Review: Allure by Grace White

I received an ARC for this book and voluntarily read and reviewed it. I adored this book and I couldn’t put it down. The dynamic between all of the characters is riveting and honest. It shows many different sides to the characters as people as well as life itself. The story never shies away from the ugly side of life. It keeps things real, emotional and engaging. Daiya and Kai aren’t perfect, but I really believe they are perfect for one another, even if they don’t quite see it yet. The alternating points of view in this installment was a welcome change from the first book. It was nice to see Kai’s side of things and how he was really affected by what was happening.The story flowed pretty smoothly, I don’t feel as there were any lags or unneeded pieces of the plot line. There are a few questions I have, but I hope to get those answered in a later installment. I hope there’s a later installment because the ending left me begging for more. When do we get more? You’re killing me, Ms. White, in a good way, but still killing me.

Potential Spoilers Start Here...

Keeping in line with the first book's cover, we see the ombre title, which I like better on this one then on Awakening. It stands out more on the cover overall, although the top kind of blends in with the background. We also have pink flames that cover the corner which I think it a nice touch. It adds just a color element and a little bit of elegance, in my opinion. We also have the two main characters on the cover. I’m assuming that they’re the main characters. If I am correct, the male model in the picture isn’t quite how I had imagined Kai. I imagined him a more clean cut individual (by the means of facial hair, anyways).
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As I mentioned above, this is not the first book in the series. If you haven’t, you definitely need to pick up the first before you read this book or you will be clueless as to what’s going on. That and it’s just too good to ignore! This is your final warning before we go on to some potential spoilers for Awakening and Allure.

Allure picks up shortly after the surprising, yet slightly predictable, ending of Awakening. But this time, we are seeing things from Kai’s point of view. The change in point of view is a nice change and in my opinion, a needed one. If only for the fact that we know something is happening to Kai, but we don’t quite know what or how it’s affecting him. Now, we get to see that and it’s all the tension, angst and drama filled goodness that I hoped it would be. I also find it interesting when we’re in Kai’s point of view, how those around him see the changes that are affecting him. It’s kind of nice to get that second opinion. Everything that’s happening is taking it’s toll on Kai, affecting his personal life and relationships with friends, as well as his hockey games and potential future career.

There’s a lot of secrets being tossed around in this book: Daiya, Poppy, Isaac, etc. As Daiya says at one point, they’re ‘holding their cards close to their chest’. At times, it's kind of frustrating, because I find myself just yelling at them to share what’s going on, but I get it. I understand why they’re unwilling or unable to share their secrets with those around them, doesn’t make it any less difficult to watch. It’s actually kind of heartbreaking at times, especially between Daiya and Kai.

I feel like in this installment, Daiya is stronger than ever in most respects. She has accepted her path, her fate, and is determined to see that through. She’s rolling with the punches, no matter how hard those punches may land. She’s not running away and I admire that, especially in a strong heroine. At times, I think she’s seems much older and mature than her sisters.

Have I mentioned yet how much I dislike Tamara and Joel? Because I really dislike the pair of them. Tamara is just a jealous yuppy and Joel, I think there’s more going on there that we don’t know about, but I’m unsure, maybe he is just a jerk.

Eventually, Isaac spills Daiya’s secret to Kai and successfully creates a rift between the two. I was pretty heartbroken as they tried to live their lives apart, when they only yearned to be together. Watching them go about their separate lives, but still having to be around one another; I just wanted to ship them off to some deserted island so they don’t have to worry about anyone or anything else but each other. So, throughout all this, even with Kai accepting his father’s help, something inside of him knows that this is all wrong, something about it isn’t right. But unfortunately for us, and Daiya, he ignores his gut and further breaks Daiya’s heart, this time in front of the entire school.

Daiya makes the decision to not give in to her demon, she finally speaks out loud what we knew all along, she loves Kai and she chooses him, even if this means her death. The last part of the book is some of the most emotional pieces of writing that I’ve read. Watching the two connect again and realize that they are one. And then the ending… Ms. White… you absolutely killed me. Seriously, there have only been a few books that I’ve read that makes me absolutely itch for the next installment. This is one of them. One hundred percent. I need that next book, I need to know what happens. Damn cliffhanger endings...

Click the Cover above to get Allure on Amazon and head over to the blog to read our interview with Grace White, the author of Allure.