Review: An engaging read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 21, 2014
I'd classify "Entrusted" as a YA book with elements of fantasy and Native American folklore. The story follows seventeen-year-old Emma, a normal high school girl who enjoys running with the cross country team. When bad boy Luke arrives on campus, Emma is immediately smitten. There is incredible chemistry between the two from the start, but soon, Luke's possessive nature begins show, jeopardizing Emma's relationship with her best friend, Greg. When Luke and Greg get into a fight, Emma learns of secrets that are far greater than she could have ever imagined. She finds herself in the midst of an ancient war that forces her into hiding in a coastal town. There she meets a Native American warrior named Solomon, and she learns more about the war. I found my interest in the story growing with each page until I stayed up all night and finished it. The plot gets moving pretty quickly, but I was surprised to read it picking up at an almost exponential rate a quarter of the way through the book. One of the book's highlights is how developed all the characters are. I felt really connected with Emma, and her decisions and background (she grew up in foster homes, etc) are well-explained. That's one of the advantages of the book's usage of first-person -- the reader feels like he or she is in Emma's head. I think my favorite part of the book is the usage of Native American folklore. The tiny bit of Native American folklore in the "Twilight" series really piqued my interest in the subject, and "Entrusted" uses the folklore much more prominently. It is clear from reading that O'Shay did her research. If you like YA novels with engaging characters and exciting plots, then this book is a must-read.