Review: Chime by Franny Billingsley

Title: Chime
Author: Franny Billingsley
Release Date: March 17th 2011
Publisher: Dial
Source:  ARC for Review (Thank you!)  and bought a copy for my kindle


Goodreads Description:


Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.


Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.


My Thoughts:

We know from the start that Briony is a witch and she is to be hung.  The story is what leads up to trial of her hanging and the events that precede her revealing her secret all the while falling for a boy, Eldric. 

Briony isn't your typical witch that you think of with a black hat, black cat, and a cauldron.  She is a girl who can see spirits, The Buggy Mon, and many other unique creatures and horrors (some of which are naked- which really made me laugh while reading that scene) that will try to get you in the while you are in the swamp unless you carry a bible ball, a piece of paper with a script written on it, with you.
Briony must find a way to save her sister and she will do whatever she has to do, including revealing her true identity. 

Chime is filled with secrecy, betrayal, mysterious creatures, and even some romance. The pages take you to another world entirely filled with monsters and something that you would read out of a Grimm's fairy tale. It is surprisingly different than what I was expecting it to be and it's definitely something different than what I usually end up reading.  If you're ready for a unique cast of characters along with an original storyline, then this is a book that you should get your hands on. 


3 1/2 Stars