Review: Solid foundation, but needs a litte work
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 19, 2012
The story starts with an (almost literal) explosive beginning. A girl and her boyfriend, Locke, are in a car headed for a party when they collide with an oncoming vehicle. The girl finds herself trapped as an invisible specter known as a Seer whose job is to watch over and record events happening around the town of Salem. We see events unfoldfrom her point of view. This device is a pretty effective one, as we get her to deliver context on some of the events. Her narration can be inadequate at times, but she adds her own humorous commentary on the events.The story pulls one in quickly, and I grew attached to the various characters. Keleigh is a very likeable main character who struggles between wanting to be normal and being forced into the world of the ExtraOrdinary. There is a lot of magic and mystery surrounding Keleigh's mother and her powers, but the ending leaves me with many questions that will hopefully be answered in future installments.Sometimes it can be hard to follow events. Characters pop in and out with nary an introduction, and X is as new to the world of magic as we are, so this would be good places for thorough explanation. Some chances are wasted, and sometimes I feel like I don't really understand how certain characters fit into the world of the ExtraOrdinary.Sometimes characters say the weirdest things and the Seer herself makes weird metaphors that I would neverexpect anyone to say (this is something of her character, though, as other characters mention it). Sometimes it can be off-putting, but I grew used to it and sometimes the conversations are actually quite funny.The focus on Celtic culture and magic is a refreshing change of pace from standard "witches and vampires" supernatural fiction.I like the world that was crafted and the interweaving of various magic people and creatures with a modern-day setting. The prose is competent and sometimes quite striking. So, with a bit more editing I think this series could really go places.