Sisters Renee and Lou are in Romania with their team from Itinera magazine. They have an assignment to photograph the castles and document history. After a successful first day, the team learns of an undocumented castle, Solovastru, from the locals. Untouched and believed by the community to be cursed, the Itinera team waste no time finding Solovastru and creating a once in a lifetime story. Solovastru delivers everything they hoped for, unique architecture, untouched rooms and the mystery of why it was abandoned. They are very interested in a bricked up room which reveals a deeper mystery and an artifact that Lou can't resist taking. After leaving Solovastru, Lou begins to change, almost as if possessed. Learning some of the castle's history and talking to the Roma begin to paint a horrific picture for Lou's future. The artifact she took seems to have revived the mistress of Solovastru and there is a powerful group seeking her.

Revenant is a slow burn supernatural horror with plenty of gore and Romanian lore. The writing bounces back and forth between the Itinera team in the present and Solovastru in the 1400's. I enjoyed that this story took place around Bran castle where Dracula lore arose, but was not surrounding Dracula himself, but a different legend from the remote areas of Romania. The characters created an interesting group with sisters, Renee and Lou, Renee's boyfriend, and a guide. Renee and Lou's dependent relationship created tension before any horror was even introduced. I enjoyed the chapters written from the historic point of view and wanted to know more about the Makers, their origin and powers and how Madame Solvestru came to know her Maker, Xenia and the artifact was created. As the danger to Lou becomes more evident, the suspense builds and ancient forces and present day collide.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

First off i would love to thank the authors Gina DiCarlo and Anne Marie DiCarlo for writing this good book. And I would also love to thank the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. my ratting for this book would be 4 stars. I have to be really honest with one i read this book just a few weeks ago and i did enjoy it a lot but i have to agree on some of the other reviews i have seen it just felt like to long. the story alone was very entertaining i mean who wouldn't like a Romanian vampire adventure. the characters were very likable. And also mentioning how it was well written. the cover is absolutely stunning. And the myth in this story is a definite yes for me. this book did not dissapoint at all and if you enjoy reading a freaky supernatural horror book, this book is definitely for you. would definietly reccomend.

A novel about vampiric fantasy creatures, The Revenant doesn't really break any new ground as far as subject matter. What kept me reading however, were the characters. I found them to be engaging and relatable, and was as much, if not more, interested in their own stories as in the overall plotline.

I also appreciated the very practical reasons the group had for encountering the supernatural. Writing for a tourism magazine, their activities provide a natural inroad into the narrative for the setting.

Overall, it's not a must read, but I did appreciate it. ( )

Revenant features great writing and interesting character arcs. This book would make an excellent addition to any YA library. ( )

I really loved the premise and the story as a whole. What was slightly off-putting was the writing sometimes. I can't really put my finger on the reason either, which I hate to say. Possibly rushed character development? It just seemed that there were jumps in the narrative that caught me off-guard and places and characters that might have been expanded. That being said I want to finish with saying it was a fantastic, fun idea, with the gypsies, myths, legends, and supernatural elements. Thanks for the early reviewer chance to read! ( )