Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy
Series: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Publication Date: 6 Jan 2011

Source: Borrowed from my lovely friend Lyndsey at Heaven, Hell And Purgatory 



Synopsis: From Amazon
When your world is paranormal, be glad that you’re human…
Sixteen-year-old Evie has always taken comfort in the fact that she is normal, even though her best friend is a mermaid and her ex-boyfriend is a lunatic – and a faery.
In a world where paranormals are monitored and controlled, Evie works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency because of her unique ability to see through glamours. But someone – or something – starts killing vampires, werewolves and other paranormals, and Evie must figure out what’s happening before they all disappear.
Then a shapeshifter named Lend breaks into the agency, and Evie is irresistibly drawn to him, even though he makes her aware that the IPCA is not as noble as she once thought. With everything Evie believes suddenly called into question, the IPCA is attacked and she must choose who she can really trust.
And when Evie discovers she’s part of a faerie prophecy of death and destruction… so much for normal.

Review:
Written in first person narrative from Evie's perspective. At 16, Evie has spent most of her life living in the International Paranormal Containment Agency due to her special ability to see through supernatural 'glamours', her childhood is a mystery. Where did she come from and how does she have this special ability? This mystery is entwined seamlessly with the action.

Evie had a wonderfully sarcastic voice and snarky attitude that I adored and could relate to. Sarcasm is my thing remember [ ; ) ] The way in which she stamped her personality on everything gave her such a solid presence within the imagination. I particularly liked that she had a pink taser embellished with diamante that she even named 'tasey'. This femininity was well balanced with her ability to kick some serious paranormal butt.

The contrast with Evie's 'normal' teenage activities like watching TV dramas about high school and colourful fashion sense made me realise just how young and isolated she really was. Her enthusiasm for lockers made me giggle. The introduction of Lend enhanced Evie's personality perfectly (or as I like to call him Water Boy and I would like one please). The characterisations and imagery were spectacular, each character had such an individual voice that is truly unique and refreshing. The references to The Little Mermaid had me snickering to myself.

What really stood out for me in the narrative was how image and action can create a false impression. It was difficult to tell who was good and who was bad, or if there were truly two separate factions. Not everything is black and white only varying shades of grey. Got you thinking now haven't I [ : D ] The depiction of faeries in particular provided a fresh appreciation into the wonderful world of the Fae.

I still can't believe this was a debut novel. I can sum it up in one word and this time I will refrain from using awesome - STUNNING. Please let me have the sequel *begs, grovels, bribes*