Review: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Book: The Replacement (Brenna Yovanoff)
Stand-Alone or Series: Series, The Replacement #1
Pages: 352

Genre: Young Adult
Description (From Goodreads):

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff is unlike anything I've ever read before. The book takes the age old tale of a changeling and puts a modern twist on it. Mackie, the stories protagonist, was switched at birth with a little boy. He is a being from underground who was brought up as a regular boy.

Yovanoff did a wonderful job with Mackie - is a character that you can rally behind and he truly wants to do the right thing. When Tate's little sister disappears he wants to help her find Natalie, but he is unsure whether or not he should get involved. His whole life he was taught not to draw attention to himself, because his family, especially his father, is afraid the town will turn on him.

I also adored Mackie's sister Emma. She was easily my favorite character. Emma has always looked out for Mackie. She was there when Mackie was switched with her biological brother and therefore obviously knows he what he is, yet she has always loved him unconditionally. She is the only one in her family that really shows her love and Mackie would do anything for her.

While I love the idea of The Replacement as well as Mackie and Emma; I did have a few issues with the story. First of which was Mackie and Tate's relationship. I found their love story to resemble one of those scrambler rides at a theme park. They were constantly changing directions - one minute they couldn't stand each other and the next they were pulling each others clothes off. And it wasn't a passion love/hate relationship. Tate hated Mackie because he refused to help her find her sister. That isn't something that you easily forgive. I just did not understand it at all. Then, once they did get together, Tate kept saying that it wasn't only because Mackie finally agreed to help her. But, I think that was exactly what it was. There were no scenes beforehand in which they bonded - they just mostly screamed at one another. So, where exactly did this attraction come from?

The other portion of the story that I took issue with was the way to town was so accepting of this whole baby stealing thing. I just do not believe that an entire town would be okay with some creepy underground creates snatching and killing off their children in exchange for some luck. That just does not sit well with me. Maybe if they were told everyone who die if they didn't let them take a few kids... maybe I could understand that. But giving up their kids for some good crops or whatever? I just don't buy it.

But even with these faults, The Replacement was an enjoyable read, that was unique and entertaining. I did have a few flaws, but I think that it was still worth the read.