Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 374pgs

The Story

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone - without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye's psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye's powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye . . . just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray's New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

The Review

Like what most readers have done by now, I too have read the author's entire Evernight YA series and while it wasn't a particularly favourite series of mine nor memorable one at that, but I was still very pleased to know there would a companion book taking place after the events of the series and one that would feature my only favourite Evernight character, Balthazar, whom was just as dreamy and mysteriously perfect as I remembered him. Only he was so much more than I first thought he would be when it comes to this book alone.

To be honest with you all here, I firmly believe that Claudia Gray's new spin-off book BALTHAZAR will definitely NOT disappoint any Balthazar fans out there. It certainly didn't disappoint me. At first I was a little bit nervous when I came into this book since I wasn't an Evernight fan from the beginning and I was really wary about our Balty having a new love interest in the works, that being with the newly introduced character Skye Tierney, whom I didn't care for from the previous series. But once we dived into the many pasts of Balthazar and actually start to learn about the kind of person he has now become and even navigating through his new adventures on the horizon - not to mention his new relationship struggles - I'm actually glad that I still decided to read this book anyway despite my worries because I enjoyed it far more than any Evernight books and it's put my faith back into the author as well.

Regarding the characters I thought Balthazar's character was just as brilliant as he was before in the Evernight series and his character has clearly developed far more in his own book - one with his name as the same title - which he clearly deserves after all he's done and been through in the past. Now like I mentioned before, Balty is one of my favourite characters and finally he gets the spotlight for a change and about time too! From what we've seen in the previous Evernight series, Balty remains to be one of the kindest, sweetest, and one of the most loyal characters there is, not to mention he totally kicks vampire butt when he wants too, adding this beautiful human quality to his character core which only increases my love for him and enabling me to connect with him instantly. He can do no wrong through my eyes . . . he honestly can't . . . really!

The only real complaint I have when it comes to this book was Skye, one of the main characters you're introduced to and the girl who soon becomes Balthazar's love interest (so to speak). I don't remember too much of her character from the Evernight series however I do remember her in some instances and let's just say she wasn't exactly a favourite of mine nor does she remains so in this book. I mean with so much happening in Skye's life that 'sometimes' gives the book the oomph that it needs but for whatever reason I just couldn't connect with her in the way I did with Balthazar. I tried to honestly but there wasn't anything great or interesting about and I never cared for her, you know? So while I can't giveaway any sort of spoilers for you today but if I had to mention anything good about Skye it would be that she was decent character to have and one who made our Balty come alive, bringing out the goodness in him, so in that respect of Skye's character I liked her for that but it still doesn't mean I actually liked, liked her which is sad but hey . . . what can you do?

Overall, BALTHAZAR is filled with many plot points, enjoyable character developments, plenty of storyline twists and turns that catch you off guard, and much more action and drama than one would expect from such a book. So if you loved the Evernight series, then you're going to love this without a doubt and probably much more which really surprised me too!

The Rating

4/5 stars