Harbinger

by Sara Wilson Etienne

[Kelsenator]

For the full review go to my blog Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf

I had read some mixed reviews about this book, but no matter what I still wanted to read it.

Faye sees things that no one else does, they used to just appear at night, nightmares that made her scream, but now they happen during the day. Everyone thinks there is something wrong with her, that she has anxiety attacks, and no one can seem to look her straight in the eyes. As soon as Faye gets left at Holbrook, she keeps trying to find ways to escape, even if she gets caught. Anything but obedience is met with either being tazed, pepper sprayed, or locked in the “Meditation Centre” for hours.

After getting punished herself, she gets to meet her Family, as Dr. Murdoch calls it. A bunch of other students with problems, who are part of a group of six. They have to learn to work together, and if one member gets punished, they all do.

One morning, Faye and her roommate wake up, their hands stained, with what looks like it may be blood, a strange drawing on the ground, and no memory of that night. Faye knows something is up, when their nailed window was wide open, the nails bend and rusty, and she recognized the drawing as her own style. As the Family gets closer, things start getting worse, and something isn’t quite right at this school, with it’s hidden messages everywhere. Faye starts to fall for the mysterious Kel, but wonders if he might know something about what is happening to them. Afraid of being left alone, she tries to keep all these secrets to herself.

I loved reading this book, I had trouble putting it down until I found out what exactly was going on. The world outside the school is a bit Dystopian, with everything being shorted, rationed, and kids being told to be normal and conform, or they get sent to schools like Holbrook. There is a mystery, of what is happening every night to these kids, what or who the Harbinger is, and what they intend to do.

I definitely recommend this book for those looking for a bit of everything, a fantasy,mystery and dystopian feel. I loved that this was also a stand-alone book and that I wouldn’t have to wait to find anything out.