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Extraordinary

September 29, 2010 by Jennifer

Apparently there’s a whole world of faerie culture and lore out there. I had not heard a thing about it until I read The Iron King. I was glad I had that thorough background when I read Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin. It’s all there — glamour, truth, good versus evil, decay.

This story feels different from other fantasy books I’ve read. Werlin does not spend a lot of time explaining the faerie culture, and so it just seems to be a different setting — like New York or Regency England or a private boarding school.

When you are a teenage girl, there’s nothing that affects you more than your friendships. Well, maybe boys. . . .

Extraordinary follows two girls, Phoebe and Mallory, from the time that Phoebe first reaches out to Mallory the new girl when they are in middle school. We quickly fast-forward to their senior year in high school. Things have changed. The balance of their friendship is different, their relationship is different, and when Mallory’s older brother suddenly shows up, things become even more complicated.

I love stories of friendship and choices, and when I heard that Werlin was inspired to write this story by the musical Wicked, and specifically the song “For Good,” I knew I had to read it.

Extraordinary also features a Jewish protagonist, which I don’t come across that often in literature (and the theme becomes relevant to the rest of the story as well).

Content Note: This is a fairly tame YA offering. There was no profanity that I remembered or drinking or drugs. There was a mention of sexual activity, but it was in the context of someone who couldn’t go through with it.

We have a copy to give away to one of you! Please leave a comment if you’d like to win this for yourself or your favorite teen. The giveaway is closed.

We’ll announce the winner on October 13.

  • The winner of the book E is for Ethics is #2, Cheryl. Congrats!

Check out our current giveaways, subscribe to our feed, and/or follow us @5M4B on Twitter.

Jennifer Donovan isn’t sure if she’d classify herself (or her blog Snapshot) as Extraordinary, but Ordinary doesn’t quite fit either.

Filed Under: 12 and up, High School, Jennifer, Young Adult

« Vanishing and Other Stories
What I Thought I Knew »

Comments

  1. ibeeeg says

    September 29, 2010 at 12:06 am

    ooo…this looks like a good read; one that I would like, and one that my girls would like.

    You did not know there was faerie lore? Where have you been Jennifer? 😀 My 11 year old loves fantasy reads, and faerie lore is a favorite which is featured in Artemis Fowl books, and The Rebel Hunter series…favorites of hers. It is a nice change to all the paranormal stuff that is out there.

    Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

    • Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books) says

      September 29, 2010 at 6:02 am

      I know! Like I said, all the info in The Iron King seemed new and original to me — glamour and the like — but it’s consistent across the genre apparently!

  2. Donna S says

    September 29, 2010 at 12:43 am

    Sounds good. Thanks for the chance!

  3. Kristina Barnes says

    September 29, 2010 at 12:58 am

    Oh my gosh, I’ve wanted this one since I’ve seen good reviews popping up like candy everywhere! I’d love to be entered to win! 🙂

    angelmistress[at]hotmail[dot]com

  4. Jessi E. says

    September 29, 2010 at 7:37 am

    I’d love to win this for myself and my students! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jessi
    jlelliott08 AT gmail DOT com

  5. Amy says

    September 29, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I would love to win this book – I’m really interested in giving it a read. amy.mckie[at]gmail.com

  6. Katie Schroeder says

    September 29, 2010 at 10:43 am

    Sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity!

  7. Eva SB says

    September 29, 2010 at 11:50 am

    This sounds like a great film for a mother/daughter read.

  8. Eva SB says

    September 29, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Film???? Sorry I’m too tired. Obviously I meant book :0)

  9. Inspired Kathy says

    September 29, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    I’d love to win this! It’s on my to read list.

  10. Jen E says

    September 29, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    This sounds like a good one!

  11. Moridin says

    September 29, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    This sounds like a book I’d like to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

  12. Ladytink_534 says

    September 29, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    I just adore faeries! Please enter me!!

  13. Barb says

    September 29, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Hm…the last book I was was fantastic for my son. Maybe this one for my daughter? LOL. Sounds great.

  14. Benita says

    September 29, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    I’d love to read this. Please count me in.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  15. katklaw777 says

    September 29, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Fairie lore is fascinating and we’d luv to read this one, thanks.

  16. Christina says

    September 29, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    This would be great for my middle niece – it has all her favorite elements. Thanks for the giveaway–

  17. Jessica T says

    September 29, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    This sounds great! Thanks!

  18. Marj M. says

    September 29, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    I would like to read this and pass it on.

  19. Carolyn says

    September 29, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    Love this! Thanks for the chance!

  20. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    September 29, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Inspired by Wicked?? I have to read it too!! Thanks for the chance to win!

  21. tennille says

    September 29, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    looks like a good won(I mean one!)

  22. Tori says

    September 29, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Would love to win this!!!

  23. riTa says

    September 30, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    I would love to win this for my favorite teen granddaughter!

  24. Wanda says

    September 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    I would very much like to be included in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. Anita Yancey says

    September 30, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    Sounds like an interesting book, one I would enjoy reading. Please enter me. Thanks!

  26. Beth C says

    September 30, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    I would like to read this book myself. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  27. Stephanie says

    September 30, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    I love fantasy books! This sounds like a great one! Thanks 🙂

  28. aimymichelle says

    October 1, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    sounds good

  29. Jody says

    October 1, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    This sounds like a great book and one my niece would enjoy as well.

  30. Connie Black says

    October 1, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    Even though my daughter is only 11 (going on 15) I would love to win this book for her.

  31. Upstatemomof3 says

    October 1, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    Oh this sounds very intriguing. I love friendship and other relationship based stories.

  32. Natalia D says

    October 1, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    Nice giveaway!

  33. Page Turner (Heather) says

    October 1, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    I read Werlin’s Impossible and really liked it for a YA fantasy novel. I’d love to see what this one is all about!

  34. Susan says

    October 2, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    The cover alone makes me want to read this one. Plus, I’ve been wanting to read a book with fairies. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    safoga at gmail dot com

  35. Jan says

    October 3, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    This looks so good!!!

  36. edj says

    October 4, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Ooh! ooh! Ilsa LOVED Iron King and this would be right up her alley! I’d read it too!

    • Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books) says

      October 13, 2010 at 9:35 am

      You won!

      Iron King really did help with the faery background.

      Respond to this email with your address.

      Jennifer

      • edj says

        October 15, 2010 at 4:48 pm

        Ilsa will be THRILLED! And I can’t wait to read it too. RIght now we’re reading Terry Pratchett’s series about Tiffany Aching, beginning with “The Wee Free Men.” They’re so funny! Have you read them? I love the mac nac feegle or whatever they are. They crack me up!

  37. Sarah Horwitz says

    October 5, 2010 at 6:55 am

    I’m looking for a new fantasy author to read!

  38. Stephanie Smith says

    October 5, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    I would love to win this! It sounds very interesting!

  39. Carol Wong says

    October 5, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    I would love to win this book. I remember the beautiful cover and this sounds like an interesting book to try.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  40. Angie says

    October 6, 2010 at 11:47 am

    This might be a good book for my 16 yo daughter to read!

    Thanks!

  41. Natalia D says

    October 7, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Would like to win for my daughter.

  42. John says

    October 7, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    Would be nice book for my teen daughter, thanks!

  43. Melissa R. says

    October 12, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    I would love to win this for both myself and my stepdaughter

    giveawaymommy at yahoo.com

  44. CherylS22 says

    October 12, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    I’d love to win this book for my niece. Thanks for the chance!

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