Review: Unique and Fast-Paced Fantasy/Sci Fi with a Great Heroine
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 13, 2013
“Curse” is the first book in the Wexia trilogy, a sci-fi/fantasy YA novel that can also be enjoyed by adults. Its protagonist, Nell, is about to turn seventeen and looking forward to going to university—she lives in the rainforest with her father (her mother died when Nell was an infant) and spends much of her time with her best friend, Sam. One day, as she races Sam on the beach, she’s thrown from her horse into the water, right in front of a crocodile—and instead of attacking her, the crocodile instead speaks to her, warning her of danger ahead.Slowly, Nell begins to notice other changes in herself besides being able to speak to animals, and eventually a strange visitor and the revelation that her father has a sister and a niece will change her life and completely transform her identity. Nell is much more than a teenage girl, and her adventures turn out to be far greater than just going university.“Curse” grabs your attention within the first few pages—why can Nell suddenly communicate with animals?—and creates a unique and intriguing backstory for Nell that the reader discovers along with her. It mixes action in with Nell’s discoveries about herself, and the danger and tension keep the plot clipping along at a fast pace. I especially enjoyed the aspects of the three different species—human, phib, and wintar—and Nell’s slightly turbulent relationship with her father and newly-discovered extended family. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fantasy YA novels, sci-fi, and novels with a strong female heroine and lots of adventure.