Book Club: Harbinger by Sarah Wilson Etienne

Published February 5, 2014
Category: Belinda's Reviews, Book Club, Krista's Reviews

Bel:

Cover

The cover was really what had me buying this book, not borrowing this book, from the library. The dust cover is a gloriously textured paper. The picture of a pretty young brunette with juicy red lips, blindfolded with a red ribbon, who standing on a coastline at dusk, drew me in. The title is embossed and the hard-cover spine has the title in foiled red lettering. Just something a little bit special. Thank you to Better World books for making the price that fits my budget.

Characters

I wasn’t overly fond of the parental/caregiver portrayal, but they needed to be the evil to counteract the teen characters.

Favourite

Nami, she was about the only character that kept true to herself.

Least Favourite

Faye, mainly because the little things she did irritated the heck out of me.

Beginning

Faye’s dad drops her off at Holbrook Academy as a last ditch attempt to get her to conform.

Storyline

Holbrook Academy, which is part mental institution, part juvenile detention centre is every bit of the nightmare that those two descriptions convey.

Ending

The title comes into play in an unexpected way.

I may have missed the point where the ending was justified, so it felt like a twist to me. I had a little trouble following some of the imagery, and some reactions seemed a little off. Not my cup of tea, but I LOVE the cover.

Quote

“Sweet dreams.” She said and shut the door. The lock snapped into place. Fay’s first night at Holbrook Academy

Krista:

Cover

I agree with Bel here. I was initially prompted to purchase the book because it was something I wanted for my shelves. It has all the major elements of the story and it’s beautiful.

Characters

I was surprised at the strictness of the Academy, at times wondering how it got to such a state. The caretakers and Dr Mordoch are at an extreme end of the disciplinary line. I also would have liked to get to know more of the students on a deeper level.

Favourite

I was a sucker for the love interest, Kel. He was flirty, dangerous and seemed to care for Faye on a deep level.

Least Favourite

My least favourite characters were the ones in charge of the Academy. Even at the very end, I was unsure about why they had to take a whip to the students and make outrageous rules. Their actions had me more upset than I have ever felt reading a book.

Beginning

When Faye’s parents discover that she has been collecting dead animal bones, they are concerned that she will never outgrow the “weirdness” that began in her as a young child. They return her to the Dr that has been consulting her family about her issues. It just so happens that she now runs Holbrook Academy, so Faye is left in her care.

Storyline

When Faye is dropped off at Holbrook Academy it doesn’t take her long to find out it’s run more like a prison. Each and every action the students make is closely watched; it’s very militaristic and nothing is tolerated. Faye is kept in a “Family” group of 5 other students with whom she grows a deep connection. They even begin to share nightmarish dreams. Faye seems to have a deepest connection to the land the Academy is on, and with Kel. She starts to see her powers as more of a positive thing than a punishment.

Ending

I really did not predict that the story would end up like it did. Though the novel does build on the visions, nightmares and history of the land, I just didn’t catch on quite that the story was going to put such an emphasis on what it did. I really should have seen it coming! I didn’t know it would be as potent as it was.

Thoughts

I do have to say I agree with Bel about the imagery in some parts being hard to visualise. I had to take the book slower than usual to try to really grasp it. It’s full of visions and nightmares and flashbacks that the reader has to picture in their minds in order to grasp the clues in the storyline. In that way the story reminded me of Michelle Hodkins’ books. In the end, I found that I enjoyed the imagery. I think this is a book that will stick with me for awhile and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy a lot of imagery in stories. (Of course, this novel takes on the darker, nightmarish side.)

Quote

” I wasn’t used to people meeting my eyes. And Kel didn’t just look at me. He looked into me, like he could see every thought in my head. And whatever he saw there now, he must have liked. He gave me a slow smile that made me blush. “

I chose this quote because it not only represents the first real encounter between Kel and Faye, but it holds the core of the story. ‘I wasn’t used to people meeting my eyes.” Faye’s insecurities and how she looks at herself as being damaged.

Book Trailer