Book Review: Half Bad

Half Bad

By: Sally Green

Published By: Viking Juvenile

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Page Count: 380

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy, Magical Realism

Half Bad was a lot more engaging than I expected it to be. From reading the blurb, I expected a run of the mill tale of a boy search to figure out who he is - a good witch or a bad witch. This was the basic premise of the book, but there were a lot of thought-provoking Nature vs Nurture moments. 

 Nathan is treated horrendously by his white witch community. They call themselves the good guys, but honestly, with friends like that, who needs enemies?! He is shunned his entire life, by almost everyone - bullied, and even tortured by some. He is increasingly persecuted by the white witch governing body, and he finds himself imprisoned in a cage as the book begins. His recaps of failed escape attempts and how he came to be there were a little heart breaking. 

I liked Nathan a lot. He is very matter of fact and kind of funny with it; I was really rooting for him throughout the story. He comes to terms with who he is, and what he is prepared to do in a very independent style, and his decisions are mature. 

 I really enjoyed the style of writing in Half Bad. It felt very fresh, and brought a new perspective into a genre which had, for me at least, been feeling increasingly 'done' for a while now. This is one paranormal book which you won't be sorry to read.

Summary:

Half Bad by Sally Green is a breathtaking debut novel about one boy's struggle for survival in a hidden society of witches.

You can't read, can't write, but you heal fast, even for a witch.

You get sick if you stay indoors after dark.

You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one.

You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen.

All you've got to do is escape and find...