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The Eternal Ones: What If Love Refused to Die?    by Kirsten Miller Amazon.com order for
Eternal Ones
by Kirsten Miller
Order:  USA  Can
Razorbill, 2010 (2010)
Hardcover, e-Book
* *   Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto

In the onslaught of YA paranormal romances, it is sometimes hard to find a unique angle, but Kirsten Miller identified one: reincarnation. This theme is the backbone of her new novel, The Eternal Ones.

Haven Moore always knew she was different – frequent blackouts that take her into the mind of a girl named Constance prove that. Haven sees nothing wrong with remembering Constance's life, especially her love for a man named Ethan. However the rest of her small Tennessee town, including her ultra-religious grandmother, consider Haven's visions to be the work of the devil.

Haven learns of a society for people like her, people who remember past lives. Called the Ouroboros Society, it is located in New York – which is also where Ethan's newest incarnation, Iain Morrow - a rich boy and possible murderer - lives. After her grandmother's house is set on fire by an unknown assailant and her grandmother accuses her of setting the blaze, Haven escapes to New York to find Iain and the Ouroboros Society.

First she finds Iain, who seems to be everything she thought he would be. He assures her the rumors of murder are false, but also tries to dissuade her from contacting the OS. At first Haven blindly agrees, but then learns that Iain is keeping secrets from her ... deadly secrets. But which is worse: a murderous playboy or a secret society with the power to make people disappear?

Miller has taken an interesting concept, added mystery and intrigue, and come up with a sure page-turner. The multi-leveled plot will keep readers guessing with every turn of the page, never letting up until the end. The only negative to the story comes once the rising action really starts rolling and Haven constantly flip-flops on her belief about Iain's innocence.

It is always good when the main character - and thus the reader - is unsure whom to trust, but Haven switches poles a little too fast and a little too much, which becomes tiresome. However, if you can get past Haven's wishy-washy-ness about trusting Iain, you will find a dark and gripping story in The Eternal Ones. Kirsten Miller has great imagination and a way with words that makes the over four hundred pages just fly by.

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