Reveal

by Brina Courtney

[inlibrisveritas]

Reveal takes a well known type of book and puts a really interesting spin on it. While I did have a few issues with it, I enjoyed it over all and I look forward to continuing the series.
Reveal centers around Shay, a high school senior who has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. As if that isn’t strange enough she is soon immersed in a world of creatures she had no idea existed called Cryptids. The well known lore of things like Bigfoot or shifters all find a home in the Cryptid lore that Brina Courtney creates, and I think it opens the door for us to see even more interesting characters later in the series. It feels like a paranormal fantasy type of book but it has a more sci-fi root as the genetically engineered traits come to the surface, making for a new blend of genres. I thought the pacing was pretty decent overall and though I did wish we had some more time to see things develop between Shay and Hugh I do think the fast paced fit the story well. The big thing I had an issue with was the whole “chosen one” and “destined couple” thing. Shay being the chosen one isn’t exactly a new idea so I didn’t feel enthused but it wasn’t that big of a draw back. However the ‘destined couple’ angle drives me batty. I’m the kind of person who thinks books should follow the “Something There” song from Beauty and the Beast. You know the whole “who’d have thought they’d come together on their own” and “there’s something there that wasn’t there before” thing? I personally prefer no insta-love and no destinies.
Shay is a great main character. She doesn’t play the victim and even though she’s not prepared she steps up when her role is explained to her. Hugh is a sweet guy but a bit…stupid due to his knack of just doing/saying things without too much forethought. Their relationship is going to take me a bit to warm up to. I do think they’re cute, but it happened a bit too quickly for my tastes.
Overall it’s a good start to a series and it definitely holds a lot of promise as a series. I can’t wait to see just what the big bad has in store after the cliff-hanger ending and I definitely can’t wait to see if any new creatures pop up.