Most readers will have already guessed just where the horror lies long before Joel, his older sister Cassie and their two about-to-be stepbrothers figure out who died in the house they’ve all moved into, and how they met their fate. But that won’t necessarily spoil the pleasure for those who enjoy stories filled with ghosts, nightmares and bloody visions. Background details seem purposely vague as if to concentrate attention on the horror elements, and the story moves along briskly. Cassie and Damon squabble incessantly, but Joel gets along fine with Damon’s younger brother Tim. And it’s Joel and Tim who share the nightmares of being trapped in the house, hunted by an unseen, violent presence. Richardson uses plenty of horror clichés—a séance, a storm, incredibly oblivious adults and even a trio of skeletons, buried in the basement—but unsophisticated readers won’t mind much. They’ll be too caught up in the whirlwind action and too pleased with themselves for being smart enough to sort things out before the characters do. Predictable but satisfying. (Fiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Aug. 8, 2006
ISBN: 0-385-73264-3
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An issue-driven story overtly strives for a message and debate on how to define God. Liz is torn between her parents: Her mother seeks solace in a church where the spiritual leaders channel the voices of the dead to the living. Liz’s father is against it and eventually separates from the family. In the middle of this situation, Liz comes to understand that her mother is not there for her. Layered on is the introduction of Nathan and his younger sister, who move into their inhospitable grandmother’s house because their mother is dying of leukemia. Nathan and Liz attempt to go out, but Liz becomes his main source of consolation and stability. Luckily Liz has exceptional emotional intelligence, because, though she’s the one who suffers multiple losses, she’s also the one character who provides solace to all—and sets up the poignant and satisfying conclusion. Set in Massachusetts, the focus on questioning God seems within the tradition of New England literature. But the presentation is often heavy-handed; the subtleties come toward the end—again at the behest of Liz. Lots of grief, little humor and a character who is so stable that readers might be surprised to realize she’s a character who defines for a new age the concept of “hero.” (Fiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: July 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-4169-0273-2
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Seventeen-year-old Gwen is from Charleston, W.Va., but she has been studying violin in New York City and living with her grandfather. Grampa’s health is poor, and his younger brother needs him to agree to sell the apartment house they jointly own. This threatens to shatter Gwen’s concentration just as she comes up to her auditions for Julliard. Then Gwen’s grandfather vanishes, leaving cryptic recorded instructions for her to follow. Gwen dodges Great Uncle Hank with the help of Robert, a trumpet student in town for auditions of his own. Grampa’s body turns up, the police get involved and a sinister invisible stranger complicates everything. This companion to Things Not Seen (2002) is a disappointment in comparison. Though some of the plot centers on Robert’s earlier invisibility, that part resolves itself off-stage, and it’s the story of the missing Grampa that is harder to believe. Endless nattering about the auditions may hold some appeal for musical students, and the heavily embroidered New York references might attract others, but most will hope for it all to be over. (Fiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2006
ISBN: 0-399-24350-X
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
