3/5 stars
Egmont, 2011
304 pages
YA Contemporary Paranormal
Source: Library
When I was at the library, I was mostly looking for 2012 YA releases that I had missed but something about this book called to me even though I don't remember much buzz about it. Something about the concept just seemed so creepy and, although different from my usual reading fare, compelling.
When mousy Miranda Vaile arrives at Olive's school, everyone knows two things about her. 1. She's an orphan and 2. because she killed her parents. Yet as weeks pass, Olive notices that plain Miranda is looking like more while popular Katie is looking less. Research suggests to Olive that Miranda might be a shapeshifter but after "the incident," who would believe what Olive says?
Doesn't that sound deliciously creepy? The idea of shapeshifters is a fascinating one to me although I don't feel like it's one that is explored much in YA literature. Plus Olive's unreliability leaves you wondering if Miranda is a shapeshifter or if Olive just needs her medication adjusted.
The beginning of the book certainly lived up to that promise but the ending left me very disappointed. I don't want to give any specific spoilers but I wanted a big blow-up and instead the ending was more lukewarm with dangling threads. It is this dissatisfaction which led to my rating. Actually the whole of part two was pretty disappointing to me.
But part one had some interesting threads. Olive used to be Katie's best friend but she has since been relegated to the social outskirts. Her attempts to forge a new life, to find her real self are interesting especially how some of the points (like her love for the band Luxe) come into play in part two. Beyond Olive, there is her new best friend Ami, who I really liked, newish cute boy Lachlan (not sure about that name), and Olive's cute little brother Toby (I am a sucker for younger brothers lately it seems).
Overall: I found the ending of this book so opposite what I wanted that I find it coloring my entire reading experience into a negative one. I do not recommend this book.
Other Opinions:
Amaterasu Reads
Dark Faerie Tales
The Reading Addict
