The Claiming Words (The Claiming Words) by Tricia Drammeh

The Alexanders have always kept their secrets hidden…
When sixteen-year-old Jace Alexander moves to the small town of Oaktree, Georgia, he attracts the attention of every girl in school. Shy, introverted Alisa Cole immediately casts Jace in the leading role of her latest fantasy, but she assumes he’ll never return her interest. After she saves Jace from a Hunter, everything changes. Her accidental discovery of Jace’s secret propels her into a world of magic and danger. Alisa’s newfound courage is put to the test when Jace introduces her to his intimidating older brother, Bryce, and she decides she would rather battle a Hunter than endure another moment under Bryce’s intense scrutiny.
Jace and Bryce aren’t the only ones with secrets…
Rachel Stevens is the girl who has it all. She’s beautiful, popular, and in possession of an ancient power which endangers not only her, but those sent to protect her. Jace is drawn to Rachel—and he isn’t the only one. The Demon Re’Vel will do anything to claim her—even if it means waging a war with the entire Alexander family. As layers of secrets are peeled away, revealing the truth of her heritage and her family’s betrayal, Rachel struggles to resist an immortal suitor who stalks her in her dreams. With the Alexanders fighting to protect her, can Rachel escape the power of the Demon and his Claiming Words?

I’ll admit it, I was really nervous to read this book. About a month ago (for future readers, that would be February of 2013) I joined Reading Away the Days tours. I’m picky about the tours I participate in, but every single one I’ve decided to join at that tour group has been awesome. Every time I’m sent a book I think that it’s got to be the one that ends the good streak.
This week alone, I’ve read 5 mind blowing books in a row! How does that even happen?!? I don’t know.. but the point is, I really enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn’t sure about it because it seemed very sudden in it’s plotline take-off.

But you eventually learn that there’s a reasoning behind that sudden take-off and for the awkward beginnings. Another thing is, Tricia hit my Achilles heel. Turds turned to Treasures. I love love/hate relatioships.

I did see it coming, but I didn’t care that I knew what was happening. It tickled me pink. I loved how there were similarities between the brothers  Jace and Bryce, while at the same time, they handled the same situation with intense difference (towards grief and relationships in particular.)

I also really liked how there was a real rivalry between the girls at the beginning (the object being Jace.) You don’t usually see that represented in YA novels. It spoke the truth that sometimes girls know that they don’t need (insert person of interest) but that girls want said person anyway!
There are a lot of things I admire about this book, including the diversity of each ADversity.

I can’t wait to read the next installment ( I shook my fists at amazon. Thy foul mistress tricked me again. I totally thought the next installment had already been published. *sigh* Being a reader is like wanting to fight a fire breathing dragon with your bare hands…  and thinking you’ll win.  I can’t decide if I’m glad I caught this series while it was young, or sad that there isn't more for me to read!) I highly recommend this book. This book was given to me by Reading Away the Days, and Tricia Drammeh in exchange for an honest review.