Dark Star, by Bethany Frenette

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human-something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile. 

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers-livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape.  And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight. 

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything-and everyone-she loves.

Okay....WOW.

I know I say that a lot, or seem to, but seriously I don't take the time to review a lot of books that aren't "wow." To be honest, I have a hard time making myself even  finish books that aren't "wow."

Audrey is pure awesome. She's a teenager trying to figure herself who is suddenly thrown into "Guardian" world. She now has family that she never knew existed before (and who live in town!), and a whole lot more excitement than she ever imagined possible. Oh, the hot sidekick just moved in with them.

This is Frenette's debut novel and she's just what my nerdy-geeky-writer-girls want to read. She's into all things geeky and video games (and no, the 2 are not synonymous). Find out some more about her here. 

Dark Star is packed. It's a supernatural/paranormal story that's...wow. There's action without it being an "action story"---i.e. no gratuitous descriptions of bloody fights, just enough there to keep you interested. There's a lot of teenage cerebral-ness without it being overdoing or pedantic. This is a readable story. Honestly, it's really well done superhero-ish story that doesn't border on comic book. It's better.

I sent a tweet to Bethany at 7:00 am the morning I finished this in July. Not my usual m.o. to immediately seek out an author and gush a little, but I have to know if there's more to Audrey's story! I have to.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Disney-Hyperion through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”