The Beautiful and the Cursed

April 29, 2013
Debut author Morgan launches the Dispossessed series with a well-crafted gothic fantasy told through alternating perspectives. In 1899, after suffering a crushing heartbreak and blamed for an ensuing fire, 17-year-old Lady Ingrid Waverly moves with her mother and sister to Paris. Her rakish twin brother, Grayson, is already there, having purchased an abandoned, gargoyle-adorned abbey, which their mother intends to transform into an art gallery. But upon arrival, Ingrid learns that Grayson has been absent for several days, and that a string of disappearances have been plaguing Paris. Ingrid is sure that something is wrong with Grayson, though only Luc, a servant in the abbey, appears sympathetic. As the narrative shifts between Ingrid, Grayson, and Luc's points of view, Morgan relies on familiar paranormal romance elements. The labyrinthine and dilapidated Parisian setting, filled with sinister figures of both human and demonic varieties, should hook readers, and Morgan's fluid descriptions, inventive otherworldly elements, and characters with convincing motivations result in an immersive first installment. Ages 12âup. Agent: Ted Malawer, Upstart Crow Literary.

April 1, 2013
A newish supernatural being arrives in this straight-out gothic saga. Gargoyles, forced to protect humans from demons, lurk overhead on the old Gothic church in Paris bought by a titled English family in 1899. Gargoyle Luc tries to protect the family's two daughters as they roam Paris looking for their missing brother, Grayson. Proper in name only, Ingrid, 17 and the story's main heroine, doesn't bother with chaperones, while Gabby, at 15, dresses in a sexy red dress and goes out to visit men alone. Meanwhile, hellhounds are slaughtering Paris' population of young ladies. Readers learn early that Grayson is a prisoner in the Underneath, where gargoyles and humans cannot go. Luc can't seem to do his protecting job properly even with the help of the Alliance, a group of humans who also fight demons. Forbidden romance and hot kissing scenes abound. Gargoyles are not yet overexposed in books for teens, and Morgan's description of the Underneath also stands out as inventive. However, the gothic genre leads her into the usual conventions of sentence fragments and hyperbole ("Hesitation meant death"). Her execution of the story comes across as awkward and inexpert, with much repetition. The concept may be somewhat new, but the plotline could have been lifted from any 1930s monster movie, including the villain who obligingly explains all before attacking. A nifty idea clumsily executed. (Paranormal suspense. 12 & up)

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June 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-This paranormal romance set in Paris introduces readers to Ingrid Waverly, an earl's daughter who has left London where she was recently the wrong side of a love triangle and an accidental arsonist. What Ingrid lacks in social graces she makes up for in wit and beauty. Her younger sister, Gabriella, is dark while she is fair, but just as headstrong and a dash more daring. These young women are the heart of the novel, in which world-building and romance are developed with equal attention. Although the story heavily relies on information-dumping about gargoyles-creatures that also take human form, known as the Dispossessed-angels and demons, Morgan keeps the plot moving with constant action and third-person limited narration from four main characters. The driving mystery is the disappearance of Ingrid's twin brother. In their search for Grayson, who vanished four days before their arrival in Paris, the sisters meet a handsome bookseller and a charming Scot who happen to be members of the Alliance, a secret organization that supports the Dispossessed in their fight against demons. With the help of the Alliance, Ingrid and Gabriella are determined to save their brother. But their persistence puts them in danger, which is frustrating for Luc, the gargoyle who guards all the inhabitants of the Waverly home, especially because of the growing sensual attraction between him and Ingrid. Although a sequel is forthcoming, Morgan skillfully allows this book to stand on its own. Teens may not be surprised by it, but will nonetheless enjoy the dark adventure and romance.-Joy Piedmont, LREI, New York City

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2013
Grades 8-11 Morgan combines fantasy with gothic romance in this well-crafted standout among the heavily populated field of books about gorgeous young women entangled with monsters. In 1899, 15-year-old Gabby accompanies her mother and older sister, Ingrid, to their new home in Paris. Upon their arrival, they discover that Ingrid's twin brother, who had preceded them by several months, has disappeared, and young women have also been vanishing from the Parisian streets. Among the new home's servants is Luc, who shapeshifts between a human teenager and a 400-plus-year-old gargoyle charged with protecting the humans who live in Gabby's new residence. What is threatening the house? The Dispossessed and, as it turns out, even a rogue angel. Morgan is as skillful in creating intriguingly distinct, real characters as she is in pacing the action. This debut guarantees an eager group of readers who will hold their breath for the next volume.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)