Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne


HarbingerTitle: Harbinger
Author: Sara Wilson Etienne
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: Won in a Giveaway from The Writing Nut
Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis:


When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.




My Thoughts

Hauntingly beautiful the Harbinger captures the imagination like no other.

This story weaves fact and fiction to create a world so different and yet so similar to our own. The words flow from the page and I felt as if I was a part of it and felt every sensation as if it were real. The story was written so beautifully and its lessons so poignant and true that I could almost believe even if only for a moment that Faye was real and could imagine her and the rest of her family living in this world right along with me. Even though it was based in a world of fantasy the story held many lessons and truths that are very relevant to our own world, that it pulled at my heartstrings and never let go.
Aside from the overall message of the story the characters were some of the most memorable and relatable characters I have ever read about. I felt almost like Faye did when meeting her family for the first time. They were all so different and yet fundamentally the same and I found a part of myself in each and every one of them. I think part of what makes this story so remarkable is its characters and the fact that many people including myself can identify with them so much.

Faye is a bit disconnected from the world and yet she feels so deeply for it.

Nami is a courageous and beautiful girl who wants to show the world that she is special.

Damian is a composed and cool military man who has a strong sense of justice.

Maya seems tough and uncaring on the outside, but she has the biggest heart and cares for everyone. My 
favorite quote from her is “Someone has to care”.

Zack is a bit reserved and filled with doubt, but deep down he is a strong and compassionate young boy.

Finally Kel is one of the strangest at first with a quiet and mysterious air about him. He is similar to Faye in some respects, but no matter how hard things get he is always there for his family.

Another thing I liked about this book was the Villain Dr. Mordoch. The reason for this is that she wasn’t your typical one dimensional villain. She wouldn’t be one of my favorite people in the world, but she had her own reasons and beliefs that brought her to where she is now. She was fighting her own battles and in the end I liked that there was a lot more to her than meets the eye.

Of course there was a little romance going on as well and not only did I really enjoy seeing it build up, but it was very believable. I could actually see how they fell in love slowly, but surly and even though it didn’t play a huge role in the story it was honestly one of the best romances I have ever read about!

I could seriously go on, but the best way to see what I’m talking about is just to read it for yourself and I promise it is worth every blessed moment!


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