Review: Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Title:  Dust Girl
Author:  Sarah Zettel
Genre:  YA, Paranormal
Pages:  304
Published:  June 2012
Publisher:  Random House
Source:  NetGalley
Where to buy:  Amazon

Synopsis:

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in "the golden hills of the west": California.

Along the way she meets Jack, a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company — there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

Callie LeRoux isn’t who she thinks she is.  When her mother “disappears” during a freak sand storm her world is turned completely upside down.  She attempts to keep the hotel running while her mother is gone, but finds herself caught up with some strange characters - a mysterious man, a strange family and Jack, a hobo boy.  Can she trust anyone?

This was an interesting read – a first for me by this author as well.  It was a unique look at life in America in the 1930’s during the depression, with some fae and paranormal elements.  Life wasn’t easy during that time period, and Callie’s world and everything she’s known has been taken away from her.  With rival groups of fae all hunting for her, can she find a safe place and will she ever be able to find her mother again?

The one thing I have to say I didn’t like was how the story ends abruptly, which means I’m hoping all my questions will be answered in the next installment of the series.  Will Callie find what she’s looking for?  Will her father’s family eventually track her down?  So many unanswered questions!

Will I read more by this author?  Yes, I’d like to find out what happens to Callie and Jack!  Will they be able to make it to California without getting themselves into too much trouble!  Will I recommend this book?  For anyone who enjoys fae stories; and this one is a very unique look in my opinion – will enjoy this book.