O’Brien, Caragh M. The Rule of Mirrors.

O’Brien, Caragh M.  The Rule of Mirrors.  (Bk2, Vault of Dreamers trilogy)  Macmillan 2016    418p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-59643-940-5  hs  Science fiction  VG-BN 

The Rule of Mirrors is the story of one mind and two bodies. Rosie Sinclair, who had her dreams mined in the first book of the series, The Vault of Dreamers, now finds her consciousness has split, and part of her awakens in the body of a pregnant stranger in a place far from Rosie’s home. The other part of Rosie remains in her original, captive body; Rosie focuses on revenge and escape in an intricate, fast-paced psychological thriller.

Families of coma patients vie for miraculous cures found only at Chimera Centre.  When, in defiance of all expectations, Althea Flores recovers from a six-month coma, she can no longer recall anything of her own life.  Instead, she has the memories of Rosie Sinclair, a missing actress who starred in The Forge, a reality television show.  Althea is also amazed to find she is pregnant.

Told from alternating points of view, the story reveals that Rosie Sinclair’s sleeping body is captive to the medics of Chimera Centre, who are plundering her dreams. She struggles to escape and plots revenge on Dean Berg, who stole her dreams and forced Rosie into this unending nightmare. This engrossing sequel to The Vault of Dreamers describes Rosie’s attempts to make sense of her dual identity as she deals with the shattered subconscious that still survives in her old body. 

Readers will be caught up in the drama of a single personality, split between two bodies that take on lives of their own.  Rosie’s memories and mind dominate Althea, who is little more than a shell to house Rosie’s personality.  Althea and her family must learn to accept this new reality. Rosie must deal with being pregnant, a situation with which Althea and her family had previously come to terms.  Rosie and blended-Rosie slowly embark on experiences that individualize their lives. As Rosie shares awareness in both bodies, this divergence creates a dissonance that may never be resolved.

O’Brien explores important themes about identity and the links between the soul and the body.  While the second volume makes sense even if the reader has not yet read the first, savvy spenders may wait until the final book in the trilogy is released in 2017 and binge read the whole series! This is a solid addition to collections of speculative fiction.   

Summary: In the sequel to The Vault of Dreamers, Rosie Sinclair’s consciousness is split between two bodies.  Rosie plots escape, revenge, and a way to re-synthesize her shattered personality.  "The rule of mirrors. So many possibilities. We seek until we find a true reflection of ourselves."

Split personality-Fiction                             --Hilary Welliver

Leaver, Trisha. The Secrets We Keep.

Leaver, Trisha.  The Secrets We Keep.  Macmillan(Farrar Strauss/Feiwel&Friends/First Second/Henry Holt/Roaring Brook/Square Fish)  2014 294p.  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-374-30046-3  ms/hs  Conflict  VG-BN    

Although they are identical twins on the outside, Ella and Maddy are very different on the inside.  Ella, the smart, quiet, artistic twin, always feels that people like Maddy better because Maddy is athletic, outgoing, and one of the popular kids in the crowd.  When Ella receives a phone call from Maddy in the wee hours of the morning, she goes to retrieve Maddy from a raging party.  On the way home, with Ella driving Maddy’s car, they get into a horrific accident, and Maddy dies.  But evidence seems to point to Ella being the one who died, because the dead girl is wearing Ella’s coat and shoes and was the passenger in Maddy’s car.  As Ella recovers from her own serious injuries, she assumes Maddy’s persona and struggles to become someone she is not. Complications arise when Ella discovers that Maddy had a damning secret that makes passing herself off as Maddy even harder.  This is a book that deals with the grief process, feelings of inadequacy, and how to right a wrong, and it maintains a somber, almost tortured mood throughout, until the last chapters in which Ella comes forward and admits her deception.  The ending wraps up a little bit too hastily, but readers will be happy that Ella is now on the path to becoming confident of her own identity and is surrounded by the love of her parents and the potential boyfriend who has always believed in her.      

Summary: Twin girls are in an automobile accident.  The surviving twin takes on her sister’s identity in an attempt to please everyone around her except her best friend.  Lies, secrets, and self-worth are at the heart of this novel of grief and identity. Gr. 7-12.      

Twins-Fiction                                                     --Lois McNicol

Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things.

Aguirre, Ann.  The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things.  Macmillan(Farrar Strauss/Feiwel&Friends/First Second/Henry Holt/Roaring Brook/Square Fish)     2015  328p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-250-04750-2  hs  Conflict  E-BN

Sage is well liked at school. She is perpetually leaving complimentary post-it notes on the lockers of unsuspecting students who need a boost, especially those who are being bullied. She moved in with her aunt three years ago after a family tragedy and remembers what it was like to not fit in at school.  She has one friend, Ryan, who is her confidant, but even he knows little of her life prior to her moving in with her aunt.  A new boy in town, Shane, who has a troubling past, becomes friendly with Sage, and they find they have a lot in common.  As their relationship develops, Sage finds that having a variety of friends is fun and not scary, even though she is hiding a secret that she feels could turn her into a pariah.  Readers will come to care for Sage and Shane, and will empathize with the devastating feelings that Sage experiences when her secret is revealed. The cliques and high-school behavior are all too believable, as jocks bully the most susceptible students, and kids are relegated to various cliques: the stoners, brains, jocks, and eco freaks.  The novel features well-developed characters, a tight, believable plot, and just the right hint of secrecy, which is ultimately shattered in a devastating moment followed by a courageous reaction.  This would be a powerful read for those who need to know how to react to adversity positively.     

Summary: Sage has secrets that no one at school knows.  She navigates her way through her junior year at school being kind and eco conscious, and finding first love, all the while fearing that secrets from her past will torpedo her hopes for the future.  Grades 8-12.
           

School stories-Fiction, Conflict-Fiction                    --Lois McNicol

Acampora, Paul. I Kill the Mockingbird.

Acampora, Paul.  I Kill the Mockingbird.  Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press  2014 166p  $16.99  ISBN 978-1-59643-742-5  ms/hs  Realistic fiction

E-BN 

Three best friends who are advancing to high school, with very different backgrounds and family situations, realize that To Kill a Mockingbird is on the summer reading list.  It is one of their favorite books, but it is underappreciated by other students, so they develop a plan to entice reluctant readers to read this classic.  As the owner of a local bookstore questions the ability of young people to re-shelve books correctly and discusses the ramifications of mis-shelving, Lucy, Elena, and Michael are inspired to exploit the effects of supply-and-demand.

In an effort to get more students to read this particular book, the group sets out to intentionally mis-shelve copies of it, so that there appears to be a lack of availability of the book within their state.  To compliment their effort, Lucy, Elena, and Michael leave behind flyers in the supposed proper placement of the books stating “I Kill the Mockingbird.”  Additionally, they create a website, a “friend” page, and a Twitter account to publicize the unavailability of the book. The ramifications cause this exploitation to go nationwide, and the three find that they need to develop a plan to bring the endeavor to an end in the most positive manner.

Paul Acampora has created a very exciting and action-packed novel that keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat from the first page to the last.  By creatively using the characters’ diversity and the intertwined themes of social media and its mass effects, the author leaves the reader with a desire to read or re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as to question and experience the effects of mass publishing. The themes of friendship dynamics and the use of social media highlight the  implications of individual actions and the consequences of Internet postings.

Summary: Best friends Lucy, Elena, and Michael create a plan to entice reluctant readers of To Kill a Mockingbird to select the book for their summer reading by using social media and exploiting the effects of supply and demand.

Friendship-Fiction, Literature-Fiction                --Virginia McGarvey

        

Bardugo, Leigh. Shadow and Bone.

Bardugo, Leigh.   Shadow and Bone.  Macmillan/Henry Holt    358p  $17.99     

978-0-8050-9459-6       hs          VG-BN             Fantasy    

Swept up in a border war as a mapmaker, young Alina is pulled away from her military service and into the camp of the Grisha, a magical people who support the world’s royalty.  Here she becomes the favorite of the Darkling, whose powers eclipse those of all of the other Grisha.  Alina learns the truth about the Darkling’s plans for her and comes to realize that she is more powerful than the Darkling.  This knowledge allows her to turn the Darkling’s plans from enlarging The Fold (an area of darkness and foul creatures) into destroying the Fold and protecting her world.    

The author’s use of historical Russia as the foundation for this story of magical realism is unusual and effective.  Tsarist-like royalty and a Rasputin-like character play an important role in this wonderful fantasy novel, which is the first book in a planned trilogy.  The author has done a fantastic job of providing a history of the world while simultaneously weaving a story that sustains the readers’ interest through to the end.  The character of Alina is portrayed as strong and increasingly powerful, and she plays well against the powerful and charming bad guy, the Darkling.  This book would be a highly recommended addition to any high-school or public library collection where there is a following for the fantasy genre.

Fantasy – Fiction, Magic – Fiction                                -- Lynn Fisher