Book Review: Paranormalcy

Continuing my YA streak, I read Paranormalcy by Kiersten White over the weekend. Coming off of The Sky is Everywhere, it took me a while to get accustomed to this new MC, who was so different from Lennie that it was like crossing into a different universe (which is probably true, since there is an element of fantasy in Paranormalcy that was never in The Sky is Everywhere).

Evie, a sixteen-year-old operative of the International Paranormal Containment Agreement (IPCA), has the gift of seeing through paranormals' glamour, whether they be vampires, werewolves or faeries. At the beginning of the book, she comes across as a flippant, pop culture-obsessed teen...and a bit annoying. Thankfully, she's a dynamic character and doesn't remain so shallow throughout the story (whew). I actually liked her at the end of the book, which I wasn't so sure about in the beginning.

According to the book's blurb:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 
So much for normal.

Keeping with the light, airy quality of the MC, the story is pretty, well, optimistic. Bad things are happening, but they always felt a little distant, and they always had that edge of happy-go-lucky the MC brings along. Not sure why, but the dark aspect of this story felt more gray than black. Every character seemed redeemable, every prophecy taken not too seriously, which is remarkable in this type of story. This story was an easy, enjoyable read, but lacked the urgency I would have liked. Sure, you know a happy ending is going to happen, but I like having moments throughout the story where you second-guess that. Not so much here.

What I really liked about the book was the MC. Sure, I found her annoying in the beginning of the book, but annoying in the realistic way all teenage girls can be. A little shallow. A little too full of herself. A little too obsessed with TV shows and stars. Unlike Beautiful Creatures and The Sky is Everywhere, Paranormalcy showed the other side of the teenage girl spectrum: the silly, cheery girl who likes pink, fashion, shopping and boys...rather than the tormented artist whom no one understands. A refreshing MC.

And kudos to Ms. White for the creepiest "good guy" ever.CREEPY, I'm telling you!

Rating (out of five stars): 3.5

Recommended: Yes, for those looking for an easy, light-hearted read (overall).