A satisfying balance of compelling characterization and creepiness.
In this follow-up to Identikill (2025), two girls stuck between life and death find themselves searching for answers.
Although Chelsea’s twin sister, Angelica, died years ago, the two remained close. Angelica’s ghost was a constant presence until recently, when Chelsea made a new friend named Janette, and Angelica’s jealousy spilled over. Now that Angelica has taken possession of Chelsea’s body, Chelsea is the one trapped in the Underside, the dark, dank world where Angelica was relegated anytime Chelsea paid attention to other people. Chelsea isn’t alone, though; the twins’ former friend Riley is there with her, though the reasons for her presence are unclear. As Angelica wreaks havoc on Chelsea’s life, teaming up with bully Pia and trashing her friendship with Janette, Chelsea struggles to let Janette know what’s going on; meanwhile, Riley tries to identify the imposter living in her own body before things get worse. Told from both Angelica’s and Chelsea’s third-person perspectives, the novel contains enough moving pieces for an engaging and suitably complex yet swiftly paced plot, with plenty of character development worked in. With explorations of friendship taking center stage, Alexander makes space for his protagonists to contend with ugly feelings like jealousy, bitterness, and rage. The story can be read as a stand-alone (a quick recap of the previous book’s events will catch readers up), though familiarity with the earlier installment is recommended for full effect. Physical descriptions are minimal.
A satisfying balance of compelling characterization and creepiness. (Horror. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9781546116516
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
A deeply imaginative journey that puts the “cat” in cathartic.
A loyal black kitten’s boy is under supernatural attack.
Eleven-month-old Nimbus loves Fletcher, the boy who nursed her back to health following life-threatening injuries. When Fletcher becomes curious about a strange jar and opens it, releasing a terrible goblin, loyal Nim protects Fletcher, taking heavy damage in the process. But Fletcher’s aunt, who’s caring for him over spring break, believes Nim attacked Fletcher and dumps her far from home. Rhett, a stylish rat with star quality, befriends injured Nim and leads her to a witch’s house. While the witch cares for Nim, the witch’s cats (maternal Fern, bookish Rochester, standoffish Bianca, and openly hostile Abraxas) teach Nim important cat skills. She also discovers she has a supernatural ability: In destroying one eye of the nightmare demon in the fight to protect Fletcher, Nim gained its “dream sight.” But she also learns it might come back for Fletcher, who no longer has Nim to protect him, posing a time-sensitive, high-stakes threat. Even though the witch’s home is nice and magic itself seems to be telling her to stay put, Nim wants to find a way back to Fletcher. As a hero, Nimbus is as gritty and determined as she is adorable. Tear-jerker moments explore pet abandonment—readers may want their own pets on hand to hug—all the way through the magical, action-packed finale. Fletcher and the witch read white.
A deeply imaginative journey that puts the “cat” in cathartic. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780062680372
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all.
Eleven-year-old Frank must solve a supernatural mystery to save his new home.
As fifth grade comes to an end, Frank Fernández is looking forward to finally staying put in Alabama for a second year, as promised, after a childhood spent following his parents’ home renovation work all across the country. Frequent relocation has made Frank wary of forming friendships or making plans, but his hopes for more stability are temporarily dashed when his parents announce plans to renovate a lighthouse in the Florida Keys, near where his mother grew up and his father’s home country of Cuba. Papi promises this will be their last move, though: The lighthouse will be theirs. But from their first day on Spectacle Key, things seem to go wrong: Tensions rise between his parents, and Frank’s hopes of a forever home are under threat from seemingly supernatural forces. In order to put down roots, Frank and new ghostly friend Connie, a White girl with freckles, must discover what secrets the island is hiding, uncovering Frank’s own family roots along the way. Frank is a fan of horror—he names his new Great Dane puppy Mary Shelley. But though there is some mild peril to be found, rather than a ghostly thriller, this is an appealing, lightly spooky family drama with valuable lessons for those who would hide from a difficult past instead of confronting and healing generational trauma.
Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all. (Supernatural. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06-313481-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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