Review: Can these siblings change their destinies?
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2014
In this contemporary YA paranormal romance Ariana and Logan Ragsdale are orphaned siblings who happen to have mind-control powers. Logan is 18 and Ariana is 16, both born on All Saints Day, two years apart. Their parents died in an house fire 8 years ago, and their aunt and uncle, who had been guardians, were killed in an auto wreck two years ago. After bouncing to a couple foster homes and finding those caregivers being strangely injured, Logan "convinces" the Illinois State Foster system to let them live alone...When we begin the story, Logan and Ariana are staying under the radar of the authorities. Ariana has a BFF, Becca, but they mostly keep to themselves--out of fear that any people close to them are targets for the tragedy that seems to follow them.Of course, they are teens, so it's impossible not to notice the two new students in their small high school. Ben is in Ariana's art class, and interested in dating her. Strangely, he is immune to Ariana's mind-control. Likewise, Logan meets Kira in Foods class. The attraction simmers, and yes, she can resist Logan's mind powers.Starting fledgeling relationships is foreign, but exciting. Still, they are wary due to the lack of effect of their powers on their potential beaux. Especially so when Kira begins to reveal more of her history to Logan. She's been 16--for a real long time...and most of that was spent in agony. Seducing Logan to her purpose will satisfy the requirements of her boss, but could mean the end of civilization.Not as though these kids didn't suspect foul play in the deaths of their caregivers, but who's really ready to accept celestial explanations? Surely not Logan. He thinks Kira's off her nut, and rightly so. A little physical demonstration promptly makes him a believer, however.And Ben? He's on the other side of this equation. He's anxious to get Ariana to join his team, even if doing so condemns Logan to a fiery fate.With new knowledge behind the sinister plot that isolated Ariana and Logan from anyone who could help them, they must choose who to trust. According to a prophesy, a war is coming between the Blessed and the Fallen, and the winner will be decided when Ariana, or Logan, chooses a side to assist.In either case, accepting their destinies means they will lose each other. Or, not. See, Ariana and Logan are determined to beat the Blessed and Fallen at their own games--and set themselves free of this cataclysmic prophesy.Not that they go about it right. Outsmarting beings that can read your mind is pretty tough, after all. Escape Plan A soon devolves into Survival Plan C.2 when one of their guides changes teams mid-game and the casualties are dear.It's a wild chase with pretty steady tension throughout as Ariana and Logan search for the answers that will divert their fate. The end is tied up, but leaves room for a sequel. It's an innocent read and suitable for lovers of paranormal YA fiction.