Review: Jenny Pox by J. L. Bryan

Series: The Paranormals #1
Release Date: Nov. 9, 2010
Publisher: J. L. Bryan
Reading Level: Recommended for readers 16 and older
Pages: 292
Type: E~book
Source: the author
Author Information:
Website


Jenny has a secret. Her touch spreads a supernatural plague. She devotes her life to avoiding contact with people, until her senior year of high school, when she meets the one boy she can touch, and she falls in love.

But there's a problem-- he's under the spell of his devious girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all. Now Jenny must learn to use the deadly "Jenny Pox" she's fought her entire life to hide, or be destroyed by Ashleigh's ruthless plans

-- Goodreads Description



This book pulled me in right from the beginning. It starts off by describing a girl, who is no older then a toddler, playing with a deadly rattle snake. Yes you read that right a rattle snake. But get this, the little girl, crawling around on the ground to find the funny rattle noise, is more dangerous then a venomous snake. Her touch causes blisters and pustules to break out over the skin. So she grows up not being able to touch anyone. Even her father has to cover himself head to toe in order to hold his daughter.

Jenny tries her best to go through life avoiding people, so not to infect her plague on them. So she seems a bit weird sitting all alone at school, never talking to anyone or going near people. That makes her the perfect target for Ashleigh and her gang of witches (Replace the w with a capital B). Jenny and Ashleigh get into a fight, Ashleigh comes away with some gross blisters on her face and Jenny with a new nickname "Jenny Pox." From then on Jenny and Ashleigh are enemies, and things between them become even worse when Jenny and Ashleigh’s boy toy Seth fall in love.

Seth ends up being the one person Jenny can touch and not infect. This is because Seth has the power of healing in his touch. As Jenny's and Seth relationship grows, Jenny's world begins to brighten. At the same time Ashleigh's plans for them and the town begin to darken. Its an epic mixture of drama, suspense, and love.

My heart has a special place for Jenny. I am an affectionate person myself, and couldn't imagine how it felt to grow up not being able to touch anyone. Also how she stays such a sweet girl, and doesn't become a bitter person is beyond me. Yes, she gets mad and angry at times, especially when it comes to Ashleigh, but she never attacks anyone or use her gift one them. (Well except for that one time with Ashleigh) And yes I said gift and not curse because though her power is gross and gruesome she has to have it for a reason.

Seth! all I want to say about him is he is super sweet and super sexy.

Ashleigh on the other hand.... I have never hated a fictional character more in my life. I am a very sweet person at heart, and don't like hurting anyone, but Ashleigh made my blood boil. J. L. Bryan defiantly created a top villain. What makes hating Ashleigh even easier is her touch spreads love. How ironic is that? The one that has no love in her heart spreads it to others.

This was a really great read, and it defiantly brought out emotions in me. Those are the books I love the most, the ones that effect you on a chemical and physical level.

Overall Rating = A+


This book is a part of a trilogy. The other two books are available now, and the reviews will be up soon.

While Fallen Oak recovers from the Jenny pox, someone new is hunting Jenny.

Like Jenny, Ashleigh Goodling belonged to a pair of opposites with powers that mirror each other.

Now Jenny and Seth must face the opposite of love...

-- Goodreads Description

While Seth searches for Jenny, Dr. Heather Reynard of the CDC unravels Seth and Jenny's secrets.

Alexander opens Jenny's mind to her deep past, and to the full horrific extent of her powers.

Torn between her feelings for Alexander and Seth, and between her past lives and her present, Jenny must prepare to face her enemies in the final, catastrophic battle.

-- Goodreads Description