Something Strange and Deadly Book Review

Author: Susan Dennard. Release date: 2012. Publisher: HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062083265.

Annotation: After her brother goes missing and the Dead start rising in Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt turns to a team of Spirit-Hunters to help save her brother who, she fears, is being held captive by the necromancer that is raising the Dead.   

Personal thoughts: I had a difficult time deciding whether I liked this novel or not. It was a bit schizophrenic for me, almost as if the author wanted the story to be many different things that there wasn’t one thing that was done really superbly. The zombie element kind of came and went in importance, Eleanor’s plight to find a good marriage wasn’t really executed fully, and the support characters weren’t as developed as they could have been. I think the author definitely has the makings for a good series, but some editing and focusing of where the story is going and what the main themes are would help the reader to stay more engaged.

Plot summary: After her father’s death several years earlier, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt, her brother, Elijah, and their mother were left with next to nothing. Eleanor knows that it is up to her to improve their fortunes by marrying well, something her mother reminds her of daily. After her brother mysteriously disappears, however, and the Dead begin to rise in her hometown of Philadelphia, Eleanor has a lot more than marriage to a wealthy bachelor on her mind. It seems that a necromancer is operating in the city, raising the Dead to do his bidding. Sons of well-to-do families in Philadelphia society are being murdered and Eleanor fears that Elijah, who she believes is being held captive by the necromancer, might be next. To help save her brother, Eleanor turns to a team of Spirit-Hunters operating out of a lab out of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition. The Spirit-Hunters, consisting of a man named Joseph who can sense the supernatural, a handsome scientist named Daniel, and a young but fierce Chinese woman named Jie, are on the hunt for the necromancer themselves. Can Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters save Elijah and end the reign of the necromancer and his army of the Dead before it’s too late?

Review: Part historical fiction, part zombie thriller, Something Strange and Deadly, the first installment in a series for teens by debut author Susan Dennard, is a decent selection for readers who like supernatural novels with a bit of a twist. Set in 1876 Philadelphia, much of the story focuses on the plight of leading lady, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt, in securing a marriage to save her family’s hemorrhaging finances. The rest of the novel deals with the supernatural elements, like zombies, ghosts and necromancers and the mystery surrounding exactly what is causing the Dead to rise. While many will enjoy this combination of history, mystery and horror, readers who want something that is only historical fiction or just about zombies and the supernatural might find themselves disappointed that the novel solidly identifies itself in one genre. Not enough focus is given to any element in the story to make it really appealing to fans of a specific type of book, so only readers who are interested in a combination of themes will enjoy reading the novel. Eleanor is a likable enough protagonist, but not enough depth is given to the support characters to really engage the reader in her interactions with them. A small romance does blossom, but not really in any way that feels organic. The story does have some promise, however, so hopefully the author can strengthen the characters and plot in the next installment, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, set to be released July 23, 2013.

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Magic Most Foul series by Leanna Renee Hieber, Gone With the Respiration series by Lia Habel, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.  

Themes:  Zombies, necromancers, dark magic, ghosts, séances, spirits, Philadelphia, historical fiction, mystery, duty, marriage, murder.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and VOYA.   

Series Information: First installment in Something Strange and Deadly series. Second installment, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, set to be released July 23, 2013.

Discussion questions:

-         Do you think Eleanor’s mom truly cares about her daughter’s well-being, or is she only focused on improving the family finances? Why?

-          Why do you think Eleanor’s father passed away? How did his death impact the Fitts?

-        Do you think Clarence had feelings for Eleanor? Why or why not?

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

-        The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 actually took place in Philadelphia. Research the Exhibition. Did the novel do a good job of describing it? What was the importance of the Exhibition in the story?

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

-        What would you like to see happen in the sequel, A Darkness Strange and Lovely?

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?

Girl of Nightmares Book Review

Author: Kendare Blake. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Tor Teen. ISBN: 9780765328663.

Annotation: After Anna sacrificed herself to save him and his friends, everyone in Cas’ life seems to think it’s best that he just forget the girl who used to be the vicious ghost known as Anna Dressed in Blood. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell, and once he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows that he must join her to set her free.   

Personal thoughts: Anna Dressed in Blood was one of my favorite books of 2011 and something I like to recommend to teens who are interested in a good, scary story. I was eagerly anticipating the release of Girl of Nightmares, but was also a little nervous because I have read a few sequels this year that didn’t impress me. Thankfully, Kendare Blake delivered and managed to create a story that, while different from the first, was just as enjoyable! I was very intrigued by Anna’s disappearance, Cas’ uber-creepy visions of her in various stages of torture, and the history and secrets behind Cas’ weapon, the athame. I also was really happy with the the relationship between Cas, Thomas and Carmel, and like that the author doesn’t skim over the support characters but takes the time to let the reader get to know them as well. I haven’t seen anything as far as an announcement about a third Anna novel, but I hope that Kendare Blake decides to keep the story going!

Plot summary: Six months have passed since Anna sacrificed herself to save Cas and his friends, Thomas and Carmel, from the Obeahman: the evil ghost who killed Cas’ father and nearly ended his life as well. Cas doesn’t know where Anna went; where does a ghost go when it dies? Everyone in his life seems to think that he needs to forget Anna. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell. When he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows in his heart that his suspicions were correct. Determined to find a way to bring Anna back, Cas begins to investigate the origins of his athame: the knife that he, his father before him, and so on have used for centuries to kill vengeful spirits. Unsure of how a living person can cross into Hell without first dying, Cas soon learns that the answers he’s seeking might lie in the very tool he uses to send ghosts on to the afterlife. But how far is Cas willing to go to save the girl who saved his life and with whom he has fallen in love?

Review: Kendare Blake continues her sharp and scary series with Girl of Nightmares, the sequel to the 2011 best-selling novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Oftentimes, books that achieve a lot of success lose steam in the stories that follow. Fortunately, Blake manages to maintain the creepy vibe of her first novel in the sequel, delivering a story that is just as gruesome, scary, and exciting as its predecessor. One of the most interesting parts of both Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares is acid-tongued but courageous Cas and his best friends, Thomas and Carmel. The trio’s relationship was well-established in the first novel, and their dynamic is the majority of the reason why the second book is as enjoyable as it is. The reader feels like they know the characters, they care about their fates and wonder how they are going to survive going through, literally, hell and back. Anna is only a very minor character in this novel, mostly appearing in Cas’ horrifying visions of death and torture. Blake certainly has an eye for creating scenes of horror, and non-squeamish readers will get a good squirm from all of the scenes of terror. As with the first novel, teachers, parents and librarians should be aware that this book is definitely for an older teen audience. There is quite a bit of swearing and a great deal of gore. For readers who are mature enough to venture into Hell with Cas, however, this series is quite a ride.

Genre:  Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Hereafter series by Tara Hudson, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Everneath by Brodi Ashton, Falling Under series by Gwen Hayes, Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire, Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent, On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker, Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach.

Themes:  Ghosts, death, Hell, Wicca, occult, ghost hunters, witches, friendship, loyalty, revenge, England.  

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from Kirkus, sequel to positively reviewed novel.   

Series Information: Sequel to novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Third novel not yet announced.    

Discussion questions:

-       Which novel did you like better: Anna Dressed in Blood or Girl of Nightmares? Why?

-       How do you think Cas changed between the two novels? Thomas? Carmel?

-       What do you think was the source of Cas’ visions of Anna? How did those visions impact the story?

-      Do you think that Jestine was a friend or enemy of Cas? Why?

-      How do you explain the ending of the novel?

-      Would you like to read a third Anna novel? If so, what would you like to see happen to the characters?

 

 

 

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?

Arise Book Review

 Author: Tara Hudson. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062026798.

Annotation: Although Amelia and Joshua are trying to make the most of their lives together, Amelia wonders if she, being a ghost, can really give Josh the life he deserves. After the pair travel to New Orleans with Joshua’s family for Christmas, Amelia inadvertently takes part in a powerful voodoo ritual that will change her afterlife forever.

Personal thoughts: I was a huge, huge fan of Hereafter, and so I was eagerly anticipating this sequel for quite some time. After reading it, however, I’m not quite sure what to think. Everything I really liked about Hereafter was gone: Amelia learning who or what she is, her saving Joshua from drowning, their falling in love, her battling Eli. I understand that the author had to change up the story, but I don’t think I’ve read another sequel that is so starkly different from the first novel. Overall, I would say that Arise is a good book, but I wish that somehow the tone or feel of the novel would have felt at least slightly familiar. Either way, I plan to read the third novel when it’s released next year and would still highly recommend this series for tween and teen readers.

Plot summary: Now that Eli has been banished to the dark netherworld, Amelia has eternity, or however long her afterlife lasts, to spend with her boyfriend, Joshua Mayhew. But what kind of life can she offer Joshua; she is invisible to everyone but Joshua’s sister, Jillian, she can’t touch Joshua for more than a few minutes without materializing somewhere else, and she will be eighteen forever, forced to watch Joshua grow older. To make matters worse, Amelia has also become plagued by terrible nightmares of a strange place with a mysterious woman who warns her that she is in danger. When Amelia travels with Joshua and his family to spend Christmas in New Orleans, she hopes that the change of scenery will keep her, and the people she loves, safe from whatever is hunting her. But when she and Joshua meet a beautiful girl in a voodoo shop who promises that she can help solve their problems, Amelia inadvertently agrees to take part in a powerful ceremony that will change her afterlife forever.

Review: This highly-anticipated follow-up to Tara Hudson’s bestselling novel, Hereafter, proves to be a bit of departure from the original book, but one that manages to take the story in an unlikely direction. The events in the first novel are very, very different from the sequel. Gone is Amelia’s quest to learn who she is, how she died, etc., replaced instead by her desire to ensure that her boyfriend, Joshua, is able to live a safe and normal life. This is somewhat odd considering that, in Hereafter, they met when Joshua nearly drowned and proceeded to battle a rogue spirit, but Arise explores this concept quite a bit regardless. The setting also changes drastically, from Oklahoma to the French Quarter. The voodoo element also makes for a new addition to the overall feel of the book, as does the result of the ritual that Amelia takes part in. The events of the story make for an effective platform from which the third and final novel in the trilogy can continue on, but, overall, the tone of Arise is different enough from the book that it makes the reader wonder what exactly to expect in the last installment. To say that the sequel is unsuccessful or not as good as the first book in the series wouldn’t be accurate, but fans of Hereafter should be warned that they are in for something very different in almost every way possible. The third novel, Elegy, is set to be released in 2013.

Genre:  Fiction/Supernatural

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

Themes:  Ghosts, the afterlife, demons, romance, voodoo, death.     

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from VOYA and Kirkus. Sequel to best-selling novel.  

Series Information: Second novel in Hereafter trilogy. First novel, Hereafter, released in 2011. Third novel, Elegy, set to be released in 2013.  

Discussion questions:

-        Why do you think Amelia was considering ending her relationship with Joshua? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

-     Why do you think Jillian didn’t like Amelia?

-    Do you think it was really Amelia’s father in her vision of the field? Why or why not?

-      Who do you think the red-haired girl is from Amelia’s visions? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist?

-      What do you think happened in Gaby’s voodoo ceremony? Do you think the result was good or bad for Amelia? Why?

-      Which novel did you like better: Hereafter or Arise? Why?

Lightbringer Book Review

 Author: K.D. McEntire. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Pyr. ISBN: 9781616145392.

Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Wendy and her mother are both Lightbringers: humans with the ability to see Earthbound souls and send them into the Light. After Wendy’s mother mysteriously falls into a coma, however, she will do anything to find her soul and help restore her to life. When Wendy meets Piotr, a teenage ghost who dedicates his afterlife to protecting the souls of children, the two work together to search for Wendy’s mother and to try and find out why the children Piotr watches over have begun to disappear.

Personal thoughts: This was one of those novels that, after I finished reading it, I wasn’t really sure what to think. Since I live in Silicon Valley, I naturally enjoyed the setting and references to things like Great America, the Great Mall, etc. I also thought that the minor characters in the novel were interesting, especially Piotr’s fellow Riders. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what exactly was going on with Wendy, the White Lady, and Piotr’s missing children. I was struggling to understand what was happening, and it seemed to get more and more confusing with each chapter. I also found the relationship between Wendy and Piotr to be unsettling, even though I’ve read novels with human/ghost romances before. I’m interested to see what happens in the sequel, but I don’t know if I would recommend this title readily.  

Plot summary: After she witnessed the death of her best friend Eddie’s father in a tragic car accident when she was twelve, Wendy, now sixteen, has been able to see Earthbound spirits: those who have died but continue to exist in the Never, a world similar to that of the living, but visible only to a select few. Wendy, like her mother, is a Lightbringer and has the ability to call forth the Light that sends souls into the world beyond the Never, setting them free and bringing them peace. Wendy can’t discuss her abilities with anyone but Eddie, and spends of her spare time training with her mom, trying to perfect her skills and learning about the intricacies of the afterlife. Everything changes, however, when Wendy’s mom inexplicably falls into a coma, her soul nowhere to be found. Wendy gives up reaping lost souls in order to search for her mother in the Never, hoping to find her and reunite her with her body, bringing her back to life. One day, Wendy encounters Piotr, the ghost of a Russian teenager who has spent his afterlife as a Rider: someone who protects the souls of children caught in the Never. Piotr is on a hunt of his own, trying to find out why some of the children he and the other riders in San Francisco watch over have begun to disappear. Piotr and Wendy decide to work together, and begin to form a relationship that seems to be more than just business. Can Wendy find her mother and help Piotr save the children he has sworn to protect?

Review: From debut author K.D. McEntire comes this interesting if somewhat strange new series that creates an afterlife that is much more than ghosts simply haunting graveyards and rattling chains. Set in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Lightbringer is the story of Wendy, a goth-girl who actually has something to be morose about. Unlike other stories with similar concepts, Wendy begins the story knowing about her powers and being familiar with how to send ghosts into the Light. Many novels that have had a protagonist discovering that they have some kind of supernatural ability tend to spend a lot of chapters focusing on said person learning how to do whatever it is they can do. That is not the case in Lightbringer. Instead, Wendy is more comfortable with her powers, and uses them to help solve the mystery of her mother’s condition and Piotr’s missing children. Although the storyline does have some interesting portions, however, much of the novel is, simply put, odd. The relationship between Eddie and Wendy is confusing, as are the details of her inevitable romance with the very-much-dead Piotr. There is also quite a bit of cussing, but it doesn’t always seem to fit in the moment. The end of the novel does pick up quite a bit and become exciting, but, overall, the story is a mixed-bag. The next installment in the series, Reaper, is set to be released on August 24, 2012.

Genre: Science-fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.  

Themes:  Ghosts, lost souls, reapers, death, the afterlife, mother/daughter relationships, sibling relationships, romance, San Francisco.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from authors Kristoper Reisz and Robin Wasserman.

Series Information: First installment in Lightbringer series. Second installment, Reaper, set to be released August 24, 2012.

Discussion questions:

-       Why do you think Wendy didn’t want a relationship with Eddie? Do you think it’s common for long time friends to develop romantic feelings for each other?

-      Why do you think Wendy didn’t tell Piotr about being the Lightbringer? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

-     Which of the Riders did you like the best? Why?

-     How did you feel about Wendy and Piotr forming a romantic relationship? How would you feel about a friendship with a ghost?

-      Were you surprised to learn the truth about the White Lady? Why or why not?

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?