Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy, Humor
Published: 2010

Paranormalcy is a fast, fun read about an orphaned girl named Evie who works for an agency that classifies and controls paranormal creatures. Evie's gift is her ability to identify the true nature of paranormals, which she doesn't think is much of a gift, but so far in life, it has provided her with a purpose and a place to stay at one of the headquarters for paranormal containment which she calls the Center, where she is looked over by a guardian and a tutor.

I've been itching to find a book like this. It's not easy to find a YA paranormal plot that doesn't take itself too seriously. Evie's best friend is a mermaid in a tank who talks to her via computer voice through a communication device. Every time the mermaid swears (which is often) it results in a bleep. Evie's weapon of choice for taking in rogue paranormals is a pink taser nicknamed Tasey. She knows her life is weird and  longs for the normalcy of high school with her own locker, like she sees on her favorite teen drama Easton Heights. But she isn't a tortured herione. Sure there's a lot she doesn't know yet, like why the faery Reth is so interested in her decisions, and why her tutors at the Center aren't willing to share information about her past. She's not helpless, and her narrative is realistic and seems like an actual teenager, alternating between big responsibilities and boredom.

When an unusual paranormal is picked up who can shift into the appearance of anyone, instead of staying away from his holding cell like she is warned, Evie befriends him since he's her age and someone new to talk to. Through their discussions she discovers the Center's teachings might not be the only way to view the existence of paranormals, specifically the need to control them.

There's a lot of action and plot development to keep momentum. The end sets up for another book, with a pretty good foundation where the stakes actually mean something. A clever, fun read.