Fated

March 26, 2012
Steeped in Native American mythology, the first book in the Soul Seekers series from Noël (the Immortals series) is an atmospheric and enjoyable though typical supernatural read. Sixteen-year-old Daire has spent her life traveling the world with her mother, a movie makeup artist. When increasingly frequent visions of silent watchers and spooky crows cause a very public freakout, Daire is headed for institutionalization until her long-missing paternal grandmother resurfaces and takes her in. Settled in Enchantment, N. Mex., Daire learns she is a Seeker, part of an ancestral line of shamans. But even as Daire seeks her spirit animal and sets off on a vision quest, she has her first taste of high school, gets to know the boy she’s been seeing in her dreams, and must save the world from an undead army. Though weakened by genre clichés and offscreen character development, Noël’s story is nicely paced and well-written. The foreshadowing and loose ends that set up future books aren’t subtle, but Noël’s many fans will be eager to find out what happens next. Ages 12–up. Agent: Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents.

July 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Noel gives paranormal romance an innovative twist in this first book of a trilogy. Sixteen-year-old Daire is plagued with delusions. In a last ditch effort to keep her from being institutionalized, her mother sends her daughter to stay with the mysterious grandmother she has never met. Paloma is a healer in the small town of Enchantment, NM. She assures Daire that what she sees are not delusions, but visions that mark her as the latest in a long line of Seekers. Daire learns from Paloma that as a Seeker her job is to move back and forth from this world to the spirit world, helping souls who have been misled. Her grandmother trains her to hone her talents so she will be ready to fight the forces of evil that plan to steal every soul in town on the Day of the Dead. Noel keeps the plot moving along at a rapid clip, throwing in several spirit portals, potions, and visions. To keep the magical elements believable, she grounds the story in reality: high school shenanigans, small-town politics, and family conflicts. A recurring source of tension is whether or not Daire should allow herself to be attracted to handsome, kindly Dace, even though his twin brother, Cade, is evil incarnate. Daire is a compelling, believable character. Like most teens, she is conflicted about her future and romance. Other characters are more one-dimensional. Still, the story is so packed with action, suspense, and tender romance that character development probably will not be missed.-Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

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