Grasping at Eternity By Karen Amanda Hooper

Grasping At Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper 4 STARS

Synopsis: Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories. Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.
Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her. 

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be. 

* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review 

Overall--Eek! I was hestitant going into this novel, but I was gripped from the first page. I honestly, could not put this down. (I wanted to skip work and eating to read this book!) Having the 2 perspectives as narrators really helped ensure an understanding the events, actions and roles of everyone. There are moments when I get confused or I have to recall who is who and who did what etc, but for the most part I was able to follow without any problems. 

I fell in love with Maryah, and Nathanial. Even though I got annoyed with both characters, I generally was very intrigued, interested and rooting for the couple to come together. I am dying to learn what happens in the next book. While there isnt a cliff hanger, it leaves open quite a few questions. If you liked Dissever, or Talented you will like this book, no doubt. Im loving this series!! I immediately purchased the next book in this series so I will be continuing this one for sure!!

Cover: beautiful 
Rating: PG to PG13  
Overall: Awesome!1
Characters: Maryah, Nathanial, River (and too many others) 
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: YES
Book Boyfriend: Nathan
Genre: Young Adult Sci fi 
Sex Scenes: NO
Setting: Sedona AZ, High school 
Read If you Liked...Dissever; Fall from Grace; Blue Violet; Providence, The Chosen; Fallen; Reckless Magic ( A romance with science fiction thrown in!) 


Plot--Wow. This one is complicated confusing, intriguing and amazing! A story about love throughout the times, some science fiction, and a lot of loyalty and family! I think the pace of the novel worked fine, a few items seemed out of place, specifically the amount of time it took for Maryah to learn anything of importance. My one gripe with this book was exactly that, it took SOOO long for Maryah to figure anything out, it seemed as though she might just be oblivious. HOWEVER, I get that if I were Maryah, I too would be trying to explain away everything, considering my entire life just changed, and my family was murdered. 

What worked best in this book was the dual point of view. It truly pushed the novel forward, but also provided the information, background and insight necessary to understand Maryah. Learning the history from Nathans point of view was a treat. I loved hearing his love for her, and the agony he was going through, it was saddening and maddening, but that was the point! Giving us the emotional roller-coaster he was going through made Maryah all that more interesting. 

Getting to know the family was somewhat confusing at times; but quite the delight, I found it really interesting because everyone has their own personality, which was very evidence by the authors writing. I also enjoyed the supporting characters, like River, and some of the bad guys that Nathan interacted with. Everything fit together so well and set the book up nicely, for a good ending, a happy one, but also with plenty of questions for the reader to want to continue on the journey. 

 I am completely intrigued to learning what will be happening in the coming books, to see where this all takes us I suspect considering the ending, there will be a lot of action!!!

Characters-

Shaneas Grimes as Maryah

Maryah- Where to begin. I can honestly say I felt the complete range of emotions on this character. I liked her at times, and other times I found her annoying. The big thing with her character is that she has a low self esteem, which I REALLY didnt understand. (why did her parents put her down? that was never explained) Yet at the same time, I enjoyed her naivety and her oblivious nature. Considering her circumstances some reactions seemed completely normal. However, other reactions, seemed like maybe she was blind deaf or dumb. I think in reality, she was just trying to cope with the death of her family, and so I am forgiving of her childish behavior and oblivious nature. What I didnt like was that she seemed to only be friend with River (and her family) which I find odd. And her reactions to Nathan were so strange sometimes. But considering her dreams, I suppose I understand...now you can see Im undecided on my feelings for Maryah....hopefully the next book will solidify my feelings better.

Ian Harding as Nathaniel

Nathaniel-- Ah. Nathan!!! He is so handsome and sweet. So Beautiful.And charming. But lets be honest...if I were Maryah Id be creeped out too! Ha. But in reality and by the end of the book he has made quite the impression on me. Hearing things from his point of view, helps the reader get to know his motivations; his reason for pushing Maryah or pushing himself away, it also helps the reader get to know the history and background. It allowed me to get to know other characters too. I felt his personality was strong, and I appreciated going through his emotions and he struggled with Maryah. I wouldnt say he developed as a character, but instead as a reader I got to know him and his personality over the course of the book, and honestly, thats how I feel about most of the people.

Rafi Gavron as River 

River- Ugh. River was a great, yet horrible character. I like the tension he created, unbeknownst to Maryah. He is what made me frustrated with Maryah. She was too trusting of him. Im not sure why either. The author did not make him out to be a good guy, I think really she trusted him because he was outside of her family. But overall, I disliked him throughout the book. (I think he is kind of supposed to). I was confused as to why Maryah even put up with him. I understood why she was friends with April and thereby River, but once April was "gone" I didnt understand why she continued...

malese jow as Krista

Krista- Im a little conflicted on Krista, I liked her, but I didnt like her. I liked her because it was easy to see why Maryah liked her, but I couldnt understand why Krista would leave Maryah the way that she did. Especially considering the ending. I was baffled that a best friend wouldnt check in more often or notice Maryah's feelings etc. But I look forward to getting to know her better in the next book!



Supporting Cast (Faith, Haromony, Carson, Louise, Amber, Anthony, Dakota etc...)--I REALLY LOVED the supporting cast. While I will reiterate that there were a lot of them, so I got confused sometimes...I still loved them. They also help make this book move forward, make sense, and come together in the end. Each person has their specific role as it relates to Maryah and Nathans story, and I appreciate how they all come together and support the main characters (reminds me of Reckless Magic!)I think they really helped me fall in love with the book and with the love story of Maryah and Nathan!