Rate this book

Savannah Grey (2010)

by Cliff McNish(Favorite Author)

3.31 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1842551124 (ISBN13: 9781842551127)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Orion Children's

review 1: This is going to be a critical review, having just finished my re-read of the book for the first time since I read it when it first came out. Overall, I liked the book - it was enjoyable, and I like the plot. But I enjoy doing critical in depth reviews of things, especially on things I love, and McNish is one of my favourite authors. Anything harsh I say is done so out of love. Now that disclaimer's out the way, let's get on to what I think. The book starts off really good, I like, the prologue captured me and when we're first introduced to Savannah and Nina, I like them. I love that Savannah is in foster care, mostly because it's a nice change from married parents or divorced parents that you usually get in YA fiction. I like that these people seem to be realistic people ... moreand they're good characters. They are, however, two white girls, who are both presented/implied to be heterosexual. Like every single girl McNish rights, and a lot of YA authors do the same. Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Rachel after the Doomspell trilogy, well, Savannah answers you're question, as they're basically the same person - the tall, skinny, long dark haired white girl. But that isn't the issue I have with this book, it's more of an observation. Then we meet Reece. I like Reece, he's a cute, awkward character (but of course a pretty white boy), but I don't like him as the love interest. I understood the plot device, however, I didn't believe any kind of feelings between them other than the scene in the hospital when Savannah says "I like Micky Mouse" - other than that, there is nothing between them. Savannah has more chemistry with Nina than Savannah and actually I would have preferred her as a love interest. I like that Reese has been through shit, especially by the end of the book, having lost both parents, as in McNish's early work there is no real loss. I'll use the Doomspell Trilogy again for reference (which I will do reviews of) - nobody dies. Which takes away some of the impact. But here, it has real impact and I like that things go to shit. It makes it more real, engaging and powerful. I'm not saying McNish needs to go George RR Martin on his characters, but generally I hope he continues having real loss in his books. As a fan of McNish I really tried to like this book, even when it got bad, and it was an enjoyable book but I found the character of Savannah unlikable towards the end, and it's mostly due to the Reece love interest. Savannah chooses Reece above Nina, her best friend of years, and she only met Reece very recently. A bitch move of Savannah's and honestly I hope after this Nina never talks to her again. There instant love makes me uncomfortable. They feel instantly drawn to each other, even going as far to have Savannah grieve for the years they could have had together. Yes, years. Even though a few sentences later she admits she didn't really know him. I liked them as friends, but any romance felt forced, and I hated the instant love. Feeling they're meant to be together, ect. Can YA authors stop writing about girls who change their personalities and their lives change when they meet a hot guy? It's not extreme in this novel, unlike something like Twilight where the female can't cope without the male around her, but it's still centered on this guy she just met changing everything. Everything revolves around him, and it's not as if the Ocrassa used some trick to make Savannah fall in love, just got Reece to be Reece and they're destined to be together. And their love is so strong, that it's all that matters to Savannah, it's at the center of her mind, she's never felt this way, ect ect. So strong, in fact, that it helps destroy the Ocrassa. Wait, what? Love? ...Love destroys it? And we're told all this on the last page? That was...unsatisfying. McNish, your other Lawful Evil or Chaotic Evil characters McNish has had well...they had better deaths. But this novel was full of tension and build up, it was very good, and then it dropped off without a climax. And there is nothing fun or satisfying about stopping before climax. I loved the three monsters, and honestly, I liked them and felt for them more then Savannah. I loved how the back story slowly unraveled, and I love how tragic it was, it was just brilliant and the high quality I expect from McNish. This is an enjoyable read, my main issues being unnecessary romance (Savannah would have kissed Reece to try to save his life even if he was a friend), the ending being unsatisfying and not telling us what happened next - he did a prologue, an Epilogue would be nice. I can't fault the plot itself, McNish's ideas are always good in my opinion, it's the execution of them that lets the story down. Again, this is a critical review, if you just read it to enjoy the story, you will like it and find it engaging, but upon analysis and critical review it doesn't pass.
review 2: The cover for SAVANNAH GREY is what drawled me in. But honestly thats all I liked about the book. The book was written in British English, which made it hard for me to stay focused. I kept finding myself seeking out misspelled words, though in England it wouldn't be.The storyline on the other hand, had good potential but it needed more depth with the characters.The main character was a bite masculine. Im starting to realize that when male authors write about a female, there will always be a bit of overbearing and masculine qualities within them. I felt Reece was a very dull character. I needed him to be more assertive around Savannah.The story could've also used some more romance. I realize that the main character was only 15 years old, but whats a book without a believable romance? It felt like all the time they spent together trying to practice fighting whatever was coming, they never progressed through their relationship.With this said, I didnt find the Orcassa to be "scary" creatures at all. And I found it hard to keep my attention focused. The cover is amazing though, and really gives the book the main features (the throat). But this just was not my kind of book. less

Download links for: Savannah Grey

Advertising