February 2nd, 2012 from G.P. Putnam's Sons
We meet Faye as her father is dropping her off at Holbrook Academy. It was supposed to be just campus visit, but when the program director, crotchety old Dr. Mordoch, hands her the daily schedule and her dad drags a suitcase out of the trunk her mother secretly packed, she knows she will be stuck there for awhile. She tries to run, she tries to hide, but only ends up in solidarity confinement. Within days, Faye and other teens at the academy wake up covered in dirt and blood with strange symbols on the floor. No one remembers a single thing from the night before. Faye soon learns that the academy is not what it seems and it is no coincidence that certain people are in residence. *insert boy love*
This may sound strange, but I really enjoyed Faye's mental illness. Eeeek, that sounds terrible. The first chapter is absolutely gripping. I wasn't sure what was real and what was her imagination. Is imagination the right word when someone is mentally ill? Is Faye really mentally ill? It is convoluted and all terribly interesting. Her visions of being consumed by the ocean waves or of water pouring in through the window are spectacularly frightening. The setting itself, Holbrook Academy, is equally fascinating. The scattered building among the trees (which are rare in this world), the cliffs over looking the ocean all come to play eventually.
Harbinger is a bit reminiscent of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. Just confusing enough to keep it all interesting, and absolutely original. You're not sure who can be trusted and you aren't sure what Faye is actually experiencing. The only thing you are sure of is the girl in white with the long braids who hangs out in the woods. Wait, what?
Twenty-five incredible illustrators and artists have picked their favorite scenes and characters from HARBINGER to give you a taste of Faye’s life at Holbrook Academy. Today, I share one of those with you, a piece by Mary Etienne!
"I already felt stronger with the watercolors in my hand."
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