Book Review UKYA

REVIEW: Half Bad by Sally Green

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I’ve owned a copy of Half Bad since it was released and have since wanted to read it regularly. I’m not entirely sure what was stopping me – possibly the huge buzz surrounding it – but I wish I had started to read it as soon as I bought it.

In a version of modern society, witches live among fains (humans) and there are two types of witch: black and white. The white witches outnumber the black, and the white witches are hugely prejudiced against the black. Nathan, the protagonist, is a Half Code – he’s half black witch, half white witch. In the witches’ eyes, Nathan will only ever be half black and therefore half bad.

The most striking thing about Half Bad is the beautiful way it is written. Green makes every single word matter, and there are so many different styles and techniques she uses to grip the reader. In particular, I loved the parts written in second person narrative. They really stood out!

I became so invested in Nathan’s story. The book covers a long timeline, from when Nathan is very young to him becoming a teenager. I loved this because it felt as if I was watching him grow up and the reader gets to see so many different sides to him. It was such a brilliant way to let the story flow.

I LOVED Half Bad SO MUCH and I am beyond excited to read the rest in the trilogy. I know they will be amazing!

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Regina FOo
    2 February, 2015 at 6:59 am

    I’ve just finished this book 3 days ago. I like to read about Nathan’s character development in this book but I expect to see more magical moments (like magic casting) since this is a book about witches.

    And I’m very eager to know more about Nathan’s father, Marcus, since he’s been described as the most evil Black Witch. And I hope to know more about the Black Witch society too. Hopefully I’m able to read it in Book 2 – Half Wild.
    Regina FOo recently posted…[Book Review] Half Bad by Sally GreenMy Profile

  • Reply
    Lara
    Twitter:
    3 February, 2015 at 4:43 am

    I loved this book too and I’m really glad you enjoyed it! A lot of people are put off by the fact that part of the novel is written in second person (and if I had known that before I began reading, I probably would have been too), but it was so unique and well done that I absolutely loved it!! Great review!
    Lara recently posted…January, 2015 || Happy New Year and Oh, the Guests!My Profile

  • Reply
    Charlotte @ Books and Baby etc.
    7 February, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    I LOVED this book but I read it sometime in January and I didn’t get around to reviewing it so now I feel like I won’t remember it well enough to review it properly 🙁 I really want to read the sequel though… and the novella! I must say I strongly disliked the bits in second person though, it very nearly put me off at the beginning.
    Charlotte @ Books and Baby etc. recently posted…The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. MaasMy Profile

  • Reply
    March in YA : Ones to Watch - Queen of Contemporary
    9 March, 2016 at 7:02 am

    […] Half Bad review  […]

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