Review: Light but fun YA.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 26, 2013
Every story has its own theme. Even if it's a premise that's been done before, execution makes all the difference. Light, fun and predictable can still succeed. It mostly did for Spectral.The plot both worked for me and it didn't. The opening chapter drops the reader into an active scene full of tension. Curiosity had me flipping pages to get all the details explaining Jewel's life in the witness protection program and why her family was moving yet again. As a reader, I was definitely sucked into the story and wanted to know more.Then Jewel started school, and the predictable part of the plot appeared. The cutesy, helpful friend showed her around school--you know, the one that would, of course, become her best friend. There's the hunky, sports jock that every girl notices, aka Chase. Yep, he'll be hitting on Jewel shortly. And let's not forget the dark, mysterious guy named Roman that plays guitar and is so gorgeous Jewel can't help but be drawn to him (what girl wouldn't be)...which all seems counterintuitive since she's grown up being secretive all her life. Where literally showing her birth mark could be life threatening if she's recognized.While I found the presentation of the main characters and love triangle formulaic and a predictable part of the story, I was still interested in seeing where the plot would lead. The introduction of Jewel's additional family members definitely had me wondering what they really wanted--and why Jewel didn't ask her parents what was going on or tell her controlling Aunt Eva off.The pace picks up in the second half of the book and the story really starts moving. The reader discovers why Jewel is being hunted and what she's capable of. Family secrets are revealed, and though I expected some of the information, I was still pleasantly surprised. Even the love triangle's resolution was predictable, but I wasn't disappointed in the outcome. Spectral overall was an enjoyable read.*Author Copy Provided