Paranormalcy - Book Review

Kiersten White's Paranormalcy has taken the world of a paranormal to a whole different level, with a "kick-butt" heroine in the supernatural field, unforgettable (and not to mention lighthearted) characters, and the hilarity of universal pop culture we all seem to divulge into. The story-line follows sixteen-year-old Evelyn "Evie", an orphaned girl who sought out for a family. When demonstrating her skills of the supernatural, Evie was successfully taken into the IPCA as she can see through paranormal "glamours". But when you're falling for a shape-shifter like Lend, your best friend is mermaid Lish, and your ex is a fey named Reth -- it's a bit hard to find normal. Especially when the paranormals are starting to disappear for no apparent reason. As a dark prophecy shadows over Evie's life, she will have to gain perception of who she is (supernaturally, of course) and why things like this are happening, all threatening the one thing she loves.
Paranormalcy is certainly a different take on the world of supernatural. At moments, I couldn't help but splutter out a few sheepish laughs at the ridiculing of pop culture (vampires, especially).
Paranormalcy, however, falls flat with the overuse of Raquel's nuisance of italicized sighs, the undeveloped characters (especially the romantic interest), and the not so descriptive descriptions. Especially in the beginning, I found myself confound with all the things going on -- especially in the setting. I have to give White props for yanking the reader in right from the beginning: with Evie capturing a not-so-tough vamp named Steve. However, you can't help but get lost in the plot. When (*spoiler alert*) Lish dies, I didn't give a silver of sympathy for the mermaid since she made very little appearances throughout the book, especially considering the fact that she is her best friend. I just found her underdeveloped, with all the "bleeps" being tossed around like it's nothing (but now I can't help but do the same now to restrain myself from cursing). But you can't help but feel for the mermaid since she's trapped in an aquarium all the time, which is filled with pollution. The most developed, interesting character I found was Reth. Despite the fact that he's a bit stalkerish for a faerie, a little on the dark side, he seems like my type. He's probably my favorite character, and lacks in little, if any, stereotypes like Evie (who reminds me of some sort of a valley-girl in a chick-flick). Lend is so two-dimensional. Sure, he's trapped in the containment center most of the book -- but he doesn't seem that developed to me, and lacks in the emotional depth needed for a romantic interest to have.

As you can see, Paranormalcy didn't do it for me. But the humor and pop culture is enough to keep be tuned into once again for another pointless sequel, Supernaturally and the comeback of the upcoming third book in the trilogy, Endlessly.