Book Review: Small Blue Thing by S.C. Ransom.

Product details:
Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd.
Paperback, 320 pages.
Release date: January 13th 2011.
Rating: 3½ out of 5.
Ages: 11+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Celebrating the end of exams with best friend Grace, 17 year-old Alex rescues a swan caught on a wire in the Thames mud and finds an extraordinary bracelet. Through its disturbing and compelling powers, she finds Callum, a soul locked in a half-life of sadness and mystery following a terrible accident, and his persuasive and sinister sister, Catherine. As Alex and Callum grow closer despite the enormous obstacles to their love, the dangers mount until Alex must risk everything to save Grace and Callum must risk everything to save Alex.

Small Blue Thing the debut novel from British author S.C. Ransom is a ghostly tale that will appeal to younger readers looking for something a little spooky with their romance. It’s roots may be set firmly in the ever-popular paranormal romance genre, but Ransom’s novel offers the reader something a little different both in it’s theme and setting.

Small Blue Thing is set in London, and follows the story of animal-lover Alex, who, while attempting to rescue a swan, discovers a mysterious bracelet, which leads her to Callum, a beautiful boy who she falls instantly in love with. The feeling is mutual, and so all should be perfect, save for the fact that Callum is a dirge - a ghost who is caught in a strange half-life of misery, suffering and sadness. Alex and Callum can never truly be together, and in addition to this the only way for Callum to find happiness and escape his never-ending existence of misery is to feed off the happy memories of humans. Should Alex trust him with all that she holds dear, or is there something more sinister at work here? Things get interesting, especially when Callum’s shady sister Catherine enters the fray.

The premise of Small Blue Thing is interesting and unique and it is always good to see authors try something a little different when writing paranormal romance. While the characters here are older teenagers, this one is geared towards a younger readership, and it’s certainly age-appropriate. The relationship between Alex and Callum is sweet and innocent, while there is a definite emphasis on the importance of friendship, which I liked. All the characters are well-drawn here, and I particularly enjoyed reading about Alex’s relationship with her best friend Grace and brother, Josh. It’s also refreshing to see a parental influence in this one. Parents are so often lacking from young adult novels, or have a negative influence when they do appear, so it’s nice to see that Alex’s parents are supportive, never overbearing and always there for her.

The story itself was a little slow-moving for my tastes, and a little repetitive in places, but I will say that this one largely redeemed itself for me with a most brilliant and surprising ending. Everything is now nicely set up for the next book in the series, Perfectly Reflected, publishing June 2011. Overall this one is a solid debut. S.C. Ransom has an engaging writing style, and in Alex, she has created a female protagonist that younger teenagers will warm to and root for in her quest to be with Callum.

Watch the trailer: