The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Quartet #1
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Paperback
Genre: Science Fiction - Dystopia

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and now Son, published in October 2012.

Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect world where every need is provided and every choice, every decision is not his to make. A world that is organised by set of rules and filled with what may seem like happy and content citizen. The person who defies those rules will be “Released”, but what this “Release” truly is and what happen during the process is not something known by every individual in this community. On December every year, comes one ceremony that has been happily and anxiously awaited by everyone in the society. A ceremony that is held to celebrate children from one to twelve years old.

Among all these ceremonies, the Ceremony of the Twelve is the most important one as this is where every twelve-year-old child is assigned with their specific assignments based on some prolong evaluations. This assignment depicts the person that they will be and the career that they will venture in as they grow up. This is where Jonas learns about his future, where his life drastically begins to change and where he starts learning the truth – fascinating, startling, mind-boggling and bone-chilling truth – about the world that he lives in. How does he feels bearing secrets such as this? And what can he does with a knowledge this big?

What more can I say other than admitting that The Giver is definitely a masterpiece. I was more than a little sceptical upon starting this book mainly due to its small size. I let myself thinking that it is impossible for a 179 pages book to deliver much, let alone boggle a person’s mind. I was wrong – totally wrong! Lois Lowry has skilfully created this one unique world that closely resembles ours yet when examined closely is different in many ways. I truly appreciate how slowly Lowry reveals the storyline, letting readers munching every detail bit by bit, allowing them to understand this community and churn the meaning of life that they live in.

One thing that truly fascinates me is how she came out with all these perplexing rules that the community must obey and justify them with profound reasoning. For instance, children are only allowed to start wearing front-buttoned jacket at the age of seven, which is the first sign of independence. Before that age, they can only wear jackets that fastened down the back as this will encourage them to help each other dress and learn the concept of interdependence. Another aspect of the book that I found interesting yet chilling is the truth behind “Release”. At first, readers are lead to believe that those who are “Release” will be banished and sent to live outside the community. Though the actual event that happens is extremely horrifying and still brings chill down to my spine every time I think about it.

The Giver is indeed an intelligent book that is full with suspenseful mysteries and packs with unthinkable, plausible questions that will continue raking your brain even long after you finish reading. The book gives an example of how life could be like without choices, love, pleasure and hardship, left readers to wonder if life does have any purpose, any meaning without them. I was not thoroughly satisfied with the ambiguous ending at first though after reflecting back the things I have been reading, I think it was bittersweet and suits this book perfectly. In some ways, the ending reflects real life, in which we take the risk yet there is no way we can predict what will come out of it. Such a splendid piece that I think ought to be read by everyone.

Favourite Quote: The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.

The Giver is one extraordinary read that delve into readers' minds and challenge the things they believe in. My review definitely unable to do this book the justice it well deserved. I believe that those who love sci-fi, mystery and dystopian book will definitely love this one. 

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Title: The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Author: Kim Edwards
Series: Stand Alone Book 
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction

Synopsis (from book cover):

On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split second decision that will alter all of their lives forever.

What do you think a secret can do to a relationship – strengthen it further or cause it to fall apart? This is one of the many question marks that Edwards engraved in her bestselling book, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. The book chronicles the life of a family in the span of 15 years – from the year of 1964 right through 1989. The couple, Dr. David and Norah Henry, leads a happy and serene life right until the night the doctor is forced to deliver his own baby in the middle of a blizzard. His first son, Paul, was born perfectly but the twin – his daughter, his Phoebe – one that he does not know exists was born with Down’s syndrome.

Knowing the fate of his daughter and the possibility of complications that might follow as the girl grows up; he makes an ultimate decision to send his daughter to an institute that manage children like her. He hands the little girl to the nurse, Caroline Gill, and prepares to tell his wife that their daughter was born dead. This is where the future starts to change; this is where the landslide begins. While Caroline runs away, trying to raise his daughter on her own, the secret that David keeps from his wife morphs into a hedge that separates the two of them and later cracks the family. How could people do the unthinkable thing while convincing themselves that it is for the best? How does this one lie has the ability to affect the life of so many?

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is indeed an interesting and thoughtful read but admittedly, I do have a mixed feeling about it. Edwards’s style of writing is so beautiful, so poetic and she definitely has an excellent way in visualising the scenes, capturing the atmosphere and most importantly, revealing the life of people in those 15 years in great detail. One thing that I appreciate most from her writing is that she has this deep emotion towards the characters that she created to the point that she managed to persuade me to have some compassion towards them as well, when the truth is, I did not fully second the decisions that they made and the actions that they had taken. She makes me understand them, put myself in their shoes and sees the obstacles through their eyes.

What falls short – for me – is that Edwards seems to be focusing more on the difficulties that both David and Norah faced rather than those suffered by the other victims of the situation: Caroline, Paul and Phoebe. Yes, I can understand David’s guilt and Norah’s depression but I think the impact of the deception towards these other three lives should also be pin-pointed and described in length. There are some stories about them but the intensity doesn’t seem to match David’s and Norah’s. I strongly believe that if the stories about these separate lives are being laid out in a more balance way, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter will be even more heart-wrenching, mind-blowing and poignant read. Nonetheless, the book is still good, complete with interesting storyline and characters that can be likeable at one point, but totally hated at another.

After reading The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, I can understand that it is not really a candy to just about everyone. It is one depressing book that talks about deceptions and the dominoes effect that is initiated by just one big secret. A book about grief and a vivid detail on what could possibly happen if one is not allowed to grief openly and freely. There is a lot to ponder in this book which makes it an excellent choice for a book club as it is the kind that is meant to be dissected and deeply discussed.

Favourite Quote: You can't stop time. You can't capture light. You can only turn your face up and let it rain down - David Henry

A riveting and depressing story that I found interesting but may not be suited to just about everyone. Edwards descriptive writing is mesmerising and the issues that she tries to bring forward surely keep readers thinking even long after finishing the book. I personally am glad that I read this.  

Whisper of Light by Jennifer DeLucy

Title: Whisper of Light
Author: Jennifer DeLucy
Series: Light Series #2 
Source: From Omnific Publishing
Format: E-book
Genre: Speculative - Paranormal Romance

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light. In Whisper of Light, DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.

There is nothing worse than living in a house full of sentient but knowing that you are not really part of them. You are just an ordinary girl – without any endowment, any extraordinary talent – and this means that you require protection from other sentient, being an unneeded burden to them when you and your group are in danger. This is how Nicole feels and this is the world that she lives in. What makes it worse is that, without the supernatural ability, her father sees her as a failure, as a nothing, as an embarrassment and pretty much determine to make her life a living hell. She has nowhere else to go. Her guilt over certain thing that happened in the past trapped her here, in this house, with an awful father and group of extraordinary people. Being here makes her realise how small, how worthless she really is.

Nevertheless, the arrival of a new Combatant, Christian Wright, to Wendell’s group lightens thing up a bit for Nicole. He treats her well and for the first time in her life, there is someone out there who sees and accepts her just the way she is. Christian, who initial purpose to join the group is to run away from the past that haunted him in Seers of Light (click the title for full review), begins to feel that there is something connects himself to Nicole. He starts letting himself to think that there is still possibility for him to find love, something he has stop believing in after what had happened in his old group. However, the self-consciousness and insecurity that get in the way proves that building this relationship is harder than it may seem. Whisper of Light is a book about a journey towards self-discovery and self-endurance. To move on is to let the past goes. The question is: Are they strong enough to make that happen?

I have to admit that when I knew Whisper of Light is not really a continuation of Lillian’s journey from Seers of Light, I was left sceptical and a little disappointed. The fact that Christian was not entirely my favourite in the previous book makes this feeling even worst. But soon as I started reading, I realised that the sequel might be different, but it is unique and interesting nonetheless. The author, Jennifer DeLucy, has masterfully creates a spin-off that lets readers view the personality of the characters from a totally distinct light. One of the things that I like most in this book is the change of scenery and atmosphere from the first instalment. This gives a new breath to Whisper of Light and it was so well-written that you feel as if you are really there with this group of Northwest sentient. What this book lack of, I think, is the amount of action. There are some small adventures here and there but none is as intense as found in Seers of Light. Still, what this book shorts of is made-up in its in-depth emotional tone, where there are number of parts so intense, so moving you cannot help but really feel for the characters.

The aspect that serves as the backbone of the book is indeed its row of well-developed casts. There are numbers of them in this book (in the whole series, in fact!) but it feels like the author managed to create each and every one of them with different personality and most important of all, purposes of their own. I truly admire the female lead in this book, Nicole, as she is such a strong-willed, sweet person yet have a very fragile heart at the same time. Her personality and situation are being described in a detail way till it is so easy to relate to her and understand her predicament. The change in Christian’s attitude is also remarkable, surprising and I found that my thought on him begins to change. So I think it would be interesting to see the further development in this character in the next instalment. The other thing that I really appreciate is the fact that DeLucy does not create the love interest between these two based on lust, but instead begins it with something far deeper and sweeter. The pace of this book is a little slow but I honestly feel that it suits the tone, the atmosphere and the theme just perfect.

As the conclusion, I feel that the number of distinctions between Whisper of Light and its predecessor make these books even more memorable in minds of the readers. If Seers of Light is filled with heart-pounding action and Whisper of Light is saturated with heart-warming love story, I really cannot wait to see what else Delucy has for us in store for the final book in the series. Such an astounding book that I thoroughly glad I got the chance to read. I believe you should too!

Favourite Quote: Will it always be your fault because you weren't obsessive enough, weren't fast enough, wise enough, strong enough? Just stop. Stop thinking that you need to be any more than what you already are - Nicole

Whisper of Light is surely a book that is full with rollercoaster ride that tangles readers and pulls them into its intricate, emotional journey in finding one-self, in gaining acceptance and in acquiring forgiveness along the way. Such a remarkable read and will certainly be one of the books that I'd always remember.

*This review is taking part in Cym Lowell's Book Review Party Wednesday

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Caster Chronicles #1 
Source: Pam @ Bookalico.us
Format: Hardback
Genre: Speculative Fiction

Synopsis (from B&N):

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

It all begins with a chain of dream. Not really the normal kind, but ones that are so real that when you wake up, you can find mud and dirt from the dream staining your bed, sticking on your body. These are the strange dreams that haunt and connect two people – Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes – even before they set eyes on each other. When Lena moves to the small, monotonous town of Gatlin, controversies stir instantly, connecting her to numbers of strange occurrences that happen ever since she steps her feet on this Southern land.

Knowing that Lena is the girl from his dream, Ethan quickly comes to her rescue, only to cause the flame to burst in this closed, tight knitted society. However, nothing seems able to sever the connection that has been established between these two. Nothing - other than this huge secret that Lena tries hard to keep away from Ethan’s knowledge. When one day, a flashback brings the two of them back to the Civil War era, witnessing the fate that befallen lovers like them, Lena knows by heart that she cannot let the same thing happen to them. Will Lena let Ethan goes as she knows that she is cursed? Can Ethan accept the fate that they cannot stay together? If not – what are they willing to do in the name of love?

Huge round of applause goes to Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl as they successfully create this interesting, intricate story that weave paranormal element with delicious romance, sprinkles of humour and heart pounding action. Despite being written by two authors, the writing flow seamlessly, the ideas connect perfectly and the prose is written beautifully. Set in a town called Gatlin, Beautiful Creatures introduces readers to the Southern cultures that are substantially rich in nature and unique. There are lots of details in every page, which helps readers to enhance their imagination and truly feels how it is like to be in the world created by these authors. The intense and comprehensive passages bring forth the Southern feels and atmosphere to life. Another thing that I love most in Beautiful Creatures is some of the historical information provided throughout the book. As someone who does not come from the States, I really appreciate this part and find it intriguing.

While I enjoyed the whole complicated details in this book, I find it rather surprising that I did not fall head over heels with its main characters. I like that Ethan is such a sweet, cute, athletic and all that, but after awhile, I begin to question his authenticity as a male character. Lena, on the other hand, feels rather flat and I don’t think I really know a lot about her in this book. Perhaps this is done on purpose as to add some more mysterious feel on her character, which will be better evolved in the next chapter in the series, who knows? Characters that I like most in Beautiful Creatures are Link, who is Ethan’s sidekick and Lena’s uncle, Macon. I feel that Link’s hilarity and Macon’s eccentric behaviour add more colours to the whole story.

Overall, Beautiful Creatures is indeed an impressive debut and serves as an excellent beginning of the series. I truly love the setting and the atmosphere that the authors successfully created throughout the book, it is really impressive. The size of the book might be intimidating but it serves my literary appetite just right and make me craves for more. Definitely worth it!

Favourite Quote: She looked up at me, and the whole world disappeared. Like there was just us, like there would always be just us, and we didn't need magic for that. It was sort of happy and sad, all at the same time. I couldn't be around her without feeling things, without feeling everything - Ethan Wate

Beautiful Creatures is a well-crafted, beautifully written book that is full with forbidden, intricate love, paranormal aspects and fast-paced action that surely manage to indulge the appetite of multiple group of readers. A page-turner that shouldn't be missed!

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies #1
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Hardback
Genre: Science Fiction

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real. Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing. But they know.

Lorien was once a beautiful, life-sustaining planet for a race called Loric. That was until the killer race – Mogadorian – from the planet Mogadore invade their home and caused a horrific destruction. As Lorien began to die, nine young Loric Gardes were sent to Earth, accompanied by their guardians and trainers known as Cêpans, in hope that one day they will receive their powers, their Legacies that will help restore Lorien back to its glory. These Gardes were protected by a charm that makes them vulnerable to the killer in specific order.

Now Number Three has been slain, so Number Four knows that they are now after him. Nothing more could be done other than run away, change his identity and try to be as invisible as he possibly can. Four, now known as John Smith, together with his Cêpan, Henri, settled in a place called Paradise in Ohio. However, soon as he gets there, John commits his first mistake: he begins to bond, have a friendship and fall in love. In the end, it dawn to one thing: Is his personal interest more important than the person, the warrior that he is destined to become?

The author, writing under the pseudonym “Pittacus Lore”, did an excellent job in establishing the ground in I am Number Four. While I am normally the kind who does not read any book under science fiction or books related to aliens, it is still very easy for me to cruise through this book, to understand and follow the lore, the aliens’ history and the different kind of alien races that the author trying to bring forth in his book. All these were written in great detail but so carefully threaded so that readers do not feel overwhelm with the information given at one particular time. Some might say that this portion, which consume about half of the book, is slow and boring, I personally think that this is the sole reason that keeps me reading.

While the background story was written exceptionally well, I feel that the other features of the book such as the characters, the storylines and the style of writing do not manage to boost the book to the level it should. The characters, for instance, are all stereotypical – a good guy, a beautiful ex-cheerleader, a geeky bestfriend, football players as enemies (see the pattern?) – lack in dimension, monotonous and boring. The storylines on the other hand, feels askew from the original thing that matter, which is survival, the moment the love story takes place. It actually annoys me to see that the authors could put the backbone of the story aside and let it be replaced by a romance that, in my opinion, feels stale and unbelievable. There is a heart-pounding action scene towards the end of the book but even that part feels inconsistent and very predictable to me. I strongly think that sans the clichés and perhaps the love story, together with a better characterization and well-thought storylines, this book can really be a lot better than it is.

In the nutshell, I didn’t really enjoy this book as much as I thought I would when I first pick it up. There is nothing really spectacular about its writing and I believe that if you read it, it is pretty clear that it was written  for the big screen. However, if you are a big fan of action, there is quite a lot in this one for you to enjoy, but if you like details and solid book, I don’t think you’ll miss much by skipping this.

Favourite Quote: When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope.

Despite its high potential, the book's inconsistencies, predictability and the fact that it is fully stuffed with clichés make it impossible for me to get totally absorb into the story. The pace of the book is just nice and there is a lot of action to be enjoyed. However, if you're looking for more, this is not really a good choice.

Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

Title: Adios, Nirvana
Author: Conrad Wesselhoeft
Series: Stand alone book 
Source: NetGalley/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Digital copy
Genre: Contemporary fiction

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Since the death of his brother, Jonathan’s been losing his grip on reality. Last year’s Best Young Poet and gifted guitarist is now Taft High School’s resident tortured artist, when he bothers to show up. He's on track to repeat eleventh grade, but his English teacher, his principal, and his crew of Thicks (who refuse to be seniors without him) won’t sit back and let him fail.

Losing someone you truly love is probably the most tragic event that could happen in a person’s life. It is even harder when the one who was taken away was the one you looked up to, shared your passions with and whom you confided in. This is what happened to Jonathan – this is the story of his life, his guilt, his grief following the death of his better half, his twin brother, Telemachus/Telly.

Jonathan is a young poet that everybody wants to be but a torture soul that no one wants to become. Since the death of Telemachus, he is no longer complete and he feels that no one can patch him back, to make him whole again. He crawls through life in a mindless stupor, dwells in self-pity and seems to only survive by consuming endless amount of taurine and caffeine tablets. Realising how self-destructive Jonathan has become, his best friends, which he called “his Thicks” and those others who know his true potential start devising a plan to wake Jonathan up from his prolong daze, to make him realise that his life is one that is worth living. What does it take for someone to begin moving on and embrace life? And can the course of life of the hopeless be changed by those who he loves and respects?

Adios, Nirvana is a book that portrays loss, grief, friendship and a value of life. The skeletal bone of the story is rather simple and of little meaning: a boy seeking for ways to handle his grief. However, the complexity of the messages hidden behind its intricate, raw, brilliant writing is what makes this book important and moving. Conrad Wesselhoeft is definitely not the kind of author who tailors his writing to make it more acceptable to everyone as he depicts reality of life as it is, no sugar coating and no polishing. I have no doubt that some people might feel rather uncomfortable with the way this book was written and some offensive language used along the way, but to me, this makes this book more real and believable.

One of the aspects in Adios, Nirvana that I thoroughly enjoy is the way the author slowly reveals the vital information, carefully creating the tension inside of the book. Ever since I start reading, I’ve wondered why Jonathan called his brother “Telemachus” but not by his real name. My question is answered towards the end of the book and it sort of emphasize the relationship between these two brothers, how one of them is one half of the whole and how truly decapitate Jonathan feels after his brother is gone. Other than that, Wesselhoeft also did an excellent job with the characters in this book. Jonathan is not entirely likeable from the beginning but the author lets readers embark this journey to see the changes in him and the real person that he suppresses beneath. The other characters too are very well-written and it can easily be seen how each and every one of them trying to help Jonathan moving on with his life.

Despite feeling that the ending is a little too rush; I am still overall satisfied with this book. A bittersweet story that talks about seizing the moment and understanding that despite every hurdle, life can still be the way we craft it to be. Adios, Nirvana is a book that I deeply love – the kind that leave imprints in my heart that won’t fade in many years to come.

Favourite Quote: To live is to swim toward the shimmer, to die is to never try

A memorable read that I highly recommended. With wonderful prose, excellent characters arc, brilliant hidden messages and honest voices, I have no doubt that this book can give readers something more than they first expected. A great contemporary debut that should not be missed.

Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

Title: Jenny Pox
Author: J.L. Bryan
Series: Perhaps? 
Source: From author for review
Format: E-book 
Genre: Speculative Fiction - Paranormal

Synopsis (from author's page):

Jenny is a quiet, small-town girl in South Carolina whose touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague. Jenny can't control her power. Her life is friendless and lonely until she meets a boy, who possess power of his own. Her love for him brings the wrath of his beautiful and immensely popular girlfriend Ashleigh. Jenny must master her own deadly power to free Seth from Ashleigh's control. Then she must defeat Ashleigh before Ashleigh can destroy her.

What if you were born with supernatural power? Not just a mere kind, but one that is formidable enough that it can cause death on another person. What does it feels like living your life knowing you cannot touch anyone for fear that you might end up killing them? This is the destiny that Jenny Morton has to face every single day of her life. Knowing that her skin, her condition, her power – whatever term one might called it – killed her own mother when she was born is painful enough but understanding and accepting the bitter fact that she is going to be lonely, friendless her whole life is even harder to bear. However, when a tragedy happened and she learnt the secret kept by Seth, the boyfriend of her #1 enemy Ashleigh, a glitter of hope enters her life. To win Seth, she will have to confront Ashleigh and to learn controlling her "curse". What is it about Seth that drawn Jenny to him? Is Jenny the only one in this small county that has supernatural ability? If not, what is the connection between them and what brings them all here?

Jenny Pox is indeed a novel which is full with surprises. The author, J.L. Bryan, has successfully manoeuvred this book from a somewhat cliché storyline into something utterly different. He weaves three intricate elements – paranormal, mystery and romance – together making this book a little complex at the beginning but nonetheless, a very interesting read. Bryan is definitely the kind of author who does not dump information to his readers. In fact, he takes time building his story, giving away answers little by little while at the same time, making readers crave for more. The story starts off with little Jenny who is still clueless about her own power but as she grows older and understand how dangerous she really is, self-hatred starts to bloom inside of her. The way the author portrays the emotional burden that Jenny bears on her shoulders is remarkable to the point where readers cannot help but feel sad and mourn for Jenny. Bryan also goes all out when he describes the disturbing and gory details in his book that truly make me squirm whilst reading.

Bryan also did a great job in depicting the real life of teenagers in a small town and this make it a lot easier for readers to feel connected to the characters. Jenny is a very likeable protagonist with a very strong heart but her difficult life makes it hard for her to realise how much she really worth. The moment friendship buds between her and Seth, I’ve start to root for them to be together. At first it seems rather unrealistic for someone to fall in love very quickly but knowing how desperate Jenny is to find a true friend and love, it all just seems possible. Plus, it is better to see Seth with Jenny rather than the manipulative, power-craze, two-faced antagonist, Ashleigh. There is something more that correlate these three characters but you definitely need to read the book to find out. Another character that I love in Jenny Pox is Jenny’s father, who acts as a strong pillar for Jenny despite the demons that he has to fight within himself too. Even though Jenny grows up without a mother, having a father that love her unconditionally truly make things somewhat bareable for her.

In the nutshell, Jenny Pox is a bittersweet, original book that completes with a little bit of everything – from delicious romance, to gory paranormal stuffs and also some actions. With its engaging writing, well-structured and simple plotlines along with its comfortable, effective pace, the book is definitely something that readers, especially those who love paranormal romance should not missed. While some might say that this is a Young Adult book, I personally think that it fits more under adult due to some explicit and gory scenes and also some contents that might be considered offensive by certain group of people. However, if you don’t mind all these, Jenny Pox is a paranormal book with a great twist that totally worth it.

Favourite Quote: Jenny lifted one small, fuzzy-pink gloved hand and looked at her fingers. "I'm poze-nuss," she said.

Jenny Pox is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It deals with some paranormal issues and contemporary ones, like obsession to gain power, extremism and difficulties to be an outsider. A page turner and an original book with great plotlines and characters that I highly recommend.