Elixir (Elixir #1) by Hilary Duff

Publication Date: 10-12-2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library / Gifted

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Goodreads Summary:

Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

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I picked up this book out of pure curiosity.  I loved watching Lizzie McGuire as a kid and I admit I couldn't imagine Hilary Duff writing a book.  I thought, what the heck? Why not take a chance, I mean the synopsis sounded good.  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised.  Hilary Duff wrote an interesting debut novel that at times I didn't want to put down.

Clea Raymond is basically a young rich girl.  Her Daddy was a famous surgeon and politician in Washington DC.  He went missing on a humanitarian mission, and Clea still hasn't quite gotten over it.  She has become a great photojournalist at a young age, without the help of her real name.  I wouldn't say she is the most developed character, but we know enough about her to get by.  When Clea notices that on her most recent trip her pictures are plagued by photos of a beautiful man in a shadowy image, she freaks out a little.  Especially, when she takes a picture of her closet and sees him in the picture when he wasn't there before.

She decides to try to figure it all out, but is called away on another photojournalist gig in another country.  It is during this time that she comes face to face with this shadowy image.  She realizes this shadowy image is a real person following her around.  Clea learns more about her dad too.  As well as a crazy secret that she never once could have imagined.  

This was a fast-paced novel that kept you guessing.  Some parts were predictable, but most of it was a question of "What will happen next?"  I think this was a great debut novel and something worth picking up if you are interested in mysteries.  It has a little bit of supernatural bits thrown in, but isn't really focused on the supernatural.  I would definitely consider this more of a mystery.  Hilary Duff has proved to be a multifaceted individual and I'm sure I'll pick up the second in this series soon!