After reading the description for Caleo, I thought I’d be in for a great read. There’s a great story to the book that is great for fans of paranormal books. It also has a main character who’s gay. Even in the modern and diverse world of today, this isn’t found in many books (though there’s a growing amount of releases to explore). This was new territory for me and I was looking forward to this change from the “norm.”

While I thought the book sounded great, there are aspects that fell flat for me. The main thing was the writing. Even with a great concept to a story, the writing is what’ll hook a reader. I feel that while it wasn’t horrible writing, or anything like that, it was lacking. There weren’t grammar/spelling issues to make mention of, but another round with an editor looking out for word redundancy might have been useful. I found many instances where the same noun was used in one sentence, then the next. This felt awkward and the use of “it” would have felt much smoother and less repetitive. The frequency of this occurrence irked me.

There wasn’t as much depth to the characters, even the main characters. I felt I wasn’t getting enough to sympathize with them through all the obstacles they faced. I also thought the reactions/emotions of most of the characters were unrealistic. Without getting into specifics, something big happens, and instead of devastation and an ok, now we need to man-up to survive” reaction…the characters feel bad for a few minutes but revert back to an almost “everything’s ok, our lives haven’t changed drastically” attitude.

On the other hand, there were aspects of the story that kept me intrigued until the end. While I didn’t feel it played out as well as it could have, or expanded into (for me) a more enjoyable storyline, it still kept me reading. The variety of abilities the leeches have is great. There are abilities I’ve never thought of before, and in a culture full of superheroes and paranormal characters, that’s hard to come by. I liked some of the characters as well, especially Nolan. His power was great and the complications he brought to the story were also great. The way the book ends was intriguing as well, making me want to see how this story will continue.

In the end, this was a good first novel to a series. Grabbed me enough to want to read the second book. crawford, in my opinion, has some things that could be improved or expanded on, but maybe book 2 does just that. ( )

Reading Book 2 Now. I really liked book one. ( )

For me the cover sold the book. I loved the colors and that it focused solely on Caleo and his power which is frost. Reading the story it more than met my expectations.

There is so much action and drama packed into this book it's insane. A good insane :) The story starts off when Caleo was a baby. Even then he was different. Frosty white but with the bluest eyes. He's not albino he is much more. His life changes when he saves his own life by taking his father's but inadvertently takes his mother's too. This prologue is an awesome set up to the book. Most of the time they are boring and drab but not this one.

As the story continues you are introduced to Caleo as a 17 year old. Life for him is okay but it's not the Ritz. He stays with his grandmother and his foster siblings Jack and Jillian. Jack and Jill :) Caleo has a rough time at school. Not only is he being bullied for looking different but also because he is gay. Things change even more for him when he is visited by a guy telling him that he is even more different than anyone else. Things really start to pick up here because this guy, named Steve. Steve isn't who he says he is. I knew the moment he stepped into scene he was trouble. When all hell breaks loose and Caleo and his family are forced to go on the run. They team up with Nolan and others to survive. Nolan tells Caleo that he is from a race of humans called Leeches and Caleo is one too. Caleo is no ordinary Leech, no he is The Leech. He is the one who is suppose to rule them and be their life line in this upcoming war with the Blessed. Nolan was sent to protect Caleo at all costs because he is their only hope of surviving the war.

Caleo is such a great character. He comes off as sweet and innocent but when he needs to be he is strong and harsh. Caleo spent his whole life being picked one for his looks and then for his sexuality. Now he is being thrust into the spotlight as the savior of a race he never knew existed. He takes it is stride even when heavy obstacles are thrown his way.

Nolan is Caleo's bodyguard but there is more to him. As the book goes on you realize that he is connected to a character who is an enemy. So he has a lot to lose or gain no matter how the war turns out. There is a lot of chemistry between him and Caleo. I think that this is new for Nolan but he embraces his feelings for Caleo.

Jack was raised as Caleo's foster brother but they are the best of friends. When Caleo's gift comes out Jack goes into protective mode. I think that he is almost over protective. Maybe he feels that with Caleo truly being different he will now loose him forever and that is why he acts out. Jack wants whats best for Caleo but sometimes it seems like he wants what's best for Jack and that is keeping Caleo near by.

There is a lot going on in this book but it doesn't feel over loaded. There is a great build up to a love triangle for Caleo. Exciting. I can't wait for book two. There is more about the book I wanted to say but it gives away too much of the story by saying. All I can say is get the book.

The author did a fantastic job in creating this world that you could actually see as you read the book. You become attached to the characters in the story and you feel sad when one dies. He puts great emotion into his writing. crawford's writing was clean and flowed well. He even left you with a pretty good cliffhanger.

Overall I loved this book. It was awesome. I definitely can not wait for the next books in this series. I gotta know what's going to happen. There are no sex scenes but some language and violence for that I recommend for ages 15+.

I received this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )