Book Review: Devoted by Hilary Duff

Publish Date: October 11, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN:9781442408562
Pages:
Series: Elixir, #2
Source: ARC from publisher

From Goodreads:
Clea Raymond believes her soulmate, Sage, is lost forever, and it rips her apart. She is haunted by memories of him being taken away by his enemies. Then strange signs and dreams point to a way she can possibly win him back. To succeed, she’ll have to put her faith in her former best friend Ben—despite the devastating reason he’s lost her trust.

     As Clea and Ben follow a dangerous and mysterious trail across the globe to reach Sage, all their loyalties will be tested. And Clea will face a terrible choice—she can save Sage, but only by betraying the people closest to her. With Sage’s immortal soul in the balance, whatever Clea decides will change her life forever….

My Review:
Where Elixir took us on the beginning of the journey to find Clea's dad, Devoted puts that on the back burner and focuses more on Clea saving Sage's life so they can live happily ever after. Clea is afraid that she has lost Sage and she's willing to do what it takes to get him back. I just wished for more regarding Clea's father. I thought that was a main plot line to the Elixir series, but this novel seemed to take us in another direction. 
I'm glad that I had book 2 to read right after book 1 because there were so many answers that I needed and thankfully got in book 2. We have a clearer understanding of the 2 groups, the Cursed Vengeance and the Saviors, who they really are and what they want. And why and how Sage's body is riddled with the Elixir of life. We meet new characters that at first might seem out of place, but they are crucial to the story. While not all answers are there, and new ones arose, there was a lot happening in Devoted, I was happy that book 3 was waiting for me, and I could just hop from one to the next. 
The ending of Devoted was just insane, and you'll have to read it to see what I'm talking about, but holy cow, what is going to happen now? Devoted should definitely be on your reading list if you've read book 1. 

Book Review: Elixir by Hilary Duff

Publish Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
ISBN: 978-0-8570-7054-8
Pages: 330
Series: Elixir, #1
Source: Bought
Goodreads Synopsis:
Clea Raymond is a talented photojournalist and the daughter of high-profile parents. Usually she's in total control of her camera, but after Clea's father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and handsome young man begin to appear in Clea's photos--a man she has never seen in her life. When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned--and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father's disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future--and their lives.

My Review:
I had a hard time taking Elixir serious. I kept waiting for that key point - 'Oh right, what was I thinking reading this? Hilary Duff wrote it!' - Maybe I was being completely judgmental  but that's what I was thinking reading this. I kept remembering of the old Hilary Duff - you know, Lizzie McGuire, then pop star - and I thought there's no way she can now be a best-selling author of a YA Paranormal/Fantasy series.(actor-> singer -> author -> what next?) But that key point never happened, I finished the book, and enjoyed every part of it!
Clea keeps seeing this guy show up in her photos. At first, she writes it off as a security measure seeing as her mother is in politics, and is always trying to protect Clea and keep her safe. After multiple dreams featuring this mysterious guy and hours of studying these pictures, Clea finds one where the guy seems to be  floating and Clea knows this is not possible. So she digs deeper and gets some help of her best friend, Ben. Together, they uncover that this is what Clea's dad had been studying (he's missing), and after traveling around the world together, Ben and Clea try to unlock the secrets of this mysterious Elixir of life and find out who keeps appearing in Clea's photos, also trying to piece together the disappearance of her father. When we finally meet the guy in the picture, a character named Sage, things start going in a different direction, Clea is drawn to him in a way no one can understand.
Clea, even though a daughter of a politician and world renowned surgeon, who can travel around the world whenever she wants, and vacations in the hot spots of Paris and so on, is a character that readers can relate to. She's still just a teenager who likes being with her friends and loves dancing and the scene with Ben and her in Rio on the beach is proof of that. Sage is mysterious, and yet endearing and I always felt the need to know more about him. Ben, a young and smart guy is a real sweet and amiable character who will put anything on the line to help and protect Clea. Duff's writing was alright. she put a lot of description is her work and was able to pull readers in. There's a lot of information just left hanging there so book #2 is a must-read!