Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Title: Hunted
Author: Cheryl Rainfield
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre: Supernatural, Romance, YA, Drama
Release Date: October 27, 2011

Summary:
Caitlin, a Paranormal teen, and her mom are on the run from government Para-troopers, who chase down, torture and imprison all known Paranormals. Caitlin and her mom must move frequently to avoid detection, but she enrolls in the local high school as they hide in plain sight in a seedy motel, hoping for some sense of normalcy before taking off again. Caitlins dad, also a Para, was murdered by a mob when he spoke out for para rights. In the commotion, a woman snatched Caitlins brother Daniel and no one knows where he is or if he is even still alive. Caitlins mom loses her Para abilities from the shock of these terrible events. When Paras begin to be murdered by the Para Reaper, Caitlin is in even greater danger; at school, anti-Para classmates make accusations that cost some students their freedom and sometimes their lives. As if things aren t complicated enough, Caitlin falls for a classmate, Alex, a Normal, and thus dangerous for her to be with for fear of betrayal. As the government crackdowns worsen, Caitlin finds her long lost brother, right in the halls of her own high school. He is now a powerful government Para, something he tries to hide from her at first. Caitlin knows Daniel is changed and damaged, but trusts him until she learns of his intentions towards Normals. The two ultimately clash in a massive power struggle that pits the siblings against each other. Will Caitlin vanquish her powerful brother and save the Normals, or will the future be bleak for Alex and all of his kind?

“Spellbound by this one! HUNTED’s got my vote for the sharpest, most thought-provoking fantasy I’ve read in a long time. It’s hard not to fall in love with resilient, defiant Caitlyn, whose voice is as tough as it is pure. Vividly realized and tightly wound, HUNTED builds tension on the edge of a knife. Its cut-glass style will hook you, and its brave and provocative themes are sure to stir up both emotions and conversation.”

-Adele Griffin, Author of Where I Want to Be, National Book Award finalist, Kirkus Best Book, ALA Best Book

“In this suspenseful parable of prejudice and oppression, Rainfield creates
unique, appealing characters we root for until the satisfying end.”

–Pam Bachorz, author of Candor, 2011 YALSA Popular Paperback

Review:
Hunted really took me by surprise. It was a GREAT story and Ms. Rainfield was brave to pull her own life experiences into this book. It gives you a perspective you didn’t quite see coming (at least it did for me).

On with the review. Hunted was a wild ride, chase scenes, running from the enemy… you were right there with Caitlin every step of the way. You felt her fear, felt her anger, felt her remorse…
Think of XMen crossed with Hitler and you have Hunted. Paranormals have been exposed and the Normals hate them, absolutely HATE them! The extent of the hate went as far as a “Para-Cleansing Day”; the day all Paranormals (captured ones) were tortured and killed in front of Normals. If they weren’t killed they were made into para-slaves. The “lucky” ones were not caught but remain on the run all the time.

Caitlin and her mom fled town after town, constantly changing their names. Each place they land Caitlin is enrolled in school and her mom took a job, trying to fit in with the Normals. Caitlin found an unusual friendship in school with a girl and a boy. She also found another Paranormal who seems hell bent on making everyone have equal rights… or does he? The further Caitlin digs into this Paranormals past the more she finds out about him. Some of it super scary, some of it she can relate with. There’s also a Para-Reeper; someone who is sucking the soul out of Paranormals, litterally, until the body shrivals up!

Will Caitlin be able to dodge the police and para-trackers long enough to keep herself and her mom safe? Will her new friends find out about Caitlin’s secret and turn her in? Para-Cleansing day is coming… Caitlin is fighting for a change and wants equal rights; wants to be the same as Normals. Can she inject change or will the para-trackers finally catch Caitlin and make her a para-slave? You MUST read this book and find out!