Nocturnal (The Noctalis Chronicles, #1)

by Chelsea M. Cameron

• ISBN10: 1490321306
• ISBN13: 9781490321301
• Publish Date: 31 May 2013 (first published 1 February 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

Nocturnal is a rather dark read that starts off with a rather hard hitting scene that sets the tone and really helps you connect to the main character. Ava is told her mother is dying of cancer and only has about 6 months left, and her world is immediately tilted on it’s axis.

This book had me really interested but it also had its issues that brought it down a few stars for me. The connection you gain with Ava in the beginning of the novel kind of faded slowly and left me trying to figure her out. I understood keeping her mother’s condition to herself and I understood the pain of having that knowledge, but I didn’t understand how she could let a boy (and a rather creepy one) cloud her thoughts so much during such a emotional time. I did enjoy the different lore given for the vampires, or in this case the Noctalis. It’s a fresh take and not really traditional so it’s something unexpected. The book slowly builds to the climax which is near the end and then kind of fell a part for me, suddenly everything was a rush and the quality fell lower.

Ava is a rather odd girl and initially relate-able but looses that in the course of her obsession with meeting Peter late at night. I say obsession because that is literally the only way I can see it because the guy basically admits he wants to kill her…and she accepts this, brushes it aside, and continues to meet him. I understand not being in a healthy mindset after finding out your mom is dying, but I don’t see this as a reason to become enamored with a potential killer who lurks in a graveyard and barely says anything to you. I found Peter to be a rather flat and stiff character which i didn’t really care for or find all that attractive. His POV excerpts were kind of boring and while they did give his character more depth it didn’t really do all that much to improve my already waning interest in him. Her friends Jaime and Tex are a bit more interesting though they were a tad one note as well. Tex is a party girl who only cares about having fun and Jaime is the protective guy member of the group. Ava’s mother is the only character I liked but sadly the whole plot revolving around her mother is slowly making its way to being swept under the rug. I enjoyed their time together but it takes a back seat and I don’t see it making a come back in the next book.

This book was a tad underwhelming to me and while I enjoyed the overall concept and the beginning it lost a lot of it’s appeal as soon as the love interest was introduced. Despite the unique lore it became a bit predictable and a bit sloppy toward the end. I’ve noticed that I’m in the minority when it comes to ratings so I recommend going and checking out other reviews on this one as well.

[littleread1]

Ok then. Talk about hitting the hard stuff right out of the gate. Chapter one has us out to dinner with Ava-Claire and her parents. They are there to tell her that her mother's cancer is terminal. In a public setting. Then they have dessert. I must say, props to this girl for not making a scene right then and there. I would have.

So obviously this sets the scene for Ava doing things most kids wouldn't. Like driving to the cemetery in the middle of the night for some fresh air and peace and quiet. Of course this night it is anything but; she is almost killed, yet somehow wakes up in her car, safe minus some bruises on her neck. She must obviously go back to investigate, and meets Peter. And at that point I must say YAY NO INSTA-LOVE!!!! She is intrigued, and the more she gets to know him, the more she wants to (and the more I want her to!) Of course, things happen that make them have to be around one another, but by that point it is great. They don't really need an excuse.

She also has two great friends, Jaime and Tex, who she can't confide in about her mother's prognosis. My theory is that would make it too real. She has known them both since grade school, and have been BFF's ever since. P.S. Jamie is a guy. At first I wanted there to be a love connection with him, but now I don't think so.

And her parents ... how opposite could they be? Her mother is a SAINT. Her dad ... lets just say I wanted to kick his teeth in every time he spoke with her. Great with his wife, horrible to his daughter. I hope he gets his shit together; they are going to need each other. Very soon.

When I was first asked to read this book, I was nervous and put it off for weeks because I HATE crying. I must say, I almost didn't read it because I thought I might cry. But I jumped in one night figuring, "What the hell?" Boy am I glad I did! I did not cry, but there are some scenes where those more sob-inclined might. Like when Ava's mom makes a list of things she must teach her before she dies. Yup, that choked me up a bit and made me want to run and give my own mother a hug. I can't because she is several states away, but I wanted to.

Before I get too gushy about this book, I must admit there were just a couple of things that distracted me. First, and biggest, there are several editing errors. Not spelling errors, but words in places that didn't make sense. Which is usually a big turn off for me, but the story itself carried me through. Second, and only a personal preference, what is with everyone having 2 different eye colors? (Explained in the first part of Nightmare, book 2). That is just weird. One person, ok, that makes the unique, but all of them? And lastly, though it makes for a neat story, it is still somewhat cheesy how he died. Not gonna spoil that for you, just keep that in mind when you get to that part.

Those (what I consider minor) complaints aside, I thought this book was amazing. Cameron takes a typical girl-meets-vampire type creature, and adds a whole new element to it. And the only way for them to die ... man that is some more deep shit. This story made me feel things, and not just for the character, for myself. It takes an event we all fear and brings it to the forefront. The looming death of her mother colors everything Ava does, and in turn makes you think how you would handle the similar situation.

I could go on, but you will just have to read this for yourself. Nocturnal gets 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, and the only reason it isn't 5 out of 5 are the editing issues I mentioned. I immediately acquired book 2, and am already half-way through it.

This book took me less than 24 hours to get through. As I was finishing it, I was also tweeting the author about how mad I was because the book was coming to an end. She said it was all part of her evil plan and laughed! She is one funny lady, and if you get the chance, you should talk to her. I will leave it up to her if she wants to share her twitter handle with you. ;-)