Half Bad

I received this book courtesy of Goodreads Giveaway. This does not influence my opinion of this book in any way.

Could not finish: 61%

Look, when I received this novel, I was excited to start it. I liked the dark tones and some of the ideas. In fact, I thought this book might not be half bad (c'mon, you wouldn't expect me to pass up an opportunity like that, could you?) However, as the story went on, I discovered that major elements of storytelling were brushed aside for a character that had some dimension, but that was surrounded by underdeveloped ideas and characters in favor for a fast paced plot.

First, let's start with the good. This is a story of a boy and a community's bad judgement. Nathan is a boy whose father is a black (re evil) witch, and his mother is a white (re good) witch. Everyone in the community expects him to turn evil and hurt people, which he ends up doing because of his anger at everyone's pre-judgement of him. This is perfect story that can work for almost everyone, and can spark an excellent debate of nature vs nurture. I also like how some of the main characters are more than just two dimensional cutouts, with some (like Celia, Nathan's caretaker/mentor/prison guard) being quite deep in their relationship to Nathan. I also liked the fast pace of the story. The action was also written well.

Sadly, everything else takes a back seat. Firstly, let's discuss the world building. This novel is set in a contemporary version of England where Witches (both good and evil) live right beside the normal humans. Unlike in something like say Harry Potter, we get not idea as to what this means. Do they live together but separate, like in HP with their own systems of government, and keep the humans unaware of their presence? Do humans and witches interact with each other on a daily basis and everyone knows what magic is? Why are White witches good, and dark witches evil? How did this come to pass? What, specifically, is the difference between a white and black which, other than behavior? None of these ideas are answered.

The same goes for the magic system. I have no idea of how it works or what it means for each person. I have some idea that each witch receives a specific gift, but I do not know how this manifests, nor what its constructs are. All I know is that Nathan's sister can change into anyone else, Nathan's Grandmother can make potions well, and Celia can make a incapacitating brain noise because...reasons. Also, while all witches can heal themselves, Nathan's is particularly advanced because...reasons. AND Nathan's father, a major baddy of the story can steal other witches powers because...you get the idea. The rules governing magic is hardly explored here and is never defined by anyone.

Then there is the basic plot. Nathan is emotionally and physically abused by the White Council (the white witch's government) because he is expected of becoming a black witch just like his father. Then, he is taken and captured by Hunters (people who work for the white council to kill black witches) and used to train and get him in shape so that he will become powerful enough to kill his father, who has supposedly become a mass murder. This plot is so stupid on so many levels. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of how a government can become as evil as the people they are trying to fight, but it isn't handled well here. Whereas in other books, like HP, it is done subtly enough, here is has all the subtlety of an anvil being pounded into your skull. Also, another thing, what in any way makes the white council think that capturing Nathan and treating him horribly will make him want to help them? Also, why should he be as powerful as his father? What would make him have the same powers as his father, like is routinely suggested? By the time I decided to stop reading, I didn't know, and didn't care.

This story had a good idea, but it just wasn't explored enough. I think if you are a teenage boy, you might like this, as things are written well enough that it should be entertaining, but for me, I have to give this a two out of five.