I'm not going to deny that I'm a fan of vampire stories, especially when said stories take place in a boarding school. Lucky for me, there are plenty to choose from! When J.J. Bonds approached me to review Crossroads I couldn't wait to see what new perspective she would put on this idea.

Katia is enrolled at Crossroads Academy upon her Uncle Aldo's insistence. Crossroads is a premiere facility that caters to the vampire "pure bloods" mostly, and Katia's Uncle thinks it is the best place for her. I was a little confused at first as to why it was so important she go to this remote school. However the reader soon discovers that Katia has a secret. Something so dark, that she won't share it with anyone. No, dear reader, not even with you.

Which brings me to the biggest problem that I had with Crossroads, and that was not getting the opportunity to really dive into Katia's persona. She's the narrator. We are inside her head, and yet so little about her actually comes through. I'll admit that I did like that J.J. Bonds essentially lays a trail of breadcrumbs leading up to what Katia's big secret is. However it was such a slow buildup that I soon found myself rather bored of her lack of emotional depth. I understood the tactic, I just didn't feel like it drew me in.

On the flip side, the descriptive writing regarding other people and places in the story really shines. Crossroads itself is shown in gorgeous details, and the supporting characters actually get more love in the depth department than Katia does. Also, the plot was refreshing. Although it falls into a genre saturated with books, Bonds still manages to put her own spin on the way that things work in the vampire world. It's honestly what kept me reading, and what I know will bring me back for more. Now that Katia's secret is out, things can only get more interesting.
( )

High school is hard for everyone, vampires included. Throw in the fact that this a stuck up private school and things are even more bloodier. Katia is the new student, with family ties to a very powerful vampire but all she wants is to go unnoticed. But there is always that one girl or group of girls in high school that just loves to make someone's life a living hell. And let's not forget there is always a hot guy, Nikolai.

Yes it all sounds very high schoolish but it's not that bad of a read. If you like Vampire Academy series you will like the vamps that Bonds has created in her Crossroads Academy trilogy. There are a few similarities between the two series. But I think Crossroads has a little more mystery to it.

In Bonds' world there are two kinds of vampires. Pure bloods, born vampires and the mixed bloods, humans that were turned. The mixed bloods are seen as second class. They both drink blood; human or animal. But most prefer to drink their blood from donated blood and not directly from the source. It's not that the vampires value human life it's more that they don't want to draw attention to their kind.

I really enjoyed reading J.J. Bonds' debut novel, Crossroads. If you are in the mood for a high school based vampire mystery with a touch of romance give it a try. I'm very curious to see what turns the trilogy takes with the next two books.



( )

High school is hard for everyone, vampires included. Throw in the fact that this a stuck up private school and things are even more bloodier. Katia is the new student, with family ties to a very powerful vampire but all she wants is to go unnoticed. But there is always that one girl or group of girls in high school that just loves to make someone's life a living hell. And let's not forget there is always a hot guy, Nikolai.

Yes it all sounds very high schoolish but it's not that bad of a read. If you like Vampire Academy series you will like the vamps that Bonds has created in her Crossroads Academy trilogy. There are a few similarities between the two series. But I think Crossroads has a little more mystery to it.

In Bonds' world there are two kinds of vampires. Pure bloods, born vampires and the mixed bloods, humans that were turned. The mixed bloods are seen as second class. They both drink blood; human or animal. But most prefer to drink their blood from donated blood and not directly from the source. It's not that the vampires value human life it's more that they don't want to draw attention to their kind.

I really enjoyed reading J.J. Bonds' debut novel, Crossroads. If you are in the mood for a high school based vampire mystery with a touch of romance give it a try. I'm very curious to see what turns the trilogy takes with the next two books.



( )

Boarding schools, I'm so there. Once I started this book, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I did not. This book completely took me by surprised with elements I did not see coming.

What hooked my about this book is the plot line. A young girl getting sent to a boarding school And not just any boarding school, but a private one with nothing but vampires. On top of that, Katia is not all what she seems. I thought I knew her and knew where the plot is going when suddenly it took a twist revealing a secret I did not see. This was the best part of the book since I was taken back by it.

Now the character Katia. She is my type of gal. She doesn't take crap for nothing, doesn't rely on anyone and doesn't trust more than she can throw them. Her smart remarks always made me snicker. I love her attitude towards anyone who try to come close to her. She is guarded but learn to trust very carefully.

The love interest is particularly enjoyed cause I like to see the guy work for it. He kept coming at her and she just kept turning him down. I admire his ambition to get close to her and knowing that he was trying so hard made it seem liked he really cared. He is set out to show her that actions speak louder than words and that folks, stole my heart.

Crossroads is rare story that everyone should read. Despite what you have read before Crossroads will change your mind about what you knew about vampires. The is no meddling but really just getting down and dirty to the solid facts. Crossroads is an epic story that really I don't want to share. It just soo good! ( )