Review: Promise by Kristie Cook

Promise (Soul-Savers, #1)
Written by Kristie Cook
Release Date: Available NOW!!
Self-Published!

I initially caught sight of this book on Goodreads and was intrigued by it's summary.  I had not heard of the author before and the book was self-published, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I started reading the book the day I received it in the mail and I honestly read it cover to cover in one day!  This is a GREAT book! 

Summary from Goodreads:
"Alexis Ames has a life full of promise…but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell. " 

My Thoughts:
I really loved this book!  Let me start by saying that this isn't a book for the younger ya readers.  While 90% of the book is PG-13, there are many sexual references and there is actual sex in the book.  It is definitely written in good taste.  The characters practice abstinence until marriage and the scenes are not written in a graphic manner, but I do feel that this is a read for 16 years of age and up.  That being said... Kristie Cook has written one helluva book!  

Promise doesn't fall into a neat little category.  Describing the book's genre is a little tricky for me.  It is definitely a romantic thriller, but it also a good vs. evil smackdown featuring warriors for both the dark (Hell) and the light (Heaven).  It isn't really about angels and demons, but they do play a major role indirectly (are you confused?).  I just can't explain it much more without giving away too much!  Anyway... The plot was super original and very intricate.  Cook did a wonderful job explaining everything without confusing the reader, and created some fantastic and memorable characters.  The main characters(and love interests), Alexis and Tristan, had great chemistry.  I appreciated how their relationship developed at a natural pace (not the 'love at first sight I'm madly in love with you a week after setting eyes on you' way that a lot of ya relationships develop).  The two were drawn to one another, but both carried such a large amount of emotional baggage and each had their fair share of secrets to protect.  Therefore, it took time to break down their barriers and develop the trust necessary to come into the relationship despite their individual pasts.  I really LOVED Tristan.  He may just be my new fictional husband!  He was loyal, self-sacrificing, and SUPER HOT!!  He had a true dark side that he fought with daily, but underneath all of the darkness, he had a good heart that rose above all of it.  I felt very connected to him and I found myself rooting for him and Alexis.  Alexis was a strong female protagonist.  She had so much uncertainity in her life concerning her identity and her destiny.  I just wanted to slap her mom sometimes for not just telling her the "BIG family secret".  There was a reason for keeping her in the dark, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for her as she suffered through feeling like an outcast and a freak.  She could do things normal people couldn't do, but was left with nagging questions like 'Why can I do this? What am I? and Why are we in danger?"  The build-up to these revelations was suspenseful and satisifying.  When the truth was revealed to Alexis (and the reader), it answered all of the questions raised and set up the next book in the Soul Savers series perfectly.  The ending left me feeling a rollercoaster of emotions.  I was sad about some things, happy about others, hopeful for the future and REALLY eager for the story to continue.  I will admit that I didn't grasp the full meaning of the title (Promise) until the very end of the book and the 'promise' made is the basis for the next book.

In short, this book rocked!  It was suspensful, action-packed, original, fast paced, and well written.  I find myself recommending it over and over to friends on the hunt for a good read.  I am on pins and needles waiting for the next installment titled, Purpose, that is due for release in Fall 2010.  Congrats Kristie Cook... you have written one of the best books I have read in awhile and you have kicked off one killer new series!!!