Review of "The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff

 I have been meaning to read this for a long, long time. Luckily, my awesome library got a copy in not too long ago. Disclaimer: This book is on loan from my local library. I am not being compensated for this review in any way, I'm just doing it for fun.

Type: Young Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Changelings, Replacements, Creepy Towns, Even Creepier People, Cover Goodness

Why this book: Cover Goodness. I'd probably read anything with such an awesome cover. And when I read the description, well... I wanted to read it even more.

About the book: Mackie has never been normal. He always tried to keep his head down, go with the flow, not be noticed, but everyone knows. But Mackie isn't the only abnormal thing about the town, Gentry has its secrets and has for years. But he's starting to feel worse, and things are going very wrong, very quickly. Out with his friends, he is approached by a stranger who tells him Mackie is dying, and to get what he needs to live, Mackie must help the strange creatures that live underneath Gentry, no matter what they make him do.

So according to my Amazon Affiliate program, there is going to be a paperback copy of "The Replacement" coming out in January of 2011. But the cover looks different. So people! If you want this book, definitely go out and buy the hardcover! Seriously, this would be one of those covers I'd nominate for best of the year, if I had those sorts of polls. Maybe next year I will. But on to the book.

"The Replacement" was a good read, and this is the type of book I would eagerly suggest to both young adult boys and girls. Yes, the main character is male, but this is the type of novel anyone could enjoy, which is nice to see. With the influx of young adult paranormal romances, sometimes it's hard to find something that will work for everyone.

"The Replacement" definitely had a good story. And I loved that the creatures, the villains and the not-always-villainous, were never really named. Oh, old names they went by were mentioned, but they never named themselves, and the town of Gentry was so keen on ignoring their existence, that the town never named them either. That just made these creatures that much more scary. Without a name, you can't come up with any obvious weaknesses, and it makes them seem that much more "other." From descriptions in the book of habits and looks, the reader can guess what they could be, but it's just not the same as actually knowing.

This is definitely a coming of age story, and a good one at that. Mackie learns so much about himself, not just what he is, but what he can do. And I think teenagers can relate to this. Everyone can feel like an outsider sometimes, like they're not good enough or strong enough. But Mackie faces his fears, faces his weaknesses, and kicks some serious butt. And with a host of fascinating secondary characters (can I have Roswell?), "The Replacement" is definitely not one to miss.

This was a good, quick read. Spooky, chilly, and thrilling, perfect for curling up on the couch at night, under a warm blanket. I'm going to give "The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff a FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). A good read, a quick and fascinating story, and characters I would love to actually meet and chat up (if only) make this a must read for Young Adult fans, or just fans of good paranormal fiction. So be sure to check out "The Replacement."

Have you read this book? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Want to read it? Pick up you own copy at Amazon.com via the link at the left!

Until next time - Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, aka Morning Glow ~!~