Half Bad by Sally Green (2014)

Title: Half Bad

Author: Sally Green
Series: The Half Bad Trilogy #1

Pages: 380

Published: Mar 4th 2014

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

This book was such a page turner that I read it in a day and a half. It is written in such a captivating way you truly can't help but wanting to know what's happening next. Green is not in a hurry to tell the story but moves forward at a relaxed pace. Each part of the book is introduced, experience and then moved on from. It allows for a new equilibrium to be set in each new setting or part before it's disrupted. It's very cleverly planned out to hold onto the readers attention.

I don't have much to say other than this is quite different from what I've read before. It's a lovely interpretation on witches which I cannot wait to know more about. The plot doesn't follow the classic turning of sixteen or seventeen when one's life suddenly means life or death. It's more about Nathan's life as a whole, his childhood and upbringing until his seventeenth birthday when he officially becomes a which. It's pre-birthday, rather than post-birthday.

The relationships in this book are so amazingly developed. Nathan's relationship with his older brother Arran is one of the best sibling relationships I've read about. And in such contrast to his relationship with his sister Jessica. If you can't think of another reason to read this book read it because of that. And Celia of course. Although haven given me a bad first impression (as I'm sure she did with plenty of other readers) she actually doesn't appear to be the monster she's made out to be towards the end and the banter between her and Nathan truly lightens the mood at times.

A truly enjoyable book about witches in the modern world England. Quite a light read but plenty to keep you entertained.

Plot Summary:

You can't read, can'r write, but you heal fast, even for a witch.

You get sick if you stay indoors after dark.

You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one.

You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen.

All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys.

And do that before your seventeenth birthday.

Easy.

My Rating:

7/10
I really did enjoy this book and it had me captivated.

More by Sally Green:

Half Bad (The Half Bad Trilogy #1)
Half Wild (The Half Bad Trilogy #2)
Half Lost (The Half Bad Trilogy #3)
Half Lies (The Half Bad Trilogy novella)
Half Truths (The Half Bad Trilogy novella)
The Smoke Thieves (The Smoke Thieves #1)