Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1)

by J. L. Bryan

[Kelsenator]

Originally posted on my blog Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf

(4.5)

I had quite a few recommendations to read this book, and I was so glad I listened! It’s definitely for more mature readers and not so much young adult, there’s some sexual themes and such in here.

Jenny lives with her dad, as she lost her mother when she was younger. They’re not the wealthiest, but they manage to get by. He is a bit of an alcoholic though, but he tries his best to be the father she needs.

Jenny has this ability where she can infect a person just by touching them. It’s like she has the plague, called Jenny Pox, and it passes by touch. If she holds on she can end up killing someone. She has grown up keeping her distance from everyone and making sure not to touch anyone. An incident happened when she was younger where she touched someone, and she doesn’t want her fellow students to remember it. She always wears gloves to cover her hands, which has earned her the nickname Jenny Mittens. She is constantly mocked and teased at school, especially by Ashleigh. Growing up alone like that, with only her father to love her and not being able to touch anyone was so heartbreaking, I felt so bad for her.

When she does realize she can touch Seth, she develops a crush on him, thinking that she can finally have someone. And of course he’s Ashleigh’s boyfriend. But that doesn’t stop her, she still goes for it by talking to him and hanging out. The romance between the two was cute, I think their powers definitely match them well and they seem so happy.

There are two other characters in this book that have powers, different from Jenny’s plague, but still very strong. I’ve already mentioned Seth, but Ashleigh has it as well. Ashleigh shows what such powers can be like in the wrong hands, of someone who wants to rule all. She’s definitely a wicked person, even getting girls pregnant just to prove a point. She was the perfect bad character in this, giving you someone to hate, and I still couldn’t believe what she actually did to those around her and all the plotting and destruction she managed to cause.

This book was so awesome, and like I mentioned it’s more recommended for mature readers. But if you’re up for it, pick this book up! I started recommending it to people before I even finished it.