Book Review: Preloved by Shirley Marr

Publisher:  Black Dog Books/Walker Books
Release Date: 1 April 2012
Genre:  YA, Paranormal Romance
Format:  Paperback
Page Count:  272
Source: Owned
Links: Goodreads Book DepositoryAuthor website
Rating:

3 of 5 hearts

Preloved has one of the coolest concepts on the block (a ghost from the Eighties? It was only the so-daggy-it’s-cool era), and add to that major bonus points for a YA heroine who’s Chinese.

However the startling brevity in which this tale was told left me breathless and a little disappointed. The book could have easily been twice as long with a little description added.

Perhaps it was the narrative style itself that didn’t gel with me, but I didn’t see Amy’s relationships at all. All the other characters besides her mother were just people she interacted with. Even her best friend was stand-offish and vague.

Where this novel soars is living in Amy’s mind: the mind of a lonely Chinese-Australian teenager who just wants to connect with her somewhat prickly but caring mum. Amy is realistic to the point of being painful, although I did find her resignation to the sidekick role an interesting take on her friendship with Rebecca. In my reading she wasn’t jealous, just incredibly lonely. She was bound to fall in love with the only guy who can interact with her. Poor soul.

I’m not sure I fully grasped the concept that wrapped up the climax, and due to that I will re-read the book one day.

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Nemo
Nemo

About Nemo

A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.

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