Review: Forever Young Jeff Erno
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 14, 2014
“Forever young we are born to run. Forever love and fun until the morning sun… Forever together… Forever” ~ Initial DWe all want our first love to last forever, yet, realistically, we know it probably won't. Circumstances change; people change; and life goes on. For Robbie of 'Forever Young' by Jeff Erno, his first love, Cole, brings along with it many firsts. Robbie has always worked hard and studied hard, but has no social life. In fact, Robbie is not truly living, he's existing, hiding behind his anonymity, with his music being his only outlet. That changes when he meets Cole. His life with Cole is fraught with passion, but also with danger. Unless Cole can restrain himself, it may be over before it has even gotten a good start.When Robbie meets Cole, he's amazed that a cool guy like him would pay attention to someone as boring as Robbie. All of his life, Robbie has tried to be as invisible as possible; shy and retiring, people constantly underestimate the person beneath the gentle faade, mistaking Robbie's kindness for weakness. Cole's interest in him makes Robbie rethink his attitude; he finds the confidence to speak up for himself, causing others to see him in a different light. This newfound self-assurance gives Robbie the push he needs to show his true colors. He impresses Cole with his understanding and loyalty which enables them to stick together through obstacles that would normally tear a couple apart. Cole is everything to Robbie and he will do anything to stay by his side.Cole is overwhelmed when he sees Robbie. He's convinced, right away, that this gentle, kind boy is someone he wants to get to know and possibly someone he could love. Cole sees Robbie for so much more than he sees himself and encourages him to be more self-expressive. Cole hates to lie to Robbie, but fears that the truth, that he's a one hundred and sixty-seven year old vampire in a seventeen-year-old body, may cause him to run screaming in the opposite direction. When Robbie learns the truth, he's certainly surprised, but is so in love with Cole that he immediately searches for a way to justify his fear and still find a way to stay with him. Cole shouldn't be afraid though, because he and Robbie are now so intimately bound that nothing can tear them apart.Although this is a Young Adult book, it's certainly not a light read. This is a teenage love story with vampires and werewolves, but it's quite different than some other vampire love stories I've read. Jeff's writing is much better and the story is by no means silly or trite. He takes his subject very seriously. I especially like the way he provides clues by tying his characters together. It's a dark, sometimes frightening story about two boys from very different backgrounds, trying to find their way in a hostile environment, while fighting off deadly enemies on all sides. It also addresses the issue of blind prejudice between the various groups involved, i.e., humans, vampires, day walkers, and Matarians, the message being that there are always exceptions and these need to be taken into consideration in any situation.I'd recommend this book to both young people and adults because, besides being entertaining, there are life lessons to be found hidden within the fantasy of the story. Thanks, Jeff, for an exhilarating read.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.