The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams (Incarnation, Book 1)

Seraphina is both relieved and apprehensive. She's come to terms with the fact that tonight she's going to die. That might be traumatic for most people, but after living 600 years, she's ready. She doesn't want to take another life. That's how she's lived as long as she has, with the help of the serum developed by Cyrus. He was once the love of her life, now he's practically her captor.

Cyrus has planned an elaborate party to celebrate her taking another form, which is what he believes will happen tonight. He doesn't know about her plans. If he did, he would never allow it. The years have made him cold, calculating, possessive, unmerciful... inhuman. He thinks nothing of the life they steal when they take another body.

She can't take any chances, or let anyone else in on her secret - not even her best friend. Things seem to be going according to plan until the screeching sounds of glass and metal tear through the silence of the night, assaulting Sera's senses, blurring her vision and inspiring in her a desperate need to help. Without thinking, she starts CPR...the very act necessary to begin body transference. In an instant, Sera has taken over Kailey's body. She's trapped in the body of a 16-year old girl, with a family and friends, and no easy way out. To leave now would only cause the girl's family more suffering, and to stay risks exposing her as an imposter. All of which discounts the fact that Cyrus may still be out there looking for her...

The only consolation in this disaster of a situation is Bryan, Kailey's next door neighbor. It seems clear that before the accident Kailey only talked with him when no one else was around, something that is changing with Sera. He is the only one that makes her feel comfortable in these strange new surroundings. She does everything she can to suppress the story of the accident to keep Cyrus from finding out. Then there's the drama of high school. Can Sera, a teen from 1349, ever hope to fit in a modern school? So many questions without answers, and they just don't stop. Just when she thinks things are finally starting to settle down, and that she can make it through the next 2 years until college...something unthinkable happens.

It held my attention. It's a quick read. Hardly mind shattering, but it's an interesting take on this new trend. What would happen to our humanity if we lived by taking life? A twist on the vampire myth, this offers a way to live through someone else's eyes. I'm curious to see what happens in the sequel. The cliffhanger has me intrigued.

*Library Link*

"I am a ghost, I think wildly. It is the only explanation. Except that when I reach out, my hand makes contact with my own cheek. But it is not my hand that I reach out with - it is dirty, with ragged nails. Somehow I am now the filthy female thief.
I jump to my feet, suddenly strong. 'I don't understand.'
Cyrus stands in front of me. 'Sera, you're alive. And if I am correct, you'll never have to die.'
'But my body...'
Cyrus hesitates a moment, thinking. Then he scoops it up and drops it into the Thames. It lands with a loud splash. 'It's the only one you'll ever leave behind. Your new body is different, no longer human or attached to your soul. When you are done with it, it will break into dust,'" (Williams pg. 9, 2012). 

If you liked this, check out:
The Impossibility of Tomorrow by Avery Williams (Incarnation, Book 2) June 2013
 Every Day by David Levithan
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Everneath by Brodi Ashton (Everneath, Book 1)

Williams, Avery. (2012). The Alchemy of Forever: An Incarnation novel. New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR.