Review: Great YA Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this read. The synopsis drew me in and I was fascinated. Urban Fantasy is one of the genres that I have really grown to love over the past couple of years so I had high hopes for this read. It didn't disappoint.Faith McKay created amazing characters who struggle with real life issues - but they're thrown into a fantasy type situation. Sam = abusive mom, dad who stays out of it, moves around a lot, little sister who she wants to take care of & guard.... Nick = Mom left, dad drinks & just doesn't connect much anymore, doesn't fit in with his family, sweet little brother who he wants to look out for & protect. Zach & Violet are precious. I can just see Zach bouncing around talking non-stop in my head. He has such a happy personality that draws you in. Then you add in the weres, the orb, prophetic dreams, puppetmasters, and my favorite creation of Faith McKay's=the Seasonals. They really drew me in! I LOVE them & can't wait to see more of them. I can't even begin to really describe them because, well, it's hard... just read the book, LoL.The plot was really great... really original (with regards to everything I've ever read). The insanity of the situation with Sam & Violet's own mother wanting to kill them just keeps you on edge. I loved it. It was neat to see that they were literally in the middle of no where with really what feels like no connection to the "outside world."  I was a little surprised that Sam's dreams aren't more of a focus - I just expected her dreams to play more of a major role BUT that's what series are for right? :)I was left hanging at the end with a lot of unanswered questions BUT I wasn't upset about it because this book is only a little over 200 pages. It felt like "part 1" of a longer novel instead of "book 1" of a series (if that makes any sense to anyone but me).  I don't mind it though - but it just makes me want book 2 sooner rather than later haha.I love Sam & Nick, Zach & Violet. Great characters, interesting/original plot & setting, great supernatural beings like the weres, the Seasonals, and supernatural elements like puppetmaster & prophetic dreams. The Seasonals were insanely unique (at least as far as my experience with supernatural reads).Overall, great read!! Highly recommend it to those that enjoy YA Urban Fantasy.