!["Don't get mad. Get even."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/a5/2a/a52a42587893a1008690c0c435b61e11.jpg?itok=jqQgDfzg ""Don't get mad. Get even."")
Paranormal and horror are genre cousins. The same creatures, plots and character types appear in both. The difference is that paranormal is more like an action thriller with scary creatures in it -- exciting, tense, but nothing that will keep you awake at night. This is even more true in Young Adult fiction, where the paranormal is normalized more and more.
In horror, the vampires and werewolves aren't friendly. They're scary.
This is what Elizabeth Miles remembered when she wrote 'Envy,' a YA paranormal novel. The Furies in her 'Fury Trilogy' are not softened around the edges. They're dangerous, inhuman and not to be messed with lightly. While 'Envy' won't leave you shivering under the covers and jumping at small noises, it's nice to see a young adult novel that's not scared to be a little scary. 'Envy' is darker and creepier than the first book, putting some of the horror back into paranormal.
It's also shockingly relevant. Set in a high school in small-town Maine, 'Envy' owes a lot to Stephen King. The story of new girl Skylar McVoy who will go to extremes to belong reads almost like an homage to 'Carrie,' mommy issues and all. Themes from 'Fury' of teens stuck between an unpleasant school life and an even worse home life continue into 'Envy,' told with the same mix of reality and compassion. Especially after the horrific school shootings that are becoming far too common in the news, 'Envy' is a relevant read.
Readers will also be glad to see Em maturing from book one, continuing to be a flawed but strong character proactive about trying to fight the Furies. A mini-love triangle adds some conflict, but doesn't distract from the main plot. Another pleasant change from the genre standard is a heroine mature enough to realize which boy she loves, versus which boy she's attracted to.
Second books tend to be the worst of the trilogy, but if anything, 'Envy' is even better than the first. Now we'll just have to wait for 'Eternity' to finish 'The Fury Trilogy.' 5/5 stars.
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