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Book Review: The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman & Giveaway (US only)

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I’ve always been a fan of the supernatural and people with other worldly abilities and even more so when it involves young people. Pair that up with a character that can communicate with animals and I’m hooked. The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman is one such novel and I really enjoyed it! It’s a young adult novel that can be easily enjoyed by an adult as I can attest to and it will take you into the world of clairvoyants, truth seekers, those who can move objects, etc., and all the dangers that lurk when evil people get a little too power hungry.

Fifteen-year-old Claire is part of a world where the people around her possess extraordinary talents as I’ve mentioned above; that is everyone but her. Both her brother and younger sister as well as her parents have their own talents and Claire has always felt like the odd ball since she is quite ordinary with no talent whatsoever. Well maybe that’s not quite true since she has always been able to hear what animals are thinking – mostly if they are hungry or thirsty. Since her parents used to make such a big deal of it she started lying years ago saying that she could no longer hear animals. It seems her parents were very relieved. They even put her in a normal high school while her siblings attend the Cambial Academy; a boarding school for exceptional children. That is until she gets in trouble and they decide she’s better off at the boarding school where they are employed and can keep a better eye on her. Little do they know that this will be the catalyst to bringing about a long buried prophecy involving their daughter Claire.

As far as the students know Claire is just a plain old normal girl and really she thinks she is too. Hearing animals isn’t anything amazing considering what everyone else can do. However she finds that she makes friends at Cambial and she’s actually happy. Then some of the kids with the most exceptional abilities begin to disappear and at home things are weird too. There’s a lot of whispering going on and things being hidden in a big hurry when Claire appears and her parents certainly don’t want to answer any of her questions. When her parents leave to investigate the disappearances Claire and her friends decide to do some investigating of their own and that’s when the floor drops out from under them and the real adventure begins. At the same time Claire learns of the prophecy and it terrifies her to her core but she knows that she will do anything and everything to protect her family and her new friends.

This was a great story. It’s a light and easy read and one of those where the pages seem to fly by and before you know it the end of the book has come. Claire was a likeable character who showed a lot of spunk and bravery and I loved the way she was able to communicate with animals. What I wouldn’t give to have that gift and be able to talk to my Sammy! I also adored her little sister Charlotte who could, among other things, talk to and see ghosts. Of course there is a bit of romance in the novel between Claire and a boy and it’s real sweet. All in all this was just a really good read for me and one I’d recommend to anyone who loves the supernatural!

I read The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman for her book tour with TLC Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops to see what everyone else is saying. You can learn more about Erin on her website and find her on Facebook as well. Your own copy of The Exceptionals can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one copy of The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman to share with my US readers only.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US residents only ((no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, June 9/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by the Publisher via TLC Book Tours. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  2. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing the book Darlene! I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Charlotte was one of my favorite characters, too. In the first draft she was quite boring. She really came to life during the edits, once she became a big tattle-tale!

    Vivienne, if you can’t find the book in the UK, the Book Depository has free world wide shipping -I used them to send some to my relatives in England and Ireland.

    Erin

  4. This sounds great, like something my daughter and I would enjoy together this summer.

    I follow via GFC

  5. I hope you and your daughter like it! It’s wonderful that you read together. I enjoy reading books with my son and daughter, too.

    Erin

  10. I love the sound of this book, it reminds me of some of the classics of the genre. The cover is great too, kind of a retro look. Please put my name in for an entry.

  13. I’m so glad you like the cover, Earl! The artist, Richard Tushman, is incredible – he’s won several awards. I love it, too.

    Erin

  14. I’m looking forward to reading this book, it’ssuch an interesting premise.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  18. I love the sound of this one! What an original concept, and the characters all seem to have a lot of growth to go through.

    Thanks for the great review:) And thank you for the giveaway:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  21. I also have an open mind and like supernatural stories. This sounds like a real gem. Excellent review Darlene. thanks for bringing it to my attention.

    +1
    +2 follower

  22. You know, it’s not so far fetched for some of us to seem to hear what our animals are thinking, so this book really interests me. I know that it was probably a great read for you, seeing as you seem to know Sammy pretty well! Fantastic review, Dar! I would love to read this one with my daughter, who is another huge animal lover. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    zibilee@figearo.net

  25. Sometimes it really does seem like we can tell what our pets are thinking, doesn’t it, Zibilee. The dog in the book is based on my dog, Riley, and the nasty cat Tabby is based on my cat growing up, Muffin. He only liked me and my sister. He was mean to everyone else, and tortured the poor dog next door!

    I’m glad the book sounds interesting to so many of you. I wish you all could win it!

    Erin

  26. I would love to talk to Romeo too!! But I suspect his thoughts might be simply “More cheese. Less walks. Belly rubs good.”

  27. This just happens to be my favorite genre. To me there is nothing better than a great YA paranormal to sit down and get wrapped up in. The rest of the world has to just keep revolving around without my input until I’ve finished whatever world that I’ve moved into until I’m finished reading. Thanks soooo much for the giveaway of this awesome sounding book. I’m a follower and here’s the tweet.https://twitter.com/Dyniy/status/207342893621460992

  30. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/intent/tweet/complete?latest_status_id=207616886924525569&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fbook-review-the-exceptionals-by-erin-cashman-giveaway-us-only.html&shortened_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fbook-review-the-exceptionals-by-erin-cashman-giveaway-us-only.html&source=tweetbutton&text=Book+Review%3A++The+Exceptionals+by+Erin+Cashman+%26+Giveaway+%28US+only%29&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fbook-review-the-exceptionals-by-erin-cashman-giveaway-us-only.html

  32. Could you imagine being able to talk to animals-I’m sure my own pets would have a lot to say!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  35. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  41. You know you have me sold on anything with dogs Darlene, (or horses or maybe cats…)!

    I would like a chance on this book, it sounds interesting.
    I also follow you email.

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  42. Carla, there is a dog, a cat, two hawks, a fox and a turtle in The Exceptionals – no horse. But I will warn you -the cat isn’t very nice!

    Good luck on the giveaway!

  44. Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!