Every Other Day

Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Every other day, Kali D’Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She’s human. And then every day in between…She’s something else entirely. Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism. When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she’ll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.
With a synopsis like nothing I’ve ever read before and having enjoyed one of Jennifer’s earlier books, Raised by Wolves, I was dying to get my hand on Every Other Day. I am glad to say that this action packed paranormal, urban fantasy did not disappoint.
Darwin not only returned from his voyage on the HMS Beagle with the experiences which formed the basis of his theories on natural selection, he returned having discovered a hydra. Subsequently over the following two hundred years scientists have discovered an entirely new genus known as preternaturals. These 37 species, including Dragons, Zombies, Hellhound and Chupacabra’s, with their triple helix DNA, are believed to be the product of a different pathway of evolution from our own.
No longer the stuff of folk laws and horror stories the existence of these creatures is accepted by society. Although viewable as exhibits in zoo’s, studied by scientists and even protected by the government on endangered species lists, they are largely ignored by society. A zombie attack is merely and inconvenience dealt with a simple phone call.
This acceptance is rather problematic for Kali who spend half her existence consumed with a blood lust and compelled to hunt and destroy preternatural creatures. The illegality of her activities, the innate violence of her demon hunting self has and her overwhelming aversion of becoming a specimen, has her hiding her true nature from society and from the one person in the world she should be able to be honest with, her scientist father.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes excels at creating likeable, kick ass female characters who, despite their extraordinary talents or situations, manage to maintain an air of relatable normality.
I challenge anyone not to admire Kali’s awesome slaying skills while in demon hunting mode or her protective instincts, despite her fragile human form. You cannot fail to fall for the charms of Skylar, an eccentric mother hen with her collection of “odd ball” friends, a feisty younger sister to five over protective brothers who could possibly be just a little bit psychic. Skylar infuses humour, unconditional support and warmth in to Kali’s life. Even the popular and permanently snarky cheerleader Beth refuses to keep to type. I was completely won over by her dogged loyalty and quest for truth not to mention her emotional strength.

While the female characters are well drawn the male characters felt very much like supporting cast members. I hope that if the author continues Kali’s story we get to learn more about Skylar’s siblings and the mysterious Zev.
Verdict: Every Other Day is a fast pasted, action filled, paranormal rollercoaster ride with exciting, edge of your seat fight scenes, emotional highs and lows, not to mention the odd blindsiding plot twist. The violence is very graphic and the main character is perpetually covered in blood, so if you have a weak disposition you might want to think twice before picking up a copy! Now excuse me while I go and download Raised by Wolves: Trial by Fire.
Reviewed by Caroline
UK Paperback published by Quercus on the 2nd of Febuary 2012.