Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publishing Date: August 31, 2010

Pages/Format: 335, Hardcover

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.

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Pleasant.

However long ago, I started Paranormalcy but didn't finish it. I don't think it was because I didn't like it; I think it was because of a darn due date at the library. It took me awhile, but I finally picked the book back up and finished it. While it wasn't amazing, it still wasn't a bad read. And there's a main reason why.

Evie's voice. It is simply spectacular. Kiersten White portrays a teenager girl who loves pink brilliantly, with sighs and bleeps and oh my goshes. I think that's what brought me back to the book, and why I'll read the others, it's mainly because of one thing: the voice. Really, if I think about it, it's a lot like Kiersten White's voice on Twitter. So. Is she writing as Evie, or as herself? Either way, it's funny and witty and enjoyable to read.

I love some of the characters, especially Lend, of course. He's attractive (duh) and has a great personality (bonus!) and he's super nice to Evie. Reth is just a complete creepy stalker, but when he shows up I'm just waiting to see what will happen. Lend's Dad is kind and accepting, and Raquel seems to be a little too work oriented.

My problem with this book is the flow. Something would happen, and then it was like they were talking about gray and then suddenly they're talking about red, with no smooth transition. While the following may have a bit to do with me not remembering the first half of the book (which I read the first time, not the second time), I had a somewhat hard time remembering and understanding things. I never really got the whole explanation of the poem, Evie's part in everything, and the ending just kind of lost me. It was all so sudden, too quick, and didn't make a great deal of sense. 

The book wasn't spectacular, but the voice makes them readable and easy to read. I'm curious to see how the series ends, so I will read the next installments, Supernaturally and Endlessly. I did like the concept of the International Paranormal Containment Agency, and how there's one place that everyone buzzes around, and how are there so many different creatures in one book; it's kind of fun, minus the bad stuff that happens. And I totally pictured the IPCA as something like the spaceship in Zenon. I wouldn't say don't read the books, because, like I said, they're fun, and everyone has a different opinion on books. Hopefully, I like Supernaturally more.

Did I like it? Yes.

Did I love it? No.

Would I reread it? Maybe, if I need to read something kind of fun.

Would I purchase it? If it was on sale, or at Goodwill or something.

Would I recommend it? Yes, to the right person.