Title: Tainted Luck
Author: Cynthia Austin
Genre: YA Horror, Paranormal
Book Blurb:
Levi Kast was content living his life in the shadows. He didn’t want much, just his dad’s attention and the girl of his dreams to notice his existence.
Instead, he got more than he had bargained for.
Taylor James was the new student at Kennedy High. She was eccentric, impulsive, Gothic and…dark.
She always got what she wanted, and she decided instantly that she wanted Levi Kast. He became her obsession.
Despite Levi’s initial response to retreat from her other world presence, he was eventually drawn to this girl and her obsession of death and ghosts.
But Taylor had skeletons in her closest, including a dead boyfriend, and before Levi could understand them, he found himself her next victim.
My Review:
Levi Kast is content to live out the rest of his high school days in the shadows, daydreaming about the girl of his dreams and yearning for his father’s approval. Yup, a typical teenager. But when Taylor walks into Levi’s life and clings to him like a magnet, chaos erupts. Taylor is twisted, holds dark secrets and could very well be a witch.
There’s something about Taylor which Levi finds attractive. The more he’s around her, the more he wants to know what’s behind her drastic mood swings and obsession with death. Taylor has her own agenda, though, and she needs Levi desperately. Before Levi knows what’s happening, he’s the star in a horror flick, only this is reality and the walls are about to come tumbling down. Will Levi survive or is his lot in life to be nothing but Tainted Luck?
Cynthia Austin has taken the YA Horror genre and put a new spin on it. She takes a confused Levi and given his insecurities a voice while at the same time, thrusting him into a paranormal situation where things are not what they appear to be. Dark themes permeate Tainted Luck though light-hearted banter between the characters breaks it up. I found Taylor to be a tragic character and her contrast to Levi gave me pause. Isn’t there a little bit of Taylor and Levi in each of us?
Brilliantly written and will appeal to many readers, not just young adult. It’ll remind you of King’s Carrie. Highly recommend!
Favorite Character/Quote: “Sorry to say Dad, but your rabbit’s foot brought nothing but tainted luck. From here on out, I don’t need a silly trinket to produce my luck, I’ll make my own.”
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it now:
Author Biography:
Cynthia Austin is a multi-published author who lives in Northern California with her husband, two boys, and Olde English Bulldogge named Count Dogula. They love all things horror, gothic, and Victorian which prompts her friends to dub them as “The Adams Family.”
Social Media Links:
Twitter Handle: @Cynamarie
Instagram: @Cynamarie
Reviewed by: Mrs. N