Review: Jessica - A Quick, Good Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2012
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.Writing a striking novella is quite challenging for a writer. There has to be an intriguing plot and interesting characters within a constricted number of pages. As an avid reader, I could tell that DeLuca has a strong grasp of how to keep readers peeling their eyes over her works. I read this late at night in little time, and let me tell you, I was a bit scared.The novella has a good opening. Readers are introduced to a school outcast - you know, the cliche guy who wears glasses, has acne scars, and has no friends. Though Wilbur is no unfamiliar character, I was surprised at some of his actions towards the end of the novel. He attends his Halloween ball in a "loserish" costume, yet he soon catches the eye of a coy brunette in a stunning, elegant costume. Her name is Jessica. These two characters are well-developed, and I liked that Jessica was kind to Wilbur.The height of this short read is when Jessica and Wilbur are isolated, and she tells him the urban legend of the White Lady. Even the changed atmosphere was well-built and foreshadowed danger. Trust me, Jessica's legend was quite convincing, and the setting alone would leave me running away from the woods. I would love to share the details of the grim tale, but then I would spoil it. It is Jessica's story-telling that propels the plot. She tells the story well, and you can even hear the pain in her voice for what happened to the White Lady before she became a vengeful spirit. For such a short book, it occupied a dynamic plot. I must say that this book's twist was not predictable, but it did not catch me completely off-guard.I must also comment on DeLuca's style. I was not even expecting comedic relief, but even that was there. I loved how her writing became so intense when she described morbidity. I could tell that she really enjoyed writing those scenes. I noticed that this book was really highlighted around Halloween, and I wish I could have read it then. It was not extremely bone-chilling, but it certainly made me a bit of a wimp.Before you get all jolly about Christmas, give Jessica a chance. The eponymous character shares an urban legend that will captivate you and evoke pity for the White Lady. I enjoyed this book, and I hope to read more of DeLuca's works.