Book Review: Pale by Chris Wooding

"An unfortunately disappointing story..."

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Publication Date: September 2012
Publisher: Stoke Books
Pages: 72
Series: no
Acquisition: I received a free e-galley for review from NetGalley

Summary:

The Lazurus Serum can bring you back from the dead - but when you come back you've changed. You're a pale, an outcast. It's the last thing Jed wants, but an accident changes everything and Jed's forced to discover the true cost of living forever. This is a high interest level (11 and up) and a low reading level (4th grade). (from NetGalley)

My thoughts:
Not at all what I expected and I'm not sure that's a good thing. Very dark and morbid and not at all the kind of story I would give an 11 year old to read.

The beginning is brutal. Bullying from the point of view of the bully isn't something I enjoy reading. Overall I guess there was some lesson meant to be learned but the harsh nature of the characters overshadowed any good intentions the author may have had in my opinion.

Final verdict:
An easy read and a quick read. The writing and layout lends itself well to a young audience but the subject matter was a little too harsh for my liking.

Also, the story, or more importantly the lack of backstory was frustrating. No details, no real background on why the Lazaurs Serum was created or who's in control of it and why.

An unfortunately disappointing story and overall, not one I would recommend to young readers.

Overall Rating:

2 / 5 Stars

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound