Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Publisher: Walker Books

Age Group: YA

Rating: 4/5

Source: Publisher

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family. Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy. Lucy is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black — in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.

After reading almost every young adult vampire book out in the market, I found out about the Drake Chronicles. I began reading the first book and was immediatly hypnotized by the story. The story is about Solange, a vampire to be since she will turn into a vampire on her sixteenth birthday. Also, the queen of Vampires hates and is after Solange because she think that Solange is after her and the crown.

The beginning few chapters are a lot since all the information about vampires is given to you and at times I felt as though I had to memorize everything or else I wouldn't know what was going on, but I was wrong. Harvey does a good job not only keeping the reader interested in the story, but also knowing what is going on. I loved the twists in the end of the book and it did leave room for a sequal which I am dying to read!

I liked the cover since it did look like a vampire princess and after reading Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, I absolutly adore books with vampire princesses. This book also was published in England and you can eve check out that cover which I love as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it just shows, but obsession with vampires still hasn't gone away. If you love vampire books or are just looking for another great read, I recommend Hearts at Stake!