Destiny Gift
Everlast Series, #1
by Juliana Haygert
Publisher: Self-Published (April 9, 2013)
Genre: Paranormal, Dystopia, Paranormal Romance, New Adult
Format: eBook (268 pages)
Source: Blog Tour
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)
Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness.
A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.
To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.
At A Glance
I loved the concept but the beginning was slow and the ending was frustrating.
The Good
What drew me into Destiny Gift was the concept. I love me some gods and demons. This book started out like an intriguing dystopian with a livable but scary New York. The world is in constant darkness and huge bats like to tear people walking on the streets to shreds. Yeah, not fun. I loved how much depth this story had as it went on. Destiny Gift was crazier and more intricate than I expected. There is a lot of potential for the series, that’s for sure.
I found each character to be flawed but likable. I love how Nadine struggles with her visions and the idea that she may be going insane. The love for her family was really heartfelt. She does everything with them in mind. I really felt for her when her Victor from her visions isn’t at all the reality of Victor in real life. I could feel her sadness at losing the man she might have loved to someone who was a stranger. She also gains a lot of strength near the end. I was so proud of her perseverance when faced with her enemies. I would love to see Nadine’s confident side in the future.
Victor frustrated me so much, but in a good way. He is so different from his vision counterpart. He’s surly and rude. You can tell life has not been kind to him. But he easily grows on you. By the end, I was proud of his decisions. Micah was all charm and mystery. I felt like no one could ever really trust him but his constant smile and flirting made it easy to fall for him a little. He actually interests me more than Victor. Their quest with Nadine made for some great entertainment.
The world in Destiny Gift was dark and violent. No one can be trusted because no one is who they say they are. I felt for Nadine as her world crumbled around her over and over again. I think Haygert really let the emotion of each character shine through in her writing. I am very interested in book 2 of the series.
The Bad
The beginning was really slow. I felt like it took forever to get to the point of the story. The ending was disappointing. It literally stopped in the middle of the story.
I one hundred percent knew all the twists and secrets of this book. It wasn’t difficult to figure out. I wish there were more unpredictable surprises waiting for me but there wasn’t.
The Snuggly
As for the romance, expect a love triangle. It wasn’t too bad. I liked the extreme differences between Micah and Victor. And Nadine’s confusion and interest in both of them actually made sense. There is no sex, only some kissing, very YA-ish instead of New Adult.
Final Thoughts
Though I hope to get my hands on book 2, I am still a little conflicted by some of Destiny Gift. I didn’t like being left hanging by the ending at all. But the characters made it worth the read. Hopefully there is more satisfaction in the rest of the series. Recommended overall.
“Wait,” he called out.
My pulse quickened, and I turned to him.
“Can I have your hand?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
He laughed–a delicious sound. “No, not like that.” He ambled up to me, his sly grin adorning his flawless face. “I want to hold your hand.” He extended his hand, and I scowled at it. “Just for one second. Please.”
His cryptic black eyes pleaded in a way I couldn’t resist. I gave my hand to him and , as our skin met, the same cold shock from the other night stung me. My gaze flew to Micah’s face. He stood still with his eyes closed and both hands over mine, then took a deep, soothing breath. I battled the urge to yelp and pull back after I saw his intensity.
Author Bio
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
Giselle
Wow I love the sounds of this dark and crazy world and I love a NYC setting! I also like how you describe Micah and Victor I think I could really enjoy this book! Glad you liked it even with the beginning and end not agreeing with you! 🙂 Fab review, Jennifer!
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks Giselle. I haven’t read a book set in New York in a long time. It was fun.
Ashley
I love me some gods and demons too! The plot and world building sound really interesting. Sucks that the beginning and end were kind of meh though. 🙁 I guess this is a series, but each individual book should be contained and well wrapped up.. instead of stopping halfway through! Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
I agree. I get it being a series so you can leave things unanswered and stuff, but to read all that story and get stopped like that, so disappointed.
Meghan
Yes! NA is awesome. I loved Walking Disaster and Easy which are both NA.
Thanks for the giveaway!
mestith at gmail dot com
Jennifer Bielman
I loved both those books too. 🙂
Brandi Kosiner
Great to hear it had depth behind the great concept. The visions of someone in her life is really cool.
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Jennifer Bielman
I loved the visions. They were the best part of the book.
Annah Schoonover
I don’t know that I’ve read something specifically listed as NA. I read a lot of YA with erotic or R rated kind of things in them, so maybe they should be rated NA?
Jennifer Bielman
that does sound like NA
Kbaby81
Yes, I’ve read NA. I read a lot of YA but NA is becoming my fav. My favorite NA I’ve read this year is The Elite by Coey Cain. I love that It’s not filtered like YA is when adult situations arise. It’s not graphic in detail, but it’s enough to know It’s for adults.
Jennifer Bielman
NA is my new fav. I always felt YA was a little to immature for me.
Sarah Elizabeth
I like NA, I don’t like frustrating endings though! Hope the second book clears things up!
Jennifer Bielman
I hope so too. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I got all excited when I saw this was a new adult dystopian but alas your review has me thinking this isn’t for me, thanks for your honest thoughts Jennifer!
Jennifer Bielman
That’s too bad but I understand. it was good and I enjoedy most of it but some people will find it lacking, that’s for sure.
Bobbi Kinion
I read so many different types of books but not sure if they are NA. From all the other comments I am sure I have. I really like how they are more descriptive than YA is.
Jennifer Bielman
NA is definitely booming.
Synchronized Reading
I’ve not heard of this before, but it sounds like it had some good potential. I really dislike when books are way to predictable. It takes the fun away from the story of trying to figure things out, but not being able to. Great review!
Janina @ Synchonized Reading
Jennifer Bielman
It is very obviously predictable. Which sucked. But I still have fun.
BookLady
I have not read any NA yet, but it sounds very interesting. I think it will fill an important niche between YA and adult. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
Jennifer Bielman
I so agree. We need NA bad, and I didn’t even know it until it started coming out.
Samantha Knight
I have not, but would like to!
June M.
I have read some NA and like that it is more grown up and realistic than most YA stories 🙂
Shadow
Im not sure that i have read NA. Ive actually have never heard of NA. Tho, ive never really payed attention when reading a book. lol Yours sounds awesome!! I love the setting and the sound of it! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Preston
Like so many others here, I’m not sure if what I’ve read has been NA or not. Could be!!
Cassandra Loskot
I’m sure I have, but I don’t usually pay attention to whether it is adult, NA, or YA. I just want to read things that look interesting to me. Age range doesn’t phase me, I look at books for me and things that are appropriate for my freshman high school students so we can connect better 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
That’s awesome. 🙂
Jaclyn Canada
This review has quite a bit in it. The characters to me are the most important part of a story and they appeared to be a great part of the story to you. I do get very frustrated by endings like the one you mentioned, as a matter of fact I am writing a review for one just like it right now, but that book as well as this one was enjoyable to me too. It makes it hard because you want to like the book more but you can’t because of how it ended. Excellent review 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
I know. Bad endings can get one or two stars subtracted from me even if the story was good. Because the ending is SOOOO important.