Review: Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

Title: Earthbound

Author: Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: Harper Collins AU

Release Date: 1^st August 2013

Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: Eighteen-year-old Tavia is the only survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents. Grieving and lonely, she starts having strange visions; of a boy she's never met but feels compulsively drawn to. A boy who tells her to do things she never dreamed of. Tavia begins to suspect that secrets are being kept from her, and that her kindly aunt and uncle know more than they are letting on. Was the plane crash really an accident? Or is Tavia part of something bigger than she ever imagined? With only her instincts and long-time crush, Benson, to rely on, Tavia must decide where her destiny lies, and who with

Earthbound is not a groundbreaking new story. Its follows the pattern of many YA books out there about a young girl learning about mysterious powers that she never knew that she had. Despite being a run of the mill story I really enjoyed Aprilynne Pike’s take on this paranormal mystery.  This is my second Pike book, after previously reading Life After Theft and I have to say that she writes some excellent paranormal stories. Earthbound had all the elements I love to read in books. Part paranormal, part mystery and part secret society all wrapped up in a mystifying conspiracy that spans centuries.

Tavia is the only survivor of a plane crash that leaves her completely alone in the world. With the loss of her parents, she moves in with her aunt and uncle who she barley knows and begins the long process of healing both physically and emotionally.  Tavia starts having visions of a stranger who she is drawn to. In addition to the visions she cannot explain, she also sees some strange occurrences in the people and environment around her. As secrets surrounding her past come to light Tavia needs to run away in order to protect herself. She is left to figure out what’s happening to her with the help of her best friend Benson whom she has feelings for. The answers all seem to revolve around the handsome blond stranger in her visions.

The best part of this story was the conspiracy theory that Tavia was smack bang in the middle of.  Although the twists and turns were predictable, I was invested in the mystery and wanted to know what was happening to Tavia and why she had these magical powers. I especially wanted to know who Quinn (the mysterious stranger) was. The mystery gains momentum, moving faster as Tavia learns more about her past and about Quinn.  The story ramps up to an ending that I would say is more of a beginning to the actual story. Pike has built a very strong mythology for these books that I am sure will be further explored in the next book. I loved that the conspiracy and mythology presented in these books, blends together with world history and world events.

This paranormal story also focuses on fate versus choice. Tavia is drawn to Quinn whom she thinks she loves even though she dose not know why. On the other hand Tavia starts falling for her best friend Benson who has always been there for her. Both of these boys have different dynamics with Tavia and it will be interesting to see how these relationships develop due to the events that occur in this book. I did have a few minor issues with the romance in this book. It seemed at times that Tavia was throwing away everything for love. Her relationship with Benson also annoyed me a little bit because it seemed a little rushed and forced, but overall this book has plenty of both sweet and steamy moments . Tavia was a good character. She was determined to figure out what was happening to her. She fought hard to protect herself from everyone out to get her and was resilient when she needed to be.

Earthbound is a great mystery with a side of conspiracy and great mythology.  I cannot wait to see where this story goes next. This book has set up some exciting events making me want to know what will happen next. The story has just begun and there is a certain character that we meet at the end of the book that I want to know about.