BOOST by D.A Paul

Introduction (Goodreads synopsis)

       

       They call it a boost.

        It’s the buzz you get from absorbing the spiritual energy of the dead, and it absolutely terrifies Lidia Powell. 

       Shortly after meeting Ander at summer camp, Lidia is thrust into the world of psychic mediums and brought to a new school. At Mountain Heights Academy, even a casual pizza-date is accompanied by a ghost, and only a frightened uberdork would refuse the boost. To Lidia, the peer pressure to absorb phantom apparitions is horrifying, but to everyone else, it's the drug of choice. 

       However, when one of the students delves into dark energy, Lidia suspects that a boost isn’t as innocent as it seems. Soon, the boost becomes an addiction and Lidia must act fast before the changes become irreversible.

Cover

        

       The cover is stunning, I like the haunting sort of vibe it gives off and  I find extremely fitting for the book.

Lidia

      

       Lidia is without a doubt my favorite protagonist I've read in a while, her personality is awesome, and she's the perfect voice to the story.

Ethan

      

       I didn't have a problem with Lidia's boyfriend, Ethan, at all; he was a necessary character to keep the plot going, but oh dear lord if I was Lidia I would not be able to put up with him. To me he seems childish, so props to Lidia for being able to put up with him. *Spoiler. Highlight between the brackets to read (Especially after he slept with another girl while they were on a break. Honestly If somebody did that to me, we'd be taking a trip to splitsville) I do admit that they make a good couple, though.

Ander

       I love Ander. He's probably my favorite character overall in this book. He was so comical and I loved reading the most-of-the-time-light-hearted-rude-banter between him and Lidia. I honestly loved him from the moment he was introduced at the summer camp. I loved the relationship that he and Lidia had. It didn't seemed forced, it seemed pretty realistic especially in the way that they weren't always on the best terms, because no relationship, weather it's a friendship  or romantic is perfect, and I liked how their relationship wasn't written that way. It wasn't written to be perfect.

Alex

       

       Alex was a great character. He's not in the book as consistently as the other characters during the beginning but as the story goes on, he becomes a bigger and bigger part of the story and I loved reading his development. 

Plot

       

       The plot is so different than anything I've ever read before, and it drew me in from the very first page. I really want to stress the originality of it, especially of the concept of the "boost" itslef. I've read so many paranormal books where the protagonist is shipped off to a school for mediums, and some sort of dark magic is discovered, but the concept of "boosting" is so original and sets it apart in the best way possible from the other paranormal books I've read.

Ending

       

       The ending is yet another thing I absolutely loved. A lot of books end with a quietness after the climax dies down, and a lot of times it's fitting, but this book ends with an uncertainty of what is going to happen next and it's aggravating in a wonderful sort of way. Even though this book isn't even published yet, I'm already aching for the sequel.

Conclusion

       

       BOOST is hands down the best book I have read in 2015 and probably one of the best YA paranormal books I have ever read. I fell in love with everything about this book, the characters, the plot, the setting, everything. I'm probably going to recommend this to every single person I ever talk to. As I said, this book isn't even published and I desperately want more. I wouldn't really recommend this to people who are not settled nicely in the YA genre as there is mention of sex, a few steamy scenes, and some crude humor, but if you love paranormal books and are ready to be captivated by a wonderful book, this book is for you.