Title: The FetchAuthor: Laura Whitcomb
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Pub Date: February 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Hardcover, 380 pages
Synopsis
Calder is a Fetch, a death escort, the first of his kind to step from Heaven back to Earth.The first to fall in love with a mortal girl. But when he climbs backwards out of that Death Scene, into the chaos of the Russian Revolution, he tears a wound in the ghost realm, where the spirits begin a revolution of their own.
My Thoughts
I thought the premise behind this book was original and very intriguing, but the additional description of "a supernatural romance" was a little far-fetched, until you reach the last third of the book, perhaps. Even then, I think it's a stretch to call this story a romance. Once I realized I was reading about the Romanov family and another take on the story of Anastasia I was further interested in how Whitcomb was going to spin this tale.
Unfortunately, while the premise is excellent and the characters were relatively well-painted, the story was a bit disjointed at times and often difficult to follow. This mainly occurs when Calder is experiencing occasional flashes of memories of his Earth life. One minute I was reading about his journey with Alexis and Ana, and the next I was confused as to what was going on. While Whitcomb's writing is pleasant, it just didn't hold me to the story the way I hoped it would. While Calder and his two charges had an adventure that took them literally around the world, once they reached their ultimate goal and final destination, the end of the story fell a bit flat to me. It was almost as if everything was wrapped up too quickly and too neatly. Overall, it was a good read, just not the exciting book I was hoping for.
My rating:
Other reviews of The Fetch:
Presenting Lenore ~ Look At That Book ~ The Book Muncher
Readings of a Teenage Tree ~ Sharon Loves Books and Cats
T.V. and Book Addict
Readings of a Teenage Tree ~ Sharon Loves Books and Cats
T.V. and Book Addict
If you have reviewed this book and don't see your link above, please leave a comment and I'll add your link to the list!
Posts
Aww I'm sad you didn't like it too much. I myself loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteI also reviewed it:
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/2008/12/fetch-by-laura-whitcomb.html
:D
I was pretty dissapointed in this book, I couldn't even finish reading it and I think it was partly because that whole Supernatural Romance is SO misleading. Maybe if I had gone in with a different mind set, but I just found myself not caring.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I read about half of this book and put it down (even though I'm determined to finish it one day). I definitely understand what you mean in your review, though.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sounded like it had a lot more potential then it put out. I still might try it out though. I love the premise and the cover is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRobin - Thanks for the link, you're added!
ReplyDeleteTo all ~ Yeah, I mean honestly it wasn't a bad book, it's just that I've read so many "wow" (to me) books lately that this one really fell flat. Maybe if I'd been in a reading slump I would have felt a little differently, I don't know... I wanted to love it but it didn't happen.
I hate when you have high expectations for a book and they fall flat. It's one of the reasons I didn't read Twilight or Harry Potter for so long. Such hype, I knew I would be disappointed!!
ReplyDeleteStill, it sounds like it would be really good. Nice review!
I just hate it when I have great expectations towards a book, when the plot seems really awesome and has a lot of potential but then you finished reading and all you're left with is...potential. That's it. But at least your review was really nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. I was looking forward to reading this as I love A Certain Slant of Light. I might not bother now.
ReplyDeleteI'm another who's started but not finished. But I hope to try again!
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of this, but haven't started it yet. I'm glad to know not to expect a "supernatural romance."
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad this one wasn't all you had expected. I had kind of had my eye on this one.
ReplyDeleteWell, for those of you interested in giving it a shot, I'll probably do a giveaway for my copy at some point this summer, I'm trying to gather together some books to send along to new homes... So keep a lookout for it!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this wasn't what you were hoping :(
ReplyDeleteI was really into the description, but got it from the library and read about half, then it was due back before I could finish. I'm not desperate to find out what happens so I'm a little disappointed too.