First Fruits
by
Penelope Evans
Kate is special; she is her dad's first fruit, his offering. He is bring her up to have his special power, the ability to manipulate people. She practices what he's taught her with devastating effect. Yet one night, when a recurrent dream comes to her once more, the truth that has long eluded her is revealed. Nothing can cleanse her world but fire and death.
I heard about this novel on Facebook and am so glad I downloaded it. I could barely put it down and read it over two nights. I love an unreliable narrator, and 14-year old Kate Carr is one of the best I've read. The tone was perfect, and brought her so vividly to life I could almost see her (which was pretty scary). It was a suspenseful, creepy, intense read, with plenty of hooks (and some laughs) and a cast of well-rounded characters - her minister father was a truly terrifying creation. It was hard to warm to Kate at first, but as the plot unfolded I was rooting for her all the way. Brilliant.
I've read and enjoyed another of this author's novels - The Weight of Water - and am off to download another.
