Release Date: 20th December, 2011Publisher: Walker Books
Pages:289pgs
The Story
The Drakes and friends will be tested when an infestation of deadly vampires threatens Violet Hill.
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town.
But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But when she is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Christabel must cause more and more trouble in Violet Hill, Lucy and Connor finally fill Christabel in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.
The Review
BLEEDING HEARTS is the fourth installment of the Drake Chronicles. For everyone who knows me and my many different book tastes, I really enjoy this series because the author, Alyxandra Harvey, always offers a fun writing style and portrays the almost-realistic characters into a very intriguing paranormal storyline, ones that will always continue to entertain and surprise me!
Before I get into detail, please note if you haven't read the other books in the series you will probably will not understand the next part. But anway . . . Unlike the other three books in this young adult series, this time round the story revolves around brother number four, Connor, the geeky twin brother to Quinn (as seen in the previous books), whom changed his ways in book three. Probably out of all the brothers in the series, I would totally date and fall in love with Connor for the following reasons: 1) He's a geek, 2) He's a computer genius like me (at least I would like to think so hehe), 3) He quotes Star Wars often and I absolutely love him for it, and finally 4) He kicks major butt whenever possible. What can I say. . . except that he's definitely my kind of guy. Another character introduced to readers is a girl named Christabel. It's easy to connect with her character and with her bookacholic ways (yes we share that in common), however she was also the hardest character to connect with when it came to her personality traits and I don't know why exactly I couldn't like her as much . . . but ah well. It happens. On the plus side of her character, her head is forever stuck in a book (sounds familiar right?) and I could see how easy it was for her and Connor to become attracted to one another as they are very much alike, which was really good to read about. So a major plus on Harvey's side.
Since it's a short book, I won't give anything away. But with some interesting and unpredictable things happening throughout the novel, fans of the Drake Chronicles series will definitely enjoy this fourth installment. While it wasn't necessarily a favourite book of mine compared to the other three previous books, however I still can't wait to see what else Alyxandra Harvey brings up onto the table. I'm sure it will be awesome!
The Rating
3/5 stars
I have not started this series, and so you were right. I didn't really understand :P. But I'm definitely intrigued enough to want to read the first one now! I own books 1-3, so I'll try to get round to them soon. And Connor sounds great (yay for Star Wars!). Fab review :).
ReplyDeleteYeah even though each book is a different story, but it's best to start from the beginning to understand it. Connor especially was a great favourite of mine!
DeleteI gave it three stars as well. I think I'd have given four, but the cliffhanger really made me angry. Who ends books with cliffhangers anymore. Especially in a series that has such a strong, established fan base? It really made no sense.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I do appreciate that we returned to Lucy's POV. I just love her.
Awesome review.
Maja @ The Nocturnal Library
Lucy was a cool girl. Yeah I hate cliffhangers too! Grrrr! :)
DeleteI've heard a lot of great things about Alyxandra Harvey as an author, and I've read her book Haunting Violet and enjoyed it, so I should probably get on reading this series. I think I have a copy of the first one on my Nook...
ReplyDeleteI love Harvey and I too really enjoyed Haunting Violet. I definitely recommend getting the first book . . . worth the read!
DeleteWOW! Book 4 of the Drake Chronicles is already out? But I just got book one last week. *sighs* I'll possibly never catch up with all the series I hope to watch.
ReplyDeleteYup it's out. They're quick reads so you'll catch up in no time.
DeleteWaity wait.... so this series followers a different brother each book? And they're ALL totally date-worthy? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER, ERIN?? Now I REALLY need to read this series haha. I have a copy of Bleeding Hearts, so clearly the universe is telling me to get the first three books already.
ReplyDeleteFantabulous review!! <3
Haha. I'm remember to tell you next time. Just can't seem to keep up with all these boys! Definitely get cracking with the books! Worth the read!
DeleteI really enjoy the Drake Chronicles. Each book is fun and quirky and filled with yummy, sexy vamp boys. I admit I didn't live this one as I did the previous ones as I felt it didn't focus on Christabell and Connor as much as I'd have liked but I did still love it. Lucy and Nick still remain my faves so I totally ate up all their scenes. How cute was it when they shared their feelings? And that ending! *gasp* I need the next book as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review Erin!! I hope you've convinced Brodie to read these books <3
Gotta love those handsome vamp boys! Love Lucy and Nick too! But yeah, I get what you mean. Wished there was more development with Christabell/Connor but still a nice addition to the series. The ending was a shocker, right? Thanks for stopping by Rachel! :) I hope I've convinced Brodie too. haha.
DeleteOh, definitely! Lucy and Nicky are still my faves, but i admit i had a thing for Connor in this one. I I'm eager to see what Harvey does next after that ending. LOL. I'm always stopping buy ;)
DeleteOh Connor . . . now he had a spot soft in my heart. LOL.
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