This is kind of a weird tale to review without going into detail and spoiling it. Instead, I'll try to say what I liked about it:
The female lead, Allie, was only 14, but was non-bratty, seemed to genuinely care for her mother, her mentor and those in danger and being bullied. She was mature beyond her years, having to be a carer to her sponging, ditsy, loving but benefits/welfare-faker of a single mother, and totally took on board what it meant to be the holder of the Moonstone and the powers and responsibilities that came with it. She was such a refreshing change to the spoilt little rich girls from teen novels.
Her gift itself manifested in several weird and funny ways, especially so in the farting prize bull that suddenly put itself into reverse gear when she shouted 'back up, back up' after being zapped by lightning, which activated her birthright powers. The way in which she came into her powers was funny and not one I'd come across before, making it a refreshing change.
The Moonstone was a cool inheritance, enabling her to see auras and gauge what was within people.
Her innocent teen romance with a gorgeous Latino 'bad boy' with a rep, who seemed to want to change for the new girl in his life, Allie, who didn't only want him for his coolness and street-cred, was really sweet.
The baddies themselves and their purpose, and Allie's own type of power were ones that I'd not come across before in any paranormal romance, and I found this totally refreshing.
The whole tale happened in the midst of Allie's everyday life - with social services, school, welfare cheques, living in a trailer, with people she'd befriended looking out for her - it made the tale all the more warm and all the more believable. I really enjoyed it, and to think that I nearly didn't bother, with the frankly AWFUL formatting. Amazon, pls get this sorted!!
Amazon Home
