Review: Intriguing Series Starter But a Bit Lacking in Character Development
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 21, 2013
Into the already crowded world of vampire fiction comes this series starter from Celeste Carrara.  Give Me Forever starts out at a feverish pace and never slows down until the rather disappointing cliffhanger ending.  It's told from the perspective of Serena as we travel with her through her transition into the vampire world through her training and battles to do her father's bidding, as well as LOTS of sexual encounters that threaten to overwhelm the story.  From battle scenes to bedroom scenes the action is vividly depicted though which helps in pulling you into the story.  I just wish the author had spent more time with worldbuilding and clearly defining who/what these vampires are.  How/why the transitions occur and their abilities are just touched on.  We learn very late in the story that there are other paranormal creatures residing here as well but it too is just touched on but is something I hope will enter into any future stories in this series.My biggest wish is that Serena were a more likable heroine.  There were times where she left me frustrated with her constant thoughts of sex.  I also felt she was a bit childish in her need to please her father.  It comes from a lifetime of dealing with his cold demeanor where he showed affection through material goods, but his actions have now left her a bit spoiled too as her actions throughout the story show.  I had hoped that her transition would've made her not only physically stronger but mentally as well, but alas it didn't.  Their father-daughter relationship is sad to witness, and though it becomes less strained by the story's conclusion, it's far from satisfactory.  To make up for a lack of love from her father she finds affection elsewhere.  First is a few fellow vampires, then comes the human Nick who is sexy and sweetly natured.  He'd do anything to make her happy.  He's a good guy but a bit bland when compared to the next man in line, Alex, who's her father's assassin-for-hire.  Alex is sexy though very similar to her father in that he has a tendency to be overbearing.  He also happens to be her soul mate so their instant attraction is understandable.  From her first vampire lovers to Nick to Alex though the sex is hot!  Ms. Carrara knows how to write a steamy scene that is immensely satisfying which is a good thing since these scenes occur frequently.  This story definitely lives up to the label of erotica!On a whole though this is a story that had great potential but fell a bit short.  The story's pace was too quick so it left the worldbuilding and deep character development short.  The sexual interludes were steamy and satisfying yet took over the story with their frequency.  Ms. Carrara has created a series starter that while flawed still intrigues me with its possibilities.  Give Me Forever was an okay start, but I look forward to where Ms. Carrara will take this series in subsequent installments.