All Just Glass

December 15, 2010

This sequel to Shattered Mirror (2001) in the Den of Shadows series continues the story of the Vida witch clan and their mortal enemies: vampires. Fans of vampire fiction will find what they crave here, although those who have not read the earlier book also may find abundant confusion, as the author assumes knowledge of the previous book and its complicated structure of relationships and loyalties. This story's heroine, Adianna (Adia) Vida, has taken a solemn oath—at their mother's behest—to kill her younger sister, Sarah, who has become an apparently unrepentant vampire, and now she must rally the clan to pursue Sarah. The posse of witches that agrees to join the hunt turns out to be far from the dedicated and disciplined crowd that the text describes. It falls apart at nearly every point. Sarah, the story's alternate heroine, may not be quite as dead or as evil as her family supposes. Characters from the earlier book also may not be as they seem. What is certain is that devotees of the series will find plenty of vampiric lore and gore. Goth entertainment. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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March 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-This novel picks up where Shattered Mirror (Delacorte, 2001) left off, and it will be difficult to follow the story without having read that book. Sarah Vida has done the unthinkable. Descending from a long line of vampire-hunting witches, she has been raised to destroy the undead. Now she is the thing she once hunted-a vampire. Turned by Kristopher, whom she loves, she is convinced that the witch clans are not 100 percent correct in their assessment of vampires. Vampires can choose to coexist among humans and do not have to become the evil, soulless beings that Sarah was taught to believe. Unfortunately, the Vida family matriarch invokes the Rights of Kin, an ancient law calling for Sarah's destruction. Now her family members must hunt her down and eliminate her at any cost. Atwater-Rhodes weaves a fast-paced, action-packed story full of suspense and intrigue, with some clever plot twists and turns. Points of view alternate among the characters, giving them dimension. The strong ending does not tie up all the loose ends, leaving room for a possible sequel.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2011
Grades 6-10 Atwater-Rhodes continues her loose Den of Shadows series by bringing back vampire-hunter Sarah Vida, from Shattered Mirror (2001), who has been transformed from hunter to hunted. Her family has declared her dead to them, and her good sister Adia has been charged with ending Sarahs immortal life. Taking place in one 24-hour period, the tale offers plenty of vamp action, some romance, a faintly melodramatic tone, and an agreeable twist at the end. Fans of the series will lap it up; other vampire fans will enjoy it, too.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)