Paranormalcy Review

Author: Kiersten White
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 335 (ARC)

Publisher: Harperteen

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from 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.
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Paranormalcy was refreshing, addictive, and a lot of fun.

Paranormalcy combines both dark and light to create a unique read. It's fast pace makes it really difficult to put down. The plot was rather dark, but with Evie's fun voice and narrative it never gets too serious.

I was kind of worried that Evie would annoy me, since from the first chapter you can tell that she's really girly (I mean, she's got a pink sparkled taser--Tasey--for crying out loud) and I am...well, not. But I found her to be a great, hilarious character and can't wait to read more about her. The description makes it sound like there was some love triangle, and while Reth, her faerie ex-boyfriend, definitely is still interested in Evie, she never reciprocated those feelings. She was much more interested in the shape-shifter, Lend, who I loved! And I loved their cute relationship too, which was developed really nicely. (No "love at first sight"! That definitely got Paranormalcy and Kiersten White brownie points from me.) I also really liked Lish, Evie's best friend because I don't think I've ever read a book with a mermaid secretary.

Kiersten White is a great new voice in YA. She's got humor, good storytelling and writing...I think we can expect really good things from her!

The ending was great. Although it wasn't a cliff-hanger, it wasn't needed to leave me wanting the sequel, Supernaturally. I enjoyed every second of this bleeping great book. I'd definitely recommend it!

How kid friendly is it? Extremely! There's absolutely no swearing or gore, and although sex is very briefly mentioned (and not even by name), it never happens. I'd even give this one to my 10 year old cousin. (Not to say that older teens wouldn't enjoy, because I think they would.