May 18, 2020

Paranormal Book Club: Sweet Evil

The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I'm in with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal books and series together. We read our first book together in 2019 (it was The Iron King by Julie Kagawa)... and then promptly dropped the ball. But we were really determined to pick things up again this year, and after figuring out a more manageable schedule, I really think we're going to be able to do this pretty regularly.

Back in March, Rachel, DJ & I decided to read Sweet Evil. It was my turn to be the newbie to the novel, as the other two had already read it previously and loved the book! I did end up binge reading the trilogy, which definitely says something about how I felt about this series overall!


What were your initial thoughts about the book? Were you excited to read it?
I'm always excited about experiencing the books that my best friends love, especially when those feelings are unanimous (as they were in this case). I actually didn't remember much about the actual plot of the story going into it, but that served me well in the end! Plus, I was excited to be able to text Rachel and DJ all my feelings as I read the book.

What was your favorite quote or passage, and why did it resonate with you?
“We have to face difficulties to find out what our true strengths are. How we come back from failure is a very valuable test.” I always love the lines that resonate on a heart level. This sentiment is one that I fully agree with, and I love that it truly embodies Anna's journey in this book (and in the series) too. She strives so hard to make the choices that show who she truly is (a good, caring person) no matter how hard it gets, and I admire that so much.

Which character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?
Anna is definitely the character that I found the most relatable. She's incredibly goodhearted, and I  admired how much she fights against what is expected of her to do what she knows is the right thing. I also loved her love and her loyalty, and the way that she expects the best of the people who surround her. She struggles with her flaws and her feelings too, and that endeared her to me even more.

Was there anything you wanted to see more of in the book, like more page time for a secondary character or a plot point you wish was explored more? 
Since we're solely talking about the first novel, I would say that I wanted more time getting to know the others in Anna's new circle (Kai included, of course). They're an entertaining bunch, and a solid mix of personalities, and I would have loved more time with them. (This gets granted in the next two books though!)

What are your final thoughts? Would you read this book again and/or continue with the series? Would you read another book written by the same author?
I had so much fun reading this book! I enjoyed myself so much that I ended up binge reading the entire trilogy, which I so rarely do these days. I'd definitely read more from Wendy Higgins, and do in fact have another book from her on my TBR.

I'm really happy we managed to get a second round of the Paranormal Book Club in this year! It was so much fun, and led to me reading a series that I truly enjoyed from start to finish. If you're curious about what the other two thought, don't forget to check out their posts below:

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