Book Review: Dark Seraphine by KaSonndra Leigh

Dark Seraphine
Seraphine Trilogy #1
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Released: October 16th 2012
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) "Mom always says the angels walk among us. She forgot to tell me that sometimes they're not all fluffy and nice."

Seventeen-year-old Caleb Wood has seen people he calls the walkers since he was a baby. It didn't take long for him to realize something…no one can see these strangers but him. They never stuck around or tried to touch him. And they never said a word. That was until one day on the first day of class in his senior year when an incredibly gorgeous girl strolls into his life…and things are never the same again.

Soon Caleb realizes he has stepped into the middle of a growing conflict between two ancient groups. And his ability to see the invisible ones, the half-breeds that want to modify the human race, just might be the only hope both he and the mysterious, but infuriating, Gia, have of making it out alive.

The small town of New Bern, North Carolina is the setting for this very entertaining book. The story is written from 17 year old Caleb Woods point of view which I found insightful and sometimes hilarious. As a child Caleb is in a near drowning incident in the ocean near his home. The incomplete memories of how he managed to survive center around the vision of a girl. She still haunts his dreams but the answers to the mystery of what happened to him stay just outside of his grasp when he is awake. But, ever since that event, what he does see when he is awake is Walkers. Ghosts or people or angels that only he sees yet never interacts with.

Now Caleb is 17 and starting his senior year in high school. The first day of school he sees a Walker. Only this girl is gorgeous and has Caleb responding like a normal teenage boy and much to his shock and surprise she speaks to him. She stirs something in him and no matter how much he tries to the contrary he is drawn to her. As Caleb, a self proclaimed ladies man, strives for normality things around him just keep getting stranger and he is becoming more interested in finding out the secrets of this new Walker that goes by the name Gia. How and why is she interacting with everyone at school like a normal student. Why does she play hot and cold with him. And who are the hostile repulsive walkers that seem to get bolder each day. To complicate matters even more, Erica, a gorgeous cheerleader, is also interested in him. Now Erica can grab the attention of any red blooded teenage boy, including his best friend Kyle, who just doesn't get why Caleb is not jumping at the chance to go out with her. But in the real world if a guys not interested in a girl its kinda like cat nip, and Erica has left her ex boyfriend and has her sights set on Caleb.

Caleb also struggles with his relationship with his dad. His father is never around, he is the opposite of supportive and basically acts like he can't be bothered. Caleb just can't understand why his father is a constant no show but figures out that the reason may be connected to a secret that his mother doesn't want him to know about. A second near drowning incident while surfing seems to bring his fathers indifference and his mothers secrets closer to the surface.

As other Walkers and Dark Ones make themselves known to Caleb it becomes clear that he is somehow not only caught in the middle of an epic battle between to good and evil, but may be a key player in the outcome. Now Caleb must try to protect friends and family from harm and save Gia at the same time. As the battle progresses and in part is won, secrets are revealed. The twist of just who is the Dark Seraphine will shock you and have you anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed KaSonndra Leigh's ability to come at this story from a teenage boys point of view. I am the mom of four boys and some of Caleb's inner thoughts were hilarious and had me laughing out loud. I also had the thought that it was great insight for a teenage girl to see what goes on in the very uncomplicated boy brain! The pacing of the book worked well for me and the story line was definitely unique. All in all a good, quick read with lots of intrigue and action. Sexuality is referenced but is still young adult friendly. Looking forward to the next book.