Unraveled

November 22, 2010
In the second installment of Showalter's Intertwined series, Aden and Mary Ann continue their breathless adventures in a world where, as Aden puts it, all myths are true. Aden has unexpectedly succeeded to the throne of the vampires, which only his vampire girlfriend Victoria seems willing to accept. It's enough to make every fairy in the vicinity want to kill Aden, in fact, despite fairies' natural propensity to protect humans. Meanwhile, Mary Ann is developing confidence in her relationship with werewolf Riley, but a pall is cast over their romance by a witches' death curse scheduled to manifest in five days. These are the simple problems. Showalter layers on complexities, and readers may feel frustrated as she attempts to recap the entire first book while simultaneously launching the next stage of the manifold plot. The frenetic tempo eventually settles, and though readers may have lingering questions about some aspects of the world Showalter constructs, the narrative develops clarity and romantic tension. But not closure: there is, inevitably, a further installment to come. Ages 13–up.

September 1, 2010

At the end of Intertwined (2009), Aden Stone, who plays host to three dead-raising, future-predicting and body-snatching souls, was named king of the vampires and negotiated an uneasy truce among the many supernatural creatures—fairies, vampires, witches, werewolves and goblins—he and his resident souls attracted to Crossroads, Okla. Readers entranced by Aden and his Scooby Gang of friends will be eager to return to their world, but this follow-up is a plotting disappointment. Showalter's surfeit of narrative threads—a witches' curse, interspecies romances (human—or is she?—Mary Ann/werewolf Riley and Aden/vampire princess Victoria), Mary Ann's horrifying realization that she is a Drainer of supernatural powers, Aden's continuing education about vampire culture, former vampire king Vlad's secret recovery and yet another potential war among witches, fairies and vampires—never quite weave together. Instead, the threads remain discrete and dull, as the plot plods along with far less heart-thumping action than in the first book. There is more genuine sexual heat here, though both couples refrain from fully consummating their relationships. Essential only where the first book was popular. (Paranormal romance. YA)

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November 1, 2010

Gr 9 Up-Aden Stone's story begins just where it left off in Intertwined (Harlequin Teen, 2009). Aden has become the new ruler of the vampires, and he's not quite sure he's up to the task. But first and foremost, he has to find the location of the witches' meeting in order to break the death curse on him and his friends. Then he can deal with the challenges that come with being a king. He also has to mind the three souls still living inside his head, one of which has predicted his imminent death, while trying to be a normal teen. Meanwhile, his friend Mary Ann Gray has troubles of her own. While she's learned that she mutes the abilities of others, she also discovers that it may not be her only gift. As supernatural creatures begin acting stranger and stranger around her, she starts to wonder what she really is. At times the plot becomes a bit convoluted because of the many subplots. Each character seems to have specific abilities tailor-made to help them out of perilous situations. Regardless, the story remains action-packed and hard to put down. Despite the characters' supernatural abilities, teens will find themselves identifying with one or more of them as they all struggle with bravery, relationships, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.-Kimberly Castle, Medina County District Library, OH

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2010
Grades 8-10 Sixteen-year-old Aden, last seen in Intertwined (2009), finds himself in Crossroads, Oklahoma, where he feels he is off to a promising start even though, were informed, this particular slice of Oklahoma is home to legions of mythical creatures. Aden navigates the dangerous world of high school while trying to keep his own inner demons (literallya crew of immortals use his body to further their own goals) at bay. This effort from Showalter (author of the Lords of Darkness series) is pretty messy, confusing, and derivative, but teen readers will probably devour it; its so over-the-top that it might be fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)