Emerge – The Awakening by Melissa A. Craven is a novel that follows the life of Alexis Carmichael, a girl who perhaps seems normal on the outside, yet is anything but on the inside. Allie has always known she was different, but she also thought she was the only one. She is proved wrong when she literally stumbles across a boy named Aidan. Aidan and his family have supernatural powers and, as she soon discovers, Allie does too. However, as the famous saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Because of this power, Allie is a threat to others, meaning others are a threat to her. Thrust into a world where she is made to accept her new life, undergo hardcore training to ensure her safety, whilst amidst complex boy troubles even she cannot wholly understand - will this prove too much for Allie, or will she learn to accept what she now is before it is too late?

Emerge – The Awakening is a novel that grabbed my attention within the first few pages and refused to let go until the very end. The premise was exciting, the storyline kept me guessing, and the plot kept me reading, which are all qualities of an excellent book. Melissa A. Craven excels at bringing her characters to life especially with Allie and Aidan, whose attraction to one another could be felt through the pages. What I loved the most was the introduction of Aidan into Allie’s life as he was not made to be superior or inferior to her, but equal. One small critique is that perhaps Craven could have slowed down the development of Allie and Aidan’s relationship as I felt that plot element in particular was slightly rushed. Apart from that, I would highly recommend this novel as it is fast-paced, interesting and, above all, a very good read.

Emerge: The Awakening by Melissa A. Craven is a young adult paranormal romance about main character Allie. Allie affects people differently. She reads people well, knows who to trust and who not to befriend. People are a little uncomfortable around her, especially if she touches them, but that doesn’t seem so terribly weird to Allie. Until Allie meets Aidan, and she realizes that there is something different about her. But different doesn’t have to be bad. Different can also mean special. Allie is an Immortal. When Immortals are awakened, they have strength, speed, and a host of other talents. Allie’s talent is that she’s clairvoyant, which is different than Aidan, who is a healer. As Allie learns to navigate the Immortals' world, she begins to trust and rely on Aidan more than anyone else she’s ever known. They are connected and very close, but Allie isn’t sure if she is ready to trust Aidan with her entire heart.

Melissa A. Craven does a nice job of describing and building this unique and beautiful world. One of my favorite parts of this novel was the differences between Allie’s life as a mortal and Allie’s journey to accept the life of an Immortal. It was a nice contrast and I thought Craven did a good job of showing the differences between those two lifestyles. I also liked the love interest between Aidan and Allie. It was sweet for Allie to have a friend who accepted her, especially after she was used to people not always understanding her. I really liked Aidan for being so accepting of Allie.

Melissa A. Craven's young adult paranormal story Emerge: The Awakening is about the budding friendship and romance between Allie and Aidan. Allie grows up in the mortal world and doesn’t understand why people are slightly uncomfortable around her. Aidan is the first person to smile at her and not move away from her touch. Like Aidan, Allie is an Immortal. When she is fully awakened, she will have special powers, like healing or seeing the future. But the new power that is flowing through Allie is hard to control and Allie wonders if this new world will overwhelm her. It is a dangerous world. Allie, who hates to fight, just might have to resort to fighting to protect her birthright and the power and freedom that goes with it. If she does, she hopes Aidan will be right by her side.

Emerge: The Awakening is a cool story about a girl who is different but doesn’t understand why. Then she learns that she isn’t just “different.” She’s talented and unique and part of this awesome group of Immortals. I think young readers will especially appreciate that part of the story. Craven did a nice job making this story relatable to young readers. I think a lot of readers will like Allie and see themselves in her character. I know I want to be like her! And have a sweet friend like Aidan who has my back and just might become more than a bestie. Craven obviously has a talent for strong and interesting characters!