Fiction
BAGGOTT, Julianna. Fuse. 416p. Grand Central. Feb. 2013. Tr $25.99. ISBN 9781455503087.
Adult/High School–After the final revelations in Pure (Grand Central, 2012), the mission to end the tyranny of the Dome becomes newly urgent for Pressia and Partridge. Along with Bradwell, Pressia unlocks the black box found in the charred remains of the farmhouse, which reveals more about the original Seven. This sets Pressia off on a quest to discover if there are other pockets of rebels in the wastelands. For his part, Partridge is beginning to understand the power of the serum left to him by his mother. It will be the means by which he can destroy his father, now suffering from Rapid Cell Degeneration. Partridge’s task is to enter the Dome and get close to his father without becoming a victim of Special Forces. These wisps of plot carry the storyline, while the strangeness of life inside and outside the Dome continues to be the main interest. The jolting descriptions of children melded to their mothers’ bodies carry less punch in this volume, since such horrors are now anticipated. Likewise, the passion between Pressia and Bradwell that smoldered throughout Pure is iced for most of this book, while Partridge and Lyda have a bewildering mate and run encounter. There is a disjointed feel to the narration, like pieces of short stories interwoven in a single volume. Nevertheless, teens who were entranced by the atmospheric Pure will no doubt want to re-enter that macabre world again. Readers new to the world will want to begin with the first of the trilogy.–Diane Colson, Palm Harbor Library, FL
BALLANTYNE, Lisa. The Guilty One. 480p. Morrow. Mar. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9780062195517.
Adult/High School–This is the story of two very similar boys, both from difficult homes, both with sometimes uncontrollable tempers, and of their very different paths. Daniel is the product of a single, drug-addicted mother whom he adores; when he runs away from his foster placements, he always runs back to her. Placement with Maddie is his last stop before reform school, and–after a runaway attempt and several temper tantrums–he finally settles in and allows her to adopt him. He goes to university and reads law, eventually becoming a solicitor in London. Sebastian is one of Daniel’s clients, accused of murdering a younger child in the neighborhood. Something in Seb appeals to Daniel, perhaps a vision of his former self, and as readers learn more about each young man, it’s obvious that Daniel could have ended up in Seb’s place but for Maddie’s influence. As the trial progresses, questions are raised: how much does environment influence behavior; how culpable can an 11-year-old be in a murder case (the age for being tried as an adult is 10 in the U.K.); and is a diagnosis of PDD-NOS the equivalent of a diagnosis of Asperger’s or autism? The criminal trial’s give-and-take between the lawyers and witnesses will appeal to viewers of “Law & Order” and the psychological background on Daniel, as well as the question of whether or not Seb is guilty, will appeal to those who enjoyed Lionel Shriver’s We Need To Talk About Kevin (Counterpoint, 2003).–Laura Pearle, the Center for Fiction, New York City
DUE, Tananarive & Steve Barnes. Domino Falls. 384p. Atria: S & S. Feb. 2013. pap. $15. ISBN 9781451617023; ebook ISBN 9781451617030.
Adult/High School–This sharp sequel to Devil’s Wake (Atria, 2012) moves further away from traditional zombie novels, focusing on the roots of the plague and the implications for humankind rather than battles and brain munching. Kendra, Terry, and the rest of the group are making their way down the California coast in their bullet-hole-laden bus, having just outrun a vicious pirate attack. They take a detour to the safe haven of Devil’s Wake and stop in Domino Falls, now called Threadville. They have heard the radio broadcasts of Josey Wales, the self-proclaimed preacher who rules over the encampment, promising it to be a secure, civilized community. Exhausted, the group approaches, passes muster, and is allowed in. They soon discover the secrets behind Threadville and its depraved link to the beginnings–and spread–of the zombie plague. Kendra is able to make radio contact with relatives in Devil’s Wake and confirms that the sanctuary there is real. Now they must decide if they are willing to take the risks and make the sacrifices necessary to escape Threadville. While moving a bit slower and more predictably than Devil’s Wake, Domino Falls does advance the plot, offers some surprises about the characters and their choices, and, not surprisingly, ends with a dramatic cliffhanger. Despite being a sequel, it reads well as a standalone. The diverse cast of young adult protagonists will appeal to teen fans of paranormal thrillers, especially those who favor more plot and less gore.–Carla Riemer, Claremont Middle School, CA
ELLIS, Warren. Gun Machine: A Novel. 320p. Mulholland: Little, Brown. Jan. 2013. Tr $25.99. ISBN 9780316187404.
Adult/High School–In the aftermath of a shooting that ends with his partner murdered, Manhattan Detective John Tallow comes across an apartment filled with hundreds of guns, all of which turn out to have been used in an unsolved homicide in the last few decades. As punishment for reopening so many cases, Tallow is given no leave to recuperate from his partner’s death and is put on the case with only the help of two low-level Crime Scene Unit techs. While Tallow and the CSUs try to unravel the case, Ellis gives readers glimpses of the man at the heart of the mystery, a man who calls himself “the hunter” and seems to have some mystical, possibly supernatural, connection with the American Indians who originally inhabited the island of Mannahatta. As Tallow begins to realize that the guns have a ritualistic significance to the killer–each having been chosen carefully for its intended victim–readers realize that the hunter will stop at nothing to retrieve his guns, starting with murdering Tallow. Meanwhile, the threads of the crimes begin to coalesce around three very influential men. Ellis’s powerful prose–particularly his descriptions of the hunter’s killings–and propulsive storytelling keep this novel moving at full speed. Meanwhile, his characterizations are strong and accurate, even leaving a certain level of sympathy for the villain. And the hunter’s peculiar connection with ancient American Indians is more than enough to separate this novel from the overcrowded market of well-written police procedurals.–Mark Flowers, John F. Kennedy Library, Vallejo, CA
EPSTEIN, Jennifer Cody. The Gods of Heavenly Punishment. 320p. Norton. Mar. 2013. pap. $14.95. ISBN 9780393335316.
Adult/High School–In 1945 war torn Tokyo, 15-year-old Yoshi ignores the air-raid warnings yet again. But ignoring them this time means that Yoshi is there as American airplanes fly over, dropping napalm fire onto the city. Devastation is complete and life for Yoshi–and Japan–changes forever. The story alternates among characters from both sides of the war. In the United States, Cam, a young pilot. overcomes a debilitating stutter and gains the confidence to join up, only to have his disability reappear to devastating effect. Lacy, his wife, awaits his return. Anton, an American architect, and his photography-loving son living in Japan before the war must leave when it becomes apparent that war is imminent. In Japan, Hana, Yoshi’s mother, raised in England and summoned home to marry, is determined to raise her daughter to find the freedom that eludes her within her traditional Japanese life. Yoshi’s father is a builder whose brutal actions set the stage for Yoshi to bind these characters together into one story. Describing family life in pre-war Japan and the United States through the 1960’s, Jones shows the horror of war and the complete devastation of a city and its culture at the mercy of incredible firepower. Yet while this is a novel of war, it is equally about the relationships of family, culture, survival, forgiveness, and hope. It is a complicated story that not all teens will gravitate to, but mature, well-read young adults who know and like history should be introduced to this book.–Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA
FOWLER, Therese Anne. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. 352p. St. Martin’s. Mar. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781250028655; ebook ISBN 9781250028648.
Adult/High School–Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald was the prototypical Jazz Age woman–married to the author F. Scott, childhood pals with “Tallu” Bankhead, friendly with Picasso and Porter (and not so friendly with Hemingway). Flitting between Alabama, Paris, Antibes, and New York, she lived an enviable life. Or was it? Writers tend to have money problems thanks to their sporadic income, and the Fitzgeralds were no different; add to that Scott’s drinking and Z’s growing dissatisfaction with their life and you have a recipe for marital disaster. And then there’s Zelda’s mental problems (possibly schizophrenia, possibly manic-depression, no one knows for sure; whatever the problem was, she was mistreated). Fowler does a wonderful job of marrying fact and fiction, blending the Fitzgeralds’ “Midnight in Paris”esque lives with the realities of being on the verge of poverty at a time when the world’s financial structure was shaky at best. Readers will be surprised to learn that Zelda was an author (albeit one frequently robbed of full credit by her husband’s insistence that he was the author/brand) and a talented ballet dancer. Her evolution from southern belle to flapper to dancer to mental patient is brought to life in a way that will interest those seeking to learn more about this era, F.Scott Fitzgerald’s life, or women writers.–Laura Pearle, the Center for Fiction, New York City
KEANE, Mary Beth. Fever. 320p. Scribner. Mar. 2013. Tr $26. ISBN 9781451693416.
Adult/High School–In 1907, Doctor Soper, a physician from the New York City Department of Health, using emerging discoveries about contagion, determines that Mary Mallon, a 38 year-old Irish immigrant cook, is a rare “asymptomatic carrier” of typhoid disease. Under his orders, Mary is dragged from her home, her job, and from Alfred, the love of her life, to live out her days in isolation in a small cabin on an island outside of New York City. She is given no explanation, and is expected to submit to humiliating blood drawing and examination. There is no trial, nor is she ever charged of a crime, but she is detained, alone, frightened, and angry. While Mary waits for her lawyer to gain her release, she reflects on her past: her hard-scrapple life in Ireland, her immigration to America, her love of drunken Alfred, and how she discovered a talent for cooking, working her way into the kitchens of the wealthy. Death stalks her whenever she cooks, and while Mary doesn’t make the connection, others do; she is forced to stop the one thing she loves doing most because it carries the disease to others. This well-written novel brings to life the smells, dirt, crowds, joys, and tragedies that made up early 20th century New York City. Being a poor, uneducated woman leaves Mary vulnerable to manipulation from those around her, but her fiery nature and good heart prevent them from keeping her down. This is an excellent read for lovers of historical fiction and brings to life a woman who is destined to go down in history as “Typhoid Mary.”–Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA
KIRK, David. Child of Vengeance. 336p. Doubleday. Mar. 2013. Tr $25.95. ISBN 9780385536639; ebook $25.95. ISBN 9780385536646.
Adult/High School–Bennosuke, a boy destined to become the legendary Mushashi Miyamoto, is the samurai hero of Kirk’s debut novel. Bennosuke is an insecure, weak and scared kid whose future seems anything but heroic. His samurai father, Munisai Shinmen, abandoned his son at age five on the night of his mother’s tragic death in a village fire. When the novel opens eight years later, Bennosuke is working with his uncle in the village temple. Munisai’s return changes everything. Not only is Bennosuke expected to become samurai despite his youth and awkwardness, but halso learns the secret about his mother’s death. After intensive training with his father, he is sent to work in a nearby town where his temper leads him to chop off the arm of the heir of the Lord Nakata, a family enemy. Bennosuke is expected to commit seppuku to redeem his honor, but his father offers his own, more valuable life in exchange. Lord Nakata and his retinue shame Munisai during the ritual; thus begins Bennosuke’s quest for vengeance. In this world, vengeance is “a holy moral duty, and anything can be forgiven in its name–so long as you are prepared to give everything for it. This is being samurai.” Years of wandering in poverty end with the battle of Sekigahara, in which Bennosuke makes his name at 16. The brutal violence of this life is described in almost loving detail, yet escapes being gratuitous because it is prescribed by the culture in which readers are immersed.–Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
★KRUEGER, William Kent. Ordinary Grace. 306p. Atria: S. & S. Mar. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781451645828.
Adult/High School–For Frank Drum, 13, and his brother Jake, 11, the neighborhoods of New Bremen, Minnesota–The Flats, snug along the Minnesota River and The Heights, rising above–are extensions of their own backyard. Nowhere could be safer or more intriguing for these two sons of the town’s Methodist minister. It is the summer of 1961, and while America is on the cusp of social upheaval, no one could anticipate the violence that would accompany change. Neither is Frank prepared for the death that will visit his town in the form of murder, suicide, and accident. It begins with the death of a young boy hit by a train on the trestle over the river. There is suspicion of foul play, but no proof. When the boys later find a vagrant dead beside the river, local police begin to link the two deaths with a Native American drifter. Frank protects the suspect from a manhunt and is then devastated by guilt when his older sister goes missing. The mysteries deepen as entangled relationships are exposed, often through Frank’s Hardy-Boy-like eavesdropping. Frank feels compelled to prove that he is adult enough to fix what is wrong with his community and his family, yet too naïve to comprehend the consequences of his choices. Only through the graceful insights of his younger brother do he and his family find peace. The page-turning urgency of this mystery will engage teens who will also appreciate the array of small-town characters struggling with incomprehensible tragedy.–John Sexton, Greenburgh Public Library, NY
LOCKE, Kate. The Queen Is Dead. 352p. Orbit: Hachette. Feb. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780316196130; Audio $24.98. ISBN 9781619693333.
Adult/High School–This follow up to God Save the Queen (Orbit, 2102), is set in a future Great Britain where a plague has turned the ruling classes (“aristos”) into werewolves or vampires who dominate humans physically as well as politically. At the start of the book, Xandra Vardan’s world is in chaos. She is still reeling from uncovering the lies she’d been fed by the people she trusted most and is trying to cope with the resulting violence. She must come to terms with the fact that not only is she a goblin (half werewolf, half vampire), but she is also the goblin queen. Humans, who have steered clear of aristos after staging a bloody revolution many years ago, are starting to get more aggressive; they are making moves to overthrow aristos and take their society back. With another human uprising on the horizon, Xandra is being pressured by multiple factions, each wanting to be chosen sole ally to the powerful goblins. On top of all of this, her beloved brother has been abducted and it is up to her to find him. Xandra’s impatience, anger, and fear have her bouncing around emotionally, but her headstrong ways and commitment to doing whatever it takes to solve her problems serve her well. The action and drama in this paranormal/mystery mashup will appeal teen fans of the genres, but they will likely engage on a deeper level with the issues of shifting identity, loyalty and trust. To fully enjoy this, read God Save the Queen first.–Carla Riemer, Claremont Middle School, CA
LYTAL, Benjamin. A Map of Tulsa. 256p. Penguin. Mar. 2013. pap. $15.. ISBN 978-0-14-242259-5.
Adult/High School–Lytal’s story about the transitional period of life after high school will resonate with certain older teens. Jim Praley has returned to his hometown of Tulsa after his first year of college where he becomes involved with exotic, artistic, and somewhat wild Adrienne. Though readers can see that Jim and Adrienne are a terrible match, Jim views her as opening a new chapter of his life, one where he sees the city through wonderful, sophisticated eyes. During that summer, Jim struggles to reconcile his high-school personality with the new one he believes he is creating (new Jim is wild, hangs out with society, and takes drugs). In Part II, a few years have passed and a tragic accident brings Jim back to Adrienne and Tulsa. Once again he experiences conflict between an old and a new life and is drawn to staying in Tulsa. Slow paced and lyrical, this book will probably not have broad YA appeal, but its themes will certainly speak to teens on the brink of college and leaving home. The exploration of how one views one’s friends, parents, and town after being away on one’s own will be appreciated by thoughtful readers, and possibly to those who are worried about moving into adulthood.–Sarah Debraski, formerly of Somerset County Library, NJ
MANSBACH, Adam. Rage Is Back. 304p. Viking. Jan. 2013. Tr $25.95. ISBN 9780670026128.
Adult/High School–In 1987, at the height of hip-hop and graffiti culture’s popularity in New York City, Billy Rage and his Immortal Five graffiti crew go out and tag the town in celebration of the birth of his son Dondi. The crew gets caught and one member is killed by Anastacio Bracken, the toughest man on the NYPD Vandal Squad. In revenge, Rage goes on a tagging spree, leaving his message on buildings, subway cars, and zoo animals. He then goes underground, resurfacing after having spent 18 years in the jungle apprenticed to local shamans. During this time Bracken has worked his way up the political ladder and is now running for mayor. He hears of Rage’s return and is still determined to destroy him and what remains of the crew. Dondi convinces Rage to fight back using the tools he knows best. This book is a wild ride, immersing readers in old-school hip-hop mentality while providing education on graffiti styles and culture, flavored with copious drug use and a little magical realism. The story is told from Dondi’s point of view, making it accessible to teens. They will also be drawn in by observing Dondi’s tumultuous relationship with his parents and the other adults in his life, framed by the colorful exploration of the roots of graffiti and hip-hop culture.–Carla Riemer, Claremont Middle School, CA
MCCREIGHT, Kimberly. Reconstructing Amelia. 400p. HarperCollins. Apr. 2013. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-006-222-5436.
Adult/High School–This fast-paced and suspenseful debut novel revolves around the fact that even the closest parents and children keep secrets from one another. Kate is a high-powered litigation attorney in Manhattan. She lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her 15-year-old daughter, Amelia, who attends the prestigious Grace Hall School. Kate is called to the school to pick up Amelia, who has been found cheating, but by the time she arrives, Amelia is lying dead on the ground, presumably having jumped from the school’s roof. The police and the school are eager to call it a suicide and move on, but Kate isn’t ready to believe it yet, especially after she receives an anonymous text that says “Amelia didn’t jump.” The story is told in alternating voices, both Kate’s and Amelia’s, as well as with text messages and Facebook and blog posts. The tension ratchets up as it becomes clear that Amelia was involved with a secret club at Grace Hall, and that she was receiving anonymous texts of her own. Meanwhile, she was also falling in love for the first time, trying to maintain her loyalty to her oldest friend, and developing a relationship with a new friend. Kate struggles to reconstruct the last weeks of Amelia’s life, and her efforts reveal that Amelia was searching for her own answers about Kate’s past. This a page-turning mystery and thriller will appeal to teen fans of Jodi Picoult.–Sarah Flowers, formerly of Santa Clara County Library, CA
MCMAHON, Jennifer. The One I left Behind. 422p. Morrow. Jan. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212255-1.
Adult/High School–When Reggie was 13, her mother was assumed to be the fourth and final victim of a serial killer, but her body was never found. Twenty-five years later, Vera shows up in a homeless shelter, and Reggie returns to Brighton Falls to care for her. Old friends reappear, old wounds are opened, and the serial killer takes a new victim. Much of the novel’s considerable suspense is exaggerated by the book’s structure–alternating chapters set in 1985, when Reggie was a teen and the serial killer was first active with those set in the present. At the same time, McMahon convincingly portrays every primary character–all introduced early in the novel–as a potential killer. And she never wastes a plot point, as nearly everything falls into place by the conclusion. Serial-killer stories always have appeal to certain teens, and this one manages to have a gory plotline (the murderer cuts off his victims’ right hand and drops it off in town before killing the person a few days later) while describing very little actual gore or violence. Great characters and great suspense make this a page turner. –Jamie Watson, Baltimore County Public Library, MD
O’DONNELL, Lisa. The Death of Bees. 320p. HarperCollins. Jan. 2013. Tr $25.99. ISBN 9780062209849.
Adult/High School–A functioning family, regular meals, and a safe home are possibilities for sisters Nelly and Marnie only after they bury the bodies of both of their parents under backyard lavender. Each thinks the other smothered their father with a pillow in response to years of abuse. Their alcoholic mother hung herself in the shed soon after, and the sisters can only think to pretend that their parents have gone on an extended trip to Turkey. Letting outsiders discover their circumstances will lead them to separate foster homes. If they can make it undiscovered for one year, Marnie will turn 16 and be considered an adult in Glasgow. Their plan seems too desperate to succeed until they make the acquaintance of their elderly neighbor Lennie. He has no one in his life after his partner passed away and has become isolated since his arrest for soliciting a minor in the local park. Nelly, Marnie, and Lennie narrate the progression of their relationship in brief, alternating chapters. Together all three have forged the loving family they’ve always deserved, but the outside world cannot help but interfere. This novel is remarkable for evocative writing that is grim and painfully poignant. A quick but often uncomfortable read, the story has an underlying sweetness that contrasts with its disturbing events. Teens will respond strongly to this engrossing exploration of relationships, and especially to Marnie, whose authentically rough and vulnerable voice lingers with readers long after the final page.–Priscille Dando, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
★OZEKI, Ruth. A Tale for the Time Being. 432p. Viking. Mar. 2013. Tr $27.95. ISBN 9780670026630.
Adult/High School–At first there are two stories. Nao, a 15-year-old Japanese girl, is writing a diary entry that speaks directly to readers: “Hi! My name is Nao, and I am a time being. Do you know what a time being is? Well, if you give me a moment, I will tell you.” Across the Pacific, a novelist named Ruth finds a barnacle-encrusted plastic bag. Inside this bag is a Hello Kitty lunchbox, which in turn holds a few items. One of them is Nao’s diary. Ruth is fascinated to the point of obsession with Nao’s writing, which describes the teen’s close relationship to her Zen Master great-grandmother, whom Nao texts constantly; Nao’s suicidal father; and the vicious bullying Nao endures at her school. Ruth launches an investigation into the whereabouts of Nao. As the novel progresses, the distinction between the two stories blurs. Ozeki brilliantly manages the intersection of the two worlds. Time is presented as both an unyielding barrier and an unceasing flow of possibilities. Ozeki’s writing includes a surprise at every turn. Like a Zen koan, or possibly like quantum mechanics, all that is possible is present. Teens will find Nao’s quirky narration irresistible, and the inclusion of topics as diverse as kamikaze plane fighters, Schrödinger’s cat, and Pacific currents are bonuses for inquisitive readers. This is the kind of book that invites immediate re-reading to fully appreciate the concurrent themes and sly foreshadowing.–Diane Colson, formerly at Palm Harbor Public Library, FL
PLANCK, M. C. The Kassa Gambit. 288p. Tor. Jan. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-3092-5. LC 2012026480.
Adult/High School–Prudence Falling, captain of the tramp freighter Ulysses, drops out of node-space on a routine run to the remote farming planet of Kassa, only to discover that there is something seriously wrong. Despite the fact that everyone knows, after centuries of space travel, that humans are the only sentient beings in the universe, it appears that Kassa has been attacked by aliens. Meanwhile, when League police officer Kyle Daspar arrives, Prudence assumes he knows more than he’s telling, and Kyle (who is actually a double agent) assumes Prudence has been sent to kill him. When a Fleet ship shows up unexpectedly, both of them are suspicious. Kyle and Prudence–separately at first, and then together–attempt to find out what happened on Kassa, and who is responsible. As they hop from planet to planet, a conspiracy of epic proportions begins to be revealed, and Kyle and Pru are right in the middle of the action. Planck’s debut novel is a fast-moving tale of political intrigue and social commentary (with a little romance thrown in), told in the context of a classic space opera. The writing is awkward at times, especially in the dialogue between Pru and Kyle, but the plot carries the day. Fans of David Weber’s “Honor Harrington” series (Baen) or Lois McMaster Bujold’s “Miles Vorkosigan” books (Baen) might enjoy this quick and fun read.–Sarah Flowers, formerly of Santa Clara County Library, CA
PYPER, Andrew. The Demonologist. 304p. S & S. Mar. 2013. pap. $$25. ISBN 9781451697414.
Adult/High School–Angels and demons have fascinated readers throughout history, and today’s teens are far from immune. David Ullman is an English professor at Columbia University, “an atheist biblical scholar; a demon expert who believes evil to be a manmade invention,” whose specialty is Milton’s Paradise Lost. One afternoon, a woman comes to his office and offers him a trip to Venice and a large sum of money to observe a “phenomenon” for her employer. He decides to take his young teenage daughter Tess along and enjoy the change of scene. In Venice he goes to the address he has been given where he observes a fellow scholar, in chains, who appears to be possessed. After he returns, deeply disturbed, to the hotel, Tess throws herself off the roof and disappears into the canals. David knows that she has been taken in order to manipulate him into…what? He launches a search for his daughter and the creature who holds her. He follows clues from his own tragic family history, quotes from Paradise Lost shared by the demon or its victims, and some from his daughter’s diary, which reveals her interpretation of the melancholy and loneliness that has plagued them both as a stalking evil presence. Now that presence wants the world’s attention, and believes an academic “demonologist” would make the perfect ambassador. This horror novel is recommended for teens who enjoy intelligent, literary puzzles. Although the suspense peters out before the end, David’s encounters with the demon are genuinely scary and unexpected. Those looking for a thriller with the pace of a Dan Brown novel should look elsewhere.–Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
ROLLINS, James & Rebecca Cantrell. The Blood Gospel. 496p. (Order of the Sanguines Series). Morrow. Jan. 2013. Tr $27.99. ISBN 9780061991042; ebook ISBN 9780062235756.
Adult/High School–In the beginning, there were the strigoi (vampires). Lazarus is one, but by the grace of Christ’s blood he becomes the first Sanguinist, leading an order dedicated to living a life of devotion and celibacy, with the hope that if death is honorable, their souls will be returned. Flash forward to modern-day Caesarea, Israel, and an archaeological dig that might prove the truth of the Slaughter of the Innocents unleashed by Herod (only–oddly–there are human bite marks on the bones). Suddenly, an army helicopter appears, kidnapping Dr. Erin Granger and taking her to Masada, where an earthquake has unleashed a toxic gas and opened a route to a formerly hidden temple. She’s accompanied by Sgt. Jordan Stone and Fr. Rhun Korza, and together they may fulfill an ancient prophecy that will open the Blood Gospel–written by Christ, in His blood. Thus starts a journey that takes the trio to Nazi hideouts in Germany, a modern-day meeting with Rasputin in St. Petersburg, and, finally, to the Vatican, all while outrunning Bathory, a follower of the demon Belial and in control of several strigoi and blaphsemeres (vampiric beasts). This is the book that readers of Anne Rice, Dan Brown, and Toyne’s “Sanctus” trilogy have been waiting for: the suspense is ratcheted up by the use of a timeline/clock at the start of each segment; the cast of characters is continually a surprise (Judas–check. Lazarus–check. Elizabeth Bathory–check.); and a cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for Book Two.–Laura Pearle, the Center for Fiction, New York City
Nonfiction
DAILY, James & Ryan Davidson. The Law of Superheroes. 320p. reprods. Gotham. 2012. Tr $26. ISBN 978-1-592-40726-2. LC 2012014370.
Adult/High School–Fans of television’s The Big Bang Theory often see the characters arguing about superheroes–for example, which Robin should take over from Batman, or which mode of transportation is coolest. The Law of Superheroes takes these arguments to the next level, as two lawyers (and comic-book fans) look at the hard questions. Questions like, do superheroes have to file flight plans? (answer: Batman yes, Superman no); or, is Martian Manhunter possibly protected by the Endangered Species Act? And then there’s advice for regular folks, who may be wondering if a homeowner gets an insurance payout when say, the Hulk smashes their home. What about the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause, guaranteeing the right to face your accuser? If that accuser is a masked superhero, how can the guy in the Batman mask prove he’s really Batman and not some imposter? While the language does get technical and the footnotes are often case citations, this is a fascinating look at the possible legal consequences and responsibilities faced by those who inhabit the DC and Marvel universes/multiverses/alternate universes. Even Neil Gaiman’s Hob Gadling gets a mention (How do immortals keep their money safe over several lifetimes? Can they?). While it helps to have knowledge of the various heroes and villains, it’s not necessary. This book will appeal to comic-loving geeks as much as to those considering pre-law and trivia lovers. The one caveat is that the illustrations (reprints from various strips over the past 30 years) are all in black-and-white; teens may miss the color of the originals.–Laura Pearle, the Center for Fiction, New York City
ELLSWORTH-JONES, Will. Bansky: The Man Behind the Wall. 336p. St. Martin. Feb. 2013. Tr $27.99. ISBN 9781250025739.
Adult/High School–For many, graffiti is urban blight: something to be eradicated quickly. For some, it’s art. For others, it’s a way of expressing themselves. For Banksy, it’s a living. Who is Banksy? He’s possibly one of the most famous “street artists” out there, but also one of that world’s biggest ciphers. In this completely unauthorized biography , Ellsworth-Jones focuses on the rise of street art in the world in general, in Bristol, England specifically, and Banksy’s role in that rise. Is his art really graffiti? His use of stencils suggests not, and several other graffiti icons have feuded with him over his work and style. He’s famously private, yet was nominated for an Oscar for the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, and did the artwork for a Blur album. The biggest question about his art is how he’s making money from it–how do you sell a building wall? What really is a “Banksy,” since authenticating that wall’s art could lead to legal problems? Given the ephemeral nature of street art, should Banksy’s work be preserved? If yes, what about that of other street artists? Or is it all vandalism of public property and should be destroyed? This book raises those questions and more as the Ellsworth-Jones explores her subject’s life and world. Casual readers will learn more about graffiti as an art form–perhaps appreciating what they see when they see it–while Banksy fans and artists in all genres will learn more about this enigmatic figure and his work. A comprehensive bibliography includes links to many websites about street art.–Laura Pearle, the Center for Fiction, New York City
RAJAMANI, Ashok. The Day My Brain Exploded. 253p. Algonquin. 2013. pap. $13.95. ISBN 978-1-56512-997-9. LC 2012035412.
Adult/High School–Rajamani was masturbating a few hours before his older brother’s wedding ceremony when, literally, his brain exploded. He was blind, he could not move, and he knew he was dying, but somehow he managed to call the desk clerk and say “ambulance” as well as put on his shorts. Thus begins this hilarious, irreverent, fascinating Holden Caulfield-esque story of a 25-year-old “brain-damaged, Indian American redneck.” Growing up in the Bible Belt, he writes that he “never felt attractive, or even human for that matter,” as his family had the only brown faces he ever saw. Rajamani characterizes himself–his fears, his foibles, his world, and the people in it–with perfect sarcastic humor. For example, after he relearns how to walk, he describes himself as “a blind supermodel walking down an oil-slicked catwalk.” A leading eye surgeon is described as Mr. Magoo, a “short white man with glasses whose lenses seemed thicker than his legs.” Less than 1/10th of 1 percent of the population in the entire world are born with the congenital birth defect that caused his brain to explode and, amazingly, Rajamani runs into several of them randomly. The author’s account is brilliant, engaging, informative, and full of teen appeal as Rajamani navigates his recovery from one of the biggest side effects of all traumatic brain injury– “total isolation and disappearance of socialization”–into a world of independence.–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Juvenile Hall, CA
SOTOMAYOR, Sonia. My Beloved World. 320p. photos. Knopf. Jan. 2013. Tr $27.95. ISBN 9780307594884.
Adult/High School–In this fresh and exciting autobiography, Sotomayor relates her rise from humble beginnings in the South Bronx to become the first Hispanic Justice of the Supreme Court. Diagnosed with diabetes at age seven, she learned to give herself insulin injections because her father was shaky from drinking and her mother was always at work. After their father died, Sotomayor and her brother often depended on neighbors and their beloved grandmother. Sotomayor was proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and cognizant of the importance of family. Education was a priority–her mother was poor, but she paid for Catholic school. Sotomayor competed on high school debate and forensics teams where she learned to form an argument. She countered the culture shock of Princeton by joining Acción Puertorriqueña, a Latino student group that fulfilled her desire to help people. She wanted to be a lawyer from a young age because she believes in “law as a force for good, for protecting the community.” It was years before she could voice her true goal–to be a judge. In clear-eyed, heartfelt prose, Sotomayor writes again and again about the importance of learning from everyone she encounters– friends, colleagues, and mentors. She reveals her struggle between career and motherhood, her divorce, and the effects of affirmative action. For young adults with aspirations in the field of the law, a better role model and guide is hard to imagine.–Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
Graphic Novel
★MODAN, Rutu. The Property. tr. from Hebrew by Jessica Chen. 232p. illus. notes. Drawn & Quarterly. June 2013. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-77046-115-4.
Adult/High School–Soon after her father dies of cancer, Mica accompanies her grandmother to Warsaw, the city the older woman escaped, unmarried and pregnant, in 1940. While the trip is ostensibly to investigate how they will repossess family property lost during the war, each woman manages to combine that effort with a personal exploration and discoveries of her own. From the time they board the jet in Tel Aviv, however, their paths are unwelcomingly crossed and recrossed by duplicitous Avram Yagodnik, a family “friend.” Modan’s beautiful, clear-line artwork shows off both the old and new Warsaws, the elderly woman’s careful makeup that cannot hide her wrinkles, and all of the details that pull readers so fully into the story as to remove the distance between observing the shown and seeing it for oneself. Mica meets a Polish cartoonist whom she can’t quite bring herself to trust while her grandmother manages to find the love of her life, Roman, the father of the baby who would become Mica’s father. Yagodnik isn’t satisfied with hovering and eavesdropping in the background, but pushes his sweaty bulk into the women’s moments of discovery, bent on subverting any inheritance toward another family member. Typeface choices show how the events here occur multi-lingually, as various characters rely on Hebrew, Polish, English, and Russian both to pass secrets to and to maintain secrets from each other. The images, too, communicate elements of the story that go otherwise unspoken, making this a tightly crafted, accessible family story in which history and the present inform each other, as well as Mica and her grandmother.–Francisca Goldsmith, Infopeople Project, CA