13 To Life by Shannon Delany - Review

Synopsis via goodreads:
Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

The epitome of originality, 13 To Life is like nothing I have ever read, encountered or could have conjured up in my own convoluted head. From a brash, intense characters, to beautiful epic scenes, 13 to Life is like a werewolf tale on steroids, in a purely original and amazing way!

Honestly when finishing it, the only thing I could say was, WOW; that and WHEN is the next book coming out, because, with a series like this, the only thing you can think about is what's next!

Being sick today, I decided to dive into 13 to Life, after having read some pretty amazing reviews of it, and needing something to take my mind off the horrible migraine that's still raging and the puking! 13 to Life pulled it off, I am not entirely sure how but as I read, became engaged in the story, the hammer pounded less and less in my head, and I felt myself loose the stomachache, though ever so slightly.

Weather by the intensity of the story or the characterization which is pitch perfect; somehow I was able to loose me, and become so intrenched into Jessica and Pietr's world, everything going on in my own body no longer mattered.

Each character, though there seemed to be several, held there own, as the story glided it's way into my head and heart, as a bird soaring, though the tumultuous realities that are Pietr's world. Jessica, is adorable, strong yet fierce; there are details which make her, her, that at first I found hard to understand as the secrets were reveled, however as I guided my way though even more, her decisions began to make more sense, they defined who she is, and why she's the brave, honorable soul that takes a piece of Pietr's heart, vowing never, I hope, to give it back.

One other thing I want to be sure to make note of, Jessica and Pietr, have what can only be described as a healthy relationship, one of the healthiest I have read recently. They work on getting to know one another, in a beautiful, sincere, realistic way; there exchanges left me giggling at times, but ultimately they acted as teen's with brains!

Bottom Line - 13 to Life had me GLUED to it all day, emits the puking...it's face paced, yet equally slow and gentle. With a story line that's as shocking as it is original, I have NEVER read anything like it, EVER!

Even though, you know it's about were's, I kept waiting for one to show up, it felt almost like it was never going to happen; Shannon Delany delivers secrets on top of secrets, and left the ending as wide open as the barn door, for what could possibly happen now.

13 to Life left me with one reaction and that's WOW!! With it's a face pace, unique and direct story, as well as the emotional quality to Shannon Delany's writing leads me to only one conclusion, 13 to Life is one series that I will be not so patiently waiting on reading more from, and Shannon Delany is one author that's primed for a WONDERFUL career as a writer, if 13 to Life is any indication of her talent at all. I give 13 to Life 5 mushrooms and can't WAIT to devour Secrets and Shadows!

13 To Life
By: Shannon Delany
320 Pages
Published: June 22nd
Publisher: St. Martain's Griffin
Received via my own $$ at Books A Million (a whole week early, EAK).