Death and the Girl He Loves

February 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Fans of Jones's "Darklight" series (St. Martin's Griffin) will be delighted with this final installment. Lorelei McAlister-destined to stop an impending war between humans and demons and in love with the Angel of Death-adopts an alias, leaves her hometown in New Mexico to protect her loved ones, and takes up residence at a Maine boarding school. While visions are nothing new to to the teen, her latest depict not only people's deaths but the end of the world. Lorelei is also aware that she is being followed by someone who knows her true identity (and that she carries a demon in her soul). The feisty heroine enlists her friends' help (including that of a brooding Nephilim) to fulfill her role as the Prophet, making this story line darker than the previous books'. The characters are more focused, well-developed, and witty in this entry, and the dialogue is quick and fun. Loose ends are tied up somewhat satisfyingly, and the surprise conclusion will not disappoint. Because this novel is confusing for those who have not read the earlier titles, libraries looking to deepen their paranormal romance collections will want to make sure that these are available.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2013
Grades 9-12 Bring your orange soda and get ready for the snarkiest apocalypse ever. In this third title in Jones' fantasy trilogy, Lorelei McAlister has been sent into hiding at an elite boarding school in Maineas far from the doomsday events in Riley's Switch, New Mexico as possible. But her visions confirm her worst fears: the world is going to end, and she cannot stop it. So she returns home to make her final stand with her friends and family (can you say, deus ex machina ?). The book benefits from its trim page count and moves at a brisk pace. Lorelei still indulges in too much hand-wringing, but with the Angel of Death on her side, rapture may be secured.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)