Title: Half Bad
Author: Sally Green
Publication Year: 2014
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?
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Review: There are a lot of really cool concepts in this book. It takes place in a modern world where magic exists in a counter culture sort of way. It's similar to Harry Potter's world. There are White witches and Black witches. The protagonist is the son of the most feared Black witch, but his mother was a White witch. There's a prophecy. It's almost like a different take on the Harry Potter "Chosen One" story with the main character the son of the main villain. Don't get me wrong though, this book stands on its own. It is not just a rip off of Harry Potter. The magic system is completely different. When witches turn 17 they receive their Gift, a specific type of magic they excel at.
I was put off by the writing style in this book. It goes back and forth between first and second person. I found it off putting and never really felt immersed within the world.
There were some really interesting characters throughout the novel. I liked seeing how each character's personalities matched with their Gift. I also liked that White witches weren't always good and Black witches weren't all bad. There is a romantic element to the book, but it doesn't overpower. I was surprised by a same-sex love interest for the protagonist towards the end. That may be one of the reasons I read the second book. I want to see where that leads, if anywhere.
Overall, this book was underwhelming. There were many interesting elements, but it didn't come together for me. I found the writing off putting. I give this book a 3/5.
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HALF WILD (#2)
out in paperback now
HALF LOST (#3)
on sale March 29, 2016
Praise for HALF LOST, the last book in the trilogy
* “The Half Bad trilogy ends as strongly as it started in this conclusion to one of the finest recent examples of YA fantasy.”- PW
* " An immensely satisfying finale of dazzling magic, hard-earned romance, and the tragic realities of war.”– Kirkus
* "It’s a poignant finale to a trilogy that for readers, for full effect, will need to absorb from its beginning.”– Booklist
GIVEAWAY
--PAUL
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