Shucked

by Megg Jensen

[Kim Deister]

My review: Much like everything, Megg Jensen writes, I loved Shucked. This is the first young adult contemporary fiction novel from the author of the amazing fantasy saga series, Song of Eloh. Very different from her previous work, Shucked is just as wonderful. Tabitha is a fantastic main character, typical and extraordinary all at once. She has all of the teenage hormones, insecurities, and angst that is true to the age. But she has lived all over the world, has ever been to school, and has lived a life that most would believe to be unreal.
There is humor and action and adventure right alongside the mystery and the intrigue, with all kinds of twists and turns throughout. All of the teenage angst is treated with humor as Tabitha navigates the hell of teenage life in public school, with lots of funny moments, keeping it from getting overly serious. The action and adventure was my favorite, however. I love some good intrigue and this kind was not what I would have expected in a YA novel. But no matter how serious the danger and mystery... there were ninjas. I have to love any YA book in which ninjas appear and it isn't silly!

Things to love about Shucked...

--Tabitha. She is a kick ass heroine and I loved her! She was tough, strong, and mature, all while still being a kid. Fabulous!

--Becky. She had a story of her own and secrets, too. I loved that she had the moral character to keep her secrets for the reasons that she did. She rocked!

--The secrets. Okay, so maybe the secrets in Tabitha's life weren't what any of us would say are normal, but that's the beauty of fiction. Anything can happen! I loved it, thought it was a fantastic addition to YA literature.

Things I wanted more of...

--Becky. While not the main character, I truly loved her. I had a mental image of her, reminding me of Holly Truman on Army Wives. Sweet, innocent, a little nerdy, but gorgeous nonetheless!

My recommendation: Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! No paranormal elements, like most of what I read, but I absolutely adored this book!