Review: Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan

Title: Gift
Author: Andrea J. Buchanan
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Open Road Media (March 27, 2012)
Source: ARC copy from Netgalley
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:

 High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn't help that she's the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn't even own a cell phone. But there's a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power-one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about. Despite her "gift" (or is it a curse?), Daisy's doing a good job of fitting in-and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she's always tried to hide-before it's too late? Extra features include:
A short graphic novel illustrated by Alexis Seabrook, telling Vivi's story
Danielle's journal, revealing her deepest thoughts.

My Review:

As everyone knows I love a good ghost story so the premises of this book really intrigued me. It wasn't your typical ghost story.

Instead it focused not on a psychic girl who can suddenly see ghosts but a girl that has an abundant source of electrical power that she was born with that affects anything electronic around her. She is like one huge battery and because of this ghosts seem to be attracted to her. They actually feed off of the power radiating from her. Strengthening them in the process. She can also sense the power radiating in others, kind of like an aura.

And if that wasn't weird enough, throw in a group of friends that all share one thing in common, a past life together, a little mythology and a maybe trip to the underworld and you get one heck of a ghost story filled with twists and turns.

While this story wasn't perfect it was a really fun read and like I mentioned, it was nice not reading a typical ghost story for a change. Having something different and a little unexpected.

The characters, while all totally different in their personalities, really meshed well together and I enjoyed watching them all bond together over a common goal (getting rid of the ghost of course!) and each play off of each others strengths.

I think Mr. Terry was my favorite character even though he was a complete secondary character and really didn't have that big of a role in this story. He just reminded me so much of those really great fun teachers you have in high school who make coming to school so much fun and learning something you enjoy doing instead of something you have to do. I am kind of sad he actually didn't have a bigger role in this book. I really think it would have been fun to see more of him and to have him help all of the kids out a little more.

I actually kept expecting him to show up at the last minute and come to their rescue but I should have known that they would be able to take care of themselves.

And I will admit, I didn't see the ending coming and playing out like it did. And the little comic story at the end? That was just awesome!

I really did enjoy this unique story line and I really think anyone that enjoys paranormal YA books will like this one too.