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Thursday 18 July 2013

Indie Book of the Week #6 - Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert

Destiny Gift (Everlast, #1)

Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness. 

A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.

To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.

This week I’ve picked Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert, a new adult paranormal novel set in a future New York in the midst of a world crisis. The world has been plunged into permanent darkness and crime and natural disasters are rampant.

Nadine is suffering from strange hallucinations, which come without warning. Up until now they’ve mainly been of a guy called Victor, who she has come to know as a close friend and is secretly in love with. But now she’s seeing strange gods and goddesses, and her visions are starting to overlap with the waking world. However, when she finally meets Victor in real life, she is stunned to find that he doesn’t know her at all. Meanwhile, thanks to a mysterious guy named Michel, she learns that she apparently has the ability to heal pain at a touch. she, Victor and Michel are part of something bigger than they know

This is a fast-paced read with an intriguing twist on mythology and supernatural powers. I love the idea of a future world in complete darkness, with twisted bat-creatures roaming the streets – whatever that says about me! I really like the way the gods and mythology tie into what’s happening in the world.

I did think Nadine needs be a bit more pro-active, and she seems to let the others just use her healing powers without protesting, but she’s a relatable protagonist. The plot is superb, with some great twists I never saw coming!

This is a great example of new adult paranormal with post-apocalyptic elements. It’s fast-paced, well-written, and the approach to mythology is unique. Great stuff!

Rating: ****

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