The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell was fresh and magnificently written, a book that mixed paranormal and historical fiction in an exquisite way. 
 That said, this book didn't really do it for me. I don't know the reason, but sometimes, it felt like I was reading an essay instead of a novel (but that could have just been my bad mood). And the funny thing is that even though I found this book just okay, I find myself wanting for more. 
 Amelia, the heroine, was the classic young, lost girl that finds herself in something bigger than her. I couldn't bring myself to care for her, and neither for her friend Zora, who irritated me during the first half of the book and whom I spent pitying for the second one. I believe the only character I truly liked was Thomas, Zora's love interest, who was so unmistakably good and caring I had no choice but hoping for him till the end. On the other side, Nathaniel didn't strike me as the charming - or interesting - type, just as a young, careless (sometimes shallow) and very-much-in-love boy. I think the best part of his character was actually his name (I love its sound. Nathaaaaaaniel. LOL) 
 Whereas the characters were a bit lacking, I have no complaints about the writing and the setting, both great and realistic. I also liked the relationship between Zora and Amelia, it added a bit of normalcy in the book, and it was sweet to see how the girls became so important to each other. 
 The vesper visions intrigued me from the start and the concept of the four element as the source of the powers was very interesting, I hope Amelia gets to know more people with powers in the next installments. The paranormal part was what I liked more in this novel. 
 Overall, it was an interesting read and I'll probably read the second installment in the series.