Half Bad by Sally Green
Published March 4th 2014
by Viking Juvenile
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A stunning, magical debut. An international sensation.
In modern-day England, witches live alongside humans: White witches, who are good; Black witches, who are evil; and fifteen-year-old Nathan, who is both. Nathan’s father is the world’s most powerful and cruel Black witch, and his mother is dead. He is hunted from all sides. Trapped in a cage, beaten and handcuffed, Nathan must escape before his sixteenth birthday, at which point he will receive three gifts from his father and come into his own as a witch—or else he will die. But how can Nathan find his father when his every action is tracked, when there is no one safe to trust—not even family, not even the girl he loves?
In the tradition of Patrick Ness and Markus Zusak, Half Bad is a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive, a story that will grab hold of you and not let go until the very last page.
So I have been hearing nothing but great things about this book and just by looking at the cover, I knew that this book was going to be worth reading. I cannot recall when was the last book I read that had hardcore witches like the ones in this book. However, Sally Green sure knows how to write them.
The book was different because of how it switched from different perspectives in some chapters but for some reason it worked. The chapters flowed and I liked how they varied in length, some short and some long. There was action, adventure, love and a story emerging from these very pages.
I liked Nathan. I felt so much for him because of the position he is placed into because of his family and how his dad happens to be the deadliest Black Witch in the world. So with someone like that, your life is bound to suck. Nathan is tested on all levels and I want to point out one scene with his new guardian Cecilia. I feel that she cared for him, even though it did not show a lot of the times. Nathan meets some amazing people, some creepy and some where he will create a lasting bond.
I really did like the take on witches in this novel. It was different for me and I think Sally Green really used this to her benefit. It showed how even the good side has its flaws and makes you think as a reader, are good and bad really different from each other. You will have to read and see for yourself.
There is not much of a romance as there are scenes of crushes. I am hoping that Nathan chooses one over the other, but who knows. The second book will be definitely interesting in this area. I am excited!
Overall Sally Green creates a spell-binding novel that can surely be a top 2014 favorite. I am looking for to the next book and how Ms. Green will blow me into another dimension. Brilliantly Written!
Sally Green lives in Warrington, England with her husband and son. Having decided not to return to her successful career in finance, she is currently studying for a BA in Literature with Creative Writing with the Open University. Her spare time is spent hill walking in Wales and drinking too much coffee.
The publisher Penguin will be giving away one hardcover copy of Half Bad to one lucky commentor.
Rules are simple! Giveaway will end March 21, 2014.
GOOD CHOICE READING IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST, STOLEN OR DAMAGED MAIL.
1. US ONLY!
2. Leave a comment with your email to enter.
