Compulsion (The Heirs of Watson Island #1) by Martina Boone

Compulsion (The Heirs of Watson Island #1)
by Martina Boone
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: October 28th 2014

Rate: Loved it (5 stars)

Synopsis:

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

Martina Boone's story couldn't have a better name, both for the story and the cover and what it does to readers. The instant I started Compulsion I couldn't stop reading until I knew what would happen in the next chapter. So I devoured this book!

The story starts with Barrie leaving San Francisco after her mother's death to Watson's Island, to a place where no one knew about her and her mother, not even her mother's sister who she's going to live with. 

The Island has many mysteries and Barrie's aunt, Lulu, seems to be a little odd, but Barrie is looking forward to meet all the family she never met. Little she know about the traditions of Alabama: gossip and the history in Watson's Island where the Colesworth, Beaufort and Watson family have part in it. 

I do not want to explain more because I think that one of the beauties of this story is finding little by little more about Watson's Island, the three families and the main characters, without spoiling anything. The plot is well built and perfectly written and it keeps the readers interested until the very end, with its ups and downs and with a major cliffhanger that will unravel one of the many mysteries that involves Barry's new life.

The intensity of this story is incredible and the pull of the romance story and the mystery is inexplicable. I think that Barrie and Eight's romance story is one of my favorite this year. There's a progression in their relationship and it feels real and approachable for the reader. There's also the fear of feeling so much for someone, of leaving or be left alone, of repeating history or wondering how much their own gift is making them like each other. It has all the perks of falling in love and it's simply perfect. You need to read Compulsion to understand me. 

With a dark touch, Compulsion everything to be a terrific read for YA lovers. It has mystery, magic, danger, family feuds, secrets and romance. I think I might combust due to my level of wanting to read the following book in this series, so there's no need to ask me if I recommend this book. 

Ashley Benson as Barrie

Chris Hemsworth as Eight

Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She fell in love with words and never stopped delighting in them.

She’s the founder of AdventuresInYAPublishing.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers site, and YASeriesInsiders.com, a site devoted to encouraging literacy and all this YA Series.

From her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, children, and Auggie the wonder dog, she enjoys writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she’d love to visit. When she isn’t writing, she’s addicted to travel, horses, skiing, chocolate flavored tea, and anything with Nutella on it.