Review: Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Product Summary

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be... kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

First Impressions

Supernaturally is the much anticipated second book in Kiersten White's trilogy that began in 2010 with Paranormalcy (click here for the review) and concludes next year with Endlessly.

Supernatually begins in the gym class of Evie's new--first?--school, a dubious luxury granted to her courtesy of a new identity and forged documentation. No longer having to worry about her soul-stealing sister or her faerie ex-boyfriend, Evie spends her days bored out of her mind in class, and her nights working in a diner alongside the very paranormal creatures she once would have tazed and tagged. On the weekends Evie and Lend are inseparable, desperate to spend every free moment together now that they're in a semi long-distance relationship.

But the routine and boring monotony of everyday life is bound to shatter, much to Evie's unspoken delight.

Supernaturally shares many of the same strengths that Paranormalcy had. Kiersten White's ability to keep the dialogue and plot moving in a fluid, almost stream-of-consciousness manner is commendable. Moreover, her first person narration is both believable and suits Evie's personality. The chapters are consistently short and entertaining (much like Kiersten?), demanding the reader's attention for just a little longer. Before you know it, you've finished the book.

I am pleased to write that two of the characters I had minor qualms with in Paranormalcy, Lend and Reth— the former I enjoyed while the later I didn't care for at all—have grown well beyond their sometimes rigid characterization. This time around we see a Lend that teenagers could actually relate to: someone who, even while secure in his love for Evie must still fend off not-so-pleasant emotions like jealousy, frustration and anger. But it's Reth and his newly displayed level of semi-indifference towards Evie that I'm happiest about; it's refreshing to learn that he wasn't always chasing her on his own volition.

The introduction of a new character into the mix, Jack, is a welcome addition. Boundless energy wrapped in a bundle of bluffing arrogance, he is the balance to Lend's more collected and analytic mind, as well as serving as Evie's primary foil. 

Fans of White's humor and wit will not be disappointed. Indeed, it will be quite a long time before I forget the stench of unicorns, the creepy smile of gnomes, Jack's affinity for improvised incendiaries and the not-so-subtle stab at Twilight's sparkly vampires towards the end of one of the chapters.

My only issue with this book is the bleeping bleeps. I felt that they were way too abundant. Evie doesn't need a catchphrase. Yes, I know that it was a habit picked up from Lish in the first book, but I suspect that I'm not alone in thinking that this was just a clever method developed to avoid cursing. Granted the bleeps are cute in moderation, but there's one noteworthy offender towards the end of the novel stuck in a serious passage that was dangerously close to ruining the mood of the scene. Kiersten, should you ever read this – I love your books, but if there's even a tiny part of you that wants to say “fuck” just say “fuck”! You won't be shunned for it, and it's a lot of fun to write. Fuck, fuck, fuck! :)

Fans of Arianna will be satiated with some of her expanded back story, and I'm willing to bet that she will play a larger role in Endlessly. As for Vivian, I previously hypothesized that she would awaken and become the greatest antagonist of the series. I couldn't have been more wrong. That being said, the role that Vivian does play in Supernaturally helps to bring about a new level of depth for her character.

There are of course a few scenes in particular that everyone will want to discuss. Since the book has only been on the shelves for a few days now I won't go into details. What I will say is that there is one scene in which a character makes a drastic 180 that I felt was handled beautifully.

Final Thoughts

A fantastic sequel, Supernaturally is able to stand on its own merit, regardless of the popularity of the first installment. I'll see you all next year around the advent of Endlessly.