Review: Untold by Sarah Reese Brennan

Free from bonds, but not each other. It’s time to choose sides… On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be? (GoodReads).

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan was gggggrrrreeeeat! If you haven't read the first, Unspoken, click for my review, drink the Kool-Aid, and get a hold of this book.Untold, the second book in this series, continues to deliver. I was afraid in the beginning that it was going to be a second-book-syndrome victim, just spinning its wheels and keep hunky-Jared-ness just out of arms reach, but I was surprised and satisfied on both accounts! On to the review:

Level of Originality: 6. Sorry-in-the-Vale is unique. It has atmosphere, beauty, and Kami is hilariously smart, with modern-day Nancy Drew vibes. I don't think such a tiny place could really have so many witty beautiful people, but I totally accept Brennan's imaginative story.
Level of Absurdity: 4. For reals, who kisses people, even in dark spaces, and can't tell who it is? I can't believe that you wouldn't notice the difference between two different guys, esp. with Kami's powers of deduction.
Level of Paranormal Romance: 7! Brennan slays it with sly looks and almost-finished sentences. It really brings Kami and Jared's feeling alive. And the whole mind-melding thing adds a serious dose of paranormal, so all around high scores.
Level of Harry-Potterness: 7. This book is littered with both hilarious sentences and beautifully turned phrases, and as a result absolutely satisfying! And then there are bad-guy sorcerers. Bonus points.