By Adrienne KressAvailable now from Diversion Books
Review copy
Read my review of The Friday Society
"Sixth year, I shot an angel in the face."
So ends the first chapter of OUTCAST, the newest book by Adrienne Kress. I adored THE FRIDAY SOCIETY, thus picking this one up was a no brainer. And that first chapter hooked me and kept me reading long after I should've gone to sleep if I wanted to be daisy fresh for work the next day.
Once a year, angels take people from Riley Carver's hometown. The year after they take her best friend, who recently kissed her, she decides to fight back. She ends up with Gabriel, a naked punk who thinks it's still 1956. But perhaps two people can fight back better than one. But perhaps even more than two . . .
I liked quite a bit about OUTCAST. It has the same zany, madcap energy as THE FRIDAY SOCIETY. It has an intriguing, slow-building female friendship. It has a gradual romance filled with tension. It has a crazy plan that involves shooting angels in the face. It's slightly absurd and over the top, but it still makes decent points about our reality, including race relations in the Deep South, girl-on-girl crime, and the power of smoke and mirrors.
OUTCAST is held together by the force of Riley's personality. When the book begins, she's not that confident. She's not fashionable or socially gifted, her best friend disappeared and left her without a social or love life, and she's stuck in a town she doesn't like that much. Gabe's arrival - her attraction to him and the possibilities he opens up - help bring Riley out of her shell and discover who she wants to become.
The only thing I don't like about OUTCAST is the ending. It gutted the romantic in me. I want another book set in this world to sooth my hurts, but I suspect it's a standalone. (Please note I would welcome a book about cheerleader Lacy just as much as another about Riley.) I still think the book was a ton of fun, and I think the ending works with both the characters and the world. I just wanted everything to end with rainbows and sparkles.
OUTCAST is a good light paranormal for people who like laughing while reading, girls who can handle guns, and guys who fix up their own motorcycles.
The romantic tension sounds really well done. Thanks for putting on my radar because I haven't heard of this one
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a small press book. But the editing and everything was done well.
DeleteThis sounds great! I'm curious to read The Friday Society too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I think I'd love Outcast.
ReplyDeleteThe Friday Society is so. good.
DeleteI had mixed feelings about the ending myself, but the twisted part of me kind of liked it (I'm too practical for teen romance most days). You're right about Riley holding it all together - she's a force of nature! Also: would love to see more Lacy. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think I would love the ending if I weren't secretly a romantic who likes happy, pat endings when possible.
DeleteI agree completely! The ending of this one definitely gutted the romantic in me as well, it was so bittersweet. Your so much like me, I love it. Rainbows and sparkles for win! I crave HEAs when I read, so it always makes my heart hurt when I don't get them:) Fabulous review Liviania
ReplyDeleteThanks! I read the ending really quickly because I needed to go eat dinner but didn't want to put the book down, so it was like, "This is awesome this is awesome NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." I needed a little romance therapy afterward.
DeleteDoesn't sound bad, and definitely sounds quite random!
ReplyDeleteBut not too random that it doesn't hang together.
DeleteI had no idea that this author had another book out. Great review -- thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
ReplyDeleteUnlike her other books, this one is from a small press. I barely noticed it coming out.
DeleteI'm glad for the most part that you enjoyed this. It's getting a lot of great reviews out there. Love the cover too!
ReplyDeleteDid you know Kress made the cover? I find that really cool.
DeleteI hadn't really heard of this though I expect I will like it a lot because I also adored The Friday Society, based on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you liked The Friday Society then I bet you will like this one too.
Delete