She Smells the Dead Review & Giveaway

It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.

SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.

The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.

Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?
Taken from GoodReads

She Smells the Dead is the story of Vanessa Stennings, better known as Yuki, as she struggles with and discovers the true weight and meaning of her gift to sense...or smell...the dead. Unlike the glamourous and sensationalized psychics, Yuki's gift can be painful, and the intensity can wear on her. When the sudden, overwhelming smell of vinegar plagues Yuki, she and her friends Calvin, her mystical-loving best friend whose spirit is supposedly a wolf, and Emma, her intensely vegan friend, must unravel the mystery of the spirit before time runs out.

I've been a follower of the author, E.J. Stevens' blog for a long time now, so when she offered a chance to read and review her book, She Smells the Dead, I jumped at the chance. I didn't really know what to expect getting into this book. I thought perhaps it might be a ghost story, or some sort of paranormal story, but it definitely took my assumptions to the next level. Incorporating lore, mystery, wolves, and spirits in an entirely unique way, She Smells the Dead is a refreshing and dark twist on a paranormal story.

I thought the beginning of She Smells the Dead was a little slower than I might have hoped, but it established Yuki's background, which definitely helped later in the story. I also had to get used to reading Yuki's thoughts interjected into the narrative, identified as italics. Once I got a grip on that, it became normal to read them, and it didn't feel jarring at all. I really enjoyed, as well, the introduction of characters halfway through, namely Simon, to throw a wrench and a little eye candy to keep the story fresh and alive.

She Smells the Dead is an exciting new take on wolves, spirits, and more. It's a slim book, fast-paced once you get into it, and very easy to read. E.J. Stevens has a unique voice that really sets She Smells the Dead apart from other such books. I give it a strong 4 out 5, and I'd recommend it to all those who love YA, Paranormal, Mystery, and an entertaining read.

This book was given to me free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of the book.

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Now, I have a treat for all of you! The lovely E.J. Stevens has provided me with goodies for my awesome followers...meaning all of you! Up for grabs in this giveaway is the following:

One (1) signed review copy of She Smells the Dead
Two (2) bookmarks
Two (2) postcards
One (1) awesome t-shirt

To Enter: You MUST be a follower. Leave a comment with your email address...no email = no entry. This giveaway is open internationally (yay!), and entries will be open until midnight (MDT) on September 25, 2010. You will get one (1) additional entry if you follow E.J. Stevens' blog, and you MUST let me know! The winner of this awesome prize pack will be chosen by Random.org and announced the following day.