Auracle by Gina Rosati

It seems lately that my online book giveaway winning streak has kept up because one morning, I wake up and discover that I was the winner of that huge Auracle ARC and swag giveaway from Storybook Escape.  I can tell you that my muddy morning mind was not able to process this exciting information, but eventually I became pretty pumped about it and was really anxious for all the goodies to arrive.

The Synopsis:
16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.
When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.



My Thoughts:
First thoughts I had when I first read the synopsis was something along the lines of 'WANT.  MUST HAVE NOW.' (Yes, my neurotic book-thirsty mind may sound something like a neanderthal.) and 'Oooohhh, astral projection.  Coooooool.'  I was really excited to read it!  Then, Anna gets trapped out of her own body while astrally projecting herself!  Well, that's unfortunate.  So in all, I just had to read this so I could see how things would go. 

Anna, I thought, was my kind of girl.  I loved her witty sense of humor and would catch myself with a smile on my face.  I thought her to be a bit naive in the beginning, but then who wouldn't if you had the talent to astrally project yourself?  It was originally her foolishness that got her in such an unfortunate position.  But her character was overall a likable one with her humor and driven attitude.  Her unwavering loyalty, too. 

And this story isn't exactly what your normal generic plot line has.  Usually, it's the girl who thinks she normal.  Normal  Girl discovers she's much more than that and goes into denial.  Normal Girl then struggles against Dark Forces.  Fight occurs.  Problems get absolved.  Not that I have a problem with those plot lines, but it's nice to have a change.  Anna throughout the book mostly works on how to fix the problem that she created.  It was all by chance that she got herself in this situation and I love how she never mopes about, blaming herself for what happens. 

Yay, for a strong, practical character!

There wasn't much action and violence in here, but I thought that was okay.  This was a very different read that was highly entertaining.  And Rei was such a great romantic interest, too.  He was exotic and new and all ninja-like since he meditates and doesn't eat junk food!  (He made me feel bad about my diet choices, but then I figured he was fictional so I shouldn't feel all that bad.)  And I just loved how deep a connection Anna and Rei had even when she couldn't talk to him, if anything, their relationship grew with it.  The only thing I wished that would happen was that they would just realize they were Meant to Be.  I just loved the whole childhood best friends-turned-couple idea.

Oh, and the imagery!  I thought it was fabulous, all of the descriptions and such.  Gina used such great sensory words, so I was very pleased with the palpable surroundings of Auracle.

So, if you are looking for something new and quick, funny and interesting, then I suggest you pick up Auracle this coming August 7th.  I loved the idea of astral projection mixed in with an average teenage reality.  It was real, yet unreal.  The characters were likable, but I wish there was just a little more dimension to them.  Other than that, it was a great read.