Lerner Publishing Group has been so gracious to allow me to review this book, via Netgalley, prior to its release date in April!  The synopsis is as follows: “Savannah Grey needs to keep moving. She doesn’t know why, but she can’t let herself get tied down by too many people. It’s almost like she’s being chased by something. And now something strange is happening with her neck—with her throat.  Then she meets Reece—a guy who seems to understand her needs. He even knows about her neck. The same thing is happening to him. It’s as if their voices are becoming weapons, warming up for some kind of attack.  Nature has been preparing for battle with the universe’s ultimate monster for millennia. The time to fight is almost here. The weapon is Savannah Grey.”

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Savannah Grey is a completely original, refreshing story about a teenage girl trying to find her way, and purpose, in the world.  Wrought with monsters and the ultimately evil Orcrassa, this novel will keep you glued to the pages as the story of good versus evil unfolds.  I read this novel in one sitting, and though I admit I was perplexed and frustrated at points, the redeeming factor of the novel is the huge twist that presents itself three quarters of the way in.  I love twists in novels, and if the author can jar me as I read, then I find myself recommending the book to others, regardless of my  prior frustrations—and that’s exactly what I’m doing now.   

First, let me explain why I was occasionally perplexed and frustrated with this novel.  While I love fantasy and the paranormal, I am also a realist, and want my fantasy and paranormal novels to fall within certain guidelines.  For instance, even fantasy and paranormal setting have a hierarchy, and adult supervision is present in terms of police, parents, teachers, etc., because that is the universal reality of life.  However, in Savannah Grey, the adult world barley exists.  If a hospital is forced to evacuate due to a predator (in this case a monster), and much blood is shed, I expect to see police and adults swarming the scene, attempting to help, or at least figure out what happened.  I would expect the same if a teenager went awol during surgery and disappeared, or if they nearly destroyed a restaurant, or suddenly became extremely aggressive and strong.  Because these are not everyday occurrences, I expect adults to be perplexed and try to help.  However, the adult world seems to disregard all that happens within this novel. Savannah Grey’s foster mother’s presence is barley felt; she is very minimal and does not question Savannah, but rather lets her do as she pleases.  The police are not mentioned at all, a few uninvested hospital attendants come and go, but other than that, the adult world remains in the background unseen.  I realize that this is fantasy, and that adult supervision does not need to be present, but I think the story would have been more powerful if more emphasis were put on the adults’ inability to help or understand what was happening, versus removing their presence from the story altogether. 

Now, what I loved about the novel was the two different storylines that ran parallel to each other.  Savannah Grey tells her story through the first person narrative, which is perfect as it limits Savannah’s insight into other characters.  Hence, there is more suspense because neither the reader, nor Savannah, can see the thoughts of those pursuing her, thus limiting the ability to perceive what will happen next.  While Savannah’s story is at the forefront, McNish also includes chapters sporadically placed throughout the novel, in which he tells the background story of the Orcrassa.  The Orcrassa’s story is told solely through the third person narrative, so the reader is able to know everything about the Orcrassa in small increments (i.e. it’s development in the world, what it yearns for, how and why nature is trying to destroy this vast evil, etc.).  While I was originally confused and frustrated by these seemingly unconnected stories, it is through this technique that the reader learns the truth about the fight between nature and the Orcrassa, and it is here that McNish releases the twist.  I have to say, I really was shocked by the twist; I never saw it coming, even though, in retrospect, there are so many tale-tell signs.  For the most part, I really enjoyed this novel.  Three stars.

I believe this novel was first published in the UK, sometime in 2010, as it seems to already be available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel.  There is no pre-order, and it states that it usually ships within 24 hours.  That being the case, you can pick up your copy now, without the wait!