Genre: YA Fantasy/Horror
# of pages: 343 (ARC)
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin
The Replacement @ Parental Book Reviews
**This is only a partial review. I will post a longer, more in-depth review in September when this title releases. For now, this is more of a preview review.I absolutely adored the originality of The Replacement. A lot of time and effort went into creating this story, and that level of detail was very noticeable. I think the fact that this is the author's first published book is phenomenal. Brenna Yovanoff writes like she's been a published pro for years - she has a knack for making the foggy, chilly town of Gentry vaporize to life in your mind. Okay, so that sentence sounds weird, but whatever. The story's major strength was in its imagery and attention to detail. The eerie town of Gentry and the House of Mayhem under the slag heap were so detailed, so vividly imaginative, that it turned Replacement from a fun book to an edge-of-the-seat thrill ride.
The characters were also fleshed out very well and very creepily, I might add. The Morrigan and the "creatures" of her court were so hideously delightful, I know I'll never forget them. Coupled with the strong imagery, these strange characters seemed even stronger and more engrossing. I liked how they were portrayed, too. They weren't evil, and yet they were so creepy and so not-quite-right that you couldn't help but feel apprehensive. And though the story deals with 'changelings' I liked how The Replacement seemed to have its own original, tailor-made folklore. Never once did the word 'faerie' get attached to any of the characters, therefore I didn't feel like I was reading the same old story over and over. I'm almost positive you haven't read anything like this before.
And props to Brenna Yovanoff for doing what seems to perplex most (women) authors: create a male narrative that sounds authentic but is still likable. Guys usually either sound like girls, or they're TOO overboard on the so-called "guy" traits: vulgar, nasty and sex-obsessed. Mackie Doyle is one of the most endearing, likable and heroic guys I've seen in YA fiction in a loooooooong time. You could not find a better guy to root for in a story like this.
The Replacement is a highly imaginative, creepy-awesome thrill ride that you surely do not want to miss out on! Be advised, though, that this is a story that will probably be better suited for older teens. But keep your eyes and your ears alert for September 21, the day The Replacement releases into stores. Or you could always preorder it :)
Thank you so much to Razorbill for sending me this awesome ARC! I've been anxious to read The Replacement since I first blogged about it on March 5! Thank you again!
