Everyone has a past, but for most it isn’t as long ago as Seth Sangre. His past is literally thousands of years ago. Seth’s life led him to the present seeking something that might help him save his country from destruction. He has been in the present for over three years now and just found exactly what he has been looking for.
Mari had dreams that college will be a fresh start, one where she would start over and not fall for the good looking player like high school. Unfortunately for her, that’s exactly what ends up falling into her lap on the first day she moves into the dorms. Now she has to hold to her promise to herself and not fall for the handsome Seth. But he doesn’t plan to make it easy for her. Seth has already marked her as his next conquest. As the semester progresses, Mari learns that Seth might just have a life of his own that’s actually from the past. Suddenly Mari finds her future along with her past put into question. She’s connected to Seth far more than she ever wanted to be and maybe the player isn’t who she thought he was. If Mari can trust her heart enough to follow him, Seth will lead Mari on an adventure of a lifetime and reveal family secrets she never knew existed
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When I requested to review Carnelian, I remember thinking "What the hell, this book isn't going to kill you."
Boy was I wrong.
The main thing that really made this book for me was Mari. She is one of the most realistic and relatable characters I've read about. Ever.
She's nerdy and introverted, but stands her ground when needed. She isn't a pushover but she still gives people chances, and doesn't pick fights wherever she goes. I loved how she was really weary of Seth due to his reputation. She didn't go all bitchy on him, but she did give him a firm 'no', at first that is. She was also able to keep up her friendship with his brother Ty without causing drama even though he's single, hot and straight (at least I think he is).
But the thing is, she seemed too perfect. She knew how to play basketball, football, and she used to be on her school's track and swim team. That's a bit of an overkill, but all in all I loved her.
Our main man Seth was just dreamy. Even though at the beginning I was as weary of him as Mari, I warmed up to him as the story progressed. Sometimes I thought he needed to grow a bit of a backbone when a certain ex kept coming onto him, but his devotion to Mari was definitely swoon worthy.
Ty is a characters I didn't think would be one of my favorites, but after helping Mari out with a lot of things I couldn't help but fall for him too.
I loved how the story progressed. I felt like the pieces of this story fit together great; and the pacing was pretty good too. There were also many settings, which I didn't know I would love until I read about them and felt like I was completely sucked into the book's world.
The ending had me sighing in relief, but then I read an excerpt from the second book and I just wanted to die. I honestly can't wait for the second book to come out. I have to know what happens next!
