected some action. Sadly, there was very little in this novel, and the one scene I actually considered ‘action’, Sadie was dragged away from so I felt a little under-fulfilled in that department. This novel seemed to focus more on Sadie meeting new types of immortals, researching ways to kill herself, and finding an immortal to fall in love with (yes, paranormal romance lovers - there’s a good bit of that once Everett comes into the picture that won’t disappoint).
In conclusion –
The Bad: When Sadie is alone, she obsesses about her behavior around humans to the point I just wanna smack her. Also, I prefer a little more action when reading supernatural books.
The Good: I like the new spin on immortals and how certain breeds can mate in such a way that a completely new breed is created and how this new breed will become the problem for the next book. There’s enough romance in the book to keep paranormal romance lovers happy but not sicken the ones that don’t want to hear about their love and obsession on every page.
Truthfully, once Sadie stopped obsessing about the mortal world, the novel continually got better the further I read into it. It was a good enough read that I would suggest it to others and I’ll donate my book to the local library so others can have a chance to experience Amanda Havard’s new world too.
October 7, 2011
I snagged this book at the library and didn't know what to expect. I have a few complaints, namely the inordinate amount of name dropping Havard does. Yes, I get it, Sadie has money, but I do not care about her Fendi bag and Diane Von Furstenburg coat or what they cost. Such descriptions are sprinkled throughout the book and it is obnoxious.
Initially, I found the story incredibly intriguing. Sadie and family have mysterious roots. Exiled from Salem following the witch trials, Sadie's ancestors ultimately settle in an isolated part of Montana. Fast forward to today- they're still there. Not just the descendants, but the original exiles too. Something is different about Sadie and her family and she wants to know what. Sadie and the Survivors contrast wonderfully from the Winter family. Sadie's interactions with Cole and later Everett really reveal who she is, both to you as the reader and to her. Even though she's nearly a century and a half old, she is in many ways the 21 year old she appears to be. New to the world, her experiences in life and love are engaging.
Unfortunately, the story borrows heavily from Twilight and loses much of that originality. I really did find myself saying, "vampires, really?" Didn't expect that from all the lead in.
Thankfully, Havard has done her research and managed to hold my interest. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next installment.
Initially, I found the story incredibly intriguing. Sadie and family have mysterious roots. Exiled from Salem following the witch trials, Sadie's ancestors ultimately settle in an isolated part of Montana. Fast forward to today- they're still there. Not just the descendants, but the original exiles too. Something is different about Sadie and her family and she wants to know what. Sadie and the Survivors contrast wonderfully from the Winter family. Sadie's interactions with Cole and later Everett really reveal who she is, both to you as the reader and to her. Even though she's nearly a century and a half old, she is in many ways the 21 year old she appears to be. New to the world, her experiences in life and love are engaging.
Unfortunately, the story borrows heavily from Twilight and loses much of that originality. I really did find myself saying, "vampires, really?" Didn't expect that from all the lead in.
Thankfully, Havard has done her research and managed to hold my interest. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next installment.
February 6, 2012
My complaints about this book can be summarized as follows: number 1= false advertising. I assumed (more fool me) that the book would be more about the Salem witch trials...and not about "Twilight"-esque "romance..." which leads me to complaint #2, which is that the prose in this book is SO PURPLE that I fear my fingertips may be permanently stained indigo from it. Finally, #3= it reads like Creative Writing 101, in that all of the protagonist's clothing, vehicles, accessories, etc. must be carefully labelled, i.e. "I slung my Fendi bag over the shoulder of my Tahari jacket and got behind the wheel of my Mercedes LX..." yiggh. Rather than doing what that good teacherly advice is supposed to do--make scenes come alive--it just makes every scene turn into an over-iced cake that collapses under the weight of so much Crisco. Oh, and it's a chocolate cake from Betty Crocker.
April 28, 2012
There are books out there right now that are being reviewed, tweeted about constantly, and altogether-hyped up. Amanda Havard’s The Survivors is not one of those books. It’s published by a smaller, indie press called Chafie Press, and it hasn’t gotten the type of hype I believe it deserves. But don’t let that keep you from reading this book! Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down. If you’re like me, you’ll NEED to know just what in the world you are dealing with. You’ll think, no-BELIEVE-you know exactly what is going on throughout the book as you read. All I will tell you is…You don’t. You might have some sort of idea where it’s going, but the reality is, the twists and turns will keep you guessing-and second-guessing-yourself. Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:
“In 1692, when witch trials gripped the community of Salem, Massachusetts, twenty-six children were accused as witches, exiled, and left for dead. Fourteen of them survived. The Survivors is the first installment of the tantalizing tales of the fourteen ill-fated Survivors and their descendants, who have been content in hiding for over three centuries. Isolated on a Montana mountainside, only Sadie, the rogue daughter, dares to abandon the family’s sacred hiding place. But no matter how far Sadie runs, something always pulls her back. On a muggy summer night in Tennessee, she witnesses a shocking scene that will change her life forever. It is the first in a sequence of events that will drag her from the human world she’s sought to belong to for over a century and send her back to her Puritanical family and into an uncertain future filled with cunning witches, mysterious nosferatu shape-shifters, dangerous eretica and vieczy vampires, millennia-old mythology, and the search for her own mortality. After all… HOW DO YOU KILL A SURVIVOR?”
Enter into the life of Sadie, a…well, Amanda doesn’t really let you know what Sadie is in the beginning, and I don’t want to ruin it for you, so I won’t go there. Let’s just say…she’s not what you expect. She’s full of mystery, fieryness, and absolutely dripping with money, fashion, and-of course-her own version of sex appeal. But underneath those amazing clothes and aloofness, Sadie is hiding secrets, lots of them. Amanda Havard leads you on a journey to learn and know all about Sadie and her past, present, and future. The pacing is good, the characters are delicious, and the flashbacks keep you wondering just when you think you’ve figured it all out. There is plenty of romance, plenty of beautiful boys, and LOTS of intrigue mixed with danger, magic and mystery.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure when Kallie and I received this book while we were at BEA back in May. It’s easy to get caught up in the books that constantly have hype and tons of press. But, that being said, I’m so happy that I read it. I can’t wait for the next installment! There is a sneak peak of book 2 at the back of this book, and it left me on a very cruel and wonderful cliffhanger!
So, yes, I know you probably haven’t heard of this book-but you should have before now. Go grab it. You can get it for your Kindle, on Amazon, etc… Chafie Press has made it extremely easy for you. There is even music specifically written to go along with this book. You can see one of the videos for the single “Pretty Girl” here. Read The Survivors and let me know what you think!
“In 1692, when witch trials gripped the community of Salem, Massachusetts, twenty-six children were accused as witches, exiled, and left for dead. Fourteen of them survived. The Survivors is the first installment of the tantalizing tales of the fourteen ill-fated Survivors and their descendants, who have been content in hiding for over three centuries. Isolated on a Montana mountainside, only Sadie, the rogue daughter, dares to abandon the family’s sacred hiding place. But no matter how far Sadie runs, something always pulls her back. On a muggy summer night in Tennessee, she witnesses a shocking scene that will change her life forever. It is the first in a sequence of events that will drag her from the human world she’s sought to belong to for over a century and send her back to her Puritanical family and into an uncertain future filled with cunning witches, mysterious nosferatu shape-shifters, dangerous eretica and vieczy vampires, millennia-old mythology, and the search for her own mortality. After all… HOW DO YOU KILL A SURVIVOR?”
Enter into the life of Sadie, a…well, Amanda doesn’t really let you know what Sadie is in the beginning, and I don’t want to ruin it for you, so I won’t go there. Let’s just say…she’s not what you expect. She’s full of mystery, fieryness, and absolutely dripping with money, fashion, and-of course-her own version of sex appeal. But underneath those amazing clothes and aloofness, Sadie is hiding secrets, lots of them. Amanda Havard leads you on a journey to learn and know all about Sadie and her past, present, and future. The pacing is good, the characters are delicious, and the flashbacks keep you wondering just when you think you’ve figured it all out. There is plenty of romance, plenty of beautiful boys, and LOTS of intrigue mixed with danger, magic and mystery.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure when Kallie and I received this book while we were at BEA back in May. It’s easy to get caught up in the books that constantly have hype and tons of press. But, that being said, I’m so happy that I read it. I can’t wait for the next installment! There is a sneak peak of book 2 at the back of this book, and it left me on a very cruel and wonderful cliffhanger!
So, yes, I know you probably haven’t heard of this book-but you should have before now. Go grab it. You can get it for your Kindle, on Amazon, etc… Chafie Press has made it extremely easy for you. There is even music specifically written to go along with this book. You can see one of the videos for the single “Pretty Girl” here. Read The Survivors and let me know what you think!
April 28, 2011
Originally posted at Fragments of Life.
I found Sadie likable. She was trying to fit in among humans after more than a century of being protected and hidden behind the gates of her family’s secret city in Montana. After being isolated for so many years, she was right in the middle of humanity, being able to sense their feelings and observe their behavior firsthand. I loved her narration. Despite being immortal, she did not boast about it. Unlike most heroines, she was aware of her charm and her beauty but she was still humble. I liked her protectiveness of Corrina, her first human friend. I was fond of supernatural creatures with human emotions and human thoughts like Sadie.
Sadie’s family, the Survivors, was one of a kind. Their elders, the first Survivors who were exiled from Salem, had strong and somewhat strange ideas of what a family should be. Their purpose was deeply rooted in God but at the same time they overlook some of the teachings in the Bible. I have never encountered supernatural creatures that practice this. It was one of the things that really intrigued me. Throughout the years, they have believed that they were the only ones who were gifted with immortality and powers.
I loved the twists in the mythology! Havard has a very unique take on the paranormal. The eretica from Russia were startlingly hideous and creepy. The nosferatu shape shifters reminded me of a pack of werewolves. They were quite feral but deep inside, they were humans. It was good that there was a blend of Russian and Romanian mythologies with that of the usual mythologies of the Salem Witches and vampires.
While Sadie spent her days learning about humanity and fitting in, she travelled all over the world to look for ways to find her way to rest, to death. Even though she was searching for an end, she never failed to enjoy life to the fullest. She lived in style. Her too-long life has proven to be more than enough. Without her desire to stay with her family, she had no more reason to stay alive, to prolong her life. From time to time, there would be a memoir from Sadie’s perspective. These showed a younger Sadie who was brimming with questions and thoughts.
I found the romance to be perfectly sweet with a hint of hesitation. It was quite clean but there were passionate moments too. It was done well, not too cliché and not too ordinary. It was just right. Cole Hardwick was the gorgeous perfect gentleman that Sadie met in Corrina’s wedding. But there were too many limitations and complications with a human, unlike with Everett Winters. He was immortal too. He reciprocated Sadie’s feelings and he could be with her forever.
The Survivors is a promising debut and an incredibly unique paranormal romance. Unputdownable, engaging, realistic and dark, I promise this is unlike any other Salem-Witch-Trials-inspired-book. I was hooked right from the start. I recommend this to fans of paranormal romance and to those who seek novels about witches, shape shifters and vampires!
I found Sadie likable. She was trying to fit in among humans after more than a century of being protected and hidden behind the gates of her family’s secret city in Montana. After being isolated for so many years, she was right in the middle of humanity, being able to sense their feelings and observe their behavior firsthand. I loved her narration. Despite being immortal, she did not boast about it. Unlike most heroines, she was aware of her charm and her beauty but she was still humble. I liked her protectiveness of Corrina, her first human friend. I was fond of supernatural creatures with human emotions and human thoughts like Sadie.
Sadie’s family, the Survivors, was one of a kind. Their elders, the first Survivors who were exiled from Salem, had strong and somewhat strange ideas of what a family should be. Their purpose was deeply rooted in God but at the same time they overlook some of the teachings in the Bible. I have never encountered supernatural creatures that practice this. It was one of the things that really intrigued me. Throughout the years, they have believed that they were the only ones who were gifted with immortality and powers.
I loved the twists in the mythology! Havard has a very unique take on the paranormal. The eretica from Russia were startlingly hideous and creepy. The nosferatu shape shifters reminded me of a pack of werewolves. They were quite feral but deep inside, they were humans. It was good that there was a blend of Russian and Romanian mythologies with that of the usual mythologies of the Salem Witches and vampires.
While Sadie spent her days learning about humanity and fitting in, she travelled all over the world to look for ways to find her way to rest, to death. Even though she was searching for an end, she never failed to enjoy life to the fullest. She lived in style. Her too-long life has proven to be more than enough. Without her desire to stay with her family, she had no more reason to stay alive, to prolong her life. From time to time, there would be a memoir from Sadie’s perspective. These showed a younger Sadie who was brimming with questions and thoughts.
I found the romance to be perfectly sweet with a hint of hesitation. It was quite clean but there were passionate moments too. It was done well, not too cliché and not too ordinary. It was just right. Cole Hardwick was the gorgeous perfect gentleman that Sadie met in Corrina’s wedding. But there were too many limitations and complications with a human, unlike with Everett Winters. He was immortal too. He reciprocated Sadie’s feelings and he could be with her forever.
The Survivors is a promising debut and an incredibly unique paranormal romance. Unputdownable, engaging, realistic and dark, I promise this is unlike any other Salem-Witch-Trials-inspired-book. I was hooked right from the start. I recommend this to fans of paranormal romance and to those who seek novels about witches, shape shifters and vampires!
March 26, 2011
Never has a book taken me by surprise SO much. I really hadn't expected The Survivors to be anything out of the ordinary, but, whoa, it was amazing! The whole book in general is so ridiculously awesome that I still cannot fathom the fact that it's over. I really regret underestimating the degree of its appeal.
With very developed characters and an intricate plot line, The Survivors keeps readers hooked on from page 1. You're probably going to hear this sentence a lot in other reviews of this book, but it's very true--the protagonist is so relatable. Which brings me to the conclusion that this book is not just a book, it's almost having a conversation with Sadie herself and having her tell you every little detail going on in her life. And even if she is different from us, we're going to be able to draw the similarities out. Every emotion that Sadie will feel--confliction, anticipation, love, fear? (LOVE, repeated again just for emphasis, cuz ya now, Sadie steals many hearts in this book) You're going to feel it too. (And yes, you will yell at her. I did. Very often...No, I am not weird! O_O'')
The language Havard uses is very smart and natural that you actually feel smarter when you read the words from the page. And then there was that one scene where I should have KNOWN what was going to happen, but fjsldfjsljj! AHH. I AM STILL IN SHOCK. OHMYGOSH.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the romance aspect of this book. I would have liked to see her relationship(s) develop a bit slower. I do not know if it is the fangirl inside of me, but I just couldn't see why she fell in love with Other Guy. I do not even want to comment on Other Guy.
...But uh, COLE PWNS EVERETT. Every day of the week. Every second of the day. Every inch to the sky!! O_O So if you read this book and you take a liking to Other Guy, I'm afraid we cannot be friends anymore...(not even if you bake me cookies! And yes, I WILL be judging you XD)
On a more serious note, to me, The Survivors really isn't even paranormal. It's unlike any paranormal book I've read--very smart, very fresh, and very addictive, and very still in my mind. But a word to the wise, you won't be able to put this one down once you start (unless you are craaazyyy and not even a good crazy like me...). Read it now if you haven't! I do not know how long I can SURVIVE without the second book in my hand. Watch out, Amanda. *creepy laughter* xD!
Full review here: http://andanythingbookish.blogspot.co...
With very developed characters and an intricate plot line, The Survivors keeps readers hooked on from page 1. You're probably going to hear this sentence a lot in other reviews of this book, but it's very true--the protagonist is so relatable. Which brings me to the conclusion that this book is not just a book, it's almost having a conversation with Sadie herself and having her tell you every little detail going on in her life. And even if she is different from us, we're going to be able to draw the similarities out. Every emotion that Sadie will feel--confliction, anticipation, love, fear? (LOVE, repeated again just for emphasis, cuz ya now, Sadie steals many hearts in this book) You're going to feel it too. (And yes, you will yell at her. I did. Very often...No, I am not weird! O_O'')
The language Havard uses is very smart and natural that you actually feel smarter when you read the words from the page. And then there was that one scene where I should have KNOWN what was going to happen, but fjsldfjsljj! AHH. I AM STILL IN SHOCK. OHMYGOSH.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the romance aspect of this book. I would have liked to see her relationship(s) develop a bit slower. I do not know if it is the fangirl inside of me, but I just couldn't see why she fell in love with Other Guy. I do not even want to comment on Other Guy.
...But uh, COLE PWNS EVERETT. Every day of the week. Every second of the day. Every inch to the sky!! O_O So if you read this book and you take a liking to Other Guy, I'm afraid we cannot be friends anymore...(not even if you bake me cookies! And yes, I WILL be judging you XD)
On a more serious note, to me, The Survivors really isn't even paranormal. It's unlike any paranormal book I've read--very smart, very fresh, and very addictive, and very still in my mind. But a word to the wise, you won't be able to put this one down once you start (unless you are craaazyyy and not even a good crazy like me...). Read it now if you haven't! I do not know how long I can SURVIVE without the second book in my hand. Watch out, Amanda. *creepy laughter* xD!
Full review here: http://andanythingbookish.blogspot.co...
May 11, 2011
I read somewhere that if you liked The Hunger Games, you’d like this book. I don’t know why. There are no similarities whatsoever. This book was not bad but I didn’t really love it. The premise was fantastic, the plot fell a bit short. The main character was incredibly annoying at times. She constantly blamed herself for everything gone wrong with anyone in her life. It's great to accept and admit when you’ve done something wrong or to accept blame if your actions have caused undesired results. But it just went on & on! I think I have a low tolerance for the whole “it’s my fault…if I hadn’t” thing. It has been run into the ground in many books recently. She spends much of the story trying to find a way to kill herself and her kind. She strives for mortality because she is so miserable she doesn’t want to continue living. Then she falls head over heels in love with Everett at first sight. She is ecstatically happy. However, she still wants to die. This is even after she is shown a vision in the future where she & Everett are so happy together. Hmmmmm….to spend all eternity with the man you love and can’t stand to be separated from, but you still want to die? Well, ALRIGHTY THEN! Bye bye! Quit whining about it, find a way to off yourself and be done with it. There are a few other things in the story that just don’t jive, but I can’t go into it without giving things away. I know this review has been somewhat negative but allow me to clarify. I didn’t hate it. The writing style was pretty good. There were actually things I liked about it. This is going to be a series and it has potential. I am curious to see how things pan out. 3 1/2 stars
December 31, 2012
Talk about a pleasant surprise!
The story opens with the Salem witch trials in the late seventeenth century, when over two dozen children are exiled to fend for themselves or die. Fourteen children survived, thrived and isolated themselves from the rest of the world. They ceased to age, did not die and acquired magical powers.
Forever 21, beautiful Sadie Matthau is determined to learn about the human world and leaves her 'family' against their wishes. As she travels from place to place, she becomes fascinated with the idea of finding a way to die.
One night she learns of another being, more powerful than any she has known. Upon meeting his family, a small group living in the open as humans, Sadie becomes even more aware of how stifling her previous Puritan-like lifestyle was.
Everett and Sadie are attracted to each other and romance blooms. She has been told that a war may be in the future and their families must unite. Unfortunately, when Sadie takes Everett and his family to meet hers, it isn't what she had hoped for.
Sadie goes off on a mission to discover the history of the immortals. She encounters old-world lore regarding vampires, witches and shape-shifters. Could these tales be about her?
The mystery, the twists, the action and Sadie's dogged determination to answers makes for a spellbinding read! There are surprises, secrets and agendas all around in this original, well thought out novel!
The story opens with the Salem witch trials in the late seventeenth century, when over two dozen children are exiled to fend for themselves or die. Fourteen children survived, thrived and isolated themselves from the rest of the world. They ceased to age, did not die and acquired magical powers.
Forever 21, beautiful Sadie Matthau is determined to learn about the human world and leaves her 'family' against their wishes. As she travels from place to place, she becomes fascinated with the idea of finding a way to die.
One night she learns of another being, more powerful than any she has known. Upon meeting his family, a small group living in the open as humans, Sadie becomes even more aware of how stifling her previous Puritan-like lifestyle was.
Everett and Sadie are attracted to each other and romance blooms. She has been told that a war may be in the future and their families must unite. Unfortunately, when Sadie takes Everett and his family to meet hers, it isn't what she had hoped for.
Sadie goes off on a mission to discover the history of the immortals. She encounters old-world lore regarding vampires, witches and shape-shifters. Could these tales be about her?
The mystery, the twists, the action and Sadie's dogged determination to answers makes for a spellbinding read! There are surprises, secrets and agendas all around in this original, well thought out novel!
July 30, 2013
I'd actually say it was more of a 3.5, I really enjoyed it but I think it could have been better. I have heard this be compared to Twilight and I definitely see the comparisons, but I like that the focus isn't entirely the romance. Sadie has questions about her life, what exactly is she and is there any way around her apparent immortality? Sure there is some of that dreadful insta-love, but I was too hooked on finding out all the secrets to let it bother me too much ( hence the 3.5 instead of a full on 3 or 4). I stumbled upon this book when it was free on the kindle but I'm definitely going to read the next book because I NEED answers!
Bonus points: I was so excited to find that one of the locations used was the area in which I live. It's not a place that is often used.
Bonus points slightly negated: Monterey is a really beautiful place and I feel like it could have been described more. Also I've lived in the bay for almost ten years and we have never had a Barnes and Nobles. Borders,yes. B&N, no. Just saying.
Bonus points: I was so excited to find that one of the locations used was the area in which I live. It's not a place that is often used.
Bonus points slightly negated: Monterey is a really beautiful place and I feel like it could have been described more. Also I've lived in the bay for almost ten years and we have never had a Barnes and Nobles. Borders,yes. B&N, no. Just saying.
May 31, 2012
First off, I feel the need to say this. This book might be a bit of a slow starter. Something that might deter most readers, but believe me, it’s worth the read!
Push through the beginning and get to the brilliance that follows!
I will admit, after reading this book, I’m a bit tempted to buy more name brand clothing. If only I didn’t spend so much money on book buying of course lol! Three words made this book a must read for me. Salem. Witch. Trials. I'm game! The Survivors turned out to be so much more than that though. We’ve got witches, shape shifters, and vampires (my favorite) all in one. That's definitely my kind of book! The story itself is written perfectly. I was with Sadie every step of the way! Some parts more than others! Cole definitely left a mark on this book reader’s heart. Then the author threw in Everett too! It was great! I’m still not sure what side I’m on. Love them both! Loved the story! Couldn’t wait to read more!
Push through the beginning and get to the brilliance that follows!
I will admit, after reading this book, I’m a bit tempted to buy more name brand clothing. If only I didn’t spend so much money on book buying of course lol! Three words made this book a must read for me. Salem. Witch. Trials. I'm game! The Survivors turned out to be so much more than that though. We’ve got witches, shape shifters, and vampires (my favorite) all in one. That's definitely my kind of book! The story itself is written perfectly. I was with Sadie every step of the way! Some parts more than others! Cole definitely left a mark on this book reader’s heart. Then the author threw in Everett too! It was great! I’m still not sure what side I’m on. Love them both! Loved the story! Couldn’t wait to read more!
Read
April 4, 2011Ms. Havard’s writing is clear, descriptive, and rather fluid, making the story easy to read and follow. To me, there wasn’t a ton of dialogue, but since Sadie is on her own for most of the story, this was fine because Ms. Havard lets readers into Sadie’s thoughts, which helps round out her character.
What I love most about the book is the unique take on the Salem witches and trials. I’m a diehard “Charmed” fan, so I’ve always liked stories about witches and how they came to be. The mythology takes some interesting turns and involves shape-shifters, as well as vampires.
Overall, The Survivors is a great debut from a talented writer. It’s the first in a series and I will definitely read the future installments. I’m looking forward to seeing the romance strengthen and the mythology to grow even more.
What I love most about the book is the unique take on the Salem witches and trials. I’m a diehard “Charmed” fan, so I’ve always liked stories about witches and how they came to be. The mythology takes some interesting turns and involves shape-shifters, as well as vampires.
Overall, The Survivors is a great debut from a talented writer. It’s the first in a series and I will definitely read the future installments. I’m looking forward to seeing the romance strengthen and the mythology to grow even more.
February 18, 2011
This is a FABULOUS read! It's a captivating story for all ages with well-developed characters to whom you can relate...AND it's well-written (which some of us grammar freaks appreciate!). The historical and geographical accuracy blurs the boundary between fact and fiction, bringing the characters to life. Amanda Havard has talent!
November 17, 2013
This was not what I expected. For some reason I forgot what the book was about and was thinking it was a future dystopian. It's obviously not, and if you read the description you can definitely tell that. It was so good!! I loved it! Recommended to anyone who loves a good book that contains all kinda of mythical and magical creatures! Can't wait for the sequel.
October 16, 2018
Utterly disappointed with this series. None of this was about the Salem Witch trials and the writing was excruciating.
June 11, 2017
I’m not sure what I was expecting from THE SURVIVORS, but it certainly wasn’t this. There’s very little plot, next to no forward momentum and character motivation, next to no character growth. I felt like I was reading story fodder that had no business being published because it was the author working out the kinks in her story and finding out where the real story was. I mean I guess you could say it’s a character-based story, but there’s hardly any character development. The only character development that happens is Sadie devolving into a love-sick muppet when she meets Everett.
Sadie as a character is kind of crappy. She’s not relatable, she comes off as wooden, and she’s overly concerned with high fashion. I know more about designer fashion than anything else from this book. I mean there was so much fashion name dropping I half-expected to find Hansel and Gretel strutting the runway at the end of that crumb trail. It was just so much. And of course Sadie basically looks like a supermodel, but she doesn’t like all eyes on her, but of course she’s super modest because of her upbringing. She’s not an endearing character and to watch her go from T1000 for all the personality she had to a simpering pile of love-struck goo was just annoying.
The nanosecond of antagonistic tension in the story is dissipated within pages as we find out Mark isn’t a threat and he��s part of this larger family that oMG LOVES SADIE BE OUR SISTER SADIE. Gag me it’s TWILIGHT all over again. I mean the author even references TWILIGHT a couple of times in her book. Sadie turns out to be a total Sue, especially when she meets the Winter family and she falls in obsession with Everett, one of the brothers in this family of collected misfits who are all trying to control their bloodlust and blend in with humans. Plus Sadie’s super special with her purple eyes and her powers and she’s fantastic at everything. I honestly couldn’t help but think of the crappy special effects in the Twilight movies when the vampires were running every time Sadie and Everett went for runs as a means of traveling. C’mon.
I just feel like THE SURVIVORS is trying so hard to be something it’s not. I think the underlying concept of the book is interesting (otherwise I wouldn’t have picked it up) and I don’t mind all this mixing of supernatural elements. But this book was not a story. It was TWILIGHT and Glamour smashed together. There’s no motivation, there’s little to no tension, there’s little to no character growth, and at the end I don’t have many more answers than when I started. I feel duped. Instead of tension or thrills or mystery or even just a hint of something interesting I get a meandering expose told in a stilted voice about a woman who thinks rather highly of herself but in a clinical way falling unhealthily in love with someone she just met and by the end of the book you might have a hint of a story there. Might. I’m not sticking around to find out.
1.5
Sadie as a character is kind of crappy. She’s not relatable, she comes off as wooden, and she’s overly concerned with high fashion. I know more about designer fashion than anything else from this book. I mean there was so much fashion name dropping I half-expected to find Hansel and Gretel strutting the runway at the end of that crumb trail. It was just so much. And of course Sadie basically looks like a supermodel, but she doesn’t like all eyes on her, but of course she’s super modest because of her upbringing. She’s not an endearing character and to watch her go from T1000 for all the personality she had to a simpering pile of love-struck goo was just annoying.
The nanosecond of antagonistic tension in the story is dissipated within pages as we find out Mark isn’t a threat and he��s part of this larger family that oMG LOVES SADIE BE OUR SISTER SADIE. Gag me it’s TWILIGHT all over again. I mean the author even references TWILIGHT a couple of times in her book. Sadie turns out to be a total Sue, especially when she meets the Winter family and she falls in obsession with Everett, one of the brothers in this family of collected misfits who are all trying to control their bloodlust and blend in with humans. Plus Sadie’s super special with her purple eyes and her powers and she’s fantastic at everything. I honestly couldn’t help but think of the crappy special effects in the Twilight movies when the vampires were running every time Sadie and Everett went for runs as a means of traveling. C’mon.
I just feel like THE SURVIVORS is trying so hard to be something it’s not. I think the underlying concept of the book is interesting (otherwise I wouldn’t have picked it up) and I don’t mind all this mixing of supernatural elements. But this book was not a story. It was TWILIGHT and Glamour smashed together. There’s no motivation, there’s little to no tension, there’s little to no character growth, and at the end I don’t have many more answers than when I started. I feel duped. Instead of tension or thrills or mystery or even just a hint of something interesting I get a meandering expose told in a stilted voice about a woman who thinks rather highly of herself but in a clinical way falling unhealthily in love with someone she just met and by the end of the book you might have a hint of a story there. Might. I’m not sticking around to find out.
1.5
April 25, 2016
This past year Christi and I stopped at an interesting publisher booth at Book Expo. We were drawn by a book that was clearly supernatural in theme and, from talking with the people at the booth, had something to do with a twist on the Salem Witchcraft Trial. That was pretty much all it took for the two of us to give them our full attention. They were giving away print copies of the second book in the series, but what I found most interesting about them was the ebook version they had their books. They were trying to take ebooks to the next level and to really play on how they could improve the reader's experience. They gave me a coupon for a discount on the ebook version of the first book. I promptly went home to download it.
Let's start this review with the story though. The Survivors is a well research story set in the supernatural world. Havard pulls from actual legend and mythology from around the world to create her universe. The main plot: what if there had been actual supernatural witches in Salem, but not all had been killed? What if some had been exiled and ended up on Montana? What if they were immortal and created an isolated community for themselves? What if one of them ended up leaving and tried to make it as a human in the 21st century? Sadie, our heroine, is exactly that: a descendant of witches exiled from Salem. She is over 100 years old, has telepathic like powers and wants to know how she can be killed.
It is easy to compare The Survivors to Twilight and Havard, to a degree, acknowledges this in her writing. There are distinctive style difference though. First, Survivors is impeccably researched. Havard uses locations she has been and things she knows for many locations. She has spent time looking into supernatural legends around the world. She has tried to fit all the creatures she finds into that already established universe. Her writing style is clear and grammatically correct. While there were a few cases of things like "laughing darkly", she did not kill it like Meyers did.
The fact is that this is simply a better story by a stronger writer. It did for me what Twilight didn't. The Survivors has a clear goal that the readers can anticipate. Twilight was like 4 stand-alone books that eventually came to some sense of outcome. The Survivors has given you an end goal (no spoilers) and a clear sense of what will probably happen and how long it will take. While there is a conclusion to the story in this book, it is clearly not the end point and, if you want the real action, you need to keep reading.
There were things I didn't care for though. She focuses a lot on the fashion, cars and minute details of these characters. While we get down to the details of what designer most of the characters are wearing (especially those living in the human world) she does not give the same detailing to her more traditional characters (the Survivors). She acknowledges this community has changed since the 17th century, but she is not specific. When you tell me exactly who designed Sadie's purse and hit me over the head with it, the least you could do is tell me about the way The Survivors are dressed- well, more than they cover arms, leg, and everything else. I personally don't care for the level of detail she provided, I hope someone appreciated it. I was also annoyed with the reference to Romeo and Juliet. Sadie is suppose to have read 35,000 books in the last 20 years. Surely she could have come up with a less cliche couple to identify with.
There are some religious overtones in the book, especially related to how the Survivors understand themselves in their universe. I read a few reviews before starting the book that felt Havard was pushing her religious beliefs on the readers. I don't agree. I think it is a logical and important part of the story. These are people who were exiled from a Puritanical society that was rigid in its beliefs. There are hypocrisies that play into the world they created (sex, marriage, child raising are the easiest to call out), but Havard acknowledges and even uses this as part of her story. This is part of why Sadie leaves her home and venture into the human world. Sadie's traditional nature comes out of being raised in this society and not rebelling from the core beliefs, but rather from the hypocrisies and her own wonderlust. I didn't think the religious message was heavy handed. Sadie didn't preach her views in any way. She was clearly struggling and making sense of her own beliefs and the world around her. While God is mentioned many times, I never saw anything about Jesus. Also, God was mentioned mostly to explain the Survivor community.
This being said, I did read this on the publisher's app. I have the print version of the second book, but I made a point of getting the app for this first one. I wanted to see what they could do with an ebook and I was really very impressed with it. There were a few little flaws, but the app integrated character bios (which I loved some very much), Havard's notes to the reader, music, music video, images of creatures Sadie discovered, pictures of cars, pictures of fashion being worn and so much more. This is a wonderful way to enhance the reader's experience and there is plenty of room for more. The glitches? There were times when a few things would be referenced in quick succession. In the text you would see a type of watermark to indicate there was supplemental material to see. If a number of important things were grouped too close together it became difficult to open certain items. This was especially true for the fashion and character bios. Trying to get certain ones to open crashed the app on occasion. I think, once they get the kinks out, they have a great product on their hands. The biggest problem I have is that I am not sure how all these enhancements translate to a device like a Kindle or Nook. If all those wonderful features translate to those devices (the simplest ones, not just the tablet ones) then this is the new frontier for ebooks.
Let's start this review with the story though. The Survivors is a well research story set in the supernatural world. Havard pulls from actual legend and mythology from around the world to create her universe. The main plot: what if there had been actual supernatural witches in Salem, but not all had been killed? What if some had been exiled and ended up on Montana? What if they were immortal and created an isolated community for themselves? What if one of them ended up leaving and tried to make it as a human in the 21st century? Sadie, our heroine, is exactly that: a descendant of witches exiled from Salem. She is over 100 years old, has telepathic like powers and wants to know how she can be killed.
It is easy to compare The Survivors to Twilight and Havard, to a degree, acknowledges this in her writing. There are distinctive style difference though. First, Survivors is impeccably researched. Havard uses locations she has been and things she knows for many locations. She has spent time looking into supernatural legends around the world. She has tried to fit all the creatures she finds into that already established universe. Her writing style is clear and grammatically correct. While there were a few cases of things like "laughing darkly", she did not kill it like Meyers did.
The fact is that this is simply a better story by a stronger writer. It did for me what Twilight didn't. The Survivors has a clear goal that the readers can anticipate. Twilight was like 4 stand-alone books that eventually came to some sense of outcome. The Survivors has given you an end goal (no spoilers) and a clear sense of what will probably happen and how long it will take. While there is a conclusion to the story in this book, it is clearly not the end point and, if you want the real action, you need to keep reading.
There were things I didn't care for though. She focuses a lot on the fashion, cars and minute details of these characters. While we get down to the details of what designer most of the characters are wearing (especially those living in the human world) she does not give the same detailing to her more traditional characters (the Survivors). She acknowledges this community has changed since the 17th century, but she is not specific. When you tell me exactly who designed Sadie's purse and hit me over the head with it, the least you could do is tell me about the way The Survivors are dressed- well, more than they cover arms, leg, and everything else. I personally don't care for the level of detail she provided, I hope someone appreciated it. I was also annoyed with the reference to Romeo and Juliet. Sadie is suppose to have read 35,000 books in the last 20 years. Surely she could have come up with a less cliche couple to identify with.
There are some religious overtones in the book, especially related to how the Survivors understand themselves in their universe. I read a few reviews before starting the book that felt Havard was pushing her religious beliefs on the readers. I don't agree. I think it is a logical and important part of the story. These are people who were exiled from a Puritanical society that was rigid in its beliefs. There are hypocrisies that play into the world they created (sex, marriage, child raising are the easiest to call out), but Havard acknowledges and even uses this as part of her story. This is part of why Sadie leaves her home and venture into the human world. Sadie's traditional nature comes out of being raised in this society and not rebelling from the core beliefs, but rather from the hypocrisies and her own wonderlust. I didn't think the religious message was heavy handed. Sadie didn't preach her views in any way. She was clearly struggling and making sense of her own beliefs and the world around her. While God is mentioned many times, I never saw anything about Jesus. Also, God was mentioned mostly to explain the Survivor community.
This being said, I did read this on the publisher's app. I have the print version of the second book, but I made a point of getting the app for this first one. I wanted to see what they could do with an ebook and I was really very impressed with it. There were a few little flaws, but the app integrated character bios (which I loved some very much), Havard's notes to the reader, music, music video, images of creatures Sadie discovered, pictures of cars, pictures of fashion being worn and so much more. This is a wonderful way to enhance the reader's experience and there is plenty of room for more. The glitches? There were times when a few things would be referenced in quick succession. In the text you would see a type of watermark to indicate there was supplemental material to see. If a number of important things were grouped too close together it became difficult to open certain items. This was especially true for the fashion and character bios. Trying to get certain ones to open crashed the app on occasion. I think, once they get the kinks out, they have a great product on their hands. The biggest problem I have is that I am not sure how all these enhancements translate to a device like a Kindle or Nook. If all those wonderful features translate to those devices (the simplest ones, not just the tablet ones) then this is the new frontier for ebooks.
May 19, 2017
Do you know all those books about vampires, witches and other supernatural creatures full of cliches you are tired of? Well, this book has none of it! Well, it has a bit of it.
This story brings a new perspective of the supernatural, starting from Salem's witch trials. The idea behind the book: witches accused in the trials survive and live recluse in a hidden city, it's awesome. However,
the amount of supernatural species and different offspring it's a bit too much.
I read the Wattpad version of it, so I don't know how the final version is. The Wattapad version has some issues like too many descriptions and too many advertising. The book starts with her having trouble with living among humans and interactive with them, so It's stands out how the romance with Everett was too early and rushed.
I won't say anything about grammar errors and such, because in Wattpad those are almost expected. However, I read many really really bad written books there and this is not as bad as them.
This is by far one the best supernatural book I have read in the last few years in Wattpad.
This story brings a new perspective of the supernatural, starting from Salem's witch trials. The idea behind the book: witches accused in the trials survive and live recluse in a hidden city, it's awesome. However,
the amount of supernatural species and different offspring it's a bit too much.
I read the Wattpad version of it, so I don't know how the final version is. The Wattapad version has some issues like too many descriptions and too many advertising. The book starts with her having trouble with living among humans and interactive with them, so It's stands out how the romance with Everett was too early and rushed.
I won't say anything about grammar errors and such, because in Wattpad those are almost expected. However, I read many really really bad written books there and this is not as bad as them.
This is by far one the best supernatural book I have read in the last few years in Wattpad.
December 7, 2021
I'm pretty sure I read this for free on Wattpad? No shame to authors who start off on Wattpad, I wrote there as well, but... you can tell. That said, I do remember this book had a lot of promise. It just needed to be sent through an editor two or three more times. I don't recall enough about it to change the score teenage me gave it, but keep that in mind.
June 3, 2025
this was overall good. It is interesting, especially the initial premise but it delved into similarities to other books I have read. Some too close for comfort.
September 30, 2012
The GOOD:
The idea behind the story: This book has an interesting premise — some of the accused witches in the Salem Witch Trials were actually witches, as well as devout worshipers of God. They are completely devoted to one another as a family of Survivors, but one isn't content with just the family, excluded from the outside world for eternity, and leaves.
Romance: Sophie encounters two men with whom the romance could be intriguing. These are the most enthralling parts of the book.
The BAD:
Product placement: After reading very little about Havard, I found she is a "fashion nut". It shows in this book, but not in a good way. Long paragraphs are devoted to what Sophie wears — Gucci, Calvin Klein, Spy. I like fashion, but I couldn't care less about clothing labels, so these paragraphs are useless. I also don't care about descriptions of cars and their makers. The product placement added nothing. I can't get over how annoying it is to not know what a "J. Mendel cocktail dress" is, aside from a simple cocktail dress.
Also, it's difficult for me to believe that Sophie learned how to "dress as a human" from Vogue. Why would she come across a copy of Vogue before a Walmart?
Characterization: Sophie appears to be perfect but is filled with imperfections. Her life-long search for death, of course, but also her utter stupidity when it comes to how people (whether human or supernatural) work. For that matter, her utter stupidity when it comes to knowing herself.
For those of you who read the Twilight series, whether you liked it or not — Sophie reminds me of everything bad about Bella and Edward in New Moon. Depressed, depressing, and making everything out to be her own fault. Sophie isn't very relatable, especially as the protagonist.
Apart from her supernatural issues, she prides herself on learning about humans, but actually never understands anything. Her failed and failing relationship with Cole is a frustrating example. Her discomfort whenever she is around humans, apart from Corrina and Cole, also doesn't make much sense — she left her family because she wanted, desperately, to be more human.
Consistency: This plays a huge part in characterization. Sophie is not consistent in her actions or her thoughts. Also, the Winters hold strong for almost the entire book to not tell Sophie their "big secrets", only to give them to her because of a two-page, pathetic fight.
Explanation: Reading this, it wasn't difficult to notice that more description is given to how Sophie gets dressed than to actual interactions with people. Not. Joking.
"I got ready for this by doing ______________________________, and then I did this and ___ happened." Sadly, almost everything is like this — any interesting interactions or situations are summarized. An entire night with Cole took place within two pages, and a couple minutes getting ready to go out took one page to itself.
"I swallowed hard, enamored. 'I know exactly what you mean.'" This is the line that finally put me over the edge. It constantly feels like Havard is telling me how I should feel about these situations, instead of using her writing to give recognizable emotion to her characters and situations.
Expectations of story/uniqueness: The premise of this story was fascinating. I couldn't help but be disappointed when allusions to "Romeo and Juliet" came up, as well as wording and situations that totally reminded me of Twilight. The plot-line was predictable. The one twist that actually had an impact was within the last hundred pages. It felt like an empty story.
Editing: It's hard for me to believe that this story was edited very much at all. There are some simple spelling errors, wording that simply sounds unnatural, and parts of the story that just do not make sense. I think that basically every problem that I had with this book could have been fixed with more editing and closer editing. It's been said before — good writing isn't necessarily what one puts in, but what one takes out.
Overall, the story was alright (but I still rushed to finish it because I couldn't stand it). If you like supernatural romance and don't mind dealing with really bad writing, this will probably be an okay book.
The idea behind the story: This book has an interesting premise — some of the accused witches in the Salem Witch Trials were actually witches, as well as devout worshipers of God. They are completely devoted to one another as a family of Survivors, but one isn't content with just the family, excluded from the outside world for eternity, and leaves.
Romance: Sophie encounters two men with whom the romance could be intriguing. These are the most enthralling parts of the book.
The BAD:
Product placement: After reading very little about Havard, I found she is a "fashion nut". It shows in this book, but not in a good way. Long paragraphs are devoted to what Sophie wears — Gucci, Calvin Klein, Spy. I like fashion, but I couldn't care less about clothing labels, so these paragraphs are useless. I also don't care about descriptions of cars and their makers. The product placement added nothing. I can't get over how annoying it is to not know what a "J. Mendel cocktail dress" is, aside from a simple cocktail dress.
Also, it's difficult for me to believe that Sophie learned how to "dress as a human" from Vogue. Why would she come across a copy of Vogue before a Walmart?
Characterization: Sophie appears to be perfect but is filled with imperfections. Her life-long search for death, of course, but also her utter stupidity when it comes to how people (whether human or supernatural) work. For that matter, her utter stupidity when it comes to knowing herself.
For those of you who read the Twilight series, whether you liked it or not — Sophie reminds me of everything bad about Bella and Edward in New Moon. Depressed, depressing, and making everything out to be her own fault. Sophie isn't very relatable, especially as the protagonist.
Apart from her supernatural issues, she prides herself on learning about humans, but actually never understands anything. Her failed and failing relationship with Cole is a frustrating example. Her discomfort whenever she is around humans, apart from Corrina and Cole, also doesn't make much sense — she left her family because she wanted, desperately, to be more human.
Consistency: This plays a huge part in characterization. Sophie is not consistent in her actions or her thoughts. Also, the Winters hold strong for almost the entire book to not tell Sophie their "big secrets", only to give them to her because of a two-page, pathetic fight.
Explanation: Reading this, it wasn't difficult to notice that more description is given to how Sophie gets dressed than to actual interactions with people. Not. Joking.
"I got ready for this by doing ______________________________, and then I did this and ___ happened." Sadly, almost everything is like this — any interesting interactions or situations are summarized. An entire night with Cole took place within two pages, and a couple minutes getting ready to go out took one page to itself.
"I swallowed hard, enamored. 'I know exactly what you mean.'" This is the line that finally put me over the edge. It constantly feels like Havard is telling me how I should feel about these situations, instead of using her writing to give recognizable emotion to her characters and situations.
Expectations of story/uniqueness: The premise of this story was fascinating. I couldn't help but be disappointed when allusions to "Romeo and Juliet" came up, as well as wording and situations that totally reminded me of Twilight. The plot-line was predictable. The one twist that actually had an impact was within the last hundred pages. It felt like an empty story.
Editing: It's hard for me to believe that this story was edited very much at all. There are some simple spelling errors, wording that simply sounds unnatural, and parts of the story that just do not make sense. I think that basically every problem that I had with this book could have been fixed with more editing and closer editing. It's been said before — good writing isn't necessarily what one puts in, but what one takes out.
Overall, the story was alright (but I still rushed to finish it because I couldn't stand it). If you like supernatural romance and don't mind dealing with really bad writing, this will probably be an okay book.
August 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book so much! Right off the bat, the prologue and first chapter had me hooked. The writing was amazing – smooth, descriptive and vivid. The memoir sections were so intriguing. It was a great way to reveal background information, without overwhelming the reader. These sections were interesting and insightful.
Sadie was a fascinating character. The way she viewed herself, the way she viewed the world. She’s mysterious and aloof in the beginning, but as her story unfolds, we learn more about her and the reasoning behind her beliefs. I was so swept up in the formal tone of Sadie’s voice, I jumped a little every time something “modern” like Bergdorf’s or Taylor Swift were mentioned, because they seemed like they didn’t belong, in Sadie’s world. Sadie’s constantly searching for answers: Who are we, really? How can we be killed? It’s fascinating to see how this all unravels.
I loved Cole right away. He was just awesome: sweet, reassuring, funny and charming, as well as non-threatening and respectful (In Sadie’s words). I was rooting for Cole throughout the whole story. I wanted Sadie to fall in love with him, wanted them to be together. At one point, later in the story, Cole and Sadie meet up, and Cole’s thoughts are hysterical, especially since he was so proper and traditional in the beginning. Also hysterical? An angry Cole – he gets so indignant, it’s kind of adorable.
Mark Winters is a complicated character, especially when we are first introduced to him. I truly expected him to be the third part of the love triangle, and I was surprised when he wasn’t. He tries so hard to act tough and dangerous, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with Sadie at his failed attempts to appear menacing.
I really didn’t like John. We only get some of his background in this book, but the way he treats Sadie is so terrible. Perhaps he has his reasons, but I still wanted to strangle him for the most part. He was a little too zealous for my taste, and I felt so bad for Sadie during the scenes with John. Catherine, too, is another character that treats Sadie terribly.
Everett Winters is just… Swoon Worthy. I didn’t want to like him at first, because… Well… Cole! But Everett quickly won my heart, and I constantly found myself going back and forth between these two amazing guys. Everett is so understanding and encouraging, and his love for Sadie is obvious and sincere. Also, the couple times Sadie reads Everett’s mind? Everett’s thoughts are so hysterical! I was laughing out loud.
Finally, I absolutely adored Ginny. She was sweet and down to earth, and her power is probably the coolest out of all the powers we are introduced to. She’s almost like a sister to Sadie, and her intentions always seem good and honest.
The encounter between the Survivors and the Winters’ had me nervous the whole time. I had a terrible feeling something bad was going to happen. I especially didn’t trust John and some of the Survivors, although I did have moments where I thought the Winters’ were going to attack. It was an incredibly tense scene.
The second half of the book was especially intriguing, as we finally get some answers. Going into this book, I assumed it was 100% about witches and the Salem Witch trials, and discovering all these other mythical and supernatural creatures exist was fascinating. I don’t want to say too much about this, because I don’t want to be too spoiler-ish, but some of the revelations here were truly shocking. The epilogue has some surprising twists, and the cliffhanger ending will leave you both satisfied and desperate for more.
Favorite Quotes:
“I hated having to try so hard to act human when stupid human emotions came to me so easily, without my permission or acceptance.” Sadie (Pg 41).
“I wasn’t afraid of dying. I was afraid for my life.” Sadie (Page 113)
“I need you to love me more than death. Can you do that?” Everett (Page 263)
**Page numbers may vary, depending on book format**
You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books
Sadie was a fascinating character. The way she viewed herself, the way she viewed the world. She’s mysterious and aloof in the beginning, but as her story unfolds, we learn more about her and the reasoning behind her beliefs. I was so swept up in the formal tone of Sadie’s voice, I jumped a little every time something “modern” like Bergdorf’s or Taylor Swift were mentioned, because they seemed like they didn’t belong, in Sadie’s world. Sadie’s constantly searching for answers: Who are we, really? How can we be killed? It’s fascinating to see how this all unravels.
I loved Cole right away. He was just awesome: sweet, reassuring, funny and charming, as well as non-threatening and respectful (In Sadie’s words). I was rooting for Cole throughout the whole story. I wanted Sadie to fall in love with him, wanted them to be together. At one point, later in the story, Cole and Sadie meet up, and Cole’s thoughts are hysterical, especially since he was so proper and traditional in the beginning. Also hysterical? An angry Cole – he gets so indignant, it’s kind of adorable.
Mark Winters is a complicated character, especially when we are first introduced to him. I truly expected him to be the third part of the love triangle, and I was surprised when he wasn’t. He tries so hard to act tough and dangerous, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with Sadie at his failed attempts to appear menacing.
I really didn’t like John. We only get some of his background in this book, but the way he treats Sadie is so terrible. Perhaps he has his reasons, but I still wanted to strangle him for the most part. He was a little too zealous for my taste, and I felt so bad for Sadie during the scenes with John. Catherine, too, is another character that treats Sadie terribly.
Everett Winters is just… Swoon Worthy. I didn’t want to like him at first, because… Well… Cole! But Everett quickly won my heart, and I constantly found myself going back and forth between these two amazing guys. Everett is so understanding and encouraging, and his love for Sadie is obvious and sincere. Also, the couple times Sadie reads Everett’s mind? Everett’s thoughts are so hysterical! I was laughing out loud.
Finally, I absolutely adored Ginny. She was sweet and down to earth, and her power is probably the coolest out of all the powers we are introduced to. She’s almost like a sister to Sadie, and her intentions always seem good and honest.
The encounter between the Survivors and the Winters’ had me nervous the whole time. I had a terrible feeling something bad was going to happen. I especially didn’t trust John and some of the Survivors, although I did have moments where I thought the Winters’ were going to attack. It was an incredibly tense scene.
The second half of the book was especially intriguing, as we finally get some answers. Going into this book, I assumed it was 100% about witches and the Salem Witch trials, and discovering all these other mythical and supernatural creatures exist was fascinating. I don’t want to say too much about this, because I don’t want to be too spoiler-ish, but some of the revelations here were truly shocking. The epilogue has some surprising twists, and the cliffhanger ending will leave you both satisfied and desperate for more.
Favorite Quotes:
“I hated having to try so hard to act human when stupid human emotions came to me so easily, without my permission or acceptance.” Sadie (Pg 41).
“I wasn’t afraid of dying. I was afraid for my life.” Sadie (Page 113)
“I need you to love me more than death. Can you do that?” Everett (Page 263)
**Page numbers may vary, depending on book format**
You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books
September 27, 2013
Survivors by Amanda Havard Sometimes I need a good Slap in the face to remind myself not to always judge a book by it's cover. Since I pride myself on being honest in reviews I will do just that by saying, I do not like this cover. After reading the entire story I can now use the reason : It doesn't do the story justice! The Survivors by Amanda Harvard is rich and interesting, heartbreaking AND heartwarming. It had me eagerly turning the pages to see just what would happen next!
The first few chapters I will admit, dragged. I was concerned it was just going to fall into a really basic story line. Immortal witch stops aging, lives out her life as a 18-21 year old. Falls in love with Sweet handsome man. Heartbreak ensues. Thank you Amanda Havard for breaking the mold! I think this author likes to tease her readers. She gives you a taste of something... say... a cute boy. Makes you think.. hey, Ya, this could work! And then She tears it away from you!
Don't worry! She is pretty generous as well, and goes on to create many amazing characters that I just fell for head over feet!
The ideas in The Survivors was far more unique than I had expected.Sadie's character was quite different from other YA characters I have read recently. Her religious beliefs add an interesting view to our society and how she handles situations, but it didn't overpower the story like other stories I have read with characters with strong religious upbringings. Sadie questions things, she is open minded and she always wants to know more. Which can sometimes get her into some dangerous situations.
" 'Sadie, you're a strange girl, so I say this with love,' he said, his voice sincere.
'I need you to love me more than death,' he whispered."
Because of Sadie's Desire to know more about the world, herself, and others like her; The Survivors is filled with an interesting mix of paranormal history. A few of the paranormals she meets are ones we are familier with, others are more unique and complex. This really added to the complexity and kept me invested in the story because I wanted to know more.
At the same time though. These more original paranormal characters are part of why I couldn't give a full 5 star review. I got confused. It seemed almost too complex. Having to follow the ideas of - If this creature has a child with this creature it creates one thing, if it has a child with another creature it creates another, and if THAT child has a child it creates something else.. ect... I had a hard time following this and it pulled me out of the story a bit.
But that will not stop me from recommending this story with a passion! It was filled with history and magic, adventure and romance and was really interesting! I made the mistake of reading the first few pages of book # 2 that are offered in the back of The Survivors. Now all I want to do is get my hands on it! It seems like it's going to give readers a deeper look into Sadie's family and their interesting way of life, and hopefully learn more of their history! Though there is a romance in Book #1 - and it is a great one- it is not what is the driving force behind me wanting to read #2 and that is a great sign to me!
Want to read an Interview with the Author? Go here: http://thepassionatebookworm.blogspot...
To read more reviews please visit me at http://thepassionatebookworm.blogspot...
The first few chapters I will admit, dragged. I was concerned it was just going to fall into a really basic story line. Immortal witch stops aging, lives out her life as a 18-21 year old. Falls in love with Sweet handsome man. Heartbreak ensues. Thank you Amanda Havard for breaking the mold! I think this author likes to tease her readers. She gives you a taste of something... say... a cute boy. Makes you think.. hey, Ya, this could work! And then She tears it away from you!
Don't worry! She is pretty generous as well, and goes on to create many amazing characters that I just fell for head over feet!
The ideas in The Survivors was far more unique than I had expected.Sadie's character was quite different from other YA characters I have read recently. Her religious beliefs add an interesting view to our society and how she handles situations, but it didn't overpower the story like other stories I have read with characters with strong religious upbringings. Sadie questions things, she is open minded and she always wants to know more. Which can sometimes get her into some dangerous situations.
" 'Sadie, you're a strange girl, so I say this with love,' he said, his voice sincere.
'I need you to love me more than death,' he whispered."
Because of Sadie's Desire to know more about the world, herself, and others like her; The Survivors is filled with an interesting mix of paranormal history. A few of the paranormals she meets are ones we are familier with, others are more unique and complex. This really added to the complexity and kept me invested in the story because I wanted to know more.
At the same time though. These more original paranormal characters are part of why I couldn't give a full 5 star review. I got confused. It seemed almost too complex. Having to follow the ideas of - If this creature has a child with this creature it creates one thing, if it has a child with another creature it creates another, and if THAT child has a child it creates something else.. ect... I had a hard time following this and it pulled me out of the story a bit.
But that will not stop me from recommending this story with a passion! It was filled with history and magic, adventure and romance and was really interesting! I made the mistake of reading the first few pages of book # 2 that are offered in the back of The Survivors. Now all I want to do is get my hands on it! It seems like it's going to give readers a deeper look into Sadie's family and their interesting way of life, and hopefully learn more of their history! Though there is a romance in Book #1 - and it is a great one- it is not what is the driving force behind me wanting to read #2 and that is a great sign to me!
Want to read an Interview with the Author? Go here: http://thepassionatebookworm.blogspot...
To read more reviews please visit me at http://thepassionatebookworm.blogspot...
May 29, 2012
The Survivors is the first book in a promising series with the same name. Full of unique paranormal lore and a variety of paranormal characters with a wide range of abilities, Amanda Havard does a great job at introducing readers to her intriguing world. I loved that this series starts out with the Salem Witch trials. There's been little YA books that have their stories tied to this historical event, and I thought Amanda did an incredible job with creating a series that starts off with this horrific event. Though The Survivors doesn't go into details about the Salem Witch trials, the characters that emerge in this book are children who accused of being witches and driven out of their village a couple weeks after the trail was over.
Being a huge paranormal fan, I really enjoyed the wide range of paranormal characters that are apart of Sadie's story. They cover everything from Witches, Vampires, Shape-Shifters and more are. Though they're deemed "out casts" or aren't considered real in the human world, they all live within in their own family groups trying to blend into a world they've never been accepted into, with little to no human contact for the most part. I loved how their old world views clashed with the world's more modern day views. Being an immortal and hiding out of view from humans since the 1600's would take a toll on me. Luckily Sadie isn't a character who sits by idly and allows those leaders of her "family" to make all the decisions for her. She puts herself out there and wants to learn more about who she is, her family's history, how The Survivors, whom are immortal, can be killed. In doing so she goes to place that's forbidden.
I liked that while The Survivors all live within the human world, they find blending in with humans sinful. The fact that Sadie doesn't let that deter her makes me admire her all the more. She has this fierce determination about her that I loved. She's definitely a strong willed character, and someone I enjoyed getting to know. I admire her independence, her quest for answers, and her ability to live among humans no matter how hard it is. A character who matches Sadie's personality well is her romantic interest Everett. They have this sweet, innocent romance that at times made me want to push them together and tell them to just make out already. I will say I respected Everett and Sadie's strong values and their ability to stick to them. Everett is someone I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know more about. The twist about his family that's revealed towards the end of the book is great!
Aside from the characters, I really enjoyed the historical references and the paranormal history and lore that Amanda created. I loved being able to travel all over the world with Sadie in her quest for answers. Her determination to find out more about her history, how Survivors can be destroyed and so forth as she visits different places looking into the paranormal myths present in each location, added some of the excitement into the story line. I enjoyed The Survivors and I thought Amanda did a great job at laying the foundation for the rest of the series, but I felt like something was missing from the book. Given what some of the characters are, I had excepted a little bit more action in this story than there was. I'm looking forward to Point of Origin, and finding out what's in store for Sadie and family next.
Being a huge paranormal fan, I really enjoyed the wide range of paranormal characters that are apart of Sadie's story. They cover everything from Witches, Vampires, Shape-Shifters and more are. Though they're deemed "out casts" or aren't considered real in the human world, they all live within in their own family groups trying to blend into a world they've never been accepted into, with little to no human contact for the most part. I loved how their old world views clashed with the world's more modern day views. Being an immortal and hiding out of view from humans since the 1600's would take a toll on me. Luckily Sadie isn't a character who sits by idly and allows those leaders of her "family" to make all the decisions for her. She puts herself out there and wants to learn more about who she is, her family's history, how The Survivors, whom are immortal, can be killed. In doing so she goes to place that's forbidden.
I liked that while The Survivors all live within the human world, they find blending in with humans sinful. The fact that Sadie doesn't let that deter her makes me admire her all the more. She has this fierce determination about her that I loved. She's definitely a strong willed character, and someone I enjoyed getting to know. I admire her independence, her quest for answers, and her ability to live among humans no matter how hard it is. A character who matches Sadie's personality well is her romantic interest Everett. They have this sweet, innocent romance that at times made me want to push them together and tell them to just make out already. I will say I respected Everett and Sadie's strong values and their ability to stick to them. Everett is someone I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know more about. The twist about his family that's revealed towards the end of the book is great!
Aside from the characters, I really enjoyed the historical references and the paranormal history and lore that Amanda created. I loved being able to travel all over the world with Sadie in her quest for answers. Her determination to find out more about her history, how Survivors can be destroyed and so forth as she visits different places looking into the paranormal myths present in each location, added some of the excitement into the story line. I enjoyed The Survivors and I thought Amanda did a great job at laying the foundation for the rest of the series, but I felt like something was missing from the book. Given what some of the characters are, I had excepted a little bit more action in this story than there was. I'm looking forward to Point of Origin, and finding out what's in store for Sadie and family next.
July 24, 2013
This book surprised me in every way. I didn't read the entire blurb ( I hardly ever do for fear of it giving to much away ), so I really thought it was a book about 14 survivors of the Salem Witch Trials, but it was so much more. It was the story of one woman's struggles to find herself. One woman who dared to ask questions, who dared to want more, even if that meant finding the key to her own mortality.
I quickly came to expect the unexpected. There was never a moment when I could surmise what would happen next. From what I thought would be another love story between a human and paranormal creature, grew into so much more with the addition of the Winters and the realization that there was far more to this world than what Sadie knew and believed to be true.
I fell hopelessly in love with Cole Hardwick. He was such the perfect gentleman. Even though I would have liked to see more of him, and at times I had to wonder what his true purpose was, I did grasp the fact that he was Sadie's "human" lifeline. My heart broke for the thoughts he projected to Sadie even when he knew it was hopeless. He was an open book, in his own mind, and his loyalty to her was very endearing.
There were a few times when I found myself comparing this book to a few others in this genre, but it had enough unique plot twists and characters for me to over look the similarities. The exciting thing about this story was the plethora of supernatural beings that emerged. If you're tired of the usual vampire story, this is one book that needs to be read. It took the vampire myth and dissected it, until what you thought you knew meant nothing, and that made way for are entire new breed of vampire.
The Winters were an electrifying group. I loved learning about their unique talents, some I had never heard of or could never have even imagined until reading this book. I especially loved Ginny. She was fun and bubbly.
Mark was a mystery, one I couldn't wait to unravel. Everett...hmm...I still don't know if I like him or not. The chemistry between him and Sadie was instantaneous, but I just didn't believe it. It just didn't feel right. Yes, they had, and still have, some major obstacles standing in their way but it was more than that. I didn't warm to him as much as I did some of the other characters. Maybe I was just holding out hope for poor Cole. I guess only time and the next book will tell.
As for Sadie, I can only imagine that one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do was to go back and face her family. But she stayed loyal and when different threats arose, she knew what had to be done, no matter how difficult it would be. I only wish that some of the Survivors had seen her loyalty for what it was, rather than dismissing it as easily as they had.
Havard has a fantastic way of keeping the mystery that is Sadie alive, giving just enough away to keep you in suspense. As the story unfolded, so the question of who, or more accurately what she was, was never far from my mind. And even though is was clear that she wasn't human, her need to fit in and the internal struggle to find peace was something we can all relate to, in some way or another.
This book was exciting start to this series, with many twists and turns that kept the story one step ahead of it's reader at all times. I cannot wait to dive straight into book 2.
I quickly came to expect the unexpected. There was never a moment when I could surmise what would happen next. From what I thought would be another love story between a human and paranormal creature, grew into so much more with the addition of the Winters and the realization that there was far more to this world than what Sadie knew and believed to be true.
I fell hopelessly in love with Cole Hardwick. He was such the perfect gentleman. Even though I would have liked to see more of him, and at times I had to wonder what his true purpose was, I did grasp the fact that he was Sadie's "human" lifeline. My heart broke for the thoughts he projected to Sadie even when he knew it was hopeless. He was an open book, in his own mind, and his loyalty to her was very endearing.
There were a few times when I found myself comparing this book to a few others in this genre, but it had enough unique plot twists and characters for me to over look the similarities. The exciting thing about this story was the plethora of supernatural beings that emerged. If you're tired of the usual vampire story, this is one book that needs to be read. It took the vampire myth and dissected it, until what you thought you knew meant nothing, and that made way for are entire new breed of vampire.
The Winters were an electrifying group. I loved learning about their unique talents, some I had never heard of or could never have even imagined until reading this book. I especially loved Ginny. She was fun and bubbly.
Mark was a mystery, one I couldn't wait to unravel. Everett...hmm...I still don't know if I like him or not. The chemistry between him and Sadie was instantaneous, but I just didn't believe it. It just didn't feel right. Yes, they had, and still have, some major obstacles standing in their way but it was more than that. I didn't warm to him as much as I did some of the other characters. Maybe I was just holding out hope for poor Cole. I guess only time and the next book will tell.
As for Sadie, I can only imagine that one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do was to go back and face her family. But she stayed loyal and when different threats arose, she knew what had to be done, no matter how difficult it would be. I only wish that some of the Survivors had seen her loyalty for what it was, rather than dismissing it as easily as they had.
Havard has a fantastic way of keeping the mystery that is Sadie alive, giving just enough away to keep you in suspense. As the story unfolded, so the question of who, or more accurately what she was, was never far from my mind. And even though is was clear that she wasn't human, her need to fit in and the internal struggle to find peace was something we can all relate to, in some way or another.
This book was exciting start to this series, with many twists and turns that kept the story one step ahead of it's reader at all times. I cannot wait to dive straight into book 2.
May 5, 2011
**spoilers**
Okay, for my general intense interest in the story I want to give it four stars but there were too many things I had to intentionally overlook.
As an overall concept it is really cool. I found the the writing style somewhat flat and dry though. Even that wasn't a huge deal over all, but there were other issues.
The details of the Survivors' universe weren't tight enough for me, including traits and abilities of the main character Sadie. She is supposedly capable of blending into human society seamlessly because of her various abilities, yet she always feels as if she is failing. I find it hard to believe someone could consciously behave in the appropriate social/cultural way to blend in and not notice that she was successful. Also, when things flashed back and forth to her at a younger age there were inconsistencies with details (for example: in a flashback she mentions that their isolated society eventually had CD players, yet in the present day they are shocked and surprised by the electronic sounds coming from an iphone.)
Another thing that felt very strange to me was the relationship development between Sadie and Cole, and then Sadie and Everett. The author devoted a lot more time and show-me emotion to Sadie and Cole, and then she just flipped the switch and Sadie falls in love-at-first-sight with Everett. The only reason this didn't totally RUIN the story for me is that I liked Everett a lot, but that isn't a solution to a weak plot movement.
The real thing that made me round down to three stars instead of up to four seemed to set in toward the last fifth of the book. There were a LOT of similarities to Twilight--and this is not something I look for when it isn't actually there, I promise. Everett (a gentleman with 19th century morals) and his very unique family who live among humans turn out to be a form of vampire, who also have green eyes if they eat human food and red if they eat blood. They try super-duper hard not to hunt humans, and when they do they go for bad guys and criminals. Their skin is cold and smooth like silver. There is a lot of discussion about Everett's venom--how it can seal wounds, how it might be a hindrance during sex because he might lose control, how one bite or too much venom will turn her...
Now don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of this is established vampire lore somewhere. All I'm saying is that the combination made me think of Twilight out of nowhere. I'm sure it didn't help that Havard actually has Sadie mention Twilight and allude to the "newer" vampire myths, referencing Meyer's characters' traits earlier in the book. She basically told me to think about Twilight and then made some of her characters way too similar.
I can forgive this mostly because I get that the myth is just being reinvented in some incarnation anyway. I just wish I hadn't been reminded of Twilight so distinctly. That might just be me.
On a positive note, I think the plot and concept are really interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Okay, for my general intense interest in the story I want to give it four stars but there were too many things I had to intentionally overlook.
As an overall concept it is really cool. I found the the writing style somewhat flat and dry though. Even that wasn't a huge deal over all, but there were other issues.
The details of the Survivors' universe weren't tight enough for me, including traits and abilities of the main character Sadie. She is supposedly capable of blending into human society seamlessly because of her various abilities, yet she always feels as if she is failing. I find it hard to believe someone could consciously behave in the appropriate social/cultural way to blend in and not notice that she was successful. Also, when things flashed back and forth to her at a younger age there were inconsistencies with details (for example: in a flashback she mentions that their isolated society eventually had CD players, yet in the present day they are shocked and surprised by the electronic sounds coming from an iphone.)
Another thing that felt very strange to me was the relationship development between Sadie and Cole, and then Sadie and Everett. The author devoted a lot more time and show-me emotion to Sadie and Cole, and then she just flipped the switch and Sadie falls in love-at-first-sight with Everett. The only reason this didn't totally RUIN the story for me is that I liked Everett a lot, but that isn't a solution to a weak plot movement.
The real thing that made me round down to three stars instead of up to four seemed to set in toward the last fifth of the book. There were a LOT of similarities to Twilight--and this is not something I look for when it isn't actually there, I promise. Everett (a gentleman with 19th century morals) and his very unique family who live among humans turn out to be a form of vampire, who also have green eyes if they eat human food and red if they eat blood. They try super-duper hard not to hunt humans, and when they do they go for bad guys and criminals. Their skin is cold and smooth like silver. There is a lot of discussion about Everett's venom--how it can seal wounds, how it might be a hindrance during sex because he might lose control, how one bite or too much venom will turn her...
Now don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of this is established vampire lore somewhere. All I'm saying is that the combination made me think of Twilight out of nowhere. I'm sure it didn't help that Havard actually has Sadie mention Twilight and allude to the "newer" vampire myths, referencing Meyer's characters' traits earlier in the book. She basically told me to think about Twilight and then made some of her characters way too similar.
I can forgive this mostly because I get that the myth is just being reinvented in some incarnation anyway. I just wish I hadn't been reminded of Twilight so distinctly. That might just be me.
On a positive note, I think the plot and concept are really interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
October 10, 2013
I first heard of this series last year at BEA. I picked up the ARC of the second book in the series and met Amanda (very briefly) while I was perusing the exhibit hall. But it was the second book in a series, so it languished on my shelf for… well ever. I had the best intentions of picking up the first one and reading them both, but it just never really happened.
Until Amanda’s awesome marketing for book three happened this year, that is. I couldn’t look at Twitter or Facebook without being reminded that I had Book 2 and that meant I needed Book 1 so that I could buy Book 3 when it came out!
Awesome marketing job Amanda.
And then Bout of Books 8.0 rolled around right after Book 3 came out. What a perfect opportunity for me to read all three books! What I didn’t expect was to sit down and read all three in two days.
Because I couldn’t put them down.
If you follow me on Twitter, you saw incessant gushing.
I had no idea guys. NO IDEA.
You all know how much I hate publisher blurbs. That means I never read this one in its entirety. I went into the story mostly blind. I knew it was about the survivors of those accused during the Salem witch trials. I knew it was paranormal. That’s about all I knew. I didn’t read far enough down to get into “vampire” or “mythological creatures.” I didn’t realize she had created an entire world with new creatures and its own mythology.
And this world is fascinating.
Sadie is, to me, the most fascinating of them all. I want inside her head. Seriously – I want to know how she ticks! We get some of it, but I want more! She’s such a fascinating character study to me. She is an immortal who wants to die.
She is the only one, in more than 300 years, to choose to leave the “family” and live among humans as a human. And because she made that choice, it was the catalyst for the rest of the series. She learns that nearly everything she had ever been taught was a lie.
She learns that her family is not the only group of non-humans in the world.
And this knowledge only makes her quest to find mortality even more important in her eyes. What if one of these “new” immortal Survivors is evil? How do you kill someone who can’t be killed?
A few things of note:
-Yes, there is a love triangle. But it’s a necessary one. (Yes it’s necessary. Read the series to find out why!)
-Yes, there are vampires. “Good” vampires – but they still feed on humans. How? Well, read the series to find out how.
-Okay, there may be some obvious parallels to Twilight – but take them with a grain of salt. The world building and character development in this series are just so phenomenal and complex that it’s like comparing skim milk to whipped cream.
And perhaps the best thing I can say about this book? I finished it around 9PM. I thought to myself I can start the next one and read for an hour before bedtime. Yeahhhhh, no. Three hours later, I finished the sequel. And I was very grumpy at work the next day.
Book hangovers. Amanda Havard causes them.
Until Amanda’s awesome marketing for book three happened this year, that is. I couldn’t look at Twitter or Facebook without being reminded that I had Book 2 and that meant I needed Book 1 so that I could buy Book 3 when it came out!
Awesome marketing job Amanda.
And then Bout of Books 8.0 rolled around right after Book 3 came out. What a perfect opportunity for me to read all three books! What I didn’t expect was to sit down and read all three in two days.
Because I couldn’t put them down.
If you follow me on Twitter, you saw incessant gushing.
I had no idea guys. NO IDEA.
You all know how much I hate publisher blurbs. That means I never read this one in its entirety. I went into the story mostly blind. I knew it was about the survivors of those accused during the Salem witch trials. I knew it was paranormal. That’s about all I knew. I didn’t read far enough down to get into “vampire” or “mythological creatures.” I didn’t realize she had created an entire world with new creatures and its own mythology.
And this world is fascinating.
Sadie is, to me, the most fascinating of them all. I want inside her head. Seriously – I want to know how she ticks! We get some of it, but I want more! She’s such a fascinating character study to me. She is an immortal who wants to die.
She is the only one, in more than 300 years, to choose to leave the “family” and live among humans as a human. And because she made that choice, it was the catalyst for the rest of the series. She learns that nearly everything she had ever been taught was a lie.
She learns that her family is not the only group of non-humans in the world.
And this knowledge only makes her quest to find mortality even more important in her eyes. What if one of these “new” immortal Survivors is evil? How do you kill someone who can’t be killed?
A few things of note:
-Yes, there is a love triangle. But it’s a necessary one. (Yes it’s necessary. Read the series to find out why!)
-Yes, there are vampires. “Good” vampires – but they still feed on humans. How? Well, read the series to find out how.
-Okay, there may be some obvious parallels to Twilight – but take them with a grain of salt. The world building and character development in this series are just so phenomenal and complex that it’s like comparing skim milk to whipped cream.
And perhaps the best thing I can say about this book? I finished it around 9PM. I thought to myself I can start the next one and read for an hour before bedtime. Yeahhhhh, no. Three hours later, I finished the sequel. And I was very grumpy at work the next day.
Book hangovers. Amanda Havard causes them.
April 20, 2011
The Survivors by Amanda Havard was one of those books for which I had to force myself to keep going, to ignore the little annoyances, and hope with my fingers crossed that it would get better. I usually wouldn't review a book I didn'tenjoy, but as it turns out, this book ends up getting better and presenting some extreme potential for itself.
I began this book with a certain mindset, thinking it would be more about the witch trials of Salem; however, the book only covers this era briefly, shooting forward to the present day.The story revolves around Sadie, an awkward, supermodel-looking non-human who escaped her oppressive village to live among humans. The first three quarters of the book seem to be mostly about how strange Sadie appears to other humans, the lust she detects from the men she meets, and the jealousy she feels from the women. (Snobby much?) There are also incessant references to designer clothing and expensive cars - these descriptions take up paragraphs of the book which were a little annoying - we get it, she wears ridiculously overpriced clothes in addition to being a man-magnet and the envy of all women.
The story drags on in this way and just when you're beginning to wonder if anything is ever going to happen, the Winters show up and spice things up a little. They encourage Sadie to grow and accept who she is in addition to helping her want a future for herself. I was a little skeptical of this new family and their automatic acceptance, but at the same time I was relieved to finally feel some stimulation in my brain from some much needed action and mystery. It just happens that the Winters have more to do with Sadie's and her family's life than she initially realized, and their connection is the only way to survive the future.
As it turns out, the story gets much better towards the end, the references to designer clothes cease, and Sadie becomes a little less weird. The Survivors is the first book in a series, so this is the one that introduces everyone and gives us all the background information before getting to juicy stuff in the last quarter of the book that familiarizes us with everything to come in the next of the series. :) We are introduced to different and unusual creatures, secrets we never would have guessed, visions of the future, unexpected rebellions, and the possibility of war.
Despite my boredom in the beginning, I think this book is worth reading. If the events the storyline of The Survivors predetermines really come to surface, we're in for a pretty exciting series.
I began this book with a certain mindset, thinking it would be more about the witch trials of Salem; however, the book only covers this era briefly, shooting forward to the present day.The story revolves around Sadie, an awkward, supermodel-looking non-human who escaped her oppressive village to live among humans. The first three quarters of the book seem to be mostly about how strange Sadie appears to other humans, the lust she detects from the men she meets, and the jealousy she feels from the women. (Snobby much?) There are also incessant references to designer clothing and expensive cars - these descriptions take up paragraphs of the book which were a little annoying - we get it, she wears ridiculously overpriced clothes in addition to being a man-magnet and the envy of all women.
The story drags on in this way and just when you're beginning to wonder if anything is ever going to happen, the Winters show up and spice things up a little. They encourage Sadie to grow and accept who she is in addition to helping her want a future for herself. I was a little skeptical of this new family and their automatic acceptance, but at the same time I was relieved to finally feel some stimulation in my brain from some much needed action and mystery. It just happens that the Winters have more to do with Sadie's and her family's life than she initially realized, and their connection is the only way to survive the future.
As it turns out, the story gets much better towards the end, the references to designer clothes cease, and Sadie becomes a little less weird. The Survivors is the first book in a series, so this is the one that introduces everyone and gives us all the background information before getting to juicy stuff in the last quarter of the book that familiarizes us with everything to come in the next of the series. :) We are introduced to different and unusual creatures, secrets we never would have guessed, visions of the future, unexpected rebellions, and the possibility of war.
Despite my boredom in the beginning, I think this book is worth reading. If the events the storyline of The Survivors predetermines really come to surface, we're in for a pretty exciting series.
April 26, 2011
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
The book was slow and confusing at parts then at other parts it was information overload HOLY CRAP. There were times I was flipping back through the pages hoping I could remember where that quote was and MY GOD at the end I was so lost and yet so interested I basically had to re-read half the story all over again. But, that is a good thing b/c usually when a book is slow I lose interest. This book however, had it all love, mythology, magic, action, mystery, and travel. Who could ask for more?
THINGS I LIKED:
- I enjoyed the overall story line I thought it was very interesting and the characters kept me interested enough to continue reading. I wanted to know who the Winters were I wanted to know how you could kill a Survivor.
- I loved the love story and how sweet they were:
Ex: He didn’t say much, but he held me closer and closer as he made his way up one arm and down the other until he had kissed every single scar. It was the most intimate experience I had ever had. I was so vulnerable like that, my secrets exposed. But he didn’t pull away in fear, and he hadn’t been repulsed. Instead he took great care to show me how these scars hut him too, and how he cared for me –scars and all.
I seriously fell in love with him all over b/c wow what a great moment.
-I loved that the hero and heroine had never had sex before and were very modest they didn’t want to unless it was with a special person. And can I say in fact they did not have sex in this story and I was happy to be able to read something with SEX being the main point. It was refreshing for once!
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
There were so many different mythological creatures I had a hard time keeping everything straight on what was important to the story and what I could forget.
- I seriously got sick of all the name brand crap the author used. I get it they have money and they wear expensive crap I don’t care. It was like reading JR Ward again without the gangsta talk
Ex: He looked like he was pulled straight from the pages of editorial ads in Vogue – Ralph Lauren Black Label, maybe Prada, or even some of the more subdued Dolce and Gabbana. His jeans were nice and dark but worn in – Dolce, I was pretty sure – and fitted. And he had on a crisp white Dior dress shirt. He’d removed his chocolate velvet sport coat – I recognized it from Ferragmo’s fall catalogue from the year I came to Nashville…
I DON’T CARE get over it.
The book was slow and confusing at parts then at other parts it was information overload HOLY CRAP. There were times I was flipping back through the pages hoping I could remember where that quote was and MY GOD at the end I was so lost and yet so interested I basically had to re-read half the story all over again. But, that is a good thing b/c usually when a book is slow I lose interest. This book however, had it all love, mythology, magic, action, mystery, and travel. Who could ask for more?
THINGS I LIKED:
- I enjoyed the overall story line I thought it was very interesting and the characters kept me interested enough to continue reading. I wanted to know who the Winters were I wanted to know how you could kill a Survivor.
- I loved the love story and how sweet they were:
Ex: He didn’t say much, but he held me closer and closer as he made his way up one arm and down the other until he had kissed every single scar. It was the most intimate experience I had ever had. I was so vulnerable like that, my secrets exposed. But he didn’t pull away in fear, and he hadn’t been repulsed. Instead he took great care to show me how these scars hut him too, and how he cared for me –scars and all.
I seriously fell in love with him all over b/c wow what a great moment.
-I loved that the hero and heroine had never had sex before and were very modest they didn’t want to unless it was with a special person. And can I say in fact they did not have sex in this story and I was happy to be able to read something with SEX being the main point. It was refreshing for once!
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
There were so many different mythological creatures I had a hard time keeping everything straight on what was important to the story and what I could forget.
- I seriously got sick of all the name brand crap the author used. I get it they have money and they wear expensive crap I don’t care. It was like reading JR Ward again without the gangsta talk
Ex: He looked like he was pulled straight from the pages of editorial ads in Vogue – Ralph Lauren Black Label, maybe Prada, or even some of the more subdued Dolce and Gabbana. His jeans were nice and dark but worn in – Dolce, I was pretty sure – and fitted. And he had on a crisp white Dior dress shirt. He’d removed his chocolate velvet sport coat – I recognized it from Ferragmo’s fall catalogue from the year I came to Nashville…
I DON’T CARE get over it.
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