FURY by Elizabeth Miles

Okay, so I'm very excited to talk about today's book, FURY by Elizabeth Miles. Not only is the cover beautiful, but the story inside is too.

Let's examine in more detail.

About FURY: It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But all is not as it seems...

Em is thrilled that the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend. And on the other side of town, Chase’s social life is unraveling and the stress of his home life is starting to take its toll. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel....And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. There are three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—to choose who will pay. Em and Chase have been chosen.

Things I liked:
1. The dual narration. See, I've just started writing in this format, and it's refreshing to read two narrators whose stories are entwined, but not the same. I think that's the true sign of good storytelling. I don't mind dual narrators, but they each need a purpose.

And Em and Chase, while in the same town and connected by some of the same friends, have a story that is uniquely theirs.

2. The fresh feel of the paranormal. Sometimes I feel like every YA paranormal romance I read is the same. Formulaic. Which is fine, and it works, but I like books that bend the norm.

FURY bends the norm. I purposely don't read the backs of books so I can authentically discover the story as the characters do. And I loved how things unfolded in FURY. Like, I knew there was something funky going on, but I didn't know what.

3. Dude, Elizabeth Miles WENT THERE. I'm not going to say where THERE is, because you should all buy and read this book to find out.

There is nothing I love more than an author who dares to do what the story requires, whether it be "acceptable" or not. And Miles wrote what the story required, and I love her for it.

So get FURY for yourself this Christmas. You won't be sorry.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.

Or on their blogs:

• Shannon Messenger marvels at A MILLION SUNS plus a preorder giveaway
• Corrine Jackson hails THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF ME AND YOU
• Gretchen McNeil twirls for AUDITION
• Carolina Valdez Miller is all about HERE with giveaway
• Nikki Katz dishes on WHY WE BROKE UP
• Katy Upperman gets in the spirit with ELF ON A SHELF
• Stasia Ward Kehoe is wild for DON’T BREATHE A WORD