Book Details:
Title: Covet
Author: Tracy Wolff
ISBN: 9781682815816
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal
Published Year: 2021
Introduction to Covet
Covet is the third installment in Tracy Wolff’s Crave series, continuing the story of Grace Foster, a young woman who has been unexpectedly thrust into a world of supernatural beings and deadly intrigue. Grace is navigating the challenges of Katmere Academy—a school filled with vampires, witches, dragons, and werewolves—while contending with her own role as the only gargoyle among them, making her both powerful and vulnerable. Following the traumatic events in the previous books, Crave and Crush, Grace must now face new emotional and physical challenges that will test her strength, loyalty, and resilience.
The Return to Katmere Academy
After enduring devastating trials and learning of her heritage as the last known gargoyle, Grace returns to Katmere Academy. Here, she must grapple with the recent heartache over Jaxon, her first love, and the revelation of her connection with Hudson, his brother. This entanglement leaves Grace in a challenging emotional position where she must choose between:
- Jaxon Vega: Her steadfast love and a powerful vampire with whom she shares a deep connection.
- Hudson Vega: Jaxon’s estranged brother, whose wit and intensity have sparked an unexpected bond with Grace.
Grace’s dilemma over these two brothers is intensified by her reluctance to hurt either of them, as well as her responsibility toward her friends and the supernatural community.
The Vampire Court’s Deadly Bargain
In Covet, Grace is forced to face the Vampire Court, which demands that she settle a debt created by her relationship with the Vega family. She is accused of destabilizing the supernatural world by bringing Hudson back from exile and stirring tensions between factions. The Vampire Court’s demand is unforgiving and places her at risk of:
- Losing her freedom: She is ordered to surrender herself or find a way to pay her debts through alternative means.
- Risking her life: The court doesn’t hesitate to impose harsh punishments, leaving Grace in danger of being imprisoned or executed.
To escape these consequences, Grace must navigate a world of political intrigue where alliances are fragile, and betrayal lurks behind every decision.
Grace’s Inner Struggles and Growing Power
As Grace’s identity as a gargoyle becomes more prominent, she feels the burden of responsibility intensify. She is the last of her kind and must protect herself and her newfound friends against forces eager to exploit her. Her powers as a gargoyle are still largely mysterious, forcing Grace to discover their full extent on her own. Key themes of her journey include:
- Self-discovery: Grace must balance her powers with her humanity, accepting her strengths and weaknesses.
- Moral decisions: Her choices affect the entire supernatural community, compelling her to navigate right and wrong carefully.
- Growing courage: She develops inner strength, facing challenges head-on despite the risks, knowing she is the target of multiple factions.
Grace’s newfound powers add layers of intrigue, allowing her to connect with the magical world in ways no one else can. She learns that her gargoyle abilities are not only rare but may hold the key to saving herself and others in the academy.
The Love Triangle: Grace, Jaxon, and Hudson
The romantic tension between Grace, Jaxon, and Hudson is a central plotline in Covet, as Grace finds herself torn between her feelings for the two Vega brothers. The unique bonds she shares with each brother pull her in opposite directions:
- Jaxon: Represents her first love and a deep connection rooted in loyalty and shared experiences.
- Hudson: Challenges Grace emotionally and intellectually, offering her a different kind of partnership where they can understand each other’s darker sides.
Each brother has a claim to Grace’s heart, and her choice will have significant consequences. The novel explores her hesitation and confusion as she begins to understand that love is multifaceted and complex.
The Shadow Court and the Bloodletter’s Dark Plans
As Grace tries to make sense of her role in the supernatural world, she encounters a mysterious and ominous faction known as the Shadow Court. Led by the ancient and powerful Bloodletter, the Shadow Court is:
- Sinister and manipulative: They have their own designs on Grace’s power and intend to use her for their own ends.
- Threatening the balance of power: Their motives are obscure, but they seem intent on exploiting the chaos surrounding the Vega family to increase their own influence.
The Bloodletter’s manipulations place Grace and her friends in grave danger, revealing that her destiny is more entwined with these powerful forces than she realized. Grace learns that her presence at Katmere Academy is part of a larger plot and that she must take a stand or risk becoming a pawn in a deadly game.
Friends and Allies in the Fight for Survival
Grace’s friends at Katmere Academy are her lifeline amidst the chaos, and they each play critical roles in her journey. Her group of allies includes:
- Macy: Grace’s cousin, a powerful witch who provides both emotional support and magical assistance.
- Flint: A dragon who becomes one of Grace’s trusted confidantes, representing a different side of the supernatural world.
- Eden and Mekhi: Additional allies whose loyalty to Grace is tested but ultimately remains steadfast.
Each friend brings unique skills and perspectives, helping Grace navigate the perils that lie ahead. Together, they form a tight-knit group that faces seemingly insurmountable challenges and risks.
The Climax and the Decision
In the final chapters of Covet, Grace faces a brutal showdown with the Vampire Court and the Shadow Court. She realizes that:
- Her powers are critical: Only by embracing her gargoyle heritage can she protect herself and her friends.
- The time for choice has come: Grace must finally decide between Hudson and Jaxon, a decision that will not only impact her heart but also the fragile peace among supernatural factions.
Her decision marks a turning point in her life and sets the stage for the subsequent books in the series, as she accepts the full weight of her choices and the consequences that will follow.
Conclusion
Covet by Tracy Wolff is a spellbinding addition to the Crave series, delving into themes of love, power, identity, and destiny. Grace’s journey in this book is marked by self-discovery, resilience, and the courage to stand up to forces much larger than herself. The compelling love triangle, high-stakes court politics, and supernatural intrigue make Covet an engrossing read that leaves readers eager for more.
The story underscores the importance of embracing one’s identity, finding strength in friendships, and making hard choices, even when the stakes are heart-wrenching. For fans of paranormal romance and fantasy, Covet offers a richly woven tale of bravery, love, and the timeless struggle for freedom.