Tori's Review: Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood

Paperback - 352 pages
Price: $6.99
ISBN 13: 978-0451226174
Released: February 3, 2009

Sharon's Website
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Obtained: Bought
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Dark Forgotten 
1. Ravenous
2. Scorched
3. Unchained (book review) 
4. Frostbound (book review) 

Vampires, Werewolves, and other creatures have emerged from the shadows. And some of them have sinister THINGS on their minds...

Holly Carver is a witch who sometimes relies on the help of Alessandro Caravelli for her family’s preternatural investigations business. Alessandro is the oldest and strongest vampire in Fairview—and he’s made no secret of his desire for Holly. But while she aches to succumb to his suggestive wiles, she knows it would be an invitation to trouble.

Then Alessandro’s queen, Omara, complicates matters when she turns up in Fairview to enlist his help. Sultry and manipulative, she is jealous of Alessandro’s feelings for Holly, and demands he use Holly to trap Geneva—the most evil demon of all.

My Rating:

This book has received the Faerie of Honor rating (what's this?)

My Opinion:
I love this book--in fact, I want to go back and re-read it ALREADY because I loved Holly and Alessandro so much!  It's taken me a few weeks to write this review because initially, I wasn't planning on doing so.  But then I realized, if I loved this book so much, why not spread the word?

So this is me spreading the word.  (And plus, I'm posting my review of Unchained up tomorrow, so you can get a double whammy of the Carver sisters this way.)

Holly is a witch who can hold her own.  Her character is so rich and appealing that I couldn't help but adore her from the start.  This is the second time it's happened, everyone.  I have a tendency, as I've stated before, of detesting the heroines in the first book of a new paranormal romance.  Sharon Ashwood has successfully done what only Larissa Ione has been able to do, and I think I love Ashwood for it.  I love Holly, that's for sure!

Alessandro is an Italian vampire.  I thought he was mysterious and oh-so sexy.  He was heroic, and I respected him for resisting his urges as much as he did.  It's always amazing when an author can capture the essence of the predator--ie: the vampire--in a paranormal book, while also managing to include some humor in the process.  Sharon succeeded with Alessandro.  I love him too!

The plot was rich and developed beautifully.  I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this, however, I don't want to discuss the plot too much... because I feel like I'm going to spoil it if I start talking now.  Let's just leave it at: it kept me glued from the first page all the way to the very last.

I'm still recovering from my reviewing slump, but Ravenous saved me from drowning from my reading slump.  It's refreshing knowing that this was Ashwood's debut book.  And, I can guarantee you that the series (or at least book 3) is even better.  Read it.  You won't regret it.  I promise!