The Replacements by Brenna Yovanoff

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
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.

What I enjoyed most about The Replacements is the fact that Gentry is sort of both a scenery and a character. It is full of mystique and creepiness. It really worked for such a sleepy and small town. Mackie started the book and he understood that he was slowly dying and that really captured my attention, because I know that hopeless feeling. He slowly learns about what he really is and what he needs to do. I loved the devotion that Emma had to Mackie and found that sibling relationship to be so sweet. The plot of The Replacements was slow in a few places and a few things were too predictable, but overall I enjoyed the twist that Yovanoff brought to the story. The Replacements was unlike any thing that I can remember. Yovanoff made an amazing debut and I can't wait to read more from her. I recommend this book to fans of Holly Black or Melissa Marr.