Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

Reviewed by Lori
Title: Fiendish

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Perma-Bound Catalogue #:  600259586

Description: Clementine DeVore, seventeen, is determined to learn what happened ten years ago that led to her magical imprisonment and problems in her town, but a dangerous attraction to Fisher, the boy who freed her, town politics, and the terrifying Hollow get in the way.

 Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It

 Why I Read It: Read another title by Brenna Yovanoff and picked up this one because I liked the cover.

 Notes: Clementine is just a child when she find something strange growing in her mother’s garden. It is the beginning of the reckoning, and she’s surrounded by destruction, but she’s locked in the cellar and told to wait for someone to find her.  So she waits, and sleeps, and she is found 10 years later by Eric Fisher. While Clementine dreamt of Eric, he could hear her breathing, he knew something was hidden in the burnt out basement.  While, her home and mother are gone, Clementine’s family is still around. She is returned to her Aunt who doesn’t recognize her, but her cousin Shiny does. As Shiny, Clementine, childhood friend Rae, and Eric begin to see more of each other, more strange and crooked magic begins to wreck havoc on the hollow and town.  They may soon be facing another reckoning and something fiendish as well. This was an interesting read and I was drawn to the characters, however, I found myself wanting more out of the novel. More information, more background, more action. The novel felt subdued and as heavy as the weather. It did bring to mind images of the south, bayous and swamps, witchcraft and hoodoo.  Not the best supernatural read for me, and I didn’t love the ending.

Recommended Readers: Grade 9 and Up. There is some swearing. Good book for anyone that likes stories about witches.

 Themes: Supernatural Elements, Family History, Actions and Consequences, Attraction, Prejudice, Witchcraft, Friendship

 Cross-Genre Links:
Movie: Practical Magic
Music: Strange Magic by ELO
Music: Black Magic Woman by Santana
TV Show: American Horror Story - Cover
Web: Trick bags, Hoodoo, Tupelo Trees

 Inquiries and Activities:

  • Why is Clementine shut up in the wall?
  • How is she kept alive?
  • Who are Clementine, Eric, Shiny, Rave and Davenport?
  • Why are they important and what do they represent?
  • Were you surprised by the ending?
  • Have a discussion about Davenport's character. Do you have sympathy for her?
  • What could the community have done to help her?
  • Do you think Eric and Clementine are meant for each other or is it a trick of the magic?

You might also want to read:
13 Treasures
Out of the Easy

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