Supernaturally by Kiersten White

For Review: HarperCollins
Published:  5 January 2012

From Goodreads: Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

I really like this series.  I love the characters and the world and I was really excited to catch up with them all.

Evie is now living her dream - a normal life.  But despite her love for her locker (!) - not everything is quite how she imagined.  She doesn't feel as if she fit's in and with Lend away at college she doesn't see him as much as she thought.  The only thing keeping her going is getting into the same college as Lend.  But things take an unexpected turn and she is given the chance of working for the IPCA again.  Of course, this means lying to the people around her...

I love Evie, but in this instalment we get to see a different side to her.  She's kind of lost her sass and I really missed it.  On the other hand, I did enjoy seeing her trying to adjust to the 'real' world - she makes some really stupid decisions - but I think by the end she learns from her mistakes.  And I'm glad she is finally completely honest with Lend.

I adore Lend.  He's just so sweet and kind and really there for Evie.  Even when she lies to him and kind of treats him badly.  And I enjoy the two of them together - how they really compliment each other.  She sees him for who he really is - his true self - and Lend helps Evie feel whole.  She seems content when she is with him.

Jack on the other hand is a character I just didn't warm to - perhaps because he kept taking Evie away from Lend.  And there just wasn't enough Reth for my liking!  I really hope we get to see more of him in the next instalment.  And Arianna  is a character I am liking more and more.

The mythology - Evie's history and who she is - is proving very interesting and I can't wait to see how this all ends.  I'll certainly be picking up Endlessly as soon as it's published.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

For Review: Harpercollins.  Published 6 January 2011
From Goodreads: 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.

This one has been on my radar for nearly a year and was one of those books that I just had to read. I just knew it would be my kind of book.  Thankfully, it lived up to my expectations!

Evie has spent most of her life working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA).  Having spent most of her life in one foster home or another,  the agency took her in when she was eight and it became clear she could see through the paranormals glamours.  She spends her time bagging and tagging paranormals,  trying to avoid her (kind-of)  ex-boyfriend and dreaming of a normal life (including boys, school and ... er... lockers).  But when paranormals start turning up murdered on-mass, Evie starts to learn the truth  - and realises not everything was what she thought...

I loved Evie from the first page.  She's witty, fun and a great narrator for the story.  I also really liked her best friend Lish (a mermaid), as well as Racquel (her boss, and only mother figure she knows).  And I adored Lend!  This may be a bit spoilerly but a guy who can look like anyone they want including your favourite TV star?  Yep the possibilities are endless!  But more importantly he was really kind and sweet and I grew to like him more and more as the book progressed.

Reth on the other hand was a complete mystery to me.  Part of me found him scary and just a tad creepy but the other part found him completely fascinating.  I absolutely do not trust him but he is very intriguing and I really enjoyed all the scenes he was in.

The world and mythology behind the book is fantastic.  It's obviously well planned out and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all works out.  Kiersten White has a really accessible writing style that keeps everything light and fun, but with a believability about it.   I felt completely invested in the story and the characters and I can't wait to read the next book. 

'Bleeping' great!

I want to read that...

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

From Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.

Normal is so overrated.

I wanted to read this for a while but now I've seen the cover I really want to read it. How great does it sound? It's published September 21st 2010 by Harper Teen.