Review Blitz: Reveal by Brina Courtney (Cryptid Tales #1)

First Published: 16 December 2011
Series: Cryptid Tales #1
Pages: 220
Format: Ebook
Finished Date: 2 June 2014

Synopsis

Shay could be the key to ending a war that humans don't know exist. Of a race of beings that aren't real, or are they?

Shay Tafford's childhood has been fatherless, filled instead with memories of speaking to the dead. She is forced to hide her unique ability from those living around her. That's why it's been comforting to have Jeremy, a child ghost, as her confidante. But recently he's been absent, perhaps lost as her father is. When Shay meets Hugh, the guy she's had a crush on for weeks, and finds he can speak to ghosts too she's just starting to find a normalcy in her life.
But as Hugh reveals the truth to Shay, about who she really is and about what it is she can do, he erases all chances she had at a normal existence. Turns out talking to ghosts is just scratching the surface of her genetically engineered gifts. Shay learns she may be part of an age old prophecy that could save the entire race of cryptids. But can she?

My Rating

My Review

So. Revealed. I don’t really know what to say about this one. It didn’t blow me out of the water, but at the same time, I must say I am rather interested in the concept and what is going to happen next. The last speaking to ghosts book I read was I think the Mediator series by Meg Cabot years ago. So this was something different from the usual books that I read.

So what I liked about this book was the unique plot, that’s for certain. I liked seeing how Shay slowly came in touch with her powers and got stronger. And she is so strong gosh. So maybe I envied her powers a little, but I think it was pretty cool how she took in everything without completely freaking out most of the time. I probably would have and would think that I was going crazy! The action was a little bit short, but this is the first book, meaning there would have been more backstory, so I was okay with that. And even though it was short, I did like how it was written because it was nice seeing their powers get unlocked.

Okay so without giving away too much (I hope), I thought the whole cat thing was pretty cool. Granted I don’t like cats, but I loved seeing how all these things were linked to create a cryptid. And I really really need to know what happened to her dad. The whole genetic thing (again, you’ll have to read to know what I’m talking about) is pretty fascinating too. Perhaps not entirely accurate, but its still interesting to see where Ms. Courtney intends to take it. Oops sorry science nerd in me haha.

Okay, the thing I didn’t like about the book was that the writing felt a bit flat to me. It’s not bad, definitely not. It just didn’t draw me in, perhaps because it was more of telling than showing. It made the story a bit difficult to get into, even though I was genuinely interested in the concept of the story, which seems very unique to me.

Shay, the main character, well, she just doesn’t appeal to me. I personally find her annoying and immature. Hugh was a pretty good character though, if a little bit predictable. I think I like Olivia and I hope I’ll get to see her more in the next few books. On that note though, I feel like more character development could be done. Shay did undergo some character development, but it was just a little bit. Still, there are 2 more books after this, and I do hope to see her grow more, into someone more mature. Actually, I like the ghosts (Jeremy!) the most. There’s so much mystery there and I am so curious about their whole role on earth.

And I’m sorry, but I cannot believe in their love yet. It seems a bit immature and rushed for my liking. I’m sure they hold each other in deep regard and truly care for each other. But I feel, the way they ‘fell in love’ read more like a deep infatuation with each other. At the same time, they are fated to be, and thus perhaps that is the reason as to why they fell in love so quickly. I do want to know more about the prophecy though.

I think I will be reading the next few books in the series, I think there are 3 in total? Even though I can’t say I loved this book, I did enjoy the world that Brina Courtney created, and I am interested to see where all this goes eventually. That cliffhanger though… That was torturous. I simply cannot stand not knowing what is going to happen next. Good thing for me, all the books are out already. So yay, once I’m done with other reviews I have to do, I can get started on the sequels! :)

In conclusion, Revealed is a good book, and it does seem like a good start to the series. I think it’s definitely worth the try and is quite a good read to pick up.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free to me in exchange for an honest review. All views stated here are mine alone.

P.S. Isn't the cover really pretty? I think it is haha.