Half Bad

#1 Half Life Trilogy

Sally Green

$22.99

Paperback

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English

Penguin
03 March 2014

Fantasy; Fantasy & magical realism (Children's&YA); Urban Fantasy; Young Adult Fantasy; Dark and Gritty; Young Adult Fantasy

Series: Half Life Trilogy

GALAXY BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Nathan is a witch, born from a long line of witches but where Nathan's story differs to his brethren is that he is the only half white/half black 'mixed breed' witch on the scene. Begot of a charming white witch Mother and a dangerous black warlock Father, Nathan has lived his entire life knowing neither of them and facing persecution from both sides - I mean this kid has had it ROUGH.

When the story starts we know as little about his heritage as he does and we share in his horror and pain as he grows, learning the dark secrets of his past and the hatred of a society that is to be his future. I really enjoyed getting to know this character, and while life has genuinely been tough on him he just keeps going, getting through it a day at a time and I applaud this kind of storytelling - its raw and uncomfortable with not a hint of sugar coating making it stand out amongst the YA "overcoming adversity while crushing on a really hot guy" realm. That’s not to say the love interest doesn't occur but is only a small element of the tale and takes a back seat in the plot, even throwing in an occasional curve ball to keep you guessing.

Even though I can't see Nathan's situation improving any in the next instalment I'm looking forward to getting back into the action!

I give this book 3 out of 5 Dragons. ~ Amber

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A breathtaking debut novel about one boy's struggle for survival in a hidden society of witches. You can't read, can't write, but you heal fast, even for a witch. You get sick if you stay indoors after dark. You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one. You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen. All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys. And do that before your seventeenth birthday. Easy.

By: Sally Green
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 287g
ISBN: 9780141350868
ISBN 10: 0141350865
Series: Half Life Trilogy
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 03 March 2014
Recommended Age: From 12 to 16 years
Audience: Young adult , Preschool (0-5)
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Half Bad (#1 Half Life Trilogy)

A book about witches with no owls and not a pair of round spectacles in sight. The new Hunger Games,I suspect... Brilliant and utterly compelling - I loved it. * Kate Atkinson, author of Life after Life and Behind the Scenes of the Museum * Teens rejoice: the inheritor to Stephenie Meyer's crown has arrived. * Fiona Wilson, The Times * Edgy, arresting and brilliantly written, Half Bad grips you from the first page and doesn't let go. * Michael Grant, author of Gone * A brilliant debut that is both deeply unique and unsettling, one that chilled me to the bone and broke my heart even as I sped through its pages. This will haunt you. * Marie Lu, author of Legend * Take our word for it, this book is going to be huge. * Stylist * Brilliantly paced with more than a few nasty surprises, Half Bad is a wickedly addictive read that will capture the imagination of any fan of YA fiction. * Starburst * Not since the Harry Potter books - yes, I said it! - have I felt so fully immersed in an author's creation... I couldn't be more stoked over Half Bad, and this launch novel of a trilogy truly deserves all the hype surrounding it - and much more... * Amanda Hurley, Inkwood Books *