Review: The Atheist's Daughter by Renee Harrell

Title: The Atheist's Daughter
Author: Renee Harrell
Category: Young Adult (supernatural thriller)
Publisher: Hunting Monsters Press
Released on: Sept, 2011







Summary (from Barnes & Noble)

"Why am I such a freak?" 

Kristin Faraday feels trapped, worried she'll spend the rest of her life in the small and suffocating town of Winterhaven. She also worries because she's different from her family and friends. She knows other people's secrets because she can tell, with certainty, when they're lying to her. She doesn't realize she has this ability as a “gift” from Mrs. Norton, the woman who murdered her father. 

When Mrs. Norton and her family return to Winterhaven, Kristin discovers she's the only one that can see them for what they truly are. They aren't human. They feed on humans. Mrs. Norton is aware that Kristin is the one person who can stop her -- if the teenager only knew how. But this is one secret that Kristin Faraday hasn't learned.... 

My Final Thoughts

Two things about this book that really caught my attention; the strangely striking cover that spelled ‘haunting!’ loudly and its summary that outwardly differentiate The Atheist’s Daughter from other paranormal stories. A huge ghost stories fan myself, I could tell (well, quite literary) if the book would scare the living hell out of you after reading it or not and thankfully, TAD falls into the first category. However, one thing I found out about TAD having finished the book is that, it wasn’t just an ordinary ‘ghost’ story. In fact, it was far from being one, it was much more than that in the most quirky way.

Harrell’s writing style was whimsical and intriguing at the same time. I almost loved everything about this book because of her style. I thought it was very clever of her to be able to take her readers to other characters’ environment and experience the story from their perspectives rather than just relying on the main character’s, like most YA authors would normally do. It was a bit confusing at the very beginning to read from other perspectives, to stitch together the events, but as the story progressed everything came out clear and fathomable. The storyline kept me guessing all the time. On top of that, this book had its own poignant feel to it, thanks to the apparent eerie setting and the human soul-sucking ‘monsters’ (if they can be referred to as one) that really beats the old school ghosts, vampires, werewolves and shape-shifters.

Kristin was an interesting main character. Although I couldn’t bring myself to relate to her character, but in other aspects, I knew exactly how she feels about her desperate wish to move out of her town. I reckoned her newly-discovered ability will eventually bring her out of Winterhaven, aside from her intention to protect fellow human beings from becoming the Unendings’ next victim. I thought being an atheist’s daughter would mean that her circle of friends would be just like her, but I was completely wrong. In fact, one of her best friends was a pastor’s son. Gideon was likeable, and although he was born in a staunch religious surrounding, his respect for Kristin was unquestionable. Regarding Kirstin’s history, I only wished that there was some clarification on how she became gifted; was it because of Mrs. Norton or otherwise? And why does the pastor call her Satan’s spawn?

All in all, The Atheist’s Daughter was an enjoyable yet creepy read. It had the much-needed suspense I typically looked for in any young adult paranormal story. I expected much from this book when I first got it and I am glad that it was all worthwhile.

Target readers and recommendation

All readers besides younger ones, and if you are a fan Supernatural TV series, this book will cater to your appetite for anything supernatural. 

Bornean Bookworm rates: 5 stars out of 5!

Purchase your copy: Barnes & Noble - Amazon 

 Notes:

*Review done at the request of the author. Review copy and front cover was provided by the author herself, many thanks to her!