After what she thinks is just a visit to "check things out," Faye finds herself at Holbrook Academy, a secluded boarding school slash reform school slash who knows what. With her entire day from sunup to well past sundown beyond regimented, Faye's father and the head of the school are sure this is the place for Faye. They are sure Holbrook will cure sixteen-year-old Faye of her visions and nightmares. Faye isn't so sure.

Except that she feels some sort of a connection to her new school from the very first night, despite the painted shut windows and locked-from-the-outside doors.

Then she and the rest of her Family (the group the school puts her with) being waking up with their hands stained red, lying on the floor of their rooms. No memories of how they got that way.

Kel, the boy she met the first night at Holbrook, the one she's drawn to is willing to help her solve this new mystery . . . but can she really trust him?



There's something really special about a book, told in the first person, that doesn't let the reader in on things before it lets the narrating character in on them. Harbinger does (or doesn't, which might be more applicable) this and it makes for an incredibly enjoyable read. While Faye is lost in what's going on, sometimes the reader is lost and confused, too.

There were times when I wasn't sure I had any definite idea as to just what was happening but I loved it!

As Faye and the other characters, but especially Faye, work to figure out what is happening to them, why and what it means, you as a reader are trying to piece it all together as well. Readers do have the value of being an outsider so there are some things you'll likely guess or figure out before the characters do, but Harbinger is a book where everything doesn't come together until the end.

Sara Wilson Etienne's debut is very original and set in what seems to be a dystopian world, but without being a dystopian story. The characters live in Cooperatives, there has been a big war and there's an underlying theme of the planet dying but the story takes place in a boarding school that is seemingly removed from it all. The setting (both the school and what's happening in the outside world) are great for the story and having the added complexity of the world the characters come from not be what we're accustomed to, really adds to things.


9/10


(arc received from Penguin-thank you)

I really really liked this. I wasn't sure what to expect going in and I'd been back and forth about whether or not I wanted to read it, but it ended up being pretty awesome. Totally creepy, dark, weird, and kind of unsettling, but awesome. It reminded me a lot of Shutter Island in that you have no idea what the hell is going on the entire time, with little pieces plinking into place along the way, and then it's all just one big mind fuck. I hate seeing everything coming in a book like this, but things also have to make sense when you look back on it. That's a hard balance to strike, but it worked for me here. My only complaint is that I wish the secondary characters were fleshed out a bit more, but it actually kind of makes narrative sense why they weren't. In the long run, it didn't take anything away from the story and in some ways, you identified with the lead better because of that. Honestly, it's been awhile (too long...) since I've been that engaged in a story and having to finish as fast as possible to know what's happening.

Also, holy crap the cover is gorgeous. ( )

Title : Harbinger
Series : -
Author : Sara Wilson Etienne
Pages : 309
Release Date : Feb 2nd 2012
Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
Format : Hardcover
Source : Library - Borrowed








My Opinion :


I had high expectations for Harbinger. But, sadly, there weren't met. I intended to buy myself a copy of the book, since, at first, my library didn't have it, but when I saw they did, I jumped on the occasion to read it! I was thrilled that they had it (I don't know why I was thrilled anymore :S). But, I don't really get what the hype was about :S

The book held a definitely great premise. It's about a girl, Faye, who's been having those weird visions since she was a little kid. Now, her parents can't take it anymore and send her to Holbrook Academy, a place for troubled teens. There, she finds her Family (with a capital F... read the book to know why.... although... I don,t recommend reading the book :S), parts of herself, and why she has been having her vision. She also meets Kel, a member of her Family, and kinda falls in love with him (kinda, because it's really confusing...)

As I said, I had high expectations for this book. The premise sounded great, and I couldn't wait to see what this new voice in young adult, Sara Wilson Etienne, had in store for us/me. I had heard great things about it; people raving about how good it was, or about how they loved it as a thriller.... but I would describe it as a Confuser, because it was just so damn confusing with all these secrets, and 'not-knowing-who-I-am' and the 'am-I-the-bad-guy-ir-is-the-guy-I-am-in-love-with-is?' kinda things.

The romance in the book was practically non-existent, and, I don't like that. I always love it when there'S a cute or rough romance sotry in a book, even if it's not the main story, I love it when it'S just a 'side dish', but, here it was like a a piece of butter to put on a bread that you barely eat (did you like my food reference? Hehe)

Faye was so confused, so since the book was in her point of view, that made the book a whole more confusing than it already were. Although, aside from that, she was a pretty okay character, and she was well developed (why do I always put TWO Ps to developed? UGHHHHH!) and well detailed!

Kel... I didn't like him. At all. He was even MORE confusing than Faye (I wonder if he did that on purpose!), and, I think it'S the first time that I hate the male lead interest in a book! I just... he was annoying.

The other characters.... they were all annoying, except for Zach; he was just so cute!

I won't insult the author, because even though the story was confusing and the characters not that fun, her writing style was the kind I appreciate, and so I am looking out for her next book, hoping that it'll be good!

So, I was really sad that I didn't like this book :S

Also, I really love the cover, and I was sad I didn't like the book.


RATING
2 and a half roses :S ( )

A complex storyline; vivid, dreamlike imagery; a heavy environmental message; a mysterious tone. An interesting read. ( )

Holbrook Academy is crazy. Sara Wilson Etienne really knows how to push our buttons; how to get us to fill up with outrage at what Faye is put through. I’d call Harbringer an angry book—one that’s fun to get mad at because of the pure evilness of certain characters. Etienne’s fictional future makes what goes on at the academy more feasible, so we’re not left thinking to ourselves, “how did this place pass inspection?” The future that surrounds Faye is grim and strikingly realistic; it’s clear the author put thought into realistic imaginings of a bleak tomorrow.

Harbinger won’t just make you frustrated for Faye, it’ll give you some serious creeps. The ending of a certain chapter literally gave me chills. Sara Wilson Etienne has a firm grasp on how to write a scary story—but one not so scary that you’ll put the book down. The mystery surrounding Faye is genuinely perplexing, and you’ll find yourself eager to figure out what her visions are all about.

Faye starts off as more of an observer than anything else—a person whose eyes show us the facets of Holbrook Academy—but eventually her hardened exterior cracks, and we get to see the girl within. She’s tough and incredibly brave. Though Faye isn’t snarky or outgoing like most paranormal protagonists, we build up a fondness for her quiet strength. I’m a big fan of Faye because of her ability to weather whatever life throws at her.

If you’re looking for a slightly scary, super creepy thriller, you should definitely check out Harbinger. It exceeded my expectations and turned out to be a fantastic read! ( )