The Radleys by Matt Haig

The Radleys
Matt Haig
Publisher: Free Press
Released: December 28, 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 366
Source: Accepted from publisher

Meet the Radleys:

Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in an English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret.

From one of Britain’s finest young novelists comes a razor-sharp unpicking of adulthood and family life. In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain – and lose – when we deny our appetites.

Every year the ALA's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) gives out a slew of awards highlighting the best in young adult literature. One of these awards is the Alex Award, which is given to ten books written for adults that appeal to teens. The Radleys was one of the 2011 Alex Award winners, which was what put it on my radar. I almost exclusively read YA, but when I was offered a review copy and spot in a blog tour, I thought I'd make an exception for this book.

Written in third person, an omniscient narrator focuses on one character at a time, allowing the reader to "get to know" each person individually. For some reason this style reminded me of the narrator on Pushing Daisies, and I heard that voice in my head the entire time I was reading. For whatever reason, this worked for me, and I really enjoyed the picture this painted.

I must admit I've been burnt out on paranormal, especially those centered around vampires. However, I felt like this story was as much about family and the difficulty of being different as it was about vampires. I also thought the parallels made to a few of my favorite paranormal YAs were comical - the Abstainer's Handbook reminded me a little of the how-to in Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, and Lord Byron made another appearance as a vampire in the Hex Hall series. Both of these little things made me smile, and whether or not the similarities were realized, I was glad the author included them.

The Radleys is a witty read that will appeal to adults and teens alike. And if you're a bit hesitant to pick up another vampire book, I assure you this one is worth it. The writing is flawless, the story is original, and the dry humor will keep you chuckling through the end. It certainly pulled me out of my paranormal slump and left me craving more (pun intended).

Be sure to visit the other tour stops this week!

Commenting on each blog post will enter you for a chance to win signed hardcover and paperback copies of The Radleys along with some blood-red hot chocolate!

The Radleys is now available in paperback and found wherever books are sold. Visit the book's website for more information including the quiz: ARE YOU A RADLEY?