Moonstone (Unbidden Magic #1) by Marilee Brothers

Title: Moonstone

Author: Marilee Brothers

Series: 1st in Unbidden Magic (currently 3 total)

Pages: 236

Published: August 2008 by Bell Bridge Books

ISBN: 9780980245349

Source: sent 3-1 galley by Publisher

 

Description: A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime. 

I Give This ...

 

I would say this book originally came out before the young adult genre exploded like it has today.  So, I'm not sure how much recognition the author will get for what she has created.  Because, in all reality, there are better books out there (and obviously some that are worse).  

I think the author tied to hard to make readers identify with Allie.  She's seems more like the girl from the wrong side of the tracks instead of a likable heroine.  Her mother, aunt and uncle, and even her cousin are just to much to bear at times.  How is it that this girl is even remotely normal considering the influence she's surrounded by?  The development of her powers is the only thing that makes this story interesting and gives it direction.  The prophecy leaves me hope that this story can be turned into something.  It definitely kept me reading when I thought the story might have lost a lot of its charm.

Last, with the trend in young adult you might get the impression that teens want romance.  They want the swoon worthy guy.  I'm sorry to say that Junior is not it.  He seems like a good guy, but the romance just isn't quite there.  

So overall, the story is just off a little.  Maybe it's needs a little bit more development, more romance, and little bit more action.  Hopefully the next in the series satisfies those requirements a little bit more.