Impossible

Reader reviewed by Hillary

Seventeen year old Lucy Scarborough has always been a very level headed person. But, when she realizes the truth behind her mothers mental illness, she will need the all the help she can get to prevent herself from following a similar path. When Lucy is raped by her date at the school prom, the ancient process begins. Now, Lucy must try to save herself, as well as her daughter, from a problem that all the women in her family have been encountered with.

A terrible curse has plagued all the women of her family for generations. Each woman must attempt to complete the three nearly impossible tasks listed in the ballad "Scarborough Fair," before her daughter is born. If she is unable to complete the tasks, she will end up in the same position as her mother, insane with a daughter in foster care. Luckily Lucy has her foster parents, Soledad and Leo Markowitz, as well as her friend, Zach, to help her accomplish these tasks. But, as the deadline rapidly approaches, Lucy becomes increasingly unsure about how the horrible situation will play out.

Impossible was a fantastic book written by Nancy Werlin. The story as exciting and suspenseful and so realistic, despite the mentions of magic. Although it is a fantasy, it is still easy to relate to Lucy's story. It is definitely a very enjoyable book that can be read over and over. Readers will love /Lucy's story and sympathize with her, even if they're not normally fantasy readers. Werlin's second novel is an amazing story and is sure to captivate any audience.

Reader reviewed by mearley

Lucy Scarborough is a descendent of the woman about whom the original version of the ballad "Scarborough Fair" was written. The song lists three impossible tasks which must be completed before the curse affecting all generations of Scarborough women may be lifted. All Scarborough women become pregnant at age 17 and must complete the three tasks before their daughter is born or they will forever belong to the Elfin King.

Lucy becomes pregnant after being raped on her prom night. R...more Lucy Scarborough is a descendent of the woman about whom the original version of the ballad "Scarborough Fair" was written. The song lists three impossible tasks which must be completed before the curse affecting all generations of Scarborough women may be lifted. All Scarborough women become pregnant at age 17 and must complete the three tasks before their daughter is born or they will forever belong to the Elfin King.

Lucy becomes pregnant after being raped on her prom night. Reading her birth mother's diary leads her to discover the curse. Determined that her daughter will not live under the Elfin King's control, Lucy enlists her foster parents and longtime friend Zach to help her.

When most authors write about a heroine facing a supernatural foe, they have the heroine working alone or with her peers. Most such heroines have absent or clueless parents who are conveniently distracted by their career or social life so they never notice their daughter running off to break a spell or save the world. Nancy Werlin took a different approach and made Lucy's foster parents a vital part of the Elfin King's defeat. I found this refreshing and appropriate since the curse affected generations, it would take more than one generation to break the curse.

Lucy is an engaging heroine--appropriately scared by her situation, but able to laugh and lighten the mood when necessary. Zach is the kind of boy who always knows the perfect thing to say, and I found myself rooting for him just as much as I was rooting for Lucy.

Because of the rape, I'd recommend this for older teens and adults. You can enjoy this book even if you aren't familiar with the song "Scarborough Fair" because the lyrics are included in the book.

Reprinted here with author's permission.