Review: What We Saw At Night

Title: What We Saw At Night
Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard
Publishing Date: January 8, 2013
Source: Netgalley

Goodreads Summary:
     Allie Kim suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum: a fatal allergy to sunlight that confines her and her two best friends, Rob and Juliet, to the night. When freewheeling Juliet takes up Parkour—the stunt-sport of scaling and leaping off tall buildings—Allie and Rob have no choice but to join her, if only to protect her. Though potentially deadly, Parkour after dark makes Allie feel truly alive, and for the first time equal to the “daytimers.”
     On a random summer night, the trio catches a glimpse of what appears to be murder. Allie alone takes it upon herself to investigate, and the truth comes at an unthinkable price. Navigating the shadowy world of specialized XP care, extreme sports, and forbidden love, Allie ultimately uncovers a secret that upends everything she believes about the people she trusts the most.


My Thoughts:  I was really excited to see this title on the shelves in Netgalley.  I remember when The Deep End of the Ocean was first published because my mother went out and bought it right away.  She had been reading Jacquelyn Mitchard's columns in our local paper for years and was really excited to read her first book.  This was the first time I saw my mother that excited for a book release.  I read that book right after my mother did and was impressed with the depth of character and suspense in her debut novel.  When I saw that she had written a young adult title, I just had to try it out.  I love that this also reminded me about a great author who has written many novels that I need to look for now.

     This book really appealed to my love of murder mysteries and psychological thrillers.  I was really drawn in by these teenage characters who seek thrills to feel alive.  The mystery behind the secrets that they have seen unwinds a little at a time and had me hooked.  Allie is definitely a teenager and annoys the adult in me by not seeking help sooner, but I know that teens will identify with that.  All in all, this was a fantastic read and I will be desperately waiting to find out what happens next.