Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies.

Aguirre, Ann.  Public Enemies.  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss  2015  378p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-250-02466-4  hs    Fantasy     VG     

In the sequel to Mortal Danger, Edie Kramer learns what it means to be a player in the Immortal Game, facing powerful enemies and making alliances with monsters to save the people she loves before it’s too late.  She has only six months to save her boyfriend Kian, but he is not the only person at risk, as it becomes plain when her dangerous immortal enemies begin to attack her friends and allies with terrible, often deadly consequences.

This book feels like a significant departure from its predecessor, abandoning the high-school aspect almost completely in order to focus on a new and varied cast of characters who are mostly villainous in one way or another.  Edie’s personality also seems to have changed radically, which is a shame, because at this point she’s taken a turn toward the generic YA heroine, and become somewhat bland.  Kian, too, has lost much of what made him intriguing in Mortal Danger.  But the new characters are very interesting indeed, which makes up for the difference, after a fashion.

Generally speaking, this is still a well-written, interesting book, but it seems to suffer from a case of “Second Book Slump.”  Nevertheless, readers will feel compelled to keep up with the series, just to see how things proceed after the shocking ending Aguirre has written to this book.
     

Summary: In this sequel to Mortal Danger, Edie Kramer learns what it means to be a player in the Immortal Game, facing powerful enemies and making alliances with monsters to save the people she loves before it’s too late.     

Mythology-Fiction, Romance-Fiction, Survival-Fiction  --Bethany Geleskie

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