Review: Tab Bennett and the Inbetween by Jes Young

Goodreads Summary:

Lately Tab Bennett’s life is like a fairy tale. Unfortunately for her, it’s the Grimm kind. The kind where the woods are deep and dark and full of monsters; where a mother’s longing for something forbidden means terrible consequences for her daughter; where the huntsman who takes the princess for a walk in the woods plans to steal her heart – literally – right out of her chest.

Right up until the visions started, Tab would have described herself as normal. But her sisters’ disappearance brought long-hidden secrets into the light, revealing a world she never dreamed existed and a destiny she cannot deny. Now “normal” means wicked subterranean kings and murdered Elvish princesses and clandestine revenge schemes. Suddenly Tab is juggling her fiancé’s broken heart and a handsome prince’s irresistible advances while trying to unravel an assassination plot, and avoid a sociopath with an axe to grind.

As she struggles to hold on to the human world she’s always known and understand her place in the magical one she’s just discovered, dangerous forces have begun gathering around her. If she wants to live to see the happily ever after at the end of the story, Tab will have to figure out who she can trust, who wants her dead, and why. The answers will change everything she believes about herself, the people she loves, and the place she calls home.

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

I’m very impressed with this debut from Jes Young and can’t wait to continue with the series. The characters were well done and there was a great mix of suspense, romance and mystery. The ending left me anxious to see what’s in store next for Tab and her group of Elvish guardians.

Tab quickly became one of my favorite female protagonists. I love a little snark and Tab can certainly dish it out. It was good to see a female protagonist who wasn’t afraid to give her opinions and fight for what she wants. It was also interesting to see her develop her powers and undergo training to effectively lead her people. Her relationships with her cousins was also touching and unlike many secondary characters in books, they did not come across as one note.

The beginning was a little confusing, but once the secrets of Tab’s heritage is revealed the plot really picks up. A nice spin on the fantasy genre was that the action takes place in both a contemporary setting and on a magical Elvish realm. The author did a good job of world building and the descriptions of the Elvish characters.

The love triangle was interesting, especially when it is discovered that enchantments are involved. It was hard to tell what feelings were real and what was being influenced by magic. I wish we got to know more about both of the male romantic leads, but the mystery surrounding the men did make me question their motives and increased the tension in the novel. The love scenes were very steamy and blush-worthy. I thought the book was a young adult novel, but it’s most definitely for adults.

Overall, a fun novel that I finished in only a couple of sittings. I anticipate the next novel will be just as good as Tab continues to figure out her feelings for Robbin and Alex and fights her enemies in the Light and Dark realms.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.