Author: Sylvia Lewis
Release date: April 9 2013
Publisher: Running Press Teens
Genre: YA Paranormal Contemp Romance
Softcover: 303 pages
Summary (from book)
A Budding Touch of Flower....
Things have a way of falling apart around Ellie Miller. Literally. With a touch that rots, she keeps everyone at a distance- for others' safety as much as her own comfort.
When newcomer Nate MacPherson makes it his mission to get close to Ellie, she does her best to steer close. But as Nate reveals an unusual ability of his own, Ellie recognizes a kindred spirit who could accept her for who she is.... if she let's him.
As family secrets unravel, Ellie will have to discover the beauty within her reach in order to save the ones she loves.
Review:
Beautiful Decay is an amazing book. Ellie has an usual gift; everything she touches will eventually rot and turn to mold. Because of this, she has to wear gloves and has to change them frequently, especially when it starts to grow in the gloves.
Ellie's mom is afraid of her daughter. Whatever Ellie touches she will scrub and bleach clean it down-- her OCD. And her father--her father is never home.
Highschool is hell for Ellie, the students and teachers knows of Ellie's "condition" and tries to avoid her at all costs but in the distance will call her "Typhoid Mary".
Ellie's only friend is her online, Long Distant Best Friend, Mackenzie.
Nate MacPhereson is a new student and is immediately into Ellie and he knows about her "condition". How? Well, its because he can do something shockingly similar to her own.He tries to get close to Ellie but all she does is push him away, but in the end will start to fall for him. Like any other student, Nate has his own big and bad secrets.
When secrets are revealed about Nate, followed by an accident, Ellie and Mackenzie will try their best to save Nate and defeat the danger that follows.
What I like
*Cover: it's abstract and unique from other YA covers. The cover shows a tree and flowers with brown/yellow/and green colors all around. It gives off an earthy feel and it connects well to the story
*The unique powers of Ellie and Nate: in the novel, Nate tells Ellie of what her powers could possible be. That she is a Vivomancer. Which is the power in which someone can manipulate life and then Nate is a necromancer; a person that can manipulate death. Their powers work well together in the story. Forces that work together but are complete opposite. Though, Ellie and Nate's power together are sort of similar to Juliette's in Shatter Me by Tahreh Mafi but in so many ways different.
*Mackenzie: Ellie's only friend in the novel and they met online. Of course, Mackenzie is that friend who is supportive, funny, smart and overall a good friend even if she is 3-something states away. Oh, just you readers wait for some great surprises about her. :)
*Nate's Mom: she's a zombie. I'm serious. And no, she's not the ugly Walking Dead kind of zombie. Let's put it this way: she's a zombie with a conscious mind. Okay, its not as bad as it sounds. But, she's not a bad zombie! Don't believe me? Okay. But trust me, she's not as bad--that's only if she's super hungry and ate all the bloody raw meat. Nate's mom acts human despite her gray skin, crave for bloody meat...and is dead. But she's like a normal mother in many ways. She still cares for her son and even Ellie. You'll see.
What I didn't like:
* The instant-love/connection between Nate and Ellie. But of course, it happens.
* Ellie's mom: she's a bleach-cleaning OCD maniac. She avoids any kind of contact and conversation with Ellie but anytime she does, Mom seems as if she wants to run away from Ellie with every sinking second she speaks to her daughter. Its good that Ellie's mom is present in her life, but she's so distant and afraid of her daughter because of her ability. Hey mom, instead of being afraid of your daughter and being distant, why not try being there for your daughter and try as if you care??
*Ellie's Dad: he's just never home. That's all.
*Ellie's teachers/schoolmates: its the same with Ellie's mom. They're all afraid of Ellie because of her ability. Well...I guess Ellie has a good reason to stay away from people and vice versa because if someone has a..."condition" that could get us sick and turn everything to rotting mold...I would want to stay away too...especially if its harmful. But thank you Mackenzie for being there for Ellie! And Nate!
What I wondered/thought/was confused about:
* Grandma: Ellie's mom has told Ellie to never answer the phone if her Grandmother called. Why?
Improvements:
* I wanted Ellie to use her ability again Amber-- the popular, blond-haired blah-blah-think-she's-so-important-and-better-than-everyone-girl. Yep. But she never did. Ellie just scared the poop out of Amber. Good. Wait...was that her name?
Conclusion:
Beautiful Decay is an amazing, compelling, wonderfully written book. Ellie is a reliable, sometimes whiny (sometimes) but strong and likeable girl. Sylvia Lewis did an amazing job just for a debut novel and with the open-ending at the end of the novel, I do hope there is a sequel. It seem as if there should be!
4.6/5 Score for Beautiful Decay
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