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

May 23, 2012 by Darlene

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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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. vivienne says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:50 am

    OMG! I have to have this book! It is just my kind of thing. I wonder if it has a UK publication date.

  2. Erin Cashman says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:22 am

    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

  3. Rachel W. says

    May 23, 2012 at 7:24 am

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  4. dogwood says

    May 23, 2012 at 8:54 am

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

    I follow via GFC

  5. Erin Cashman says

    May 23, 2012 at 9:10 am

    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

  6. Bethie says

    May 23, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  7. bn100 says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:06 am

    This book sounds good.

  8. Ellie says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:06 am

    This book sounds incredible. Many thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  9. bn100 says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:07 am

    I follow the blog.

  10. Carl says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:18 am

    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.

  11. Carl says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:18 am

    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

  12. Carl says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I tweeted this blog post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/205332231168864256

  13. Erin Cashman says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:25 am

    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. mamabunny13 says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:26 am

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

  15. mamabunny13 says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:26 am

    I follow via gfc – mamabuny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  16. mamabunny13 says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:27 am

    tweet https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/205349246604541953
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  17. Janine says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:59 am

    This book sounds lovely! I can’t wait to curl up with it…maybe I’ll win it?? I follow this blog through email. Thanks!

    *************
    Do you believe in ghosts?
    http://mylostghost.blogspot.com/

  18. Christina Kit. says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    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

  19. Christina Kit. says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    I follow your blog on Networked Blogs Christina Rita Condomaros

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  20. Christina Kit. says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    I tweeted https://twitter.com/christinafiorio/status/205374949232357376

    Thanks so much:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  21. Jennygirl says

    May 24, 2012 at 8:11 am

    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. zibilee says

    May 24, 2012 at 11:20 am

    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

  23. Amy G says

    May 24, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    The book sounds interesting to read. Would love to read about Claire, her family, and others with supernatural powers.

    Following you on GFC: Amy G
    Tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/WhereIsLove143/status/205825896488243201

  24. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    May 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    “light and easy” and “sweet” definitely make for a great combination in this case. Thanks for being on the tour!

  25. Erin Cashman says

    May 25, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    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. Jenners says

    May 25, 2012 at 6:33 pm

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

  27. Diane B. says

    May 28, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    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

  28. Lisa Garrett says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    I love books about the supernatural.

  29. Lisa Garrett says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    I follow via email, GFC, and networked blogs.

  30. Lisa Garrett says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    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

  31. Lisa Garrett says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/207616886924525569

  32. pamela james says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:52 am

    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

  33. pamela james says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:52 am

    subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  34. pamela james says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:53 am

    https://twitter.com/pj436/status/208602136618074112

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  35. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  36. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  37. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  38. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/208744766370889728

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  39. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/208744766370889728

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  40. Nancye Davis says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/208744766370889728

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #3

  41. Carla says

    June 8, 2012 at 10:59 am

    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. Erin Cashman says

    June 8, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    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!

  43. Maureen says

    June 8, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    It looks like a great story.
    I follow on GFC
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/211209327892111361

  44. Suz Reads says

    June 10, 2012 at 2:27 pm

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

  45. Suz Reads says

    June 10, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Follow by e-mail!

  46. Suz Reads says

    June 10, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/SuzReads/status/211917371252801540

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