Monday 18 July 2011

The Mephisto Convenant (Book 1) by Trinity Faegen - Book Review

Title: The Mephisto Covenant (Book 1)
Author: Trinity Faegen
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: 27th September 2011
Pages: 448
Format: E-Book - PDF
Genre: Paranormal YA
Source: ARC from NetGalley




Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?
(Goodreads Synopsis)



To be honest, the cover art was the first thing that grabbed me about this book and it was on that basis (followed by a read of the blurb) that I requested it from NetGalley.

At the start of the book, I thought I was going to be disappointed as I found the story somewhat clichéd and felt I was anticipating everything that was happening. It was at about the halfway point that things changed and I suddenly found myself drawn into the story and starting to care about the characters. There was still a lot of predictability, but being more invested in the characters, I was able to overlook that and I confess I shed a little tear at the end.

I would say that on the whole I enjoyed the book, but I was surprised to see it listed as book one in a series as it seemed to me that the story could have ended with the finale of this first book. Yes, there are some loose ends, and maybe I will read on, but there was not a great hook in the cliff-hanger to make me hungry for more.

If I could pick one thing I wish had been different, I would say that I would have liked more regarding Eryx. We learn he is ‘evil’, and certainly we see him manipulating people, but I don’t find myself completely sold on the need to defeat him at all costs. Not at this stage at least – and maybe that’s where the second book will take us.

It seems that this review is very negative, but I am actually giving the book four stars as by the time I turned the final page, I would say that I enjoyed the story. I just wasn’t as deeply involved in the world as I would have liked to have been.

Will I read on in the series? Maybe, but the hook in the blurb would need to be good to get my attention. So in conclusion: a little predictable at times, but a pleasant read all the same.

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