Review: Anna (The Starseed Series # 1)

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Anna is a science-fiction/paranormal YA novel and the first book in The Starseed Trilogy by Meghan Riley. It tells the story of your (apparently) ordinary teenage girl struggling with basic problems such as her high school experience and her crush on the most popular boys in her school, Steve. Only Anna is not ordinary. She has a set of freckles on her arm that resemble a constellation, which throughout the story turn out to be something else than freckles.

I liked the writing of this book, I felt like it was well written. In the second half of the book, things started to get more intense and I liked reading those chapters when Anna finally decides to take action and find out where all the strange things happening to her are coming from. Seeking help in those closest to her, Anna slowly begins to make connections and understand what is happening to her, but the realization might just put her life in danger.

I thought that this book was really slow in the beginning. Sure, it had to start with some insight on the main character's life but I felt like it just took too much to actually get to the central idea. However, once it did get to that part, it did feel like the book started to get more fast-paced and more interesting things started to occur. Another thing that really annoyed me was Anna's obsession with Steve in the beginning. Like Heather mentioned at some point, he was all she ever talked about, worrying about the stupidest little things over him. I get being in high school with getting your crush's attention as your number one worry but I felt like she was exaggerating. However, when her hallucinations and visions start to get worse (and after she discovers Steve might not be so nice after all), Anna does start to pay attention to more important things rather than her crush. 

Overall, I liked the plot of this book. The apparitions of the Shadow Man were very intriguing, keeping the pressure high at several points throughout the book. I was actually very excited every time he appeared because I was curious to see what would happen next. I also liked the character of Jared a lot, that is until the big revelation in the ending. I was a bit disappointed with that plot twist, not because it wasn't good, but because I really liked Jared so you can only imagine my feelings when I found out the truth. 

I give this book three stars simply because I think it can get a lot better since it has a lot of potential. I was a little bit intrigued by the ending, therefor I think I can say that I would like to check out the sequel as well, when it does come out. I think Ms. Riley did a great job with this book and it looks like the beginning of a very promising trilogy. I recommend Anna to fans of science-fiction and paranormal/mystery.