Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1) in Addicted to YA

Aug 12, 2012 Sasha rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

3.5 stars.

Paranormalcy is such a fun, humorous novel that sometimes you forget that the main character, Evie, is facing the life-or-death dangers of werewolves, vamps, and other supernatural beasties on a daily basis. With a tongue-in-cheek narration that is sure to make you laugh out loud on numerous occasions, two supernatural hotties vying for Evie’s affections, and a mysterious entity going around and killing supernaturals, this book has all the ingredients for a breezy, escapist read.

Evie i 3.5 stars.

Paranormalcy is such a fun, humorous novel that sometimes you forget that the main character, Evie, is facing the life-or-death dangers of werewolves, vamps, and other supernatural beasties on a daily basis. With a tongue-in-cheek narration that is sure to make you laugh out loud on numerous occasions, two supernatural hotties vying for Evie’s affections, and a mysterious entity going around and killing supernaturals, this book has all the ingredients for a breezy, escapist read.

Evie is no ordinary teenager. Not only does she work for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, bagging and tagging wayward vamps, hags, and other malevolent creatures for a living, but she can also do something that no one else can: see through glamours. However, as if that weren’t enough, now Evie’s having cryptic nightmares, her ex-boyfriend—a beautiful, enchanting, and dangerous fairy named Reth—is harassing her, and a shapeshifter who is gorgeous no matter what form he takes just broke into the IPCA. And it looks like Evie’s got her work cut out for her when supernatural being start dying left, right and center.

This book turned out to be just what I needed after the rather darker The Mortal Instruments series. While I do love my serious reads, there’s something to be said about tackling this genre with a lighthearted outlook, something that Kiersten White manages with flying colors. Evie is a lot different than the heroine I would expect to lead a series like this: she’s tough, sure, but she also is the girliest girl I’ve ever read about! I mean, she has a pink-rhinestone-covered taser that she nicknamed Tasey. And she thinks that pink looks good on everything. And while that kind of annoyed me for a bit (I’m not a fan of girly girls, I guess), her chipper attitude and wry-yet-spot-on sense of humor more than made up for her questionable footwear choices (hot-pink-accented stiletto boots? How can you run in those?). Evie has a hilarious sense of humor, as evidenced by the very first page of the book which shows her encounter with a vampire, whom she mocks for essentially trying too hard. That scene sold me.

I really liked the idea of an international supernatural police, so to speak, and I liked that it was modern—it wasn’t some secret order of elite warriors that have been around since the dawn of mankind or whatever.

The two main guys in Evie’s life were so different and yet completely amazing that I oscillated between the two of them, uncertain which one I wanted Evie to choose (even though it’s plain from the start which one she will pick). Reth, her ex-boyfriend, is a fairy who comes back into her life unbidden and tries to hurt her—or so she thinks. While his motivations were murky throughout this book, it was clear, at least in my mind, that Reth still cared for Evie. I think what I liked best about Reth was that even though he was this ageless, immortal creature, he still allowed Evie to worm her way into his heart. Lend is another matter altogether. I can’t really say much about him without giving the plot away, but I will say that Kiersten White’s interpretation of a shapeshifter is really different than my other (limited) encounters with them in fiction, and Lend really is a one-of-a-kind character.

The plot, while interesting, seemed like it was lacking any major “turning point.” I also felt like the ending was a bit anticlimactic. Despite this, I really enjoyed Evie’s narration and humor, and the twist at the end is worth waiting for, and sets up a path to the sequel quite nicely. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air in the YA supernatural genre, this is the book for you.
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Nov 01, 2011 Falling for Books (Tia) rated it really liked it

First Line: “Wait-did you- You just yawned!”

Favorite Quote: Nothing sticks out…. But lots of fun quotes were throughout!

My thoughts: I have had this book on my tbr list forever. I even added it on Nook Color to make sure I’d read it soon. I’m so glad that I have now read this book. I thought it was a really fun book and it kept my attention from beginning to end. I really loved the modern day paranormal world that was created in this book. We are introduced to all kinds of creatures from vamps ...more

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Dec 09, 2010 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed-library, borrowed-ebook, paranormal, young-adult

First impressions: I have to admit that with the number of people hoisting accolades upon Evie, I didn't want to like her. Or this book. Evie is like the super-popular girl at your new school that everyone says is so nice, but you don't believe them because anyone that popular, and pretty, and cool, cannot possibly also be nice.

But I can admit when I'm wrong. Evie is amazing.

Lasting impressions: The plot may be forgettable, but Evie and Reth and Lend are not. Or Lish. Or Raquel. Or David. Let' ...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Kat (A Journey In Reading) rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-books, young-adult, read-in-2011

Yes, I know I am probably the last one on the planet to read this book. I hate that it took me so long to read it. Having a day at home (thank you oral surgery)... I spent the afternoon visting with the quick witted, sarcastic, pink loving main character, Evie.

Evie is a normal 16 year old girl who has been raised at the IPCA (International Paranomal Containment Agency) since she was 8. Ok, so normal may not be the right word... I mean she can see through the glamours of all paranormal creatures. ...more

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