Manifest by Artist C Arthur

Title: Manifest

Author: Artist C. Arthur

Genre: YA

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers Date: Aug 1, 2010

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Kimani

ISBN: 037383196X

FTC Disclosure: PBS

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener - and everything she'd ever want - except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door - Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

I don’t like a book where most of the teen’s angst is due to a parent not telling them the whole story or keeping it from them for the teen’s sake. In fact I don’t like it in an adult book either.  That said, I did enjoy the storyline. It’s nice to see a paranormal that deals with other traits than those of a vamp or shifter.

I didn’t like the character of Krystal in the beginning as she was the “typical” 15 year old, moody, whiny and a brat. However, as she settled more into her new school and made friends with others who had the same mysterious “M” mark on them, it was enlightening to see her come to care about others as they try to solve the mystery of Ricky’s death. I loved seeing her deal with her ability to talk to the dead but was disappointed that she didn’t seem to be inclined to go to her mom or the police about the strange texts she got. She and the other Misfits begin to understand a bit more about their powers as they solve the mystery. I think this new type of paranormal will be a hit with the teens as what teenager hasn’t felt they were a misfit at some time in their life. Can’t wait to read more in this series as I suspect there may be other Misfits who do not use their power for good but for evil purposes.

Misfits

1. Manifest (2010)