REVIEW: JENNIFER STRANGE by Cat Scully
I read this book in one night because I simply couldn’t put it down. I had so many questions from the start and needed them answered before I went to sleep! This action-packed story gave me gory-geously creepy and ‘Supernatural’ vibes.
Jennifer Strange, a teen trying to control her demon-summoning powers, moves to Savannah, GA to live with her sister while her father leaves to find answers. He gives her his journal to hopefully provide insight into her powers. Weird, horrific things happen to Jennifer when a demon possesses a classmate on the first day at her new school. Although her and her sister, Liz, definitely don’t get along, they discover a sisterly bond – with Liz having the demon-banishing power – in the middle of all this supernatural chaos. With more spooky, terrifying encounters, they must learn to work together to uncover family secrets about the Black Gate.
Not only do I devour ghost and supernatural stories, but especially ones that take place in the South and this got eaten up quickly! Overall, I enjoyed this unique story – a gruesome entanglement of supernatural and dark fantasy with its intermittent illustrations and journal entries of clues. I would recommend this book and definitely read the sequel!
JENNIFER STRANGE is a young adult fusion of so many things I adore, including MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN, SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, BUFFY, and SUPERNATURAL, but I’d also add STRANGER THINGS and CRAZYHEAD to this list.
And, P.S. – there’s a lot of puking in this story.
Title: JENNIFER STRANGE
Genre: YA Horror
Author: Cat Scully
Rating: 4 | 5 stars
Available July 20, 2020. Order today!
About the story:
Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange is the Sparrow, cursed with the ability to give ghosts and demonic spirits a body—a flesh and blood anchor in the mortal world—with the touch of her hand. When a ghost attacks her high school and awakens her powers, her father dumps her unceremoniously in the care of her estranged older sister Liz, leaving only his journal as an explanation.
Drawn to the power of the Sparrow, the supernatural creatures preying on Savannah, Georgia will do anything to receive Jennifer’s powerful gift. The sisters must learn to trust each other again and uncover the truth about their family history by deciphering their father’s journal…because if they can’t, Jennifer’s uncontrolled power will rip apart the veil that separates the living from the dead.
A fast-paced and splattery romp, fans of Supernatural, Buffy, and Evil Dead will enjoy JENNIFER STRANGE – the first illustrated novel in a trilogy of stylish queer young adult horror books with big scares for readers not quite ready for adult horror.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.