Review: Amazing sequel - Rachel has done it again!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 9, 2013
This review may contain spoilers for Monster in My Closet, so if you haven't read it and still continue to read this review; I did warn you. Don't come crying to me! :-)There are times when I get a book and I sigh when reading. Because sometimes it's just not what you expected and not good. And then there are the times where you stumble over a hidden gem and you submerge into the world the author created and when you finally get up for air, you look around and are surprised by the dark outside (or the morning light shining in).Rachel with her Monster in My Closet was a hidden gem for me. So imagine my surprise and utter delight when receiving an ARC of her sequel Pooka in My pantry. (I confess, I squealed - loudly)I loved Monster in My Closet. Zoey and her friends made me laugh on a day where I didn't believe I could even muster a smile. I shook my head at Zoey's quirkiness , her choice of clothes, well even her choice of weapon. :-) And I just adored the cover of the book. Seriously.I will try and do this book justice, but it's kinda hard when I liked it so much.Soo. Zoey's been trying to adjust to her new life as a helper of the Hidden creatures. She had a baby dragon with a cold (careful so he doesn't combust!), a sea serpent giving birth in her pool (a quite cold, but wonderful moment) and this is the tip of the iceberg. Zoey is a Empath (and maybe more),and all her life she has helped other people, the problem now is, she can't tell her best friend what's going on. Sara's been a vital part of Zoey for as long as she can remember and it's killing her she can't talk to her, that she has to lie to her to cover up her "other" crazy life.But how can you tell a person you have a closet monster in your spare bedroom? A closet monster who likes to cook and clean and is living with you because his wife kicked him out? How do you tell your best friend your maybe-boyfriend is a Reaper who collects souls when their time is up? That you have a brownie family living in a giant mushroom in your backyard, a skunk-Ape as a bodyguard? Imagine the conversation!In Monster in My Closet, Zoey was marked for death twice and both times she escaped with help by Riley (her maybe-boyfriend), which landed him in a HEAP of trouble. Riley disappears and Zoey is concerned he is paying for helping her. When he finally returns he's on probation with a watch (Art) to make sure he doesn't step out of line. Unfortunately the Board of Hidden Affairs couldn't care less about Riley, they're much more interested in Zoey, because maybe she's more than what you can see, and to find out they're putting her to through a test that just might cost her life.Then add a Pooka who doesn't know boundaries if it hit him in the head (or how to wear pants) who brings so much bad luck with him he is a walking disaster for everyone around him (and insisting on moving in with Zoey) and a gang of thugs (oops, sorry leprechaun mafia) who insists people pay them protection money so they don't get a bout of.... uhmm, bad luck their way. Not to mention Maurice (Zoey's friend, the Closet Monster) is returning home to try and make up with his wife, and you have a wonderful story filled with surprises, good and bad luck (and a lot of algebra), love and friendship and a woman with a mind set on not taking s*** from anyone. :-)Pooka in My Pantry is a wonderful continuation of Rachel's Monster Haven series and left me craving more. I just love Zoey and her friends and no matter what happen, you can trust Zoey to be there for her friends - with or without a toiletbrush. :-)If you like a different story, your heroines to be quirky, magical creatures, mystery and a touch of love (romance and friendship), this series is definitely for you.