Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Source: Received for review

Publication date: September 7, 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Description from Goodreads.com: The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.

This book sounded awesome when I read the book blurb and I was so excited when I was able to review it.  When all is said and done I am feeling ambivalent about this book.  It feels like it has the potential to be a great series but I just wasn’t loving it.

What worked?

I liked the setup in a world that like in the Sookie Stackhouse series (or the True Blood TV series) vampires have gone public but instead of co-existing somewhat peacefully with humans they are basically at war.  Jenn’s teammate Skye is a witch who is hiding a secret of her own and that sub-plot intrigued me and left me wanting to find out what is going to happen.  Another team member, Jamie, despises vampires and werewolves but is forced to fight side by side with both.  He wants to kill both team members but will he?  Or will he overcome his hatred?

What didn’t work?

Jenn.  I know Jenn was supposed to come off as self-conscious and possessing low self-esteem but I think it was taken too far and I started nodding my head that yes, she does seem pretty worthless to the team.  She did not seem to experience any growth to show that she was growing in self-confidence and was really a useful part of the team.  I am really hoping we see her evolve more in the next book otherwise I might have a hard time sticking with the series.

Antonio.  He’s your brooding, conscious ridden vampire who loves Jenn but is afraid to hurt her.  Should he stay or should he go?  Honestly, I did not really care one way or another.

I will definitely pick up the next book to see what happens but Jenn and Antonio really need to step it up.

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