What do you think?
Rate this book
Emerge
Allie Carmichael has never fit in. People don’t like her. They don’t want to be near her. They don’t want to touch her. It’s one of the many things about her life that just doesn’t add up.
But there are a few things she knows for certain.
1. Moving across the world in the dead of night is not normal.
2. Her new friends might know more about her than she knows about herself.
3. Aidan McBrien is the most insufferable flirt she’s ever met … but she can’t stay away from him.
When Allie awakens to an excruciating pain she doesn’t understand, a latent Immortal power emerges within her, nearly killing her. Now the secrets and lies have fallen away, and she is no longer the awkward, uncertain girl she once was.
She is Immortal.
One of the two most powerful of her generation. Yet death still stalks her at every turn.
With Aidan standing beside her as her equal in power, the task is simple.
Learn to fight.
Hide in plain sight.
Don’t fall in love.
There are dangerous powers at play in Allie’s life, but is death truly a threat to an Immortal?
But there are a few things she knows for certain.
1. Moving across the world in the dead of night is not normal.
2. Her new friends might know more about her than she knows about herself.
3. Aidan McBrien is the most insufferable flirt she’s ever met … but she can’t stay away from him.
When Allie awakens to an excruciating pain she doesn’t understand, a latent Immortal power emerges within her, nearly killing her. Now the secrets and lies have fallen away, and she is no longer the awkward, uncertain girl she once was.
She is Immortal.
One of the two most powerful of her generation. Yet death still stalks her at every turn.
With Aidan standing beside her as her equal in power, the task is simple.
Learn to fight.
Hide in plain sight.
Don’t fall in love.
There are dangerous powers at play in Allie’s life, but is death truly a threat to an Immortal?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2020
618 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Melissa A. Craven
56 books299 followersMelissa A. Craven (the "A" stands for Ann—in case you were wondering) was born near Atlanta, Georgia, but moved to Cleveland, Ohio at the age of seventeen. She still thinks of Cleveland as home, so it was only natural for Emerge to take place there.
Today, she is back in Atlanta—for some reason she can't seem to stay away from the ungodly heat that makes her long for things like "lake effect snow" and wind that will knock you flat.
Melissa decided a long time ago that the “life checklist” everyone else was clutching so tightly in their fists, just wasn’t for her. She does everything backwards because she is weird like that, but then, she is an artist and artists are notoriously "unique" and "quirky."
She is an avid student of art and design, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of West Georgia in 2009. She worked as an interior designer for several years, but she's always thought she might like to be a writer when she grows up.
In her spare time, if she has any, she enjoys shopping for derelict furniture she refinishes to exercise the interior design part of her brain.
Today, she is back in Atlanta—for some reason she can't seem to stay away from the ungodly heat that makes her long for things like "lake effect snow" and wind that will knock you flat.
Melissa decided a long time ago that the “life checklist” everyone else was clutching so tightly in their fists, just wasn’t for her. She does everything backwards because she is weird like that, but then, she is an artist and artists are notoriously "unique" and "quirky."
She is an avid student of art and design, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of West Georgia in 2009. She worked as an interior designer for several years, but she's always thought she might like to be a writer when she grows up.
In her spare time, if she has any, she enjoys shopping for derelict furniture she refinishes to exercise the interior design part of her brain.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 14, 2022
Allie was just a regular girl, a bit unpopular, a bit without friends, a bit sharp-tongued, but otherwise totally average. Until an insufferable pain changes her reality through awakening of a power she had no idea she had - but those around her might know about, starting with the charismatic flirt Aidan, the only person she feels can understand her. Yet even training to become stronger and learning about her new reality, she comes to the realization she is an outlier, and might never be just normal..
An interesting introduction into this series, where many characters get enough room to present themselves, show their strengths and flaws, who they are, even who they wish to be. It was great to discover the magic and magical affinities, the gifts (or curses) the characters possessed, and watch how the enormous potential is used. There were hard and soft moments, wide range of emotions, and many mysteries to be solved. A good series starter.
An interesting introduction into this series, where many characters get enough room to present themselves, show their strengths and flaws, who they are, even who they wish to be. It was great to discover the magic and magical affinities, the gifts (or curses) the characters possessed, and watch how the enormous potential is used. There were hard and soft moments, wide range of emotions, and many mysteries to be solved. A good series starter.
August 14, 2023
Allie has always felt like an outsider. Whenever she settles somewhere, her parents move. It’s easier to keep your distance from people, particularly when something about you seems to put them off.
When she moves to another new town, Allie bumps into Aidan. Something of a flirt, but they get one another and he welcomes Allie into his circle of friends. There’s lots of cryptic comments that make no sense, until Allie’s birthday when she experiences a crushing headache and learns that this is her latent power materialising.
Bizarre, but Allie is an Immortal.
From the time she learns the truth she’s welcomed into a new family and has to train for the time she’s told will come…where her talents are tested. A rather crazy world - not always that well built up - but there’s plenty here to engage and entertain.
When she moves to another new town, Allie bumps into Aidan. Something of a flirt, but they get one another and he welcomes Allie into his circle of friends. There’s lots of cryptic comments that make no sense, until Allie’s birthday when she experiences a crushing headache and learns that this is her latent power materialising.
Bizarre, but Allie is an Immortal.
From the time she learns the truth she’s welcomed into a new family and has to train for the time she’s told will come…where her talents are tested. A rather crazy world - not always that well built up - but there’s plenty here to engage and entertain.
September 29, 2020
For starters, my actual rating of this book is a 4.5/5.
This was a great start to the series. I really enjoyed reading about the history of each of the characters. I also loved how all of the characters had a significant role in the story line. I had some problems getting into the book at the beginning, but about half way through I really got into it. I liked the strong female character that Allie was, however I do hope she embraces her gifts more in the next book.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading book 2!
I received this as a free ARC copy, but all opinions are my own.
This was a great start to the series. I really enjoyed reading about the history of each of the characters. I also loved how all of the characters had a significant role in the story line. I had some problems getting into the book at the beginning, but about half way through I really got into it. I liked the strong female character that Allie was, however I do hope she embraces her gifts more in the next book.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading book 2!
I received this as a free ARC copy, but all opinions are my own.
October 6, 2020
Good story, some rushed points
I really like this story, sometimes it was hard to read the way certain things seemed rushed. Over all good and will start the next book.
I really like this story, sometimes it was hard to read the way certain things seemed rushed. Over all good and will start the next book.
March 21, 2021
Uhhh and Cliché
This book was just one huge let down. It's all clichés and way to easy. Nothing happens until the end and even that is just a few pages and done. I really wanted to like this book and in a general since it's not bad. Just not good either.
This book was just one huge let down. It's all clichés and way to easy. Nothing happens until the end and even that is just a few pages and done. I really wanted to like this book and in a general since it's not bad. Just not good either.
June 5, 2022
I just couldn’t get into it. I abandoned it 16 chapters in
June 28, 2023
Decent Idea Poor Execution
This sounded intriguing so figured I’d give it a go. This world sounds super interesting but the execution was excruciating.
At 12% I was struggling to keep reading. It started like a bunch of jumbled, juvenile thought processes and unfinished ones at that. This book also suffers from not having a clear perspective and tenses jumps. Sometimes it was first person, then second and then third it was weird, painful, and confusing at times.
The characters suffered from inanely slow development and repetitive thoughts and dialogue. Which could have been forgiven because again powers and different storyline/world but it was hard to over look everything that was wrong.
This also suffers the young adult trope of love triangle’s which I am not a fan of. And I am sure there’s more to come with characters yet to be introduced.
Anyways it’s a cool idea but I absolutely can not force myself to read another book no matter how interesting the world could be when it took everything I had to army crawl through reading this one. It needs an editor, refinement, and better writing.
This sounded intriguing so figured I’d give it a go. This world sounds super interesting but the execution was excruciating.
At 12% I was struggling to keep reading. It started like a bunch of jumbled, juvenile thought processes and unfinished ones at that. This book also suffers from not having a clear perspective and tenses jumps. Sometimes it was first person, then second and then third it was weird, painful, and confusing at times.
The characters suffered from inanely slow development and repetitive thoughts and dialogue. Which could have been forgiven because again powers and different storyline/world but it was hard to over look everything that was wrong.
This also suffers the young adult trope of love triangle’s which I am not a fan of. And I am sure there’s more to come with characters yet to be introduced.
Anyways it’s a cool idea but I absolutely can not force myself to read another book no matter how interesting the world could be when it took everything I had to army crawl through reading this one. It needs an editor, refinement, and better writing.
September 16, 2020
The summary is amazing and I was really excited to read this, but the first half was all over the place and incredibly dialogue heavy. The main character seems to magically connect with the people she meets and although she has a relationship, I honestly couldn't figure out why they were dating or how it even started. The guy was utterly unremarkable and it seemed that every other line he said was "I don't normally date Cliffton girls" and then almost immediately they were dating.
The book does get better about halfway through, but the very disjointed first half stuck with me and I just couldn't rate above 3 stars. I'm not going to finish the series but it is an interesting plot and definitely has potential.
This is my honest opinion after receiving an ARC copy.
The book does get better about halfway through, but the very disjointed first half stuck with me and I just couldn't rate above 3 stars. I'm not going to finish the series but it is an interesting plot and definitely has potential.
This is my honest opinion after receiving an ARC copy.
Read
September 16, 2020I initially read Emerge in a fit of boredom. Never expected to become hooked on not just a new series, or new author - but a whole new genre! Started reading, expecting at best a day or two of mild amusement - and next thing I know, I've read all the books in the series - and am on a search for something else that could equal the experience! Melissa Craven is a talented author who grabs you immediately and takes you on a spectacular ride. The characters were well developed and likeable, the story line was unpredictable, and the ending always satisfying, but still leaves you wanting to know more.
July 6, 2021
Fresh but jumpy
While the family tree at the beginning of the book helps a bit, this book would greatly benefit from a larger character map. The story jumps right in and skips the filler activity to produce a realistic timeline of events which is great, but it felt like all the characters are suddenly part of the story without much introduction to the point where I would have to reread paragraphs in order to keep track of who is talking and what their role/relation is. For that reason alone I can't give it 5 stars, but based on the sleep deprivation that I'll be dealing with, the second half and ending are definitely worth hanging on through the beginning.
While the family tree at the beginning of the book helps a bit, this book would greatly benefit from a larger character map. The story jumps right in and skips the filler activity to produce a realistic timeline of events which is great, but it felt like all the characters are suddenly part of the story without much introduction to the point where I would have to reread paragraphs in order to keep track of who is talking and what their role/relation is. For that reason alone I can't give it 5 stars, but based on the sleep deprivation that I'll be dealing with, the second half and ending are definitely worth hanging on through the beginning.
January 24, 2021
I wasn't too impressed with this. The beginning felt rushed. I felt like I was missing some information. It was dialog heavy with little explaination about what was going on and the transition were a bit abrupt and the next scene felt like it was in the middle of a conversation. Sometimes I had to go back and wonder if I missed a page. However, I give it 3 stars because the story was interesting. There was good world building. I like the history of the immortals. I like the characters personality and I hope they grow in the next book.
October 28, 2021
Ok, I had 200 pages left when I finally gave up. The characters weren't very interesting , not like any teenagers I've ever met, and their personalities changed page by page. And I swear Brianna sent that molotov coctail to burn them up. But that was all sort of ok, wondering what would happen next. But then page after page about the history of "Immortals." Who cares? Pretty bad writing, methinks, boring.
May 13, 2022
I loved how this book turned out. I am not sure how I feel about Allie and Aidan yet. I like the friend relationship that they have but I am not sure how a romantic one would be if it ever ends up like that. I am glad that she stuck with her mortal boyfriend for now. I was confused about Liam and Nivad at different points as well, wondering if they could be her compliment, but I think it makes sense for them to be her brother and dad. I cant wait to read more of her journey.
May 20, 2022
I love long books
Emerge is a coming of age love story. Alexis is a typical human girl with no roots who happens to meet this awesome guy Aiden. Things happen and Alexis learns some things about herself that are life changing. She starts getting trained by her mentors to fight and learns that she has gifts to master. She makes great progress and then something tragic happens that changes everything. You should read this book, it’s a good one.
Emerge is a coming of age love story. Alexis is a typical human girl with no roots who happens to meet this awesome guy Aiden. Things happen and Alexis learns some things about herself that are life changing. She starts getting trained by her mentors to fight and learns that she has gifts to master. She makes great progress and then something tragic happens that changes everything. You should read this book, it’s a good one.
May 24, 2025
3.75⭐
I did enjoy this read, but I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I were younger - it was a little too YA for me. I'm sure it'll be perfect for younger readers than me though!
✨ Found family
✨ Mysterious background & uncertain future
✨ Undiscovered powers
Be aware, as this is the first in a series, there is a lot of world and character building and introduction, so I suspect later books in the series will be where all the action is (I will not be continuing the series).
I did enjoy this read, but I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I were younger - it was a little too YA for me. I'm sure it'll be perfect for younger readers than me though!
✨ Found family
✨ Mysterious background & uncertain future
✨ Undiscovered powers
Be aware, as this is the first in a series, there is a lot of world and character building and introduction, so I suspect later books in the series will be where all the action is (I will not be continuing the series).
September 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this fantasy story and can't wait for the next book. This is a good fantasy read and if you like interesting characters, very detailed story worlds, and general fantasy, you will love this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2020
As an opener for a series there was a lot to process; plenty of world building, character introductions, and a slow story progression. Once the story got going though it really took off, just need to get there first.
The thing I liked best about this book is the characters, especially the back stories for the side characters and how they influenced the history of the world.
The thing I liked best about this book is the characters, especially the back stories for the side characters and how they influenced the history of the world.
November 25, 2020
Jumpy and hard to read
The idea is good, the development is so slow, and if you try to read this too quickly things will suddenly be so confusing.
Her transitions are quick. “They walked.” And everything else overshadows this. You’ll miss the quick transition and wonder where the hell they walked to.
Characters are interesting. Premise is good. Just very slow.
The idea is good, the development is so slow, and if you try to read this too quickly things will suddenly be so confusing.
Her transitions are quick. “They walked.” And everything else overshadows this. You’ll miss the quick transition and wonder where the hell they walked to.
Characters are interesting. Premise is good. Just very slow.
October 27, 2021
Not enough details
I liked the book, but it jumps from one scene to the next with hardly any details. A scene happens then it says a month later. How is she so attached to Vince? There are hardly any scenes together. Training jumps alot too. Almost a year goes by in the book as it says her 17th year is coming up soon. It just doesn't flow well for me.
I liked the book, but it jumps from one scene to the next with hardly any details. A scene happens then it says a month later. How is she so attached to Vince? There are hardly any scenes together. Training jumps alot too. Almost a year goes by in the book as it says her 17th year is coming up soon. It just doesn't flow well for me.
November 22, 2021
They Do Exist
I enjoyed the story. There were almost too many characters and it was hard to separate who was who. But the author managed to give each one distinguishing attributes. I liked the relationship that developed between Aiden and Allie. I look forward to learning more in the next book. Good action.
I enjoyed the story. There were almost too many characters and it was hard to separate who was who. But the author managed to give each one distinguishing attributes. I liked the relationship that developed between Aiden and Allie. I look forward to learning more in the next book. Good action.
July 15, 2023
This is a wonderful book. This was a real surprise. The writing is concise but descriptive. The characters are fantastic, they are well-developed. The plot is very well thought out and satisfying different. I love Allie she is so much more than she realizes and has a very important role to play, Adrian will be beside her with his gifts to aid in the coming conflict.
April 15, 2024
at the beginning
Allie has powers that she has to Learn to control. Unfortunately this is easier said than done.
When she is upset, excited or learning about love, these powers are out of control. With consequences that are unimaginable
The belief that she is a princess that will lead her country into the future, is not what she wants.
Allie has powers that she has to Learn to control. Unfortunately this is easier said than done.
When she is upset, excited or learning about love, these powers are out of control. With consequences that are unimaginable
The belief that she is a princess that will lead her country into the future, is not what she wants.
August 23, 2020
Choppy
This book was very disjointed. It jumped from scene to scene with no transitions. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. The middle was boring as the main character learned about being an immortal and nothing really happened.
This book was very disjointed. It jumped from scene to scene with no transitions. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. The middle was boring as the main character learned about being an immortal and nothing really happened.
October 2, 2020
I love this
The way it is written shows different stories in time and is so powerful , it is a grat book allie and adien are great together , hope she can get a control of her strengths.
The way it is written shows different stories in time and is so powerful , it is a grat book allie and adien are great together , hope she can get a control of her strengths.
March 11, 2021
Strength
This has been a good read. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it. I don't tell what is in the books I read that is for you to read and find out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Off to book two.
This has been a good read. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it. I don't tell what is in the books I read that is for you to read and find out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Off to book two.
October 23, 2021
second half made the book
I think it had a slow start. Isn’t really captivating. You “read” the story not “live” it. That is until about halfway. Then it ends on a cliffhanger. Uh. But I think it’s worth giving book two a try.
I think it had a slow start. Isn’t really captivating. You “read” the story not “live” it. That is until about halfway. Then it ends on a cliffhanger. Uh. But I think it’s worth giving book two a try.
October 29, 2021
I like the story here, but the writing was so disjointed that I found myself lost, and it's tedious to have to stop reading and figure out what's going on - especially in an adventure story. I won't be reading the next book.
June 11, 2022
awesome book
Want a great book to read then you better grab this one. It’s characters are just so great and storyline keeps you on your toes. You got a fan, gotta read more. Catha Watkins Reese
Want a great book to read then you better grab this one. It’s characters are just so great and storyline keeps you on your toes. You got a fan, gotta read more. Catha Watkins Reese
June 23, 2022
Absolutely Fantastic. This book is great to read first before the series. It gives just the right amount of back story to keep you invested in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2023
Fantastic Read
This book is Phenomenal and worth the read ! Immortals living their lives mortals makes the plot deeper into the lives of Adien, Lex, and Vince. I personally challenge anyone and everyone to read this book. Its a great read!
This book is Phenomenal and worth the read ! Immortals living their lives mortals makes the plot deeper into the lives of Adien, Lex, and Vince. I personally challenge anyone and everyone to read this book. Its a great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews