Conjured

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Goodreads Rating: 3.47
Pages: 368
Format: ARC from ALA13

Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.
At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

I’m sorry to admit that this was my first Sarah Beth Durst book. I am so sorry for my ignorance. I knew who she was, I had heard of her, but never had I experienced her brilliance. This book was clever and so original that I adored nearly every moment of it. I almost didn’t want it to end, but I felt so happy and content with it that I’m alright with this book staying a standalone.

The only reason that I’m not giving this book a full 5 stars is because the first 50 pages were very slow and I was thrown by the third person perspective. I’ve said time and time again that I’m not a big fan of that perspective and that it tends to leave me feeling a little lost, but once I got used to it in this book, I really adored it and gobbled the book up.

I loved falling into this world. I really felt for Eve as she struggled to hold onto her memories of her life before. I wish that Eve and Malcolm’s relationship had been explored a little more because it was obvious from the start that he cared for her, and I wish we could have seen a little bit more of that paternal affection.

I do feel that the book was a little short for something with such a unique plot. There were so many aspects that I would have loved to learn a little bit more about. I loved how different all the characters were, I especially loved Zach who reminded me a lot of Henry from Grey’s Anatomy. He was quirky and forward and made me laugh out loud at some points.

This book is great and a perfect book to pick up and learn more about how awesome Sarah Beth Durst is. I actually got to meet her at BEA this year which was so awesome, although I am so bummed that I couldn’t get this book signed by her (Since I didn't have it....).

The Courts Decision: