Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Every Other Day

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Date: December 27 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: YA- Paranormal Fantasy

In a world where paranormal creatures are viewed in the same light as exotic pets it's easy to forget how quickly their true natures can turn humans into prey. For twenty-four hours Kali is human- fragile, weak, vulnerable and hunted. But in the next twenty-four hours Kali will become something else entirely- something inhumanly strong, bloodthirsty and insatiable. Every other day Kali is defenseless against creatures that should only exist in nightmares, but for the next twenty-four hours- she's going to kill them.

With nearly every other book in the YA section being of the paranormal persuasion, it's getting a little difficult to continuously revamp the same old subject matter (vampires and werewolves and angels oh my) into something that's still new and appealing. You don't want to stray too far from the norm for fear of loosing those mainstream followers but you won't gain much street cred if you're an unoriginal sellout (you know who are.) So what's a storyteller to do when you're left walking such a fine line- you cross that sucker and drive backwards in the other lane.

Barnes took a big gamble with Every Other Day- she threw in a bit of everything you've read in recent YA, put in a blender and set it on high. Ruthless in her plot twists and torrents, Barnes doesn't allow her readers a lot of time to focus on just what type of story they're reading. She throws demons, psychics, vampires, mythical creatures, possessions and zombies (you know you love zombies) at you so fast there's nothing to do but roll with it and brace yourself for whatever comes next. Totally unpredictable with a pace set at warp speed, the story never settles before she picks it back up and off she goes again. Reserve a couple of uninterrupted hours for this quick read because you can't stop once you get started.

For me, the supporting characters, whose identities and purposes once revealed, totally sold the story. The main character, Kali and I didn't mesh as much as I would have liked simply because I couldn't take her as seriously as she took herself. I'm all for a bit of brooding when it can be readily agreed upon that YOUR life sucks but I tend to start tuning out an inner monologue that only focuses on the "poor me." Kali's got a lot to carry, bless her, but she's also a lot stronger than even she knows. I'm looking forward to the next book where hopefully Kali will embrace her inner badass. A great cast of characters, nonstop action, and a love interest with a very, very unexpected twist- yeah, you have to read it.

Does it warrant a sequel? Absolutely. Barnes set the story up nicely for a second book and I feel there is enough solid material and a strong enough world to carry another book.



Review copy from Amazon Vine