Book review
Title: Infusion
Author: Faye Carlisle
Genre: Fantasy/ YA/ Romance
Rating: ****
Review: The opening to Infusion was good, we meet Kate re-joining school with a new boy Jack. It is a normal day until the flange on their Bunsen burner grows and shrinks with being touched out without a draught. Strange things continue to happen when Kate and Jack have chemistry lessons but Kate just shrugs it off as coincidence but Jack seems to notice these strange things, we also learn young girls have been going missing nearby. One thing Kate can say is the strange occurrences started after she met Jack.
As we approach the 1/4 mark in the novel we see Kate learn at a fair about gypsy folklore and stories that some people of gypsy blood inherited powers. After having her fortune read and an indication towards her father's blood being special makes Kate want to find him especially after the gypsy tells her the necklace her father gave her mother symbolizes the Namu: a race of supernatural people with special gifts. Kate learns of another race of supernatural beings called Devotees who have telepathic abilities, can control people’s minds and move fire which is symbolized in her necklace. When Jack sees her necklace he wants to talk to her about it despite the fact he has ignored her for weeks Kate is to learn more from him.
As we cross the 1/4 mark in the novel Jack tells Kate she is a 1/4 Namu because if her blood had been stronger it would have killed her mother. She begins to explore her abilities with Jack and she is stronger than he first believed but he also knows that there is something about him that triggered her abilities. While they both like each other Jack isn't sure they can be together because Namu are forbidden from having relationships with human and she is mostly human. Kate also asks her mother about her father Henry and she deduced that he kept his abilities hidden from her mother and the ban on human relationships may explain why he left.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel we see Kate with Jack's help beginning training her powers and although I felt personally that she picked up the telepathy too easily I really enjoyed learning about the magic system and Namu culture. We also see Kate come face to face with the man who is her father and he isn't what she expected, he's a drunk with a violent nature.
As we cross into the second half of the novel we see Kate realises what the true consequences of being in a relationship with a Namu could be, one example would be that Kate and Jack would never have children. We see Kate learn that she may be post Namu and post gypsy meaning she will have some unique abilities that other Namu won't although these haven't been revealed yet. During an outing with Jack, Kate gets kidnapped by Damien who is a rogue Namu who its interested in her 1/4 Namu abilities and although Kate refuses to help him create a super race they start withholding her food.
As we cross into the final section of the novel we see Kate and Laura contact Jack and Runi, together the Namu and the gypsies work together to rescue all the kidnapped girls. When Ava and Damien are cornered by Jack who is one of the strongest Namu present they are captured and put on trial where Kate was a witness. Kate also meets her now sober father where they discuss the events of the past. Kate also seems torn between her Namu and gypsy heritage, she feels more at ease with the gypsies but likes and maybe loves a Namu. The ending of this book wasn't the best but I can't wait to read more about Kate and Jack's adventures.
Overall, this is the second book I have read by Faye Carlisle and I felt personally that The Fortress was slightly better on the writing and characters although Infusion did have a really gripping plot. I would recommend this book but only when you are familiar with the author's writing style otherwise you might find it underwhelming.

This is a good story, with likable characters, and a new twist on the supernatural. The first 30% was difficult and at times the author got lost in the chemistry and psychology stuff. It's in need of a good editor, maybe eliminate some of the technical stuff as that may turn many readers off. I'm hoping there will be a second book where we can get greater insight into the H and h since I feel like we know the supporting characters much better.