Now that Evie finally has what she’s always wanted–normalcy–she’s finding herself kind of bored. High school is a lot more monotonous than she realized it would be. Her boyfriend Lend is busy with college, and she finds herself nostalgic for her time spent working with IPCA. When the organization contacts her for her help again, she says yes. Evie finds herself at the center of danger as a war between the faeries looms and she seems to be the prize to win.
Kiersten White’s follow-up to last year’s very smart, very funny Paranormalcy has some of the same elements that made the first one work so well. Evie’s voice is strong as ever, and White casts her story with some vibrant, vivid characters. However, it also suffers a little from middle-book-syndrome, and I found it harder to connect to this one than I anticipated.
The story moves forward from where the first novel left off, and while readers can pick this one up without having read the first one, it’s going to resonate more strongly with fans of the series. Even I had trouble remembering what had taken place in the first novel (I read a lot, okay?), and I consider myself a fan of Evie and her shenanigans. The novel is still a fun, amusing roller coaster ride, though. It’s good for readers who demand a fast-paced story with lots of humor.
Evie’s voice is still, without a doubt, the best part of the book. White writes her with a clarity and vibrancy that’s inimitable. Evie’s struggling with growing up, and that shows here. White’s trademark wit, self-awareness, and wryness are all present and accounted for.
Even though I didn’t love this one the way I loved its predecessor, I’ll be sure to check out the third volume in the story. White is a writer to watch, and this series is a refreshing take on the rather tired paranormal romance genre.
Supernaturally by Kiersten White. HarperTeen: 2011. Library copy.
