Death Wish by Megan Tayte – a Review

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Description:
IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.

Review:

Death Wish is the first book in The Ceruleans series by Megan Tayte. Seventeen year old Scarlett Blake has taken the summer to find out exactly what has transpired leading up to the death of her older sister Sienna. This book takes us to the quiet oceanside community of Twycombe.

Here Scarlett will be staying at her grandparents old house, just off of a quaint little beach cove. The same place Sienna was staying when she died. Her first day there she decides to tryout surfing, as that is exactly what Sienna was doing when she committed suicide. At least that is what she has been told. When the waves overtake her she is saved by a rugged stranger named Luke. This chance meeting sets the pace for a whirlwind summer and the quest for the answers Scarlett needs.

One fateful night while traveling home, a deer runs in front of her and in a panic she hits it. Out of the car and confronted with the death of the deer – she lays her hands on it and slowly, curiously, a blue glow sets in around her hands. The deer miraculously lives. What exactly does this light mean? And as the mystery unfolds, memories creep in. Ones in which she remembers her grandfather, of him teaching her to calm dying animals, to bring them peace in their time of need. These memories are all coming together to not only explain her sister’s death but to shed some light on exactly who and what Scarlett is herself.

The answers she gets are confusing and at times chaotic – but as she sets out to find the truth – the answers may not exactly be what she wants to hear. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Scarlett, vulnerable in the death of her sister, coming of age without the family she needs, strong and determined to find answers. She is strong willed, caring, awkward and vulnerable. Yet she marches on – as she knows her sister did not take her own life. Her relationship with Luke, is exactly the right pace – leading to answers she not sure she wants to hear.

Luke is the strong, matriarch of his family. Raising his younger sister after the death of his parents. He falls quickly for Scarlett, and she reciprocates. But does Luke hold some of the answers she seeks. And will those secrets pull apart the only relationship she is sure of at the moment? Scarlett finds out that everything her parents told her regarding her sister’s death is a lie. But why? Why did they feel the need to lie? Her quest brings her face to face with a mysterious stranger, Jude.

Jude always seems to be around when she needs him and amazingly as the story unfolds, we find out that he seems to have known Sienna quite well also. Towards the end of the book Jude comes to Scarlett. Revealing to her that he is Cerulean and that he can heal or help those who are dying pass on. He also lets Scarlett know that she herself is Cerulean also, and that soon he will need to take her with him. But to where? And what exactly is a Cerulean? Jude brings the exact right amount of the unknown. Leaving you wanting for the same answers that Scarlett seeks. His character brings quite a new and eccentric twist to the story.

This story is extremely well written with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue. The characters are realistic and the relationships prove to be profound for everyone. Romantic and sad all at the same time! This book left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book two. Highly recommend if you like romance, mystery, intrigue and a touch of the paranormal. Devoured it!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author