Review: Other by. Karen Kincy

Title: Other
Author: Karen Kincy
Publication Date: July 1st 2010
Pages: 326
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Rating: 9/10

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.
When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

Review:  Other is a paranormal mystery combined with the best kind of romance. Not only that, but we are introduced to two new creatures of the para, the Pooka and the Kitsune. Other- a paranormal creature including vampires, werewolves, fox spirits, and...pooka??? Yes the beloved Pooka. Shape shifting pookas. It so refreshing to have a whole new paranormal creature thrown into the mix. And not just any kind of shape shifters, an anything goes kind of shape shifter. Sounds like my kind of people.

I don't know about you guys, but for me when I'm picking a paranormal romance, I love to know that the romance is up to par, especially when its supposed to be a love triangle. And Other delivers, big time. Sometimes I find it is hard to pick between two guys in a book with a love triangle, usually because there really isn't anything distinguishing the two, but Other does not have that problem. There is the original hot and...hot Zach, and then there's the witty, sexy, intelligent, Japanese fox-spirit, supportive Tavian. Would you say it's a hard choice? Tavian had a real distinct personality that made him a favorite character of mine and you could easily see the romance and chemistry blossoming between him and Gwen in the book.

Someone is killing Others, and Gwen could be next. And when the killings take a turn for the personal, she decides to get involve and try to save the lives of more Others, including herself. I actually didn't see the ending from a mile away. In my mind the killer's identity changed about 5 times throughout the book. What else could you ask for in a mystery book. The book was fast paced and had absolutely no filler pages or chapter. Every page is needed in developing either the romance or giving clues to the mystery murderer. Not only that but I like how the fact that Gwen wasn't only a paranormal creature but also a teenager didn't get lost in the book. The things any other average teenager would go through, Gwen also has to deal with. 

Overall, I loved this book. It took me right out of my reading slump within a day. Everything intermingled great. It wasn't one of those books where there's action, then wait there's a little romance randomly added, then back to the action. The action and the romance mended nicely which made the book flow perfectly. I really enjoyed this book and was very satisfied with the ending. Though I wouldn't mind a little more Pooka, Kitsune action maybe in a sequel...wishful thinking! 

Recommendations: I recommend this book to all romance and paranormal fanatics. Also if you interesting in adding another paranormal to vampire and werewolf list of favorites, definitely give this book a try!


Overall: 9/10 

Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 10/10 
Entertainment: 9/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 9/10