Book Review: Bad Luck Girl by Sarah Zettel

Summary:

After rescuing her parents from the Seelie king at Hearst Castle, Callie is caught up in the war between the fairies of the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit Kingdoms. By accident, she discovers that fairies aren't the only magical creatures in the world. There's also Halfers, misfits that are half fairy and half other--laced with strange magic and big-city attitude. As the war heats up, Callie's world falls apart. And even though she's the child of prophecy, she doubts she can save the Halfers, her people, her family, and Jack, let alone herself. The fairies all say Callie is the Bad Luck Girl, and she's starting to believe them.

Release Date: May 27 2014

Age Group: YA

Source: Review copy from publisher

Reviewed by: Madi B

Review:

I always say I hate paranormal, but if people keep handing my books like Bad Luck Girl I’m gonna need a new catchphrase. There was so much to love about this book!! The old-timey feel (Like 1920’s old not Colonial--bleh), the characters (*cough cough* JACK), and so much more. Alright. IT’S LIST TIME!

LOVES!!!

1.     The voice in Bad Luck Girl was a completely new experience for me. I really felt like I was in the 1920’s-ish (not sure about the exact date) times! If the voice hadn’t been as well done as it was, I would NOT believe this was set in the 20’s (I’m just going to go with 20’s)

2.      JACK. Gahhhhh just freak yes. He was perfect because he wasn’t too perfect. (Ok I feel like that made no sense) He was always there when she needed him and most importantly when she didn’t need him. If Jack was in the room I PAID ATTENTION. (More attentiveness then my math teacher could ever DREAM of)

3.     The thing that makes me hate paranormal is all the crap about “the fae” and the predictable storylines. (Oh you recognize the mysterious, darkly handsome new guy from your dreams? And he only has eyes for you? And he happens to be a mystical freakin creature? Here’s my shocked face -__-.) The fairy concept in this book was something I really enjoyed! It wasn’t too far fetched but still managed to be whimsical. (Kudos to you Zettle) The names didn’t even sound like someone dragged their hand across a keyboard!

4.     This is the third book in a series. I didn’t read the first two so I was a bit concerned about know what’s going on. I caught on the magic stuff pretty fast and even though there were some times I got confused, (Like when an old villain would show up and everyone would be “You again” and I was like “Do I know you?”) the book was pretty easy to understand.

5.     There are these characters in the book called The Undone (or Halfers). They’re basically a species (species? Did I say that right??) of misfits with a bad rep that Callie teams up with. Lets face it, there nothing better than teaming up with the underdogs. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Undone. I just wanted to take them all to my house and keep them forever.

Not so loves…

1.     I know I said earlier that Callie’s voice and diction was something I loved but it was also something I didn’t like. It was just that sometimes she would say weird phrases that made me read them again and again and again just trying to figure them out. Stuff like “I couldn’t think for feeling when he did that.” I think the pros outweigh the cons here though. Without the old-timey-sounding-words the book wouldn’t have nearly the same effect.

2.     I never trusted her Dad. Ever. Keep in mind he was out of the picture in the previous books and was first meeting Callie and getting to know her in this book. He kept doing all this sketchy stuff and he had already walked out on them when Callie was a baby. So yeah zero trust. I just really didn’t like his character.

Overall this book was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and am anxiously awaiting more from this author.