Protector By: Joanne Wadsworth Review

Protector
Author: Joanne Wadsworth
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Pages: 210
Rating: 4/5
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

To love and protect…across worlds.                                           
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a Halfling--thanks to her warrior father she’s never met--does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned.                                           Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a Halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate--an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.                    
With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers find their place in the world?

     Protector is the first instalment in the Magio-Earth series by Joanne  Wadsworth. Protector revolves around a girl named Faith, who meets a boy named Davio and is immediately attracted to him. Faith quickly finds out that the two of them are actually bonded and are mates for life. This revelation (in addition to her discovery that she's a Halfling) brings lots of complications to Faith's life, and is the beginning of any unexpected journey for her. 

     The relationship between Davio and Faith is one of the most, I'm going to say bipolar, relationships I've ever read about. One minute these two are arguing to the point where you honestly think they might kill each other, and then the next they're kissing each other like the most loving couple in the world. I have to admit that while reading, I was a little skeptical as to whether or not I liked the way the relationship between the two of them worked, but I have grown to absolutely love it. Both of their characters are really stubborn, making for very intense loving/fighting scenes, as well as a relationship that is almost impossible to predict. Their moments of hate and love come in unpredictable waves that keep you on the edge of you seat. I really liked the fact that as the book went on, we see how the two of them are working to compromise with one another while still making sure their individual voices are heard. The end of the novel left me hopeful that book two might involve less fighting and more steaminess.....emphasis on the might....like I said, these two are unpredictable ;) !

     I have to admit that Faith's character (aside from her total acceptance to both being a Halfling and bonded to Davio), was probably one of the most realistic characters I've read about in a while. For one, she doesn't let Davio walk all over her just because he's a prince and her bond-mate. She stands her ground even if that means going against his wishes. In addition, when her father comes back into the picture, she actually puts being a family once again (herself, her dad and her mother) almost as an equal (sometimes higher) priority than being with Davio 24/7 is. Although this at times was really frustrating (because we can see Davio's pain from her missing presence), it's the most realistic reaction you would expect. After all, Davio has only been in her life for a short amount of time, whereas her desire for a complete family has been something that has existed her whole entire life.

     I found the feud between Peacio and Dralion really cool to read about as well. In addition to being a huge obstacle in Davio and Faith's relationship, it also gave the book a Romeo and Juliet feel in regards to the rivalry between the Montagues and the Capulets. I'm curious to see if Faith and Davio's bond will mend the two "worlds' " feud or cause a huge war as the series progresses!

Favourite Quotes...

"Your girlfriend wants you to teach her how to move through space and time- now don't be an old-fashioned bore."

~~~~~~

"You're completely impossible."

"Yes, but I'm your impossible."

~~~~~~

"Give me five."

"No. You have two minutes, and just so you're aware, I'm already counting." He turned and headed toward the bathroom off his room.

"Hey," I grumped. "You can't make those kinds of demands and walk away. On Earth, those involved in a relationship discuss things. You're supposed to come up to three minutes, and then I'll come down to four."

Overall...

     Overall, Protector was a fast-paced, unpredictable read that had me hooked until the very end! I found myself really sad once I reached the end because I realized I had to wait to read book two....and I don't like waiting! Have you read Protector? Do you like male characters who are take charge and assertive, or layed back and gentle? Be sure to let me know in the commetns below! Keep Reading!

Your Y.A. Bookworm,

Caitlin <3

Protector @ Amazon