Harbinger Review

Harbinger

Sara Wilson Etienne

Putnam's Sons

February 2nd 2012

A copy was provided by the athour for review.

Summary:

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.
But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.
Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Review:

Cover lust alert! I love this cover to death, in person it is absoletely gorgeous. Going into reading Harbinger I was expected a mysterious story line, a but creepy, and an overall unqiue reading experience. Luckly Harbinger lives up to all of my expectations that I had for it. I loved this book so much, it reminded me of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer in the way you have no clue as to what is going on until all is revealed near the end.

I found Faye to be a strong character given the situation that she has been put into, not knowing if she belongs at Holbrook Academy or not. She not afraid to risk anything for the greater good. Believe me Holbrook Academy is a very bad place to find ones self. When Faye and her friends wake up with their hands stained red is the part where the mystery started. How did it get there? Is it because of Faye? This aspect was extremely well done, it made sense and worked well with the story but still leaving the element of mystery and not knowing 100% what is going on and what the book is really going on. On top of this the book is super creepy, I was a little scared when reading in the middle of the night. But don't fear it's not too bad, you'll see that it works very well and adds to the plot.

The thing that really stuck me to the book though was I wasn't sure if Kel was bad or not. I really wanted to love him but didn't at the same time. This book will really appeal to those who enjoy phycology it really does have the feeling of Girl Interrupted and the mental illnesses.The only complaint that I can give to Harbinger is the ending. It ended well but once I really found out about what was really happening at Holbrook and what the deal with the Harbinger was and how Faye played into that I got a bit confused which ruined my overall enjoyment. It was still interesting to me and captivating but once I don't fully understand I enjoy them a bit less. This doesn't mean that everyone won't completely grasp the finale.

Harbinger is a must read the those who enjoy mystery, thrillers, and paranormal books. This books contains it all with the addes satisfaction of being a bit scared. The story line was very well planned and it flawless in my opinion. Mara Dyer fans searching for more in the same genre Harbinger just might meet your expectations of a great book.