Haven by Kristi Cook

Release Date:February 22, 2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 416

Source: Library

Buy the Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future. But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven. Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first

One Word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Absolutely fantastic. I devoured this book. As soon as I started reading, I knew there was no way I could do anything else until I finished it. This was one of those rare books where I stayed up all night to finish it  I was really surprised when we find out the truth about Aiden. Not what I expected but it wasn't a bad thing either.

I loved the characters in this book, totally believable. Main characters as well as the supporting characters felt like people I could relate to. Violet is a strong and beautiful girl. She's new to the school but took everything she learns in stride. And we meet Aiden, dark and mysterious and not interested any of the girls at the school, until Violet comes along. Swoon. He definitely seems like the type of guy I would have a crush on if he went to my school. Not only is he smoking hot, but he loves Violet and puts he's life at risk for her.

The twists in the book had my hurt lurching and my hand flipping the pages as fast as I could. Not only did the suspense make me read faster but it helped she the book into a great story.

I feel that Haven has many things in common with Hex Hall by  Rachel Hawkins, which I enjoyed reading very much. New school, magical powers and hot mysterious boy. If this is what you like, then Haven is a must read.

2011 Book Challenges

As you can see from the title of this post, I have decided to join some book challenges! YAY!

This includes:

The E-Book Reading Challenge

hosted at The Ladybug Reads...

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

-Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.
- Possessed – Read 50 e-books.
- Fanatical – Read 75 e-books.
- Monomaniacal – Read 100 e-books
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

Im aiming for obsessed in this challenge. Last year I read about 25 books on my Nook, I think I can do it again this year.

And ...

The 2011 Debut Author challenge Hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Challengers are asked to pick and read 12 YA or MG first edition books released between January 1, 2011-December 31, 2011. 

My list is as follows:

The Water Wars – Cameron Stracher
Choker – Elizabeth Woods
Kristi Cook – Haven
Paige Harbison – Here Lies Bridget
Jana Oliver – The Demon Trapper’s Daughter
I Am J – Cris Beam
Those That Wake – Jesse Karp
Between Shades of Gray – Ruta Sepetys
Awaken – Katie Kacvinsky
Dark Parties – Sara Grant

XVI by Julia Karr
Timeless – Alexandra Monir
Across the Universe – Beth Revis
A Touch Mortal – Leah Clifford
The Iron Witch – Karen Mahoney
Entwined – Heather Dixon
Clarity – Kim Harrington
Falling Under – Gwen Hayes
Tessa Gratton – Blood Magic
Future Imperfect – K. Ryer Breese
Starcrossed – Josephine Angelini
Girl Wonder – Alexa Martin
Hourglass – Myra McEntire
Divergent – Veronica Roth
Hereafter – Tara Hudson
Possession – Elana Johnson
Ashes, Ashes – Jo Treggiari
Wildefire – Karsten Knight