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Hannah Rials
Clandestine a YA novel, moves at a breathtaking pace from start to the very last page. Since the opening of the book jumps right into the action, reader knowledge of the first book is helpful, Readers need to read carefully as Rials has created a complex plot with a hierarchy of vampires, witches and Deuxsang, who are half human and half vampire, whose lives are lived under the menacing watch of The Council. Ascension begins in New Orleans continues in Clandestine and the third book of the trilogy, yet to be published, will end there too. At age 12, Rials began writing about a community of vampires with Ascension having been inspired mostly by the Twilight series, which she read in one week. Even though some readers may find some comparison in her work to the culture of Harry Potter, Rials feels no conscious influence of Rowling's books with hers, but does admire the mesmerizing world, history and culture Rowling has created with her own books.
The simplicity of a one-word book title, Clandestine, perfectly captures the essence of the novel where the characters’ actions are often executed with secrecy, moving the storyline along with concealment, especially for the purpose of deception and tension building.
Rials has skillfully crafted her characters to show all the nuances of adolescent behaviors with their yearnings, hopes, dreams, frustrations and convoluted family relationships, while tapping into the popular vampire culture of superpowers, forbidden relationships, desire for true love, double-blooded vampires and revenge seeking witches and other vampire traits.
Cheyenne Lane and her best friend Anne Lacroix are both half human and half vampire, designated by their families and the council to be prisoners, not understanding what the plan is that ultimately determines their fate. They are forced to enter Clandestine, the Deuxsang University, to pursue academics as well as train to master their abilities. While most students are perfecting one ability out of four, Cheyenne finds she is capable of four abilities. When her cousin Lilith discovers Cheyenne possess all four vampiric abilities, unheard of for a Deuxsang, she intends to use Cheyenne as a secret weapon in the ascending's rebellious scheme. When Cheyenne learns the disclosure about the Deuxsang's origin and the real reason the vampires have her in the center of a centuries old conspiracy, her resilience is tested frequently. She becomes embroiled in many soul searching decisions as everyone wants to exploit her gifts. Cheyenne needs to figure out who she can trust, who is a friend and who is her enemy. Cheyenne is determined to find the truth no matter what the cost.
I guarantee you will find this an engaging well paced novel. It kept me guessing right down to the very last sentence of the book.
An inspiring “author tour” of England last summer, Rials visited homes of the most famous British authors to take in their spirits to hear what inspired them. The trip in turn inspired her to return this fall to attend Bath Spa University in Bath, England. She has enrolled in a Creative Writing for Young People's Master's Program.
Hannah's England Trip
Hannah Rials, a Maryville, TN native will be signing copies of Clandestine on Saturday July 21 from 5-7 PM, at Star Line Books, 1467 Market Place, Chattanooga,TN. 
Hannah on your newest publication Clandestine
For more information about Hannah, her awards, books and events check out
http://www.hannaherials.com/
Hannah's favorite quote from the book.
“If you fail, you'll wish you'd never been made.”I was fortunate to have some author input for this review. Thank you Hannah!
Hannah and Buddy (Corgi)
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I don't know what I adore more, this book series, or the author herself! Buddy the Corgi is pretty awesome too :). Thanks for an excellent review, Sue!
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