Review of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061985848
ISBN-13: 978-0061985843

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION (from Amazon.com)
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

MY REVIEW

Paranormalcy was an absolutely amazing book and a unique take on the paranormal. I'm a huge fan of books with strong, stubborn female protagonists, and Evie's character was exactly what I was looking for. The story was fast-paced and full of excitement, suspense, and innocent romance. Kiersten White has a gift for making the unbelievable, well, believable. In her debut novel, she manages to beautifully overlap fantasy and reality. By creating the IPCA, a government agency which regulates paranormals' behavior, she brings both worlds together and introduces an array of new, unique characters while also giving the reader a new perspective on the typical paranormal folklore. 

What I enjoyed most about Paranormalcy were the unique characters Kiersten White created. Evie is by far one of my favorite female characters, a strong, stubborn, pink loving, taser-happy teenager who doesn't quite understand who she is or where she belongs. She's sort of stuck in the middle of normal and paranormal and can't really decide whether her ability to see through all paranormals' glamours is a gift or a curse. She feels out of place amongst humans and paranormals, and feels that she doesn't really fit in anywhere. And until she meets Lend, an adorable teenage shape-shifter who instantly steals her heart, she hasn't had any type of normal teenage relationship. Most normal teens would do anything to get out of doing homework, going to school, and having quiet family dinners at home, but Evie never experienced any of those things and would kill for a day in the life of a normal teen.  This book made me think about the simple things in life that we so often take for granted and I now have a much greater appreciation my wonderfully normal teenage and young adult experiences. 

MY RATING