Crush: Crave Series, Book 2 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Crush: Crave Series, Book 2

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

74%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Think Twilight but with a lot more swearing, more species, and a main character who actually has a spine.

Crush: Crave Series, Book 2

book

2020

74%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Think Twilight but with a lot more swearing, more species, and a main character who actually has a spine.

4.6

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4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Crush is the literary equivalent of a high-budget CW show. It’s long, it’s dramatic, and it’s full of attractive monsters with attitude problems.

If your teen loved the first book, they’ll probably inhale this one. It’s a significant step up in terms of imagination and stakes. Just be aware that Tracy Wolff isn't shy about using adult language to make her characters sound 'real,' so if you’re strict about the f-word, this might be a point of contention. Otherwise, it’s solid, engaging fantasy that keeps kids reading.

Age Fit

Best for 13 or 14 and up. The 'spiciness' level and the language are the main gatekeepers here; it’s written for the TikTok-era teen who is used to faster-paced, edgier content.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It handles heavy themes like grief and loyalty reasonably well, though it leans hard into the 'intense paranormal romance' tropes which can feel a bit melodramatic and angst-heavy for younger readers.

Imaginative

Tracy Wolff leans into a 'kitchen sink' approach to fantasy, packing in vampires, dragons, and gargoyles. It’s a fun, expansive world that keeps the 'magic school' vibe fresh.

Safe

While safe in terms of themes, parents should know there is significant profanity (including f-bombs) and heavy romantic tension that borders on 'steamy' for the YA category.

Enriching

It’s primarily 'brain candy' entertainment. While it touches on standing up for oneself and navigating complex relationships, its main goal is to be a page-turner, not an educational tool.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

The world-building expands significantly from the first book, moving beyond just vampires into a full supernatural ecosystem.
Grace, the protagonist, develops much more agency and power, which is a refreshing pivot from the 'damsel' trope.
It’s a massive 700-page 'binge-read' that can actually get a reluctant reader hooked on a long series.
The humor is surprisingly self-aware; it knows it's a paranormal romance and occasionally pokes fun at itself.

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What to Watch For

The language is punchy—expect frequent use of 'f--k' and other strong profanity that you won't find in older YA series.
Romantic tension is high. There's no explicit sex, but the 'yearning' and physical descriptions are definitely dialed up.
Supernatural violence can get a bit descriptive, especially during the 'Ludares' (the school's dangerous tournament).

Conversation Starters

"Grace has to make some huge sacrifices for the people she loves—at what point does 'saving others' become 'losing yourself'?"
"Why do you think the author chose to make the gargoyles a major part of this story instead of just sticking to vampires?"
"If you were in a school where everyone had different powers, which 'court' would you want to belong to and why?"
"The romance in this book is very intense. How do you tell the difference between a healthy 'all-in' relationship and one that’s just obsessive?"

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