Review: Weird Girls by Cecy Robson

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today we have a review of debut urban fantasy author Cecy Robson's novella, the Weird Girls, the start of the Weird Girls series, which kicks off later this year with her debut novel, Sealed with a Curse. Enjoy!

Synopsis: "Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird…

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth—human and supernatural. When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region. Could this be the true home they’ve longed for? Um, not quite. After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them. Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven. And losing the battle isn’t an option.”

Genre: Urban Fantasy--novella

First Sentences: "The music pounded hard enough to shake Emme's fuzzy navel, the umbrella in Shayna's pina colada, Taran's martini, and my Corona. I'd shoved pieces of cocktail napkin into my uber sensitive ears the moment we sat. But I wasn't going complain about the eardrum-bursting music or the crowd of young men sitting across from us ogling my sisters. We were there to celebrate." What I love about this opening is how much we learn right from the start. The characters' drinks reflect their personalities and individual tastes (which we soon learn), and we know where they're at and what they're there for in just several sentences. As a reader, I immediately feel oriented in the world and I could clearly visualize the scene in my mind. The opening hooked me!

 

Brownie Points: There are three top things I love most about this novella. 1) The voice is absolutely phenomenal. Told from Celia Wird's point of view, I felt as if I were sitting down for a chat with her as she recollects this story in vivid detail. The narrative voice is laugh out loud funny and consistent throughout the story. It gives huge insight into Celia's character. 2) I love the Wird sisters. They're intriguing, fun characters who are easy to relate to. Each sister has her own individual power, her own strengths and weaknesses and I love the strong relationship between them. Celia is fiercely protective of her sisters and they have a sibling bond that's realistic and true. Their relationship was touching. 3) The narrative arc is perfect in this novella. Often when I read prequels or novellas I feel as if the story has no arc, no clear beginning, middle and end, but that's not the case with the Weird Girls. The story felt complete and left me wanting more. 

Beefs: I honestly and truly didn't have any beefs with this novella. As I reader I felt as if all my needs were satisfied. There is a clear arc, great characters, intriguing plots twists, and an awesome voice. There's not much more I could ask for.

Ending: I won't lie--I sobbed like a baby at the end of the novella. When we reach the black moment in the story, the climax where we think Celia has lost everything she loves and her whole life is crumbling to pieces, my heart broke for her. Her pain felt real and palpable, and there was nothing I could do but cry with her. I've never felt so attached to a character within such a short amount of pages. Celia is amazing and she'll steal your heart. And up until the very end, the plot left me guessing all the way through.

Recommendation and General Comments: Overall, I can't say enough great things about this novella. The Weird Girls is a page-turning, heartwarming read with characters you'll fall in love with. Cecy Robson is a debut author I will continue to read and I can't wait for the first book in the series, Sealed with a Curse. I need another dose of Weird ;-)

Because of this, I give The Weird Girls novella a rating of a full moon, the highest rating here at Nocturnal Readings.

 

 

I highly recommend this book to readers who love urban fantasy. The novella is available in only e-book format, so if you have an e-reader and love urban fantasy, I suggest you purchase this novella. It's reasonably priced and will definitely hook you into the series. If you don't have an e-reader, then read it on your computer or phone! You won't regret reading The Weird Girls novella.

 

Check back in on December 18th for a review of the first book in the series, Sealed with a Curse!