Lisa Reviews: Matt Haig's - "The Radley's"

Published October 26, 2011
Category: Lisa's Reviews, Reviews

Welcome to another one of my reviews! Today’s book is an ARC I recieved, The Radleys by Matt Haig; I’m not sure if it was for Burn Bright, or if it was meant for my personnel blog, Turning Pages. So instead of stressing out about, I just decided to review on both, I enjoyed The Radleys and Matt Haig’s writing that much, that I want to share my love with as many people as I can.

We all know it’s October, and we’re all looking for that spook factor, no matter if it’s a haunted house, movie or book. The Radley fits the description perfectly. The cover (well the cover of my version, I’m not sure what any other versions look like) screams creepy and Halloween at you.

To be honest I havent heard of The Radleys or of Matt Haig, before last week, when I ran to my mailbox, opened it, and ripped open (yes, ripped! I know I’m turning 17 on October 29th, but I still get excited about packages and recieving mail) that big yellow envelope inside.

The Radleys gives a different view of the whole “vampire” thing. It gives a more family aspect to the topic, instead of a hot guy, who when he takes his shirt off, glitters in the sun, even some (including me) like that. And sadly, there aren’t any cute werewolf boys in this book either.

One of the twenty million reasons to enjoy reading The Radleys, was getting to know Rowan, seeing how much he changed and grew throughout the story. At first he was the quiet type, who would never want to catch anyone’s attention, and wouldn’t know how to stand up for himself. By the end of the book, Rowan keeps his head high and stands up for himself against a bully. He finds the courage to talk the the girl he fancies, and has embraced the vampire lifestyle. I felt like Rowan did the most growing, even though he wouldn’t be considered the main character.

After having murdered someone, and having your parents tell you, that you’re a vampire, it would be normal to be in a bit of a shock, maybe feel some nausea and pains. But Clara the main character had the total opposite symptons, she felt better, and relieved. While it took her older brother, Rowan, a while to adjust, she took the bull by the horns.

Though Clara and Rowan were total opposites, I really liked reading about both of them.

The Radleys, was the perfect book for Halloween. It wasn’t so scary that you would have to read it in the morning because if you read it at night you would get nightmares. No, but it had the right amount of horror, romance, comedy, and style. The story line, really kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning of the story, all the way to the very end.

Matt Haig’s writing style is fabulous, I loved it! And can’t wait to read more from him!