Vivi’s animal instincts are her legacy—and maybe her downfall—in this start to a romantic fantasy series that will appeal to fans of The Nine Lives of Chloe King.
Vivi has known the truth about her family—and herself—since she was thirteen. But that doesn’t mean she’s accepted it. Being Haguari isn’t something she feels she’ll ever accept. How can she feel like anything but a freak knowing that it’s in her genes to turn into a jaguar?
Now eighteen, Vivi’s ready to break away from the traditions of her heritage. But all of that changes with the shocking, devastating deaths of her parents and the mysteries left behind. Vivi discovers family she never even knew she had, and a life open with possibility. New friends, new loyalties, and even romance all lay ahead—but so do dangers unlike anything Vivi ever could have imagined.
I am a huge Cate Tiernan fan. I have read and completed all of her other series with the Sweep series being one of my favorite book series. I loved all her series so I had to read Darkest Fear.
This book was a little different from the other books she has written. I was totally immersed into another culture not only Latin culture but also the Haguari (jaguar shape-shifters) culture. There were a lot of terms and because Vivi (the protagonist) didn't learn her culture we are learning things right along with her.
Everything in Vivi's life is turned upside down and she has to pull herself together and find out what it means to be Haguari and what it means to be herself. It's a rough go but I love how Vivi is figuring things out and how she is slowly evolving into a different person. She is not the type of character who pulls it together after her parents death. No, Vivi goes through a long grieving process and at times she is overwhelmed by her sadness but she powers through and that makes her a stronger character.
This book is as much a mystery book as it is about being Haguari. There are huge secrets in Vivi's family and while she is trying to that out something bigger and much darker is lurking ready take over not only Vivi but her new family and friends as well. I loved the action, mystery, romance, shape-shifting and culture experiences that Darkest Fear provided. I am a little concerned about the other books in this series because there had been no word yet, but I am hoping Tiernan finishes this series I would love to see what happens next.
