Review: A Little Gem of a Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 22, 2012
Whatever you think this book is going to be about, you are probably wrong. It's that and so much more. When I first read the blurb, I thought 'Teen psychic helps the police on a murder investigation. Haven't I read this somewhere before?' Oh, no. That little portion might have sounded familiar, but what evolves from that is anything but. This is a unique story in and unto itself and it has so many twists and turns, you will almost feel your head spin. But that's a good thing because it keeps you guessing from beginning to end and if there's one thing I desire in my books, it's that I have no idea what's going to happen from one page to the next. Which is quite a feat as I am a writer myself and I often find myself figuring out what's happening or who did what long before the reveal. Well, this one kept me guessing and I loved it!Aside from a simply amazing plot and twisty-turny storyline, there are the characters. They are so well drawn, they are like real people - with all of their flaws and foibles. I found myself loving some and loathing others, learning to like ones I originally loathed and hating ones I originally liked. That is quite a feat! Usually, if I don't like a character from the beginning, it's almost a given that I won't like them at the end and vice versa for the ones I like. But this book turned that philosophy on its head. For instance, I couldn't stand Petra's mother for most of the book - she was just so un-mother-like and mean to Petra that I had to wonder why Petra didn't run away from her. I won't give away what happens, but you do see a different side of her elsewhere in the book. Same goes for Tommy. In the beginning, I didn't like him very much, but he has his moments later in the story. I won't reveal what character is a flipside of that because it might spoil the plot, and you definitely should discover it for yourself. The two characters who I always liked from beginning to end, however, are Petra and Finn. They are just so sweet together, even when they're keeping secrets from each other.In short, this is a little gem of a book and I have a new author to add to my favorites list. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!