Review: Windchaser by Krissi Dallas

Title: Windchaser

Author: Krissi Dallas
Publisher:  Tate Publishing 
Publishing Date: December 13th 2011
Pages: 288

Genre:  YA Contemporary Fantasy

Series: Phantom Island #1
Source: Audio

  

High school senior Whitnee has spent six years rebuilding her identity after her father's mysterious disappearance left her with more questions than answers. With her two best friends, Morgan and Caleb, she returns as a mentor to the summer camp of her childhood. Nestled in the Texas hill country, Camp Fusion is everything Whitnee remembers—except for the haunting visions that only she can see. One fateful night, Whitnee and her friends embark on a magical voyage where unexpected adventure and heart-stopping romance collide—a journey that might unlock the dark, complicated mysteries of Whitnee's family history. But will she find the answers she is looking for?

This book has been on my TBR for a very long time and I finally made a spot for it right before the author comes to town. I was pleasantly pleased by this book. I was creative, original, and very enjoyable. I loved it from the beginning to the end, never a dull moment, and full of surprises. This was a story of magic and mystery. 

Whitnee lost her father 6 years ago, he just disappeared and she still doesn't know if he is dead or living up somewhere without her and her mother. She was sent to a camp after her father disappeared to deal with her emotions and met her two best friends, Morgan and Caleb. They have been together ever since and now they are counselors at the famous camp that brought them together and changed their lives. The one rule that can't be broken at camp... do not cross the river. After seeing strange visions,Whitnee decides to cross the river and finds an entirely new world awaits.

This was a fantastic read. The world building was amazing, the story intriguing and mysterious, great pace and flow to the story, and wonderful characters. Everything I look for in a book. 

The world building was just amazing. I love the island, the way the island works, the magical powers on the island, the beautiful scenery of the island, and of course the hottie of the island. It was an amazing journey discovering all the island held, the tribes and the mystical powers. The author did a wonderful job describing while telling the history of the island. I was lost inside the stories in the story. 

The world building wasn't the only wonderful thing in this book. The setting was awesome but the story was even more awesome. I didn't want to put the book down. At times I could see where the story were headed. there are a few predictable moments but all in all its full of mystery and I still don't have it all figured out.

The characters are pretty cool  too. Whitnee is pretty level headed, except when it come to Caleb. She has her stupid moments where he is concerned, but all in all she has her head on straight. Well except when it comes to crossing the river.OK so she is a little impulsive at times but at least she does things well and not just half way, like finding trouble. Morgan is pretty cool, but she is kind of in the background. She is the glue that keeps the trio together.Caleb is OK, a real toot sometimes. He doesn't know how to handle rejection and he seems a bit wishy washy, but I think he is just a normal teenage boy. 

There really isn't any romance yet, there is some in the making. In this book there was just the friendships and a little bit of passion in the making. It does seem there could be a love triangle coming up but its a bit early to tell and if there is one, I am OK with it. It seems it will fit in well. 

I am really anxious to see where this series leads me and can't wait to get the next installment. 

A great contemporary fantasy read. I would recommend it to almost anyone who reads.