Review: The Holders, by Julianna Scott

17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland.

What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all - especially Becca - in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind. 

Oh, interesting premise. I was so excited about you. I thought, how cool! Powers! And Irish culture! And relics! And a protective older sister! Ireland! SUPER POWERS. This oughta be fun. 

Alas, interesting premise, you have been failed by poor execution.

What you need in any book is a likeable main character. They can make poor decisions, they should have flaws, but you need to be in their corner, rooting for them. Let me just say, I was not rooting for Becca. And I was also not a fan of the TELL-NOT-SHOW that was happening here.

Tell-Not-Show-itis: when an author tells us everything instead of showing us. Almost incurable. Always annoying. Approach with caution. 

If the only thing you find yourself chanting while reading a book is "SHOW NOT TELL. SHOW NOT TELL" then you know that author definitely needs a makeover on their manuscript. It's the basics of writing 101. I just...I just don't think it's too much to ask for in any novel. Becca is all tell, ALL TELL. And irrational. And just...so unpalatable as a character. And she did absolutely zero protecting of her little brother in all of this. And I saw the plot twist coming a millllllllion miles away. And Alex, oh, lovely Alex, we never know what, exactly, he sees in Becca. And we never understand the family issues happening with Becca and her parents.

I just. I don't know. This one fell really, really flat for me. Read with caution.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

- Fire