Let's Read! discussion

Your review of the book.

here is my review:


Four stars: A witty, lively book with a new take on the paranormal. I recommend picking this one up.
Evie, a girl with pale gray eyes, considers herself a relatively normal teenager. Except for the fact that she can see through all glamours and that she lives at the International Paranormal Containment Agency. She is a typical, teenage girl who loves pink, fashion and the hit television show Easton Heights. At the IPCA she helps capture and tag paranormals. She is seemingly content in her little world, where her best friend is a mermaid and she is surrounded by Paranormals. Then everything changes with the arrival of a strange, shape shifting boy, named Lend. Something is hunting and killing Paranormals. Does Evie hold the key to these mysterious deaths?

What I Liked:
*I liked the divergent perceptions on the paranormal beings. I especially enjoyed the characterization of vampires. They are not glamourous and gorgeous, instead they are ugly, decrepit, dusty beings hidden under glamour. I also loved the mermaid, Lish. She was unique from any other mermaid I have encountered. I was fascinated by the water sprite Cresseda. I wanted more of her in the story.
*Evie, the protagonist, I found her to be cute and quirky. I also loved her naivety regarding the outside world. It was funny how her perception of teenage life revolved around her favorite teen drama thus, her expectations of life outside the IPCA are erroneous and hilarious. I also appreciated how she longed to be just a normal girl able to have the simple things in life: friends, a driver's license, a boyfriend and a locker. Evie is a sophomoric teenager in the beginning but she does mature nicely in the story.
*Lend, our male protagonist. I thought this character was so creative and original. He is a shape shifting boy that can take on the appearance of almost anyone he encounters. At first he appears as potentially dangerous and unknown. As we slowly get to know him through Evie's eyes, the glamour peels away and we find a charming, caring and patient teenage boy. He is an enjoyable entry for male leads in the paranormal genre. I was entertained by the hesitant development of his friendship with Evie.
*The plot of the story is interesting and different. This book has a little mystery and a bit of romance. Once you get into the story it takes you on a compelling journey.

And The Not So Much:
* I enjoyed the overall storyline of the book but it started slow for me. It took a few chapters before the mystery was revealed and then the story grasped me. Also, in the beginning Evie comes across as a bit shallow but once you get to know her she is a like-able heroine.
*This book wrapped up nicely; there was not a dreaded cliffhanger ending. While I appreciated the neat resolution, I was left with some lingering questions such as Why were Evie and Vivian created? What are Reth's intentions? There were a few others that remain unanswered.
*While I admired many of the characters, a few did not work for me. Raquel, the head of IPCA and Evie's mentor and protector, I wasn't sure what to make of her. At times she was caring and other times aloof. All of her sighing irritated me after awhile. Reth, the fairy was a conundrum. I wanted more clarification with his role. Finally, Arianna, the vampire, she appears in the story but there is no information about her. Why is she living at Lend's house? What is her purpose in the story?

Overall, Paranormalcy is a fun, entertaining debut novel. It is appropriate for young adult readers of all ages. It is a light, quick read. This book provides an original look into the paranormal world. Evie and Lend are unique and fresh entrants into the genre. Their adventure continues in Supernaturally, published July 26, 2011.

Favorite Quotations:

"It ranks right up there with lockers. In fact sometimes I put my license inside my locker, and it's so cool I worry that the whole thing might explode with the sheer coolness of it all."

"That's because you have no idea how precious normal is."

"Cling to what is good in your life."

"What do you think? Does this face make me look fat?"

Great Review! :)

Thanks. It is a cute book. I need to read part 2 what about you did you read water for elephants?

Welcomes! About that, I got bored after the first chapter so I never finished it. Plus, the alternative books my school library doesn't have them so I've been reading random books in the meantime.

I tod you..I hated water for elephants!

Lmao! You were right :P