Masque of the Red Death Book Review

Author: Bethany Griffin. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 9780062107794.

Annotation: The world is in ruins after a deadly plague has killed most of the population. Araby and other wealthy members of society who can afford masks to protect them from the contagion spend most of their time in darkened clubs, trying to pretend like the outside world isn’t full of death. Araby’s world changes, however, when she meets Elliott, her best friend April’s older brother, who has a plan to free the city from the ruthless Prince Prospero.

Personal thoughts: I hadn’t heard much about this book prior to picking it up, but I am a big fan of reinvented pieces of classic literature so I was excited to learn about the influence of Edgar Allan Poe on the novel. Although I did, in general, enjoy the book, unfortunately, I can’t say it was one of my favorites. I thought the author did a great job establishing a really tense, uncomfortable atmosphere, which fit the events of the story perfectly, but, for me, that was the best part of the book. I didn’t really get Araby having a romance with either Will or Elliott. I found Araby’s parents, her friend April and even Prince Prospero to be interesting characters, but the novel focused more on Will and Elliott so that didn’t really help much. I would probably recommend this novel to teens who are interested in post-apocalyptic and dystopian reads, but there are others I would likely suggest first.  

Plot summary: After a deadly plague has killed most of the Earth’s population, society is left in ruin. Araby Worth and the rest of the city don’t know if they’re the only ones left alive, but, thanks to Araby’s scientist father, the wealthy are protected from the contagion by specially designed masks. While the poor continue to die, Araby and her best friend April live in the penthouse of one of the city’s nicest buildings, spending most of their time at the Debauchery Club, a darkened den full of drugs, alcohol and sex. Despite her life of relative luxury, Araby is haunted by the memory of her brother, Finn, who caught the sickness before her father invented the masks and died years earlier. Everything changes, however, when Araby meets Elliott, April’s older brother. April and Elliott are niece and nephew of the ruthless Prince Prospero, the city’s ruler who lives in an isolated castle and kills anyone who questions his authority. Elliott is determined to stage a revolution against his uncle, providing masks to everyone in the city along with food, clean water and proper shelter. Elliott needs Araby’s help to bring his plan to light, but Araby is conflicted when she becomes close with Will, the handsome and mysterious manager of the Debauchery Club.

Review: Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story of the same name, Masque of the Red Death is a tense start to a dystopian series for young adults. Set in the not-so-distant future, the post-apocalyptic world of Araby Worth is gritty, bloody, and cold. High-school English teacher turned author Bethany Griffin does a good job of creating a very uncomfortable atmosphere for the story to take place in. Puss oozes from the open sores of the sick, dead bodies are unceremoniously tossed into the carts of corpse collectors, and even the luxurious lives of Araby and her best friend April are bleak. The author is also successful at developing the character of Araby herself. Araby’s life is completely dominated by thoughts of her brother Finn whose death she feels responsible for. Araby prefers to spend her time in a drug-induced stupor where she can escape her painful memories, but she begins to grow and change after she gets to know Will and his younger siblings and when she becomes involved in Elliott’s plot to overthrow Prince Prospero. Where the novel is somewhat lacking, unfortunately, is in developing the other characters in the story and their relationships with Araby. Will and Elliott are somewhat explored, but their romances with Araby are fuzzy. Does she really like either of them? Why? Araby’s parents are two characters who hold a lot of potential to be interesting, but aren’t given enough page time to really be flushed out. Araby’s best friend, April, is arguably the most successfully developed support character, but really doesn’t have much of a role in the story. Overall, Masque of the Red Death proves to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a strong setting and central character but a weaker plot and supporting cast. The sequel, Dance of the Red Death, is set to be released in June 2013.   

Genre:  Science Fiction/Dystopian

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch, The Pledge by Kimberly Derting, Legend by Marie Lu, Starters by Lissa Price, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.

Themes:  Dystopian, post-apocalyptic, plague, death, grief, rebellion, romance.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus.   

Series Information: First installment in Red Death Saga. Second installment, Dance of the Red Death, set to be released June 11, 2013.

Discussion questions:

-         Read Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, Masque of the Red Death. How is this novel influenced by Poe?

-          Explain the vow Araby made after Finn’s death. How does it impact the events of the story?

-         Why do you think Araby blames herself for the death of her brother?

-        Compared to much of the city, Araby’s life is luxurious and safe. Explain why this doesn’t make Araby happy. Do you think that money can buy happiness?

-        Who do you think Araby feels a stronger connection with: Will or Elliott? Why?

-        Describe the relationship between Araby’s mother and Prince Prospero.

-         Were you surprised to learn the identity of Malcontent? Why or why not?

-         What would you like to see happen in the sequel, Dance of the Red Death?

On the Fringe Book Review

 Author: Courtney King Walker. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Lands Atlantic Publishing. ISBN: 9780982500552.

Annotation: Claire is heartbroken when her lifelong crush, her best friend’s older brother Daniel, is tragically killed in a seemingly random shooting. Months later after her own near death experience, Claire is shocked to discover that she can communicate with Daniel’s spirit which is stuck in “the fringe,” and that his murder might not have been random after all.    

Personal thoughts: Although this book did a pretty good job of creeping me out in parts, I had some trouble in finding something to latch onto to make it a novel I really loved. I thought Claire and Daniel were interesting characters, but I didn’t feel like I really got to know them in the story. The first few chapters (when Daniel was still alive) were my favorite in the book, and I wish that the author had spent a little more time developing Claire and Daniel and their relationship before jumping into ghosts-ville. I also didn’t really understand the “bad guy” or why he was so mean-spirited, my final guess being that the author simply meant for him to be just crazy. Overall, I did somewhat enjoy the novel, but it was one of those reads where I felt like I really could have loved it had it lived up to its potential fully. Either way, I am looking forward to seeing what Courtney King Walker comes up with next because she seems to definitely have some interesting ideas up her sleeve.

Plot summary: Since she was a little girl, sixteen-year-old Claire and her best friend Addie have been joined at the hip with Claire’s older brother, Matthew, who also happens to be best friends with Addie’s older brother, Daniel. The four have years of memories growing up together, the boys playing pranks on their annoying little sisters and the girls trying to keep up with their older brothers’ games. Now that they’re older, however, Claire and Daniel are just beginning to discover that they actually have feelings for each other. Daniel isn’t just Addie’s older brother, but is handsome and kind, and Daniel likes Claire’s adventurous and whimsical nature. Just as their relationship begins to blossom, however, Daniel is tragically killed in what appears to be a random shooting at a party. Addie, Matthew and Claire are completely heartbroken by the loss. In the months following his death, the three grieve in their own ways: Matthew going off to college, Addie focusing on her social life, and Claire wondering why her brother and her best friend are trying to move on from something that she feels has altered her life forever. Everything changes, however, after a freak accident causes Claire to nearly drown in a lake near her house. As she is losing consciousness beneath the surface of the water, she sees Daniel’s face, and he pulls her to shore. At first she thinks she imagined it, but Claire soon realizes that her near death experience has given her the ability to communicate with Daniel’s spirit. But how can Claire keep her newfound connection with Daniel a secret? And was his murder truly random, or was someone, or something, else behind Daniel’s death?

Review: In her first book, author Courtney King Walker creates a bittersweet and often creepy ghost story that is interesting but doesn’t exactly leave the reader with warm fuzzy feelings when it’s all said and done. The story begins in a very non-paranormal fashion: Claire is a free-spirited girl who finds herself falling for her best friend’s older brother, Daniel. Since the novel is told by dual narrators, both Daniel and Claire get to express the events of the story from their perspective, and Daniel’s description of his realization that Claire was more than just his best friend’s kid sister is very sweet. The story abruptly changes, however, after Daniel is murdered (shot in the head, to be exact.) This plot element was jarring, and the sweetness that was established in the first few chapters almost completely disappears. Claire discovering her new found connection with Daniel’s spirit is nice, but it does come after she nearly drowns. There is also a vengeful ghost who has it in for Daniel, and decides to haunt Claire after he discovers that she and Daniel have found a way to communicate. Everything in the plot seems to have a negative aspect to it, something that made it hard to get the romantic feelings flowing while Claire and Daniel fall more in love with each other. Some side characters are introduced throughout the story as well and are never fully vetted, leaving the reader slightly confused when they end up playing a large role in the plot. Overall, fans of ghost stories are likely to enjoy On the Fringe, but as a romance and a completely developed novel, the book leaves a bit to be desired.

Genre:  Fiction/Ghost Story

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Hereafter series by Tara Hudson, Envy: An Empty Coffin Novel by Gregg Olsen, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire, The Poisoned House by Michael Ford.

Themes:  Ghosts, murder, revenge, romance, friendship, grief, loss.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews on Amazon.com.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

-        What was the significance of the silver ring in the story? What did it symbolize about Claire and Daniel’s relationship?

-       After Daniel’s death, explain the difference between the way Matthew, Addie and Claire grieved. Which way do you think was the most “normal”? Do you think that one method of grieving is better than another?

-        When Claire almost drown in the lake on the night of her birthday, do you think a part of her wanted to die? Why or why not?

-      How do you explain the “connection” between Daniel and Claire after she almost drowned?

-     Why do you think Aden couldn’t forgive Daniel?

-     How do you explain the relationship between Aden and Felix?

Die For Me Book Review

Author: Amy Plum. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062004018.

Annotation: After their parents’ death, sixteen-year-old Kate Mercier and her older sister, Georgia, leave their home in Brooklyn to live with their grandparents in Paris. Kate feels doomed to live a life of perpetual sadness, grieving for the loss of her parents, until she meets Vincent Delacroix: a handsome French student with a supernatural secret.  

Personal thoughts: I had this title in my “to read” pile for a very long time, and after thoroughly enjoying it, I can’t imagine why I didn’t pick it up sooner! I really love Amy Plum’s breezy writing style. She describes the situations and characters very well without making things melodramatic. The setting is very lush and adds a great deal to the story. I also really enjoyed the concept of the revenants, numa, and learning the pasts of all the members of Jean-Baptiste’s household. I’m really looking forward to the second installment in this series, and would highly recommend this title to fans of paranormal romance!  

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Kate Mercier’s life changes forever when her parents are killed in a tragic car accident near their home in Brooklyn, New York. Kate doesn’t feel like she will ever be able to cope with the incomprehensible loss, and her older sister, Georgia, decides that the pair should move to Paris to live with their grandparents. Happy memories spent with her mom and dad plague her for the first few months of her new life in France. Kate fears that she will spend the rest of her life living under a dark cloud, until she meets nineteen-year-old Vincent Delacroix. Vincent is drop dead gorgeous and, for reasons she can’t quite understand, seems to be genuinely interested in Kate. Soon after meeting Vincent, however, Kate inadvertently stumbles upon the truth of his existence: Vincent is a revenant, someone who sacrificed their life to save another and was granted immortality to continue protecting people from untimely deaths. Vincent and his friends and fellow revenants Jules, Ambrose, Charles and Charlotte, have spent decades dying to save others, only to be resurrected in perfect physical shape three days later. Still struggling to cope with her parents’ death, Kate isn’t sure if she could ever get used to the idea of seeing Vincent die constantly, even if it is for a good purpose. To make matters worse, Vincent’s revenant family is at war with a rival group, the numa, beings who are immortal in the same way as the revenants, but who gain power by causing the deaths of others. How will Kate and Vincent’s blossoming romance fare when it seems that everything is trying to keep them apart?

Review:  This debut novel from author Amy Plum begins a romantic, action-packed and creative new series that both teens and adults can enjoy. Set in the charming city of Paris, France, a place that is clearly important to the author upon reading her loving descriptions, Die For Me tells the story of a mortal/immortal relationship that is quite unique in the genre. Although many novels have delved into the “girl dates zombie” concept, Die For Me takes a new, far more pleasing take on the undead. Vincent Delacroix and the rest of the revenants are actually crime fighters, using their immortality to prevent the untimely deaths of others. Their guardian, Jean-Baptiste, is also a revenant, and looks after the teens a la Dr. Cullen in the Twilight series. Fans of Stephanie Meyer’s popular series will find a lot to enjoy in Amy Plum’s creation, with the novel having enough of a similar romantic tone to appeal to Twilight fans, but different enough to be entertaining. The lead character, Kate Mercier, is troubled but also very likable. She is coping with a very serious tragedy, and makes mistakes in her interactions as one would expect of someone her age. Many readers will find a lot to relate to in Kate, including her feeling insecure, finding herself in her sister’s shadow, and doubting that Vincent could have true feelings for her. In addition to the romantic aspects of the story, Die For Me is also full of action and lore, giving it enough depth to keep the series going. The next installment, Until I Die, is set to be released on May 8, 2012.

Genre: Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent.  

Themes:  Immortality, death, loss, grief, Paris, France, war, sisters, romance.

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from School Library Journal, positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and New York Journal of Books.     

Series Information: First installment in the Revenants series. Second installment, Until I Die, set to be released on May 8, 2012.

Discussion questions: 

-     Do you think it was a good idea for George and Kate to move to Paris after their parents’ death? Why or why not?

-     Do you think that Georgia used her partying to cope with the loss of her parents?

-    Why do you think Vincent was so enchanted by Kate?

-     Why do you think Kate was unsure about her relationship with Vincent? Do you think she did the right thing in taking a step back?

-   Who is your favorite character in the novel? Why?

-    What would you like to see happen in the second novel in this series?

Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All Book Review

 Author: Jane Yolen. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Philomel. ISBN: 9780399256639.

Annotation:  Snow-in-Summer Morton was seven when she lost her mother, and her father has been inconsolable ever since. After years of grieving, Summer’s father meets and quickly weds a mysterious woman who Summer can only call “Stepmama.” At first, Summer is hopeful that she will finally be able to have a normal family like in the fairy tales, but soon realizes that what she has gotten instead is a wicked Stepmother.

Personal thoughts:  I picked this novel up by chance after seeing that Jane Yolen was the author (I am very familiar with her books for younger children.) I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this quiet but intriguing version of Snow White! One of my favorite parts of the novel was the setting. It is clear that Yolen has a passion for the area, it being the home of her husband’s family, and I thought that all of the local names for plants, customs of the people of Addison, and the time period were very charming. I would highly recommend this novel to tweens, teens, or adults. It is short but excellent!   

Plot summary: Snow-in-Summer Morton’s life changed forever at age seven when her mother died in childbirth, leaving her alone and her father, Lemuel, with a broken heart. Cousin Nancy, the widow of Summer’s father’s favorite cousin who was recently killed in World War II, helps to care for Summer after her father slips into a deep, dark grief unable to cope with the death of his beloved wife.  One day, four years later, now eleven-year old Summer is shocked when Lemuel returns with a mysterious but beautiful woman. Cousin Nancy and the rest of the townsfolk in Addison, West Virginia fear that Lemuel has become bewitched by the enchanting woman. When Lemuel quickly marries her, Summer hopes that she, her father and her new Stepmama will be able to form the family she’s longed for. As the years pass, however, Summer begins to realize that Stepmama is far from loving. Stepmama seems to have Lemuel in some kind of spell causing him to become withdrawn and unaware. In the meantime, Summer is subjected to abuse and eerie behavior at the hands of the woman, while Cousin Nancy can only look on in worry about her goddaughter. One day, Summer happens into Stepmama’s room where she encounters a strange mirror that seems to speak to her. The mirror warns of danger, danger that threatens to end in Summer’s death. Will Summer ever be able to escape the clutches of the woman that has appears to have bewitched the entire town and save her father’s life?

Review:  From award-winning author Jane Yolen comes this enchanting re-telling of the classic Snow White story set in 1940s Appalachia. The author is clearly a masterful storyteller as Snow in Summer flows easily and quickly from start to finish. Although it is relatively short, the characters are well-thought out and effective in allowing the reader to venture into the world of Addison, West Virginia. Yolen’s enthusiasm for the town, which she states in the beginning was the birthplace of her late husband’s family, is evident throughout the book. The rolling mountains, lush greens, and simple way of life all play an important role in setting the tone of the novel. Although Summer’s story is based on a very well-known tale, Yolen’s interpretations make for a fresh take on the classic. Summer’s creepy Stepmama as well as her kindly Cousin Nancy help narrate the plot, allowing the reader to see exactly what is going on inside the mind of the “wicked stepmother.” Overall, an excellent novel for tweens, teens or anyone who is a fan of Snow White or the American south.

Genre: Fairy Tale/Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Sweetly and Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Entwined by Heather Dixon.   

Themes:  Snow White, fairy tales, West Virginia, 1940s, death, grief, stepmothers, magic, witches.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions: 

- How does Snow in Summer compare with the classic fairy tale Snow White written by the Brothers Grimm? How about the Disney movie version?

- Why was Lemuel unable to sing to the plants after his wife’s death? Do you think people change after someone they love dies? Why or why not?

- What do you think Stepmama was referring to when she said “the Craft”?

-  How did Summer’s knowledge of plants help her in the novel?

- Were you happy with the ending of the novel? Why or why not?

The Sleepwalkers Book Review

 Author: J. Gabriel Gates. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Health Communications, Inc. ISBN: 9780757315886.

Annotation:  Caleb Mason just graduated high school and is about to begin a promising photojournalism career when he receives a cryptic letter from his childhood friend, Christine, who still lives in the small Florida town they grew up in. It seems that Christine, and other teens in the area, are being held against their will for treatment in a place called the Dream Center. Fearing for his friend, Caleb sets out for Florida with his best friend to figure out exactly what is going on in Hudsonville.  

Personal thoughts:  This novel took me for a bit of a roller coaster ride, but it wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. I had very high hopes for about the first third of the book with the introduction of Caleb and Bean, their travelling to Florida, and beginning to uncover the secrets of the Dream Center. As the plot was revealed, however, the novel took a very dark turn that I found to be a bit unsavory. Normally I am okay with stories that delve into dark things (the occult, witches, demons, etc.) For some reason, I just felt the shift in this book was too abrupt and not explained well enough for me to enjoy it. I was also not a huge fan of the Ron Bent character and didn’t find that he fit well into the story. Despite these negatives, I do think that, with a little tweaking, J. Gabriel Gates’ horror writing could be really great. I would not shy away from picking up another one of his titles in the future.    

Plot summary: Caleb Mason has it all together. He has just graduated high school in Malibu, California, has the hottest girlfriend in town and an awesome best friend, Benjamin “Bean” Friedman, who keeps him laughing. Now that he’s done with high school, Caleb plans to travel to Africa and investigate the AIDS pandemic, hopefully giving his career as a photo journalist a jumpstart. Everything changes, however, when Caleb receives a cryptic letter from Christine Zikry. As a child growing up in the small town of Hudsonville, Florida, Caleb was best friends with Christine and her twin sister Anna. After Anna mysteriously disappeared, memory of the two sisters has haunted Caleb, even though he and his mother long moved away to California. Now Christine has resurfaced, and is begging Caleb to return to Hudsonville, claiming that she is being held against her will for “treatment” in a place called the Dream Center. Disturbed by the letter and fearing for the life of his friend, Caleb abandons his plans to travel to Africa and, instead, travels to Florida with Bean, hoping to spend time with his dad, who is still living in Hudsonville. When Caleb and Bean arrive in Florida, they are immediately plunged into a situation more horrifying than they could have ever imagined. Caleb’s father is missing, as are hundreds of Hudsonville residents. Everything seems to revolve around the mysterious Dream Center, a facility claiming to be dedicated to the treatment of sleep disorders. As Caleb and Bean learn more about the truth of the Dream Center, it seems that nothing has prepared them for the dangers they face.  

Review:  Exceptionally creepy and dark, J. Gabriel Gates’ The Sleepwalkers proves to be a spooky yet inconsistent read. The beginning of the novel does well to create a sense of foreboding for the reader. Caleb’s ideal life is clearly going to take a turn for the worse when he returns to Hudsonville, the small town with a dark secret. The relationship between Caleb and his best friend Bean is arguably the most well worked aspect of the novel, with the two exchanging amusing quips back and forth for much of the story. The rest of the characters, however, tend to be muddled. Christine’s lifelong infatuation with Caleb is never fully explained, and when he learns about it, Caleb doesn’t appear perturbed by her obsessive behavior. Several side characters are introduced but not fully flushed out, including a Vietnam veteran-turned priest-turned vigilante named Ron Bent, Christine’s alcoholic “witch” mother, and a tough but caring waitress named Margie. The events of the story as well, though often quite creepy, are not explained enough to be satisfying. What is the exact nature of the sleepwalkers? Why did Caleb and Bean’s parents let two eighteen-year-olds travel across country alone? What is the significance of the clocks? Overall, the story has its share of high points, but leaves too many unanswered questions to be a truly satisfying horror novel. Recommended only to readers who are interested enough in the homicidal sleepwalker concept enough to get past the flaws.

Genre: Horror

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Damage by Anya Parrish.  

Themes:  Sleepwalking, insane asylums, insomnia, demons, the devil, murder, grief.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions: 

- Do you think that Caleb was plagued by guilt over what happened to Anna?

- Do you think Caleb was truly happy with his life in Malibu? Why or why not?

- What were your impressions of the clocks and the radio? How did those objects impact the story?

- Do you think Christine was insane? Why or why not?

- What do you think happened at the end of the story?

Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul Book Review

 Author: Leanna Renee Hieber. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN: 9781402260520.

Annotation:  Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart’s father works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1880s New York City. When a strange new painting is brought to the museum, one that is rumored to be haunted, Natalie is captivated by the handsome, young Lord Denbury depicted on the canvas. Soon Natalie discovers that the rumors of the piece being alive are true, and that the painting is actually a prison, one that is holding Lord Denbury hostage.

Personal thoughts:  This novel was so full of things I loved that it almost seemed that Leanna Renee Hieber wrote it just for me! History, mythology, curses, romance, and the intriguing idea of someone being trapped in a painting…how could I not enjoy Darker Still? I was especially impressed with Hieber creating a leading lady with a very real disability. Natalie’s being mute played a role in the plot, but I also liked how Hieber took care to point out throughout the novel that she was a normal teenage girl despite the fact that she had to communicate via sign language. Overall, I really loved this novel and would highly recommend it to both teen and adult readers. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series!  

Plot summary: At a young age, Natalie Stewart witnessed the death of her mother in a tragic accident and found herself unable to speak from then on. Now seventeen-years-old, Natalie’s existence is one of longing; yearning to live a normal life, have friends, and fall in love. The year is 1880, and Natalie’s father works for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. One day, Natalie and her father meet Mrs. Evelyn Northe, a wealthy and kind woman with an interest in spiritualism. Mrs. Northe, like Natalie, is fluent in sign language and the two become fast friends. Mrs. Northe informs Natalie and her father that a painting with a curious history has come into her possession. It seems that late Lord Denbury, the attractive, young man depicted on the canvas, is rumored to haunt the piece. Upon seeing the painting, Natalie is immediately captivated by Lord Denbury’s magnetic blue eyes and handsome features. Soon, however, Natalie realizes that there is more to her infatuation than just a love for brushstroke on canvas. Small changes in the painting catch her eye, and it seems that Lord Denbury is calling to her, begging her to reach out and touch the canvas. When she does, Natalie falls into a strange world, one inside the painting that has become a prison for the handsome Lord. It seems that an evil spell has trapped Lord Denbury’s soul, while his body acts as a vessel for a sinister spirit in the outside world. Will Natalie find a way to reverse the curse and save the man she finds herself falling for?

Review:  Author Leanna Renee Hieber describes herself as a “gateway drug” for young readers into the literature of the 19^th century, and her latest novel, Darker Still, proves to be an intoxicating plunge into Victorian New York City. Almost from the first page, the reader is immediately as enraptured in the story as the heroine, the mute Natalie Stewart, is with the mysterious depiction of Lord Denbury. The novel is full of many things: romance, mysticism, mythology, religion, mystery, and horror. The intricate world of the painting and exactly how Natalie and Lord Denbury fit into it keep the reader guessing as the plot unfolds. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable story that pays homage to such classics as Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. The author’s passion for the Victorian era is evident in her detailed and loving portrayal of gas lamp light streets, gowns, carriages, and corsets. The first in a new series, Darker Still makes for an excellent start to something original and entertaining for teen and adult readers who are fans of gothic novels, mystery and romance.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Entwined by Heather Dixon, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Curses, art, Victorian era, New York City, mythology, spiritualism, grief, demons.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: First installment in Magic Most Foul series.

Discussion questions: 

- Why do you think Natalie was unable to speak after her mother’s death?

- Do you think it is common for people to assume that those who cannot hear or speak are “dumb” as Maggie’s friends assumed about Natalie?

- Can you name all of the cultures/mythologies that were described as being involved in Lord Denbury’s curse?

- What do you think “the Whisper” was?

- What would you like to see happen next in Natalie and Lord Denbury’s story?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Book Review

Author: Michelle Hodkin. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781442421762.

Annotation:  Mara Dyer can’t explain how she survived the tragic accident that took like lives of her boyfriend, Jude, best friend, Rachel, and Jude’s sister Claire. After her family moves to Florida to help her cope with the loss, Mara soon begins to wonder if she was responsible for the death of her friends.

Personal thoughts:  I wasn’t sure what to make of this novel at first, but after the first five or six chapters I was hooked. The novel is very original and intriguing. I was very impressed with the author’s skills at building suspense and mystery in the plot. I also really enjoyed the romance between Noah and Mara. I am really looking forward to this series!

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Mara Dyer is struggling to cope with the loss of her best friend, Rachel. Mara can’t remember what happened: only that her boyfriend, Jude, his sister, Claire, and Rachel were killed in the collapse of an abandoned asylum near their Rhode Island home. Mara was in the building too, but somehow managed to survive. Now her parents and doctors have diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder, and move her and her two brothers to Miami, Florida to get a fresh start. Mara hopes that being in a new place will rid of her the visions that plague her, visions of her dead friends and crumbling buildings. As she tries to remember the details of the fateful night, Mara discovers that her new school might not be the most therapeutic environment: mean girl, Anna, is intent on embarrassing Mara after she attracts the attention of the popular and handsome, Noah. Mara couldn’t be less interested in dating, especially someone with a reputation like Noah. But as she learns more about him, and herself, Mara wonders if Noah might be the key to unlocking the mystery surrounding the tragedy that changed her life forever.

Review:  This intriguing debut novel from author Michelle Hodkin keeps the mysteries flowing from start to finish, making for a page-turner that is difficult to put down. Understanding what is happening to Mara Dyer is not an easy task for the character or for the reader. It’s difficult to determine what in the novel is real and what is imagined, but this only adds to the story: Mara can’t figure it out either. The novel acts as a bit of a theme chameleon as the plot progresses: part mystery, part tragedy, part romance and part supernatural thriller, Hodkin keeps the reader guessing throughout the novel. The result is an utterly original story that truly needs to be read to be understood. A very promising start to an intriguing new series.

Genre: Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Soul Screamers series by Sarah Vincent.

Themes:  Death, grief, loss, post-traumatic stress syndrome, sanity vs. insanity, murder.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from best-selling teen authors Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth, Kristin Miller and Beth Revis.

Series Information: First installment in Mara Dyer series.

Discussion questions:

-     -  Research post-traumatic stress syndrome. Do you think it describes Mara’s condition?

-      - Why do you think Mara is so reluctant to date Noah?

-      - What do you think is the truth about Mara, Noah and their relationship?