Hearts at Stake
by Alyxandra Harvey
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Publisher: Walker Book
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Source: Publisher
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.
Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.
A great book for vampire fans looking for a fun, fast and entertaining read. I'd even recommend this for non vampire fans. This was just a feel good, make you laugh, can't stop turning the pages... awesome book.
Hearts as Stake is told in alternating perspectives. Solange, the vampire, and Lucy, her best friend. Lucy is not a vampire, but her parents are aware of and close friends with the vampire family, which is something different then the norm. Usually in vampire literature, it's all about secrecy! I really liked the alternating perspectives. I have to admit I was more interesting in reading about Lucy and her love interest, than Solange.
The "mythology" was really interesting. There are vampires that are "born" like Solange, who change when the hit sixteen, they can be "made" too. And there is a variety of different clans, even one that posses blue tinged skin. Plus you can't forget the bad guys, the Helios-Ra that are trained to kill vampires.
Hearts at Stake had such an interesting family dynamic. I loved Solange's mom and her kick ass attitude, and just her overall... kicking ass all the time!
The story was excellent. The plot was fast paced and engaging and the characters were fun. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!