Review: An epic story of  romance and science fiction that is out of this world.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2013
I knew I was going over the cliff. I couldn't save myself. I knew I would not survive.The lights woke me. Am I in heaven?~~~~~~~~~~~~"There are many things that are possible, if you only believe."A beautiful cover that quickly drew me into Maddie's story of love, romance, tragedy and SURVIVAL.All I have to see is serial killer and I will pick up the book. I knew this was going to be so much more than that. I couldn't see how it would get to the sci-fi part, but Anne Hargrove's writing made the story flow smoothly and seem so real, that I couldn't put the book down.If there are aliens, they would have to be so much more advanced than us. Who is to say what is out there. The Universe is a large place. Why are we so arrogant to think we are the only ones?I can't begin to describe the brutality of the attack on Maddie and the subsequent torture. Her strength and determination are qualities to be admired and Anne does a fantastic job in describing the scenes in detail.  I can only think that it was her will to live that kept her alive long enough for a chance  encounter to save her.I know the answer to the mystery of her rescuer is coming and I am very curious.I was so involved in the story, I couldn't take the time to make notes.As I try to put myself in her place, I can't help but hope I would respond as well as she did.Vesturions: "We are the peacekeepers of the universe, not the destroyers."To understand how the Vesturions fall in love so quickly, I must explain. Vesturions bond to their soul-mate and it is for life. It is a physical thing and it consumes them. They  have a high regard and reverence for their mate. To a human it would seem they are overly possessive and that could cause many problems. I chuckle as I think about the things in store for a man of Vesturon who dares to fall in love with a human, especially one as strong and independent as Maddie.A M Hargrove's description of Maddie dancing made me think of Elaine on Friends. I could picture it in my mind as I laughed. The book contains a lot of humor and it is woven into the story so well it seems as if I am a part of it, laughing along with the characters.Maddie tries to explain our sayings and slang to the Vesturions:animal that ate the bird - cat that swallowed the canarycow in a glass store - bull in  a china shopfeel like we are heading into the wolves - being fed to the wolvesWhen I got to the last page, the last paragraph, the last sentence, the last word, I couldn't stop. This book has an awesome cliffhanger. I HAD to know what would happen. So I grabbed the next book and jumped right in. And the next book.I would like to thank Anne Hargrove for the giveaway that brought Survival and the Guardians of Vesturon to me!Survival, a YA paranormal romance (Book 1 of The Guardians of Vesturon Series)