Review: Reckless Magic (Star-Crossed #1), by Rachel Higginson

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Synopsis

16 year old Eden Matthews has been in and out of private schools for the last two years. She can't seem to stop herself from closing them down. Kingsley is her last chance to finish high school and the last private school willing to accept her. 

She is focused on just getting through graduation until she realizes Kingsley is not like the other private schools she's been to. The students may be different, but so is she. And after meeting Kiran Kendrick, the boy who won't leave her alone and seems to be the source of all her problems, she is suddenly in a world that feels more make-believe than reality. 

To top it off, she is being hunted by men who want to kill Kiran and her best friend Lilly is taken away to a foreign prison. Eden finds herself right in the middle of an ancient war, threatening everything she loves. She alone has to find a way to save her best friend and the boy who has captivated her heart. 

Reckless Magic is an intricate story about mystery, adventure, magic and forbidden love. Eden Matthews is an unlikely heroine determined to save the world and be with her one, true love before it's too late.

Review
4 out of 5 stars

I've found a new YA paranormal series that I'm totally addicted to!  Reckless Magic, the first book of Rachel Higginson's Star-Crossed series was the perfect launching pad into a world full of magic, intrigue, mystery, romance and even suspense.  To be completely honest here I will admit that I'm writing this review after having read the first 4 books of this series.  I enjoyed each new installment so much so that I didn't want to take the time to stop in between and write reviews.  That being said though, looking back on all 4 books I can clearly see #1 was primarily meant to set the stage, so I encourage you to jump right in, especially since it's a free download!  The books get better and better with each story.  I don't think the writing changes, because it is consistently good writing the whole way thru, I think it's because with each book you fall further and further into the the complicated plot author Rachel Higginson's weaving and without even realizing it you'll find yourself heavily vested into these characters lives.

Eden Matthews will be your narrator thru this journey, she is special, but she's been raised as a human so when things start spinning out of control in her normal life she cannot help but think there is something wrong with her.  At no point does she even consider herself "special" or even "powerful."  She works very hard to not hurt anyone and more importantly blend in, the last thing she wants is to bring attention to herself.  But simply blending in was never the path Eden's life was meant to take.

Her first day at Kingsley goes worse than she can expect in large part thanks to another new student, Kiran.  He's gorgeous yet mysterious and while Eden may find him attractive it's definitely not love at first sight, more like hate.  As the story progresses and the two get to know one another friendship blossoms into love, but with Eden's introduction to the world of magic comes complications and that also includes any type of love life with Kiran.

I have to admit Eden seems so clueless at times, it's as though as the reader you're able to put together what's going on long before she does, but at the same time you sympathize with her.  After all, she's just a teenager, trying to figure out life and deal with circumstances way out of her control.  The name of the series is Star-Crossed so obviously Eden and Kiran's love is doomed from the start, but their's is the kind of love you cannot help but want to read more and more about, it's addicting, it's complicated, it's passionate, it's frustrating and it's what keeps you coming back book after book.

Take a chance on this series with Reckless Magic, it's definitely got a Harry Potter vibe, but with it's own unique twists!