I know I normally post this on Wednesdays but this week has been a crazy week and I am finally getting a chance to post. This week’s Young Adult corner is featuring Relics by Diane M. Haynes. It’s a great fantasy book that really pulls you in. Along with the wonder and fantasy is the love story that brings back the whimsy of youth. For the rest of my review please be sure to check it out after the book blurb.
Book Blurb:
After a minor earthquake, the enchanted forest in Bidwell, MA, is infested with monster-spewing rifts. Gisele’s great nephew, the gifted Micah, and his distant cousin, Selena, arrive to assist. Together with Gisele’s summer students, twins Haley and Lacey, they will try to help the magical forest. Much to the consternation of the beautiful Selena, Micah identifies Haley as The One whom he’ll share his future. But after witnessing a terrifying display of Micah’s Gift, Haley cools to his advances and unexpectedly discovers her own Gift– she can heal the earth. Monsters, mayhem, and teenage angst follow the small group as they confront evil in the forest and a dangerous prediction that ‘one will fall’. Will they heal the rifts in time? Can they save the unicorns? And is Haley really destined to be with Micah?
Review:
Haley and Lacey are twins spending their summer with their Grandmother and Father. During the week they are tutored in herbs by their grandmother’s friend and visit their Father on the weekends. It seems it may be an ordinary summer until right before they leave Haley sees a tarot reader and is given news of a handsome stranger and imminent danger to come. This seems way more exciting than what they had planned. Haley does meet his handsome stranger sooner rather than later. Micah meets Haley and immediately knows that she is his one true love and will be for the rest of his life. He just has to convince her of this. While Micah originally comes for another purpose these blend into one once they realize Haley’s power. Haley discovers almost by accident that she can heal rifts in the earth. Something that Micah, his cousin Selena and their Aunt Gisele are trying to do. Seeing Haley’s power makes them realize they must team up to save the forest and their mystical creatures. But, can they save the forest in time or will the forest die and the forever love they think they have die with it?
This was a great fantasy young adult novel. I enjoyed the characters and the world that was created. I thought the character development of Haley and Micah flowed with the story and helped to propel it forward. At times it didn’t feel like you had teenagers but adults. The forest world and its creatures are wonderfully described and helps you visualize the surroundings. I loved the twin aspect and their need to share all details even those of their guys. I also felt Selena was a great foil for Haley. She had just enough angst that let her be an unknown entity throughout the story. You really weren’t sure what her emotions were going to steer her to do. Overall, this was a wonderfully enchanting story that melts together fantasy and young love.