Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Aug 27, 2010 Literary Ames rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, series-abandoned, young-adult, weres-shifters, urban-fantasy, read-in-2012, 1st-in-series, vampires, fae, cheap-reads

Wow, the beginning of this book really packed a punch, bolting out of the gate at top speed. I had no problems getting into it.

Evie’s teenage life is more para than normal. She identifies and bags and tags supernaturals over the world for a super secret organisation with her special ability to see through all glamours. There’s nothing she wants more than “normal,” to go to high school and do proper homework, meet boys, and have nice, normal fun. I empathised with this desire but not quite being Wow, the beginning of this book really packed a punch, bolting out of the gate at top speed. I had no problems getting into it.

Evie’s teenage life is more para than normal. She identifies and bags and tags supernaturals over the world for a super secret organisation with her special ability to see through all glamours. There’s nothing she wants more than “normal,” to go to high school and do proper homework, meet boys, and have nice, normal fun. I empathised with this desire but not quite being able to cope when she gets a taste:

‘I always thought the Center made me claustrophobic, but now I suspected I had the opposite problem. All that time today in open spaces and outdoors made me kind of twitchy, nervous to get back inside. How lame was that?’

Evie’s character was very likeable. She was self-aware and evidently knew what was really important in life. The way she treats Lend, in a rather mature way, valuing him for himself and his real appearance rather than what he projects. Lend is an insanely nice guy, insecure about his unusual looks. He's almost too nice and slightly boring although he has an interesting heritage. I felt sorry for his dad regarding his awkward relationship with Lend's mother. What an awful situation. To be rejected in favour of leaving her corporeal body behind and returning to the lake, and after only a year together living as husband and wife. So sad. He obviously loved her, and she just left him to raise their son, practically, alone.

I liked the two prophetic rhymes describing the opposing sides:

“Eyes like streaming snow, cold with the things she does not know. Heaven above and Hell below, liquid flames to hide her grief. Death, death, death with no release. Death, death, death with no release.”

“Eyes like streaming snow, cold with the things she does not know. Heaven above and Hell beneath, liquid flames will end her grief. With her fire, at last release. With her fire, at last release.”

I still don’t understand why the “Empty Ones” were created. Though the clue seems to be in Reth’s words: “You weren’t supposed to release them [souls of the dead], you silly child. You were meant to release me. Us.” What did he mean by that? (view spoiler) Reth is a frustrating mystery. He’s close-mouthed about everything important. If only he’d explained everything to start with much of what took place in this book could’ve been avoided.

I liked Paranormalcy, it was slightly different to the usual paranormal YA books around. One definite plus, no love triangle. However, I doubt I'll read the sequel not because I don't want to, I do, but because all of my friends who've read it have awarded it with less than favorable ratings and reviews, and I trust their opinions.

Other Favourite Quotes

“That’s because you have no idea how precious normal is.”

“You have lipstick here?” he asked, confused since I hadn’t brought a purse. “Oh, never underestimate the ingenuity of a girl in figuring out where to pack necessities.” [In her bra!]

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May 17, 2011 Cindy (eclecticfirefly) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, goodreads-author, series-to-read, ghosts

I enjoyed this book. I'll be looking for the next one too. Really do want to know what happens to Evie and Lend.

Evie - pretty typical teenage girl. She is in an unusual situation and has a very unusual ability. She can see through the glamor of any paranormal being. Quite a handy gift to have, but one that causes it's own problems. Is she just a human with a special ability, or a previously unknown species of paranormal? Even the organization that helped to raise her doesn't know.

Lend - pretty t ...more

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Sep 28, 2010 Lisarenee rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

This is about Evie, a teenager like no other. She works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency where she tracks and contains paranormals. Armed with her trusted Tasey (her name for her pink sparkly taser) she goes on missions. Found at the age of 8 by the agency they put her to work when they realized she had a special talent - she can see through paranormal’s glamour.

Now paranormals everywhere are being killed and the main focus of everyone is figuring out what or who is killing th ...more

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Mar 04, 2013 C.J. Anaya rated it liked it

This was a very creative take on all things supernatural. I thought the plot needed a little more development, but that might be because I was hungry for more.I'll have to read the next book to see if this series gets any better. I would recommend the book, though. Light escapism is something I enjoy. ...more

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