Rain By Kieryn Nicolas - Review

When Kieryn Nicolas first emailed me about the possibility of reviewing Rain, I was skeptical, a 14 year old, pen in hand writing a novel? The thought seemed crazy to me, I myself have an 11 year old, and I can't imagine, though I love her dearly and believe she is extremely smart, that she could publish a novel, there's so many intricate details about telling a good story, I think she would miss being so young.

Though I was skeptical, I emailed Kieryn and agreed, I had to see what this book was all about...and I admit, I was wrong to be skeptical! Kieryn nailed it – being young I think played into her hands, literally. Think about it, Kieryn has something that most young adult authors have to remember, youth. She's in the thick of what being a teen today is like, every single day. She hears there conversations, knows what's most important to the girls and most of all knows exactly what it feels like – she's living it, she does not have to try to “remember” it.

Synopsis via goodreads:
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS-
LOCATION:
-Rochester, New York to Brisbane, Australia
ISSUED TO:
-Mel: tough 15-year-old female spy
ASSETS AND PERSONNEL:
-Thomas Syme [known as: Shadow]: principal of Watson Institute and Mel’s guardian
-Ray: meteorology prodigy and Mel’s best friend
-Caidy: jealous student who may know more than she’s letting on
-Bonnie Robar: Ray’s mom, also a meteorologist, whose whereabouts are unknown and who may have left behind a project with dangerous potential
MISSION:
-Follow the trail of stolen birth certificates (including Ray’s) which uncovers a plot that involves more than anyone had anticipated. 

Intriguing mystery – Check
Little love – Check
Loveable characters – Check
Entertaining plot – Check

As you can see, Rain has a lot going for it, the mysteries surrounding Mel and Ray had me going. Though most of the time, I feel like I am pretty astute while reading, this one had me wondering from page one – I could NOT figure it out, until Mel started putting 2 and 2 together and started coming up with 4 – I felt as lost as she did.

The plot was something totally different from most of the novels I usually read, it's plagued with an original mystery, which spanned the globe. The characters are totally loveable, and while I did get a bit bogged down in the middle of the novel, I felt an intense desire to read on, to figure out the mysteries. I also felt like, if I were a teen again, the middle would have not have been weighed down so much – if that makes sense!

The ending, more than made up for the middle slowness, it's one of those endings that hits you over the head, and say's HERES the answers you have been looking for...it's a sweet, happy ending that left me with that “sunshine and lollipops” feeling – if you know what I mean!

Bottom Line – I am HIGHLY impressed that this novel came from a 14 year old author, not only is the plot extremely expansive, with a mystery that totally kept me in suspense, but the characters are highly engaging, while being normal “teens” and the sweet love story, is adorable – love, the puppy dog love! Kieryn Nicolas is going places, this young lady is truly amazing, with a gift of story telling as well as the gift of characterization, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! I give Rain 4 mushrooms, and can't wait for more from Kieryn! (I also can't wait to meet her at the upcoming PAYA!)

Buy, Borrow or Steal? I wanted to mention, the synopsis I feel is a bit misleading, BUT to tell you more would be to tell you to much...so I will just say if you like a sweet story, with a bit of mystery Rain is a wonderful book to pick up!

Rain
By: Kieryn Nicolas
358 Pages
Published: April 23, 2010
Publisher: Quake
Received via Kieryn Nicolas for my honest review. Thank you!