The Holders

The Holders (Holders, #1)
by Julianna Scott

368 pages
Expected Publication March 5, 2013

This is a pre-release review. Thanks to the publisher, Strange Chemistry, for the ARC.

17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland.

What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart. However, certain destinies may not be as clear cut as everyone has always believed them to be.

Becca is lost, but found at the same time. Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?

* * *

This is one of those books I have a hard time putting down. I (*ahem*) read it in a day. Then I nearly cried because I couldn't jump right into the next book in the series.

So many things about this book grabbed, and held, my attention. Becca's love for her brother, and the way she'd do anything to protect him. The way she has an opinion about her father, but is careful not to allow that to influence her brother's feelings toward him. The way she tries to protect her mother. The fact Becca and Ryland go to Ireland! The way the relationship between Becca and Alex is believable. The way Alex speaks fluent Gaelic. The idea of the Holders--who they are, their history, what they're trying to do now. A great villain, even if we haven't laid eyes on him.

I excitedly await the next book in the series . . . and every one after that.

5/5 stars