Rating: 4.5/5 StarsGenre: Paranormal
Release Date: 8/31/2010
About the Book: Sixteen-year-old Evie hasn't ever really know what normal is. Her best friend is a mermaid, she can see through paranormals glamours, and she has a job bagging and tagging paranormals for IPCA-the International Paranormal Containment Agency. When an unknown paranormal goes on a killing spree, Evie is on the case to figure out what's going on. She meets a mysterious boy who might have the answers she seeks-as well as new information on IPCA that may make her question everything she's ever know. And all Evie wants is to be a normal teen-is that too much to ask?
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Paranormalcy is fun, fun, fun! With shelves already full of paranormal YA reads, Paranormalcy stands out for being a lighter take on the paranormal genre and never taking itself to seriously. There's no brooding or over the top drama, which is a breath of fresh air.
I loved Evie-she's spunky and sassy and can take down a paranormal with her sparkly pink rhinestone taser. She's exactly the kind of fun kick butt girl I love to read about. She will leave readers laughing too-she dreams so much of a normal life that seeing a school locker is a big thrill. Plus, I can't help but love a character who shares my obsession with pink!
The book seemed to jump around a bit and at times it felt like the story was changing-first it was about Evie at IPCA, then about Evie and the boy she liked, then about a new group of parnormals and info on Evie's and IPCA's past-there was so much going on. It sometimes felt like I was reading a new book because the story had changed. But that didn't stop me from reading every chance I got.
Paranormalcy has a lot going for it that will make it a hit with teens. There's a cute, sweet romance that's tame enough for younger readers to pick up but will still appeal to older teens. Evie is a kick-butt heroine that readers will cheer for and laugh with. The paranormal cast of characters is unique and even though we get the usual werewolves, vampires and fey folk, there's new paranormals that make the book stand out (and I can't share too much without giving a lot away). There's mystery but also the story of a girl growing up and coming into her own. And of course, there's the amazing cover which will sell the book all by itself. Trust me-I showed the cover to my Teen Library Council and every single one of them, all ages, guys and girls were intrigued and wanted to read it even before they knew what the book was about. The cover will catch their attention and the unique story will keep them reading. No booktalking needed-this one will fly off the shelves into reader's hands-and they'll be happy to find the package inside is as fun and exciting as the cover.
Full Disclosure: reviewed from e-galley from publisher provided at ALA (and read in true Evie style on my pink ereader)
the cover doesn't make this book look fun, but ohmygod, a sparkly pink rhinestone taser?!? I MUST read this!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the first commenter, the cover doesn't make it seem like a fun, light read at all. Part of the reason why I haven't been looking forward to it that much is because it seemed like yet another heavy paranormal read. Glad my expectations are deceived!
ReplyDeleteSo glad all your librarian friends are psyched to read it! Thanks for all the great feedback.
ReplyDeleteit does seem darker by the cover, but I love it anyway. glad it's a fun read. I'm a bit more intrigued now. :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Thanks for the great review. I've heard great things about this book. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI commented about the cover in my review, too! Does not match the tone of the book at all - though I do love both the cover and the content of the book!
ReplyDelete