Crossing Over

January 17, 2011
Fourteen-year-old Roger has the singular ability to cross over to the Land of the Dead. For years, his evil uncle Hartah has dragged him to fairs where he is beaten until he crosses over—pain is the catalyst for Roger's transitions into the other world—and returns with information about customers' deceased loved ones. When Hartah dies suddenly during a battle for a ship, Roger is saved by his gift and taken to the Queendom where he works in the laundry and then serves as Queen Caroline's fool. His main challenges—enduring his unrequited love for the selfish, spoiled, and silly Lady Cecilia; surviving the warring queens; and finding a way to Soulvine Moor, where his mother died, in hopes of finding her among the dead—do not always do their part to drive the plot. Debut author Kendall's prose is at times lackluster, but an atmospheric depiction of her hero's journey and freshly imagined vision of the afterlife should resonate with gothic fantasy fans. Ages 14–up.

October 1, 2010

An imaginative dark fantasy is marred by opaque worldbuilding and clunky characterization. For 14 years, people have been taking advantage of Roger's talent to "cross over" to the Land of the Dead, so it's a relief to escape from his brutal uncle into hard labor at the royal laundry. Once there, however, he becomes a pawn between rival queens, while his obsession with a lovely court lady drags him into even more harrowing territory. The premise is fascinating, and the depiction of the afterlife and its oblivious denizens both creepy and eerily serene. Unfortunately, it is poorly integrated with either of the clashing plots of political intrigue and mysterious horror. While some of the characters are compelling, none is particularly likable; just as Roger frequently confesses that he is at a loss to understand their motivations, readers are left equally frustrated. Roger himself is passive, incurious, self-centered and craven, which may be realistic considering past abuse and present dangers, but it makes for an unpleasant narrator. The interesting implications of a matriarchal society are never explored, and the many unresolved questions create more irritation than anticipation for a sequel. Disappointing. (Fantasy. YA)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

April 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-Roger Kilbourne can travel to the Land of the Dead. His brutish uncle Hartah forces him to use this mystical talent to prey on the newly bereaved. All Roger wants is to be free of the wicked man, but once this happens he finds himself embroiled in the court intrigue of two rival queendoms. He's befriended by Maggie, a kind, sensible kitchen maid, but he's smitten by the charms of irksome and vapid Lady Cecelia. Amid matricide, savage invaders, brutal battles, and armies of the dead, he is determined to rescue Cecelia while Maggie follows her heart. This is an action-packed adventure, and although there's royalty and romance, it is far from a sweet fairy tale. Due to brutal scenes and an important plot element that concerns the spread of STDs, it is one to recommend to mature teens.-Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2010
Grades 8-11 Fourteen-year-old Roger has a peculiar gift that allows him to cross from the land of the living into the world of the deadbut only at the point of extreme personal pain. He finds himself at court in the capital city, and he quickly becomes a tool in the deadly contest of wills between a young queen some say is not fit to rule and her mother, who refuses to relinquish the throne. Kendalls debut novel is an atmospheric coming-of-age tale that weaves ill-fated courtly love with Rogers difficult journey to understand the world. The involving story is weakened just a little by unnecessary and oddly placed references to sexual arousal and characters that exhibit little overall growth. There are tantalizing references to a mysterious place known as Soulvine Moor, which receives short shrift when readers are finally taken there toward the novels end. Despite this, Kendalls first effort will find fans who will cheer Roger on and hope for his constancy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)