"Point of Origin" by Amanda Havard

THE SURVIVORS: POINT OF ORIGIN - Amanda Havard (released June 2012)

(Book two of the The Survivors series)

I was given Point of Origin before I read the original book, The Survivors.  I hate reading books out of order, so I ordered the first book, and I wasn't overly impressed.  However, I really enjoyed Point of Origin! 

Point of Origin is about Sadie's quest to save her existing family from the rogue vampires that were once her family.  The only way to do this is to uncover where their kind came from - their point of origin - and if there is a way to stop the vampires from destroying the Survivors.  Long the way, Sadie discovers a whole other side to Everett and the Winters, and questions how she really feels about Cole Hardwick.

Perhaps I enjoyed Point of Origin more than The Survivors because I was already invested in the characters - Sadie, Everett, Mark, and Cole - and therefore cared out their trials and tribulations; or maybe because the book wasn't all about searching for a way for an immortal to off herself.  I think Amanda Havard found the perfect pacing in this book.   The first book went too slow and didn't make me yearn to keep reading it, but I actually looked forward to having time to read Point of Origin!  I felt there was more depth to this book, with honoring yourself, learning how to love the good with the bad, and trusting in your elders.  The story had me constantly questioning who Sadie could really trust and who was trying to deceive her, which I really enjoyed!  The story was constantly moving forward, (instead of losing focus like The Survivors) adding more mystery into the mix with every answer Sadie tried to find.  It was a constant and steady build up to an exciting climax, with and ending that makes you gasp.  I am now hooked and want to know what happens between the Winters, Sadie, the Survivors, and Cole!  I need to read the third book!!

Final thought:  Point of Origin is 100% better than the first book - The Survivors.  Point of Origin kept me interested and wanting to read more.  I actually felt sympathetic towards Sadie, which I didn't in the first book, and I wanted to go along on this journey with her.  If you could make sense of Point of Origin without reading The Survivors first, I would recommend it.  However, you'll need to read the first book to understand some of the bigger issues Point of Origin.