Review: Paranormalacy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalacy
Author: Kiersten White
Genre: YA, supernatural, romance, action, coming of age
Perfect for: readers who love 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer' action/romance
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Description taken from Goodreads:

"Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, 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 still. Normal. 

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal. "

What a fun read!  Honestly, fun is the best word to describe 'Paranormalacy' by Kiersten White.  Reading this quick, witty read was a lot like watching an episode of 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer'.  The long and the short of it is this-- the characters are likable, the plot is engaging, and the voice of the novel is witty and entertaining.


A cover is important, regardless of what people say and this cover is fantastic from front to back.  I like that this cover actually makes sense after reading the book, unlike some (*cough*Hex Hall*cough*).  Also the back flap color scheme is perfect.


Evie is a great narrator.  She brings a fresh, new perspective to the idea of paranormals.  To her, they aren't all gorgeous hunks,  most are just plain weird looking.  The character of Evie is quick-witted and spunky.  She is very Buffy like with her light, pop culture sort of humor.


Her love interests, Reth and Lend, are equally fun to read.  Reth, honestly, I just wanted to slap the guy a few times because he never gave us enough information.  He'd always disappear right before the big reveal.  Come on, Reth!  Stop being so secretive!  Lend, oh, Lend...  I really do like Lend.  He is your typical sweet, good natured, sort of guy with a quirky sort of humor needed to go perfectly with Evie and her character.  (Call him the Xander to Evie's Buffy!)  Also, the fact that he can change faces?  Just plain cool.


Off-ish topic, I have to give author Kiersten White kudo's on her name choices.  She did well finding new names that haven't really hit the YA market yet.  In my book, she's now joined Scott Westerfeld on the list of authors who 'name' well.


The story and plot elements are fun, light, and engaging.  Evie's POV is quite a page turner.  It was hard to put down this title because every chapter ended with one of those 'need to continue' sort of lines.  As far as this being the beginning of a trilogy or series, I would have expected a little more to be revealed (hear that, Reth?) than what was.  That, however, is my only complaint.


I don't want to spoil this unique story, so I'm ending my review here.  This title is cute and definitely one you don't want to pass up!