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Over Cast
Growing up in small town Louisiana as the only child of a single mother, G.J. led a somewhat sheltered life. Being a misfit didn't bother her until a G.J. aimed prank gone wrong caused her mother’s death by killer bees. Since then she has moved to the other side of the country to live with her Aunt. In this new town being a social outcast is the least of her troubles. The head cheerleader wants her head and the hottest guy in school sends her to the hospital. In this bizarre world there is a new definition for normal. Along the way she will make friends, make enemies and discover she can't always trust she is in control of herself. She isn't the only one who can do the unusual.
307 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 26, 2014
Over Cast deals with most of the issues one might expect of young adult fiction; teen angst, popularity, peer pressure, sexual attractions and crushes. It also features a protagonist G.J. who is very much the outsider and “a bit of a target”, a five foot eleven ninth grade female student with an out of place Louisiana accent.
On the whole the first person narrative works well and is written in prose we might imagine G.J herself speaking, something not always the case when an author adopts a radically different persona. This personal account gives us deep insights into G.J; her hopes and fears, even if at times the reader is being told about her character rather than shown. The most notable thing we learn about her is the ever present and “overwhelming” grief at her mother’s death, a somewhat bizarre one incidentally. Very quickly I found myself able to empathise with the young protagonist and understand the world she inhabits, something very much to the author’s credit. The main criticism I have is that this can on occasion be a little claustrophobic as we are constantly in one individual’s head and compelled to follow a single story thread.
The element of fantasy, I found, was woven skilfully into the teen narrative, no mean feat when one considers we have a character powerful enough to bring tornadoes down on people’s houses. It is always difficult placing elements of fantasy in a contemporary setting. How does one explain away not using these powers at will? The author gets around this problem by having her protagonist a mostly gentle and extremely well mannered girl. It’s not an altogether convincing explanation but is one that works. And she does have her slips, telekinetically tripping people up, hurling them aside or depositing unpleasant substances in their underwear.
Later in the novel, as we might expect, things change dramatically. Not only is G.J. not the only one with abilities but we suddenly find ourselves inhabiting a much more sinister world, one of secret covens.
Over Cast is an enjoyable and entertaining read but one I would say with a clearly demarcated YA audience.
On the whole the first person narrative works well and is written in prose we might imagine G.J herself speaking, something not always the case when an author adopts a radically different persona. This personal account gives us deep insights into G.J; her hopes and fears, even if at times the reader is being told about her character rather than shown. The most notable thing we learn about her is the ever present and “overwhelming” grief at her mother’s death, a somewhat bizarre one incidentally. Very quickly I found myself able to empathise with the young protagonist and understand the world she inhabits, something very much to the author’s credit. The main criticism I have is that this can on occasion be a little claustrophobic as we are constantly in one individual’s head and compelled to follow a single story thread.
The element of fantasy, I found, was woven skilfully into the teen narrative, no mean feat when one considers we have a character powerful enough to bring tornadoes down on people’s houses. It is always difficult placing elements of fantasy in a contemporary setting. How does one explain away not using these powers at will? The author gets around this problem by having her protagonist a mostly gentle and extremely well mannered girl. It’s not an altogether convincing explanation but is one that works. And she does have her slips, telekinetically tripping people up, hurling them aside or depositing unpleasant substances in their underwear.
Later in the novel, as we might expect, things change dramatically. Not only is G.J. not the only one with abilities but we suddenly find ourselves inhabiting a much more sinister world, one of secret covens.
Over Cast is an enjoyable and entertaining read but one I would say with a clearly demarcated YA audience.
April 5, 2014
This is overall a well-written fantasy novel, the few nits that one might find in it notwithstanding ("Gus's smile is a spectacular [period]"). It is a story told with easy charm and likable characters.
I find the story line evasive for several chapters about the men and the women who are not the main characters; it is as if the author is toying with her reader. Mostly, however, I am much puzzled by the choice of a nine-grader as the voice of this first person narrative.
This is a device that can make the story: Lolita without Humbert Humbert, The Elegance of the Hedgehog without the voices of the two protagonists for two examples would be unthinkable.
But the voice of Over Cast is G.J., a ninth-grader. Precocious as she is, and whether or not she has paranormal powers, it seems unlikely that she would compare the bodies of the jocks at school to Mr. Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, or refer in passing to an appreciation of pointillism, or link a common wish that one could get through Mondays more quickly to Stephen Hawking. Nor is she likely to advocate "viewing history from all sides of the prism, not just the best propagated version...."
The author could, of course, have chosen the Voice of the omniscient observer. But that would have taken a lot of the charm out of the work. Sometimes writers have to make tough choices and adjust accordingly.
I find the story line evasive for several chapters about the men and the women who are not the main characters; it is as if the author is toying with her reader. Mostly, however, I am much puzzled by the choice of a nine-grader as the voice of this first person narrative.
This is a device that can make the story: Lolita without Humbert Humbert, The Elegance of the Hedgehog without the voices of the two protagonists for two examples would be unthinkable.
But the voice of Over Cast is G.J., a ninth-grader. Precocious as she is, and whether or not she has paranormal powers, it seems unlikely that she would compare the bodies of the jocks at school to Mr. Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, or refer in passing to an appreciation of pointillism, or link a common wish that one could get through Mondays more quickly to Stephen Hawking. Nor is she likely to advocate "viewing history from all sides of the prism, not just the best propagated version...."
The author could, of course, have chosen the Voice of the omniscient observer. But that would have taken a lot of the charm out of the work. Sometimes writers have to make tough choices and adjust accordingly.
May 8, 2014
The book starts of beautifully, with descriptive language and sparkling dialogue cleverly dissecting a teenager's hopes, dreams, and relations with her peers in a school setting. I loved the coming-of-age material in this book, and even if all of the fantasy was removed and this book found a new plot line concerning teenage angst, I would love it.
I love speculative fiction, and the prevalence of fantasy in everyday life, but here I found it puzzling. There are a lot of teenage boys surrounding the main character, G.J,, who is a teenage girl with superpowers, and their interactions are odd, even in a fantasy setting. G.J.'s best friend is barely in the picture. Apparently G.J. and the boys don't concern themselves that they have set up strange rituals for themselves, such as testing each other's propensity to cause each other pain. And over and over, they warn each other but they don't stop this strange behaviour. It makes me wonder where this group is headed and why they have such group think.
The fantasy element is strongest at the end but by then, I lost my suspension of disbelief and was wondering why G.J. would accept living a heavily guarded or examined life among such obsessed male company.
I loved each of the male characters as individuals--Hamilton, Adam, and Drake--it's just that I found the group behaviour a little strange, closed off, and self-justifying. The author has the teenage angst down perfect (especially the dialogue and the inner thoughts) and I would love to read another book by her about a teenager making it through school.
I love speculative fiction, and the prevalence of fantasy in everyday life, but here I found it puzzling. There are a lot of teenage boys surrounding the main character, G.J,, who is a teenage girl with superpowers, and their interactions are odd, even in a fantasy setting. G.J.'s best friend is barely in the picture. Apparently G.J. and the boys don't concern themselves that they have set up strange rituals for themselves, such as testing each other's propensity to cause each other pain. And over and over, they warn each other but they don't stop this strange behaviour. It makes me wonder where this group is headed and why they have such group think.
The fantasy element is strongest at the end but by then, I lost my suspension of disbelief and was wondering why G.J. would accept living a heavily guarded or examined life among such obsessed male company.
I loved each of the male characters as individuals--Hamilton, Adam, and Drake--it's just that I found the group behaviour a little strange, closed off, and self-justifying. The author has the teenage angst down perfect (especially the dialogue and the inner thoughts) and I would love to read another book by her about a teenager making it through school.
May 2, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
K.W Benton’s Over Cast, is a delightful addition to the Young Adult Paranormal space. The precocious fifteen year old G.J hits the right note for her age as she veers between sophisticated references to Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and fumbling awkwardness in her attempts to assimilate to a new school mid-year. Adding to G.J’s challenges are the double upheavals of tragically losing her mother and moving from Louisiana to Washington State. Benton’s narrative addresses the loss of a parent compassionately while having some fun with the ‘language barrier’ between the southern state and the Pacific Northwest.
And, since this is fantasy, G.J’s life is further complicated by the fact that she has supernatural powers that routinely get her in and out of trouble. At the center of the story is G.J.’s attempt to grips with her increasing abilities while attempting to keep them hidden. In the process, she also discovers that her new neighbors have secret abilities of their own. In fact, there are so many ‘extraordinary’ people in this small town one does wonder how it hasn’t made it onto Youtube. Although certain aspects of the book are predictable – the local ‘mean girl’ who decides to make G.J her next victim, the clueless High School Principal – overall the story is a charming and enjoyable read. I look forward to the next installment in the series.
K.W Benton’s Over Cast, is a delightful addition to the Young Adult Paranormal space. The precocious fifteen year old G.J hits the right note for her age as she veers between sophisticated references to Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and fumbling awkwardness in her attempts to assimilate to a new school mid-year. Adding to G.J’s challenges are the double upheavals of tragically losing her mother and moving from Louisiana to Washington State. Benton’s narrative addresses the loss of a parent compassionately while having some fun with the ‘language barrier’ between the southern state and the Pacific Northwest.
And, since this is fantasy, G.J’s life is further complicated by the fact that she has supernatural powers that routinely get her in and out of trouble. At the center of the story is G.J.’s attempt to grips with her increasing abilities while attempting to keep them hidden. In the process, she also discovers that her new neighbors have secret abilities of their own. In fact, there are so many ‘extraordinary’ people in this small town one does wonder how it hasn’t made it onto Youtube. Although certain aspects of the book are predictable – the local ‘mean girl’ who decides to make G.J her next victim, the clueless High School Principal – overall the story is a charming and enjoyable read. I look forward to the next installment in the series.
June 14, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This YA book grabs your interest from the beginning. It’s written from the viewpoint of the main character, fifteen year-old G.J. Conflict likes to follow G.J. around and there is plenty of conflict in this novel.
I enjoyed the paranormal element and looked forward to G.J.’s supernatural abilities as she alternated between trying to use them and accidentally using them. It was hilarious when she put the Icy Hot in the nasty girls’ underwear and when she hurled all those people aside when she was upset. I kind of guessed the “deal” with the guys – I don’t want to give it away as a spoiler alert but it’s an element teens love. I should know. I was one up to a few years ago.
I really liked the ritual parts with the coven and wished there were more of them. The guys in the book were annoying for the most part, just like high school boys are and G.J. handled them pretty well. I’m thinking there might be more rituals and paranormal stuff in the next book since it ended just like there’s going to be a sequel. I’ll check that one out and so should you.
This YA book grabs your interest from the beginning. It’s written from the viewpoint of the main character, fifteen year-old G.J. Conflict likes to follow G.J. around and there is plenty of conflict in this novel.
I enjoyed the paranormal element and looked forward to G.J.’s supernatural abilities as she alternated between trying to use them and accidentally using them. It was hilarious when she put the Icy Hot in the nasty girls’ underwear and when she hurled all those people aside when she was upset. I kind of guessed the “deal” with the guys – I don’t want to give it away as a spoiler alert but it’s an element teens love. I should know. I was one up to a few years ago.
I really liked the ritual parts with the coven and wished there were more of them. The guys in the book were annoying for the most part, just like high school boys are and G.J. handled them pretty well. I’m thinking there might be more rituals and paranormal stuff in the next book since it ended just like there’s going to be a sequel. I’ll check that one out and so should you.
January 28, 2015
Reading Over Cast was like traveling back into childhood – the result of being written from the viewpoint of a fifteen year-old girl, and it seems that Benton finds it both easy and enjoyable to slip under the skin of the main character, G.S. This is a hidden fantasy world – with Wiccan witches and werewolves – that can exist in your back yard without you knowing it, and many children would dream finding the proper gate to step inside, after reading the novel.
As there is a lot of good humor, mostly through dialogues and inner thinking, I will end in a matching tone: Over Cast is a world where girls can be good or bad and boys can be good or stupid, so here it is, you have the main audience for this book.
I received the book from the author.
As there is a lot of good humor, mostly through dialogues and inner thinking, I will end in a matching tone: Over Cast is a world where girls can be good or bad and boys can be good or stupid, so here it is, you have the main audience for this book.
I received the book from the author.
March 27, 2014
This book is a fun read for young adults and even for old adults like me. The characters are likable and the plot well defined. I especially enjoyed the author's pop culture references and inside jokes throughout the book. I felt like one of the insiders. An excellent first novel. I can't wait for the next one.
February 2, 2015
Over Cast has a fantastic start and a less-than-awesome finish. Apparently, the first book in a YA series, it has a good synopsis, witty dialogue and well-developed characters. Glory Juniper Gardner aka G.J. is a 15-year old 5’11” witch who grew up with her mom in improvised isolation in Dean Lee State Forest, Louisiana in an area surrounded by cemeteries. She can control things - a power her mother used to call ‘overreach of will‘ and spent her childhood being happy around alligators, snakes and wolves. It’s the people who always gave her trouble and one school prank against her sends her mom to her death. It’s something that keeps gnawing at G.J.‘s conscience as she makes the transition to Spokane Washington, to live with her Aunt Celia. While G.J. never knew her father, Aunt Celia has never met a man she didn’t like.
The town and Lakeside High School is obviously ‘Twilight’-inspired: there are wolves (who take part in school wrestling competitions), mind readers (G.J.’s best friend Nat), bad-ass seductive boys no one can decipher (Gus and Drake), and Wiccan cheerleaders (out to get G.J.’s blood) and Wiccan school teachers (out to help G.J.). And then there’s G.J. herself, who is just discovering the true spectacle that her power can unleash on lesser mortals. Being a witch is A Big Thing in this place.
There is blatant sexism in half of the story in the form of Jake Wyfle - fiance’ to Aunt Celia who decides to go live with him, G.J. in tow. Jake is an Alpha of a bunch of Beta Omega Gamma wolves. He thinks it’s okay to kill-off a woman after she gives birth to a wolf since she cannot be healed, but procreating a wolf is necessary. G.J. is considered ideal girl to make pregnant because she has self-healing powers - remember she’s 15. Jake manages to get Aunt Celia pregnant after insisting he has no plans of ‘hurting’ her. He also wants an ‘open-door’ policy on G.J.‘s room! Jake’s son Adam and his best friend Hamilton both have a thing for G.J. and try to snuggle up to her in weird positions that would freak out any normal self-respecting teenager. A No means a No and a girl with power to control things fails to protect herself against what can only be described as unwanted body massages! And Jake slides off each episodes as ‘no biggie’. Hamilton was even responsible for bashing G.J.’s head on a table that left an injury so bad she stayed in hospital for 8 days and returned bald and stitched up (or will part 2 of series reveal it as an act of Wiccans? No one thinks so in this one). I don’t know how that makes him a lover boy but the heroine G. J. has to thank him for setting up her new room, etc. etc. and Jake over-rules the authority of Aunt Celia at every turn, making decisions for the mother-less girl. This claustrophobic family unit lives in creepy harmony. Franky, they make the Manson Family look sane.
The only good thing in G.J.’s life as far as I could tell is the wolf who listens to her life story and seemed like the only source of comfort in her life apart from Nat. The wolf’s true identity isn’t revealed in this part of the series - and I hope as hell that it isn’t Hamilton!
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
The town and Lakeside High School is obviously ‘Twilight’-inspired: there are wolves (who take part in school wrestling competitions), mind readers (G.J.’s best friend Nat), bad-ass seductive boys no one can decipher (Gus and Drake), and Wiccan cheerleaders (out to get G.J.’s blood) and Wiccan school teachers (out to help G.J.). And then there’s G.J. herself, who is just discovering the true spectacle that her power can unleash on lesser mortals. Being a witch is A Big Thing in this place.
There is blatant sexism in half of the story in the form of Jake Wyfle - fiance’ to Aunt Celia who decides to go live with him, G.J. in tow. Jake is an Alpha of a bunch of Beta Omega Gamma wolves. He thinks it’s okay to kill-off a woman after she gives birth to a wolf since she cannot be healed, but procreating a wolf is necessary. G.J. is considered ideal girl to make pregnant because she has self-healing powers - remember she’s 15. Jake manages to get Aunt Celia pregnant after insisting he has no plans of ‘hurting’ her. He also wants an ‘open-door’ policy on G.J.‘s room! Jake’s son Adam and his best friend Hamilton both have a thing for G.J. and try to snuggle up to her in weird positions that would freak out any normal self-respecting teenager. A No means a No and a girl with power to control things fails to protect herself against what can only be described as unwanted body massages! And Jake slides off each episodes as ‘no biggie’. Hamilton was even responsible for bashing G.J.’s head on a table that left an injury so bad she stayed in hospital for 8 days and returned bald and stitched up (or will part 2 of series reveal it as an act of Wiccans? No one thinks so in this one). I don’t know how that makes him a lover boy but the heroine G. J. has to thank him for setting up her new room, etc. etc. and Jake over-rules the authority of Aunt Celia at every turn, making decisions for the mother-less girl. This claustrophobic family unit lives in creepy harmony. Franky, they make the Manson Family look sane.
The only good thing in G.J.’s life as far as I could tell is the wolf who listens to her life story and seemed like the only source of comfort in her life apart from Nat. The wolf’s true identity isn’t revealed in this part of the series - and I hope as hell that it isn’t Hamilton!
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
May 29, 2014
Over Cast is a novel for young adults, the sort you might buy for your teenager in an attempt to wean them away from the PlayStation. The trouble is, you’re going to end up reading it yourself. I was hooked from the first page, on which the main protagonist, a 15-year-old girl called G.J., has an interview with the school principal:
“G.J., do you have any idea how Icy Hot ended up in Miss Ackers’ underpants?”
This I can answer with at least a half-truth. “No, sir. No, sir, I do not.”
For UK readers, Icy Hot is the US equivalent of Deep Heat – you put it on your aching muscles. But you do not put on too much. It’s the latest disaster for G.J, who is from Louisiana but has arrived in Washington State in the Pacific Northwest to live with her aunt, following the death of her mother in bizarre circumstances. G.J. isn’t completely at home or welcome in her new environment. As her discomfort grows, so do the strange incidents that surround her, including telekinesis, the Icy Hot and a budding friendship with a wolf.
If this all sounds absurd, it is – but this story has great vitality, and is told with real skill. We learn of these events through the first-person narrative of G.J. herself, and it is absolutely deadpan, slightly bewildered and sometimes very witty. The aforementioned Miss Ackers is spouting spiteful mendacious nonsense about G.J.’s family: “...She was at me yet again, making up nonsense about my family. And well... in trying to ignore her I did recite, “liar, liar, pants on...” under my breath, and then... well they were. Just with Icy Hot.” Later in the book, returning to school after a bad injury: “A hurt leg is one thing; a bandaged head is quite another. I feel like I’m a victim in a Civil War re-enactment. All I need is a flute.”
A strength of the book is the way the supernatural aspect is introduced gently, and is mingled with the usual teenage angst. G.J. may have paranormal powers but that doesn’t stop her lusting after the male students in a high-school wrestling match. There’s enough normality for the weirdness to seem perfectly natural.
This isn’t a perfect book. The author does overheat the plot a bit near the end of the book, making it a bit harder to suspend disbelief. She is more comfortable with female characters than males. There are also a few editing glitches (miss use for misuse, waive for wave) that suggest over-reliance on the spell-checker; with words like that, it can let you down. That sort of thing bothers some readers a lot more than it does me, but it’s as well to weed these things out as much as possible.
Even so, I liked this. It’s a teenage fantasy, but it’s well-plotted, with attractive characters, and written with genuine wit, warmth and charm. I’m sure it’d be great for young adults, but this rather old adult liked it a lot, too.
(The author kindly supplied an electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
“G.J., do you have any idea how Icy Hot ended up in Miss Ackers’ underpants?”
This I can answer with at least a half-truth. “No, sir. No, sir, I do not.”
For UK readers, Icy Hot is the US equivalent of Deep Heat – you put it on your aching muscles. But you do not put on too much. It’s the latest disaster for G.J, who is from Louisiana but has arrived in Washington State in the Pacific Northwest to live with her aunt, following the death of her mother in bizarre circumstances. G.J. isn’t completely at home or welcome in her new environment. As her discomfort grows, so do the strange incidents that surround her, including telekinesis, the Icy Hot and a budding friendship with a wolf.
If this all sounds absurd, it is – but this story has great vitality, and is told with real skill. We learn of these events through the first-person narrative of G.J. herself, and it is absolutely deadpan, slightly bewildered and sometimes very witty. The aforementioned Miss Ackers is spouting spiteful mendacious nonsense about G.J.’s family: “...She was at me yet again, making up nonsense about my family. And well... in trying to ignore her I did recite, “liar, liar, pants on...” under my breath, and then... well they were. Just with Icy Hot.” Later in the book, returning to school after a bad injury: “A hurt leg is one thing; a bandaged head is quite another. I feel like I’m a victim in a Civil War re-enactment. All I need is a flute.”
A strength of the book is the way the supernatural aspect is introduced gently, and is mingled with the usual teenage angst. G.J. may have paranormal powers but that doesn’t stop her lusting after the male students in a high-school wrestling match. There’s enough normality for the weirdness to seem perfectly natural.
This isn’t a perfect book. The author does overheat the plot a bit near the end of the book, making it a bit harder to suspend disbelief. She is more comfortable with female characters than males. There are also a few editing glitches (miss use for misuse, waive for wave) that suggest over-reliance on the spell-checker; with words like that, it can let you down. That sort of thing bothers some readers a lot more than it does me, but it’s as well to weed these things out as much as possible.
Even so, I liked this. It’s a teenage fantasy, but it’s well-plotted, with attractive characters, and written with genuine wit, warmth and charm. I’m sure it’d be great for young adults, but this rather old adult liked it a lot, too.
(The author kindly supplied an electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
August 5, 2014
Over Cast is a well-written and charming tale with likeable characters but containing many terms and phrases unfamiliar to this British reader. However, despite this small obstacle and the fact that its main appeal would be to teenagers and young adults, I found to my surprise that I quite enjoyed it. The story is told through the voice of Glory (or G J as she is called throughout the book) a somewhat precocious fifteen year-old girl, who is taller than average and happens to possess paranormal powers.
The book has an intriguing opening when G J is confronted by the principal of her school to explain her behaviour, the consequence of which is another girl student having the unpleasant experience of a hot muscle liniment in her underpants. Gradually the reader learns that G J is not always in control of her paranormal powers and that they can produce devastating effects, depending upon her emotions. We are constantly reminded of the typical see-sawing turbulence to which a teenager’s feelings may be subject, in addition to G J’s persistent distraction by the athletic bodies of the boy students around her. I found some of her observations and thoughts unrealistic and too mature for such a young girl, for example references to Da Vinci and Stephen Hawking. It becomes apparent also that G J is a kind and well-mannered southern girl, who often has to put up with teasing and jibes from fellow students about her height and Louisianan drawl, amongst other things. Using the first person to narrate the story works particularly well for this and it is well done by K W Benton.
Unfortunately, one of the main problems I have with the use of first person is that it can become a little tedious after a while, since the reader is having to follow just one point of view all through a book. To my surprise, because of the way that K W Benton presents G J, with all her typical and very understandable emotions, I found I warmed to her character and was rooting for her, especially during the latter part of the book when things become much more sinister. There is a strange friendship between G J and a wolf to contend with, and much wit and humour in this entertaining teenage fantasy that I repeat I found quite enjoyable. I found a few errors that could be put right by another glance from a copy-editor, which affected my overall rating in the end.
The book has an intriguing opening when G J is confronted by the principal of her school to explain her behaviour, the consequence of which is another girl student having the unpleasant experience of a hot muscle liniment in her underpants. Gradually the reader learns that G J is not always in control of her paranormal powers and that they can produce devastating effects, depending upon her emotions. We are constantly reminded of the typical see-sawing turbulence to which a teenager’s feelings may be subject, in addition to G J’s persistent distraction by the athletic bodies of the boy students around her. I found some of her observations and thoughts unrealistic and too mature for such a young girl, for example references to Da Vinci and Stephen Hawking. It becomes apparent also that G J is a kind and well-mannered southern girl, who often has to put up with teasing and jibes from fellow students about her height and Louisianan drawl, amongst other things. Using the first person to narrate the story works particularly well for this and it is well done by K W Benton.
Unfortunately, one of the main problems I have with the use of first person is that it can become a little tedious after a while, since the reader is having to follow just one point of view all through a book. To my surprise, because of the way that K W Benton presents G J, with all her typical and very understandable emotions, I found I warmed to her character and was rooting for her, especially during the latter part of the book when things become much more sinister. There is a strange friendship between G J and a wolf to contend with, and much wit and humour in this entertaining teenage fantasy that I repeat I found quite enjoyable. I found a few errors that could be put right by another glance from a copy-editor, which affected my overall rating in the end.
February 20, 2020
This is an entertaining YA novel. I found myself giggling aloud as I read.
August 5, 2014
This is a great addition to the imaginative young adult novels that have sprouted up over the last few years. It took me a while to read do to life getting in my own way, but there was no way I could walk away and not finish this novel. It hooks you in from the first page with a great main character, 15 year old G.J. I will admit that at first, I didn't like her name. The two initials don't roll off the tongue well, but over time it fit this special character.
I felt like there were several characters that were well written and funny. I was surprised at the wit that I sometimes had to reread to catch. I like when a book does that for me. You feel G.J's sadness over the terrible death of her mother (very creative way to die). It was one of the saddest and yet one of the best aspects to her character and this story.
My favorite aspect was the way the supernatural elements in the story slowly unfold so it's not a bunch of teenagers casting spells. There is a real connection to the age and feelings every teenager goes through at that age, making this a great book teens can relate to... even when so many people begin to show their "extraordinary" powers in this small town. As if being a teenager wasn't complicated enough, finding out you have powers over
I do have to say I'm a little fatigued on the supernatural books that land in the Northwest. It's my favorite area of the country, but why do all the magical beings on earth need to go there? It made me think about Twilight and the slew of other books that place the impossible in Washington state. I also found the ending to be a little disappointing as it built up and fizzles a bit. It's a very long book too, which is why I had trouble finishing it. It may seem longer because you're always inside the head of a fifteen year old. There's not a narration relief or switch of POV to help move it along.
All in all though, aside from some typos and a few grammar issues, it was a great book! I highly recommend this to anyone who likes YA novels or fantasy. Make sure you share it with those teens you know who love this genre, they'll thank you.
I felt like there were several characters that were well written and funny. I was surprised at the wit that I sometimes had to reread to catch. I like when a book does that for me. You feel G.J's sadness over the terrible death of her mother (very creative way to die). It was one of the saddest and yet one of the best aspects to her character and this story.
My favorite aspect was the way the supernatural elements in the story slowly unfold so it's not a bunch of teenagers casting spells. There is a real connection to the age and feelings every teenager goes through at that age, making this a great book teens can relate to... even when so many people begin to show their "extraordinary" powers in this small town. As if being a teenager wasn't complicated enough, finding out you have powers over
I do have to say I'm a little fatigued on the supernatural books that land in the Northwest. It's my favorite area of the country, but why do all the magical beings on earth need to go there? It made me think about Twilight and the slew of other books that place the impossible in Washington state. I also found the ending to be a little disappointing as it built up and fizzles a bit. It's a very long book too, which is why I had trouble finishing it. It may seem longer because you're always inside the head of a fifteen year old. There's not a narration relief or switch of POV to help move it along.
All in all though, aside from some typos and a few grammar issues, it was a great book! I highly recommend this to anyone who likes YA novels or fantasy. Make sure you share it with those teens you know who love this genre, they'll thank you.
November 29, 2014
I was given a copy of the novel, Overcast, in exchange for an honest review.
Overcast is fantasy fiction for young adults. There is a lot I liked about this novel. The main character, GJ, is an intelligent fifteen year old girl with an acerbic wit and an affinity to all things in nature, including a local wolf who befriends her. GJ has just moved to a new town to live with her aunt, following the accidental death of her mother. The locals seem to be mainly young men with magnificent physiques, and barely contained aggression.
The story is written in first person, present tense, which allows the author, K.W. Benton, plenty of scope to explore the protagonist’s inner thoughts,feelings and confusion, which she does admirably. This POV is also necessary to the development of the plot and the final revelation.
GJ is likeable, although her constant references to TV shows, movie stars, historical events and characters, and some of her moralizing does seem to reflect the views and knowledge level of an adult rather than a fifteen year old. There are also a number of local references that won’t mean much to readers outside the US, and sometimes the dialogue is a little too slick for my taste, but I recognize this as a trademark of the genre (having been a Joss Whedon fan for a long time).
The plot moves along nicely, with GJ facing the challenges of her new environment: her aunt's boyfriend, the strange people she meets at school (friends and enemies) and having to deal with her own extraordinary powers.
There are parts of this story that are absorbing and I found myself engaged in the plot and empathizing with the heroine. It’s also very funny in places. The final confrontation, in my opinion, needs to be drawn out a little more—it all happens too fast-and left some questions unanswered.
This was an enjoyable read and I’d heartily recommend it to those at the younger end the YA spectrum. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Overcast is fantasy fiction for young adults. There is a lot I liked about this novel. The main character, GJ, is an intelligent fifteen year old girl with an acerbic wit and an affinity to all things in nature, including a local wolf who befriends her. GJ has just moved to a new town to live with her aunt, following the accidental death of her mother. The locals seem to be mainly young men with magnificent physiques, and barely contained aggression.
The story is written in first person, present tense, which allows the author, K.W. Benton, plenty of scope to explore the protagonist’s inner thoughts,feelings and confusion, which she does admirably. This POV is also necessary to the development of the plot and the final revelation.
GJ is likeable, although her constant references to TV shows, movie stars, historical events and characters, and some of her moralizing does seem to reflect the views and knowledge level of an adult rather than a fifteen year old. There are also a number of local references that won’t mean much to readers outside the US, and sometimes the dialogue is a little too slick for my taste, but I recognize this as a trademark of the genre (having been a Joss Whedon fan for a long time).
The plot moves along nicely, with GJ facing the challenges of her new environment: her aunt's boyfriend, the strange people she meets at school (friends and enemies) and having to deal with her own extraordinary powers.
There are parts of this story that are absorbing and I found myself engaged in the plot and empathizing with the heroine. It’s also very funny in places. The final confrontation, in my opinion, needs to be drawn out a little more—it all happens too fast-and left some questions unanswered.
This was an enjoyable read and I’d heartily recommend it to those at the younger end the YA spectrum. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
January 1, 2015
This is a teen-focused tale, written in first person. The book reminded me of a teen version of Charlaine Harris’ Dead Until Dark with its first person narrative, spunky heroine and supernatural mystique. The book is filled with many comic one-liners and inner dialogues written for humorous effect. There is also a lot of pseudo-Wiccan folklore included to help drive the plot.
Moreover, the book is a very easy read. There is mostly telling and very little showing. For the reader, there is no need to surmise or analyze because everything is told in a straightforward manner. The narrative is easy to read and not burdened with stylish prose. This is the sort of book that a grade-school preteen could read and fully comprehend, so in that sense perhaps it has universal appeal since adults read YA books as well.
I was a practicing Wiccan for many years, and so I found the fictionalization of Wiccan lore off-putting. I guess it was just unpleasant to see something real (Wicca) exploited yet again for the sake of sheer entertainment, though of course that’s simply my own humble opinion.
There’s been such an onslaught of these sorts of books over the years that, in order to gain my interest, the storyline needs to be very unique and very compelling (as opposed to derivative, trite, hackneyed, formulaic, etc).
Overcast just did not do it for me, at all… though it would seem that this sort of book is extremely popular amongst indie readers. I really wish I could have jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else and enjoyed it as much as they did. Whatever the case, I recommend you give the book a try, and I wish the author well in all of her future endeavours.
Moreover, the book is a very easy read. There is mostly telling and very little showing. For the reader, there is no need to surmise or analyze because everything is told in a straightforward manner. The narrative is easy to read and not burdened with stylish prose. This is the sort of book that a grade-school preteen could read and fully comprehend, so in that sense perhaps it has universal appeal since adults read YA books as well.
I was a practicing Wiccan for many years, and so I found the fictionalization of Wiccan lore off-putting. I guess it was just unpleasant to see something real (Wicca) exploited yet again for the sake of sheer entertainment, though of course that’s simply my own humble opinion.
There’s been such an onslaught of these sorts of books over the years that, in order to gain my interest, the storyline needs to be very unique and very compelling (as opposed to derivative, trite, hackneyed, formulaic, etc).
Overcast just did not do it for me, at all… though it would seem that this sort of book is extremely popular amongst indie readers. I really wish I could have jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else and enjoyed it as much as they did. Whatever the case, I recommend you give the book a try, and I wish the author well in all of her future endeavours.
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