The Shattering by Karen Healey

Title: The Shattering

Author: Karen Healey
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 86% or B
Buy It: Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?

My Thoughts::
When I got the offer to read this book, I couldn't help but to take it right away. I really enjoyed Guardian of the Dead and a lot of the culture that it brought to the table. As usual, I thought it took forever for me to finally get to it.

I mentioned on a recent review about how authors have been using the same traits in characters or other aspects throughout their other books. With this author it is the Maori and New Zealand culture as well as the myths that go along with them. Like I said, this isn't a huge problem. I love learning about new cultures, and this book offered it thoroughly.

The book really blew me away more than I expected it to. I had normal expectations, but I wasn't super pumped to read it. Even though I enjoyed Guardian of the Dead, I expected it to be completely different. So, before I know it, this book isn't just about a girl grieving about her dead brother, but an entire town conspiracy that involves....witches. Or at least witchcraft. Yes, you read that right. All of you are getting to know how much I've been enjoying them, and that was like my sprinkles on this book cupcake.

When I started reading, I didn't really like the characters. They seemed a bit boring and I thought that I would tire of them quickly, making the book hard to get through. But after two go-arounds for each character, I couldn't get enough. I always love it when books change perspective because I feel like I get to see all sides of the story. It's also nice to know some things that other characters don't, but would be really great if they did.

Overall I think The Shattering brought a lot of interesting things to the table, and served me a mystery with a heart wrenching twist thrown in at the end. I would recommend this book to fans of the Maori culture, or just enjoy a good puzzler of a mystery that you won't guess right away.