Review: Entangled by Nikki Jefford

2 October, 2012 Reviews 27 comments

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Entangled by Nikki JeffordEntangled by Nikki Jefford
Series: Spellbound #1
Published by Self-Published on February 20th 2012
Pages: 303
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Amazon Good BooksBook Depository
Goodreads
two-stars

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

***Entangled is a young adult paranormal fantasy romance suitable for ages 15 and up.***

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s this.  When there’s a reasonably professional, respectful self-published whose book I just don’t jive with.

The concept is pretty cool.  One twin dies and then her mother performs illicit black magic to bring her back.  Problem? She has to share her twin’s body like a time share thing. Awesome, right?

And it’s not like the writing is necessarily bad.  The novel’s been reasonably well edited and clearly Jefford has put a lot of effort into providing a professional product to her readers.  I think this is a great credit to her.

But my problem with the book came from the inexplicable actions of the characters.  They acted outside the realm where you would think sense and reason exist.  Their response to stress and stimuli were just foreign and completely alien to me.  There was this great divide between the events of the novel, and the response of the characters.

For example, Graylee and Charlene are the twins sisters and it’s quite clear from the beginning of the novel that Charlene is a selfish horror-cow of epic proportions.  When Charlene’s boyfriend leaves her for Stacey, Graylee and her mother reasonably believe that Charlene will hurt Stacey.  Like just straight up murder her.  There is an amazing lack of response to this from either of them.  Just stop imagine if your sibling or child was honestly someone you believe would murder another girl over something as stupid as a highschool boyfriend.  Just look at whatever family member is closest to you and wonder what your reaction would be if you genuinely thought they could just murder the hell out of someone.

Just the nonplussed reaction by either of them to this fact is one of many baffling character decisions in this book.  Raj is another one.  Why does he suddenly like Graylee?  Why is Graylee terrified of him?  Why is she very suddenly not terrified of him?  What is it with Graylee’s complete and utter reaction to her own death?  There is no chemistry between these characters because I couldn’t, for a moment, think up a single thing they actually had in common – other than both like an invisibility spell.

I found everyone in this book almost completely lacking reasonable motivation.  They just seemed really cardboard and did things without genuine incentive.

The plot was, similarly, overwrought with ridiculousness.  On the plus side, I finished the book and it wasn’t a horrible read.  Many people will probably enjoy this book a lot if they’re into that sort of thing. I personally need a stronger, tighter storyline, plot and characters.

For Spoilers:

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Kat Kennedy

Kat Kennedy

Co-blogger at Cuddlebuggery
Kat Kennedy is a book reviewer and aspiring author in the Young Adult genre. She reviews critically but humorously and get super excited about great books. Find her on GoodReads.
Kat Kennedy

27 Responses to “Review: Entangled by Nikki Jefford”

  1. IoanaStefania

    Damn. I was looking forward to this book because, I thought, the blurb sounded interesting enough. Just got approved for it on Netgalley and was going to start reading any day now. Meh, this sucks then. Great review though. I totally get where you’re coming from, this lack of response ( and it’s not the first book I’ve read with characters like these ) dumbfounds me. Have you read Ever by Jessa Russo? Yeah.

    • KatKennedy

      @IoanaStefania Nope!  Should I read it?  Maybe try reading Entangled anyway and see what you think.  You might disagree with me!

      • IoanaStefania

        @KatKennedy Ohh, no. I agree with your review 110%, it was so incredibly stupid and ridiculous. Let’s forget about Charlene for a second, what was up with Gray’s manic streak? That girl was all about shoelaces and strangulation. 
        And, no, you shouldn’t lol. I’m positive you’d eye-roll yourself to death reading Ever and that’s something I dont wish on anyone. 🙂

  2. Ebony

    Oh my lord. I’m going to have to come to terms with the name Graylee Perez before I even consider reading this. 

  3. SamanthaCitron

    Oh, its too bad, I really liked this book and the sequel! Although, I have to admit I am quite oblivious to plot and character inconsistencies.  I guess I’m just a very gullible person and just accept everything as it comes! But your review is hilarious (as usual), I guess it is strange that there are so many crazy people in this book! oops, guess I will pay better attention next time around!

    • KatKennedy

      @SamanthaCitron Nah!  Different people get different things out of books!  I, for one, and really glad you enjoyed it!

      • SamanthaCitron

        @KatKennedy yea don’t go near the sequel…I think the original Graylee comes back (like materializes out of thin air) and complicates Raj and Stacys (aka Grays) relationship.  So uh yea, the next book has 2 Grays and a Charlene LOL!
         
        But yea, like i said, i liked it lol 🙂

  4. cynicalsapphire

    Ugh, I had no interest in this because I find the cover upsetting. Looks like my cover consciousness paid off this time.
     
    Also, even if you weren’t concerned about her murdering him for her own sake, wouldn’t you, as the other half of the body time share, worry about it, because you would get arrested right along with her?
     
    We all know there’s not only one thing you hate. 😉

    • KatKennedy

      @cynicalsapphire LOL.  Yeah, the reaction really got to me.  This was just SUCH a nonissue for them!

  5. Tinasbkreviews

    I just did an Indie review for Lengths and had the same type of reaction, good writing but annoying characters…..Im not sure I could get through this one if the characters are dumb butts, but I did get through your review and that was fun…..:D

  6. Sarah saz101

    Uuuuuuugh.
     
    This sounds like… uh… a mess. And It sucks, becauuse… I mean, like you said, a well presented self-pub 🙁
    *sigh*
     
    I mean, honestly? The concept sounds INTRIGUING, but characters who make me want to MURDER? I has enough of them already :/

    • KatKennedy

      Are these the characters in your head? 😉 Yeah, it is a shame but – that’s life, I guess. or c’est la vie but I wasn’t confident that I’d spell that right.

  7. AnimeGirlAlex

    I find the whole sharing body a little creepy to be honest. 
    So I would probably pass on this for that alone, but what you describe doesn’t change my opinion much. Thanks for the honest review.

  8. Addie R

    Ughh characters like that annoy the hell out of me. I’m still curious enough to read it though because of the interesting concept.
    Nice review Kat. 🙂

  9. christinashoe

    Honestly, it sounds like the characters are lifeless objects that move around and do things. I don’t think I’ll be reading this.

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