Sweet Shadows

August 1, 2012
This second book in a planned trilogy about three sisters descended from Medusa brings Greek mythological monsters to the modern world. Gretchen, Greer and Grace learn that they are the key generation that must either seal or unseal the portal to the abyss, perhaps unleashing upon the world monsters that have been kept in abeyance since the original Medusa's death. Triplets who were adopted into wildly different families, at age 16 they have come into their powers. Gretchen has the most experience in fighting monsters and tries to train her sisters, but attacks from the underworld keep getting in the way. While much depends on knowledge from the previous installment (Sweet Venom, 2011), this sequel explains enough for new readers to follow the story, especially when the action picks up as Gretchen enters a mythological realm. Childs clearly has good fun with her monsters; she takes most from Greek mythology but throws in a few sympathetic beasts, such as Harold, the friendly, giant-spider school janitor. The three sisters share the narration in successive chapters, and although their personalities appear quite different, each speaks with a similar voice, so readers will need to note the names heading each chapter. The author finds plenty of material in the myths yet keeps her tone light enough and her main characters contemporary enough to please her target audience of teens just moving on from Percy Jackson. Entertaining. (Paranormal suspense. 12 & up)

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February 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Gretchen, Greer, and Grace are triplets who have just met. Separated at birth, they are only now, in their late teens, discovering their family: the Gorgons of Greek myth. They are descendants of the misunderstood Medusa and are meant to be monster hunters. But they have enemies among the Greek pantheon, so they must fight not only monsters, but also powerful supernatural gods who want them to die before they can fulfill their destiny. They also have to figure out what that destiny is. Although this book picks up immediately where Sweet Venom (HarperCollins, 2011) left off, the girls are still getting to know one another, and they are still trying to figure out their powers. There are several boys involved-Grace's mysterious big brother, Thane; nice-guy Milo; and Nick, who is obviously more than he seems. But crushes and romance never take the spotlight away from the girls' actions and intentions. Childs writes with enthusiasm and tenderness for her triplets. The book is mysterious and has plenty of action and sympathetic characters. Fighting, crushes, superpowers, finding long-lost siblings, and Greek mythology-what's not to enjoy? Early fans of Percy Jackson are now in their late teens, and this mix of action, romance, and bildungsroman may be just what the doctor ordered.-Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT

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