Sisters of Blood and Spirit ~ By Kady Cross – 3.5 Stars

Tags

Ghost Stories, Horror, Paranormal, Twins, YA Fiction

  This e-ARC was provided to me by NetGalley and Harlequin Teen in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 3/31/15

Lark and Wren Noble are not your average twins. Lark is living, but Wren died at birth, and she only exists through her sister. It’s hard enough being a teenager, but when when you have a dead sister tagging along and at times taking over your your body, well, you become something of an outcast. Lark finally decides it would be easier to join Wren in the Shadow Lands, but her suicide attempt is thwarted by a classmate and instead she winds up at New Devon’ s mental hospital. Newly released, she’s approached by her savior and a small group of classmates who have been marked for death by a malevolent spirit, and now both Lark and Wren may be their only hope of surviving.

I’m a huge fan of The Steampunk Chronicles series by Kady Cross, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading Sisters of Blood and Spirit. I can now say this is completely different than her other books and it’s a unique take on the paranormal. The worldbuilding is intriguing, although I wish there had been more included about the Shadow Lands. The plot was fast paced and exciting with plenty of chills and thrills. It actually reminded me of the tv show Supernatural with it’s references to “meat-suits” and it’s rules regarding iron and salt. I kept imagining Lark and Dean teaming up. I loved Lark who is a mix of snarkiness and vulnerability. Because of her treatment at the hands of her classmates and even her parents, she finds it very hard to trust people, and it was nice seeing her attitude thaw as the story progressed. Wren was an interesting character whose personality is the polar opposite of her sister’s and she serves as a counterbalance to her sister’s aloofness. At the same time sweet Wren also has a dark side which saves her from being too perfect. This is just touched upon, which brings me what I found problematic after finishing. I’m assuming this is the first book in what will be a series, but I wish there had been a little more regarding the sisters connection and their abilities. Was there anything in their family history to explain this? Also, the descriptions of the Shadow Lands were great, but I think it’s mysteries could have been explored a little more. To be perfectly fair, the book is under 300 pages, so there’s only so much that could be included. Hopefully the missing pieces will be part of the next book.