Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Title: Impossible

Author: Nancy Werlin

Publisher: Speak

Release Date: August 16, 2009

Edition: US Paperback

First Sentence: On the evening of Lucy Scarborough’s seventh birthday, after the biggest party the neighborhood had seen since, well, Lucy’s sixth birthday, Lucy got one last unexpected gift.

Quick Blurb: Unique and captivating, Impossible shares a great contemporary young adult novel with a dash of fantasy.

 

Impossible by Nancy Werlin was based off of the Elfin Knight and sets up the main conflict of the novel. Lucy Scarborough has to fight against a curse that has loomed over the Scarborough women over the centuries. Forced to complete three impossible tasks and risk living a life of insanity, Lucy must complete these tasks before she gives birth to her unborn child.

The novel began oddly, and a bit creepy. I was initially frightened when Nancy Werlin introduced, Miranda, Lucy’s insane mother. I was terrified to the point I even had a nightmare. Werlin’s writing style is what pulled me in, and mostly discovering that this novel has a fantasy aspect roused my curiosity. However, as the story progressed I was in this state of boredom, but wanting to see what happens next. I was not attached to any of the characters and I was in an okay mood whenever I was reading. The middle was a bit unrealistic and the love story that it claims to have is passionless. It were as if Zach, the love interest, is being forced to be Lucy’s lover as they progress with her tasks. I did find the way of handling the tasks creative. They were innovative and amusing, but I still didn’t feel a tremendous pull. The ending itself wasn’t very good at all. It was much like a pathetic compromise that ended up killing one side of both parties.

The plot was very innovative and new, a book none like other. I had never heard of the Elfin Knight before and was never a fan of folklore, but this made me slightly reconsider. However, the characters were unexciting and weird, with distracting names and peculiar personalities. There was no way I can relate which led to great disappointment. However, the writing itself was profound and new. Nancy Werlin randomly switches point of views and perspectives without odd transitions, making everything mesh well together.

Impossible was a satisfactory read with a beautiful, eye catchy cover! I praise the book’s originality and Nancy Werlin’s writing style which earns the book a B-.

Beginning: 15/15 100%

Middle: 17/20 85%

Ending: 16/25 64%

Plot: 10/10 100%

Characters: 4/10 40%

Writing: 10/10 100%

Cover: 5/5 100%

Originality: 5/5 100%

OVERALL 84% B-