Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy
by Kiersten White

YA Fantasy
352 pages, 6x8, hardcover
Target reader: 14+

Harper Teen
978-0061985843
Release Date: August 30, 2010



From the publisher:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Read an excerpt.

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This is a bleeping good book! I loved it! In fact, I haven't enjoyed a YA Paranormal Fantasy this much since..uhm, Glass Houses? (Although they are two very different types of story.) For a debut novel, it's spectacular!

Evie is sixteen. She likes pink. She watches teen soaps. She "bedazzled" her cell phone. And she's the only person alive who can see through a paranormal's glamour. Evie lives at an IPCA facility where she learns about and helps collar and detain paranormals (vampires, werewolves, hags, etc.) who aren't following the rules. Her best friend is a mermaid, which is where the "bleep" comes from. She does her school work. She's happy. She's normal.

Until a shape-shifting teenage boy comes along. (Wouldn't you love a boyfriend who could look like anyone in the world???) As Evie learns more about him, she also learns more about herself and wow, she's in for a few surprises!

The paranormal world that White has created is wonderfully constructed and complete. It's very realistic. Very believable. Her character development is spot-on. I loved Evie. She's a believable 16 year old. The romance is sweet and touching, without being embarrassing. The evil is evil—no white washing here—but it's not so scary that you'd classify this as horror. There is no sex, the violence is restrained, and the only swearing is an occasional "bleep." (You've got to read the book to get the joke.) (And kudos to White for the imaginative handling of swearing without actually swearing.) The pacing is great—it's fast and funny. I liked everything about this book and can't wait for the sequel!

I classify this as light paranormal—the tone is light through most of the book, even though some really sad and heartbreaking things happen. It's suitable for younger teens and I think a lot of adults will like it as well. Get this. Read this. NOW!

Plot:

Characters:

Ending:


Cover: I like the cover but don't think it really captures the essence of the book.



Content Ratings

Language: Just a little bleeping.

Violence: Some scenes where the bad paranormals kill the good paranormals. Very sad in one particular spot but I think most readers can handle it.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality: I love that Evie and Lend aren't all over each other. One of the faeries tries to put the moves on Evie, and there are hints that there was a relationship in the past, but it's not defined as physical intimacy. No descriptions.

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate:

Writing Mechanics: Absolutely wonderful!

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