Review: Crushed Sugar - Kimber An

Ophelia’s had a wicked crush on Martin since they were kids, but she was always just his geeky little friend. Then, on the first day of her junior year, he’s suddenly and wildly attracted to her. She can’t imagine what’s changed, but shocking her small school’s social order fills her with vindication for insults suffered.

Ophelia meets Adrian right after and true love extinguishes the wicked crush. In secret, he gives her courage against a specter threat.

Tristan is pale and hungry, and draws Martin’s immediate ire. He knows things about Ophelia which she assumes are delusions brought on by an aggravated illness like her own, diabetes. When battle breaks out between his ancient race and new blood, even the courage of her secret love might be crushed.

Ophelia Dawson Chronicles:
Crushed Sugar (novella)
Sugar Rush
Sweet Bytes
Blood, Dark and Sweet (2012)

Visit Kimber An's website for more information

Review:
Crushed Sugar is a short novella and a prequel to the first book in the Ophelia Dawson Chronicles series by Kimber An.  It works well as an introduction to the characters and has made me curious about the next story (a full length novel called Sugar Rush).  We meet Ophelia and her twin sister Bianca, considering they are identical twins they are about as different as you can get.  Ophelia is a bit of a loner, she is also geek who is often called on by her crush Martin to fix his gadgets.  She doesn't seem to be in the best of health, at this point all we know is that she suffers with diabetes and has potential problems with her kidneys.  Bianca on the other hand loves the latest fashions and spending time gossiping with her friends.  Although they are very different they obviously have a close relationship and I'm looking forward to seeing more of that as the series continues.

I didn't really understand why Ophelia has such a crush on Martin, I didn't find out enough about him to see the attraction.  All we really know is that he is one of the popular kids, he has a reputation for sleeping around and is known as a heart breaker.  He has never shown any interest in Ophelia (apart from when he has a problem with his computer) so she is shocked when he seems to set his sights on her.  I'm more interested in the two new boys at school Adrian and Tristan, they both seem like they're keeping secrets and I want to know what they are.  I'm suspicious that Martin is hiding something too.

The series was described to me as paranormal romance but you don't really get that from this first installment, I'm guessing the romance will kick in during the second book.  We are also yet to see any of the supernatural side to the world, I have no idea what sort of paranormal creatures we are going to discover so am looking forward to finding out.  Although this is a prequel I'm not sure if it would have been better to read it after Sugar Rush when I would have had more information about all of the characters.  I felt like if I'd had a bit more detail I would have probably enjoyed this more.  It will be interesting to see if my opinion changes after I've read the second book though.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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