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???????????????????????????????What: Grasping at Eternity (The Kindrily Series #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper

Who: Starry Sky Publishing

When: May 25th 2012

How: A copy of this novel was provided by All Night Reads via Net Galley.

Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories.

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she’s supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah’s memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her.

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be.

X-MEN meets MY NAME IS MEMORY in Karen Amanda Hooper’s latest young adult release.

3cats2Have you ever felt a sense of déjà vu? Felt as if you have lived that moment before? Perhaps it’s because you’ve lived a past life, but have chosen to erase your memories, like Maryah Woodsen.

Before she chose to erase, Maryah had spent all of her previous lives with the love of her, well, lives, Nathaniel. But since she erased seventeen years ago, she has no idea who he is, or what they had together. And for Nathaniel, the idea of spending the rest of eternity alone is heartbreaking.

When Maryah has to move in with her godmother, Louise, and her family, she never knew how special she was, or how deep her connection to them really ran. When visions of a beautiful green eyed boy plague her dreams, Maryah is convinced he is her angel of death. But his true identity is eventually revealed, and Maryah feels like she’s met him before. But that’s impossible. You only live once, right?

I really liked Grasping at Eternity. When I first picked up this book, and started reading, I thought it was going to be very similar to Lauren Kate’s Fallen series, which is also about reincarnation. And boy, am I glad that Grasping at Eternity was so different to Fallen. Grasping at Eternity was completely unique. I loved it from the moment I picked it up, and read the first paragraph, and that love didn’t fade until I finished reading.

If you loved it so much, then why didn’t you give it four stars? you  may ask. Well the answer comes in two forms.

The first is that I wasn’t particularly fond of how involved the family was in each other’s business. I know they are a kindrily, and they’ve spent countless lives together, but, come on! People need their privacy. Stop telling each other what you should and shouldn’t do, and just let them make their own choices. I wasn’t a fan of the involved-ness.

The second reason is the ending. It all felt so rushed to me! I would have been perfectly content with another hundred pages, and no sudden events in the  last few chapters. I felt like everything was resolved a little to quickly for my taste, and it left me feeling as if it was a bit unbelievable.

But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute that I was reading this book. It only took me two sittings to race through it, and I immediately wanted to start Taking Back Forever. Luckily I have the publisher’s email, and I can ask for it *insert maniacal laughter here*

I am really excited to see where the story is headed, because I love the concept of the Elements, and how people can choose to retain or erase their memories at the end of each lifetime. It’s beautiful.

I really liked Maryah as a character, and I felt as if she was real to life. She didn’t cave into pressure, and she accepted her new adoptive family so easily. I felt as if she was a genuinely nice person, but without being fake, or insincere. I would like to meet her in real life; she seems like the kind of person I would get along with. The only thing that I did not like about her character was how she insisted that she was unattractive, and therefore undeserving of the attention of beautiful boys. Hey, girl, you don’t need to be a supermodel just because someone else is good looking. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and you shouldn’t be asking them if they can love you, just because you’re not drop dead gorgeous. You need some self esteem boosting!

Nathaniel. Aw, man, I sort of have mixed feelings about this boy. Sometimes, I was awash with swoony emotions, and loving him, and then the next minute, I was narrowing my eyes at him. For example, I didn’t like how he kept on going on about how empty Maryah was, and how she was not half the soul she used to be. Hang on, buddy. Sure, she hasn’t lived a billion lives like somebody, but she’s still a pretty fantastic human being if you ask me. And then other times, he would be all old-fashioned and charming, and he would have my heart again.

Not a lot of the other characters in this book really jumped out at me, except River (why you do this to me?), and the twins; faith and Harmony. I definitely liked the twins. I thought they were unique, and fun to read about.

I shall just finish off this review of mine by saying that Grasping at Eternity is not your average YA paranormal, and that Hooper brings a new twist to the concept of reincarnation. Grasping at Eternity is an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait until the next instalment!

© 2013, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

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Posted on: July 21, 2013 • By: Chiara

14 Responses to Review: Grasping at Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper

  1. heartjess says:

    Glad you liked it! I think some of the issues you have with GFE will be resolved in book two :)

    • Me, too!
      Okay, good. I am really looking forward to reading it :D
      What quote of yours did they use in the second book? :D I’ve been trying to din it, but I can’t D:

      • heartjess says:

        It’s only in the paperback version!

        “Hooper really knows how to bring a character to life. This book is just as magical, if not more, than Grasping at Eternity and will leave the reader breathless and wanting more! This series has quickly become one of my favorites.”
        ~Jessica at Such a Novel Idea

        • That is so awesome!

          I love that quote :D I am so happy, and proud of you, Jess!

          • heartjess says:

            :-D Thanks, it was pretty awesome!

            Have you started it yet? What do you think so far.

            I feel like that person that stands over your shoulder while your watching their favorite movie. Kinda like on Gilmore Girls when they get Luke to watch Pippy.

          • I haven’t started it yet, sadly. I have to read a book for a tour, and then I have to read some others that are about to expire. But after that, I am reading it :D

            Haha, totally! But I can understand. If you were reading favourite books of mine, I would constantly be asking you questions :D

            P.s. Can you share in my pain about the fact that Luke and Lorelai broke up just before their WEDDING? D:

          • heartjess says:

            Ughhh, don’t remind me. It is a heartbreak I endure twice a year when I rewatch the series. Yes, every six months. I’m an addict. I can quote some episodes in my sleep. I’m sure I have!

            And I understand about reading for tours. I had to get an app to keep a list with due dates of all the books I have to read. I’m not complaining though :)

          • I watch it pretty regularly, as well. But Dawson’s Creek is watched on a more regular basis by yours truly :) Have you ever watched it? :D But yes, heartbreaking. I just, no. You cannot do this to me! And the end didn’t even resolve it D:

            Never complain about free books :D But there are so many books I have to read, I am a little bit stressed out, haha. But I shall get through them. Even if it is harder to find time now that I am back at uni :(

          • heartjess says:

            I’ve never watched Dawson’s Creek. Isn’t that crazy!? I just had very little time in HS and there weren’t DVR’s yet, so yeah, Gilmore Girls beat out DC. That and 7th Heaven, haha. Good times.

            Oh I will never complain about books, free or not. I swear if I could get paid to read, I’d be living my life’s dream. I can’t believe I waited so long to start doing this, but I really have found my home in this blogging/reading thing!

            Get a to-do list app! Mine can be used on my phone/computer so it’s really nice. And I use Google Calendar to plan all my stuff. I have two colors: Blog Planning/Done so that I can change entries when I’ve scheduled the post. Makes like so much more organized. I just counted and with tours alone, from now until October I have 20 books to read! I’m glad I read fast! :)

          • JESS, HOW! You need to get onto that, ASAP. Whenever I watch that show, it feels like coming home. Ohmygosh, 7th Heaven! I love that show a ridiculous amount. None of my friends understand why, haha.

            I agree with you 100%. It would be a dream come true if I was paid to read and review novels, and run my blog. Sigh, if only it would happen! I’m happy that I found out about this relatively early on. I know loads of people have been book blogging for years, but I’ve only been actively reviewing this year, and blogging for nearly two months :D

            I love being organised, and ticking things off to-do lists :D I might just get an app! I am in the same boat, but not with tours, haha. Just normal ARCs. I read relatively fast, but I don’t want to read so fast that pretty words and quotes pass me by. I love highlighting things on my Kobo :D

  2. i loved reading fallen so i think i should give this book a try. I love the cover too! but i kind of feel like i might end up being disappointed.

  3. vmcarswell says:

    Glad to see you enjoyed this one, I have really been wanting to read it as well. I can understand why the over involvement of the family would be annoying and I get really annoyed by female characters who have such low self-esteem. I think it was Struck that I just read and had that problem with Mia, but I didn’t include it in the review because, honestly, I could remember if it was Struck or the other book was reading right after it, lol. If you like reincarnation books, you should really give Incarnate by Jodi Meadows a read if you haven’t already! Great review :-)

    Vyki @ On The Shelf

    • I would encourage you to read it if you feel like a cute YA paranormal romance :)
      I just sort of felt like telling the family to mind their own business, haha.
      I might do a discussion post about this one day, but the low self esteem of girls in AY novels is pretty atrocious. It gives readers very bad messages.
      Haha! That’s happened to me before! I can’t remember which book annoyed me, so I just leave it out.
      Ah, I haven’t heard of that one! I shall go and look it up :D
      Thank you, Vyki! ^.^

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