Recent Reads - The Shattering

The Shattering, by Karen Healey

3 of 5 Stars

Buy It:  Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble

Genre:   Young Adult, Supernatural Thriller

Pages: 305

Publication:   9/5/2011, Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Why I Chose It:  I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Synopsis (from Good Reads):   Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?


My Review:  This is a book that was just okay for me. It was good, I enjoyed it, but I can't sit here and tell you that it was the greatest thing ever and you should run right out and buy it. I'd be lying. And well, what good would that do anyone?

Let me start off by saying that it wasn't at all what I expected but that has nothing to do with my lack of enthusiasm. I wasn't familiar with the author's previous work and based on the synopsis I went in thinking this was going to be a straight-up mystery, which excited me to no end, but it ended up going paranormal on me. This isn't a bad thing, it just wasn't what I thought I was reading.

That said, there are a lot of things I liked about this book. For one, the paranormal concept is unique to an over-saturated genre. I'll give it credit even though I wish it had been billed that way. Second, while a few sections here and there were slow, for the most part it was fast paced and kept me guessing, thus flipping pages.

And then there's Keri. The story is told in alternating point of view of the three main characters, but I found myself drawn more to Keri than the others. Like me, she plans for every possible event/outcome and I really came to like her despite the fact that the story wasn't working for me.

Still, I failed to truly connect with the story. It lacked a certain something. That intangible that makes me want to attack strangers on the street and force a copy of a book I love into their hands. However, I would certainly recommend reading it and giving it a chance. It's something different and if you're looking for something a little dark or a little unique, this book could definitely be for you.

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