Kimberly Vargas

A fairly simple novel about a girl needing to find herself. The setting is New Orleans, where all things magical and mysterious converge.

I have never been to New Orleans but what I like about the book is the author was able to convey southern living through her words. I was easily able to visualize Veronica's "second home".

As for the protagonist Veronica, I tried to empathize with her because of her cruel uncle but I just couldn't quite get that feeling going. At one point Dr. Landy calls her out and says (in my own words) that some unfortunate individual could have used the scholarship Veronica was on, as she, a multi-millionaire, was more than able to afford her own tuition. I totally agreed with him.

Ms. Vargas created characters that were well thought out and extremely life-like, eliciting different emotions in me while I was reading the book. That's good writing for you!

Alas, I did find some grammatical errors and to my knowledge this was not an ARC.

I only gave the book 3 stars because although I did enjoy it I just found it kind of 'bland'. Veronica (nee Mary) doesn't really go through any monumental adventures (although her relationship with Branden does contain most of her highlights), just ordinary young adult high-jinks and mistakes.… (more)