Review: Supernaturally by Kiersten White

From Back Cover: It's been six months since Evie fled the International Paranormal Containment Agency with her shape-shifter boyfriend, Lend, and she finally has the normal life she always dreamed of. But when her faerie ex-boyfriend shows up hinting of a battle brewing between the faerie courts over Evie herself, she realizes that she hasn't left her no-so-normal past far enough behind.

My Rating: 4.5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: One of my favourite reads from last year was Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy. So, I was super excited to receive an ARC of Supernaturally, Paranormalcy’s sequel, in the mail.

The pacing of Supernaturally is slower than Paranormalcy, and it has less action. Instead, this is a book that’s more focused on character development, with Evie trying to figure out who she is (literally) and where she belongs. While I didn’t love Supernaturally as much as Paranormalcy because Evie repeatedly keeps secrets from those she cares about, – Lend and her relationship in particular suffer (I wanted more kisses!) – in no way does Supernaturally fall prey to the sequel syndrome.

White successfully brings back Evie’s fresh and distinctive voice, and though Evie is often insecure (which isn’t surprising considering what she discovered in Paranormalcy), she continues to remain loveable (for the most part) and hilarious.

As well, the secondary characters remain well-rounded and have their own backstories. There isn’t much of Lend or Reth, but readers meet new paranormal creatures, learn more about Arianna and are introduced to Jack, whose presence thankfully doesn’t create a love triangle situation. Rather, Jack is more like a brother whose antics are amusing to hear about (or read in this case) but annoying to deal with. Considering how I thought of Jack, I was really surprised by what he reveals to Evie and his actions at the end. It’s going to be a long wait now to find out how this fun trilogy will wrap up in Endlessly.

Supernaturally will be released by HarperTeen on July 26, 2011. 

Comments About the Cover: Supernaturally’s cover is as great as Paranormalcy’s, and once again I love the dress that the model portraying Evie is wearing. The cover’s darker feel also reflects Evie’s thoughts and emotions. While she was very bubbly in Paranormalcy, she’s less confident of her relationships and future in Supernaturally.

In exchange for an honest review, this ARC was received from the publisher (HarperCollinsCanada) for free.

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

From Inside Jacket: 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, ans 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.

My Rating: 5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: I stopped reading Girl Overboard just to begin Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy because I was so excited to get it. I had such high expectations for this novel and am so glad to say it lived up to its hype.   

Evie was such an adorable character and I instantly fell in love with her! Not only were her love for all things pink, her tendency to say “bleep” instead of swear and her desire to simply be normal endearing traits, but she was also smart, witty and could kick paranormal butt. If only she was someone I could actually meet …

White’s other characters were engaging as well and I cannot wait to find out more about them – and what will happen to Evie of course – in Supernaturally, the sequel to Paranormalcy. For now though, Paranormalcy will have to suffice.

Fast-paced and with her own unique twist on the paranormal world, White’s writing completely engrossed me as I tried to find out more about the prophecy surrounding Evie and rooted for the budding romance between Evie and Lend.      

Paranormalcy was released in August 2010 by HarperTeen.    

Comments About the Cover: I love the cover! The background contrasts with the model, the title of the novel and the author’s name, allowing them to stand out more and because it’s dark, it gives off an air of mystery. I can also totally imagine Evie wearing the pink dress which, by the way, is amazing! (Where can I get it?) My only complaint would be to have the model at least smiling a bit to match Evie’s bubbly personality.