The Midnight Palace

March 14, 2011
Zafón (The Prince of Mist) delivers an often creepy adventure, first published in Spain in 1994, populated with some wonderful characters. In British-occupied Calcutta in 1916, a soldier saves two babies (at the cost of his own life), and the children's grandmother leaves one at an orphanage to throw off the evil person chasing them. Sixteen years later, the boy, Ben, is reunited with his sister, Sheere,
after a brutal attack on the orphanage. Along with Ben's fellow orphans (including narrator Ian), the siblings take on the mysterious sorcerer Jawahal, who has fire-based powers and a connection to the twins' late father. Zafón adeptly establishes his characters (including some fun and believable teenage repartee) and makes good use of his setting. His Calcutta has many of the mystical elements that many writers associate with the city, but it also shows the political strain of a city subject to years of hostile colonization and ready to break free. Just as importantly, Zafón delivers moments of genuine horror, as well as expert plot twists that move the story along. Ages 12âup.

April 1, 2011
Fraternal twins face a frightening destiny in this Indian melodrama set in 1932 Calcutta. Brought together by their grandmother Aryami Bose for the first time after a life spent apart, 16-year-old twins Sheere and Ben learn that a vengeful childhood friend of their father's named Jawahal murdered their parents. The evil agent tried to finish off the entire family, but Aryami saved the infants by separating and hiding them. Jawahal swore to return when the twins were 16 and complete the job. But exactly who or what is the fiery man who seems to be able to materialize at will? And what did the twins' parents do to make Jawahal so angry? The only clues the brother and sister have are their dead father's detailed journal and recurring visions of a flaming train that plunges through solid walls, destroying everything it touches. The newfound siblings will have to travel to the heart of the fabled city to discover Jawahal's real identity and the truth about their family's troubled history. Though the villain's motives and origins are muddy and the secondary characterizations thin in this sensationalistic gothic tale, the steamy atmosphere of Calcutta is palpable and the confrontations between the twins and their malevolent nemesis truly terrifying. Perfect for readers who value mood over all else. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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May 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-In 1932 Calcutta, 16-year-old Ben celebrates a last night together with the circle of friends he's dubbed the Chowbar Society, before they leave their childhood home at the orphanage and go their separate ways. The festive yet solemn occasion is brought to a halt by the arrival of Ariyami Bose and Sheere, the grandmother and twin sister Ben never knew he had. The twins were separated to protect them from Jawahal, a mysterious supernatural figure who seeks them for some diabolical purpose. As the Chowbar Society tries to find a way to protect the pair, the tragic history that ties together the twins' parents, Jawahal, and a horrific train fire comes to light. Although the characters never fully emerge as individuals, the sense of dread and mystery that pervades the story, and the themes of lost innocence and sacrifice keep readers turning the pages.-Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2011
Grades 9-12 With shades of modern horror classics like Stephen Kings It (1986) and Peter Straubs Ghost Story (1979), Zafn spins a tale about how the darkest of forces can prove the true strength of friendship. In the hot summer of 1932, seven friends living in an orphanage in Calcutta find themselves on the brink of being turned loose on their sixteenth birthdays. This will mean the end of their groupthe Chowbar Societyand the loss of their secret meeting place inside an abandoned mansion. But then two appearances change everything: a girl who is revealed to be the twin sister of group leader Ben, and a shadowy man known as Jawahal, who is hell-bent on wreaking revenge for an ancient crime. The teens dialogue often feels weirdly formal, and the stories-within-stories-within-stories lead to occasional repetition. But Zafn has crafted a highly original plot set within an exotic setting. Some Freddy Kruegerisms notwithstanding, Jawahal is a scary supernatural threat, and the Chowbar Society members make for wonderfully unlikely heroes. A fine, sad epilogue caps off this worthwhile read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)