Review: Fine sense of humour
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 21, 2013
I read this book in ARC format. This is a gentle paranormal story, quite original in its make-up, but focusing on perfectly normal, human emotions that are easy to identify with.In a few words, Molly Mulligan is a single mother, a mother who is trying hard to do the best thing for her teenage children. Life isn't easy in the first place, but it all goes really wrong for her after a night out which she can barely remember.Liv's writing style is easy reading, but not dumb. Good prose flows nicely, and the plot is well-paced. There is enough tension to keep the reader turning the pages. The descriptions are good, and I could picture with ease the places and situations Molly found herself in. Characterization is also good. Special commendation for the teenage lingo - authentic without being over the top. I loved Violet and Franklin, too.Dialogues flow naturally. The paranormal element is good. In fact there is not one thing that I could fault, but still... there is something missing, something that stops me jumping up to cheer at Molly's achievements or commiserate alongside her when fate turns into a harpy. I think I can identify this missing element in the shape of too much self-censorship. The author is reserved, cautious with emotion - both showing and sharing it - and a little too detached. Considering what I knew of Liv Rancourt's writing style from her blog, I wanted to see more humour and abandon, and I did wonder why she was being so careful.Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read, and I wished there was more of it. The ending is satisfactory, though cut short - again, I would have liked to see a bit more flesh to it. I would love to read the sequel, if there was one. I would not hesitate to pick it up when/if it became available. A good read, suitable for any age, and well deserving of a 4.5 star rating.