Fate's Cry by Jalpa Williby is the story of Kelsey Taylor. Five years ago, on Halloween, her whole family died in a fire and she believes there is no one to blame but herself. Deciding she cannot live with grief and guilt, she attempts to take her own life. She is stopped and saved by a man named Damien. Heartbroken, she hopes that the two of them could have a future together, but when he disappears, she is resolved to move on and make something of her life.

Joining the police department was one of the best decisions she ever made. However, when her partner is killed and his daughter is kidnapped by the killer, she is ready to do whatever it takes to save the girl and take revenge. Just when she least expects it, Damien reappears. But she cannot trust him, not now. There is a killer on the loose and he could be anyone. For all she knows, it could be Damien, although her heart says something else. Can she trust her heart? Can she trust Damien? Or is she destined to live in grief and give in?

This was an intense novel and I loved it. Kelsey is a strong character, she was beautifully developed. I sympathized with her and empathized with her. Damien is such an enigmatic character. No matter how hard I tried, he was too hard to figure out. He was definitely a mystery that added greatly to the overall appeal of the novel. Plus, the cover of the novel is gorgeous. It fitted well with the plot. This book is really good! It deserves all the stars I can dish out!

Kelsey Taylor was 18 years old when she lost her family in a fire; her wheelchair-bound mother, her seven-year-old brother Ryan, and her 11-year-old sister Tori. She was a rebel and went out that night, despite her family’s plea for her to stay. After almost five years, the guilt never recedes and haunts her every single moment. If only she had been home that night, she could have saved them. A mysterious man named Damien enters her life and she’s confused by her attraction towards him. At the same time, she’s uncomfortable with his peculiarity and his secretive manner regarding his true identity.

Fate’s Cry by Jalpa Williby is an urban supernatural story that focuses on supernatural beings as classic as vampires and werewolves, but perhaps not as famous - at least not to me. Williby also mixed a dramatic crime thriller and romance into the story, so there’s plenty of action, suspense, and poignant moments. The plot is fast-paced and has a good twist. The prose is straightforward, making the reading flawless and engaging. Kelsey’s character development is well-written, particularly when she’s moving forward from her guilt and has joined the police force. I also like the cover art, so kudos to the artist, Amanda Walker.

On the whole, Fate’s Cry is a good read and a solid debut for the Fate series. Williby has included a sneak peak of the second book, Fate’s Roar. I like the way the story continues, so I look forward to reading about Damien’s brother in the next book.