Stork {ARC review} * * * * 1/2

Stork by Wendy Delsol

Oct 12, 2010

- YA, paranormal -

reviewed by Tara SG

received for review via Around the World Tours

Book Order

1. Stork * * * * 1/2 (Oct. 12, 2010)
2. Frost (Sept 2011)

Links

Author’s Website : www.wendydelsol.com

Amazon : pre-order hardcover

Add To Your GoodReads TBR List

This book in 6 words:

new mythology with witty, laugh-out-loud character

Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?

The first few times I saw Stork mentioned I skimmed it, then I read Kate’s (I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read) review and added it to my TBR list. When given the chance to review the book, I took it. I am very glad I read this book! It was a hilarious, well-written, unique YA with an ending I didn’t see coming (but that could be because I was so caught up in the book). I would have read this in all one sitting had I not been forced to go back to work. I seriously considered skipping work to finish the book, but it would not have been worth pissing off the hubs. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut novel. As an Iowan by marriage, I’m very happy to see something of this caliber coming out of “America’s Heartland”. I will be purchasing a copy for myself and looking forward to the next book!

Brief Summary

When she moved from LA to north-of-nowhere Minnesota, sixteen-year-old Katla Leblanc expected the local fashion scene to be frozen in time. What she didn’t expect was induction into the Icelandic Stork Society, an ancient order of women with the mystical ability to connect unborn children with the right mother. Not only is Katla the youngest member ever, but Hulda, the society’s wise leader, immediately bestows the coveted Second Chair on her. As if the business of soul delivery wasn’t enough, Katla also has her parents’ divorce and a new high school to deal with – not to mention a bad decision involving Wade, the king of the social scene. But Katla isn’t one to sit on her designer-jean-clad behind, and soon she’s making friends and writing the fashion column for the school paper. Things would be looking up if it weren’t for editor-in-chief and star quarterback, Jack. They have nothing in common and argue every time they meet, yet Katla is inexplicably drawn to Jack – as though he has a secret to share with her alone.

- back of ARC

(Yes, I typed it all out. I think it’s better than the GoodReads description.)

Plot/Pacing/Writing Style

The plot is extremely original! Ms Delsol created it by borrowing pits and pieces from Norse mythology and expanding in a whole new direction than the typical YA paranormal. To be honest, the first time I heard of the book I thought “Hmmm a book about deciding who gets pregnant… skip!”. I’m so so so glad I did not pass up this book. I laughed out loud constantly. It almost reminded me of the intelligent wit from Gilmore Girls.

The pacing was good. You start off with a bang and things never really calm down (this may be because the book spans only about two weeks). It had a nice steady pulse building up to a ending that exploded. There isn’t much of a cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to the next book, but not NEEDING to know what happens.

I loved the writing style! It was very smooth. The first few pages had me worried with some of the descriptions and comparisons, but it grew on me very quickly.

Characters

Katla was great. While at some points I felt like she was a little too mature/witty/well-referenced for her age, most of the time she felt like a non-annoying yet “normal” sixteen-year-old. I loved watching her adapt to the new town and her new place in the Stork society. I think her change in attitude through-out the book is very believable and a great message.

If Jake was a few years older (and um real), I would be telling Shane “see ya!”. First of all, I love the cold so moving to Minnesota, no problem. Also, he’s a hardworking, smart, athletic guy who is THE good guy. The guy you can depend on. The guy who puts others before himself. The protective, sweet, bare his sole — OK well maybe he keeps a few secrets and he’s gruff when you first meet him… There is one quote – that I won’t share – that I reread at least three times because I just melted! (After you read the book and want to know, I’ll tell which part it was.)

Penny. Hulda. Grim. I’d say all the minor characters were very well-developed!

Favorite Quotes

*These are quotes from an Advanced Reading Copy and may change before the final publication (but I hope they don’t). I had far more favorite quotes than I’m sharing because I love leaving the laughs as a surprise.

They all looked at me liked I’d done something wrong. I felt like I’d just dropped-kicked a puppy. And I hadn’t even said anything.

-  I feel like this is a good example of how funny Katla can be. I’m also going trying to find a way to use that phrase.

The town was like a little bubbled snow globe that had to shake itself up now and then just to feel alive.

Recommendations

If you like YA, please read this book! If you don’t read a lot of YA, I still think you would like this one. The humor and storyline is intelligent and very witty (let’s count how many times I’ve used that word in this review…).

Going Deeper – NO spoilers

Katla’s parents’ are divorced due to her charming, good-looking father’s affair. She doesn’t understand why her mom cannot forgive him and try to put their family back together. I very much so understand why not. However, I have a family member with children around Katla’s age going through a similar situation and was shocked that the kids weren’t more upset with the father. After reading this I wonder if it’s more of a shock/disappoint/fear of their family being split up rather than a matter of easy forgiveness. I’m so very lucky to have parents that just celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary.