Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Three, Day Nine

 

I'm back again with day nine of the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young.

Before I get started, first I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Wednesday's post. The continued support and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.
   
Reading: July 27 - Recommend or review a book of choice. Tell the interwebz why you love it!

 
  
I've been waiting for this, because I've so excited to talk about Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, the third instalment of which was released on July 24th in the US and will be out on August 2nd in the UK.

Before I read the Paranormalcy series I, wrongly, assumed that all paranormal romances were like Twilight, and lacked compelling characters or substance. Kiersten White proved me wrong. The Paranormalcy series is what paranormal romances should be like.

Evie, the protagonist, is compelling. She's independent, while still vulnerable. Sassy, while still caring, and full of life. Her teen voice, which could have become annoying, is actually hilarious and one of the aspects that really drew me in to the series. I love how she says "bleep" instead of swearing.

The boys … oh the boys are something else. While there is a triangle, of sorts, it isn't contrived. Evie isn't flip-flopping between the two in an annoying manner. Her love interest, Lend, is an exceptional typical guy. I won't reveal what his deal is, but he manages to couple the paranormal with the normal. He goes to college, he has lab work to do, they talk about prom. While her ex, Reth, is the bad boy you love to hate, and you know if you just scratch the surface there's a lot of depth and mystery there.

Coupling the normal with paranormal is actually a huge part of the series, and while Evie slays vamps, she still has to go to class and do her homework. Along with the fantastical elements, there's something really releatable about a story of a girl who just wants to fit in, find her place in the world and have a normal life. I think we've all been in that position.

The "monsters" are thrilling, and it's clear Kiersten White knows her stuff. My particular favourites are the vampires, who aren't glamorous, dazzling creatures of the night, but in fact walking corpses under their Glamours. 

Each book is full of twists and turns, and the endings were never obvious, while still been successfully set up for. They left you guessing what happened next, and wanting more, while still offering a sense of completion.

All these reasons, a many more – fantastic supporting characters, a fully realized thought out world (including the concept of the International Paranormal Containment Agency) – are why the Paranormalcy series is one of my favourite young adult urban fantasy series.
 
You can buy the books here: Paranormalcy | Supernaturally | Endlessly




10 comments:

  1. I have wanted to read Paranormalcy series for a while. I agree with you on Evie and the greatness of the series. But I disagree with you on Twilight not having substance or compelling characters.

    Bella is one of the few characters who is actually portrayed as a normal teen girl. As a human she only had her ingenuity and heart to get her out of tough situations (when Edward or some other powerful character wasn't around) and she actually got her butt kicked, hard. Twilight took a girl and had her journey as a contemporary girl thrown into a paranormal world. Many YA has the girl as some bad ass spitfire you're so less likely to meet in real life. Twilight actually excelled with a clumsy teen human girl for three of the four books. So as I said, I have to disagree with you on Twlight. But I think Paranormalcy is great based off what I've read about it. Hope you enjoy the latest release.

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  2. Thanks for commenting Sheena-kay. The Paranormalcy series is really excellent, you should check it out when you have the chance.

    I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion regarding Bella Swan. Admittedly, I only read the first two books, but I found her to be a flat, insipid, emotionless character. I understand the idea of trying to present a normal girl, in a supernatural world, but for me Bella wasn't that. She didn't remind me of myself as a teen, or anyone I knew as a teen. She was too one dimensional to be realistic. I almost felt as though Bella was presented as this cardboard character, so readers could insert themselves in her place. She did nothing for me as a protagonist, and I feel the only interesting thing about Bella was what was going on around her, and nothing about her personally.

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  3. Very much looking forward to checking out these books!

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    1. They really are great, I cannot wait for the new one next week. :)

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  4. I've read Paranormalcy (and enjoyed it a lot!) but I haven't read the other books in the series yet, I really need to buy them!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog, it's nice to find someone I have things in common with.
    For NaNo I'll be writing a fantasy based on a couple of stories I put up on my blog. People kept saying I should turn them into a novel, so here I am! Also, I would love to be cabin buddies!
    Just been on your Camp NaNo page, your novel looks like it'll be really interesting! I haven't even done a synopsis for mine yet, you really put me to shame! :)

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    1. Oh yay, another fan of Paranormalcy. The second book was equally as good. Haven't read the third, as it's not out in the UK yet.

      Sounds interesting, I'll have to check out your stories on your blog. :)

      What's your camp NaNo name and I'll add you to my cabin.

      Thank you, glad you liked it. :D

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  5. Never read those Paranormalcy books. Off to put them on my TBR list! Thanks for the recommendation Clare.

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    1. Thank for the comment Jay. If you do read them you'll have to let me know what you think. :)

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  6. Hey I came across your blog, and I actually have a giveaway going on right now for a signed copy of Paranormalcy, the first book in the trilogy. I thought your readers might be interested! Here's the link: http://www.theframedlady.com/2012/07/giveaway-from-kiersten-white-ny-times.html

    Tess
    www.theframedlady.com

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    1. Thanks for the tip. I'm certainly interested, and I will pass on word on my blog a little later when I post an update. :)

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