Review: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

The Replacement-Brenna Yovanoff
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: September, 2010
Source: Library E-book
Author Website

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.
(Goodreads)

As I was reading, I thought about how I should best describe The Replacement. The best description I could come up with is beautifully creepy. I know, it shouldn't make sense, but in the case of this book, it does. There are some really creepy elements to this book, but I never felt 'grossed out' (for lack of a better term) because of the beautiful way this book is written.

Mild spoilers!


I was surprised that Mackie's family was aware that he was a replacement. In all honesty, I was a little disappointed about it at first, but then as the story went on, it illustrated the closeness that Mackie had with his family, but especially his sister. She knew he was a replacement, and pretty much devoted her life to keeping him safe and healthy. If that's not love and devotion, I don't know what is.

End spoilers!


I also enjoyed Tate and Mackie's relationship. Tate doesn't take crap from anyone and she has to be one of the most kick-ass girls I've seen in a book for quite awhile. To sum up, I really enjoyed The Replacement and I look forward to reading more of Brenna Yovanoff's work.