Poison

November 15, 2012
When three cowen--nonmagical--girls at the Ainsworth School fall prey to a mysterious illness and Katy takes the blame, it's clear that evil forces have returned to Whitfield (Legacy, 2011). To clear her name, she embarks on a dangerous mission, using her powers to journey between worlds to stop them from claiming any more innocent lives. Little does she know that it will mean facing some of witchcraft's greatest legends. It's a lonely quest, as Katy's boyfriend, Peter, is wrapped up in his own family drama, her friends have written her off, and the close family of witches she came to know in the previous book is almost completely missing in action. Her isolation only worsens as the story progresses, and Katy discovers that even if her loved ones were around, her very presence might kill them. While Katy is a likable-enough heroine, the noticeable lack of meaningful interactions with other characters will frustrate readers attempting to connect to the story on an emotional level. This is especially problematic when it comes to Peter and Katy. Their professions of undying love for each other feel shallow, given they are hardly ever in the same room at the same time. Fortunately, the introduction of Arthurian legend is intriguing, and the last few chapters are real nail-biters. Whether that's enough to keep fans reading the series remains to be seen. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

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January 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-Life has not gotten easier for Katy Ainsworth since readers last met her in Legacy (S & S, 2011). Being a witch in a school that also includes non-adepts has its pitfalls, and Katy quickly finds herself in the midst of a controversy when four of those non-magical students fall into comas, apparently at her hands. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the real culprit turns out to be Morgan le Fay, fresh from Avalon and just as deceptive as ever. Moving back and forth between eternal Avalon and all-too-present Massachusetts, the novel takes readers on a lengthy ride through teenage angst, love, and bad parent relationships. There are so many threads woven into this plot that they sometimes get lost among the many peripheral scenes and conversations. Still, those who liked the first book will certainly enjoy this one, and fans of Arthurian legend will appreciate this alternative view of the infamous Morgan le Fay.-Sara Saxton, Tuzzy Consortium Library, Barrow, AK

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Grades 7-11 Cochran revisits Arthurian legend while continuing the adventures of powerful, young witch Katy Ainsworth. When four popular nonwitch students at her boarding school mysteriously fall ill, Katy is wrongfully accused and ostracized by nearly all the students. One night she discovers a curious new shop in town, whose young proprietress, Morgan, is fascinating. Katy is slow to pick up on Morgan's true identity, but Cochran gives the reader plenty of backstory to set Morgan le Fay, Merlin, and King Arthur in place. There are more plot twists and less clever banter than in the first title (Legacy, 2011), but the series isn't over yetfans will be poised for the next installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)