Destined for Doon {INSPY Review}

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

Doon #2

Visit the series Website HERE

Publisher: Blink

Publishing Date: September 2nd, 2014

Goodreads Summary:

In this sequel to Doon, Kenna Reid realizes she made a horrible mistake-choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. Worse, she's received proof she and Duncan are meant to be, along with torturous visions of the prince she left behind. So when Duncan shows up and informs Kenna that Doon needs her, she doesn't need to think twice. But even if Kenna can save the enchanted kingdom, her happily ever after may still be in peril.

The Doon novels are a part of Blink, HarperCollins Christian Publishing's new YA imprint that delivers empowering and heartening literature while maintaining a tradition of imaginative and impactful storytelling.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy today! 

My Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book for the INSPY awards where it was nominated for the Literature for Young Adults category. It is the second in a series, however, and I didn't have time to track down book one, 'Doon', and read it. Luckily, a wonderful blogger, Charlene from Bookish Whimsy, was willing to give me all the deets and spoilers I needed for book two to make sense. So this is also my very belated, but still much meant, thank you :)

The series revolves around two best friends who are Called to a magical, hidden, Scottish land called Doon. There they find their Destined, or true love, so yes, expect a lot of romance. Kenna's voice was fun, relevant, and obsessed with musicals. There are more than a few musical references that I didn't get, but also some I understood for being a non-musical buff too. Her character, in this book, was the classic 'thought she was doing good for Love Interest but was really just being blind and selfish'. I wanted to shake her and Duncan a MILLION times! They just needed to be locked in a room to talk it out. But in the end it was resolved adorably which caused a few heart flutters. 

I really enjoyed Veronica's side of the story. Not only was she Called to Doon to meet Jamie her true love, but also to be their queen. WHOA, pretty heavy for a teenager. Her voice then felt very mature at times as she struggled with how to become a ruler and if she really wanted to be. Veronica's story was like a peek behind "Happily Ever After" and how it isn't always so happy, or easy.

The ending was a HUGE cliffhanger, but that seems to be what is going to be typical with this series. It really made me excited and anxious for book three to come out (which I totally read as soon as I could!). But because this was up for an INSPY award, I really read the book through a lens that was geared for Christian teenagers. It is FULL of teenage angst. Like a lot. Chock full of 'does he like me?', 'Am I good enough?' and etc. But there was also drinking, drunkenness, huge makeout sessions (all the attraction is so physical), and some graphic violence near the end. Don't get me wrong, it was still a great YA book, but just not INSPY winner stuff.

So as it stands, I gave this book 4 stars. I think if you like stories of best friends working together to fend off evil, teenage crushes, and awesome giant cliffhangers, I really think you should give 'Destined for Doon' a try. Veronica and Kenna are great friends and they have total hotties in Duncan and Jamie. SCOTTISH hotties. It would make for a good TV miniseries....

Look for my review of 'Shades of Doon', book three, next week!!