Sleep No More

March 24, 2014
Charlotte Westing has been raised not to do, not to talk, and not to discover—which makes for slow reader engagement with her situation. Oracles are no longer active in the world, but they continue to be born, quashing their gifts through rigid discipline and the oversight of fellow Oracles, the Sisters of Delphi. Charlotte has been mentored by her aunt, Sierra, historian of the society, who denies Charlotte access to her books but, of course, brings them within reach, as well. Charlotte’s obedience to the rules breaks down when she is assailed by visions of her classmates in gruesome death poses. Unable to bear the guilt of inaction, she’s willing to break every rule if doing so might prevent another death. That she has interfered before, with fatal consequences, has bafflingly little impact on Charlotte’s thought process, and is emblematic of the murky rationales that underlie much of the book. Pike dedicates the novel “to the survivors of Newtown,” which may strike some readers as questionable, given the plot’s reliance on violence inflicted on youth. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (May)■

March 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-High school student Charlotte Westing isn't like her peers. She's an Oracle, and she is not allowed to tell anyone. Modern Oracles are forbidden to alter the future. Charlotte once tried to change an outcome based on a vision, with disastrous results. Now, under the tutelage of her aunt, also a seer, Charlotte struggles to contain her visions and keep them from getting through. Her new visions are too powerful, however, and break through all of Charlotte's defenses. The bloody and gruesome scenes she sees are of a serial killer's victims-her classmates. After a second murder, Charlotte gets a text from a stranger named Smith, imploring her to change the future and prevent more attacks. He can show her how, if she'll just let him into her mind. Can Charlotte change the future without repercussions? Is she willing to take the chance? Pike's newest novel is a thrilling paranormal mystery with a hint of romance. Charlotte is a likable and sympathetic character coping with larger-than-life problems. Her situation as an outsider is universal, even while the cause is firmly rooted in the realm of fiction. Teen girls, fans of Pike's previous novels, and those who are just discovering her will enjoy this unique, quick read.-Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2014
If you knew something bad was going to happen, would you try to change the future? Charlotte Westing is an Oracle, and as such, she must follow three rules: never to reveal herself as an Oracle to non-Oracles; never to give in to the visions; and if a vision gets through, never to try to change the future. At age 6, Charlotte broke the third rule, costing her father his life. Ten years later, a stronger-than-normal vision breaks through 16-year-old Charlotte's carefully constructed psychic defenses, foretelling the murder of a classmate. Charlotte wants to act, but she is too late. After a second ominous vision, she warns the potential victim, but it's no help. As visions of the dead increase, and the bodies start piling up, Charlotte must decide whether to break all the rules in order to stop a serial killer and save lives. Oddly, the Sisters of Delphi seem disinclined to intervene in Charlotte's rule breaking, but perhaps official consequence is being saved for sequels. The story is sometimes predictable and goes a bit too fast in places--readers will quickly lose track of visions and victims--but it's full of gripping tension, and Charlotte is a self-aware and likable narrator, determined to use her powers for good. Faults aside, this supernatural mystery will appeal to fans of the genre, and the story's conclusion leaves wide the door for possible future installments. (Supernatural thriller. 15-17)

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February 15, 2014
Grades 8-11 Sixteen-year-old Charlotte Westing is shy and not especially popular, and she has long been ostracized for her frequent health issues, including debilitating migraines that accompany her rare gift/curseshe's an Oracle and can see the future. To date, that ability has not served her well. Ten years ago, she broke rules that led to her father's death and her mother's wheelchair-bound state. Charlotte is guided in her Oracle training by her aunt Sierra, who teaches her to resist the urge to follow through on her visions and interfere with possible future outcomes. But when Charlotte's classmates begin falling to a serial killer, she decides it is time to ignore that training and follow the advice of Smith, a mysterious man who seems to know about Oracles. Unlike Aunt Sierra, he's happy to teach her what he knows. There's plenty of action, gore, and romance in this quick-paced read that will appeal to Pike's many fans. As Charlotte figures out the rather obvious solution to the mystery, she gains self-confidence and strength, leading to a satisfying conclusion. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The droves of fans for the Wings Series will be ready and waiting for Pike's latest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)