Prophecy of Days: The Daykeeper's Grimoire Review

Author: Christy Raedeke
Release date: May 1, 2010
Pages: 352 (Paperback)
Publisher: Flux
Most appropriate for ages: 12+
Where I got it: From publisher for review

When her safe-cracker mom and code-breaker dad inherit a Scottish castle on the Isle of Huracan, sixteen-year-old Caity Mac Fireland is the only one in the family who's not happy about it. Ripped from her cushy life in San Francisco, taken away from her best friend Justine whom she's known since preschool, and relocated to the dreary island fortress, Caity's secret fantasy of being discovered by a Hollywood agent, talent scout, or even just a pageant coach seems more unlikely than ever. But when Caity stumbles across a hidden room in the castle, its walls covered in strange symbols, her life takes a bizarre turn. She finds herself center stage in an international conspiracy involving warring secret societies (complete with their own scouts, double agents, and assassins), the suppressed revelations of the Mayan Calendar and the year 2012, plus the fate of humanity. With the help of her friend Justine back home, and Alex, the mysterious and gorgeous boy next door, Caity must rely on her own courage and creativity as she races to decipher the code and reveal its message to the world before time runs out.
------------------------------------------------
Prophecy of Days took some wading through, but it was a worthwhile read.

I really, really loved the concept of Prophecy of Days. I love making up conspiracy theories and things like that so Prophecy of Days was one of those books that looked like it was made for me. Unfortunately, I was never fulled grabbed by the story until nearly the very end. I think this is because it was a set up for the rest of the books in the series, but I ended up taking a long while to read it.

Caity was a sometimes clueless heroine, but one with a witty and realistic voice that I could relate to. Occasionally it seemed like she was right on the fine line of becoming annoying, but that never happened, thankfully. Lately I just haven't been falling for the drop-dead gorgeous guys in books, but I did fall for Alex a little, and I loved his and Caity's relationship. We never really know what side characters we can and can't trust in Prophecy of Days, so I never really got too attached to them for fear that they'll turn out to be one of the people you're supposed to be rooting against.

Chrisy Raedeke really captured the teen voice well, and although all of this information could easily be written to go over the reader's head, Raedeke always explains it very well. I would've like a little more description, but other than that no complaints about this great storyteller.

That ending! It made me want more now! Overall, a good start to what could potentially be a great series. I'll be reading the next book. If you're looking for a intellectual read, I'd recommend you read Prophecy of Days: The Daykeeper's Grimoire.