Review by Sky : The Changelings by Elle Casey

I almost don’t even know where to begin with this review…Wow. This book was beyond awesome, it absolutely blew me away. And for being a YA Novel, this story exceeds my standards for all YA Paranormal, which definitely raised the bar. This story is far from your cliché paranormal YA. There is a certain scene you’ll come to, though, which has a sliver of similarity and most likely inspired from Hunger Games, but with a twist. But all in all, Elle Casey certainly has a charming way with storytelling, giving us a full action-packed scenes, and vivid, dynamic characters. I am totally in love! Each character introduced to us has superb depth which gives readers a chance to relate and attach.

Though classified as a YA novel, Casey has a way of creatively adding swear words in a not-so-obnoxious way of over-using, but in such hilarious, comical ways.

And though I wouldn’t call this a Paranormal Romance, there is a hint of potential first-love bonding, so beautifully written, where our heroine struggles to admit she has “sappy” feelings.

This book starts off as two normal highs-schoolers in central Florida, Jayne, a crass, potty mouthed teenager and her dorky friend Tony she picked on for years, but secretly cares for him more than she does for anyone else in the world. When both start having trouble at home, Tony takes everyone by surprise causes a scene to rescue Jane from family drama and run away together. They soon find themselves amongst other teenage runaways led by an older teen, named Jared. One day, Jared returns to their hideout with an ad for a “Fitness Interview” each person selected will receive $500 at the end of the job. Must be 18 years or older to participate. Well, obviously they lie, but what’s to lose at this point? The strange interview is completed and all but one runaway are selected to go. The adventure begins when the kids are on the plane to their destination for the ‘job’ and are offered a drink. Jayne who was suspicious ever since the interview, (she’s the hard-@ss of all the kids) watched her friends plop down in their seats next to her. Needless to say, she did not go down without a fight, she kicked and swung punches till she was hit with a tranquilizer, and even as she went down, she still told them where to shove it. Comical.

When the children awake, they are no longer in a plane, but in a cottage… and standing there greeting them is… a Dwarf in combat. Jayne began to believe she was seriously drugged or she was finally losing her mind. They find themselves in the middle of a Fae War…and they are the contestants… Each child learns they obtain a personal ability. Jayne is the most hilarious upon finding hers. If you want an idea of this enchanted forest puts obstacles in their way, I can tell you it’s like a mystical, fae-like Hunger Games, just more deadly, mysterious and scary.
I could go on forever about this book, but then what would be the point in reading if I were to do that? This is a must read! I can’t emphasize it enough, I can almost guarantee if you love hilarious, Fantasy/Paranormal novels with a smart and feisty heroine who has a strong head on her shoulders, with Elle Casey is a YA/Paranormal GENIUS! I want to get my hands on some hard copies of this series for my collection. They will be going straight to my top shelf at home!