Book Review: Hearts at Stake

Hearts at Stake
Drake Chronicles #1
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Pages: 248 Paperback
Reading Level: YA
Review Source: Walker Books for Young Readers
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble  / IndieBound

Summary: (from goodreads) 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.

Even fans of the genre who’ve seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters—vampire or otherwise.

The first female born vampire is having her 16th birthday, supposing she can survive the turning from human to vampire, as well as the onslaught of the queen’s followers trying to kill her to earn the bounty placed on her head. Most of the time she comes out ahead, thanks to her protective brothers and her human best friend which will help defend and protect her to the end.

One thing that makes this book different is that is told through different perspectives using Solange’s point of view as well as her best friend, Lucy. The family dynamic is fun and engaging to make the book fun to read.

The story has romance, mystery and unexpected turns to make the story very interesting and exciting .