11
Jan202011
BOOK REVIEW: ‘The Replacement’ by Brenna Yovanoff
by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Authors U-Z, Book Reviews, Fantasy, SimonSchuster UK, Young Adult
Title: The Replacement
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (UK/US)
Publication Date: 2010
Paperback: 375 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Young Adult
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by: Jo
RATING: 8/10 – brilliant, couldn’t put it down.
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Mackie Doyle is the Replacement. Thought he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement – left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.
Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass guitar or spend time with an oddly intriguing girl called Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place – in our world, or theirs.
REVIEW:
The Replacement’s plot is very intriguing. In the town of Gentry, human babies are often given as tribute to the inhabitants of the town’s Underworld and as a replacement an otherworldly baby is left in its place. These babies usually sicken and die quite quickly, but our narrator, Mackie, has made it to High School. Even though Mackie has made it so far, he still is slowly dying of allergies to the world around him, and he longs to be human for as long as he can. After a classmate’s sister (another Replacement) is kidnapped by Them, he faces his origins and the creepy, dark creatures who live in the town’s Underworld to help his friend.
This book was wonderful! I really enjoyed the parallel worlds of Gentry, and the way the town people know but choose to ignore what is going on. Although never given a name, the underworld creatures seem to be Fae based on the fairy legends of changelings. I think not giving them their proper name added to their creepiness! Even though a replacement for their child, Mackie’s new parents love him, and try their best to protect him from all he is sensitive to, such as iron and consecrated ground, even though his Dad is a Pastor!
Mackie as a protagonist has a really good voice. I sympathised with his need to belong, but not sure of where he actually does belong. I think we have all felt that at some point in our life. Mackie’s friend, Tate was also a great character. After her sister is taken, she is expected to accept it and continue normally, another event to ignore. But Tate will not and she asks Mackie to help discover what is going on. I do enjoy characters that go against what is expected and together they, and their hint of romance, are very enjoyable to read.
The actual Underworld of Gentry, called Mayhem was very twisted, and dark. Deliciously so. It was really quite grotesquely beautiful in its descriptions, and I felt it was very real. The characters of Mayhem are very interesting, some are just as dark and twisty as the underworld itself, some were kind and nice.
The actual pace is quite fast after the first half, and the overall tone is quite dark and sometimes not an easy read. It really didn’t feel like a YA novel! The underlying message is one I think we can all appreciate and enjoy, that no matter who you are, we all need some love.
VERDICT:
Part thriller, part fantasy, part romance….The Replacement really is a mix of genres which I really enjoyed. The Replacement has action, humour, very good writing style and it’s full of brilliant characters. So far it is a stand alone book, but I would love to see more of this world.
You can find out more about the author here:
11 Comments
This book looks fab. It's already on my wishlist. Great review Jo
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This looks really good, love the sinister cover with the pram on it!
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I too love the American cover – wish we had that one. Just bought this for my daughter's fiends birthday – it was so hard to prise my mitts off and hand it over – am dropping copious hints for my own birthday next month
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I've been wanting this book for awhile, but I want the US cover so I have to wait for the summer to get it.
Enjoyed your review, it's made me even more impatient for the book.
Jennifer (An Abundance of Books)
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Thanks for the review! Makes me want to read it even more!!
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Just finished The Replacement and I totally agree. This was a fabulous book, though the darkness of later chapters was unusual for YA. I couldn't put this book down. Great review!
xx,
E.J.
From the Shadows
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Awesome! I look forward to reading it. The stroller cover looks so creepy!
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Thank you all for your lovely comments, I'm always nervous when a new review goes up!
I really like the US cover too, suitably creepy and suits the story.
Thank you again!
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This one sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing. Think I will put it on my TBR list
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I'm almost glad you liked this one more than I did–when I wrote my review I had a feeling that it was hugely influenced by personal taste (and I do tend to be the reviewer black sheep!)
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Sounds like it has everything I like in a book. Thanks for the review..I am going to have to check this one out.
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