BR - The Replacement By Brenna Yovanoff



Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 2011) 
Genre: Young Adult Source: Publishers 

Rating; 


The air was to thick to breathe, almost like water, and the ground had stopped feeling cold. I turned my face into the grass and wondered if this was how people felt when they knew they were going to die.


My Thoughts - It's hard to imagine that sixteen year old Mackie Doyle would have to deal with so much. He has always been welcomed into the Doyle family, but still, he struggles to accept that they have forgiven him. After all, he is a changeling. He was switched with their son, not only did they loose their son that day but in return received a boy who was hardly human.

There is a lot of self-pity niggling in there, and it tends to eat up at him in the most unexpected moments. The guilt is obviously very overwhelming and leads him to constantly believe that he doesn't deserve much in life. This attitude of his can sway the reader both ways. At times I sympathised with him, but then it would just get annoying, I wanted him to sulk less and do more. 

Mackie finds blood unbearable, and is weak against steel and Iron, Kind of like how Superman is to kryptonite. Being surrounded by them on a daily basis -whether he wants to admit it or not is slowly killing him. There is however something that sets him apart from other changelings out there, something that makes him very useful to others. Changelings often don't survive their first few birthdays but he happens to be an exception. Or was anyway, his time is running out as nature is running it’s course.

One of the highlights of the book is the bond that he shares with his sister Emma. Since I share a close bond with my brother it was something that was very pleasant to see. Regardless of how lonely or isolated he feels, his sister is almost his best friend. Someone who understands and accepts him despite him being the reason behind her real baby brother being taken away. Even though he is always contemplating if his parents hate him because he was switched with their son, he never has to question Emma because her loyalty lies fully with him. Perhaps more-so than with her parents. She doesn’t judge or question him, and it’s easy to see that he appreciates her for it.

Besides Emma, characterisation-wise; highlights were Roswell and the Morrigan. Although the Morrigan is far more interesting with this almost bipolar side to her, where she can be sweet with you at one point and just as quick turn on you. In contrast - Roswell who is Mackie's best friend is a fairly simple guy, with simple characteristics. Nothing overly exciting about him, but that's fine. He’s a good guy, and a good friend and that's what counts. Although I would have liked to have gotten to know him more, there were moments which helped me glimpse into this vulnerable - sensitive side of him. 

One particular case is the revenant. Despite knowing what it is, I felt an affinity towards it. I wanted to hold and console it although I didn't know what to make of it. It might have to do with how the author makes it comes across as something very vulnerable with less focus aimed on the grotesqueness of it, well it worked. 

Just like Roswell, when the revenant reached for him it became clear that he was almost becoming attached, or either felt some emotion at least when pulling it away even though the others seemed quite detached and weary from it. This made me see a side to Roswell that I hadn't previously. It made me wish I had gotten to know him a little better, especially since I am aware that there isn't going to be a sequel. He is fiercely loyal to Roswell also, and that’s something that you have to admire in him.

Romance-wise, it was slightly awkward. Both of them really didn’t seem to know what to do with each other. I really didn’t see the point of them being together. I understand that a sibling after all is a sibling, but I found it hard to like her towards the end when she just stood there watching and waiting regardless of knowing what was going to happen. It was almost like, now that she had what she wanted, nothing else mattered. It made me feel as though he deserved more after everything he had been through. Or maybe that’s just me?

The book did start to get on the creepy side, but not until the very last few pages. Not to say that there wasn't this dark-gothic theme to the book, because there is. It was always there in the background, but regarding "creepiness" that was not there for the most of the book. There were hints of potential creepiness though, like when it came to the Morrigan, who happens to look all  sweet and cute until she smiles at you in which you get a glimpse of what she really is. There were one or two other characters which gave me the jeebies! One would be the girl who practically looked like she was rotting. Now her, I call creepy.

Overall, it was quick satisfying read which wrapped up nicely. Although it does make me sad to know that it end’s with The Replacement, it does leave me eager to know what the author has in store for us next! 




I stayed with my face close to hers, my mouth against her cheek, even after I'd given her what she's asked for. The only thing she's wanted. I wanted to make it count because I was sorry for her. Because she was dead and I wasn't.

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 21:20
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