Shadowspell

January 1, 2011

Since Dana entered Avalon from the mortal realm in Glimmerglass (2010), she's been a virtual prisoner. Her faerie father, terrified that so many fae want Dana dead because of her faeriewalker powers, keeps her locked in the house. At least she gets a few approved outings: the Avalon Starbucks; the spa for a manicure with her Unseelie best friend; a movie with her friend's handsy, hot brother; workout sessions with her bodyguard's equally hot son. When the dangerous (and, unsurprisingly, hot) Erlking arrives in Avalon, Dana's carefully treasured freedom might end. The ancient, powerful leader of the Wild Hunt wants something from Dana, and he'll hurt—or seduce—anyone who gets in his way. Despite Dana's phenomenal magical abilities, she's a mere pawn for Avalon's powerbrokers (one of whom tries to have her raped); she derives control only by avoiding sex. An explicitly eroticized view of adolescent abstinence, packed with pretty, leather-clad men all madly in want with the heroine. There's plenty of setup for the next volume in this steamy urban-fairyland series. (Paranormal romance. YA)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-Dana has just found out that she is a Faeriewalker, someone who can not only travel between the mortal world and Faerie, but can also bring magic or technology with her. A pawn in Avalon's political games and a target of the murderous Queens of Faerie, the teen's life has been threatened several times and now her father has placed her under house arrest, which is totally putting a crimp in her social life. Not wanting to lose her friends completely, she sneaks out several times, putting herself into further danger and attracting the interest of the Wild Hunt's leader, the Erlking. Using trickery, the Erlking forces Dana's friend Ethan to become part of the Wild Hunt and Dana strikes a hard bargain to get him back. Armed with new skills and new allies, even those she doesn't necessarily want, Dana must deal with the fact that her life will never be the same. Her near escapes make for an exciting and magical adventure. Political intrigue mingles with supernatural battles creating an unforgettable world. As the stakes get higher, so do the costs, and there are several fairly explicit sex scenes. Fans of Glimmerglass (St. Martin's/Griffin, 2010) will definitely want this sequel.-Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2011
Grades 9-12 Black follows her well-plotted Glimmerglass (2010) with another riveting episode of Danas new life as a Faeriewalker in Avalon. Relegated to a safe house to keep her hidden from her fathers and her own enemies, Danas days at first are filled with boredom, outside of fighting lessons and visits through the citys tunnel system with her new best friend, Kimber. But when Kimbers hunky brother falls victim to a motorcycle ganglike posse, Dana dares to rescue him. Blacks fantasy world is finely honed and filled with realistic concerns as well as creative responses to them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)