Review: On The Bright Side by S.R. Johannes - Farah

Title: On The Bright Side
Author: S.R. Johannes

Publication date: February, 2012
Publisher: Coleman & Scott

Genre(s): Tween (Paranormal)

Challenges: A-Z title

Source: Author
Format: E-book

Pages: 293

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As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help.

Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free. 

On The Bright Side is such a different story, that had me laughing most of the time. The story is about Gabby, the main protagonist, who suddenly dies and goes to "heaven", which is called Cirrus.

In Cirrus, Gabby is a Bright in training, therefore she has an assigned mortal she has to protect. She gets assigned to her enemy, Angela. As Gabby goes to earth, she has to protect Angela. Since no one can see her, Gabby pulls a few strings and actually makes Angela's life kind of miserable which actually got me laughing at the pranks.

What kind of annoyed me is that Gabby liked Michael, and now she's dead, so obviously there will be NO ROMANCE between them! That was very disappointing for me, because I had to watch Angela cling to him. Even though Michael liked her as well, I wish there was at least a part where they could have been together when she was 'alive'. 

Overall, I liked the imaginative world that S.R. Johannes has created. It was very fun and different. The writing style was simple, and easy to understand. Every chapter contained different ideas, and never left me bored. It was a great book to read! 

3.5 music notes - I enjoyed it!