Book Review: Supernaturally by Keirsten White

Published July 26th, 2011
HarperTeen
368 pages (Paperback)

Evie finally has the normal life she's always longed for, but she's shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. So when she's given the opportunity to work for the International Paranormal Containment Agency again, she leaps at the chance.

But then Evie's faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears, and tells her that a battle is brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole paranormal world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. (From Goodreads)

This series is a love-hate thing for me.  I enjoy the story and characters (to an extent), but the writing needs some work.

While the characters are interesting, Evie is one of the most annoying fictional characters I have ever read about.  Her personality is so obnoxiously girly that I simply cannot relate to her.  None of the other characters bother me at quite this level.

My biggest complaint is the speed of events in the book.  It seems as if any scenes with significance or action are rushed.  Similar to Paranormalcy (click here for my review), I found myself having to read chunks over and over in order to grasp what was going on.  Even with my re-reading, I still found myself confused several times.

I still liked Keirsten White's light, sarcastic writing.  This book doesn't take itself too seriously, and, if it weren't so confusing, would be a very easy read.  I also wanted to mention the chapter titles, which are adorable and fun.

Endlessly, the conclusion to this trilogy was released during the summer, and I do intend to read it (albeit, mostly for Lend).

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Published August 31st, 2010
HarperTeen
335 pages (Paperback)

Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shapeshifter and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She begins to suspect there is a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths, and even worse, that she is at the center of a dark prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.  (From GoodReads)

This book had me from the moment it was revealed that her taser is named Tasey!  Seriously though, I love that.  Mine would not have been pink with rhinestones though.  There is a limit.

This book is a much lighter take on all those paranormal creatures we adore (plus some hybrids).  Evie's sarcastic narration was wonderful.  I like that the book never gets overly serious in nature.  Evie is a strong heroine, and fun to read, even if she got a little annoying at time.

The ending was a little weird.  I had to read parts of it a couple times because I was like "WTF is going on here?"  I still don't completely grasp why the floating was neccessary, but whatever.  I tend to like weird.

If you're looking for a beach read, but can't seperate yourself from vampires and werewolves and faeries (oh my!), Paranormalcy may be exactly what you need.

Much love, Samantha