Plot:
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.
Review:
Grasping at Eternity surprised me in such a good way. The main character, Maryah Woodsen, is an Element, or at least she was until she decided to erase her memories forever. Maryah must deal with many difficult things, including the loss of her parents and brother, moving in with her godmother and growing apart from her best friend. In addition to all of this, Maryah has crazy dreams that are more than they appear to be.
The characters that the author has created are so intricate and nuanced. While there are a ton of characters, I never found myself trying to remember who was who and getting everyone confused. Karen Amanda Hooper did an amazing job of developing her characters and it makes this book a great read.
Unlike many YA books, I found myself being surprised by this book almost the whole way through, which doesn’t happen often. I didn’t find this book to be predictable at all. Also, the whole premise of the book was something new to me, and with all of the books out about witches and angels and whatnot, it was very refreshing to read something completely new.
Overall I really loved this book and have already added the other two books in the series to my never-ending to-read list. I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
