Review: Jenny Pox (The Paranormals #1) - J.L. Bryan

Name: Jenny Pox (The Paranormals #1)

Author: J.L. Bryan

General Release Date: 24th July 2010

Date I finished it: 23rd October 2011

Type: E-Book

From: Amazon

My Rating: 4/5 stars

This is one series I've had on my Kindle for ages, when I first heard about it I went out and bought this book right away, but just haven't found the time to get around to reading it yet!

Thankfully I'm taking part in a blog tour for this series in November, so that gave me the kick I needed to get started on this series right away!

Jenny Pox follows teenager Jenny who for her entire life has been harbouring a massive secret. Her touch kills, literally!

Ever since she was born, anyone who touched Jenny had came out in puss filled boils and tumors. If they hold on for too long they die.

At first I thought Jenny Pox would just be another YA paranormal read, you know girl meets boy - they fall in love. Throw in some paranormal elements and you have it made. I was completely wrong!

Jenny Pox is like nothing I've ever read before, the stories of each individual character are so complex and wonderfully written. That along with the amazing idea that one touch from Jenny could kill someone is was really got me hooked into the story.

I am not entirely sure that I would personally class Jenny Pox as YA, lets just say there is a lot of things in it that made even me squeamish. This is not a book for the faint hearted, but it is a fantastic read!

The story itself follows Jenny, the self made outcast. Keeping to herself is the only way to keep from any kind of human contact, therefore saving lives! It's the one thing thats been drilled into her from a young age, stay away from people. 

When you think about it, that is such a hard thing to do. Especially growing up and hitting your teenage years, can you imagine not even being able to hug your parents as a child after falling over and grazing your knee?

As the story unfolds we meet the rest of the main characters, who in my opinion are all just as important as Jenny in the book. Especially twisted, manipulative Ashleigh. I think Ashleigh is actually my favourite character to read about in the book, everything she does either makes me laugh, cringe or want to hide under my covers!

I did enjoy the fact there was so many different YA topics brought up in this book, drinking, drugs, relationships, sex, pregnancy, death. Even though they all fall to the sidelines to the main plot of the story, it was amazing how the author managed to fit so many topics into just one book.

The ending of the book completely blew me away, after reading the book and feeling like I got to know Jenny I was completely shocked! Looking back now though, if I was in the same position at the time I doubt the ending would have been any different!

From the moment I started reading this book I was hooked, I read it in one day and quickly started on the next book in the series, Tommy Nightmare. All I can say is if your debating on whether to read this book or not, just go for it. You won't be disappointed!