Thursday, February 9, 2012

Kessler, Jackie Morse Rage


Kessler, Jackie Morse   Rage  
 Graphia see Houghton Mifflin  2011  213p  8.99  978-0-547-44528-1 
 hs    E-BN  Fantasy      
    Missy is a cutter who cuts too deep, after being publically humiliated at a party. As she faces death she makes a deal that will take her back to life with powers and a magical blade as a weapon that can change events and outcomes.       Missy is trying to cure herself of her cutting addiction to avoid hurting and bringing shame to her family. When she is publically humiliated at a party she cannot resist the urge to cut and accidentally lacerates an artery.  As she faces death, she is chosen to become one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse, Rage. She accepts this position and comes to realize that as she goes about her daily life, she is faced with opportunities in which she can hurt others that have hurt her and change events leading to changed outcomes. Not only does she have magical powers, she has a blade with powers that she can control or submit to.
    Having a crush on Death, she seeks him whenever possible, for advice, which he deflects back to her to figure out for herself. Through many encounters with others and decisions that she makes, she comes to understand that the key to her addiction of cutting is control.  She learns that she no longer needs to cut to exercise this power, nor rely on a weapon.
    Jackie Morse Kessler has very carefully and cleverly addressed a serious teen issue of self-mutilation. The emotions and events unfold gradually and believably, vividly evoked. Cautious that this book may glamorize cutting, as the result launches the main character into new fantastical life that holds more power for her, I read carefully and came to find that the author has instead used great symbolism through fantasy to provide hope and control for those that are afflicted and understanding to those on the sidelines. The author has brilliantly maintained teen interest and presented this material in a unique manner. This solidly written novel will hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end.
            Rage is the second book in the  series Riders of the Apocalypse. The general theme of the series is self-mutilation. Each book takes a fascinating and unique look at the topics and presents material in a helpful manner.  The series consists of two books at this time.      Fantasy     Virginia McGarvey

 

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