Vanished: Books 1 & 2

Books: When Lightning Strikes (2007), Code Name Cassandra (2007)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Released: September 7, 2010
Genre: YA Paranormal

When Jess is hit by lightning, she gains the ability to know exactly where a missing person is just from looking at their pictures. At first, she thinks this is great, that she can help lost kids get back home. But when the FBI starts taking an interest in her, and then the army gets involved, and then one kid she saved turns out not to have wanted to be saved in that way, things just go haywire. Along with her friend Ruth and not-boyfriend Rob, Jess takes matters into her own hands in her trademark blazing manner.

Meg Cabot has such a great writing style. Like Jess, it's sassy and kick-ass, smart and funny, sarcastic and biting. Time flew when I was reading Vanished, because one thing after another happens and the pages seem to just turn themselves - the pacing is amazing, easing into the story a bit and then just taking off!! The funny things is that even when ridiculous things that don't seem very plausible happen, everything still feels so real.

I love Jess. With all her "issues." Nothing is ever boring around her, and that's even before she gets psychic powers. I love that she has no friends besides Ruth and she's still so confident. Maybe a bit overconfident, but that's part of her charm (ha).And all the characters in the story are so interesting. Even the Special Agents! I love the relationship that Jess builds with them, teasing them and watching them get riled up, how Agent Smith seems to like her even when Jess is being a pain.

I can't believe I missed reading these when they first came out, but now I've just got to get my hands on the next books!