In Every Other Day, Kali lives in a world where Darwin discovered a hydra at Galapagos and brought preternatural creatures into the forefront of scientific discovery. The government is trying to control and contain and protect these new species (friendly species like hellhounds and zombies), which Kali thinks is ridiculous. She is a preternatural being herself... well, half the time. Her days alternate between being completely human and being something more, with an affinity for weapons and a big time natural desire to kill these so call "endangered species". But when she sees a girl at her new school is marked for death by a preternatural Chuppacabra, she knows that she has to save her, even though Kali is currently having a human day.
I couldn't put this book down. The plot is fast, with tons of twists and turns, and I don't think there is anything better than an evil research scientist, of which there were tons in this novel. Evil research scientists are such great bad guys because they are smart, devious, and good problem solvers. They are hard to beat, and yet, their fault is that they are so ambitious, they often create their own biggest problems. It is fascinating.
The social dynamic between the characters in this book is awesome. Kali, Bethany, and Skyler all have their secrets and a good deal of trust issues. Kali just wants to save Bethany's life and be on her way, but Bethany (snobby cheerleader) and Skyler (psychic social outcast) stick by her and the three become friends as they reluctantly learn to trust each other. They're thrown into something bigger than they ever could have imagined.
I've never been totally head over heels for one of Barnes's love interests, but because romance really isn't ever the point, it doesn't detract from the book. Zev is like Kali, so her attraction to him is natural, because she has spent her whole life feeling alone and completely isolated. I appreciate that she grows to like him over the course of the book and look forward to getting to know him better if there are sequels (please let there be sequels).
One of the reasons Kali feels so isolated is because she has a terrible relationship with her single-parent father. It's not that he's mean or horrible, it's more that he's indifferent, which is worse. I had a hard time believing how a father and daughter could become so estranged, especially when Kali's father's actions show that he really does care about her, even if he has trouble showing it.
The end was satisfying, but open ended enough for a series. I'd love to see the fallout of what happens at the end of the book almost as much as I'd like to see Kali stumble her way through a relationship with her father. Every Other Day counts toward the following challenges: 352 pages toward 15,000 page challenge and Support Your Local Library. Track my progess on my 2012 Challenges Page.
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This sounds like a very interesting book, I don't know how you were able to finish it with everything else you have accomplished! I've never read anything by Barnes but I do remember you talking about the Raised by Wolves series.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is beautiful by the way! I love it!!!
I think I like the Raised By Wolves series better, but Every Other Day was so good, too! It was very different.
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