While reading Scarlett Undercover (which I’m enjoying very much) I was reminded of another great series, The Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan. These books are similar to Scarlett Undercover in that they have a Nancy Drew feel with a Person of Color heroine.  That’s where the similarities end though.  The heroine Kami Glass wants to be a journalist, so she sets up a school newspaper to cover all the hard hitting news in her small village Sorry-in-the-Vale.

In this story of Gothic tale meets Nancy Drew, Kami already stands out in her small English village because she is half Japanese. But, to make matters worse she also has a peculiar habit of talking to the voice in her head.  This voice belongs to Jared who is a real person.  They are each other’s best friends and confidantes. Both of them have no doubt the other exists but no one believes her about Jared so the other kids just think she is crazy.  But, that was in the past and thank goodness Kami has someone who knows she’s not crazy. Angela, Her friend who moved from London, just wants to nap.  Anyway, back to the school newspaper.  The biggest story in Sorry-in-the-Vale is the return of the Lynburns.  The family that ruled over the village for years.  Over a decade ago, the family mysteriously left their mansion without a word but they are now back.  The village is on edge and Kami is determined to figure out the reason for the Lynburn’s return.  Not to mention there are a lot of weird things going on.  Things get a little complicated when Kami meets Ash Lynburn and even more complicated when she meets Jared Lynburn.  You know, Jared.  The voice in her head in the flesh.  Kami always knew that Jared was real but meeting him is so unexpected.  Of course, things heat up and get crazy in town. Soon Kami, Angela, Angela’s brother Rusty, their friend Holly, Ash and Jared begin to investigate a murder of a schoolmate and the history of the Lynburn family and the town.

Kami is beyond likable.  She’s amazing.  She’s smart, funny, clever, loyal and stubborn. She will stop at nothing to find the truth and help her family and friends.  Her friends are loyal and there for her all the way.  They bring all of their skills together to solve the mysterious happenings of their village.  Kami and Angela’s friendship is really beautiful.  They are truly different people but they love and respect each other and are always there for each other.  Friendships like this between two girls isn’t often depicted in YA Novel.  In so many stories and like so many movies, girls are seen more as rivals than friends.  So it’s always refreshing to see girls being just girls.

There is so much more to say love about this series.  There was so much to love.  I didn’t even talk about the Sorcerers and Kami’s family.  She may have the best father in a YA novel ever. All  I’ll say is that you have to read them.  You won’t regret it.