Hold On, Hold On - Neko Case

Every Other Day

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Pages: 336
ARC Acquired from: Egmont via NetGalley

Brief Summary:
Every other day, Kali is human. The days in between, well, not so much. To be honest, she has no clue what she is. All she knows is that on those non-human days, she has an irresistible urge to kill anything paranormal that gets too close. She thinks of herself as a hunter, and a freak. Her father doesn't notice her odd habits, like coming in with blood-stained clothing. She lives her strange life quietly, trying to avoid all notice. When she starts a new school, she makes her first friend, which is awesome but also the start of some serious danger.

Review:
What a fun paranormal romp this was! Paranormal has been a bit overdone recently, although, to be honest, I still love it (when it's done creatively). Barnes has taken the paranormal craze and given it an alternative history twist, which I think is pretty fantastic. In this world, Darwin discovered a hydra when he went sailing on the Beagle, which let the paranormal cat out of the proverbial bag. All of this is humorously similar to the beginning of the divergence in Leviathan.

Kali is awesome. For one thing, she's one tough chick. Despite being rather closed off, she's not a total jerk to everyone either. She has a sense of humor and does the best she knows how to with the cards she's been dealt. Plus, she's part Indian. It's nice having heroines that come from different cultures.

Every Other Day would probably be a good book for boys too, if you could get them to look past the fact that it sounds like a chick book. The book is primarily composed of action scenes. Many hell hounds and zombies are slaughtered within its pages. As I mentioned, Kali's hardcore.

Plus, there's not really any romance. This is the point that separates the book from the bulk of YA fare aimed at girls, especially when it's paranormal. Although there is some suggested romance, nothing happens. I appreciated that, because I don't think there was anyone who worked for her just yet. Besides, it's nice to see a book step out of the standard formula and dare to be different.

The ending totally left a sequel a possibility, although I don't know that one is intended. It would be probably have to be targeted more to adults, but I, for one, would love to get more of Kali's story. Think about it, Jennifer Lynn Barnes!

Rating: 4/5

"The most tender place in my heart is for strangers
I know it's unkind, but my own blood is much too dangerous"