The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart: A Novel of Magic Most Foul Book Review

Author: Leanna Renee Hieber. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN: 9781402262036.

Annotation: After freeing him from his prison inside a painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Natalie and Lord Denbury are on the run, seeking refuge with one of Denbury’s longtime friends in Saint Paul. They soon discover, however, that their troubles are far from over, and the Society that cursed Lord Denbury is now working on a much larger, and more sinister, plan.

Personal thoughts: Darker Still was one of my favorite young adult books that I’ve read within the past few years. I was really excited for the sequel, so much so that I held off on reading it for awhile so that I could really enjoy it when I finally got to crack it open. Unfortunately, I was exceptionally unimpressed with The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart. I’m not sure what happened, it just took a complete turn into dullsville for me. Where Darker Still was original and charming, the sequel was very blah. I am really sad about how much I didn’t enjoy it because I still really love the first novel. Hopefully the author can turn it around for the third installment, but I do have to say, it’s unlikely I will bother completing the series.

Plot summary: Lord Denbury is free from his prison inside a cursed painting and the demon who was inhabiting his body has been vanquished. Now he and Natalie are on the run, seeking refuge with one of Denbury’s longtime friends in St. Paul. Not sure where the answer to their troubles lies, they are shocked upon arriving in St. Paul to learn that the Society that cursed Lord Denbury in the first place now has much larger and more sinister plans in store. It seems that the Society has capture Rachel Horowitz, a friend of Natalie’s from New York, who cannot hear or speak but has the ability to communicate with spirits. Through visions and premonitions, Natalie is able to see Rachel being held captive, forced to draw spirits out of objects, mementos, even body parts. What is the Society planning and how does it relate to the demon that once cursed Lord Denbury?

Review: Author Leanna Renee Hieber continues her love-affair with Victorian literature in this sequel to her 2011 novel, Darker Still. Unfortunately, where her first novel shone in its marriage of mystery, romance and suspense, the sequel falls markedly short. There are several reasons why The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart is not a successful follow-up to its predecessor. The first is that Darker Still had a very intriguing and well-written plot: Lord Denbury’s imprisonment in the painting, Natalie’s inability to communicate due to being mute, a murder mystery on the streets of Victorian New York. The plot of the sequel, however, is muddled, convoluted and not very entertaining. The “big reveal” at the end of the novel is very anti-climactic, and the build-up to that point is lackluster. Characters are introduced then never really expanded upon, and the romance between Natalie and Lord Denbury doesn’t really go anywhere. The charm of the setting in Darker Still is also absent, with little attention given to the Victorian surroundings and sensibilities that the author obviously cares for. There is an attempt at a cliffhanger that does little to motivate the reader to want to pick up the third novel which is set to be released in November of 2013. Overall, a disappointing follow-up to a story that had loads of potential.  

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Entwined by Heather Dixon, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey.   

Themes:  Curses, demons, secret societies, ghosts, psychic abilities, Victorian era, New York City.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist.   

Series Information: Second installment in Magic Most Foul series. First installment, Darker Still, released in 2011. Third installment, The Double Life of Incorporate Things, set to be released November 2013.    

Discussion questions:

-         How would you explain what the Society was trying to do with Rachel and her abilities?

-          Do you trust Mrs. Northe? Why or why not?

-         Do you think Natalie still struggles with her speech?

-         What was the significance of the runes in the story?

-          Who was your favorite character? Why?

-         Do you enjoy this novel more or less than Darker Still? Why?

-         What would you like to see happen in the third novel?

Shattered Souls Book Review

Author: Mary Lindsey. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Philomel. ISBN: 9780399256226.

Annotation: Lenzi Anderson is worried that she is suffering from schizophrenia, the disease that caused her father to commit suicide, when she begins hearing voices, begging and pleading with her to help them.  When Lenzi meets Alden Thomas, however, she learns that she is a Speaker, someone who communicates with the spirits of the dead and helps them cross-over.

Personal thoughts: Although overall I would say that I enjoyed this novel, there were definitely some parts of the story I loved and some parts I didn’t love. To begin with, I loved the setting. It was so evident how much the author loves her home state, and I really enjoyed learning more about Galveston in particular. I also liked the concept of Speakers and Protectors. Even though the idea of a “ghost whisperer” has appeared before, the mechanics behind Lenzi and Alden’s jobs was very clever. Now for the parts, or should I say part, I didn’t love: the fate of Lenzi’s boyfriend, Zak. Although I could tell he had his own demons (no pun intended), I really liked the character of Zak and how he refused to abandon Lenzi even when everyone else thought she was crazy. I liked Alden as well, but I was really irked when Lenzi tossed Zak aside like last week’s leftovers. It hampered my view of Lenzi, and made it hard for me to really root for her later on in the story. That being said, however, I will definitely still be looking forward to the second novel in this series. I think it has a lot of potential, and would recommend it to fans of paranormal romance.

Plot summary: Lenzi Anderson is about to celebrate her seventeenth birthday but she is far from excited. Her father is dead, having recently committed suicide after suffering from schizophrenia. Lenzi and her mother have just moved to Houston, and Lenzi doesn’t fit in with the other students at her stuck-up school. The only comfort in Lenzi’s life is her boyfriend, Zak. Zak hasn’t had an easy life himself, and he doesn’t mind that Lenzi is struggling to cope with everything in her life, even if it means numbing herself out on anxiety medication. Things get even more difficult for Lenzi, however, when she begins hearing voices. The voices beg and plead with her to help them, and Lenzi is worried that she is going to end up like her dad. Everything changes when Lenzi meets Alden Thomas. Like Lenzi, Alden is also seventeen and, even though they’ve just met, seems to know everything about Lenzi, including the reason why she’s hearing voices. Alden explains that Lenzi is a Speaker, and he, her Protector. For centuries, the two souls have been recycled into different lifetimes, always remembering who they are and what their purpose in life is: to help hindered spirits of the dead cross-over. As the Speaker, Lenzi can hear the spirits, and Alden’s role is to keep her safe and assist her in resolving the unfinished business of the Hindered. Something is different about Alden and Lenzi this time, however. In every previous life her name has been Rose, not Lenzi, and she has been gone for more than a century since her last death, an unusually long period of time. Also, Lenzi has no recollection of her previous lives or what it means to be a Speaker. Worst of all, Zak doesn’t understand the sudden appearance of Alden and his determination to be near Lenzi at all times. How will Lenzi manage her new-found role, her developing feelings for Alden and her relationship with Zak, all while learning how to help the spirits of the dead cross-over?

Review: From debut author and obviously enthusiastic Texan Mary Lindsey comes Shattered Souls, the first installment in a new paranormal romance series for teens. Fans of television shows such as The Ghost Whisperer and Medium will enjoy the premise of this series: Lenzi is a Speaker, someone who can speak to the dead, and her job, with the help of the conveniently handsome and intelligent Alden, is to help souls wrap-up unfinished business and guide them into “the light.” Although there are some religious implications to this notion (i.e. demons, malevolent spirits, exorcisms, etc.), Shattered Souls does not delve at all into the theology of what Lenzi, Alden, and the rest of the Intercessor Council does. This can either be a good or bad thing, depending on the viewpoint of the reader, but does mean that parents or teachers concerned with any religious or Biblical references beyond those mentioned above need not worry. The author’s love for Texas, particularly the Houston and Galveston area, is evident throughout the novel and plays a large role in the plot. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the story is Lenzi learning more about her past lives as “Rose,” and how the history of Texas played a part in her fate at various times. The relationship between Lenzi and Alden is also very sweet, with her falling easily for his puppy-dog infatuation with her. One thing that might stick out to readers, however, is how quickly Lenzi is able to shirk her relationship with Zak once Alden arrives on the scene. Although, in the context of the story, this turn of events does make some sense, teens will definitely pick up on how unfair Zak’s fate seems to be, as Lenzi abandons him for greener, more ghost-filled pastures. Despite this one area of shortcomings, however, Shattered Souls is an interesting story that will definitely appeal to fans of paranormal romance. The next novel, which has yet to be titled, is set to be released in 2014.

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent.

Themes:  Ghosts, crossing-over, psychic abilities, demons, reincarnation, love, Texas.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

Series Information: First novel in Souls series. Second novel (not yet titled) set to be released in 2014.  

Discussion questions:

-       Why do you think Lenzi was so worried about “ending up” like her father? Do you think that’s common when someone has a parent with a mental illness?

-       Do you think Zak was a good boyfriend for Lenzi? Why or why not?

-        Why do you think Lenzi had past-life amnesia?

-        If you found out you were a Speaker, would you be excited or scared? Why?

-      Why do you think Smith had such a vendetta against Lenzi?

Forbidden Book Review

Author: Syrie James and Ryan M. James. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062027894.

Annotation: When sixteen-year-old Claire Brennan meets new student Alec MacKenzie on the first day of school, she is immediately intrigued by his quiet, intelligent nature. Her life changes forever one day, when she learns the truth about Alec: he is a Grigori, an Earthbound angel assigned to eliminate the descendents of children conceived between angel and human.

Personal thoughts: I had heard that this novel was becoming quite popular, so I decided to give it a try, especially since the premise sounded intriguing. Although I thought it was well-written and entertaining enough, after completing the novel I ended up having fairly neutral feelings towards it. I think there are a lot of similarities to other books in the genre, especially Twilight, which is something I don’t normally enjoy saying even when I observe it. In this case, however, some situations were just too apparent for me to ignore, particularly the whole “boy rescues girl and exposes his supernatural powers” scene. That being said, however, I think there is definitely a place for this novel and subsequent series as a read-alike for Twilight fans. The romance between Alec and Claire is very sweet, and I imagine that many teen girls will lap this story up.    

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Claire Brennan has always been a bit of a loner. Constantly moving from place to place, she and her mother have never lived anywhere long enough for Claire to be one of the “popular kids.” For the past two years, she’s been going to Emerson Academy: an elite private school in Los Angeles where she works hard to maintain the scholarship that pays for her tuition. Claire has two good friends at Emerson, Erica and Brian, and hopes that she and her mom have finally found a place to stay put. Everything changes when Claire meets Alec MacKenzie on the first day of her junior year. With a thick Scottish accent and a strange but handsome appearance, Claire isn’t sure what to think of the new guy on campus. As she and Alec grow closer, however, Claire begins to suspect that there is more to him than meets the eye. Coupled with Claire’s suspicions are a series of strange visions that she has begun to experience: visions of the future that seem to come true. One such vision warns of danger, danger that only Alec can protect her from. Determined to learn the truth, Alec finally confesses his true identity to Claire: he is a Grigori, an Earthbound angel dedicated to eliminating the descendents of the children conceived between angel and human, and Claire is his next assignment.

Review:  Written by mother and son duo Syrie and Ryan James, Forbidden, the start to a new paranormal romance series for teens, proves to be a bit of a mixed bag, but still a novel that will appeal to many young adult readers. Set in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, much of Forbidden comes across as a Southern California version of Twilight. Like Bella Swan, Claire Brennan is a quiet, somewhat awkward teen who, with no prior dating experience, finds herself in the middle of a whirlwind romance with a handsome immortal, in this case an angel. There is even a scene where Claire begins to suspect the truth about Alec’s nature after he saves her from a freak scaffolding accident (think Edward stopping the car to save Bella.) These obvious similarities aside, however, Forbidden still has a lot to offer the young adult audience, particularly Twilight fans who are yearning for something similar. Claire is a likable protagonist, as is Alec and the dual-perspectives in the novel make for a nicely paced read. The mythology surrounding the Grigori is also interesting, and also makes the book appealing to fans of the Hush, Hush series. Although Forbidden is nothing astoundingly original or mind-blowing, it is a pleasant and romantic story that many teens will enjoy. The James pair has stated that they plan to write a sequel, but the exact date of its publication has yet to be announced.

Genre: Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Tiger’s Curse series by Colleen Houck, Falling Under by Gwen Hayes.   

Themes:  Angels, psychic abilities, romance, fallen angels.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from USA Today and Kirkus.  

Series Information: First installment in Forbidden series. Sequel release date has not been announced.     

Discussion questions:

-      Did you like reading the novel from both Claire and Alec’s perspectives? Why or why not?

-      Why do you think Alec chose to abandon his duties as a Grigori?

-      Which character did you like more: Neil or Alec? Why?

-     Why do you think Vincent did what he did?

-     What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

Haunting Violet Book Review

Author: Alyxandra Harvey. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Walker Childrens. ISBN: 9780802798398.

Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Violet Willoughby has spent her life assisting her mother, a fraudulent spiritual medium, in tricking wealthy widowers and grieving mothers out of their gold and silver. After arriving in the lavish country manner of Rosefield, home to the powerful Lord Jasper, Violet begins to see the ghosts of the recently departed, including that of Rowena, a girl her age who mysteriously drown a year earlier.

Personal thoughts: I’ve never read one of Alyxandra Harvey’s books before, but after finishing Haunting Violet, I think I can safely call myself a fan! Harvey lists Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice as amongst her favorite novels, and their influence is clearly felt in Haunting Violet. I am also very fond of the Regency and Victorian eras, and really enjoyed how well she portrayed life in Victorian England. The characters, setting and plot were all well-developed in Haunting Violet, and the story was expertly paced. I look forward to picking up Harvey’s next novel, and highly recommend this one to fellow Austen/Bronte enthusiasts!

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Violet Willoughby has spent her life assisting her mother, Celeste, a fraudulent spiritual medium, in tricking wealthy widowers and grieving mothers out of their gold and silver. Life in Victorian England for a former housemaid left expecting a child after an affair with her wealthy employer was not easy for Mary Morgan. After Violet’s birth, Mary adopted the pseudonym Celeste Willoughby, posing as a grieving widow with the ability to speak with the dead. Now “Mrs. Willoughby” and Violet live a life of fraud: pickpocketing, scamming and conning the wealthy into paying them for any solace after the death of a loved one. Violet hates tricking people. Her only consolation is in the comfort of her friend Colin: her mother’s longtime assistant who has grown up alongside Violet and helps Mrs. Willoughby perform her “séances”. One summer, the family is invited to Rosefield, a lavish country estate owned by the very wealthy and powerful Lord Jasper. If they can pull it off, the grand séance they will perform at Rosefield will ensure their place in society, as many members of Lord Jasper’s esteemed acquaintance have been invited especially for the event. Upon arriving at the scene of their next scam, however, Violet makes a startling discovery: she has begun to see the spirits of the deceased, not in the fraudulent way her mother claims to, but for real. Unsure of what to do with her newfound power, Violet is faced with the stubborn and troubled ghost of Rowena Wentworth, a fifteen-year-old girl and former neighbor of Lord Jasper’s who mysteriously drowned the previous year. Rowena seems intent on Violet discovering the truth about her death, but as Violet learns more and more about the secrets floating through the halls of Rosefield, she also discovers that her own life may be in danger.

Review:  This charming novel from veteran author, Alyxandra Harvey, is certain to delight both fans of historical fiction, particularly the Victorian era, and ghost stories alike. The main plot of the story is simple: Violet must help the ghost of the murdered Rowena to reveal who killed her, resulting in an always popular whodunit mystery. Below the surface, however, there is quite a bit more to Haunting Violet than just figuring out who the bad guy is. The relationship between Violet and her con-artist mother plays an important role in the story. Life for women of low social status in Victorian society was grim at best, and the reader can almost sympathize with the devious ways of Mrs. Willoughby, a former housemaid, who wants a better place in the world. The abuse enacted upon Violet by her mother is one of the more thought-provoking aspects of the book, particularly since one can imagine that similar circumstances between parents who live dishonest lives and their children occur on a daily basis in today’s society as well. In actuality, the novel provides just as much of a social commentary on the Victorian era as it does a ghost story, making it an interesting read for teens who are not as familiar with this period in time. Overall, Haunting Violet is an entertaining and well-paced ghost-story that readers of all ages can easily enjoy.

Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber.   

Themes:  Psychic abilities, spiritualism, ghosts, fraud/dishonesty, Victorian era, class warfare, mother/daughter relationships.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.  

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions: 

-  Why do you think Violet disliked tricking her mother’s clients so much?

-  Do you think that, in helping her mother to perform “séances,” Violet was just as guilty as Mrs. Willoughby in tricking people? Why or why not?

- Why do you think Violet wanted to keep her psychic abilities secret from her mother?

- Were you surprised by the ending of the novel? Why or why not?

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The Shadowing: Hunted Book Review

 Author: Adam Slater. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  EgmontUSA. ISBN: 9781606842614.

Annotation:  Callum Scott has been able to see ghosts his whole life, a “gift” he’s tried to keep hidden from the rest of the world. After a bizarre string of gruesome murders wreaks havoc near his English village, however, Callum fears that he is being hunted by something not of this world, and that only his supernatural powers can save him.  

Personal thoughts:  I love a good ghost story, and I was definitely surprised (but pleased!) with how creepy this book was, especially since it is less than 200 pages. Although it is full of British lingo (kitbag, motorway, etc.), I think this novel would be great for reluctant readers, especially boys. The story gets going immediately, wasting little time between scares. It does manage to establish an interesting setting and cast of characters, however, providing opportunities for discussion or critical thinking. I look forward to picking up the second installment, both for the potential scares and the possibilities the series holds for sparking an interest in reading for young adults.

Plot summary: Callum Scott has been able to see ghosts his whole life. When he was younger, he would often embarrass himself by trying to talk to people no one else could see. Now he is in high school and has taught himself how to hide his “gift” from others: his friends, his teachers, and his Gran, who he lives with in a small cottage outside of his English village. One evening, however, Callum suddenly discovers that his powers have taken a startling turn: he now has the ability to see the future, sensing lurking danger when a tingling sensation overpowers his body. It also appears that the ghost population of Marlock has increased in size, with specters from all walks of life floating nearby wherever he goes. To make matters worse, Callum senses something evil. A bizarre and gruesome series of murders nearby have the village on edge. As more and more teenagers are killed, Callum begins to fear that whatever is hunting them is after him as well. Will Callum be able to use the powers he’s kept hidden for years to save himself and the people he loves from this new evil?

Review:  Short but creepy, this first installment in a new horror series for young adults packs a powerful punch for a book of its size. Author Adam Slater’s enthusiasm for the genre is evident throughout the novel. Suspense is built effectively throughout the story with genuinely scary moments, the right amount of gore, and an overall feeling of dread. Callum Scott is a likable protagonist, generally keeping to himself in school but still managing to be popular and easygoing. His relationship with his Gran is very pleasing, as are the descriptions of their quaint and cozy cottage in the woods. Juxtaposed with these more heart-warming aspects of the novel is the horror that is The Hunter. The Hunter narrates the book from time to time, describing in detail how it relishes murder and enjoys toying with Callum. Some of the scenes in the story are more than a little creepy and will certainly cause the reader’s eyes to dart around looking for signs of a monster lurking in the corner. Thrown into the mix are references to supernatural folklore, including chime children, churchyard grims, and various methods of warding off evil. Since it is so short, this novel would be especially appealing for reluctant readers who will respond to the quick pacing and entertaining story. It will also be equally enjoyable for both teen and adult horror fans as well. The second installment, The Shadowing: Skinned is set to be released in 2012.

Genre: Horror

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Damage by Anya Parrish, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki.

Themes:  Ghosts, demons, haunting, psychic abilities, murder, England.   

Awards/Reviews:  N/A  

Series Information: First installment in The Shadowing series. Second novel, The Shadowing: Skinned to be released in 2012.  

Discussion questions:

- Do you think Callum’s ability to see ghosts is a gift or a curse? Why?

- Research some of the supernatural folklore in the novel. Where does it get its roots? Is the novel true to the history?

- What do you think happened to Callum’s father?

- What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

Envy: An Empty Coffin Novel Book Review

Author: Gregg Olsen. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Splinter. ISBN: 9781402789571.

Annotation:  Fifteen-year-old Katelyn Berkley’s apparent suicide rocks the small town of Port Gamble, Washington, a close knit community where everyone knows each other. Twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan, however, are not so sure that Katelyn’s death was a suicide.

Personal thoughts:  I was really interested to read this novel, especially since it is written by not only a man but a best-selling adult author, two traits that you don’t find as often in young adult literature. My one thought throughout the novel was how obvious these two traits were in the construction of the book: from the language to the plot. That said, I did actually enjoy the novel. True crime is generally confined to an adult audience, but I think that Olsen has found an interesting way to bring it to teens. I’m looking forward to seeing what else he comes up with.   

Plot summary: On Christmas night, fifteen-year-old Katelyn Berkley’s mother is horrified when she discovers her daughter’s lifeless body in the bathtub. Although her peculiar death (a mini-espresso machine’s plunge into the water lead to her fatal electrocution) is deemed an accident, the general consensus in the small town of Port Gamble, Washington is that Katelyn committed suicide. Unsatisfied with both explanations, twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan set out to determine what really happened to the girl they used to be close in years past. Hayley and Taylor aren’t ordinary teenagers, however. They share a gift: the ability to psychically connect with energies left from those who have passed on. Using their gifts they discover that Katelyn’s life was far from perfect. After not making the cheerleading squad lead to a falling out with her best friend, the uber-popular mean girl, Starla, Katelyn had turned to an online boyfriend to help deal with the trials and tribulations of high school. As Hayley and Taylor dig deeper into her life, they learn that Katelyn’s online boyfriend might not have been who he said he was, and his true identity may hold the key to learning what really happened to Katelyn.

Review:  This first installment in best-selling author Gregg Olsen’s new series for young adults proves to be a bit of a mixed bag.  Even without reading the jacket, it is clear that this is Olsen’s first venture into writing for teens. The writing style is very much adult mystery with teen references and lingo tossed in. At first this style is difficult to get used to, but eventually becomes less noticeable as the story progresses. The plot of the novel is interesting, but has its peculiarities. The manner of Katelyn’s death is, in a word, odd. Death by electrocution from a mini-espresso machine in the bathtub? There are also oddities interspersed throughout the novel, from graphic descriptions of Katelyn’s autopsy, to psychic Scrabble, some of the plot points come off as simply strange. The ending of the novel in particular is quite peculiar. Despite these shortcomings, Envy is somewhat enjoyable. The connection between the twins, Hayley and Taylor, is intriguing as are the references to real-life crime cases that the novel is loosely based on. The setting, the small town of Port Gamble, Washington, plays a major role in setting the somber tone of the novel, and Olsen does a good job of describing the world in which the plot takes place. The next novel in the series, Betrayal, is mentioned in the final pages of the book as being set for release in fall 2012. Hopefully Olsen can improve upon this first novel in the sequel; if he can he has the makings for an original and interesting series.

Genre: Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Lark by Tracey Porter.     

Themes:  Suicide, death, murder, loss, psychic abilities, cyberbullying, friendship, Washington.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from author Jordan Dane, written by New York Times bestselling author.

Series Information: First installment in Empty Coffin series. Second novel, Betrayal, to be released in Fall of 2012.

Discussion questions:

- When you first began reading the novel, did you believe that Katelyn’s death was an accident? Did your thoughts change as you read further? Why or why not?

- Do you think that it’s possible for people to have gifts like Hayley and Taylor?

- How do you think the setting of the story influenced the events of the novel?

- Did you like the ending of the novel? Would you have changed it? How?

- Research the real-life crime stories that the author mentions at the end of the book. What can they, and the plot of Envy, teach us about cyberbullying?