Book:  Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healey

Release date:  April 1, 2010

Number of pages:  333

Publisher:  Little, Brown

From:  Publisher

Summary:

In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope.

At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting.

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Kait Rose

Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healey

May 11, 2010 • 5 stars, debut, paranormal, review, standalone • 3 Comments

Book:  Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healey

Release date:  April 1, 2010

Number of pages:  333

Publisher:  Little, Brown

From:  Publisher

Summary:

In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope.

At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting.

*****

Guardian Of The Dead is an absolutely awesome debut.  The summary gave nothing away and I loved that.  I went into the book not knowing anything and it helped me form my own opinion.  And my opinion is that everybody needs to read this.  =]

Ellie is in no way your typical YA heroine and that might have been the thing I liked best about her.  She was very tall and she was chubby.  She was insecure and totally easy to love.  She was also a black belt in tae kwon do and she was not afraid to defend herself.  There wasn’t a whole lot not to like about her.  Mark was also unusual.  He wasn’t completely gorgeous and popular like most male love interests.  He was vulnerable and he wasn’t afraid to ask for Ellie’s help.  He was great!

My favorite part of the story was definitely the setting and the mythology.  I have never read anything about New Zealand or it’s culture but that didn’t stop me from getting into Guardian Of The Dead.  The setting was so descriptive and I really want to visit New Zealand now.  The setting also tied together with the mythology.  I did know some of the myths but I loved the new ones that I learned about.  Everything tied together wonderfully and I love books that teach me something new.  

Overall, Guardian Of The Dead is another fantastic debut.  If you love mythology and all things paranormal I suggest picking up a copy of this one very soon.  I am hoping it may even have a sequel!

First line:  I opened my eyes.

Writing:  5

Characters:  4

Plot:  5

Ending:  4

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  5-A++

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