Review: Outcast by Adrienne Kress

So.... I didn't even make it through the whole synopsis before I downloaded Outcast by Adrienne Kress.  I KNEW I would like it... I described it to Grad Student as a high-school Sookie Stackhouse, and it did not disappoint ( I mean look at the cover!) GS had read The Friday Society also by Adrienne Kress, and while steam punk is not my thing, southern scifi most certainly is.  Adrienne describes it as "a romance based on mutual respect and shared interests. To me, there's nothing more romantic :)"--> YES!

After six years of “angels” coming out of the sky and taking people from her town, 16-year-old Riley Carver has just about had it living with the constant fear. When one decides to terrorize her in her own backyard, it’s the final straw. She takes her mother’s shotgun and shoots the thing. So it’s dead. Or … not? In place of the creature she shot, is a guy. A really hot guy.  A really hot alive and breathing guy.  Oh, and he’s totally naked. [This is where I stopped, I was already sold]

Not sure what to do, she drags his unconscious body to the tool shed and ties him up. After all, he’s an angel and they have tricks. When he regains consciousness she’s all set to interrogate him about why the angels come to her town, and how to get back her best friend (and almost boyfriend) Chris, who was taken the year before. But it turns out the naked guy in her shed is just as confused about everything as she is.

He thinks it’s 1956.

Set in the deep south, OUTCAST is a story of love, trust, and coming of age. It’s also a story about the supernatural, a girl with a strange sense of humor who’s got wicked aim, a greaser from the 50’s, and an army of misfits coming together for one purpose: To kick some serious angel ass.

• Originality: 10!  This is a high score because while this book starts with demon/naked boys, it never goes batshit crazy [ side eye at Gone, Twilight  and many others].  I just liked Riley and her insecurities, boy issues, and brave attitude ( I would still be hiding under the covers if I were her).  I also liked the 50's slang from our fallen angel and would definitely let him call me sweetheart.
• Absurdity: 9.  Who are these creatures coming out of the sky? While I feared aliens, I was relieved to find some more traditional usage of biblical-ish angels, but not in the bad sort of Fallen way.  Lots happens here, all while we share pet names and moto rides with hunky boys.
• Paranormal Romance: 9.  Please see references to naked boy in shed shot out of the sky from 1956.
• Harry Potterness: 6.  While this was definitely a one-night/ 3/4 a bottle of wine read, I really liked it!  A perfect summer book set in the hot south with young love and a bit of a mystery.

Also, I am totally on board with what I assume will be the sequel.  I sense a love triangle coming.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a review copy from Diversion Books. Happy reading followed. (We do not accept or receive compensation for reviews at YAF and WS.)