Book Review: Impossible

Impossible

By: Nancy Werlin

Narrated By: Emily Durante

Format: Audiobook

Published By: Brilliance Audio

Audio Length: 9 hours

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult

An ancient curse, a young girl wronged, and true love on the line - riveting from start to finish...

I read The Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin last year and really enjoyed it. Werlin has a writing style that instantly pulls me into the story. I picked up Impossible because of Werlin and I loved the cover. It's one of those I want to frame and put on my wall.

Impossible is very different from the other book I read by Werlin. The other book was more of a supernatural mystery/thriller while Impossible was more along the lines of folklore. However, this one does have the same darkness swirling through the pages. This is not a happy fairy tale - it is much more sinister. Werlin does a nice job of taking serious issues and embedding them within the mystical. Rape and teen pregnancy dominate the plot. I have to admit I wasn't expecting those aspects when I originally picked up the book. The rape scene while not graphic broke my heart; I felt so bad for Lucy and just wanted the best for her throughout the story.

I am impressed with creativity that went into this one. Werlin took the old ballad, "Scarborough Fair", and breathed new life into it with a unique twist. She adds a family curse and the fey into the mix. The plot moves forward through dark twists and turns as the curse unfolds and Lucy does everything in her power to break the cycle. I loved trying to figure out the riddles along with Lucy and Zach. This one is a must read for those who love fairy tales, romance, and a little intrigue.

Finally, I would recommend the audio version of this one. The narrator was easy to listen to and did a great job with the varying character voices. She even had to sing the ballad quite a few times and did a nice job with that. However, there were moments when her voice became so comfortable that I would zone out and miss part of the story. I would have to rewind and catch back up. Be prepared to get the ballad stuck in your head.

One Last Gripe: I didn't like what happened to Gray at all. It was so unfair.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: Lucy and Zach's attempts to break the curse

Favorite Character: Lucy

Least Favorite Character: Padraig Seeley 

Summary:

Lucy Scarborough is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child’s birth. How can Lucy succeed when all of her ancestors have tried and failed? But Lucy is the first girl who won’t be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents beside her. And she has Zach, whose strength amazes her more each day. Do they have enough love and resolve to overcome an age-old evil?

Inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this spellbinding novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intense and masterfully original tale.