Monday, September 22, 2014

Review: Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst



Title: Chasing Power
Author:
Sarah Beth Durst
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Acquired Via: Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind-things like credit cards and buttons on cash registers-and she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again . . . which would mean grave danger for them both.

When she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel-a boy with the ability to teleport-he needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family-and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive . . . or survive.


My Review

I've only read one book by Sarah Beth Durst in the past, and I didn't really like it. (You can find my review HERE.) However, it did show me enough to know that Durst can throw some twists around, and how can I resist a book with a main character named Kayla?

Seriously though, I really had nothing pushing me to read Chasing Power - I didn't like Conjured, I haven't had much luck with super powers books, and I'm a book grouch of late. But I had a lot of fun reading Chasing Power because I love a good treasure hunt, and Kayla never lost herself to her hormones. *gives Durst a literary high five*

You can get the gist of the treasure hunt from the synopsis, and added to that is some really great speculation over how various empires were formed throughout history. It was fun to read how the stones' story unfolded, and I don't mind a good fantastical twist. The roles the secondary characters played in the stones' history and the treasure hunt were pretty entertaining, as well.

The best thing about Chasing Power was the banter between Kayla and Selena, her best friend. They have the most wonderful relationship, despite them being so insanely different. I was a little disappointed in not getting to see Selena developed much more than two-dimensional plot device, but I didn't enjoy what I did see of her. I think she also brought out the best in Kayla and gave her some of the strength that she show so much of in the book.

Daniel was a bit of an asshole. Kayla knew he was an asshole. She called him on being an asshole. Things were left as that for the most part, and that was okay with me.

As I said before, Durst can throw some curvy crap at her readers, and this book is certainly a curve ball. I can usually tell who the bad guy is, but I was completely wrong this time. I had guess half of one little plot point, and the rest of it blew me out of the water. So, so good.

So if you've never read anything by Sarah Beth Durst, or if you're interested in doing so, I think Chasing Power is a good place to start.

- 3.5/5 Stars -

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Fishpond



To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance copy of the book briefly for reviewing purposes through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. The book was likely provided to the tour by the publisher or author, which has in no way affected the outcome of my review. All opinions expressed are rambling, honest, and completely my own.

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