layawaydragon
Written on Apr 10, 2016
I won a free copy along with Nobody but I have lost the link to which blog. If it was from you, let me know!
I hate when books I want to continue are stand alones while bloated and forced series perpetuate seemingly copy/pasted. That’s just not fair. Sorry, a tad bitter and disappointed at the moment.
I was so sure it was going to continue as the pages wound down. There didn't seem enough time to deal with everything. However, it did resolve Kali's tale of saving Bethany and what she is. If there was a sequel, I'd be loving it instead of whining.
Not everything is spelled out completely. There are threads to follow from this story or we can just pick up with Kali's life afterwards. Either way, there's plenty of juice to continue.
After a brief set up, things heat up quick with Kali jumping in to help Bethany. Yet there's no lack of world-building and it feels natural. I’m so glad it wasn’t dragged out just getting to the blurb’s reveal. From there it's constant movement forward.
The group builds and contorts about Kali. They're all prickly with their own secrets and motivations. Not to mention the different social stratospheres they inhibit. It's fun reading them re-bound, bounce, and re-connect. I found them lively and funny in their own way. Skylar is like a manic-pixie girl but in the best way.
Then there's the plot. I saw Kali's mom and Skylar's twist coming but beyond that, nope! In hindsight, I should've seen at least one other thing as well but damn was I wrapped up.
Part of it certainly was the unique world-building. How am I supposed to see shit coming when the typical doesn't exist and the rare is warped like a fun house mirror?
Here's a cute, trippy kitty because I went searching for a creepy, trippy gif at 11PM at night and scared myself like a dumbass. Click this and scroll, if you dare. I made it to 29. You'll see it tick up on the web address as you scroll.
Saying it's not the typical urban paranormal is true but an understatement. Thinking about all the other books I've called different in this genre now makes me wince; Every other day blows them out of the water.
My favorite addition is the sci-fi flare that turns into a wildfire. It builds from this one moment in this alternative timeline and *pop*. It's subtle, if you can call hell dogs, demons, and zombies subtle, and explodes. I love how science is incorporated. I can't imagine a human world that doesn't TBH.
It helps that the paranormal isn't new or underground. There's curriculum, laws, jobs, and government agencies built around it. Humans are working at their own pace their own way but it's settled. (As far as they know Mwahahaha DUN DUN DUN)
The only thing left to discuss is the romance. Insta-love meh. I get Kali's feelings and what she's missing. The boy can be creepy and he's just...eh. It's all magical soul mate bullshit. I'm pretty sure the only reason it doesn't piss me off is the how and why of the magical way it works and its connection to the plot. Otherwise, I could do without the whole mess. It's lackluster even in the realm of YA romance. Don't read it for "love" and don't let the one blight ruin the rest for you.