Life Eternal

December 1, 2011
Renée Winters knows about the Undead: Her soul mate, Dante, has been Undead for years. But having been saved by Dante at the end of the series opener (Dead Beautiful, 2010), Renée is left to wonder whether she too is now one of the Undead. Renée is sent to Montreal to protect her after a series of attacks at Gottfried Academy. At St. Clément, the curriculum is designed to train students as Monitors, who police the Undead and prevent them from murdering humans. Knowing that Dante only has five more years of animation before he will need to either take a life or die a second time, Renée searches the school's library and mystical texts for a solution. Following clues left by the school's founders, she's trailed by Noah, a fellow Monitor who would like to be more than just a friend. But for Renée, this isn't a romantic lark or a quick trip into the history of a charming city; it's a race against time. Her body is changing, the effect of Dante's life-saving kiss. And both are pursued by The Brotherhood, an order of Undead dedicated to extending their own existence at all costs. Renée's narration takes readers through the twisting streets of Montreal, effectively drawing them into her distress over Dante, boarding-school psychodrama and the world of the Undead. Renée's story is romantic, suspenseful and far from over. A solid read, this one will leave readers wanting more. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

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

April 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-This captivating sequel to Dead Beautiful (Hyperion, 2010) has a wonderful cast of new characters as well as some old favorites. The story starts off a bit slow but as the plots thicken, it is full of suspense, mystery, and heartbreak. Renee Winters's life is in turmoil. After last spring's tragic events at Gottfried Academy, she is forced to attend the Monitors' exclusive Lycee St. Clement academy in Montreal. This means that she will be separated from her soul mate and Undead boyfriend, Dante. Although she learns a great deal about Monitor life, she struggles with depression, loneliness, and nightmares. Both Dante and Renee are searching for the key to immortality so they can finally be together. Unfortunately, the clock is ticking on Dante's "life" and takes a toll on their relationship. Then Renee discovers the secret of the Nine Sisters and begins to experience strange hallucination-type dreams. These dreams uncover clues that aid her in her search for answers, but at what cost? Just as events come to a head, readers are left on the edge of their seats and wanting more. Sure to be a hit with fans of the paranormal/supernatural.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.