Spellbound

May 30, 2011
Shultz's debut is an absorbing romantic tale of curses and the power of love. For 16-year-old Emma Connor, leaving her alcoholic stepfather (and family tragedies) to live with her great-aunt in New York City is a relief, but Emma's hopes of flying under the radar at her exclusive new private school are dashed when she becomes the target of snobby mean girls and a skeevy lothario. Yummy Brendan Salinger comes to her rescue, and they instantly click, but strange things start happening: streetlights blow out when Emma's nearby, and she's receiving warnings from her deceased twin brother in her dreams. As Emma puts the puzzle pieces together, she learns time is running out for two souls stuck in a "never-ending cycle of reunion, romance, and then tragedy." Shultz's characters have great chemistry and snappy dialogue, and the author captures the tantalizing energy of a new romance and the ugliness of teen jealousy. The relationship gets rather gooey, and the second half of the story falters until the dramatic climax, but readers should still be swept along by the protagonists' faith in true love. Ages 14âup.

June 15, 2011

Upper East Side prep school meets fairy-tale-romance escapism in Shultz's debut.

In the wake of a series of family tragedies, Emma Connor escapes her wicked stepfather to live with her wealthy aunt in New York. She's the new girl at a small, posh private school. Having already had her fill of drama, Emma is content to remain invisible--until she lays eyes on rich, handsome Brendan Salinger. Emma crushes on him as only a teenage girl can, desperate for signals that he returns her feelings. But stranger things than the hottest and richest guy in school paying her attention are happening--streetlights die above Emma's head, and she dreams a warning from her dead twin brother. With the help of a classmate who is a practicing witch, Emma learns that not only are she and Brendan fated to be together, but they are also doomed by a curse. Aside from dealing with vicious cliques, lies and rumors at school, Brendan and Emma must find a way to break the curse before it claims her life. The 1,000-year back story of the curse is more fairy tale than historical, but then again, so is the love story. Emma's witty, charming narration makes her engaging and easy to relate to.

The familiar characters and tropes reincarnated into this story make for delicious brain candy for romantics. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

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