Thursday 25 March 2010

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Savannah Grey - Cliff McNish

BOOK BLURB:

It's a difficult time for fifteen-year-old Savannah Grey - she's settled into her latest foster placement, but her body is acting strangely. Then other strange things begin to happen: nature, it seems, is exerting an overpowering force on the world. Birds behave erratically; gusts of wind blow leaves so fiercely they seem to lure people away. And Savannah discovers she has supernatural powers. Meanwhile, she feels drawn to the new boy Reece whose life is even stranger than hers. Quickly Savannah and Reece realise that nature has a purpose for them both. For they are on course to meet the vile and evil Ocrassa, who wants to destroy the world by corrupting nature. And it wants Savannah Grey to help realise its savage intent.


REVIEW:

To be honest with you I had a number of problems trying to figure this book out. On one hand it’s a horror tale, on another it has elements of Science Fiction but perhaps the strongest thread throughout is the love story within between Savannah and Reece. It’s beautifully written, almost poetic at times. Add to this a cracking story arc, a wonderful understanding of prose and a tale that’s fascinating from the multiple viewpoints and it’s a tale that I think is perhaps McNish’s best to date.

2 comments:

Michelle said...

Okay, you got me with this one based on your review. It's exactly what I'd love to read. Thanks!

Cliff McNish said...

Hi, this is Cliff Mcnish. Really nice to read your review of SAVANNAG GREY. I notice that we share an interest in several of the same authors. Notably China Mieville, Graham Masterton (I think he's somewhat churning them out these days, but his best books are superb)and Dan Abnett, who's become a kind of god to me since I discovered him about a year ago has. Awe-inspiring.

Anyway, it's lovely to get a review from someone so knowledganbly steeped in the various genres. I suspect that a lot of readers will have trouble with SG because, as you note yourself, it is an odd mix of SF, fantasy, Horror and Romance, but I quite like odd mixes of genres myself and what can you do but follow your instincts and try to write something that feels half original and then ... well, cross your fingers ...